Week 11- Been Too Long

I realize it's been about a month and a half since I've posted anything, so this will be quite a condensed version. Since I've been here, I've become a morning person. The power goes out all the time, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for hours. A few weekends ago we went into Nairobi for Tyler's birthday and had burgers! They were amazing. And we went to the Masai market and I got a few things, but we're going to Masai land for outreach and stuff will be cheaper. That day I got like 4 packages in the mail, with Twix, and kit kat and Via coffee! My momma is the best. The week of the 15th was Kingdom of God, and it shook my world. I honestly believe I wasn't saved until then. I had such a wrong perception of the gospel and of our commission as Christians. I got re-baptized and left my Egypt behind. I made God my king, rather than myself, and it feels so good. So pretty much I'm just living everyday under His kingship and control. It's so freeing. On the 18th we went giraffe hunting in the bush, and found a whole herd of them. We chased them around for a bit then went in for dinner. The landscape here is just amazing. We went to a restaurant called Carnivore with our speaker, Dan. It's an all you can eat meat place. SO good. Best lamb, and ribs that we haven't had in so long. I also ate ostrich, chicken liver, and ox balls as a matter of fact. We all did. Dan blessed us all by paying for us! Unfortunately, a few days before we went for outreach in Nyeri me and my roommate Meaghan got stolen from. It's been happening a lot, but it's the first time from our room. The week of the 21st was about the Holy Spirit. A lot of it was just ministering to each other. For Thanksgiving, we Americans made dinner. Chicken, and garlic mashed potatoes, carrots with honey and cinnamon, and peas with onions. We had them sit family style and say what they're thankful for, then we served them. It was soooo awesome. Friday we left for Kids Alive, in Nyeri where our leader Joram is from. He is now officially our mjomba (uncle). I used a squatty potty for the first time ever. And we had the BEST bananas I've ever had. At Kids Alive, I stayed in the guest house with all the boys, and 5 other girls, including Kate, Sheila, and Corinne. We went and served the kids dinner. They were so excited for us to be there. The bungalow had toasters! And a fresh press. We ate so good at breakfast time that week. And always had coffee. And we had real toilets! And a shower, with hot water and pressure. Sunday we went to a bunch of different churches in the area, then met up for a soccer game after. We had to buy rain boots, because the soil doesn't absorb the water, and it rains a lot: resulting in MUD. I made a special little friend, whose name was Joseph Wamai. He always came and sat with me and played with my watch, or patted my face and hugged me. He wasn't in my age group but he always found me somehow. Tuesday I taught the 10-15 yr olds on Daniel. It went well, and Kevin helped me fill some of the leftover time. We had teachings every day, and games, and singing time. On friday I worked in the clinic with Sue in the morning. We did nothing except mop and drink tea. We had a field day kind of thing in the afternoon. Games like sack races, winding a person up in toilet paper, and some others. The kids loved it. That night we had a big dance party with them for devotion. So much fun. Leaving them on Sunday was very hard. Saturday night we had a very long, harsh DTS meeting about people's work ethics and attitudes. Joram threatened to kick people out, that's how bad it's been the past few weeks. He called out a few people in front of all of us, and he was so angry. I wanted to cry. but this past week, we have really been coming together and working as a team, and working as for God. People's attitudes have been better, and our actions are really showing our love for one another. There might be one or two people that leave DTS though. On Monday, the 5th, God gave me Isaiah 25, 42, and 63-64. It was all about bringing down walls, and upholding the righteous. God is so good, even when we are being horrible. So this week was on plumb line and inner healing. It was pretty good. We all have been talking about weddings lately, I don't know why. I love planning weddings. Today, I went out into the bush bush by myself and spent some time with God. It was so relaxing and refreshing. Being out in the middle of nowhere with my Jesus is so good for my soul. And me and a wildebeest had a staredown for a good 20 minutes. Kinda freaky.

Week 6

These past few days have been interesting. Last week, was pretty bad. It was so confusing. The speaker was contradicting himself all the time, and then not able to give a straightforward answer when we questioned it. But, God is good and I still learned a bit. This week seems to be going better. The topic is Destiny and Calling. So much has been covered already, like what it really means to be a minister, and the differences between destiny, calling, and vision, and how we each have a unique calling and destiny, but there are some things that we as Christians are all called to (for example, being Christ-like). Last weekend we did ministry. We split into 4 groups and went to different churches. My group went to Nairobi, and we visited a very interesting church. Joram said it was the most charismatic he's ever seen. But Fran gave a great message on our futures and how God has big plans and purposes for all of us, out of Romans 8. Joram talked about how we are not in the race to win it, but to finish and finish strong. Ha. That's like the entire theme of my senior year. One evening this week the power was out, and it was soooo dark, so my wolf pack and I crammed on Fran's bed and played card games with a flashlight hanging from her mosquito net. Saturday we went to a pool in the nearest town, at some high school, and we got to swim all day. It was SO fun. We played a very violent game of keep-away (guys vs girls, of course) and played card games and had snacks. We all got pretty wicked sunburnt too, because of our proximity to the Equator, and because most of us are taking doxycycline, which increases photosensitivity. We had dinner at some hotel, and it was fantastic. The most protein I've had in weeks! So far what I've been learning this week is 1- If I can accomplish it on my own, I need to dream bigger. and 2- God is patient to carry out His plans, not matter how much we screw it up, He can always make plan B or C into PLAN A.

