Africa

My Africa trip was absolutely AMAZING!  I cannot even begin to attempt to put everything into words.  It almost feels surreal that I was even there two weeks ago.  I will do my best to give a little synopsis and to share some pictures, but please know that God did way more in me, in my teammates, and in the Kenyans than I could ever show through my words or pictures.  God is amazing.
Leaving Matt and Cadence (and all my family) was really hard on that Thursday.  I had never been away from my family for that long before, plus I didn't know a single person going on the trip.  I have a tendency to make friends pretty easily, but Satan was making me think that I wouldn't clique with anyone and that I'd be all alone.  The plane rides were long, but bareable.  When we finally arrived in Nairobi at the airport, the craziest feeling came over me.  I knew I was in Africa, but it was so hard to actually believe it.  That night, we spent the night at a hotel near the airport, and woke up the next morning to take a 4 hour bus ride to the hotel we'd be staying at for the week.  From that hotel, we would drive an hour on a dirt road to Segera to where we'd be teaching in the schools and building pit latrines.

The first couple of nights I was really homesick, but God completely used that time to stretch me and make me rely completely on Him.  I turned to Him at night when I was laying in my bed upset.  I turned to Him in the morning when I missed seeing my baby and Matty.  I simply turned to HIM, and I think that is what He wanted to teach me in those first couple of days.  After those first two days, God completely answered my prayer of wanting to completely embrace my time in Africa.  I was not homesick at all (of course I missed my family, but I was 100% in Africa).  I bonded with my teammates, built great relationships with the Kenyans, everything I wanted.  Thank you, Jesus!!

Saturday we had our introductions to the community.  We were suppose to drive out to the school and meet the children, but we had a terrible rain storm and our bus wouldn't make it to the school.  So, we got out and met the children halfway.  It was a beautiful sight to see them running out to us to greet us. 

On Sunday morning, our team split up into 5 different groups and attended 5 different churches.  I really enjoyed worshipping with the Kenyans and seeing their true, genuine love for the Lord.  I was able to sing, "Lead Me To The Cross" for my church and it was so special to be able to share that moment with my team and with the Kenyans.  Sunday afternoon we had a big community celebration and we joined with lots of Kenyans just sharing God's word, singing and dancing.  That was probably my favorite moment from the whole trip.  As I looked out over God's BEAUTIFUL creation, while I sang and danced with these beautiful people, God became the most real to me at that very moment.  He made me see that the Kenyans believe in Him because of the creation around them and that their faith and their joy is so authentic and real.  It really blessed my heart and gave me a little glimpse of what heaven will be like.  I can't wait to worship again with them all one day.

Monday and Tuesday I went with a group to the school.  We taught Bible stories, painted fingernails, blew bubbles, sang and danced, played soccer, etc.  It was so much fun.  Those children spoke pretty good English, so we were able to communicate pretty well with them.  My favorite part at the school was having them sing songs and dance for us and teach us their songs.  They are all such joyful, beautiful children and SO well behaved.  In the afternoon we did some hut visits and just chatted with the locals and talked to them about Jesus.  The cool/different thing about this mission trip compared to my other trips to Honduras, was that the majority of the people we talked to were strong believers.  It was extremely encouraging to hear them pray with us and encourage us.  Granted, some are Muslims and other religions, but the majority I talked to were God fearing believers.  God really challenged my walk with Him by seeing their faith and how they encouraged me.  God bless them!!  Wednesday, we couldn't go to the school because of another bad rain storm, so I helped with the pit latrine crew/played with the local children.  I enjoyed hammering and doing some labor, but I mainly enjoyed just working alongside the Kenyans.  It was a great chance to talk to them and just fellowship with them.

Thursday, we got up and went back to the village to say our goodbyes.  The locals set up an area where we could buy some of their things they had made (beautiful items).  We had a great time hanging out with them and seeing their creations.  Thursday was hard to say goodbye to everyone and to know that our trip was ending.  Thursday afternoon we went to where we'd be staying our last night, The Sweetwater Tented Camp...AMAZING!  We went on an afternoon game drive and saw lots of awesome animals and sights.  That night we had the best dinner I believe I've ever eaten (or maybe it was because I had been living off of breakfast bars, rice and potatoes). haha.  That night some of us went on a night safari which was awesome.  We saw some cheetahs, hyenas, etc.  My favorite part about that drive was feeling the cold air, being wrapped in a blanket and looking up at the stars through the top of the jeep.  God is so present in Africa.  (I know He's present everywhere, but it's amazing to feel Him on the other side of the world too).  Friday, we woke up and drove to a park where you could feed/kiss giraffes.  That was gross, yet fun.  :)  We caught a 10:50pm flight Friday night to Amsterdam and made it back to Greenville about 10pm on Saturday night. 

Man it was great to see my family!  Cadence jumped in my arms, smiling and kept saying, "Mommy Mommy" and pointing at me.  :)  I had no idea that Matt and Cadence were so sick while I was gone.  Cadence started getting sick the night I left and was really sick for the week.  Matt got sick a few days into my trip.  Thanks to my family for taking such good care of them (and the Ivester's too, except they got sick too).  It was a good thing I didn't know about their sickness while I was gone, b/c I would have been so upset and distracted.

I wish I could put into words everything that I saw, felt and learned.  However, that is absolutely impossible.  All I can really say is that it was an experience of a lifetime, a dream come true, God is REAL, God loves us all equally, the Kenyans are beautiful and so full of joy, and I want to go back!  :)  Thank you for all of your prayers and support!  God bless you!

Enjoy these pics.

Sweet girl wanted to show me her Bible.

I had such a SPECIAL moment with this precious 86 yr. old woman

Me, Josephine and our sweet class at the school

Kids singing and dancing for us (my favorite).

Caroline, the teacher and her class.

My sweet, shepherd boy.

I loved going from hut to hut.

This was inside one of the huts.

This girl's smile reminded me of my CadyBug.

These two old men were walking and saw us and just wanted to tell us "thank you" for coming.

Me and Ms. Caroline (her students are SO well behaved).

She loved her nails painted.

Me and my buddy, Patrick.

The women in the village all set up and selling their goodies.

Me, my buddy Andrew and his mother.

God's creation is so beautiful!

The road to the village

Just a normal sight on our drive to the village.

Just hammering away :)

A teammate of mine and a sweet Kenyan.

With a local pastor and his family.

Aren't they beautiful?!

Man I loved our safari!

At the sweetwater tented camp...LOVE!

Me and my sweet Kenyan best friend, Michelle.

Sunrise.

Kissing a giraffe.  :)

                                                            My wonderful team/family!!!