Before all things...

Colossians 1:17

“He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.”

I have never held onto this verse with so much confidence. The Lord has showed me time and time again how he has gone before me in all my endeavors. He has provided a clear path for me and held my hand through each day. He is consistent despite our ever-changing circumstances.

Today in Kenya proved to be full of life giving encounters that are sent straight from my Father. Working in the clinic was tiresome, but engaging with the locals was rewarding. Besides getting the drug inventory organized I spent some time with Benjamin, the lab tech. He taught me all about testing malaria and how a positive test is determined. He also explained where the term Malaria came from. Did you know that the disease is actually a plasmodium parasite found in the blood? Malaria is a term coined by the Europeans. They called it malaria because they thought that people caught the disease from the air around the swamps….. why is it called “bad air” or “mal air”. Fun facts form Benjamin today. He is very engaging and wants to learn all he can from me, and I feel the exact same way.

Coming back to the compound was pure joy. Getting to talk to the sweet babies and finally learning some of their names made my heart explode. I could spend hours just listening to them and playing games in the dirt. I got to hold a sweet girl, Natasha for a good while today. She was crying because she was homesick. She was only pulled from her home 2 days ago due to poor conditions. I rocked her, held her, and spoke the little Swahili I knew. (since she is a new girl she knows no English) One of the things I said to her was YESU ANAKUPENDA, meaning Jesus loves you. She nodded and cracked a little smile. Then I looked in her sweet eyes as I held her hand and said, “Natasha, Ni Anakupenda”! In swahili this is translated, I love you. She once again nodded and smiled a little. It was all worth it! The travel, the jet lag, the spotty wifi, the money, starting my career late, failing boards. Everything was worth it and completely in the Lord’s timing. Thank you!

Another new boy Tom has become my friend. He is only but 3 or 4 and speaks no English as well. He was very shy the first day he came but today he was full of energy. He wears these green rain boots, and I think my heart stops every time I see him. He is a stud. Today he ran up to me, jumped in my arms, and gave me the best hug I have ever received. He blesses my soul. This place is a little glimpse of heaven and these people, a huge glimpse of Christ! My soul shouts with praises to my Father for his unfailing, genuine love. I am alive.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child like Natasha or Tom please visit KenyaRelief.org! These babies need sponsors and trust me they will bless you abundantly!

That is all for now, Hannah