Uganda has come and gone. Month eight. It’s done and it won’t be coming back.
Month eight wasn’t what I expected. Sure there was some growth, some challenges, but overall it was really kind of boring. I sat around and read a lot. Or stared at the ceiling a lot. It could have been a time to delve into community, to practice ukulele, to spend tons of time with the Lord. And yea, I did some of that, but not nearly enough.
I preached for the first time. That was cool. I didn’t have my camera to hide behind or to use to bridge the language barrier. That wasn’t so cool. I didn’t have my computer to write emails or blogs on or even edit the photos that I didn’t take. My means of feeling productive were practically non-existent, so I pretty much just stopped. I didn’t, as we say here on the Race, “push in” to…well, anything. I came away knowing I have grown, knowing I made an impact, knowing names of people I will pray for as long as God keeps them coming to mind. But it was all head knowledge. My heart hadn’t changed much at all.
So now here I am at month nine. When people ask where else we are going after Kenya, there are only two countries to list. I know the exact date we are leaving the field. The end is seriously in sight. That freaks me out. I don’t have time to spend another month being comfortable. And I won’t. I am determined to make as much out of this time as I possibly can.
We are probably in the perfect place to make that happen, too. My team and I are in Nakuru, Kenya: a fairly well populated area next to Lake Nakuru National Park, living with our pastor’s family…in their two bedroom apartment. Thankfully there are only three of us girls and we are sharing the second bedroom with Pastor Daniel’s youngest daughter, Agape. The boys however, are half on the floor or couches in the small living room, or on the bed in the make shift entrance-way-turned-bedroom. This is one of those times they predicted at training camp and launch when being alone is out of the question. Any given night there are at least 12 of us in the apartment. TWELVE. Can you say “community”?
And I love it. We have been here less than a week and I already feel a part of this family in ways I haven’t previously on the Race. I’ve painted pieces of our church’s new roof for hours, shared my story, taken loads of pictures, and read my Bible and journaled daily. (Yes, Stacy P, I’m journaling every day.) The whole team has made goals for the month that are tapped up on the wall as to keep each other accountable. Finally, this is the month I’ve been waiting for. This is what the Race is supposed to feel like. Community. Working hard. No personal space. Running out of water in the middle of washing my hair. Discomfort is definitely an option and I won’t be choosing it.
I’m ready, Lord. Move in big ways this month. I refuse to remain.
I was unbelievably blessed recently by my bestie back at home, Miss Sarah Hayes. She single-handedly funded the purchase of a new camera to replace the one that was stolen. This is a peek of the things yet to come thanks to her generosity. THANK YOU BESTIE!!!
