january 2021.

A month of gratitude. Our students came back on campus! Praise God! After teaching them online since September, it was so special to be able to teach in the classroom again! I have the sweetest bunch of third graders. I often tell them that God hand-picked them for me. They are curious, engaged, and sweethearts. I am really enjoying teaching them.

God has shown me to trust His timing. January was also the month that I began my online Master’s of Special Education and while I was quite nervous to manage teaching full time while doing school, God knew that this was the season. I am so thankful that I have a smaller class size this year and that my transition to Kenya has been so smooth. I am loving my course. My first class is an introduction to different disabilities and I am soaking it all up. I actually look forward to the readings, videos, and assignments because I am so interested in learning more. While the course load is a lot of work, I am able to balance it well. I thank God for his faithfulness and timing.

Lately, I have felt challenged by God to not waste this incredible opportunity. Not all international schools are able to freely share about the Gospel as we are here and I want to be intentional in teaching my students about Jesus and what it means to experience Him. I have completely revamped how I teach Bible class this year. I am teaching the students about devotions and what it means to be devoted to Jesus. How we can talk to Him, how to listen for His voice, and how to enjoy Him. I am constantly amazed at how God loves to speak to His children. As we were listening to a worship song in class, one student told me that God whispered to her, “I love you.” Another student was reflecting on our memory verse (Revelation 7:9-10) and asked God, “Is this true?” and he heard God say to him, “Yes, every nation, tribe, and people with stand before me.” Lastly another sweet girl prayed and told God about her fear of the coronavirus and she heard Him say, “It’s okay to feel that way, but I am here with you. You are safe with me.” How beautiful are these testimonies of God’s goodness?! He is speaking to His precious children.

This month began by ending up the ‘summer’ holiday, so I soaked up some time in the sun, outdoors. I enjoyed exploring Nairobi and I also had the privilege of dog-sitting a beautiful golden retriever.

This month has consisted mostly of teaching, working on my Masters, and going for runs when I am able. I love the warm summer sun here. It is so beautiful. I am enjoying eating fresh mangoes, avocados, and pineapples almost daily! It is hard to believe that I have been here for 6 months now. Only 4 more months until I return to Canada for the summer to visit my family and friends. I am truly enjoying my new life here. It really is becoming my home. The days feel routine and familiar and I am so thankful to have developed some really wonderful friendships. I have been trying to be really intentional in learning Swahili and it is pole pole (slowly) coming along! I really enjoy learning the language and asking the locals to teach me new words and phrases. My “market friends” as I call them, have taught me the most. I visit them every Friday after work to practice my Swahili and support their businesses of fresh flowers and handmade jewelry. This past Friday, I got to hold one of my friend’s sweet 6 month old.

Lastly, just this past Sunday at church, I was able to witness the baptism of one of my sweet third graders. God is so good!

That’s a little update from me! Thank you for your continued support and prayers. I am so thankful to have you along with me on this journey!

-J.