Back to Africa

Well..I'm going to be spending my summer in Kenya!

Every year MTW sends a staff person to lead the group of interns that goes down to Nairobi to work with a church plant there in the slum of Kibera. Normally this staff person is Opal who has gone several times and has a lot of experience with leading groups. However, as this summer approached, it was clear that Opal's skills were needed on other mission fields. We brainstormed and found a great couple who were willing to consider it. About a week ago they emailed and said they couldn't do it either. Unbelievably, I was asked if I would consider it.

At first I thought the idea was ridiculous. Plus, I have to take summer school so I thought I would be so behind if I took the whole summer off. But the more I thought and prayed about it, the more I felt like God was saying "just be open". Last Tuesday I found myself telling Opal and Jack (my boss) that I would be open to doing it. They were so excited and encouraging. A few details were worked out, such as how my normal work would be covered, and the decision was made!

I will be leading a group that currently consists of 8 girls and 1 guy. We are really praying that at least 1 more guy will apply! Most of the team is college-aged and there is one girl who's the same age as me. I will be the liason between the group and the Kenyan pastor and his wife. I will be helping to facilitate things such as their bible study and day to day activities. Honestly, I am completely overwhelmed and scared to death! Well, I alternate between that and being really pumped. It will be a great opportunity to use my counseling skills amongst other things and be able to experience a culture for a longer period of time. Fortunately too I have plently of Old Testament examples of people that God used to do big things even though they were probably the least qualified! Because that's certainly how I feel at this point.

MTW will be doing some training with me so I will be more ready when the time comes. I will be going to the internship prefield training for all interns June 1-5, and then on the 5th I will leave with the group for Kenya and then arrive back in Atlanta on August 1.

I am sad that I will miss Simon and Eve's wedding, the birth of my fifth honorary nephew Harrison, Gina's birthday, potential showers for my future sister-in-law Shannon, all my friends, and the relationships that I will have to leave behind at work with my other missionaries and co-workers. I will have to trust God to comfort me and give me strength for this huge task! I really feel like this was His idea, and I know that it will be one learning experience that I will draw on for years to come.

I'm sure I will be keeping up with this blog and such and I hope folks will email me! Anyway, I'll post more info as I get it.