Meet Henry

Recently I have had the awesome opportunity to visit the homes of all of my nursery school babies! Henry’s story was one that blessed my heart and made me so grateful that we have a Savior who was willing to lay down His life for us.

Henry lives with his family and older brother Felix in a one-room house in Kibera. One day Henry was home alone with Felix when one of the walls in their home started to crumble above Henry’s head. Thankfully, Felix pushed Henry out of the way, saving his baby brother’s life. 

Sacrificial love like this is something I don’t think we get to see lived out very often on this earth, but I am so thankful that I got to hear Henry’ story and be reminded of the sweet love the Father has for us.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, who will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:9-13

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

And I simply remember...

My favorite things.... about the last week.
1. Getting asked to teach the kids christmas songs and make christmas decorations IN SEPTEMBER. My love for celebrating christmas early is being encouraged. God is good.
2. Waking up to Faith, Hope, and Preston singing in the mornings
3. Watching a cut on the foot of one of my sweet nursery school kid, Chenzy, heal!

4. Having dinner with Carolyn. She has lived in Kenya for 23 years and is so fun and really encouraging to me. 

5. Getting to visit all the homes of the nursery school kids! It was such an honor and a good time. 

I got to go to the President's house!! Meet Obama and his family. 

6. Having the opportunity to come up with a "reproduction" talk for the secondary schools in our area!

7. Getting to talk to this little man on his FOURTH birthday! Crews you are the coolest 4-year-old in the world. 

8. Getting to eat dinner at one of my best kenyan friends, Brenda's house. Even though I have never been that full before in my life it was worth every last bite because she is awesome! 

9. Walking to get coffee with Ed and Tass. They are a really big blessing.

10. Having bible study with my girls. 

“God sets the lonely in families” Psalm 68:6…

Thank goodness the giver of the promise may be trusted.

Before I left for Africa, whenever I would tell someone what I was doing after graduation the next questions 87% of people would ask was if I was going with anyone else. At first I thought this was a weird response, but once I got here I quickly learned just how hard it is to go to a place like this, or any place for that matter, alone. 

Being lonely honestly is one of my biggest fears.  Ironically, my dear friend Amy asked if I wanted to read through Elizabeth Elliot’s book “Path of Loneliness” together while we were both in Africa. I know what you are thinking… that sounds depressing, but since Amy and I were newfound friends when she suggested this, I agreed.  So Amy, Elizabeth Elliot, Jesus, and me embarked on this lonely path together. Thank goodness my path of loneliness ended in me discovering a loving Father who never leaves us alone. 

Wouldn't want to be on a path of loneliness with anyone else but you.

There has definitely been times where I have been lonely since being here but I am learning that if God had eliminated the problem of being alone for me, He would have eliminated the particular kind of blessing which it bears.  Being alone made me realize that I am never really alone, we have Emmanuel, God with us… And He has also blessed me with some pretty wonderful people too!

Meet my Kenyan “family”

My multicultural team! Adriana, Tass, and Ed. Four friends from four different countries.

My A. She has the biggest heart. 

Faith, Hope, and Milcah. 

My little brother and sisters 

Hope

Preston 

Faith

My Momma Maureen 

Always missing this family.

The greatest people you will ever meet.