september 2022.

Hello everyone!! I’m sorry this update is coming a week late, but I have exciting news! As of an hour ago, I submitted my final assignment for my Masters!! Wow, I think it will take some time to set in, but the work is complete! However, I now have to commit the next 5 weeks to studying for the comprehensive exam in November, but the end is in sight! I would really love prayer for that as I am already experiencing anxiety and self-doubt. I desire to feel confident and trust in the Lord for His help. I pray that this next chapter challenges me in the best of ways as I learn to lean on God in this tangible way.

September was a wonderful month to get into consistent routines with my new students. I am so thankful for my sweet, little crew. My class is so energetic, silly, and kind! Some ways you can be praying for these littles are that they would come to know that they are loved by God simply because they are His! I desire for them to know and believe that Jesus loves them and is for them. Some prayer requests in my class are:

-the beginning battles with negative self-esteem

-parents out of the country for months on end

-brand new baby siblings

-older siblings moving out for university

-broken arms & sprained ankles

-transitioning to this country

While my class is small, what these kiddos are facing already is BIG! I am reminded of why God has me here – to be the tangible love of Jesus to His children as they learn and grow. I pray that they see Christ in me. I feel blessed to teach His sweet children every day. They are my ministry!

I am also thankful to have a friend and teaching partner in one! My teaching partner, Rachel, has been so helpful in splitting the workload and I am thankful for the friends I have met here. September held a long weekend, so her and I were able to adventure a little bit out of Nairobi. We drove 4 hours out of town to the equator city of Nanyuki to see the last 2 Northern White Rhinos in the world! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience since these two rhinos are mother and daughter and therefore, their species is likely to become extinct in my lifetime. It was a surreal experience to say the least.

This month, I began attending a different church with two of my coworkers. This church is Kenyan and I have been really enjoying the worship and preaching. I have felt blessed by the pastor’s sermon series on Joshua. You know those sermons where you feel the preacher is speaking directly to you? That is what is has felt like. The sermons have been on change, challenge, choices, confidence, conditions, capacity, and competition. I have been reflecting upon each of these areas in my life and I have also been more intentional in practicing Sabbath. If any of you are familiar with John Mark Comer, this month I listened to his 4-part sermon series on the Sabbath and I have been challenged to work on this practice in my own life. I will be honest, it was been a steep learning curve, as I practice being still before the Lord. I am a person who enjoys being busy, so training myself to sit in the Lord’s presence has been a process. I have been reminded through my students though that just as they are working on their reading, writing, and learning stamina, I too, need to develop my stamina of stillness with the Lord. This practice has also been extremely life-giving. The more time I spend with Christ, the more He is able to work in my heart. I look forward to my Sabbath time every weekend. If anyone else practices Sabbath, I would love to talk with you more about it!

I also have a new neighbor! She is absolutely wonderful. I know that she is a gift sent from God as a new friend. Her and I have quickly decided that we get together every Thursday trying out new soup recipes, embroidering, and talking about life. She is Sikh and I know that God has a plan in us being friends. After just a few weeks, I have already taken opportunities to share about how my faith impacts all areas of my life. It has been fascinating learning more about her religion and culture as well and how it has shaped her into the person she is today. I pray that as our friendship grows, so do our talks about Jesus!

As I look ahead to October, parent/teacher conferences are coming up as well as the intent-to-return process at my school. This month, the staff up for contract renewal are to give their intent of staying or leaving. I would like to ask for prayer for this as I seek and discern what the Lord has for me. It is a difficult decision as there are pulls at my heart in both directions. I love my life and ministry here. I love and miss my family dearly. Both ring so true for me, so prayer and clarity as I am already having to plan for next year. I pray that the Lord makes it as clear for me as He did when He called me here.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support! I appreciate how you pour into my life and encourage me. Be blessed!

-j.