A completely unplanned spring break trip to Marseille France

Marseilles, France

One of the best things I got to doe was spend the day with a 2nd grade teacher in her classroom. She did the morning weather report, and job charts just like we did. She was so sweet and for the second time in France I ran into a student with dyslexia.

The Mediterranean Sea

For anyone who remembers my trip this past summer to Paris, you know I love the French Chocolate Eclairs.

The best thing about serving God is most often He asks you to step outside of your comfort zone which then allows His glory to shine through you. I resisted three times the offer to play softball one night and then knew if I didn't go I would be disobeying. In the process I gave my new friend a black eye.

International moments in the States

The first year I taught at Bunker Hill, I was like one of those kids caught in a daze when I watched the International Day parade. The drummers kept the beat as students stumbled, waved, and walked proudly to represent their country. The parade is a tradition at the school and students proudly dress to culturally represent the sign they hold proclaiming their country. This year was no different and as the students filed pass the audience, I could feel the emotion arising within me, what a proud nation we are gathered together as so many. This year I think held more meaning, I had lived for seven weeks in a foreign country so I felt like in someway I could relate to those students who still couldn't speak English, but could wave their flag with a smile on their face. They were the ones who I had been called to come back and teach. They are the ones who I try to walk out obedience on a daily basis with wisdom.

Earlier before the parade, I had the privilege of having another cultural moment. Some of the friends from my church have started to befriend refugees from Nepal. During Halloween, my church puts on a big event like a carnival, so we invited these families to participate with us in the event. Below are some of the pictures with the little boy, his mom and some friends.

Starting another school year :)

Every time I have walked into my classroom this week I have gotten this giddy feeling. It is a feeling of knowing I am suppose to be here, a feeling that someone is praying for me to enjoy the start of my school year. It is an excitement of know that those who walked with me last year as I stepped out to walk "missionally" in faith to commit the year to the Lord will get to walk with me again this year. (kind of like a friend that you haven't seen in a while, and I think that is why I am most excited about the year.)

Thanks for all who have supported me to get to this place.

So here go for this school year...

The first word that came to mind on August 21 was light, so I copied verses about light and this is the one that stood out. "Arise, and shine for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will rise over you, and His glory will be seen on you. Isaiah 60:1-2

This is the verse that was printed on our t-shirts the second year I went to Kenya, as I prayed this scripture I know that God will be the Light in our classroom.

The second word that came to mind was purpose. I know He has a purpose for why I am here, and the verse I read was Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to walk in them. "

Please pray: that I will be the light that shines Christ glory. I pray that I will be the light/ smile the students need to see as they walk into the room each morning.

That I will be brave enough to allow Christ to fill me with HIS truth daily and then be couragous enough to walk in the purpose He has for me.

The power to "move mountains": A glimpse into what God is really doing with us

Many mornings I woke up in Trena's room (because there was no way I was sleeping in the "spider room" alone) staring at the intricate wooden ceiling with the feeling that I was being prayed for by someone. Often I would just lay there a while, pretending to sleep, listening to Trena click out her messages/ to do list for the day on her phone, and wonder WHO it was that was praying for me... there was never a specific event, or action that I felt was going to happen, but just knew that someone was taking time out of their day half way around the world to lift me up before the Lord. I guess I QUESTIONED how I knew, or why on specific days I would wake up feeling prayed for, or feeling loved by God as opposed to other days. In those few moments each time it happened, I felt that peace and power, and I remember letting it soak in thinking "well it's just because I have asked people to go with me in prayer through this journey, I guess a few are praying."

Fast Forward to...

Sunday, August 9

My first Sunday back to Sunday school class and a few people mention how when I was Kenya, they had my name at their table to pray for, so they had prayed for me.

Monday, August 10

At a farewell party for a friend, someone who is in SS class (who I haven't had a chance YET to get to know well) says the same thing about getting my name in class and praying for me.

AT THIS POINT I AM BEGINNING TO BE BLOWN AWAY BY GOD. (because I am also beginning to remember all the people who emailed in response to my requests, and knew they had been praying)

The rest of that week as I saw co-workers for the first time at school, they were asking about the trip and excitedly shared how they had followed through the process on my blog. Another wow! moment.

