By the Strength that God Supplies.

"It's Beginning to Hit

Today, October the 8th, I began to pack. This is my last full week here in Kenya and it's beginning to hit me. It's crazy to think that at this time next week I will be sleeping in my travel-attire, not looking forward to waking up early the following morning and loading up the truck with my bags and heading to Nairobi. I can already feel the heartbreak I will get from having to say goodbye to the kids. Departing from "home" (Kaptagat) and not being able to see everyone everyday will be the hardest thing. Not being able to hug and tickle Victor and Gideon and all the girls, not being able to annoy the older boys by making them hug me and say hi to me at school in front of their friends, not being able to walk to Abigail, Silvia, Sharon, Phillis, and Chella's home and just to play with and hug/love on them. Not being able to do anything that I've been blessed to do these past 5 months. But He reminds me of His goodness and comfort. I have been so blessed by the time He has given me here and all the friendships that He has blessed me with. I receive it all with thanksgiving and am doing my best not to grieve..because I have Hope.

It's been awesome to see a lot of the kids repent of their sins and have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It brings Hope and cheers me up because I know that one day I will be with them in heaven worshiping Jesus. I'm still praying about coming back and seeing them again next year, so if the Lord allows me come back....I will see them face-to-face one more time.

I really don't want to leave Kenya...but I am beyond excited to see my family and friends in Miami once again. I've missed my church, ChristFellowship, and my small group girls. I'm looking forward to eating good food and driving again."  

Today is Friday, October the 12, and my life is all packed up in two duffel bags. It's my last weekend here in Kenya and there is so much to do. I've been helping paint the boys' room in the new house and trying not to think about Tuesday. I've been packing and in the process of writing goodbye letters and preparing the gifts I have for the kids. Lord willing, I will be spending tomorrow and Sunday night there at the Children's Home, on Sunday morning I will be visiting a friend's church, and on Monday I plan on going to my class and saying goodbye to all my students. Tuesday morning I'll be on my way to Nairobi and getting on a plane at night.

It's a bittersweet feeling that I have inside me. I am heartbroken that I'm leaving Kenya and that I won't be able to see my kids everyday, but I am sooooo excited about being back in Miami and hugging and jumping on the ones I love. God has been so faithful and gracious. He always reminds me of His goodness and sovereignty, His timing and plans, and how He will never leave us nor foresake us no matter where on earth we are. I know that He is with all my kids here and He will never leave them. He is our care-taker and the God of all comfort. He is my Strength. He is my Joy. He is my Hope. 

This will be my last blogpost here in Kenya. So I leave you all with this:  Be obedient in the small and the big; He will be faithful in the big and small. Take Him at His Word. For He says what He means, and He means what He says. Give it all for the glory of God. Jesus Christ worthy of it all.

I finished the book of 1 Peter this past week and I loved this:

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." -1 Peter 4:7-11

Let us never forget of the Source of it all. God supplies us with the strength to serve Him, He has taught me that while serving Him here in Kenya. He does this in order that in everything He may be glorified through Jesus Christ to Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. AMEN!

So by the strength that He provides, I have served the time He has given me here in Kenya, by the strength that He supplies, I will continue to serve Him where He leads me. By His grace and strength I will go back to the States on Tuesday night with a heart filled with hope.
I love you all and I thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Thank you for taking time to read my blogposts. It's been so encouraging to hear what He taught you through my posts and how He has used me and my crazy life experiences to encourage you.

Please continue to pray for the kids here. I'll try and post more pictures and give you names and all that jazz when I get back to Miami.

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." -2 Corinthians 13:14.