This month was Canadian Thanksgiving and while I haven’t had the opportunity to celebrate that for a few years now, I am always reminded to have a posture and attitude of thanksgiving during the month of October. I’ve been really challenged lately by a very popular scripture, Philippians 4:6-7.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
While I feel there is always so much to thank God for, I am not exempt from anxious thoughts. I often find it easy to thank God for my life and the ability to live in such a beautiful country and enjoy my work, but I also find it easy to spiral into long lists of worries, comparison, and what-if thinking. I have been challenged by this scripture to present all of my anxious thoughts to Christ, the only one who can offer true peace of mind. There are a number of items I am praying about right now and I am trying to commit my requests to God before the worrying begins. This is a daily practice as it does not come naturally to me and is something I want to grow in. I am grateful for a community of believers to encourage and support me as I continue to grow in these areas.
At school this month, we celebrated Wangari Maathai Day (if you don’t know her, please look her up, she’s great!). We talked about taking care of the environment, standing up for what’s right, and the importance of honoring people who make a difference in our communities. I love seeing how thoughtful and curious my students are, they ask the best questions and really take things to heart. I’m so proud of how hard they’re working, and I feel so grateful to support them. This month, I’ve also had more opportunities to support families of children with disabilities and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my skills and insight to better support families. I often wish I could do more to support even more families and children in Nairobi that are outcast for having a disability, but I am reminded that God sees, knows, and is capable of more than me. He is Sovereign and I can trust His timing.
On a much heavier note, the passing of Raila Odinga, the country’s prime minister, really shook the country. Whether people agreed with his politics or not, he represented strength, perseverance, and hope for so many. Watching the nation come together to mourn him and celebrate his life was both heartbreaking and beautiful. It reminded me how deeply Kenyans care about justice and unity.
We had a public holiday not long after and I took a little trip out of town with friends. It was such a great break with lots of laughter, long talks, and fresh air. We enjoyed going on a hike and swimming in this stunning waterfall! Kenya is so beautiful, especially this time of year. Although, you can tell that the rainy season is starting because the flying termites have begun to appear… my least favourite part about Kenya!
And on a more personal note, I did something I’m really proud of. I ran my first ever 10K in the Nairobi Marathon! It was honestly so much fun. The weather was great, the atmosphere was fun and positive, and over 30,000 people participated! From the serious 42km marathoners, to people who walked the 5k, to the 21km wheelchair race, it was a great experience and I think I’ll do it again!
It’s been one of those months that holds a bit of everything. I’m ending it feeling thankful and hopeful for what’s ahead. Here are a few prayer points:
-Next week is our Spiritual Emphasis Week (like VBS)! You can be praying for all of the moving pieces to come together, for students to experience Christ’s love, and a wonderful week for all! Specifically for some of my students, changes in routine can be challenging, so we are praying for them during this full week.
-I thank God for my health! Many of my coworkers and students have been sick this month, but I thank God that I have been healthy and well.
-I would love prayer against anxious thoughts and the reminder to bring all of my requests to God, for only He can provide the peace I desire.
I hope you’ve all had a lovely month. I thank God for you all and for your steadfast support of this ministry. Children with disabilities are loved, valued, and included at school because of this ministry – thank you for supporting us.
Thankfully,
-j.
jocelyn's adventures in kenya. 