Friday, August 21

Meet the teacher day at school ( I had been in a "battle" all week with myself about wanting to be in Kenya to hold the babies, but having a peace of knowing God has me here to do His work)

Throughout the afternoon of greeting my new students for this year and hugging old ones from last year, in walks the confirmation to my many mornings of waking up and staring at the ceiling. One of the girls from last year handed me three yellow cards wrapped in a white note, she said she had submitted my name throughout the summer to her church prayer room and they had prayed for my trip to Africa. She explained how sorry she was that she didn't know my address there, but had kept them to give to me and wanted me to know I had been prayed for.

A sudden peace and connection for why I am here, back in the classroom, connecting with the kids occurred.

For me, she was a beginning glimpse into something so much greater when we ask others to walk along side of us in prayer through our journey of life. I continue to see how God desires for us to be apart of HIS story, and the joy we get when we have other share in the process. I echo the phrase I learned as I was leaving for Kenya, Do we believe what we say we believe about Him? Are you willing to walk with Him and give others the joy of walking with you? I now believe that if we are willing to ASK others to walk with us, we become bold in Christ. I also believe that it does NOT have a be a grand adventure, like Africa to have friends and family rally around you in prayer. Take a simple step, ASK God where He has you if you can serve Him, JOIN Him in His work, FIND those around you who will pray for you, GO...

Finally a complete "story" of my summer in 30 minutes or less

Now to Him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all genereations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

A little fun the last few days in Kenya

Meet Esther. She is the 3 year old daughter of the neighbor where Trena lives. Since I wanted to visit one of the local schools to hand out gifts, the neighbor suggested her class, which has 30 students between the baby and nursery class.






The kids loved having visitors and sang songs to welcome us, what fun to bring them a gift at the end of the school term.


During a short lesson, I was able to use the beads made by the girl scouts from Houston to teach the kids to count to ten.

5 days left...and coming full circle

The start of my trip to Kenya had me questioning whether I believed what I said I believed about God. Did I really trust Him?

The last few days have had me looking deep into that question as I entered my last week here. Stepping back from myself and realizing that I am not here to serve myself or even others here who have become dear friends, but the God who created and called me. The one who I have learned to call Lord in all situations. So as I watch paperwork try to be submitted, others go on safari to see God's wonderful creation, I am content to sit and have conversations with men who love the Lord and those who are seeking to find answers to questions they don't even know they have. These are the moments God has called me to and I would rather be no where else than where He calls. The last two days as I watch God surprise me with the small gifts of a schedule, answered prayers that only I know about, and peace that can't be explained to return to teach, I see the greatness of who He is amaze me. Who else knows when there will be no traffic? Who else knows how to send water to the thirsty? Who else knows the names of babies that need a home?

We serve an amazing God if we will but stop and listen to where He is calling us. As I go from Africa to America, I will never forget that with each new day He continues to tell us to GO with Him. We have to remember to be silent enough to listen to where that path will lead us, and courageous enough to take the steps that put that into action.

Prayers:
*meeting with neighbors for a fellowship meeting-thursday morning
*meeting with a small community school-thursday afternoon
*spending the night with missionary friends-thursday night
*passing out water from a water truck-friday morning
*completing and submitting paperwork to the new district officer-friday afternoon (praying for a letter of recommendation to accept the children we have identified that same day)
*trying to get paperwork together for His Cherished Ones to take to America-saturday

Praying for babies before I leave Monday, but at peace if they don't come before then, because God is faithful!

Another busy week

Monday-July 20 We were able to meet the HFBC team at Flomina. It was fun to watch the kids introduce themselves and try to shake hands with everyone. Here I am with the kids in their uniforms. I know many teachers from my school donated money to help pay for the uniforms, so it was important for me to see them coming home from school with them on.

