Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 13:  August 15, 2007
Dearest Friends, First of all, I give you all my sincere apologizes for not writing a Kenya Update #9.  My dear cousin, Chris, pointed out to me that I was negligent in my update numbering ability.  I would love to say that I did it just to see who would notice, but I have to admit that I just forgot.  You can make up your own #9 if you want :) We had our groundbreaking on Monday for the new THQ building for the Kenya Eastern Territory.  The creation of two territories is really exciting for everyone here.  The International Secretary for Africa was here, and we had a very nice ceremony.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this country.   Right now, Kenya is the largest territory (numerically) in the world.  After the division, the two territories will still be in the top three territories.  Isn't that amazing!  I witnessed it this Sunday when all of our outposts joined us for church , and there had to be over 500 people there!  We were squeezed onto benches with several people standing in the back and outside.  It's an intense experience.  I have been thinking a lot lately about promises.  I have always tried to be careful about making promises, because I know that, even with our best intentions, promises are broken easily.  In Kenya, it's even harder, because so many people are depending on me.  They are looking for promises, because that is their hope that things will get better.  Yes, that sounds extreme, but I don't know how else to describe it.  So, in my desire to really help one of our centres, I made them a promise for funding for a project.  I thought the money was available, but it fell through, and I was left to explain we had to wait.  I would love to say that I was very professional about it, but I burst into tears.  I felt so helpless and like such a failure.  The dear Captain  just held my hand, and said, "Oh, Captain, please don't worry.  When God wants this to happen, He will provide."  What a witness!  Here is someone with next to nothing telling me not to worry.  Here is someone desperate for money to make his centre better completely trusting in the Lord.  By the way, the money has now come through, and the centre will be getting it soon.  The Lord does provide. Driving in Kenya is a nightmare! I thought I was well prepared, because I've driven in Manhattan for years, but Manhattan traffic is nothing compared to the insanity of Nairobi.  Traffic laws are mere suggestions and the public transportation vehicles (called Matatus) drive where they want to when they want to and how they want to.  Now, in saying all that, I haven't actually ventured out onto the roads behind the wheel yet.  I am still working on driving stick shift (meaning, I've had two half hour lessons with a friend).  So, everytime I go out in a car, my life is in someone else's hands.  It doesn't phase me most of the time, but there are those days when I make more than one scared yipe!  The thing is, if I don't trust the drivers, I'll never go anywhere. Maybe you all know where I am going with this.  Lately, I've felt like my job and life are kind of like driving in Nairobi.  It feels a little out of control.  There have been a few days where my "fight or flight" response has screamed "FLIGHT!!!", but if I don't trust the One in control, I will never get anywhere.  I remind myself everyday that though human promises fail, God's promises are always guaranteed.  He will not give me more than I can handle; He has equipped me for the job He has for me; and nothing can separate me from His love.   My verse of the week is: "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world"   - John 16:33 I think this is a stretching period for me, and that's okay.  After each trial, I'm a little bit closer to the person God wants me to be.   I love you always (I promise). Armida