Friends, Food, and Farewells (for now!)

 There has been a lot going on lately, so first I want to apologize for all the pictures! I just have so much I want to share! The last 3 weeks have been SO eventful, filled with time with friends, delicious food, and, unfortunately, farewells, at least for now!

I found out about 3 weeks ago that my Kenyan work permit appeal was denied, so I officially do not get my work permit. Instead, I will be going to Tanzania in a week, for the rest of my 2 1/2 months of volunteering with MCC. Because of this latest adventure, I had a lot of things to do in very little time!

The first thing I did was go to Fourteen Falls, a beautiful river that has fourteen(ish) small waterfalls. It was absolutely beautiful! The most exciting part was crossing the river with a couple of young men who are considered tour guides. I say "considered", because the idea of professionalism is different here. But, we got across safely, and it was definitely a memorable event!

The next thing I did was spend Easter weekend at the shamba! (the family farm). My host family killed a goat for Easter, but according to them it was a multipurpose goat slaughtering! It was also to honor the time that I have spent with all of them :)

AND, while we were there, one of the dogs had puppies! She has 3 little babies, and they are so adorable!!!

That same weekend, I got to go swimming with my friend Faith, her "friend" Steve, and his sister Hilda. Its always a nice treat to relax at the pool, especially in the hot Kitui heat!

 

This last weekend, I went to my friend Mutheu's house and made viazi (deep friend potato circles). We made them with her two daughters and little cousin, Rose (who stays with me), and Faith came over to eat! 

Lastly, I made tortilla chips, salsa, and some chunky guacamole for my co-workers at SASOL as a thank you for having me here with them! I was surprised how much they liked them. They use all of the ingredients in their own food, but they haven't seen them in the form of this special concoction. It brought me so much joy to see them enjoying my little snack!

Leaving is a tough experience to describe. I am sad to say goodbye to all of my friends and family here early than expected, but I am also excited for what God has in store for me! I know that this is the Lord's will, and whatever is to come of my time here, as well as my time in Tanzania, I just pray it is to his glory!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

-Romans 8:28

This Is Hard

In complete honesty, this is hard. Living in a different culture, trying to understand the language, being a daughter in a family I am barely familiar with... the circumstances are not easy.

Me with my host parents, Richard and Lucy

Can I share something about myself? For most of my life I have been a QUITTER. As a child I was never encouraged to push through difficulty, or to cultivate a resilient heart. If something seemed remotely challenging, I would try it once, maybe twice, but after realizing it would test me, I would bail out! Playing softball, joining the swim team, running track, learning French, playing the guitar... every activity I tried, I quit.

It was no surprise to me that, after realizing what I had gotten myself into in coming to Kitui, I had an EXTREMELY intense desire to quit. Everything in me screamed at me that this experience was going to be too difficult, that if I tried I would fail!

I can not express how glad I am that I did not listen to my own heart, or rely on my own experiences, but instead chose to listen to the resilient Spirit of God inside me. Because while I tell myself that I am incapable and unable, God's Word says:

"You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you" 

(Philippians 4:13),

"Trust in THE LORD with all your heart and LEAN NOT on your own understanding" 

(Proverbs 3:5),

"His divine power has granted to us ALL THINGS that pertain the LIFE and GODLINESS" 

(2 Peter 1:3),

"And we know that for those who LOVE GOD all things work together for GOOD, for those who are called according to HIS purpose"

(Romans 8:28),

"Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is WITH YOU wherever you go" 

(Joshua 1:9)

What is it that I discern from the Word? DON'T GIVE UP! 

Four years ago before I started actively pursuing a relationship with Jesus, this would have been a foreign concept to me. Don't give up? But giving up is easy!