Tuesday-July 21 Picking up Hezekiel and Tyson from Nairobi Children's Home with Janice, Naomi, Laura, and Jackie. We were able to see the dining room and hold some kids while Janice and Trena talked with the admin, about picking up the boys. This was the day I was hit with the reality of a lot of the children in the country and their situations. Below is Tyson and Me near the playground at the clinic.

Wednesday-July 22 Visiting Mike Eden's place, again we were blessed to visit with the HFBC team. Since Monday, Trena and I have been without power (cold showers are not fun) and then we lost the ability to pump water from the borehole, so were without water. (we are in Kenya :) So when we were offered to have warm showers at Brackenhurst by the team, Trena and I willingly woke up early that morning to drive to the hotel. Below are pictures of the kids of Eden.

Thursday-TODAY!!! We are going to meet with the lady from Nairobi Children's Home, she has prepared a list of files for Trena to look through to see if any of the babies match the ages she is trying to target and accept for the home.

Miracles of God are often mistaken for a daily event that has gone our way.

If we chose to acknowledge the event as something we made happen we take our eyes off what God is doing and try to steal His glory. The miracles of God are all around us, are we willing to step away from ourselves so we can see His greatness? A song we sung as children defines a miracle as a supernatural intervention of God, I expect a miracle.

The past few days God has been working soooo fast it is hard to even keep up with what He is doing much less have time to blog about the events. So here's a quick run down of the events:

7/17/09 praying the night before we did not want to have to travel to Kajaido in order to submit more paperwork, but felt a peace about staying home, I think we rested well that night with the thought of a slow morning. Friday morning we had a message from the children's department officer that he would be in Ngong that day, so we could come there instead. (the Ngong offices are 5 minutes from home and the Kajaido an hour and 30 minutes) another of the small miracles was that he even called to tell us. When meeting with him, he said was very polite and said he was even encouraged by our progress with the paperwork. Our goal that day was to get a letter from the department saying that we could accept children. Although we didn't get a letter, we are close, he told us that if we have children identified that needed homes along with their background, then he would give us the approval to accept them.

7/18/09 meeting the Houston First Baptist team to feed the community around Heshima. What fun as the children played and were able to eat rice/veggies prepared by the teachers.

7/19/09 Amy spent the night and we got up to travel to elephant orphange, giraffe center, and market. I was able to drive the two of us around all day and only had to call for directions once!

7/20/09 Flomina orphanage was where we spent the day with the Houston team. We again played with the kids, they were so cute as they would start with a handshake, but then not let go of your hand and cling to it as we walked around the compound. The morning started with an amazingly smooth trip to the area with no traffic and plenty of time to pick out fabric for the rest of the baby rooms.

God is so good, because that is His nature and it is fun for me to see Him reveal Himself.

Visiting Amy at Brackenhurst

Amy's here from Houston! I have been looking forward to her visit for the last few weeks. She had scheduled her trip after I knew I was coming, but we have both been looking forward to our time together here in Kenya. She is going to be teaching this week on discipleship and I have the blessing of being with her on the first day. I have enjoyed the refreshing time of being with a friend, while building experiences together at the same time. Last night as we waited for the fire to die down in the cottage, we remembered how only last summer we were touring Israel together with our sisters. Oh how we wish they were here with us!

We have to keep pinching ourselves as we walk down the path, or sit with Jamie and Mimi at dinner. Are we really in Kenya together? Today after a wonderful time of worship at church, we were able to go to town with friend's of Jamie's for lunch. Building friendships, that was what I had asked for in my journey, what a blessing to see that happening.

Sorry for the delayed update, but here it is...

Moving Day! (or shifting as they say in Kenya)

Rolling over on the new blue mattress we bought the day before at Nakumatt, it hit me, if I were on a mission trip like I have done in the past, I would be home by now. Yet I am seeing God is so faithful to Himself and I continue to be in awe of how He lets us be apart of His work. When I committed to come for seven weeks (as my mom pointed out, not six weeks) many people said, "Wow, that's a long time," and so I began to think maybe it was too long. Two weeks into my trip, I am soooooooo glad that I will not be leaving soon, there is still too much excitement I am getting to see God unfold.

