Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 33:  October 14, 2008
Hello Friends and Family, I'm a work in progress that will never be finished!  I often hold such a high standard for myself, it is humanly impossible to achieve.  Though my father  and mother might think I'm perfect (don't worry, they know better), I am learning to give myself permission to be imperfect; to acknowledge that there will always be things I have to actively work on.  Lately, I've been working on defeating the hold worry and anxiety have in my life.  Let me tell you, it's no way to live.  However, I want more than that. I don't want to just eke by with a worry free life. I want to have a full and joy-filled life!   While my mother was visiting, we went to one of the corps situated in the slums to conduct the Sunday meeting.  We found several small children milling around outside the iron sheet structure in which we just finished worshipping.   These beautiful little children had torn clothes, dirty bodies, and distended bellies.  One little boy looked especially forlorn and distant.  I bent down to put a sticker on his shirt.  He looked down and then ran away with the hugest smile on his face.  Something so little and insignificant brought him happiness.  It made me think about all the little things that I ignore that could bring me joy: - the trees intertwined outside my house with four different color blooms - the hugs I get from the kids in our children's home - the e-mails from family and friends that come just at the right time - the roof over my head and the food in my kitchen - the gecko named Henry that lives in my apartment . . . . . I am also learning to expect and claim joy for my future.  Though there may be tough times and pain, there is also something great in God's plan for me!  Last Friday, I attended a prayer service for the Form 4 (seniors) students at Thika High School for the Blind.  These young adults will soon be taking their exams and moving on to university or work.  They will leave the relative protection of being in a special school to environments that don't cater to their disability.  However, they showed joyful expectation for their futures.  As I spoke to them, they were excited about what would come next.  I'm sure there was some trepidation, but they only exclaimed their hope.  They sang a beautiful song about being together in spirit even when they will be physically separated.  It was an inspirational service to me. I see in Kenyans joy that runs so deep, it cannot be tarnished with life's devastations.  The smiles in Kenya come from the inside out.  My prayer is that a little of that joy rubs off on me! My verse of the week: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly"  - John 10:10 All my love, Armida Armida LaMarr Captain Social/Education Secretary Kenya East Territory