But now, here in Kitui, KNOWING that the Lord is for me (so, who can be against me?), when I feel that sensation of wanting to give up, I choose to listen to God! When relationships are challenging, and loving people with Christ's love is SO much harder than I expected; when dying to myself and what I want is a minute-by-minute decision, only God tells me that I CAN do it. ONLY God gives me the reassurance and the strength to lay down who I used to be without him, and to pursue Him fully in the NEW creation He has made me to be. 

Are you feeling insecure in who you are or your own abilities? Are you caught up in how little you understand what is going on in your life? Do you feel separated from people who understand you and know how to encourage you?... Can I just encourage you to turn to Christ? He is the ONLY one who loves you with a complete, everlasting love. He is the (ONLY) author and perfecter of your faith. He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. Turn to Jesus and find your self-worth, your assurance, your true love in HIM.

If he can transform this weak, easily-defeated person into someone willing to push through to the end (with the Lord's help, of course), he can do this and much, MUCH more for YOU!

My friend Emily and me

Visa Issues? Why not!

So, quick recap:

After spending Christmas with my host family (which was awesome!), I had just returned to work at SASOL when I was told that I needed to meet with an immigration officer. Long story short, there were some mix-ups with my work permit, and I was told I needed to leave the country. That was on a Friday, and by Tuesday morning at 7a.m. I was on a plane leaving Nairobi, on my way to Kigali, Rwanda.

I arrived in Kigali to meet Shantelle, another SALTer, and I was blessed to join her at her host family's house for two weeks. In those two weeks I managed to meet the entire MCC Rwanda and Burundi team (as well as the team members in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo), go to a Rwandan baby-naming ceremony, and travel through Burundi.

The time was a delightful mix of spending time with friends, site seeing, and trying to get some of my work done for SASOL. Shantelle was such a blessing to be with! She showed me around Kigali, and let me tag along with her when she had other things to do. I was also very blessed to meet Teresa, a SALTer from last year who extended her term for a year. It was SO refreshing to watch the both of them at work, and hear about their experiences trying to make the most out of their time in Rwanda. (Thank you, ladies, for all that you did for me and all that you do for the MCC partners in Rwanda!!)

While I was there, an MCC Rwandan national staff worker named Richard had a traditional baby naming ceremony for his new born daughter. Traditionally, you are not allowed to call your newborn by name until the whole community gathers to guess what his/her name is. It is the baby's initiation into the society. At the ceremony, two of the baby's uncles performed a traditional Rwandan dance, which was AWESOME! They also got one of the white guys (Matt) in our group to dance, which pretty much made every African persons' ribs burst :)

Three days before I returned to Kenya I was able to hitch a ride with one of the MCC Reps, Scott, to go visit Lauren (another SALTer) in Burundi! It is surprising as you pass the border from Rwanda into Burundi how much more obvious the poverty is in Burundi. Lauren shared with me that 80% of the population of Burundi is illiterate... and that is just one problem they face!

While we were there, and Scott had a bunch of meetings to attend to, Lauren and I got to adventure around! We went to Bujumbura (the capital city) on Friday and Saturday, and the first thing we did was go to the beach of Lake Tanganyika. We sat for about 2 and half hours just being at peace listening to the waves.

We then did what all logical tourists do and went for ice cream! I tell you, somehow soft serve ice cream tastes MAGNIFICENT when you haven't had it in a very long time.

Me and Lauren

We wrapped up our time the next morning by making pancakes. We unknowingly bought corn flour instead of regular flour, so we technically made corn cakes, but if you cover them in jam or honey, they still taste pretty darn good.

Both Bujumbura and Kigali are such beautiful cities! I had many moments where I would stop and be in awe that I was in either place. It may not be the best experience being asked to leave a country, but when you get sent to wait it out in an equally amazing country, it isn't such an unfortunate occurrence after all :)

I am now back in Kitui, Kenya. Keep praying for my work permit to go through, it is currently still in the appeal process. Thank you for all the support and prayers through this time!

Teresa (left), me, Shantelle (right), and Chrissy (Shantelle's host nephew)