Here's a recap of the last week:

Monday, June 29, 2009-With a plan to return to Kaijado in order to turn in registration papers, we walked outside, opened the gate, were ready to lock up the dogs, and latch the door; only to realize the car would not start. With a clicking sound when we turned the key, we realized something was wrong with the battery, what could three girls do to figure out how to fix a car on such an important day. Trena called her "normal" contacts, and Julius, the administrator of Heshima came to save us for the second time in the week. (We had two punctured tires only a few days before he came to fix.) Thankfully we realized that the folder of registration papers was laying on the table inside the house and we would have drove off without them. Arriving at the children's administration office, we had to wait for the assistant to return from lunch, but then saw the sovereignty of God's hand as Trena was able to share the heart of her vision and ministry. The fun part of the day was I drove back, making a driving record of 100 kilometer drive.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009- Thinking back on this day later in the week, we really could not remember what we did, so knew it had to be busy. This was the day that Alice and Lynette came to the baby house, they had a pool of water on the floor to mop before we even thought about getting one out. They are incredible women! Tom was also here for the first official day of work, he is the Masai night watchman. We are so thankful for him and feel completely safe knowing he is out watching at night. (Trena claims she didn't steal him from the current landlord, but as they say in Kenya, "that is a long story."

Wednesday, July 1, 2009-Moving day, and up at 7:00 (ugh!!!) Silas, the contractor who is making repairs on the baby house, was able to get us a guy with a Toyota truck as a transporter for the furniture. Unfortunately the day started with negotiations about pricing for how much it would cost to move things. Trena offered to "top off" his truck, which means to fill it up all the way, but he said that he would rather have the money, because if his truck got carjacked, then all the fuel would be wasted. With the pricing settled for the day, they had three rooms cleared, furniture disassembled and waiting to be loaded in the truck within the hour. The three guys had the whole house moved within two trips to the house, and one trip to the furniture shop with a quick stop by to pick up the big refrigerator at Nakumatt. We were thankful, because we had been invited to a friend's house for dinner that night and it was a great fellowship time for a long day.

Visiting my world vision sponsor child on June 23

Thank you for your prayers for my time in Kenya. I will be traveling to Mombasa tomorrow to visit my world vision child on June 23. Please pray:

*safe travel to the airport and flight to Mombasa
*clear communication ahead of time with the World Vision representative so that I know what time and location I will meet him
*excitement and love as I meet Barisa, he is a 13 year old boy
*fun time together as we meet on Tuesday, not an awkward time, but quick unity
*that I can share with him how much God loves him

Thanks for your prayers as this is something I have been planning and waiting for a long time to do, but am a little anxious to have happen.

What I say I believe and what I really believe

I’m here and what a fun journey!

Most of you don’t know the Sunday before I was to leave, I received a phone call from Trena’s friend letting me know that there had been a mix up in our dates and Trena would be away on safari with her friend when I arrived in Kenya. After the shock of what I had thought might happen (no one to pick me up) Trena did an amazing job arranging for her neighbor to pick me up and for me to spend the night at her place. The whole experience gave me the opportunity to realize that what I “say” I believe in God, doesn’t always match what I “do” believe in who God is for me.
After a great dinner the night before, prepared by my aunt and a wonderful surprise by my sister-in-law (giraffe cookies, I wish I had a picture to share, but now their legs are all broken, well more than their legs) The day started with the crucial help from my dad. We went from errand to errand, without him we would not have gotten much done. Thanks dad! J
The fun started when we got to the airport and started weighing the 7 bags that were packed full of school supplies, children’s clothes and shoes. On the scale one bag would go, and out would come a pair of shoes, or notebooks until the check in lady would say it weighed 50 pounds. After 6 bags of doing this, the last bag is what got the BIG red flag. It weighed way over 50 pounds and would need to reach a certain amount so I could pay the $45 extra dollars so it could go. The problem was I could just not get it down to weight. The climax reached it’s height when she looked over at my carry on suitcase that I had all of my personal clothing in and said that it was not going to be allowed as a carry-on because it was too big. She said “you know you will have to pay $162 for the extra bag fee.” With tears in my eyes, I said I know that I will and frustrated, swept my hair up with a sad huff. Seeing my despair she said, “hold on, let me go talk to my supervisor.” So I guess long story short (well I guess not really short) God decided to bless me through others many prayers, by bumping me up to World Traveler Plus, giving me the ability to have another suitcase. So onto the plane I went!
My connection through London was smooth and off the plane in Kenya I was able to meet my connecting person and onto Trena’s house. I know that God had planned for me to have the day to myself while they were still on safari, as I was able to sleep off and on throughout the day. Now I feel rested and ready to go.
Today we traveled to the government offices to find out the steps for registering the baby house and then also visited the house.

