 |
Updates
From the Field: Kenya # 47: October 19, 2009 |
 |
| Hello Everyone! Wow! I'm only in the office for 6 more weeks. My official last day of work is the 27th of November, and I leave Kenya on the 5th of December. It is all coming quickly. When I was 8 or 9 years old, a missionary came to our corps (church) and showed pictures of Africa. I remember thinking, "Someday I'm going to go there." Ever since that day, I've told people about that desire in my heart. It was 20+ years later that I was sitting at the training college, watching a power point presentation on a country in Africa. It was then that an immense peace came over me, and I knew it was time. Now, my time in Africa is coming to a close. I was at Thika High School for the Blind on Friday, leading prayers for the Form 4 students who are starting their exams on Tuesday. I said to them, "This may be the end of your time in Secondary School, but it is the beginning of the rest of your life. God has a great purpose for your life." I think I need to start remembering those words for myself now. Now that I've fulfilled the huge goal of my life, I'm not exactly sure how to define myself anymore. However, it's time to start the rest of my life, and God has a great purpose for my life. Though this is a positive epiphany, it is also quite scary. This transition time is not just about leaving Kenya and re-entering the American culture; it's about letting go of my drive towards something and allowing myself to simply serve where I am. My Kenyan friends teach me a lot about that. I was visiting a couple at their corps recently, and we started chatting about their ministry. In the 3 years I have been here, they have had 3 appointments. As I lamented about their situation, Captain Grace said, "Oh, we don't mind. We go where they send us. If they move us again this year, we will go and work for the Lord." In all the time I have been here, I have never heard a Kenyan officer complain about their appointment, their quarters (though some are mere shacks), their salaries, or their congregations. There is something to be said about being in the moment; about working where we are without always looking forward. I heard in a movie once that when something momentous happens in our lives (good or bad), we tend to divide ourselves into "before" and "after". This is because whatever event occurs changes us forever. Kenya has changed me forever. I've learned to let go of control, because there is so much I can't fix. I've learned to expect less, because joy is not based on what I do or do not have. I've learned to trust immensely, because God has proven faithful in the most dire situations. I've learned to love more, because unconditional, fervent love really does make a difference. Maybe I sound idealistic, but I'm actually the most realistic I've ever been in my life. I've had very dark days and have witnessed atrocities that should never happen, but over and over again, I'm reminded that our God is still bigger than it all. I'm not sure how much more I'll be able to write in the weeks to come, though I hope to send at least one more update. I want to thank you for taking this journey with me.
The verse of the week is a very familiar one:
'I say this because I know what I am planning for you', says the Lord. ' I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future' ~Jeremiah 29:11 Love, Armida Armida
LaMarr |
||