“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”- Philippians 1:3-4
Five years ago I set out on a journey to a place that ended up changing my life. This place is Kenya. I went in 2004 and 2005 for short-term mission projects. In the process I fell in love with the country and its people. Even more than that, God used those trips to break my heart for the nations and ended up being instrumental in sending me into full-time mission work.
After the second trip, the main thing I remember thinking was that I couldn’t just go back to “normal” life. I couldn’t act like everything and everyone I had just seen didn’t exist once I was back in America. I like to say that it “ruined” me in the best way, and I haven’t been the same since. Ever since my trip in 2005, I have been begging the Lord to provide a way for me to go back. For the past 4 years I have been writing many of the people that I met on my first two trips, and there is not a day that I haven’t thought of them. Well, 2 weeks ago God finally answered my prayer.
The week of March 14th my entire team was off for spring break. When I found out we were able to get a week break, the first thing I thought about was Kenya. I knew it was an expensive ticket though and wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to go. Well, God provided and worked everything out perfectly and I boarded a plane to Nairobi last Saturday. I was so busy the week prior I didn’t have time to really process the whole thing. It was as if it was a dream and wasn’t really happening. I had wanted to go back for so long that I had no idea how I was going to react when I finally got there. When I landed in Nairobi it instantly felt like home. I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I knew this was the place I had once left my heart.
I ended up missing my flight the next day because it left early (apparently that can happen in Africa) so I just took the day to rest which was a blessing. Then on Monday I caught a flight north to Kitale to spend the rest of my time with the people I love so very much at Legacy School. The school had 400 students the first time I went there and now has over 900 from K-4 through 8th grade. Many of the 
people there remembered me and it was wonderful getting to see some of the children that I have been writing to all of this time. I just felt so blessed to be there and truly as if I was at home. I spent every day sitting in classes with the students, playing games with them after school and I even got to go on a field trip with one of the 2nd grade classes. I also was invited to the house of one of the students I have been writing over the years. She was very vague in what we would be doing, but I thought it would be an adventure if nothing else. She said we would be taking a taxi to her house because it was too far to walk. I soon found out that “taxi” in Kenya doesn’t mean a yellow car but instead means a bike with a little seat over the back wheel. Imagine me sitting on the back of a bike while wearing a skirt and carrying a bag trying to hold on for dear life as the man cycled us up the hill and over potholes. Needless to say it was pretty funny. We ended up having lunch with her family and it allowed me to see a glimpse of where she comes from.
By the end of the week I had once again become attached to so many of the students and the staff. Leaving was torturous and heartbreaking. We took lots of pictures and exchanged addresses. I thought I was holding it together pretty well until I saw some of the people I was closest to and it finally hit me that I was leaving. The tears started to flow as all the students stood there looking at me. Leaving a place and people that I love so much never gets easier; it only gets harder. I started thinking why I was reacting so strongly. The last two times I left I was sad but not like this. And then I realized that I was coming this time as a different person. I had come as a person who finally knew how to really love people and let them in; to love people enough that I have given my life to it. I had come as someone broken before the Lord and perfectly content in that. It wasn’t the same this time because I’m not the same. These people are my family and leaving them is like ripping out a piece of my heart. I am blessed to know the people in Kitale, Kenya and to have them in my life and for that the pain is worth it. I will continue to keep in touch and love them from across the ocean. And I will keep praying that in the near future God will allow me to visit them once again.
I’m so happy you got to go “Home” – I feel exactly the same way when I go to Naas. The church there is my church, and as I’ve been looking for a new church home, I find myself comparing all churches to it and the people to them. You look so happy in your pictures (and beautiful too)and did you convince the school to make their colors Bama colors?!? Love you!
There is just something about Africa that does that to you. I have been longing to return to Kenya myself, and am finally looking at a possability this fall. You can pray that God also works this out for me.
Glad to hear that you had a great visit and that your heart is now open to give and receive the love between you.
My Sweet Caroline,
The Lord truly gave you the desire of your heart! He is so faithful to take care of the details too. Your inner beauty is shining through. I know your time spent with these precious friends was a blessing to you and them.
Love,
Mom
“Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4-5
YAY! so glad God worked it all out and you FINALLY got a chance to go back! 🙂 Love and miss you roomie!!!
I just love how the Lord gives you the desires of your heart ! You are an amazing young woman ! I miss you. Love ya, Robin
beautiful, simply beautiful