january 2024.

Hi all! It’s hard to believe we are already a month into 2024. The years really do go quickly. This month at work the students began their study on Central African countries, learned about fractions and time telling, along with unpacking big subjects such as forgiveness, stewardship, and evangelism. The students have been diving into Bible study on Jesus’ first miracle. We are working on memorizing John 2 and in the upcoming weeks, we will look through Jesus’ miracles on earth and discover lessons to be learned from his mighty acts.

The weather has been absolutely lovely here recently. I am so grateful for the sunshine and ability to enjoy soaking up the sun outside. I heard it has been very cold in Canada recently, so please take this as a formal invitation to come and enjoy the beautiful city of Nairobi for a visit if you tire of the cold. 😉

Today, January 31st, we celebrated the 100th day of the school year. We have officially completed 100 days of third grade! As you can see, we teachers have aged a bit! I love getting to dress up for my students and make memorable school experiences for them.

I continue to feel incredibly grateful for the past 3 and a half years in Nairobi and I excited to announce that I feel led by God to continue in ministry here. However, my ministry will change beginning in July as I have been called to a new opportunity. I have accepted a new position at a different Christian international school across the city called Rosslyn Academy. It is a school that began 75 years ago for Mennonite missionaries in Nairobi, and has since expanded to include serving a very diverse international population of children in Nairobi. Beginning next school year, I will be teaching in a brand new role as one of their Elementary Learning Support Teachers. I am excited for the opportunity to work in a field I have been passionate about for a long time and to use my new skills and training. I will be supporting children with disabilities in one-on-one settings. I am incredibly excited to teach these children that they are made in the image of God with and for a purpose. I am looking forward to supporting their academic journeys as well as supporting and educating other teachers on how to best teach children who learn in different ways. This is such a need in Nairobi as many schools do not offer any support for children with learning needs.

As I reflect on my life, I can see how God has been preparing me for this position. From my past life experiences, to receiving my Masters in Special Education to now filling a position of need in Nairobi. As you may know, I find the decision-making process challenging, but this process of discerning, praying, and seeking God has definitely led me closer to Him and a deeper understanding of His character. God’s will is for me to use my giftings and abilities for Him. In this season of discerning, I came across a phrase that has really struck a chord with me. It goes,

“Don’t ask God to guide your steps if you aren’t willing to move your feet.”

I felt many feelings of worry processing the upcoming change… I will have to move across town. I will be in a new position. It will all be new and unfamiliar. I will have to continue to fundraise. I will continue to miss family. And the list goes on. What I realized was that I was making a big list of “what ifs” and I was asking God to answer questions of the future, when He wanted me to step out in faith, and trust that He will go with me in all of it. I believe that this new role will be stretching and bring challenges, but I can also reflect on many believers in the Bible that God called to do hard, important things. Moses. Mary. Esther. Jonah. Noah. Peter. God has called all of us to serve Him in unique ways and just because serving Him can be hard, it doesn’t mean it’s not God’s best plan. I have been reading Psalm 103 a lot this month. I’d encourage you to read through it too! It’s on the steadfast, eternal love of Christ and how praiseworthy He is.

The after I made the decision to accept this new position, as I was driving home from work, I saw this rainbow in the sky and couldn’t help but feel like God painted this for me saying, “I keep my promises & I promise to go before you.”

Thank you for your continued support in my ministry and work overseas here in Nairobi. I continue to feel grateful for this community of support. I will be sure to keep you posted with prayer requests that arise for this upcoming transition. May God bless you and keep you.

-j.