OCTOBER IN KENYA
Hello friends!
I cannot believe it’s been a month since my last newsletter. A lot has changed since then! In the past month, the Lord has taught me more than I ever thought possible and stretched me far more than I anticipated.
Currently, we are in the rainy season of Kenya, which means our power goes out multiple times a week (once for three full days!) So I have enjoyed reading by candlelight most nights and going to bed much earlier than at home. Here’s a quick breakdown of my weeks in October:
Week 1:
Marisa and I spent most of the week organizing the Joytown library. We labeled and shelved new books and opened the library each afternoon for the children. I love seeing children line up waiting for the doors to open at 3:10. They really enjoy reading silently all afternoon. For now, the “reading program” has meant opening the library to everyone each afternoon; however, I hope to make some changes next term. I plan to open the library to all students on Fridays, but every other day have a specific 10-15 students who read together and discuss the books read. Please pray this can be organized next term to motivate students in reading comprehension.
Week 2:
A pretty slow week at Joytown. I finished up a few stories--you can read them all on my blog. The children are so inspiring and an easy subject to write about. They have been through unimaginable things, yet are more positive than anyone I know. They do not let their physical disabilities hinder them from simply enjoying life. This week was very challenging for me—the Lord really stripped me of some comforts. My laptop broke, our power went out several times, and one of the BethanyKids staff left to work at another clinic. These things seem very small now, but during that week I was broken and homesick. However, that weekend we traveled to Kijabe where my laptop was fixed and a wonderful American family had us over for dinner. I never knew Christian community could be so needed.
The Lord taught me so much through 1 Kings 19:11-12. Elijah is listening for the Lord’s voice and he does not hear it in the wind, in an earthquake, or in a fire. He hears God’s voice in a low whisper. I had been searching for God’s voice in the big, spectacular moments in life, but He was speaking to me in the quiet and mundane.
Week 3:
Short week for us—Kenya’s National Heroes Day was on Thursday so the children were out of school. But the Joytown Choir did decide to have rehearsal outside our room at 6:30 that morning... Never a dull moment when you live with 300 kids!
We had our first official tea party on Saturday! It was a great success—we invited the girls from Class 8 who will be graduating from
Joytown in mid-November. Please read the details and see pictures on my blog…Thank you for your prayers for this event, it was a blessing to see the girls so appreciative. The Lord can use a simple thing, such as a tea party, to teach others how to be gracious and considerate.
Marisa and I learned to cook Kenyan chapati on this weekend! It is a sweet, fried bread and harder to make than it looks. Francesca and her husband, Peter, have been my family here. They always leave their door open and have spent many nights praying with and for Marisa and I.
Week 4:
The BethanyKids Mobile Clinic visited Joytown on Monday where doctors saw over 100 children from the school and from around Thika. About 20 children were approved for surgery and will be sent to Kijabe Hospital over the holidays. The BK Mobile Clinic is a wonderful ministry that travels all over Kenya helping disabled children.
Joytown held their admissions interviews for the next school year on Thursday and Friday. It was an eventful 2 days—about 150 families brought their children to be admitted into the school. However, Joytown can only take around 40 new students. I sat for interviews with the physical therapy team on Thursday, and with the teachers on Friday. The children were given different tests to evaluate their learning ability and potential. Pictured right--a little girl who came into the interview using sticks for crutches, and BethanyKids sent her home with a brand new pair of crutches.
Thank you all again for being so interested and supportive of my time in Thika. Your faithful prayers have overwhelmed me with love and encouragement.
A few prayer requests…Pray for the Class 8 students—they take exams next week that determine if they graduate. Also, please pray that Marisa and I will find safe and restful plans for the month of December when Joytown is out of school!
Love you all,
Gray
NOVEMBER IN KENYA
A few prayer requests:
NOVEMBER IN KENYA
Happy late Thanksgiving everyone! I hope yall had a safe and wonderful holiday. November has been an exciting and busy month for me—a nice change of pace! Despite the many blessings during this month, I have felt very weak at times, yet the Lord has shown me His power in my weakness.
Week 1:
The last weekend of October was a turning point in my time in Kenya. I was lonely, discouraged, and in need of fellowship. But of course, the Lord provided. He always does. Marisa and I met a great group from Vanderbilt while we were staying in Kijabe. We spent time with our new friends all weekend and even shadowed them in the OR of Kijabe Hospital! I witnessed my first surgery, thankfully, without fainting. The Lord also provided us with December plans that weekend. Steve and Judy Cochran live on the RVA campus in Kijabe and asked us to housesit for them while they are in the U.S. We were happy to accept!
We returned to Joytown and immediately started party planning. That week we invited the boys of Class 8 to their own tea party, sharing the same etiquette tips that we did for the girls. The boys really enjoyed the party and were much more lively! That weekend we held a farewell party for the Class 8 students and then another for the Joytown spina bifida support group. It was great to see the older students encourage the younger ones. The oldest girl of the support group even thanked God for her disability, setting a high example for others. Below is a photo of the Joytown Secondary students in the support group.
