You give and take away...
9 weeks ago, I arrived in Kenya and it seemed like the scariest place in the world. By week 2 I was brave enough to set foot outside the compound alone and by week 4 I was happily teaching a VBS class to about 40 kids in a small classroom in Kibera slums. By week 6 I was spending Christmas with my exciting and totally lovable Kenyan family.
Just two weeks ago I once again stepped foot in the beautifully wonky corrugated iron and wood construction known as Joy Springs. I was quickly blessed with hundreds of smiling faces and 4 beautiful classes that I could love, teach and develop lessons for. It was my dream. I was working hard and spending heaps of time with the children that so strongly drew me back to this continent. Now due to my short time in Kenya I only have 3 weeks left in this completely amazing place. I have seen so much and fallen head over heels in love with an African country once again.
Today I found out that I could not go into school on Monday due to potential dangers concerning election results. My heart sank and my precious last week of teaching kids in Africa was cut down by 4 lessons. A couple of hours later I received a text from the head teachers that said that another teacher had just left the school and they were having to rearrange the whole time table which would mean I would only be teaching art classes. This meant good bye to 6 of my remaining 10 classes. Now I only get to teacher 4 Art classes in this incredible school.
However, while I am gutted I have less time with MY kids, someone once told me to imagine “What if you only had tomorrow what you were thankful for today”. So I thought I would find some positives to balance the mood.
I have had an amazing time so far and have met incredible people who are part of a diverse culture. The African children are even more beautiful then I remembered and they have blessed me enormously. In a few weeks, I will see my family again and be able to share with them and others the stunning experiences I have had here and see if the beauty of contagious passion will work its wonders once again. I will have yet another opportunity to study an learn teaching and psychology, an opportunity that I now see as more valuable than when I left New Zealand. I will return with more direction and a passion for under privileged children burning even brighter than before and a new confidence to reach out to others even in my own culture. I look forward to the possibility of visiting Merciful Redeemer Orphanage/Children's home for a few short days and the upcoming Spiritual Life Conference. Although my time here is nearly over (for now- God has brought me back once and he may do it again) I know God will always love me and no matter where in the world I land, I will use my gifts to bring Him glory. For He is my constant... And without Him? I am nothing...
"You give and take away, You give and take away, My heart will chose to say, Lord blessed be Your name....."
Just two weeks ago I once again stepped foot in the beautifully wonky corrugated iron and wood construction known as Joy Springs. I was quickly blessed with hundreds of smiling faces and 4 beautiful classes that I could love, teach and develop lessons for. It was my dream. I was working hard and spending heaps of time with the children that so strongly drew me back to this continent. Now due to my short time in Kenya I only have 3 weeks left in this completely amazing place. I have seen so much and fallen head over heels in love with an African country once again.
Today I found out that I could not go into school on Monday due to potential dangers concerning election results. My heart sank and my precious last week of teaching kids in Africa was cut down by 4 lessons. A couple of hours later I received a text from the head teachers that said that another teacher had just left the school and they were having to rearrange the whole time table which would mean I would only be teaching art classes. This meant good bye to 6 of my remaining 10 classes. Now I only get to teacher 4 Art classes in this incredible school.
However, while I am gutted I have less time with MY kids, someone once told me to imagine “What if you only had tomorrow what you were thankful for today”. So I thought I would find some positives to balance the mood.
I have had an amazing time so far and have met incredible people who are part of a diverse culture. The African children are even more beautiful then I remembered and they have blessed me enormously. In a few weeks, I will see my family again and be able to share with them and others the stunning experiences I have had here and see if the beauty of contagious passion will work its wonders once again. I will have yet another opportunity to study an learn teaching and psychology, an opportunity that I now see as more valuable than when I left New Zealand. I will return with more direction and a passion for under privileged children burning even brighter than before and a new confidence to reach out to others even in my own culture. I look forward to the possibility of visiting Merciful Redeemer Orphanage/Children's home for a few short days and the upcoming Spiritual Life Conference. Although my time here is nearly over (for now- God has brought me back once and he may do it again) I know God will always love me and no matter where in the world I land, I will use my gifts to bring Him glory. For He is my constant... And without Him? I am nothing...
"You give and take away, You give and take away, My heart will chose to say, Lord blessed be Your name....."
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