october 2022.

What a month filled with prayer, discernment, fasting, and seeking the Lord! This month I had to decide if I am re-signing for another year at WNS. Working at an international school, these decisions need to be made very early in the school year. In some ways, I feel like I just got back, but I am thankful for the month to seek the Lord. It was a decision that came with much prayer, but I have made the decision trusting that God holds my future and will direct my steps. I have decided that I will not be signing on for another year at WNS. I am thankful to know this decision now with seven months still ahead of me here. I can process, plan, and be intentional.

I have truly built a beautiful life for myself here. I love my home in Kenya and wish more than ever, that I could be in two places at once. I do not know my next steps yet, but I trust that God will guide me as I continue to trust in Him. However, I am sensing that He wants me to be closer to my family for this next season. I am easily overwhelmed at the thought of moving from my home here, but have felt the Lord’s calming voice remind me, “See how I have provided so abundantly for you here? Watch me continue to provide as you trust me for the next steps.” I am humbled by my small understanding of the grandeur of our God. How lucky am I to have built a life here that will be so hard to leave?

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for me. I will continue to keep you posted how God guides and provides for me. I am grateful for the encouragement and support from all of you. My prayer in this next season is that whenever I feel saddened at the thought of all that I will miss about my life here, I want to turn those thoughts into thanksgiving for all that God has provided me with.

This month was jam-packed with fun learning, events, and activities with my little crew! We hosted a writing showcase for parents where the students read personal narratives that they had written about their favourite memories. We read the book Charlotte’s Web and got to watch the movie last Friday! More than the academics though, we have been learning about the I am statements of Jesus and how to pray. It has been a privilege watching these sweet 8-year-olds pray with such confidence and conviction! I love watching them work hard to figure out Jesus’ metaphors and analogies (I am the bread of life & I am the gate the to sheep, etc.). I will never take for granted the gift it is to teach truth so freely to my class.

One of the cool things about this being my third year at this school is that my first class of third graders is now in fifth grade. I disciple a few of the girls from that first year and I have been taking them out on the weekends for some one-on-one time. These meetings have been so sweet as I lend a listening ear to the joys and challenges of friendships, growing up, and everything in between. I am grateful for the opportunity to pour into the lives of these girls, disciple them, and share the love of Jesus in a tangible way.

A total God-thing that happened this month was reconnecting with an old friend. One of my friends from church returned to his home village called Kor in Northern Kenya (about 8 hours north of Nairobi) for some months in the spring, then I was in Canada for the summer, so we had not seen each other for some time. He called me out of the blue last Sunday and told me he was back in town, so in God’s cool timing, I was able to invite him and a friend over for dinner that night. It was so great to reconnect! I love listening to his stories of life in the rural village. From sleeping outside under acacia trees with hyenas to herding camels, his life experiences are fascinating! Here we are enjoying Ethiopian food (a personal favourite)!

This is a picture from Lawrence’s village. This people group have originated from Somalia and speak a language called Rendille. The Rendille people are listed among the least-reached people groups of Kenya, but the Bible was translated into their local language in 2018. It was so cool hearing testimonies from my friend about how God’s is moving in his village. I praise God for this friendship and testimonies of God at work in the lives of His people all over the world.

Lastly, here are some pictures of my everyday life, from making my mom’s famous pizza to finding orange pumpkins in Kenya to Facetime calls with my family. I am grateful to live life here. Thank you again for your continued prayers and support. Thank you for journeying with me! Also, I know many of you have journeyed with me as I have worked toward earning my Master of Special Education. I have an exam on the 15th of November which is the final step of the process. I ask that you would pray for peace of mind, confidence, and clarity. Thank you SO much for your prayers. I can feel them!

Gratefully,

jo.