Merry Christmas Y'all

I can't believe it's already the week of Christmas..I have been listening to James Taylor's Christmas album for weeks now:) I went for a long walk this morning around the beautiful RVA campus and realized I really miss walking with a friend. Walks have been a time for my friends and I to really catch up, laugh, and even pray together. But as I was walking today, I never once felt alone. The Lord's presence was absolutely overwhelming. For a brief moment that made my heart race, I could actually feel Him holding my hand. You may think I sound crazy, but in all my aloneness in Kenya, I have found my dearest friend. My ever faithful Savior. He has drawn near to me in a way I never felt in Mississippi. I am reminded of a wonderful passage from Charles Spurgeon's devotional Morning and Evening...

"Job's communion with God was intensified by the failure of all other consolations."

Yes, the Lord has blessed us with the incredible gift of friends and family. But even our friends and family can fail us. However, the Lord never will. Sometimes we don't feel His presence, but when we do...it replaces any and every emotion this life could offer.

So this Christmas, may we bask in the irreplaceable gift of Jesus Christ. And may we be His hands and feet to a watching world.

Merry Christmas Y'all!

P.S. I will be traveling to Dubai in just a few days to spend the holidays with a wonderful family. Please pray for safe travels!

Kijabe Hospital

Since living in Kijabe, I have shadowed a few surgeons at the hospital and interviewed them for stories. It has been such an eye-opening experience. I have never been in the OR back home, but I am pretty sure it's very different. Kijabe Hospital runs almost completely on donations. Only about 5% of patients can actually pay for their medical care. And BethanyKids has never turned a patient away if they could not pay. It's incredible to see the people of God financially support a hospital they may never see. I can feel the Lord's presence at this hospital...before and after every single operation, the surgeons pray specifically for the patient. I have met many doctors who dedicate months and even years away from their home to serve the Lord at this hospital.

I watched one surgery of an infant whose mother had accidentally spilt tea on him. The baby's burn had become severely infected because the family waited a week to bring him to the hospital. In most African countries, a lack of education or poverty result in poor medical care. This mother probably tried to help her child on her own, underestimating the burn. But seeing the relief on the mothers' faces in this hospital is heartwarming. They are truly thankful for Kijabe Hospital, and the doctors immediately give all the glory to God.

Sweet baby with an awful burn

Happy, happy mom--her little girl with hydrocephalus just successfully came out of surgery, putting a shunt in her head. The mother was crying and praising the Lord:)

Slow Down

I just finished one of the most inspiring books I have ever read-- "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. I have been meaning to read this book for awhile, and glad I finally had the time! One part sums up my impression of Kenyan culture. Mortenson is talking about his mentor, Haji Ali in Pakistan...

"That day, Haji Ali taught me the most important lesson I've learned in my life. We Americans think you have to accomplish everything quickly. We're the country of thirty-minute power lunches and two-minute football drills. Haji Ali taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects. He taught me that I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them."

As many of you know, African time is very different than American time. Things run more slowly and projects are not "accomplished" as quickly. Years from now, when I look back at my time at Joytown, I'm not going to remember how many stories I wrote. Or even how effective the reading program was. I am going to remember the people that loved me. So I am very thankful that the Lord is slowing me down to appreciate others in a whole new way. And read "Three Cups of Tea" if you haven't already!