Year in Review

What an exciting year 2013 has been! I witnessed and was apart of God doing some amazing things over this last year.

I got to move to Kenya!!

But before I get ahead of myself, let’s recap the first six months…

Seriously just as amazing. I really enjoyed the process of raising up financial and prayer support to move to Kenya. If I wasn’t working, hanging out with family or friends, or down on my knees praying, I was out talking to people about Kenya.

In January my support progress looked something like this…

11% of my monthly and 30% of my one-time

And in July…

84% of my monthly and 100% of my one-time!

Isn’t God amazing! That last 16% was raised (and more) the week before I left at Shadow Mountain’s annual Summer Blast (VBS).

I got to spend these 6 months living with my grandparents. I am so grateful for the time we spent together, the breakfasts we cooked, goodnight kisses we shared, and little moments of living together that I will forever cherish! Thanks for housing me!

Something not so exciting was being diagnosed as lactose intolerant (mostly to cheese). These were sad days as I ruled out the culprit and have since suffered many nights because I thought I could handle it. Not so fun.

However, on a more positive food note, I also discovered (thanks to my dad!) an East African restaurant in San Diego that enabled me to try a few samplings of the foods I now call normal. I can’t wait to go back when I get home to San Diego and eat the meal with my hands! Family and friends I’m warning you now… that’s how we do it here in Kenya!

This goat would have tasted so much better if I would have eaten it with my hands... if I only knew what I was missing!

And the last two months before I left were insane, there really is no better way to describe it. I worked crazy hours (even though I tried hard to limit them) but I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way, I got lots of friend time and much needed family time as well. I worked, packed, saw people, slept, ate, and did it all over again day by day literally until I left! It was nuts but I am so incredible thankful for that time.

Five big things (and a whole lot of small things) also happened during that insanity (as if the above list of daily to-do's wasn't enough :) ). I got to be in two weddings, I went to camp for a week with 10 amazing girls, I was the missionary for the week at Summer Blast and I had a going away party with close to 100 people two days before take-off. So crazy but so much fun!

 

Best friend Lyndsey and Matt's on the left and cousin Ryanne & Jason's on the right

My awesome crazy 10 campers!

Preparing to present at Summer Blast!

Going away party cake!

Take-off happened on a Tuesday evening the 23^rd of July. Knowing that God’s will was really happening in such a big way, I couldn’t help but smile. I still remember the tears from family and friends (and I did have a mini-breakdown in the airport just before entering security) but I hold dear the hugs and kisses I received too!

The bags are finally packed and ready for the journey!

I flew first to Georgia where I spent a week recouping from the insanity of the last month as well as building some precious memories with a family I hold so close to my heart! I loved playing games with the kids, our awesome Jesus conversations with their parents and long walks through the forest behind their house. So peaceful and perfect! 

Thanks Rooke family for being so awesome!

Sunday afternoon, the 28^th of July we made the almost two hour drive to Atlanta where we hugged and I said my final goodbyes to people stateside and began my 24 or so hour journey to Kenya. That involved a layover in New York and London and I landed late on Monday the 29^th in Nairobi!

And now over these last 6 months that I have been in Kenya I have spent a pretty equal amount of time in Nairobi as well as the village. I have enjoyed the opportunities of language learning and therefore baking (as a stress relief) in Nairobi as well as the beautiful walks and amazing friendships with the kids and adults in the village. I have attended two Kenyan weddings, ate too many chapati’s, took close to 50 cold bucket showers and seen God’s light shine through so many different faces and creations.

6 months in Kenya has involved...

10+ mosquito bites

9 pieces of mail from home! You guys rock!

8 different meals in the village

7 scoops of ice cream in Malindi

6 bus trips to the coast and back...

5 books of the Bible finished w/ study

4 places to call home just here in Kenya

3 mentors...I'm really cared for!

2 new amazing close friends made!

1 awesome host family that I love dearly!

And here are some of my favorite photos taken from the last 6th months...

My first "Kenyan" meal in Kenya... kuku with veges and salad

Days spent at the Uzima children's home

Beautiful downtown Nairobi

My awesome langauge helper!

My home in the village

Eating some ice cream in hot hot Malindi!

Language helpers!

Samuel working hard so he could get his picture taken :)

My awesome escorts!

My memorial tree planting next to our home in the village

How I wish I could live my life to the Lord, completely surrendered!

Spending the afternoon with the lovely ladies of the village

Eating Mandazi's!

Village wedding

Precious faces that speak life in the village

The first new life to arrive since I came!

My co-teachers and friends in the village

My Kenyan parents

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Christmas Tree 2013

Merry Christmas!

I really am amazed as I look back on these last six months just how different God’s plans were from the one’s I had made. As I look back I see just how well He took care of me, providing me rest when I needed it, friends when I felt lonely, and so many Skype dates to help me not miss people too much. I have moved a lot but as the sermon went on Christmas eve, when Jesus entered Mary and Joseph’s life, it didn’t get any easier… it got a lot harder!

As New Years Eve 2013 came, I was surrounded by great friends from around the world (Germany, Kenya, Ireland and America) who all came together, (with a few of their own traditions) to ring in the New Year! We shared a great meal, lots of laughter and stories, a time of worship and even Skyped in a good friend to bring in the Kenyan New Year with!

Mario playing the guitar during our worship session

Rachel having fun as well

Rachel and I making Chapati for dinner

Timo fixing his plate of chili, rice, chapati and cornbread

Just relaxing

Phil cutting the New Years Red Velvet Cake!

Our Kenyan New Years wouldn't have been the same without Skyping in 

with Amanda!

God surely provided this last year with all the craziness and transitions that happened exactly what I needed when I needed it and I couldn’t be more thankful. As hard as many of these moments were, I’m glad I can look back and see God’s hand in it all. (If only letting go of my own plans for the future were as easy!) But as I look forward, I’m beginning to learn to not make plans and let God lead from the beginning. I think that’s my new years resolution! Happy New Year everyone!

2014 = no plans!