Happy Turkey Day!

First Thanksgiving away from Greenville, MS, but I am grateful to be right where I am. A few things I am thankful for today....

1. Space. Marisa and I moved into Steve and Judy Cochran's home today to housesit for the month. I cannot express how grateful we are to this family for letting us use their home in Kijabe. Kijabe has been my saving grace in Kenya and I am ecstatic to live here for an entire month. I have my own bedroom! And clean water from the sink--with ice cubes. And 2 couches in the den:)

2. New friends. The Cochran's only request: walk and feed their rambunctious dogs--Boots and Bell. I'm excited to have jogging partners around this gorgeous campus overlooking the Rift Valley.

3. Connection. We have unlimited and FREE connection to the outside world for the next month. This means... skype with people I haven't seen in months, checking my email at anytime, downloading videos, I could go on and on.

4. Turkey. Yep, I got turkey in Kenya on Thanksgiving! Marisa even tried turkey for the first time in her life.

5. Package. My sweet momma sent me a package with DVDs and other fun things, and it arrived on Thanksgiving Day! What a great surprise.

6. Family. I know everyone thinks they are thankful for their family on Thanksgiving, but I think I win:) I was able to skype with my entire family this morning and felt like I was right there with them. My parents have listened, cried, and prayed with me so many times since I have been here and I cannot thank the Lord enough for their love.

7. God's Faithfulness. Last but certainly not least, the Lord unfailing faithfulness in my life. I am more aware than ever of my wavering heart. But His grace abounds all the more. The Lord never leaves or forsakes me. He is here when I am homesick, doubtful, anxious, and even in the midst of my sin.

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:17-18

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and eat plenty of sweet potato casserole for me!

His People

"For the Lord's portion is His PEOPLE." Deutronomy 32:9

One of the saddest things I have seen at Joytown is the mealtime ritual. The Sunshine Class for the mentally handicapped is located at the bottom of a steep hill. Everyday before each meal, two teachers must push all of the students up the hill to the dining hall. This process takes at least 30 minutes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Today, I helped push the children and once again, I am humbled. I enter the crowded dining hall, lined with hundreds of wheelchairs. One housemother asks me to feed two boys who cannot feed themselves. As I am spoon feeding a 15-year-old boy, I start to cry. This boy could not wheel himself to the dining hall. He could not lift a spoon to his mouth. He could not even form the words "thank you." He is completely dependent on others. Yet, he is the Lord's portion. The Lord delights in this child.

There are times here when I think my heart cannot break any more. There is sadness that I cannot fix, but then I remember....we are not made for this world. And one day, one glorious day, these children will dance at their King's feet. All the brokenness of this world will finally be restored.

Thankful

I am so thankful for the children at Joytown. On Sunday, we had a farewell party for the primary and secondary students in the spina bifida support group. I have not had a chance to meet the secondary students yet, and they blew me away. They are such an encouragement and a living testimony to the younger ones. They prove that it is possible to live a clean and normal life with C.I.C. (a person must empty their bladder using a catheter). One older girl gave a small speech and thanked God for her condition. She said she knew that God had a purpose when she was born with spina bifida. I nearly lost my breath. I am perfectly healthy, and yet, I question God’s purpose for me. This girl, with a life-altering condition, is praising the Lord for the way He made her. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Lord, thank you for examples of children who praise You at all times.

Another blessing lately is a child named Gideon. This boy was born without arms or legs and almost completely illiterate at the age of 19. My first week here, I was given the challenging task of reading with Gideon everyday. After a few weeks, I realized I was hurting more than helping since I do not have a teaching degree. I was frustrated and very confused why the Lord was using me to help this boy. Until yesterday…I met one of the Canadian BethanyKids board members and casually mentioned Gideon’s story. Gideon is in a classroom with children more than 10 years younger. Last year was his first year at school and he needs one-on-one attention.

This gracious man has offered to help find Gideon a tutor to work with him daily. This would drastically change Gideon’s progress in the classroom. The Lord is always working—even when it’s not the time we expect!

God is Working

The Lord is truly moving here at Joytown. I have seen teachers and BethanyKids staff pour into students day in and day out, investing precious time into precious children. Yesterday, we invited the Class 8 boys to their tea party after school. We had over 20 guests and they were all very well-behaved! We taught them the same dining tips and manners as the girls, and enjoyed tea and cookies. Then Major Samson talked to the boys about becoming men of God. He reminded them that the decisions they make today will determine their future. It was so encouraging to see these boys soak up the advice they were hearing.

Today Joytown held a 2 hour prayer service for the Class 8 students. Some of the children gave speeches and performed songs, then all the teachers joined hands in prayers around the class. They prayed for wisdom in the exams, for health, and for the students' future. It was an incredible thing to see teachers love their students so deeply. They ended the service by blessing each one of the students. The Lord is using this school to prepare children for the real world and how to boldly live for Christ!

The teachers blessing students of Class 8