A New Way of Seeing Things

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller 

                One thing I have been learning the past year is summed up by this quote. As I look back over my journey to Kenya, I can see how it wasn’t so much about getting me to the specific country—although I know I was supposed to meet, learn from, and teach the Kenyans and fellow missionaries I met—as it was to teach me. Every step of the journey, from applying to SIM at the prompting of my missionary friends, to the plane bringing me back to Seattle was intentional. The preparation for the trip—the application, support letter writing, waiting, packing, all of it taught me patience, perseverance, and stepping out in faith.

                Each part was pivotal for the next stage and interwoven purposefully. I needed to persevere in the many “to-do” lists for Kenya-medical, support raising, etc. because it helped me to remember that each day is pivotal and important for the fulfillment of dreams…to quote a cheesy country song “it’s one day closer to you”. Not only that, but I can look in hindsight at how God prepared me from a young age for my time in Kenya-wiring me to love travel (even as a baby) and even taking Spanish all those years which was an immense aide in my acquisition of Kikuyu, a tribal language of Kenya. In a different way, the week Jennie and I spent up country was such an encouragement for the rest of my time—reminding me how Jesus literally is my next breath, my sustainer, guide, and friend.

                We can live in the moment—whether dreaming or living out our dreams—knowing that each minute is crucial to the plan God has for our lives. It will stretch us, teach us, encourage us, and will ultimately be used for good. Even before I left so many people, seasoned missionaries and people who have never left their home state, told me that this trip was going to change me. But just like getting stared at up country, you can’t really anticipate that and prepare for it. Even as I am starting to glean new things from my time in Kenya, I am surprised at what I see.

                I see that I am changing in hard but necessary ways and I know that this will continue for a lifetime. Bear with me as I go off the top of my head and spew what has been stewing for a month or so and is just now ready to be poured out. I am changed. I now think in a “world clock format” automatically thinking “switch am to pm minus 2 hours” for what time it is in Kenya and then praying for my friends and the children I know there. I also have a newfound empathy for immigrants, orphans, and widows around me. I also think twice about buying new clothes or other “non-essentials” and often give thanks for all the material things I have. Similarly, I find it hard to look through Sunday ads and find commercials to be annoying and so superfluous.  Oddly enough, I slightly feel like I did after graduating from Trinity Western—realizing how much I loved being surrounded by/living with like-minded friends who I was able to easily do life with. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and family here…but there’s a unique bond built by the shared experiences on a mission field. I am so thankful for social media which allows me to keep in touch with the friends I made. Anyway, this is just a glimpse of my recent thoughts and struggles.