Today was the beginning of my first time being away from home over the holidays. Today is a day set aside specifically for giving thanks so I thought about it and came to realize how much I have to be thankful for. I thought about the friend I have who told me about IGNITE and how he helped me through a difficult semester at school. I think about my family who pray for me and support me as I have been living in a different country. I am thankful for IGNITE and for the opportunity God has given me to be apart of class 5 and to serve him in this way. I reflect back and realize how much God has shown me and taught me over the past 5 months. God has been revealing things about me and the condition of my heart that I never allowed him to break me of before and I am so thankful that he is doing this work in me. One of the questions that was asked around the table today was what our favorite highlight from this past year was. I thought about it and did not think I would be able to chose just one but then God brought back to my memory August 22nd. On this day I fasted and prayed because I had junk from my past that I had not fully surrendered to Christ and it was keeping me enslaved to it. On this day I found freedom in Christ that I had been missing out on for too long. I am so thankful for that day and for the freedom that I have in Christ. I am thankful that Jesus paid the price for me so I can have freedom and enjoy living in it.

I am thankful for my family more then ever this year because I have experienced living without them. Even though it can be hard sometimes not seeing my family so long God has shown his faithfulness through it. As I'm here in Kenya, the interns and the host family have become like family to me. I can never replace my family but God has given me people in my life that care for me and that I care for. He has given people to me that remind me of different members of my family and that give me a glimpse of  home occasionally. I am thankful for my Kenyan brothers  and sisters who have truly welcomed me into their country and their town. I am thankful for all the children that I have gotten the privilege to get to know and spend time with. I am thankful for the laughter that my friends and family bring and for the opportunity to live in another culture and learn another language. I am thankful for the growth that I am experiencing here as I can already see how this time in Kenya is preparing me for life and not just missionary work. I am thankful for all God's promises and his never changing love me. What are you thankful for? It's a question that can be taken lightly or you can truly examine your heart and reflect over the past year and what God has done for you. Happy thanksgiving! 

All for the Glory of God 

Every time we come to the end of another week my mind is blown. How can time possibly be moving this quickly? This past week was a busy one with lots of stuff needing to be done for the Manna Bible Institute graduation that happened on Saturday. Also, this week was the last week of school till January so we had to say goodbye to some of the kids for a little while. This week God showed me two things that specifically stood out to me. First he showed me that I do have an ability to teach and also how important preparing myself for battle is. 

Ever since the first day we stepped foot in the classroom I have been telling myself I am not a teacher and that I cannot do this. Every time we went to do any type of teaching I always tried to get in a classroom with someone else who would teach so I could just assist where needed. I recognized that I am more of an assistant then a head teacher but I also realized how God can use me if I allow him too. It was my turn to lead the Bible study at Calvary Chapel Rongai this past Thursday and I was extremely nervous. I knew many of the students were my age or older and do not know the Lord as their Savior. I also knew that what I could say would never impact their lives but what Jesus had to say to them could. I spent a lot of time in prayer before this study and honestly I have no idea what I said but I just allowed the Spirit to speak through me and I could feel his presence their. I recognized I cannot teach but Jesus can teach. I will never be able to teach if I try to do it on my own but with the help of Christ I can walk into the classrooms and share the love of Jesus with the students and explain their desperate need for him in their lives. 

As we were preparing for kids club I was personally challenged. The scripture for this week was Ephesians 6:10-20 which is about the armor of God. As we discussed what we would share with the children from that passage, I recognized that God was speaking to me. It has become so easy to just partially prepare for the battle we face each day Spiritually. Paul says though that the whole armor of a God is needed. As I thought about the use of each piece of armor it made perfect sense that every piece is needed each day. This really challenged me and brought deeper meaning and love for that piece of Scripture. 

As the Lord is at work in my life, I believe he is also at work in the lives of those we interact with on a regular basis. I am getting to know the children more and they are getting to know me better. The friendships I am building here are amazing as I interact with all ages. I am learning more about the culture and more of the language. I view this place as my home and the people here are apart of my family now. I asked for continued prayers as I serve here and specifically ask for prayer for those that do not know Christ that they may come to know him as their Lord and Savior. Thank you. 

All for the Glory of God 

Another kids club day has come and ended. We always spend time together in the morning before going worshiping in song and prayer. It was such a blessing this morning as Geoff lead us in song and I was able to surrender the day to the Lord and allow him to give me the strength and the energy I needed. He reminded me, as he reminded me this past week that I cannot live life on my own strength but need the strength from God each moment of every day. After leading kids songs and doing a skit for the children it was chai time. I was overflowing with energy and started playing tag with some of the children. It was hot and I was sweaty but I had so much energy and was able to enjoy myself as I ran around with the children. When it was time for class I realized how exhausted I was but God was still their to fuel me when my tank was getting low. As I went into the 7-10 class with Kay, we were prepared to teach but I was not prepared for the energy I was about to receive from the Lord. 

I am shy when it comes to talking or teaching in a group setting. Me and Kay had it figured out where I would do as little talking as possible without completely escaping the role of teaching. Well during class I got up and just started speaking to the children and did not even realize what I was doing. The Lord had placed an energy in me that when he gave me a small push, I ran. 

After kids club I got to go to a students house and enjoy some good Kenyan food and some fellowship with her and her family. It was awesome to be there and to get to connect with them as this girl has come to be a very good friend. I expected to be tired but God is faithful and was continuing to give me energy to complete the day. 

I came home and was able to sit down and focus and do some reading which never happens after kids club because I am usually so exhausted. Even now as I write this, it is very evident to me that God is blessing me with energy to write. This past week I was sick for a couple days and God really spoke to me about prayer, commitment, and relying on him for my energy and strength. I prayed today and asked for energy for today and as always he was faithful to answer. Thankfully he answered yes to my request! But I also entered the day committed to serve Jesus every where he lead me to and to give it my all serving him. It is awesome to look back on today and see how 3 basic things that he placed on my heart this past week have been playing out today in itself. Prayer. It is ever so important and something I need to make more time for in my walk. We are told to pray without ceasing and I must make that my goal hour by hour of each day. 

All for the Glory of God