Never a Dull Moment

 Hi everyone,

Someone asked me last night if I was starting to get bored being in Kenya.  I laughed and said, "I don't think it's possible to be bored here!"  Let's just say my plans of physically "resting" while I have been here have failed...big time.  However, I find that I have a new spiritual and emotional refreshment that was starting to run a bit dry prior to my visit.  The kids at R.O.C.K. bring me a new energy and delight.  Though my days are packed full, and I am physically pooped out by 9 p.m., my heart is still jumping and dancing being here.  Whatever....maybe I'll rest when I get home! :)

With that said, things have been packed full, but lots of fun.  I love the fact that there have been many ways that I have been able to help out where there is a need.  I have been in both the junior learning center as well as the senior learning center, wherever there is a need for a teacher.  It's been giving mom a bit of a break so she can tend to her administrative things.  It's great that I can serve in that way. 

The past two days I have taken the role as the head teacher in the senior learning center, as Madame Lillian has been sick.  After arriving at school at 7:30 a.m., I don't think I sat down until about 4 p.m.  I had a blast working with the curriculum in a different way than I had been used to, and the kids did an awesome job.  They have grown and matured so much.  They don't pull tricks anymore in their work or try to cheat.  They do what they are supposed to do, and I think a big part is that they are being challenged.  They love when they are successful and do well, and that I am there to see it.  I have found that a little squeeze on the shoulder, encouraging comment, smile, or wink can motivate them as they do their PACE work.  You can see the change in their body language, or a little sneak of a smile on their face.  It's so great.   I also had a chance to share with the older kids in morning devotions, and the whole school during our noon devotion yesterday.  I always enjoy doing that because it allows me to talk to the kids on a personal level and really encourage them.  And they like hearing from me too....I think. :)

Outside of school, we are just enjoying our time with the kids.  We stay almost every night for supper and devotions.  Devotions are one of my favorite things to do with the kids.  They worship in a way no one else can.  There is no better sound that 20-some kids screaming their lungs out to the Lord.  We dance, we laugh, we enjoy the word together.  And the kids preach to one another.  They are building each other up.  It's absolutely fantastic.  I love leaving at the end of the night and receiving many hugs, hand shakes, and high fives from the kids..sometimes more than once.   It really touches my haert.   On Thursday afternoons we go play futbol (soccer).  I try to play, but let's just say soccer isn't my best sport.  But, the kids don't laugh at me or judge me, so I am thankful for that!  On Fridays we go swimming at a hotel nearby, which the kids really enjoy.  I taught a couple of them to swim last year, and it's cool to see that they can now swim all the way across the pool by themselves.  It's kind of like my "proud mom" moment I guess, to see them grow.

I have had some great personal time with a lot of the kids, just to chat.  A lot of the time I just listen to what they have to say, give my input if needed, but mostly just pray for them.  I value that the kids confide in me and feel that they can trust me.  They need that ear to listen, because many times they don't get that.  I love it because it allows me to encourage them throughout the day too, in all other areas.  

Little praise report.  The other night mom went to see Patrick at the hospital around suppertime.  She was coming home around 7:30, which by then it's dark here.  She pulled up to the gate to the ROCK compound and was waiting for a houseparent to come open the gate so she could drive in.  She looked out her window to see a man standing outside her window with a gun pointed at her.   He was motioning for her to put her window down.  Instead of complying, she did what her heart told her to do.  She started yelling, "JESUS! JESUS!"  The man got a dumbfounded look on his face, and after a moment started running behind the car.  Mom thought he was going to to the other side, but he hopped on the back of a motorbike and took off.  The motorbike had no light on, and later mom remembered seeing that motorbike in town.  So, she assumes he just followed her home.  They opened the gate and mom drove in.  It was her first time crying in front of the kids, but once she composed herself she explained what happened.  They called their security company and they came to file a report and send some guards for the evening.

Mom had prayers covering her that night.  It was prayer night for devotions for the kids, and they had just been praying for mom's safety.  Mom also said yesterday that a missionary friend currently in the states had received a word the night before to pray for safety for Kisumu missionaries.  That man had nothing on mom.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "....For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit.."  This was a true testimony to the kids of the power of prayer, and the truth of God.

Please don't be concerned for me or my safety.  These things happen everywhere.  People always say to me that they are worried about my safety, but I feel more safe in Kisumu than I do a lot of times in the states.  The enemy can attack in attempts to shake us up, but with God we have nothing to fear.  We are advised not to be out past dark, and so we are never going out by ourselves after dark unless we are in a vehicle with mom or someone we know.

A quick update on Patrick.  He's still in the hospital and has been through a series of tests the past couple days.  They've gone around to liver problems, to heart issues, now back to TB.  They gave him some meds that are really controlling the fluid without having to drain anything, so they are hopeful his treatment can be some daily medication.  It will take him a long time to feel "normal" again, but we are hopeful that this is the road to recovery.  THANK YOU for all your prayers.  I told him last night that I sent a request out to all my friends back home, and in his quiet way he said "Wow, that's so nice."  What a guy. :)

Ok, I must leave you now.  I need more coffee and it's time to get ready for the day.  My Nebraska missionary friends, Deb and Ryan, are coming up to Kisumu today for a couple days, so it will be great to see them!  We're also heading up to spend a night at Rondo retreat center this Friday, and on to Malava on Saturday to see what's going on there.  Updates in that area to come soon.  Should be a nice little getaway to see the lovely Kakamega Forest.  It's absolutely beautiful up there.  Green.  Monkeys. Red soil.  God's beauty for sure.

Never a dull moment. :)

Love and blessings to each of you,
Julie