I recently began reading the book, The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg and I’ve been really enjoying it! The book is about the idea that the more we abide in Christ and seek to live a grace-filled, flourishing, and redeemed life, the more ourselves we become – “the person God had in mind when he created you”.
“When you flourish, you become more you… You don’t just become holier. You become more you-ier.”
God created you to flourish and “He never gets discouraged by how long it takes and delights every time you grow.” He also is constantly at work within us to help us become who He desires us to be. Sometimes I can get discouraged by seeing all of the areas where I need to grow, but as I’m reading, I’m realizing that God is not only for me, but more patient with my failures and inadequacies than I am, AND He is committed to helping me. He knows me. He made me. I’m only four chapters in and already enjoying unpacking this concept of spiritual growth in light of a redeemed identity in Christ.
I began teaching 5th grade writing three times a week, implemented an alternate curriculum for a student, continued teaching small intervention support groups, and led class conversations around disabilities, diversity, and difference. I feel grateful for these opportunities to speak about this passion God has placed on my heart and support students in this way. This month at school, we also focused on praying for the continent of Africa. Students chose specific countries and cities to learn about and pray for. I enjoyed seeing the children take pride in the unity of this continent.
This month, we also kicked off the school Christmas Project. The school community is aiming to raise over 13,000 dollars to support four local organizations here in Kenya. What’s even more amazing is that the high school students’ field trips in the new year will be to go and participate in the use of the funds through development and partnership. Here is a snapshot about the four organizations:
Tumaini ya Mazingira – A women’s group focused on training women in rural areas to farm. We want to partner by building a greenhouse along with purchasing and installing a 10,000L solar water pump enabling them to have a more consistent water source.
The Big Ship Initiative – an initiative formed in response to the devastating crisis theft from flooding earlier this year in rural communities. The goal is to develop a community resource center as a base for a feeding program and educational programs.
Arise and Shine – an organization committed to providing supports for individuals with disabilities through advocacy, education, and community support. We want to support their Empowering Mothers program by providing resources to establish a peanut butter production business, childcare resources including a physical therapy and sensory room for their children.
Olepishet Christian Community Church – There are currently 15 households within the community that currently care for at-risk orphaned children. We want to provide them with goats to provide milk and offspring to sell.
It is so awesome to see the students excitement to partner with these organizations. They are planning bake sales, a walk-a-thon, and selling Psalms they are handwriting. It is a joyous time on campus!
In other news, do you know the children’s song that goes, “no more monkeys jumping on the bed?” Well, that has become somewhat of a reality for me as monkeys have begun to play and jump on my roof of my house some mornings. What a funny way to wake up! A jump start to the day as I run around my house making sure that I remembered to close all of my windows from the day before. It’s times like these that I have to remind myself that all of what is now normal was once very surreal. Here’s another example, we’ve been finding so many chameleons at school recently. It is so fun to watch them change colours!
At the end of this month, I had a long weekend in light of American Thanksgiving and I enjoyed the days off of work to spend some quality time with friends. We went to a Christmas market and celebrated what we called Friendsgiving. I feel so grateful for these relationships. Being away from family and loved ones during holidays can be difficult, so I am cherishing this recent holiday that was filled with so much warmth.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. With the season of giving underway, I am planning to bless my market friends with this year’s 5th annual Christmas gift. As I reflect back on the years, these are the blessings we’ve been able to do – A Christmas Day together, a home-cooked meal, a barbeque feast, Bibles in their language, and baked goods. This year, in light of increased inflation on the prices of essentials (cooking oil, rice, flour, sugar, etc.), I want to give my friends store vouchers to let them choose what items they would like/need. I considered creating hampers/gift baskets for them, but by using public transport, it leaves them susceptible to theft. This way they can also use the funds over a number of weeks as well as the food items won’t spoil. I already excited to see the looks on their faces when they open the hand-written cards with these vouchers inside. I am planning on blessings 10 individuals (single-mothers, adults with disabilities, and young families) with a $100 store voucher. If you would like to contribute to this specifically, please send me a message and I will make sure your giving goes directly to this. Further, if you would like to include a message or family photo, you can write it out and take a picture or send an email and I will be sure to include your message in the card with the voucher (I can share names/pictures if you would like a specific individual(s) to bless).
Thank you for much for your faithful support this season and always.
https://thegc.org/ca/projects/jocelyn-smart
Sending warmth, love, joy, and peace,
-j.
jocelyn's adventures in kenya. 