(Before I go ahead and write this blog, I would like to give Mr. Jordan Alessi a shout out for inspiring me to write this and for giving me the title for it. Hollaaaaa, Jdawg, thanks! )
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So… Kenya, Kenya, Kenya… I have so much that I could say about this past week that I’m not even sure where to start!
I suppose a good place to start is in discussing the fact that MY DAD IS HERE WITH ME! It’s so surreal. If you told me two months ago that I would be sitting here right now in Kenya with my dad, I probably would have laughed at you. But, God is good and here we both are in Kitale, Kenya!
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This last week with my dad has been an adventure. I think he truly is getting the full experience of what my life has been like over the past year. Although we have been living in wonderful accommodations with real toilets, hot showers, comfortable beds, and great food, my dad has still been able to experience a lot of the cultural aspects of Africa and has seen how much need there is in this place. His heart has been pulled to help those needs in different ways and I’ve been humbled by his response to provide. He has had such an open mind to understanding these people and has been willing to change his perspective from an American to an African one when necessary. He has been so patient with every circumstance and has been such a role model for me in his servanthood, even after I have been doing this for a year. It’s amazing. He surprises me more every moment.
The two of us have been able to spend some great time together, simply sitting and talking about life and God and everything in between. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with my experiences and the fact that he doesn’t fully understand them, but his grace with me and patience in listening has been just what I need. He has asked me wonderful questions and has been equally as vulnerable with me in talking about his life. Some of the conversations we’ve been having are ones I never imagined I would have with my father, but are ones I always dreamt of having with him. His character and faith in God shine brighter every day, and often times humble me and bring me back to earth from the high pedestal I can tend to put myself up on. He has been a wonderful comfort and role model to me in this transition period, and I am so glad to have this time to be in Kenya with him where our relationship is being restored.
Oh, and I should mention for all of you World Racers out there – my dad is naturally the KING of feedback. I haven’t even talked to him about our WR culture yet and he has already been gently confronting me on things, calling me to a higher place without condemning me. It’s amazing. I’m so happy to still have people in my life that love me enough to keep me in check. Whew… 🙂
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Over the past week, we have gone from being in airports… to hanging out in Nairobi with a friend my squad made on the Race, Nduku… to living at Mama Cheri’s home in Kitale, Kenya. We have spent time with the children on Cheri’s orphanage, bought jewelry from women from the local slums, visited the orphanage I worked at in July (Great Mercy orphanage), introverted ourselves at home, and talked for hours each day. It’s been a good time so far and we have a lot to look forward to over the next week and a half – preaching on Sunday at Great Mercy, giving Christmas gifts to the kids, going on a safari, visiting an elephant orphanage, hanging out in Nairobi, and of course FLYING HOME!!
We have 10 days left on our adventure, and I’m so excited to see how much more my relationship with my dad strengthens over that time. In addition, I’m excited to see how my relationship with my heavenly Father strengthens as well- for the closer I get to my earthly father, the more I learn about God’s love, patience, and grace for me.
It’s beautiful.
Truly beautiful.
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Prayers for continued health, peaceful sleep, safe travels, wisdom in decision making, and great conversations over the next week and a half would be awesome.
Thanks!
