Mausai Mara

Jambo all!!! I have to say that I'm pretty stoked about what God has been doing in my life!!! He has been opening my eyes to so very much...it is a whole different way of life in Kenya! Although there is so much suffering and pain, there is a freedom and faith that I have never experienced!

I quickly want to update you all on my living situation for the next 3 weeks and ask for some prayer request. I arrived to Ewaso Ngiro Clinic last night safely. I am in the middle of the Rift Valley in the Mausai Mara....basically middle of nowhere! But it is amazing...well, parts of it! It is beautiful here! I am very safe...we have Mausai Warriors for our guards!! There is no running water inside our guesthouse, so we have to get our water from outside then boil it...haha! We take our baths out of a plastic container…needless to say it is not in the least bit warm. There is no toilet inside...the one outside is a concrete slab over a hole that goes down into the ground...haha!!! I will only have internet access about once a week and the phone signal is minimal if you stand in certain areas outside. So, with all that said, I cannot believe I am really here...really living this in this manner and all I can do is laugh about it! I seriously sat on my bed and chuckled for about an hour last night! One month ago I would have said put me back on the plane to the US, but now I look at it as a time to rely purely on God! I am still blessed abundantly more than others! I have methods to cook food, I have electricity, a bed to sleep on...what more do I need!?! I have my music on my computer for when it gets too quiet and I have my bible to read. I will have plenty of time to study not only school work, but my devotionals! God really does know best! I would have never volunteered to live in these conditions if I had known them before arriving, but God needs my attention! He has eliminated all distractions so I can have this time with Him!

Today was my first day at the clinic...I'm learning so very much! One Thursday they have a special HIV clinic since the need for HIV education is abundant in Kenya. They offer a group counseling session to everyone that is HIV+, today there was about 75 people that showed up. I was invited to sit in on the session. When I arrived at the meeting they asked me to talk for about 30 minutes on anything I wanted…anything! Wow...what an opportunity! I gave my testimony since I have been in Africa; I told of my experiences and how God has been working in my life. I focused on Luke 6:20-26...of course I had a translator! There were so many questions, so I stood and answered them all. The people were so appreciative! They thanked me for my spiritual encouragement...it was amazing! I pray that is was God’s words, and not my own, that were being spoken!

In the next 3 weeks I am requesting some prayers: Please pray for God to use me in whatever way He sees fit...pray that my words and works be used to glorify God and Him only! Asante!