Can I just share with all of you a little something amazing God blessed me with today?! He blows me away with the way He provides things that just move my heart and mean so much to me!
My first visit to Nairobi, Kenya was 6 ½ years ago during my pharmacy school rotations for a 2 week medical missions trip. As I was preparing for that trip I was looking for another medical ministry opportunity to fill out a 5 week rotation period. I found out about a children’s home in Nairobi called New Life Home Trust. They are a home that rescues abandoned babies…giving priority to those who are HIV positive. They provide medical care for them, love them, pray for them…and they see a fair number of them actually convert to HIV negative status! Then they adopt them into loving families. I was captured by this place from the moment I first read their website. It combines Africa, babies, medicine, Jesus’ healing power, compassion, adoption: just a few of my favorite things!
Anyways, I emailed them 7 years ago seeing if I could help at their home for a few weeks. It ended up not meeting the necessary pharmacy school requirements so it didn’t work out. Over the years I continued to check out their website now and then. When I traveled to Mozambique last March I again pursued the idea of a trip to Nairobi to spend time at New Life Home. This time I decided it wasn’t the wisest idea for me to travel around by myself for a couple of weeks in Nairobi. I remember thinking, “Well, God, if it’s supposed to happen, someday it will work out.” I even joked around with my Mom about just ending up in Nairobi with time on my hands (thinking at the time….how would that ever happen?)
Isn’t it interesting how sometimes even our jokes end up as answered prayers??
Last week I found out I would be traveling to Nairobi a couple days earlier than originally planned. As I was going to bed that night I realized what this meant….ending up in Nairobi with time on my hands. A possibility to visit New Life! I prayed like an excited little girl, “Jesus, let it not be super far away from where we are staying. I’d love it if it would work out to spend some time there. Please, Jesus!”
Would you believe the home is walking distance from our hostel?!
This morning 4 of us walked over and spent the morning loving on the kids there. It’s an amazing facility! They currently have 45 babies and toddlers living there. The staff are fantastic; so loving with the kids. They adopted out 5 babies last week. One of the little guys we met is going home with his adopted family today!
I left feeling so blessed and encouraged to have been there. The home is full of hope, joy, and love! It was just what I needed today! 🙂