Lesson learned: Don’t worry in the moment for you will miss the presence of God if you try to solve it on your own power. What are you saying that you believe about God, that you might not have experienced yet to really believe about Him? Having walked into the uncertain through this experience, I encourage you to be obedient, let God take you out of your comfort zone to see His greatness.

PACKING...but more than that....

So too many amazing things have happened in such a short time period to give them all their own posting. :( But I wanted to share the amazing time I had on Thursday when I was packing with some new friends.

What do you do when someone offers something so generous, it leaves you speechless and stunned? That's the question I had to answer about a month ago when I received an email from an amazing mom from the school where I teach in Houston. Her email confirmed the strong instance from my two advisers who have helped me plan the trip, to ask those around me for support. Now about 100 lbs., 2 hours, 5 sets of hands and many generous families later, I have two extra bags full of donated clothes and shoes for the children of Kenya.

The story does not stop there, and again left me even more speechless with how this mom is instilling in her children the value of giving through her daily life and passion to serve Christ. Prepared to leave with the bags already in my car and feeling full of blessings, her 13 year old daughter turned to the mom and said, "can I go get the card now?" She returned quickly with a folded hand-made card clipped around the edges with paper clips, holding money inside. As she handed it to me she said, "this is for your trip, for a child in Kenya who needs it more than me. I don't really have anything that I need to buy right now anyway." Inside the card, I later discovered was a VERY generous amount of money for a child her age to be giving. I was not only impressed by her desire to be apart of something she had seen her mother so passionately model, but her willingness to sacrifice her savings for someone else, over something she had been saving to purchase, that she now saw as only a material item.

Scripture clearly says in 1 Timothy, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

This young lady, was a model for me that day of what it looks like to live for others, not yourself and will be carried with me as a reminder that nothing is of too great a value to be firmly gripped in my hand. Thank you Dickinson Family!

Also a huge thanks to others (Cooksey family, aunt Pam, Denise) who have generously giving out of their supplies and desire to provide for those in need. I have collected many towels, washcloths, sheets, and pillowcases. Thank you for listening to the need and answering in this way.

Those going with me....

Blessed beyond measure is the thought that comes to mind right away. I have put off writing this post, since I am not sure I can fully express what I even want to say.

The list just goes on and on of those who have responded to go with me. Last Thursday my prediction came true as I cried in front of a room full of students and their moms, knowing that I would not ever be able to call that group of students my own again. These students have been a large part of my preparation in going. They have listened with ears of curiosity as I described what Kenya is like, questioned how students are alike and different from Americans, and given me such a vibe of energy for what I am doing this summer as they watched me share pictures of Trena and her mission. These are the students I will take with me, and as I look into the eyes of the Kenyan children, I will say HI FROM AMERICA! for these are the students who have taken the most steps with me on the journey, yet will not be able to board the plane to go with me physically.

For my birthday I was gifted with a large donation from the parents in support of my trip, so little did I expect anything for an end of the year gift from them. With emotions already on the edge of escape, one of the room moms handed me a book with a beautiful purple bow tied around it. As I removed the bow I realized it was a journal, but the undoing of my emotions was an even larger donation towards my trip and the signatures of all 21 students from my homeroom class. Pictured are the quotes the mom included in the journal, a very appropriate tie to my theme of going, and even more treasured as I will be able to take their sweet names with me into the heart of Kenya.

June 1...

