Just like that another month has come and gone and we are 2/12 of the way through this year! As I look back on pictures from this month, I’m realizing that I didn’t take very many, mostly just of my lovely students. This month was a challenging one for me. I felt as though I had a lot of decisions to make and it became very stressful. Yet, throughout it all, I was able to see God refining me to work on my ability to trust in Him amidst so many unknowns.
This month was the month I was to sign my contract at WNS. The big decision for me was to decide between signing a one or two-year contract. Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love teaching at WNS for so many reasons, but as I continued working on my Masters in Special Education, my heart began to feel torn in two directions. I will be completing my degree in the fall of this year and I am eager to use my passion and training to serve children well. I do not think that it was by coincidence that two days before I was to sign my contract, I had to observe another school’s special education program in Kenya. My eyes were opened to the possibility of teaching children with disabilities in the country that I love. While I definitely don’t feel God is calling me away from Kenya, I do feel I am to take a leap of risk and sign a one year contract and see what doors God decides to lead me to, then open or close. There are possibilities in the future for me to potentially get a job in my dream position at WNS, but I feel that I need to leave my options open to see how God guides. Therefore, I have decided to sign a one-year contract at WNS. We’ll see what the Lord has in store, but I am ready to enjoy the journey.
Back to my life at WNS though! I feel that this month has been one of sweet moments and memories made with my students. We only have 3 months left of the school year and the students are so comfortable with me and having only 11, we have bonded so well. I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about having them move on next year. They are truly a precious bunch. This month, marked our school’s annual Africa Celebration event, where each grade from the elementary department presents about the region of Africa they have spent the past month studying. The students did a wonderful job sharing about Central African countries. It was exciting to be able to welcome parents onto campus for the event.
The students also wrapped up some exciting units this month from the novel study of The One and Only Ivan to exploring fossils. It is so fun to teach these young minds- everything is so exciting and captivating for them! We began our unit on weather and atmosphere last week and it was so fun showing them the International Space Station, it blew their minds. Now, they ask me everyday if they can watch the livestream of earth. Life is so exciting and fun when you’re 8. I am reminded everyday of the privilege it is to educate these children and love on them! They make it easy. I am thankful for them! One family even had me over for brunch this past weekend. It was so sweet to be able to share travel stories, cultural differences, and testimonies of God’s goodness throughout our lives. I praise God for this community and for leading me here. He is faithful!
Next month holds some exciting things from my birthday to Spring break! I am looking forward to it!
Some prayer items:
-This month I begin my 9th course for my Masters and this course is a theology course which I find more difficult, so please pray for me as I learn more about God, His Word, and how to teach children about Him.
-I have not been able to visit the orphanage yet this year, but I am praying that I am able to visit this month.
-Prayer for safety for this nation as I have heard of many road accidents this year. Please pray for drivers, passengers, especially on forms of public transport.
-Prayer for my brother and sister-in-law as they welcome their second baby into the world this month!
-Praise for sunny weather and short rains!
-Praise that Spring break is right around the corner!
Thank you for your continued commitment to hearing about my life in Nairobi! I am constantly reminded of the privilege it is to live here and love the work I do. I am filled with gratitude reflecting on God’s steadfast love in my life throughout this season.
jocelyn's adventures in kenya. 