november 2020.

Good morning from rainy Nairobi! I know this monthly newsletter is coming out late again, I’m blaming it on the unreliable internet and maybe the stress load of a teacher in November. Nonetheless, I am setting a goal to send out December’s update on January 1st! You heard it here first, folks! 🙂

This month marks my fourth month here in Kenya and it really is starting to feel like home. Since I teach at an American based international school, we had Thanksgiving at the end of November. A few of the other teachers and I went to the coast of Kenya, it was a great experience. Definitely the hotter, more humid climate (low of 29 degrees) that I thought I was getting when I moved to Kenya. However, it was on our way back home when we got into Nairobi, the cool (18 degree) temperature and the familiar sights that made me feel like I was coming home. I hope I remember that feeling for months to come. I anticipate that there will be days ahead where I really miss my family and friends in Canada, but that day was a special reminder from God that wherever I go, as long as I’m living in His will, I am safe at home with him.

In all honesty, as I write these monthly updates, I often find myself trying to come up with the highlight reel of the past month, however many of you have been asking what a typical day in the life is like, so here is a snapshot of some typical sights for me here.

A typical day at work, includes teaching my students virtually. In all honesty, the majority of the time there are technology issues, from power outages, to glitches. We’ve seen a lot. Nevertheless, I am continually blown away by the grit of my students. They show up everyday, eager to learn with a smile on their face. I know this situation isn’t ideal for anyone, but I really feel for the kids who are missing some of the foundational parts of being a kid at school. Continue to join me in prayer as we pray for the country to reopen schools in January. Here are some photos of some technical failures…

The next photo is a very special one to me. This is my new friend, Isaac. He has been working in the neighborhood for over 20 years as a craftsman. He makes a variety of items with tiny beads. From jewelry to bowls, potholders to belts, keychains to ornaments. I am always encouraged when I see him. He truly has the joy of the Lord inside him. I have really enjoyed getting to know him and hearing parts of his story. I am thankful for opportunities to make connections like this in my new home.

Another typical part of “a day in the life” includes new friendships! This month I was able to celebrate the birthday of one of my new friends here, Florah. She is a joy to be around and has such a big heart. Part of Florah’s story is that she was adopted when she was young to an American family living in Kenya at the time. Her parents along with many siblings have since moved back to America. Florah has applied for her visa numerous times to try and visit them over the years, but it is never been approved. With corruption in some parts of the government here, it makes it very challenging for Florah since there is absolutely nothing she can do to make her case. She simply has to apply, pay a fee and wait, each time resulting in a denial without reason. It has been over 7 years since Florah has seen some of her siblings. As you can imagine, she has been discouraged by this. Especially now as her sister has a wedding coming up this summer and her mother has recently been faced with some serious health concerns. Please pray for my new friend Florah as she prays about whether or not to apply again in the spring. If it be God’s will, pray that the government officers would grant her the visa to visit her family in the US.

This month I also got to experience a local church service! The church I visited was started by the Elementary chaplain and his wife from our school. The church they planted is in one of the slums here in Kenya called Mukuru. This is a very sweet ministry as it is a church filled with mostly young people. The majority of the people who attend are young men between the ages of 18-25. It was really cool to see the ministry at work there. While Dave, the pastor, mentors the young men, his wife, Nicki mentors the young women, many of whom are young mothers. During the service, in typical Jocelyn fashion, I gravitated to the children and quickly found myself teaching the Bible lesson to a room full of about 30 children who, might I add, did not know English. Oh I love the joy and craziness of ministry sometimes! Honestly though, I LOVED it. Having been unable to teach in person for the past 8 months, it felt so life-giving to be able to teach kids! Thankfully, there was someone there who was able to translate my teaching.

Last piece of news in my life. This will probably seem like the craziest timing and trust me, it did to me too, but I have applied for my Masters of Special Education through a Christian university in the States and I have gotten accepted! My program begins in January and is completely online. I definitely didn’t foresee this happening, but I really feel the Lord’s peace in it all. He really enjoys growing me lately. This will add to my work load immensely along with the financial side of it. However, I continue to trust in His leading and providing. As excited as I am to continue learning about a topic that I am very passionate about, I am anxious about the workload and added pressure. If you think of it, please pray over this new journey that I am about to embark on. I am living in anticipation of how God plans to use this in my life!

Anyway, that is all for this month’s update. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I appreciate your encouragement, messages, prayers, and financial support immensely.

To the ladies prayer group at Trailview Alliance Church- THANK YOU so much for sending me a Christmas card. That meant so much more than you know! ❤

Till next time,

J.