A Few Weeks In

So I've been here for almost two weeks now, and a lot has happened.  My internet time is limited so it is a little overwhelming to try to know what to write.  To start, I moved in with Stanley Mutangili and his family (Sylvia, Judihannah, Manasseh, Joshua, N'dunge...wife, 5 yr. old daughter, 3 yr. old son, 3 mo. old son, house help respectively) Friday the 19th.  I have had many experiences from traveling to Stanley's home village upcountry to riding a matatu through crowded streets to traveling to different schools to walking to Westgate Mall to attending and even praying during a wedding.  Check out some of the pictures I've posted on Facebook.  Everyone is very friendly here, but it can be a bit of a challenge to understand one another's English.  I usually don't see any other white people during the day, and I'm continuing to adjust to a new culture.

One thing you all should know is that the Church is alive and well many places here in Kenya.  It has been humbling to see the faith and joy of the Christians here.  People here are so quick to acknowledge God and his blessings and provision.  In many ways I feel that I am simply a learner here, and it has been humbling to lay down any of MY ministry plans or aspirations and to simply trust God to use me.  It is pretty easy to see over here that "when I am week God is strong."  God is faithful and I know He has a lot of great things planned.

Some things I would really appreciate your prayers for:
-That I would get out of God's way, in His work in my life and in His work through me
-Patience with myself and with others as I continue learning and adjusting
-Peace and a strengthened faith that leans on God's TRUTH, not my temporary feelings/emotions
-For a few deep and meaningful friendships with other young adults over here

Bwana Asifiwe (Priase the Lord)
*If you were Kenyan you'd respond, "Amen!"

Karibu Kenya!

I journeyed over Mediterranean Islands...

I've made it to Kenya.  The journey was long but enjoyable; I had a lot of time to think and pray on the 7 and 8 hour flights, and was even able to meet some people along the way.


It is a strange feeling going to bed 8,000 miles from the people you know and not knowing anyone where you are.  I was especially grateful in that moment to serve "El Shalom," the God of Peace.

...across the Sahara Dessert... 

Jet-lag is an interesting feeling (kind of like the morning after that sleepover where you only sleep 30 minutes), but today has been good.  I am learning a lot.  Nairobi is very much like a normal city (although it takes some getting used to driving on the left side of the road!).  I am excited to get to know the Kenyan people, and in a few days I will be moving into the home of one of the pastors of AIC Plainsview.

...and finally saw the lights of Nairobi.

Some things to continue praying about:

-Continuing transition (with a new time zone, different culture and moving in with my host family)

-For humility as a learner and not to worry about making mistakes


Thank you all for your prayers for traveling safety as well as for peace and comfort.

And Here we Go!

Twenty four hours from now I will be boarding my flight to begin my journey to Nairobi.  It's hard to know what to say.  Sure, I don't know the details about my living situation or the work I will be doing, and I'm sure I don't know much about the culture or what to simply expect from everyday life, but I have felt a peace and confidence in the midst of all the unknown and uncertainty.

Some people may say, "there's no way I would be able to do that.  I have to know what's happening.  I'm glad you can," and my response would be, "Who ever said I could either?  I'm not different.  This isn't about what I'm capable of handling or if I enjoy the uncertainty.  The truth is that God is God, and He is in control, whether we think we are in control of part of none of our lives.  He leads, we go, and it usually works out better when we can trust God and get 'us' out of the way."

Experiences like flying across the globe to live and serve for three months don't change who God is, but they sure can show us the real source of peace.  Is our peace rooted in our circumstances or in our control over them?  God brings peace; He is our peace.  This isn't just a defense mechanism for us who have no other option because we're going into the unknown; this is an unchanging truth, just as true for me in Nairobi as it is for you in your suburban living room.  I challenge those who are reading this to seek out God as the source of their peace in the coming months.


On a different note, I am excited and also apprehensive for what God has in store for my time in Kenya.  I know He has been refining me and preparing me for my time this fall, but I still have no idea what God wants to do in or through me.  But, I know He is at work; I know God is waiting to reveal Himself in powerful and unexpected ways.  I also know form the amount of spiritual warfare that has been going on that there are forces that are terrified of what God has planned.  My response: Good.  Let's get to work God.

Lastly, as I step out into the more unknown part of this African journey, I want to thank many of my friends and family for all of their prayer support.  I feel very blessed, and I know I will continue to be blessed by the waves of continuing prayer.  Thanks especially to my immediate and extended family, the congregations of Indian Valley Faith Fellowship and Fillmore Wesleyan Church, and my remarkably "multicultural" friends and townhouse mates who are carrying on with their own adventures up in the Houghton area.

See you all on the flip-side.


"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD yoru God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6