I try not to BE overwhelmed when I think:

• only two more weekends left before I leave
• I won't be sleeping in my own bed for 6 weeks
  am I really getting on a plane alone, flying across the ocean to another continent, then getting my own VISA, and finding my friend in a foreign country to pick me up
• being homesick for my family
• will I be able to stay healthy and eat enough
• what exactly am I going to be doing while I am over there
• will I be accepted

But then I AM overwhelmed:

• By a God who wants to tell His story of how much he loves us
• the generosity of those willing to "go" with me
• how He can speak a gentle assurance through walking at the lake, with the sun on your back, as a heron swoops down to skim across the water and YOU JUST KNOW He is there
• how He wants us to be apart of what He is doing through our willingness to be moldable and available to His plan
• how details are His speciality and everything just falls into place
• That in the end the things that overwhelm me are not the things that overwhelm Him!

I am reminded as I type that when I focus on the earthly things I overwhelm myself, but when I look at what God is doing through my steps of faith, I am able to see far past myself and see the faith of those around me.
Those who ask me questions that cause me to doubt my safety and decision to go all summer are far less than those who have stepped in faith with me to believe that I am called to go and help.
They are the ones who are courageous!
They are the ones who have listened to the call to support me and in turn have strengthen my faith to keep stepping in the right direction.
As I have reflected this weekend about all I have seen God do this last two weeks, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and that has left a joy and strength in my heart to overcome my fears and instead be overwhelmed in His presence.
A huge thank you to all of you who have decided to "go" with me (that includes the excitement from my students who ask questions at school) Your joy, dedication, generosity, and support has given me courage. Thank you!

planning to go...who will go with me?

May 20, 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

God’s truth, love, and grace are three big concepts I have learned over the last few year and several months ago I was challenged as to whether or not I was ready to put these skills into practice. A friend mentioned that she was thinking of going to Africa for the summer, I was excited as I had been longing to go back to Kenya; I however was thinking two weeks, and she was thinking longer. The conversation got me thinking, how long was I willing to go and what was I willing to give up to be there? After conversations with friends and a growing passion in my heart to serve others, I made a commitment to go.

Trena Ivy, is a missionary serving in Kenya, Africa and I will join her to be “a second set of hands” for 6 weeks. Trena oversees two orphanages and a school for learning disabled students. I am excited to see how on a daily basis God will use me, while I meet people and get to know their stories. Unlike other mission trips I have gone on, this one has no set schedule to serve, other than my arrival and departure time. I will leave Houston June 15th and stay with Trena until August 3, 2009.

The journey to go has reshaped my understanding of trust; God has called me to trust on Him and not base my trust on what my earthly eyes can see. I know that He wants me to see how worthy He is in being called trustworthy.

Will you commit to go with me?

Perhaps in prayer or financial support.

Please pray:
•Physical- That my body remains healthy and strong, that I am able to eat the right foods needed.
•Safety- travel to Africa and entering customs alone be smooth, connecting flight in London on time, making smart decisions while talking and meeting people
•Work-that I remember to see what God is already doing joining Him and not planning my own activities, that I love the people with a love from the Lord, I will not be a burden to Trena but a second set of hands in her ministry
•Financial- I am still trying to raise financial support for those who desire to give. The total trip from June 15-Aug. 3 is going to cost about $3,327. This amount will include airfare ($1,426), food and drinking water ($734), shots needed for the country ($380), insurance, visa and traveling in the country ($787). At the start of this letter in May, I had $835, that has increased to a total of $1,105!

Thanks to all who have already started praying and given financially to see God use me in a powerful way this summer. I can’t wait to share what He is going to do.

Thanks to all who are asking how to donate. You can do it two ways, you can send it to me and I will apply it towards costs already spent ( such as the plane ticket and shots) OR Trena's ministry is registered for tax deductions, so you can send a check to the ministry and then she will write me a check.

If you send it to His Cherished Ones, be sure to write Kenya 09 in the memo line, so she knows it is a donation for me. Here's the address for that:

His Cherished Ones, Inc.
11307 Travelers Way Cir.
Houston, TX 77065