april 2025.

The rainy season has begun in Nairobi and with each passing year here, I get more unsure as to when rainy season is! But alas, it has begun and I am reminded of how much I adore falling asleep to the sound of rain on the roof. I also love seeing all of the green and lush plants around campus. However, having an outdoor campus is a reminder of the importance of umbrellas and rain boots! I am grateful for the rain and as someone who genuinely enjoys rain, I am happy for this change in weather.

This month at school, we had all school chapel where students focused on a circus theme used to highlight our unique giftings in the body of Christ and how loved we are by God whether we can DO amazing things or not. God’s love for us in unconditional and not dependent on what we DO, but simply who we ARE to Him. The children enjoyed the set and the skit put on by the high school students to further this object lesson. In the days following this chapel, students had great conversations with me regarding their giftings and unpacking God’s selfless, unending love.

Here are some photos of the students I support. One is working hard to understand multiplication and division (with Smarties of course to make it more fun;). One is showing me his science fair project. And the others were enjoyed sitting outside as I read them the next chapter in their novel study. I continue to feel grateful for the opportunity to include, support, and advocate for children with learning disabilities at school. I continue to feel passionate about the importance of this work. ALL children are made in the image of God with and for a purpose! We are ALL worthy of love and time regardless of our abilities. We all have inherent value based solely on God’s love for us.

I read a book this month titled Altogether You: Experiencing personal and spiritual transformation with Internal Family Systems therapy by Jenna Riemersma and it challenged my thinking on how I view the various parts of myself. The author writes that we all have different aspects of our personalities that make up our thoughts and identities both positive and negative, but we also all have a Core (God Image) within us who represents the fruits of the spirit. She believes that we do not have bad parts within us, but rather good parts stuck in bad roles and that it is not about striving to become better, but to surrender to God within us. “God didn’t place the capacity for negative feelings in my brain so he could shame me for feeling them.” It is about recognizing and identifying parts of ourselves that are burdened and need tending to. God can set us free and heal our internal wounds. “What if that part of you were not just tolerated, not jus put up with, but actually welcomed, by a holy God who knows it deeply and sees the positive intent behind the behavior it is engaged in?”

Here are some photos of life in Nairobi – a photo of the clothing market I like to shop at, lunch out with friends/coworkers, a giraffe at the national park.

Thank you to so many of you who messaged me to purchase bags from my friend, Paustina. She is SO grateful for your support of her business. Together, she has now sold over 30 bags to people in Canada! Praise God for blessing the work of her hands and for your partnership.

It is hard to believe that there is only one more month left of this school year and in mid-June, I will be returning to Canada for a month. I am so excited to see friends and family again! Thank you for your continued support in this journey. I am so grateful to be nearly completing my 5th year of ministry in Nairobi.

Gratefully,

-j.