Confession time: Ok yeah I’m not ashamed to admit that I was bummed to leave Asia. Cambodia was such a life changing month and encouraging yet challenging way to end Asia with a bang.
I love the people, I feel drawn to the need in Asian countries…the need for thousands of girls and women to find freedom from sexual abuse and healing from deep rooted sexual wounds.
I have such a desire to be a comforter in the lives of women affected by sexual abuse…aiding them, being an earthly helper to direct them to their heavenly Father who is the only one to redeem their lives.
I believe He can heal them and restore their view of sex and themselves so that they can experience the fullness and richness of the gift God has given men and women. I believe He is going to use me to help facilitate that in their lives.
ANOTHER CONFESSION: I have to admit that I didn’t grasp the hype surrounding Africa. So many people are IN LOVE with Africa, but I didn’t quite understand it….Don’t get me wrong, I was excited to experience a new culture, new places, new people but I had never been there or had heart strings pulled towards it. I was open to it and what was to come in Africa but I just could not fake the hype.
Final confession…..Lo and behold, we are about 3 days in and I’ve caught the AFRICAN HYPE. No joke yall, I’ve officially joined the African hype crew and I haven’t even experienced the fullness of this place.
What is this place?! What is this place that the people have attractive accents that I could listen to for hours. What is this place that these people carry GLORY and JOY in their presence. What is this place that has rolling hills of green mountains and clean air.
We arrived in Nairobi after 52 hours of travel including 4 flights and passed through the Middle East. Since I had yet to catch the African hype, I was ready to leave the Dubai airport and explore the Middle East.
After spending the night at a bible college and receiving such a warm welcome at 11 o’clock at night from the people of the college, I realized there was something different about these people, something glorious.
The next day we traveled through the countryside of Kenya with green everywhere, beautiful mountains, and breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley.
We arrived at our ministry location and pulled into the African version of the secret garden.
We drove up the driveway lined with 10 foot tall bushes into view of the African Irish cottage where we would live and our hostess, Momma Katherine stood outside…the joy-filled, loving, and warm woman who runs the children’s home and school where we are working. I love her. We all love her.
We eat meals all together, sit around talking, and fellowshipping with one another. Our first night in the cottage ended with conversations with Momma Katherine drinking tea and sitting by the fireplace. It was glorious.
We heat up water and take bucket showers. We live in 1800's Ireland, in Africa. Makes sense.
I’ll never forget the moment we ventured over to the school for the first time. The sun was radiant and warm, and accentuated the green in the fields around us. We followed the sweet voices of children and the beat of drums. I’ll never forget the moment that we neared the building and the tiny black faces I saw with radiantly white smiles. I’ll never forget the moment we walked in and cheers erupted from those beautiful faces for us as they had been anxiously awaiting our arrival. Humbling and rejuvenating.
I’ve caught the African hype.
One of the many contributing factors has been the African drummers and singers, these people have got beats and rhythm that flow through them and get you pumped for life in Africa. It’s contagious…I will learn to drum this month.
I’ve caught the African hype and it’s only the beginning.
This month will be filled with glory as God purifies my life and makes into more of a godly woman so that my life will never be the same.
Cheers to Kenya, shouting Hallelujah, glory on earth, radiant faces, and the African hype taking root in my heart,
Jen
