august 2020.

What a whirlwind of a month August has been! But, all I can say is that God has been SO faithful to me. I’ve been asked a lot lately, “How are you?” and my response is “Honestly, so good! I feel as though I have every reason to be stressed, overwhelmed and anxious, but God has truly given me his peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).”

Obviously, the past month has had its share of big learning curves and challenges like accidentally paying 50 dollars for a car wash instead of 5 dollars, attempting to make homemade granola bars and using what I thought was parchment paper only to find out that it wasn’t actually parchment paper at all and all of the granola stuck to the paper… and teaching online when the internet isn’t reliable and two of my students are in different countries! So don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to learn and there definitely have been overwhelming moments, but the fact that I can say “moments” instead of days or weeks, is a blessing in itself.

I want to thank all of you who have reached out to check in on me and ask how I’m transitioning. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. You have been such an encouragement to me!

The first week of August consisted of adjusting to the country, setting up a phone, a mobile money account, adjusting to the time time change, and learning to how to drive on the other side of the road.

The second week was filled with new teacher orientation sessions, getting to know my new community and moving into a house with three roommates. I am so thankful for the time to adjust to the school, spend some time setting up my classroom and familiarizing myself with the school’s protocols and procedures. The orientation schedule was filled with dinners at different teachers’ homes, outings to see more of Nairobi and intentional time with Jesus.

The third week was all staff orientation at the school, so we attended various meetings everyday to prepare for online school and material pick up day. In Kenya, the school year runs from January to November, so when COVID happened, the schools here shut down completely- no online school. So while teaching online is definitely not ideal, I am grateful that at our international school we are able to teach at all. Please pray for the children in Kenya that are unable to attend school this year. Pray for their families financially as they navigate hard choices and prayer that when school does reopen that the children would return.

The final week in August was the first week of school! I am teaching 3rd grade this year to the sweetest group of kids. I am loving getting to know them individually and as a group. I also couldn’t have asked for a better teaching partner. She is the most encouraging woman and I am so looking forward to working with her this year.

Praise item- I have a number of students in my class who’s families come from different faith backgrounds- Hinduism, Muslim and Atheism. I consider it no coincidence that God has orchestrated it so that in this season, I am able to teach these students about Jesus and the Bible through a computer screen, while family members are always within earshot. One particular mother, who identifies as Hindu, has been sitting in on her daughter’s Bible classes and has been asking me questions about how to read the Bible! Praise God! Another student, with a Muslim background, has been asking me a lot questions on my lesson of John the Baptist and what it means to be baptized. Please pray that these questions would only continue as the weeks go on. I praise God that even in this first week, the students are feeling they can trust me and open up to me with their big questions about God.

I believe that even though 2020 has been a really hard year for many, we serve a God of revival and that He is not done with this year! I was encouraged by this scripture recently,

“For this is what the high and majestic one says,
  the one who fills the eternal realm with glory,
  whose name is Holy:
  “I dwell in high and holy places
  but also with the bruised and lowly in spirit,
  those who are humble and quick to repent.
  I dwell with them to revive the spirit of the humble,
  to revive the heart of those who are broken over their sin.” -Isaiah 57:15

Praise the Lord, for his mercies truly are new every morning.

-J.