october 2024.

What a beautiful month of blooming! As we approach the end of the calendar year, the weather has been warming – it is almost summer here. Jacaranda trees are in full bloom! I adore seeing the purple around the city. God’s beautiful handiwork. I am also grateful for the warmth and blue skies. At school, the tortoises even had babies.

This month, our school held Spiritual Emphasis Week – basically a Vacation Bible School program. The theme was Discover and the focus was on 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” Over the week, the students discovered the love of Christ through dramas, worship, crafts, object lessons, dance, and lessons. The most amazing visual for the week was during the skit on the first day, a beautiful clay pot was ‘accidentally’ dropped and shattered into hundreds of pieces. On the last day, each piece was carefully glued together – representing the powerful imagery of what God does with us. We are never too broken or too ‘damaged’ to be used by God. Further, God doesn’t put us back together as we were but uses our brokenness for His glory as He shines through. One of the sweetest takeaways was from a first-grade student who said, “I think the pot is even more beautiful now than it was to start with.” The students even created a mosaic showing how God not only uses us individually but as a community of believers. Each person plays a unique and significant role in His kingdom.

Many students came to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior this week. What a privilege to teach children at school about God and His deep, unending love for them. All glory and praise to Him! He is moving on this campus and community. I am grateful to be a part of His mission here in Nairobi. Don’t forget that you are all a part of it too – through your prayers and support.

Another activity at school this month was the harvest carnival – an opportunity for the community to come together as families. There was pumpkin decorating, games, crafts, food, and camel rides! I am reminded of the gift of community and the importance of coming alongside and journeying together. Living far from family and friends during holidays is hard and it was awesome seeing families intentionally make memories.

Another fun day at school was when the school announced it was Stop, Drop, & Read Time and the entire school ended the day by all reading outside. The students (and staff!) loved it!

Since I support students in fourth and fifth grade this year, I had the opportunity to accompany the fourth-grade class on their field trip to a partner school nearby. This was a wonderful time to play together, eat together, make cards for one another, and share scripture and worship songs. It was special seeing the friendships formed and strengthened during this time of fellowship and fun. I look forward to seeing the relationships deepen over the year.

I am enjoying supporting my students at school and have been so proud of their hard work. I have had many opportunities to talk with my students about their unique learning strengths and challenges and I can see their perspectives changing on their learning disabilities. I am grateful to empower them by continually turning them to Scripture and reminding them that they are made in the image of God with purposeful detail and design. I believe it is important for these older students to understand how their brain works and equip them with tools to help them learn best. Further, this month I worked on creating an alternate curriculum and program for one of the students I teach and it was exciting to create goals that are tailored to her. I created and led my first Individualized Education Plan meeting with the staff team and parents. This was exciting for me as I have dreamed of this for a few years now – supporting children with special needs at school AND supporting their families. God is faithful.

This month, I also visited with some of my previous colleagues and friends from last year. My amazing teacher partner from last year came to take me out for coffee in my new neighborhood. It was so lovely reconnecting. Additionally, I was able to visit my friend of 5 years now, and her new baby. What precious newborn cuddles!

This month also held Canadian Thanksgiving, a holiday that conveniently lined up with a public holiday here. I went exploring with some new coworkers and titled the time “Friendsgiving.” It was a great time to foster new relationships and invest in my new community while reflecting on the goodness of God. I think I will forever be in awe of this beautiful country and all of its diverse landscapes and scenery. Seeing wild animals drink from a watering hole reminded me of the scripture in Isaiah 12:3, “Come, you who are thirsty, and drink! With joy, draw water from the wells of salvation.” Our Divine Creator provides for the needs of all living things. Isn’t He good?

As we go into November, I would like to ask for prayer for a few items:

-health as some viral infections have been going around

-contentment amidst challenges

-work permit complications and financial tax stress (in need of an accountant who can help with my Canadian taxes)

-the hiring of a new pastor for my local church here

-the hiring of another Learning Support Teacher to join our team and support more students in need

Blessings,

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:3-6

-j.