Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 10:  July 4, 2007
Dearest Friends, Someone recently asked me when I returned "home" (meaning Kenya).  I answered without hesitation, realizing later that Kenya has become "home".  Though the United States is still the country of my family, friends, and familiar comforts, I no longer consider Kenya a foreign place.  It is my home. However, there are still many things to learn and adjust to.  Sadly, I was told of two deaths in our schools this week.  Our high school for the physically disabled lost a young lady in her last year of study.  Just this morning, a young girl was found passed away in her bed at one of our primary schools for the blind.  Though it is a tradgedy that would shake us up considerably in the states, it is way too common of an occurrence here.  The Education Secretary told me that many children go home for school breaks and are not given the care they need for their various disabilities.  Sometimes they get sick and just can't get better.    Whatever the cause, my heart grieves.  I am expected to write a letter of condolence to the family.  What do you say? I think that I have shared that children with disabilities are often shunned in local communities.  They are considered an embarrassment and many are either hidden in the home or abandoned.  Some of the children in our schools are simply left at our gates with the hope that we will care for them.  So, not only do they have to overcome physical and mental limitations, they also have to discover a sense of self-worth that may not be instilled in them. With this is mind, I want you to picture with me the choir at Joytown Primary School.  They formed a group at the front of the chapel and proudly sang "My Burdens are Lifted at Calvary".  What a witness to me!  These children are being taught to lay their burdens at Christ's feet.  It's the best gift we can give them. It is with a sense of purpose that I continue on here.  While I was gone, letters piled on my desk, e-mails filled my inbox, and phone calls poured in.  At first, I thought, "Well, I guess I'm really needed here".  However, God was quick to remind me that this is not about me! I am here because I have been called here.  I am serving the Lord by loving His people in His country of Kenya.  Everytime I try to tackle the big problems on my own, I fail.  Please pray that I continue to have discernment and the strength of God.   We have some very exciting new things happening.  As many of you know, our territory is being split into two territories.  This will allow for better supervision, accountability, and continued growth.  There is a lot of energy as people try to prepare for the January split.  As for social services specifically, we are working on two collaborations that should prove to be a great benefit to the work.  One is a health clinic and the other will be a community centre and residence for at-risk youth.  Please pray for these projects as they progress. Thank you for taking the time to read up on how I am.  Though I was worried about "readjusting" to the culture after being in the US, it has proved to be easier this time around. Thank you for those of you who have been praying about that and encouraging me. I hope to have so much more to as I finish the second half of my first year!  That sounds cool, huh?   The verse of the week is: "If you continue in my Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free"  John 8:31b, 32 Love to all! Armida