Week 5- For Real?

So it is completely shocking to me that it's been over a month! We are in the middle of week 5, which is about pride and humility, and spiritual warfare, prayer, and intercession...a lot of topics for only 5 days! The past couple weeks have been a struggle. Everyone's true colors are beginning to show, and everyone is a little tense. I have to remember not to lash out, and to be patient with everyone, because they are all being patient with me too. Last week's topic was forgiveness, and God really showed me a lot about myself. Who I needed to ask forgiveness from, who I needed to set free, what I needed to ask Him for forgiveness for. It was exhausting, but very liberating. My new work duty for the month is "miscellaneous." Yesterday me, Kevin, and Fran demolished the old office some more. Moved a bunch of beams, iron sheets, picked up nails, etc. I think I sunburned my eyelids. Sorry momma! But it was so fun. We learned a bunch more swahili, like kazin zuri means good work, kesho means tomorrow, kuna nini means what's happening. Me and Fran tried to teach Kevin some Spanish, but it didn't really work. So yesterday one of our guys threw out his back. He sunk the axe too far in the wood, and when he tried to yank it out, pinched something. He hurts all the way into his toes! So if ya'll could pray for his quick recovery, because we're supposed to be going on outreach this weekend.

Week 3- The Father Heart of God

So it's the end of the third week, and it's so crazy that I've been living in Africa for almost a month now! I have three girls that I've really bonded with; we call ourselves the wolf pack haha. We do almost everything together. But of course we still hang out with everyone. This week's topic was the Father heart of God, and it was really emotional. Our speaker, Ted, is from Wisconsin, and is so great. Everyone was really vulnerable and it helped us grow as a team. We wrote letters to our dads, and letters to God. We didn't send them to our dads, though; it was just a cleansing process. It was really good for everyone to realize hurt, forgive, and then bless our dads, even if they were never going to see it. The weather has been on and off. Today it is HOT and sunny, but yesterday it poured rain. My hair was literally dripping. Last weekend we did ministry at two different all-girls schools. Sunday we went to St Stephens school for a church service. The girls were so warm and receiving, and the praise and worship time was all in Swahili, and loud, and wonderful. We have been learning more and more Swahili. Today we are going into Nairobi for Amanda's birthday, even with the threats. We know that we are safe, and it's going to be a good time. I just thank God that I've been able to have chocolate and diet coke! And that I am continually seeing lots of giraffes and zebras. Love you all!

Week 1

Hello everyone! I made it to Kenya safe and sound. Our base is so amazing. Really simple living, but none of us mind. At this point, we get excited if we shower after 3 days. It was very hot the past week, but today it started raining, and they said it will continue for about a month. My friends are all awesome, I could not have asked for a better team. We all have great senses of humor, get along well, and of course love the Lord. We have learned so much in one week, about God and ourselves. We eat basic foods like rice or noodles or corn mash (called ugali). We do have to wake up at about 6 am, which is really hard for me without any coffee. I've not had one cup yet, nor a diet coke. I am so proud of myself! I have not been too homesick, and even got to call my mom a few nights ago. And yesterday while jogging, I saw a whole herd of zebra!!!! It was amazing. Dinner is soon, so I'll hopefully post in the next few weeks. Oh! and on one of the visiting DTS teams from Germany, there was a girl from Bothell! Wild!!!

Departure Day!

Well folks, the day has arrived! It's finally time for me to take of for Kenya. I've got all my family here with me and two of my best friends coming tot he airport. It's gonna be a big cry-fest. But by tomorrow night I'll be in Kenya! I'll post as soon as I can and let you all know about the flights and my first few days there.

The Before

Hey guys! A lot of the people going on my DTS are setting up a blog, and I figured it was a good idea. This way I won't have to email, write letters, AND keep up on facebook. So, stick around, and check out my blog while I'm on my trip! Thanks. It's crunch time now, only 16 days left until I take off. My lists are getting shorter and shorter, and my bags fuller. It is becoming so much more real to me each day. Soon, I'll be in Kenya!