august 2026.

As I write this, I can see that this is my 75th blog post. How amazing! This month, I have begun my 9th year of teaching, my 7th year living in Kenya, and 1st as Mrs. Odongo! It’s been an adjustment for the students learning to say my new name, but they are getting there. I myself often forget to use my new last name!

This school year, I am in the same department, elementary learning support, but I am supporting students in different grades. Last year, the greatest needs were in grades 1 and 5, but this year, we have a new full time team member, so I work with preschool to grade 2 and she works with grades 3-5. Additionally, we have a part time teacher who does intervention for students that need temporary additional supports at school. A few of the students I worked with last year, I get to work with again, but I have many new students as well. Unfortunately, I am not very good at remembering throughout the day to take creative photos of my students (without showing their faces), so for this month, you’ll have to go off my stories. 🙂

It’s hard to believe that we are already nearly finished the first month of school! That flew by! I feel so grateful for my new colleagues, the new students that I get to teach, and being back on such a beautiful and lush campus. I have been amazed by the growth my students have showed from over the break! Some have bigger, more expanse vocabularies, others are much taller, and some are nearly reading! I’m enjoying working with students in the younger grades as they are so full of enthusiasm and a joy to be around. Our theme verse this year is John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart for me you can do nothing.” My prayer this year is that I would remember to abide in Christ, stay rooted in prayer and in the word, and remember that I need Jesus daily!

Something that is new now, is my commute to work. It is a beautiful drive, filled with tall trees, winding roads, and roadside food vendors. It typically takes me 20 minutes to drive to work and 45 or so to drive home with the traffic. On Fridays, I carpool with a coworker and friend who lives nearby, so that has been a blessing. Something else I’ve begun this year is tutoring for students with disabilities after school. There are a number of students that would benefit from targeted additional instruction and support, so I do 5 sessions a week. This fills my days, but it is a joy to have one on one time teaching students. I have enjoyed getting to know them, affirming their intelligence, and supporting them with tool and strategies to support their learning.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Dorcas. She was able to receive her monthly medication. The cost for the monthly dose is $350 and thanks to your partnership with me, we were able to provide this for her this month. Also, Isaac’s funeral was this month. While I was unable to attend as it was in his village a few hours away, the photos I received were touching. The community came together to support his family and pay for the entire funeral arrangements to alleviate this financial burden on his family. It was a beautiful tribute to his life – one he lived so generously. I am reminded of the purpose of the body of believers coming together. I had just read Acts chapter 2 and if felt like the perfect picture of taking care of your brother and sisters in Christ. Thank you for your financial partnership and continued prayers. You make an impact here. May you be blessed!

We also received our wedding photos, so here are a few more from our special day!

-j.