A few days ago I was asked this question:
What was the biggest thing God did in you in Kenya?
I thought, “Why not share the answer with everyone?”
God has called me to work with children, there’s no doubt about that. I have always loved being surrounded by their sweet faces, teaching, dancing, playing, whatever it involves! So naturally, my hope was that I’d get to do a lot of ministry involving kids this year on the race. And ya know what?! God is good and He loves to bless me! One of my favorite parts about Kenya was our ministry in working with children, both at an orphanage and a kids camp. It was the first time my team got to minister at an orphanage while on the race. I couldn’t get enough time with these beautiful kiddos and was so sad when the week was over and it was time to say goodbye. But the next week was kids camp back at the YWAM base. I learned a lot of new camp songs and loved every minute of being with those kiddos too!
Another prayer I had going into the race was that I’d be able to find a lot of time to worship the Lord and grow in intimacy with Him. Yet again, the Lord heard my prayer and graciously blessed me this month! While living on the YWAM base, we had the opportunity to walk just outside the gates and into their bush area, still on the property. This is where we could find zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and gazelles right in our backyard! But the best thing I found was a forgotten slab of cement, foundation for a house never built. The Lord led me to this place of intimacy with Him nearly every morning. Here is where I was able to freely worship in singing and dancing before the Lord. This month has also been a time of praying for some pretty big things in my future. As a sneak peak, I had submitted an application for something the Lord has led me to consider (more details to come in a future blog). I was eager to hear of my acceptance or if I was declined after having my interview in Uganda, and it was hard at times to just keep waiting. But in the waiting, I had some really good moments with Papa as He spoke to me about this decision. He has been teaching me to go back to Him in prayer for every step and every decision. He told me that once I hear if I am accepted or not, I was to still take it back to Him in prayer, no matter their answer. I’m grateful for the time of waiting because that’s where I’ve learned to really spend time with Him and not let myself just jump into the next thing of life before bringing it before Papa. Once I finally did get the email I had been anticipating for a month, He asked me to pray and fast about it for the next week before I made my final decision. I’m so thankful for God’s goodness in simple things, like providing a slab of cement to worship Him and spend time in prayer on out in the trees, both in Uganda and in Kenya!
God has also been teaching me to walk in His supernatural health. Unfortunately, this past month has been hard for our squad because so many people have gotten sick and many have had to visit the hospital. Rarely have I struggled with sickness on the race, just a sore throat once or twice. However, twice in one week I felt more sick than I ever had all year. It hit me suddenly and I didn’t understand what was the cause. I asked my mom and some friends to be praying and both times, I slept sooo well and woke up feeling significantly better! After the second time, I decided to visit the clinic to get checked, as advised by the wonderful nurses on my squad (since so many were feeling similar symptoms and had been diagnosed with a range of illnesses). However, that morning after I woke up feeling so well, I told the team (kinda teasingly) that the doctor would probably find nothing and how God probably already flushed out whatever it was bothering me the day before. Wouldn’t you know it?! They tested me for 4 things, including Typhoid, Malaria, and parasites… all the results were negative! Praise the Lord! And I’ve felt great ever since!
Although there were quite a few ups and downs this past month, overall ministering in Kenya was better than I had anticipated. The Lord is soo good and He really has done a lot in me this month! I couldn’t decide on just one thing, so I thought I’d share it all. It’s always sad to say goodbye to each country and all the new friends we make each month, but I take with me new things the Lord has taught me and excitement for the month to come. I am especially excited stepping into Ethiopia because this is where I get to finally hug my parents in just a few short days! Please keep them in your prayers, all their travel and our time together.
