Eucharisteo
Joy is always worth the wait, and fully living worth believing.
The past week has been a joy, if you haven't noticed by my blog. The kids are unbelievable and my cup is overflowing. I don't know how I will be able to leave them... my heart is forever connected to these babies.
Here are some of the quirks about living in Kenya:
1. bottled water is your best friend
2. brushing your teeth is time consuming (you must use bottled water)
3. dirty clothes is normal, smelling bad doesn't exist
4. always bring tissues to the bathroom with you (most of the time there isn't toilet paper)
5. Your room is always the temperature of outside, plan accordingly
6. there is no such thing as fast food, everything is prepared for a King
7. you must always finish your plate when eating, it is rude if you don't
These quirks are things I have grown to love. They make this place unique, and extra special in my mind. Adjusting is hard, but living is easy.
The Lord has really been showing me that all good things come from him. He has been reminding me that joy and pain are feelings that mean you are truly living! Though there have been some hard times here... it is just a reminder that I am living life to the fullest!
"Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart that pumps through all those who don't numb themselves to really living." -One Thousand Gifts
"See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall, eternally. See that I lead everything on to the conclusion I ordained for it before time began, by the same power, wisdom and love with which I made it. How can anything be amiss?"
What a perfect reminder of who our God is... for me it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the states, but here every act is followed by thanksgiving. It is beautiful to watch these people praise Jesus amongst there struggles. Very convicting!
"Are Your ways My ways, child?" -God
"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body," Jesus said. " When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" (Matthew 6:22-23).
God is always good and I am always loved.
6-13-12 Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Today I started out working with the older kids... class 8 to be exact. The head teacher wanted me to come to there english lesson and help grade paper so that is what I did.
The second I walked in I was overwhelmed with an applause like no other along with "Hello teacher Hannah, How are you today?"
Crazy, right? It was unbelievable and I felt like a total princess. Throughout the lesson the kids were so attentive. They answered questions, read softly, and were very intentional. I was amazed at how they spoke towards me, and were so polite.
One thing that was very shocking was when we were reading a short story, the sea came up. They asked me what the sea tasted like because most of them had never seen or felt it before. Something that so many of us take for grant it is a mystery to these children.
Want to know how to be intentional? Go work with 8th graders in Kenya.
The rest of the day I spent with my babies class. It was so much fun, but also very tiring. The kids get so excited to see us that you cant help but smile. There love has no boundaries!
Today I taught them about the good shepherd and his sheep (John 10). We made a sheep out of cotton balls and wrote "jesus loves me" on a piece of paper. It was such a joy to watch them color and explore the texture of a cotton ball.
God is really teaching me how to love and be loved. He is showing me how to give and be given to, and also how to plan ahead while also living freely in the moment.
Kenya is wonderful! They have a sense of how to live for today, but often lack how to save or plan ahead. I think that is why it is so cool to be here because the United States has something to teach them while they have something to teach us.
Shamilla said it perfectly, she told me that the greatest thing about us coming here is we are able to be the teacher and also the student.
Where is the perfect balance? Is there such thing?
All of us will never live up to the role model we have before us. GOD. But we can strive to be like him more each day. So here is to new beginnings, and to finding the perfect balance.
Kenya Love, Enjoy the pics
The past week has been a joy, if you haven't noticed by my blog. The kids are unbelievable and my cup is overflowing. I don't know how I will be able to leave them... my heart is forever connected to these babies.
Here are some of the quirks about living in Kenya:
1. bottled water is your best friend
2. brushing your teeth is time consuming (you must use bottled water)
3. dirty clothes is normal, smelling bad doesn't exist
4. always bring tissues to the bathroom with you (most of the time there isn't toilet paper)
5. Your room is always the temperature of outside, plan accordingly
6. there is no such thing as fast food, everything is prepared for a King
7. you must always finish your plate when eating, it is rude if you don't
These quirks are things I have grown to love. They make this place unique, and extra special in my mind. Adjusting is hard, but living is easy.
