Did I finally find the woman of my dreams? Her name: Betty June. Quite honestly, I'm not totally digging her name right now but that's besides the point. In fact, it's so besides the point that her name didn't prevent us from having a couple intimate kisses. And believe you me, these weren't your typical 'peck on the cheek' type of kisses either; they were much more. BUUUT, do not get too excited...because those are not wedding bells you hear. Truthfully, mentioning the words 'wedding'+'Betty' in the same sentence is quite premature. Yes, yes, I am indeed second guessing our relationship...call me shallow, but I don't do so well with taller girls; and you see, Betty June stands at about 20feet which is a tad taller than my 5'11' body. Sorry Betty, but I don't think this relationship is going anywhere...hope you understand...
Yes, it is true: Kenyans are brutal drivers...like, beyond brutal. For some reason, Kenyans think playing chicken on narrow roads is a good idea. They think the 'other car' (on the correct side of the road) will move over for them...since after all, if the other car driving on the correct side doesn't swerve off the road, they're crash head on into each other. Unfortunately, all you have to do is listen to the stories and visit the hospitals to discover that sometimes the 'other car' actually doesn't move onto the curb...therefore, collisions that are so unavoidable become a reality.
my heart has been captured...overwhelm me!
The Kenyan children instantly captured my heart. Developing-world missions is capturing my heart. The challenge (and I'll share more about these challenges when I have more time...and internet) is capturing my heart. Living for Jesus when I am so uncomfortably uncomfortable is growing on me...and yes, capturing my heart. I could go on and on about the little interactions I've already had with the Kenyan people but I'll save that for another day. This post is drawing to an end. I'll do my best next time to explain more about what God is teaching me...currently, I'm still trying to process everything He is revealing to me...it's a little overwhelming and I'm currently finding it hard to put everything into words for all you people at home. But I will say this (and I ask you to pray for this): that I hope God continues to overwhelm me...overwhelm me with the challenges and then overwhelm me with the power of the Holy Spirit to press on!!! ahhhh there's so much I want to share!!! I'm excited to share!
Ahh, God is moving. It definitely has not been a trip filled with just laughs and giggles but it's been good. Like really, it's been good. I know I am here because He sent me. And even in the very discouraging times, I'm able to hold onto the Truth that God is my God...it sounds simple, but knowing God the Father is my God...that Jesus is my LORD...is a Truth that I'm learning to hold onto tighter and tighter...in tears, in fears and in joy (Isaiah 41:10). Feeling that perfect peace despite being so incredibly outside my comfort zone is something I can't even begin to explain (Isaiah 25:3-4)...ahhhh, it's so beautiful...so freeing...so amazingly abundant!!! The living and loving God IS MY GOD!!!
As always, I ask that you continue to join me in this journey. Prayer is vital to this ministry and as I continue to try to be immersed into a new culture, I'll need the backing of all you prayer warriors. Pray specifically for me to learn more about the Kenyan culture and language. Also, pray that I gain more of the strength and the ability to love the Kenyans in both language and in the hospitals. And of course, pray that I am overwhelmed by the challenges and then the Spirit!!!
So Glad to hear that you are absorbing not just Kenya in all it's fullness, the wonder, beauty and depth of it's people and it's landscape,- but the Grace that abounds in the least likely of places... the joyful smiles in the slums, the near death car trips around the traffic circles, even in the wet kisses of Betty-June. May you see Him in all that surrounds you. May His truth, His compassion, His justice draw you closer... to Him, and to all those who come across your path....
ReplyDelete(On an aside note: Please send our greetings to the folks at Mayfield (if you happen to stay there) Livingstone, George, John... too many to name... but let them know our thoughts and prayers are always with them... and Arlene Cummings in Kapsowar!)
Just read your blog....you write so well that I can picture myself there. I laughed, I gasped and I am definitely praying for you. May God overwhelm you for Him.
ReplyDeleteawww yeahh!!! this warms my heart- i am so psyched for everything God's done up to this point and what He's going to continue to do. praying for you bud!
ReplyDeleteAh, the joys of third-world driving :) Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Kenyan children have captured your heart :)
Will continue to pray for you... that his Spirit would be unleashed upon you.