I can’t believe I’ve only been here 4 full days. It has been
a blur- forgive my random anecdotes.
I arrived safely to Nairobi Monday evening. God provided in
so many amazing ways. I made all my flights, even with delays, and was amazed
that at all but one point I met someone who worked with children with
disabilities or had a child with disabilities.
The Amsterdam airport was difficult…I was exhausted, didn’t know the
languages around me, and had to go through security again. Not to mention my
perfume broke which, in hindsight, has been a blessing because my room and
luggage smell amazing. The next blessing was that on my last flight I sat next
to a Kenyan lady and we shared stories, I included my hearing loss. Upon
arriving in Nairobi she spoke with a guard at the visa station who led me to
the front of the line, I didn’t even have to wait. Such a blessing.
The first night was rough…20 hours of travel, with maybe 4
hours of sleep, and not a ton to eat collaborated into an emotional eruption
upon arrival. God is so faithful and I was able to sleep 12 hours. The next day was pretty low key- a brief
orientation with three others who arrived the same day I did, and then Julie,
the missionary I know here, stopped by and visited which was such a huge
blessing! Then I had dinner with my mentor, and several other SIM members.
The rest of the week has been spent meeting the many
individuals involved in work here and getting to know the people I am living
with on the compound as well as the others who arrived the same time I did (from Canada and New Zealand) since we’ve been
going through orientation together. It has been a blessing to do a city tour of
Nairobi, seeing the Kibera slum as well as a school there, and moreover,
hearing from and learning so much from all the people God is working in and
through at various ministries here. Jet lag hasn’t been too bad—although I did
wake up the second night at 2 AM wanting coffee and pot roast. Haha. Overall, I have
been humbled and blessed so much in these first few days. Today while walking
by several groups of people begging, I was prompted to stop and pray with a
lady and her child…it was difficult to not be able to help her in a tangible
way (something our organization has many avenues for but as short termers we’re
discouraged to do) but such an opportunity.
Next week I start language classes and have 5 days of that
before heading out to my placement at a school with one other team member.
Tomorrow we’re heading to an elephant sanctuary and giraffe park!
Please continue to pray for language acquisition as well as
for and God-given ability to “be all here” and to have wisdom with the opportunities
he’s given me here.
my fellow orientationers
Kibera
my room
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