Week 2:
This week was pretty slow after our eventful weekend. The Class 8 students took their much-anticipated exams, closing down the rest of classes. All younger students were left unattended in the dormitories, without much to do. At times, I am overwhelmed with the appearance of Joytown. To be frank, some children stay covered in food or urine, and trash just collects on the ground. I often ask myself, “What is my role here? Is it my job to clean a child’s face or pick up trash?” Well no, not technically. It is much easier to pass this responsibility off to someone else. But then I think, “Would Jesus walk past a child covered in flies and food?” One lesson I pray to learn—I am called to live as Christ lived. No this is not always glamorous, and definitely unnoticed at times, but Jesus wants me to love His children the way He does.
Week 3:
The Lord really broke me this week at Joytown. I see sadness everyday, but the gravity of these children’s condition finally hit me. I describe this in more detail in my blog post “His people.” Once again, I am reminded that we are made for another world.
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14
I had the privilege of meeting the bravest boy at Joytown right before he left. James Kungu was the only child left at school after finishing his exams. His parents are ashamed of his condition, and at home, he is hidden from sight. Also, the only clothing he owned was the Joytown School uniform. The BethanyKids staff gave James new clothes and a smile. James truly humbled me and I want to ask you to please pray for him.
That weekend, three guys from the physical therapy team took Marisa and I to Fourteen Falls—the famous waterfalls of Thika. It was breathtaking and a perfect ending to the term!
Week 4:
Moved into our great, big house! Well it’s not that big, but our room in Thika is the size of my bedroom here. Even though I was away from my family for the holidays, the Lord provided so much community here at Kijabe. I spent Thanksgiving Day moving into the Cochran’s house—a family that has been such a blessing to me. I even got to eat turkey in the RVA cafeteria!
The AIM Conference started that weekend, a time for all the AIM missionaries in Kenya to gather together in Kijabe. The conference included a main speaker, seminars, and great fellowship. It was a wonderful time to make connections and hear how the Lord is working in other areas of Kenya.
It’s hard to believe I’ve hit the halfway point in my time in Kenya. The Lord has taught me to depend on Him in ways I never thought I would. I am learning that when I am weak, He is strong.
Please pray for our safety and health as we travel this month. Also pray for the sweet children of Joytown to know the Lord more deeply everyday. Thank you so much for your love and support, and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas holiday!
Love,
Gray
JANUARY NEWSLETTER
It’s the home stretch, the last month of my time in Kenya.
Marisa and I had a long, restful break over December that recharged me for this
school term. Thank you for all your prayers for safe travel. I could not have
asked for a better holiday! Please
look at my blog (http://joy-in-kenya.blogspot.com) for a post about my wonderful Christmas in Dubai.
Week 1:
The first week of January was definitely unexpected, but I
loved it. One of my close friends from home flew into Nairobi on her way to northern
Kenya. I planned to pick her up from the airport, spend the day with her, then
head onto Joytown. However, I have learned quickly in Kenya that plans change.
Her flight was canceled and the next flight was not until that weekend. So we
spent the next few days exploring Nairobi and spending quality time together.
This week was just one example of the verse I have run to
many times these past months.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My
ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
I can plan and plan, but the Lord’s way is always higher and
better than my way. I am so thankful to serve a God who is in control.
Week 2:
Arrived at Joytown and went right back to work. I spent time
catching up with the BethanyKids team, writing stories, and preparing for the
U.S. team arriving the next week.
I met my sweet new friend, Faith, a 12-year-old student at Joytown. She is in a
wheelchair and Marisa dresses the wound on her foot everyday, giving us a time
to talk. Faith has told me numerous times she would not change anything about
her appearance and is content exactly the way God made her. Once again, I am
humbled by someone much younger than me. And by someone, who in my eyes, would
want to change her condition. I am immediately reminded of Psalm 139-- “I will
praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
This term has been filled with meaningful friendships that
will be very difficult to leave.
A pretty slow week. Our new neighbor moved in...Henna from Finland. She has been a great new friend and
helped with the Joytown nursery students. On Wednesday, we held our first Bible
study after school. It went really well and thankfully, Francesca helped with
translating. Marisa and I discussed Philippians 1:21--“For to me to
live is Christ and to die is gain.” We hope
the children will grow more comfortable discussing Scripture, but they really
seemed happy to be there.
Week 4:
Such an exciting week at Joytown! Hope Haven, a team from Rock Valley, Iowa, delivered 25
wheelchairs to the school. I have enjoyed learning all about this ministry and
the impact they have around the world. I loved taking pictures of the excited
children who receieved brand new wheelchairs. This is something I would not
have fully appreciated back in September. But now, I understand a little more—a
wheelchair is a child’s world here. Something that gives them dignity and their
way to face the world. Everyone at Joytown is grateful for this team and the
wonderful gift they brought. It
was also nice to have American fellowship and two members of the team used to
live in Jackson, MS! The Lord provides in simple and unexpected ways sometimes.
Rose was such a happy girl. She accepted Jesus while she
was waiting—she received a new wheelchair and a Savior all in one day!
- Please
pray for my last 3 weeks in Kenya. Pray my time at Joytown will end well
and the Lord will continue working in my heart.
- Pray
for me as I prepare to go back to the U.S. It will be a difficult
transition from this wonderful place, but I am so thankful for my time
here.
- Continue to pray for James—I mentioned his story in my last newsletter and we still have not found him a home. I pray the Lord will provide him with a loving family.
Thank you for your
prayers, emails, letters, and constant encouragement. Your love has meant more
than you’ll ever know. See you very soon!
Love,
Gray Marchetti
