Closing out 2021!

Wow, what a crazy and exciting year was 2021!  As is normal life, ups and downs happen.  I’m thankful that I have the one who holds the world in His hands on my side.  It makes navigating this life so much easier.  Faith fights fear.  As we head into 2022, I’m holding onto faith.  Over the past few years, the Lord has been speaking to me about Loving Deeply. Trust. Pressing In.  And I believe the word for this year is FAITH.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1    

Some of you already know, but my plans for 2022 are already in limbo.  I found out the 21st of December that Kenya went into a vaccine mandate to enter.  I’m not vaccinated.  My heart was broken…I was to leave early January to head back.  I’m not here to get into vax or not vax debate.  But I have some choices to make.  Right now, I’m in a period of seeking and waiting, and a desire to be back to a place the makes my heart alive.  As soon as the timing is right, I’ll be back in Kenya.

The stuffed animal project that I started in Nairobi will continue.  I’m also collecting funds for Bibles too.  As always, I’m continuing to support raise…this is just a moment of waiting.  When the time is right to go back, I will be back in full swing.  I know that I’m called to be in Africa as a missionary.

While I’m home, I’ll be speaking at churches, catching up with people, and doing some soul care so I can be filled up to capacity to go back even stronger than before.  Please reach out if you want to meet up or would like me to speak at your church.  I’d love to share about the glory of God in 2021.      

Here are 21 things you might not have known about 2021:

1. I visited beloved POKOT 5 times.  That’s a record in one year for me. 

2. I visited the rival tribe of the Pokot’s–TURKANA.  I didn’t think I could find a place drier than Pokot.  But Turkana was DRY, SANDY, and in need of God’s lovingkindness. 

3. I traveled all over Kenya. Nairobi. Kitale. Pokot. Turkana. Embu. Makueni. Machakos/Athi River. Mombasa. Tinderet/Nandi. Nakuru. 

4. I handed out over 150 tubes of toothpaste that was donated to me by Carlisle Dental Studio!  The things we take for granted! I also bought over 40 toothbrushes to hand out.

5. I found a love for riding bicycles and upon returning back to Kenya in September, I bought a bike in Kenya! 

6. I attended a Kenyan wedding (still not full-blown Kenyan because the bride was Canadian).  But, it was beautiful!  Did I mention I also rode my bike there?  2 hours one way. 🙂

7. I had my first motorcycle accident.  God was faithful in the fall.  No broken bones, only an exhaust pipe burn and a fall in a puddle.  But hey, it was Pokot, and the puddle was a bit refreshing!

8. I participated in my first medical camp and saw how people would walk for MILES just to get some care.

9. I started my own project in Nairobi by hiring the mom of the one family I stay with.  Her son, Kim, helps by stuffing and doing the finishing touches on the animals. The rest of the family also pitch in too.  I’m grateful for them!

10.  I went to my first “morning glory” and “Kesha”.  Morning glory is when you wake up at like 3am to be at the church for morning prayers to start your day.  Kesha is overnight prayers, from about 10pm-4am.  These people love God and praying.  Prayer is a powerful weapon and I saw how it moves mountains. 

11. I learned to make a lot of African dishes.  My chapati skills are still horrible.  SOS.  Viazi na matoke (potatoes and bananas): I’ve got it down. I can also slaughter and pluck a chicken. Look at my new skills!!

12. Ugali.  I can now cook it and ENJOY eating it–I might even crave it when I don’t have it after a few days! 

13. I had a freak accident/fall while in Nairobi in October.  I’m actually still healing from it.  I slipped and fell into a well, hitting my ribs/stomach pretty hard and hurting my abdomen and back muscles.  

14. My swahili has SKYROCKETED!  I’m very pleased with my progress.  My writing is better than speaking, but I’m progressing.  As I’m back in the states, I’m hoping I can continue to learn and not regress.  That’s one of my biggest fears. 

15. I drove while in Kenya. In a manual car.  It was on this dirt track and very little explanation.  That was my first time driving a manual.  I’d love to actually learn…if anyone is up for teaching me, let me know 🙂  

16. I preached on Easter Sunday.  I was expecting to be with my host family in Kitale, eating a lovely meal around a table…but God had other plans.  Instead, I got to share a message of HOPE because of an empty tomb. 

17. A baby was named after me in Pokot! How sweet!

18. Although Uganda was in the original plan, I never was able to go.  Instead, I spent 2 more months in Kenya, returned to the USA, then went back to Kenya for 2 months.  Maybe God knew my heart for Kenya…and knew I would be delayed in 2022.

19. I went to a DTS Graduation.  Sweet Irene’s to be specific.  Irene has been my translator, guide, sponsored child, and friend.  We grew so much closer this year. 

20. I joined in on ministry with several different people.  First, Jessie.  We got to do ministry twice together this year–a women’s conference and the medical camp.  I joined Nancy and Lisa for a pastor training in Embu for the Churches of God. 

21. I took over 1,500 photos….  they say a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Now imagine the memories and feelings that go with each of those photos. 

My prayer for 2022:

That YOU, yes YOU reading this….would feel the sacrifice and love of a father who KNOWS you, who CARES for you, and who SEES you.  That if you don’t already have Christ in your life, that you would find and accept him so you can have HOPE, FAITH, and PEACE that surpasses any understanding of this world.  And in response, that you would shout it from the mountaintops and set fires to those around you!  Amen!