Big Reminders in Small Packages

A few days ago, during our break at school, I was swinging at the Banda with a couple of the younger girls. They were just captivated by the bracelets (bangles) that I was wearing. Long story short I ended up giving them all away, all except one. It worked out perfectly that all of the girls had received a bangle and I still had my favorite one. I didn't think much of it at the time; all I could think of was their smiling faces after receiving the crazy Mzungu's (white person's) bangles. But then last night I was hanging out at the house and God used this bangle around my wrist to remind me of His perfect love for me. It finally had occurred to me that the bangle I wasn't willing to part with wasn't the most expensive or the most brilliantly made; it's the one that my beautiful sister Haley had made for me right before I left the States. I can clearly picture her standing in front of me with her box of strings, asking me to pick out my favorite three colors. Then she proceeded to put her best effort into making me a very special bangle. Her love for me is represented by the only bangle that I currently wear around my wrist.Yes, I could easily go out and buy a shiny, expensive, extremely decorated and beautiful bangle, but it would mean nothing to me. Sometimes I realize how inadequate I really am. I know that I have nothing amazing or shiny or brilliant to offer my King. Yet, in the same way that I find my bangle to be more valuable than gold, He sees worth in me. All He desires is my love. While everyone around me may not see anything special about this simple bangle, I consider it to be a treasure. In this same way, God treasures me. Not because I have "the best" to offer Him, but because I strive to offer Him my best and all of my love. Praise God that He can find worth in someone like me! His love is truly overwhelming!

A glance into my new home

Wow a lot has happened in the last few days, most of it seems almost impossible to explain so let me start with my new home. I live in a house with Lydia and her husband Tray, who are expecting their first child in about 5 months! Along with them are two other volunteers, Tiffany and Libby, who are also helping in the school. Our home is wonderful and is located in the compound so we get to see the kids almost constantly. We got to spend quite a bit of time with the children on Friday afternoon and it was so much fun! They are just absolutely precious! They are completely full of joy even though they have very little compared to most children in the States. In a short time, I was swarmed with little bodies each one wanting to hold my hand, arm, or basically anything they could grab onto. I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard! Then on Saturday I spent some time with a few of the "older" girls, who act way more mature than what age they really are. They are extremely smart as well, completely blowing me away. One of them, Lucy, took me to her home and taught me how to cook! It was super fun and I learned a lot watching Lucy care for the younger children and prepare supper for 10+ people entirely on her own. Listening to these girls tell me about their childhoods completely broke my heart. To think of how they had no other choice but to work in order for their younger siblings to eat at the age of 5-6 just about rips a person's heart in half! And then to think of all of the children that still live in those conditions, and many in worse, brings tears to my eyes. But I am sure there will be more to come on that later so I will end this post with something a bit more up-beat. On Sunday we went to church at Nairobi Lighthouse Church. Service is held in a big metal building that seated at least a thousand people and first service was filled to the brim! Picture over a thousand people dancing, lifting hands and voices to our Lord! It was one of the coolest things that I have ever been apart of! The overwhelming peace and joy that filled my heart and soul left no doubt that God was present and enjoying the praises of His people! The church is having a Kesha (all night prayer meeting) this Friday and I can't wait! God is moving in BIG ways in Nairobi and in my own heart and I can't wait to see what is to come!

I made it!

Hey all! Just thought I would let everyone know that I made it safe and sound! Since I got in super late last night I don't really have a whole lot to say yet, but so far so good! I can't wait to get this day started!

Peace out US of A...well for awhile anyway!

I can't believe that this is going to be my last night enjoying the comforts of home for quite some time. This is all extremely exciting and I know that sleep is going to be far from me tonight....so I decided to get this blogging thing started! For a while I have had the ridiculous notion in my head that even though I see God working all around me on a daily basis, I wasn't going to see Him using this trip until I got over to Africa. Boy am I glad that, like usual, I have completely under-estimated my King (I really need to quite trying to put Him in such a little box). I have been blown away with all of the love and support that I have received from friends, family and random strangers! I can't even begin to describe how blessed I am to have so many amazing people in my life! I haven't even left my home yet and God has used this trip to open up countless conversations about Him! Praise The Lord! It blows my mind that He loves me so much to include me in this plan. He doesn't need me to accomplish any of this. It is us who need Him! He can do this all on His own if He so chooses. However, He has chosen to let me be an instrument and I pray that I let His light shine through me in all that I do! Welp, that pretty much wraps it up for tonight and God willing my next post will come from the other side of the world! Thanks for following and God Bless!