The Lord has really been showing me that all good things come from him. He has been reminding me that joy and pain are feelings that mean you are truly living! Though there have been some hard times here... it is just a reminder that I am living life to the fullest!
"Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart that pumps through all those who don't numb themselves to really living." -One Thousand Gifts
"See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall, eternally. See that I lead everything on to the conclusion I ordained for it before time began, by the same power, wisdom and love with which I made it. How can anything be amiss?"
What a perfect reminder of who our God is... for me it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the states, but here every act is followed by thanksgiving. It is beautiful to watch these people praise Jesus amongst there struggles. Very convicting!
"Are Your ways My ways, child?" -God
"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body," Jesus said. " When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" (Matthew 6:22-23).
God is always good and I am always loved.
6-13-12 Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Today I started out working with the older kids... class 8 to be exact. The head teacher wanted me to come to there english lesson and help grade paper so that is what I did.
The second I walked in I was overwhelmed with an applause like no other along with "Hello teacher Hannah, How are you today?"
Crazy, right? It was unbelievable and I felt like a total princess. Throughout the lesson the kids were so attentive. They answered questions, read softly, and were very intentional. I was amazed at how they spoke towards me, and were so polite.
One thing that was very shocking was when we were reading a short story, the sea came up. They asked me what the sea tasted like because most of them had never seen or felt it before. Something that so many of us take for grant it is a mystery to these children.
Want to know how to be intentional? Go work with 8th graders in Kenya.
The rest of the day I spent with my babies class. It was so much fun, but also very tiring. The kids get so excited to see us that you cant help but smile. There love has no boundaries!
Today I taught them about the good shepherd and his sheep (John 10). We made a sheep out of cotton balls and wrote "jesus loves me" on a piece of paper. It was such a joy to watch them color and explore the texture of a cotton ball.
God is really teaching me how to love and be loved. He is showing me how to give and be given to, and also how to plan ahead while also living freely in the moment.
Kenya is wonderful! They have a sense of how to live for today, but often lack how to save or plan ahead. I think that is why it is so cool to be here because the United States has something to teach them while they have something to teach us.
Shamilla said it perfectly, she told me that the greatest thing about us coming here is we are able to be the teacher and also the student.
Where is the perfect balance? Is there such thing?
All of us will never live up to the role model we have before us. GOD. But we can strive to be like him more each day. So here is to new beginnings, and to finding the perfect balance.
Kenya Love, Enjoy the pics
Me and my girls! Evarlyn is on the right and Shamilla on the left.
Oh what up guys! Shamilla and Liz cracking up!
This little guy is a wild man.. always standing on the table, but too cute to get mad at!
This is one of the activities we did... drawing a house. They did such a great job!
Such good students. They always look for approval... they await my good job every second they get. Angels!
Our craft wall. The "I am loved" chain and the good shepherd art work!
This is my class! I love them so much!
Hey cutie pies... dont you just want to take them home!
showing off there "Good Shepherd" artwork!
The 8th grade class I taught English! They were so wonderful!
Class 8
Deborah is a doll! so smiley always!
Keliza gives me the thumbs up!
Hellen, Ben, and Briana (all kids in my class)
laughter is the best medicine. I love these girls so much!
A frequent site when driving down the road in Nairobi!
Tuk Tuk.... I have yet to ride in one of these things. The three wheels scare me!
Hey doll. It looks like everything you do is so fun . So happy you share your time over there on this blog. Can't wait to here about you day tomorrow with the elephants. You say how their smiles are so contagious, well the smile on your face in the pictures makes my heart smile. It is like looking at the face of GOd. Keep up your work and let GOd do his work thru you. Love you so much.. Mamma
ReplyDeleteHannah, your blogs always bring tears to my eyes and joy to my heart! You are a very strong, brave girl to be doing what you are doing! I am so proud of you for being obedient to God's calling. Stay strong through Christ! Much love from the Wallace family!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the support! I love getting comments on my blog... it makes Africa seem more like home. The Lord is really overwhelming me with love and support and I am so grateful!!!
ReplyDelete