...teach me how to hum it, 'cuz I don't know the words yet...

Hey friends!!

The climate here finally remember that it's July... meaning that it's been cold this week! It hasn't rained in the last three weeks, though, and much of Kenya is very dry. There's already talk a food shortages, as much of the maize and wheat in the country has dried up, and many farmers are reporting very small harvests. Kenya has already started importing extra maize in preparation... pray for rain and provision!!!

Life here has been good... I'm sorta dreading August 5th, when I'll be getting on an airplane to head home! I had a touch of a cold earlier in the week, but I'm feeling much better - praise the Lord! I'm thankful that the Lord has kept me so healthy this whole time!

Here is a portion of a journal entry/prayer I had written earlier this week:

I'm thankful that You humble me when I think I've got it all figured out. I'm thankful that You challenge me when I start to get comfortable. I'm thankful that You work marvelous things in spite of my mistakes. I'm thankful that Your faithfulness always prevails, even in sticky/less than fantastic situations. I'm thankful that the world is in Your hands - that nothing happens outside of Your knowledge. I'm thankful that when I have my control-freak-this-is-not-how-I-wanted-it moments, You remind me of Your sovereignty, faithfulness, and unfailing love. And as much as I'd love to hear Your ten year plan for my life, I wouldn't trade this adventure of walking with you for anything. You're teaching me the beauty in adventure and the refinement that comes with risk. Walking hand-in-hand with You over unknown, unseen trails is entirely different than walking through places of comfort and routine, where it is easy to forget I need to hold Your hand to know the way. There, I find it tempting - easy, even - to wonder off, seek my own way, and make my own plans. My path of choice would be direct, straight to the intended destination. Yet Your way often wiggles and zigzags, sometimes seeming to turn completely away from what (in my mind, at least) is the the goal. But this is where Your plan is higher and greater: beauty is often discovered around those corners that seem to be detours. The zigzags and wiggles build faith, the obstacles character. And if nothing else, I'm given the joy of walking with You, of learning to hold Your hand and listen to Your voice, of simply being in Your presence. And when, or if, we get to what I thought was the destination, I know that I will be more prepared because of those detours. Really though, this revelation also exposes one of my flaws: my goal-oriented self tends to miss the beauty in the journey, the lessons in the things that seem, to me, to not be part of the plan. Yet growth happens in the journey. Intimacy is cultivated. I am made to be more fully me - more fully the woman You have made and called me to be. I think You know me well enough to know that if You revealed all that You had for me, I'd probably panic and start planning now. I'd start making lists and phone calls. I'd totally miss the journey - in reality, Your perfect preparation - but I'd be 'ready' and 'organized.' I think You chuckle as You watch me frantically try in my own strength to be good enough or smart enough or worthy enough for the callings You've placed on my life. You smile, take my hand, and lead me to a peaceful place of rest. "Haven't you remembered? I've already called you righteous - approved by God. I knew exactly who you were when i first called you, and I know exactly who you are going to be. I have plans and adventures, yes, but my greatest desire is to give you Myself and for you to be fully Mine." So teach me to find the beauty in the journey. Teach me to seek those lessons You desire to teach me, teach me to listen to Your voice and be sensitive to Your leading. Teach me how to live the 'life of faith' - one day at a time, and truly lived.


Love you all... thanks for your prayers :)



Jane, Dennis, me... being silly :)















ok... THIS one's silly :)












Gideon, George, Njogu, and Dennis... walking to Imani for some recess!














Me and Jack! YAY! I saw him again this trip, which makes me super happy! He's getting SO big!











Jack! With his adorable toothless smile!