This month has looked very different ministry-wise than any
month prior to now. My teammates and I have been in different outlets, some of
which we have not loved, making this month very mundane at points. I can only
speak for myself though and share with you what ministry has looked like for me
this month. I started off teaching at the school run by the church we are
partnered with here. After only a few days I realized I seemed to only be there
because the Pastor knew teaching is what I had been trained to do. Little did he know the reason I was
intrigued by the race is because I felt called away from teaching, not even
enjoying it much anymore. I was miserable and knew I couldn’t do it for a
month. I battled with whether or not I needed to suck it up and serve in this
way, while also feeling confident this was not why I was brought to Kenya.
Don’t get me wrong, in past months we have taught as our main ministry, and
that is fine. However, this time it was different. I knew God was calling me to
more, but I just couldn’t seem to figure out what it was.
Something I have grown to love over the past few years and
even more so since being on the race is building relationships with other women
and discipling those younger than I am. I have begun to see the importance of
ministering to other women and encouraging them through trying times. We all have a story and each of us are
called to use it for God’s glory, bringing others to know Him and be
strengthened in their faith. God has been so faithful this year in providing me
opportunities to do this, and yet again in Africa He has done so.
What a blessing that our month in Kenya is our longest month
yet on the race. God provided us with extra time to find our outlet of ministry
this month. While teaching one day, I met Adrienne, who God soon made it clear
to me would be my ministry this month.
Adrienne is twenty-three years old, and is one of the most
beautiful, strong, fun-loving women I have ever met. I struggle with even
calling my time with her ministry, because it is more of a blessing to my life
than anything. Adrienne is currently living with her cousin, Nelly, due to an
unfortunate relationship with her mother and the passing of her father a few
years ago. Adrienne has four year-old twin daughters who live with her mother a
few hours away, whom she does not see often. Due to her young age at the time
of their birth, her mother decided to care for them. She and her mother have
never had a healthy relationship, but when Adrienne became pregnant a second
time, her mother wanted nothing to do with her. She came to Kiminini a few
months ago to stay with Nelly for the remainder of her pregnancy. She is now in
the last week of her pregnancy and we have not so patiently been awaiting the
arrival of the baby!
I have become very close to Adrienne and have had ample time
to get to know her and share life with her. God has used her life as an
encouragement to my own, as well as mine for her. She has gone through many trials
in life, everything good seeming to be taken away from her. I am saddened at
the difficulties she has faced in her young life, the circumstances she was
brought up in, how people in her life have overlooked her and used her. We are
the same age, and while we do have many similarities, our upbringings couldn’t
have been more different. Even through all of this, I see who she is today, her
joyful countenance and intelligence. It is obvious that God brought her through
everything in her past. It is obvious He was there with her and had a better
future for her. It is obvious He is still with her today with an offer of a
better life.
Each day Adrienne cares for Nelly’s eighteen month-old twin son and daughter
while Nelly is teaching. Nelly’s husband, James, currently works as a mason in a town far away and is only able to visit on weekends. They also have a daughter, Vanessa, who is four years-old. I spend
time with Adrienne and the children throughout the day and cherish every moment of it. I have truly
begun to see these people as my family, and have been the recipient of their
familial love as well. They have accepted my entire team into their home on a
daily basis and truly care for us.
Nelly, Victoria, Vanessa, James, David
Adrienne is struggling with fear of the near future and
feels pressure of providing a good life for her three children, currently single
and seemingly alone. She sees and feels God’s presence during this time even
though it isn’t always easy. She has given it up to God and truly seems to be
seeking Him. I have had a rough month myself with being sick and having a
difficult time finding joy some days, but God has shown both of us His
unfailing love and faithfulness through providing us with a priceless
friendship. Adrienne put it this way, “There might be hard times and times when
you are sad, but God gives you times to be happy, like now. He brought you here
for some reason, maybe for me to be happy.” I truly believe He brought me to
Adrienne for a time such as this. Only God could orchestrate something with
such perfect timing. Communication this year has been very difficult at times,
making conversations exhausting. For the first time, I have met someone who I
can just share life with, and this is such a blessing.
I strongly ask for your prayers for Adrienne during this
time. Pray that she would cling to God more each day, that He would use these
circumstances to bring radical change to her family, and that her dependency on
Him would increase her faith, bringing her closer to God. Pray for strength and
peace in the new stage of life she is entering, as well as for a healthy baby.
Things have changed since I first began writing this blog,
so check back for updates!
