My Kenya Trip

How do you prepare yourself for impacting moments? Do you brace yourself or do you allow yourself to freefall? I knew that my trip to Africa was going to be one of those trips that changed the heck out of me, but I really had no idea how much so.

I really can’t pinpoint a time and say how that one specific moment was better than another or how another moment carried more weight than the rest.
The entire journey in Kenya, felt like I was in a dream while walking on water.

I walked with awe as mothers with babies tied around their backs joyfully welcomed us into their church and sang songs of Gods goodness and provision in their lives.

Tears sprung to my eyes when I heard the strong and resilient voices of the children in our sponsorship program sing about the deep deep love of Jesus.  I sat in awe as we heard the pastor speak of how we were welcome in his church and welcome to “rest” and make ourselves at home. To watch them offer their best to us with such great care, when most of the children in that place had nothing to eat except what the church provided for them, now on a now daily basis.

My heart was flooded with love for the children we saw the following day. Children who wore coats and scarves to their Saturday morning lesson at their Compassion project. Children who learned that Jesus loves them so much and to follow in His ways and not the ways of the world.  Boys, and girls just like mine who wanted to run races, jump rope, play games and more than anything just to be kids.

How do I put into words the way my heart was broken as we drove through a slum…not just any slum, but the largest slum in all of Nairobi? How can I explain that all I felt I could do was ask God to forgive me of my selfishness, my ungratefulness, my lack of care and concern for His children?

Was it bliss that I felt when I met my little sponsored child Emmanuel? Gosh, it seems like a dream now, but I know that I know that he and  I both smiled ear to ear the entire time we were together. I grabbed his little hand the minute we started walking, but he never let go of mine. I wish I could explain how he felt so naturally like my own son, but I don’t think I can….I have some thoughts on this Kenya trip, but it’s gonna take a bit to process through.

Right now, all I can really tell you is that I have such a grateful heart for what I have experienced and for how much fuller my days are as a result of those experiences.