may 2025.

It is hard to believe that this is my 60th post on this blog since I began posting 5 years ago. What an incredible journey God has taken me on. I am so grateful to serve in Nairobi. As you know, this past year, I moved schools to take on a new role that I have been passionate about for quite some time – supporting children with disabilities at school. Well, next year I have been chosen to lead the student services department in elementary. I am excited for this opportunity and expectant to lean on God as I learn new responsibilities and expectations. This means that I will now be the lead teacher, responsible for scheduling, supporting other teachers (English as an Additional Language Department, Counselling, Chaplaincy, and the Korean teachers) and ensuring all students with disabilities in grades 4 and 5 are supported – this is over 30 children! While it is a big undertaking, it is also a position I feel is essential to this ministry and I am anticipatory of God’s hand in it all.

I will be returning for a visit to Swift Current in mid-June and I will be sharing a ministry update with the Women’s Prayer Group at Trailview Alliance Church on Tuesday, June 17th at 10 am. I will be sharing an update on this past year of ministry, looking ahead at the next year as well as selling a few items. A variety of Kenyan items from my market friends will be for purchase like tote bags, jewelry, Kenyan coffee 250g, and Kenyan tea 100 pack (see images below). If you are unable to make this date, but would like to purchase one of the items listed to support my friends, please send me an email at joc.smart4@gmail.com and I will be sure to get your order to you!

The last month of the school year is always busy with events and fun! I enjoyed celebrating my students this year – their growth, hard work, and who they are. My prayer is that they would continue to know that they are loved beyond measure. Below are some photos from the past month:

We had a public holiday this month and I was able to get out of town with some friends to a beautiful part of Kenya called the Aberdares. It is a lush, green, forested mountain range where flora and fauna thrive! We stayed at a cabin in the woods and saw the most majestic sunrise over Mount Kenya as well as elephants, hyenas, buffalos, and forest hogs outside of our window! I continued to be filled with awe at God’s creation and I felt extra thankful to have made friends to enjoy it with!

As I write this, I am preparing to pack as I will board a flight later this week. I will be travelling back to Canada with a 2-week stopover to visit my friend of 14 years in Germany. I look forward to spending time together, laughing, and seeing family after that later in June. I am grateful for another year of ministry and looking forward to a summer full of making memories with loved ones. Many blessings to you all. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.

Gratefully,

-j.