february 2023.

I don’t know about you but despite February being the shortest month of the year, it felt rather long to me. I have noticed that many of my friends and coworkers have faced hardships this month from weariness and illness to grief and loss. Yet, I have been encouraged this month by witnessing the Lord’s faithfulness in my own life. I continue to feel immensely blessed to get to teach such a small class. It is such a gift to see these children grow! This month, we focused on Jesus’ first 3 miracles and I have been so encouraged by the conversations that have arisen from my sweet third graders. Their unique perspectives are so beautiful to hear and unpack. I am continually challenged too by their confidence and assuredness in Christ. May their roots in Christ begin to grow deep. My prayer is that they’ll be able to learn even half at least as I learn from them.

This month also marks the school’s Africa Celebration! The students spend 6 weeks learning about different African countries and we have a celebration to celebrate all the beautiful cultures that God has created on this wonderful continent. Our theme this year was from Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” What a beautiful reminder that one day we will all be worshipping God together one day!

The students celebrated 100 days of school this year and we dressed up as 100 year-olds. SO adorable!

As I mentioned earlier, after confirming my decision to return to Nairobi next year, God has been quick to bless me by deepening my friendships here! I have made some new friends from the gym that I go to and one of them is a missionary here working with Sudanese refugees. Next month, there will even be an opportunity for me to help teach some of the young adult girls how to read! It is exciting to hear about how God is at work throughout this country and how perfectly He allows His people’s paths to cross!

I am also so thankful to have found a life-giving friendship in my neighbor! This month, I was able to get out of the city for a little getaway with her. I am so thankful for a little overnight trip to rest and recharge. I was able to read 2 books, have great conversations with my friend, sit by a fire and gaze at the stars.

I have always loved marveling at the starry night sky. I am continually in awe of God’s handiwork. Looking up at the stars reminds me of God’s grandeur and might. It is the only time where I truly feel finite. As I reflected on this sight, the lyrics “if the starts were made to worship, so will I” came to mind. God has created every thing on earth for His worship. Later the next day, I came upon this scripture in Isaiah 40:26, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” How humbling is that? The same God who breathed life into the night sky and knows every star by name is the Maker of you and me. May He be praised and worshiped, the Maker of heaven and earth!

Goodnight from Nairobi!

-j.