A Few Highlights 2

My favorite part: following the giraffes. We got nearly 25 feet away from them.
I never realized how silly Bonnie could be. :)
Bonnie & I after climbing a tower.
Climbing into a tower we found
Our hands were SO swollen. We were trying to get the blood moving. heheh

A Few Highlights

Looking for some animals :) We decided walking the land, rather than riding a safari truck, would be best. We could go where trucks couldn't and the trucks were loud enough to scare the animals away
At the Nsobi Game Park
Trying to pick out my chitenge
Having fun
At the compounds; Children followed us around the whole time :)

Tears Filled My Eyes

Tears filled my eyes today as one of my pupils, Albina, walked up to me and whispered, "I will never forget you."

I tried my best to be strong in front of them, but the truth is I miss them already. I cannot help but wonder what each of them will become one day, what struggles they will face. I shall pray for them daily - pleading for God to be the Lord of their life. Even if I was here with them, God is the only one to sustain them and bring them joy in life. I must trust His work will continue even as I leave. I have only been called for a short time, but God is alive and active everywhere, always.

Lord, continue to fill my mind with the knowledge of your great love for those who love you. Continue to place a desire in me to please you. Father, fill my heart with a joy that is not circumstantial, but one that lasts through all situations because my greatest need has already been met. Fill me with faith in you, Lord. I am feeling weak and I need you all the more right now.

I Can Trust

“[Set your hope] on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
2 Timothy 6:17

“He fulfills the desire of those who fear him”
Psalm 145

“If you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13

“Know, therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…”
Deuteronomy 7:9

“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
I Thessalonians 5:24

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful. The saying is trustworthy, for he cannot deny himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13, 11

“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23

I can trust the Lord because He has proven himself faithful. To not be faithful is against His very nature. So many times, I have found myself claiming to trust God IF he provides. This is foolishness. The Lord will provide, for He is faithful. God’s promises do not come with a time frame, therefore I cannot expect for things to happen in my own time frame or even in my own idea of what would be best. How dare I tell the Sustainer of the Universe to do things my way? How dare I present him with “if you provide”? I should not forget that I am the one accountable to Him; The Lord is not accountable to me. He owes me nothing. But in his love and grace, He seeks to provide for my desires.

“There will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:11

And here, he has provided for my greatest need, without me even knowing I had the need of a Savior. I serve a spectacular God!

Hi from My Precious Pupils!

A Heart Like Yours

Yesterday, one of our pupils, Pumulo, walked up to me during break, handed me a blank piece of paper and said, “Write ‘Ms. McKenzie.’” So, I did. Then, with a smile she said, “Write ‘Thank you for the biscuits.’” I smiled and chuckled at the thought that I was writing my own thank you note. “And, write ‘Thank you for the books.’” I smiled again, but this time with a heart filled to the brim with joy. Her gratitude was evident. Finally, she asked, “Write ‘I love you.’”

Pumulo then went on to copy her thoughts, in the form of my writing, onto another piece of paper. I have received many cards from these children, but this was one hit in me in an unexpected way. It was specific and it expressed to me more than just her gratitude, but I also felt God smiling down on us. It was a very profound moment that I cannot seem to put into words that would make sense. Then, in a very quick motion, without second-motion, she also presented me with a small notebook and barrette. Tears filled my eyes. She has so little and yet here she was quick to give away her belongings and express gratitude for that which she’s been given. Her beautiful smile will be forever etched in my mind.

Father, give me a heart like Pumulo – quick to be full of gratitude and quick to give my prized possessions to others.

Who knew that all it takes sometimes is a peanut-butter cookie and used library books. I have found that God’s love is humble. I came here hoping to make some sort of big impact, but didn’t realize my everyday, small, mundane actions would provide so much to the lives of these students. It points back to my Savior’s life – he came from humble beginnings, lived a humble life and died the most humble of deaths. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2b)

Father, give me a heart like yours – one that desires to not bring glory to himself but to the name of the Lord. Grow in me a love like yours – one that is shown daily in modest ways.

Gratitude

As I observe the impact of the broken and neglected relationships of my students with their parents, I find myself becoming increasingly aware of how quickly I have taken my parents for granted, both their presence and their love for me.

I have a father. I have a father who loves me - who seeks to provide for my daily needs, as well as my future dreams. I have a father who is present and active. I have a father who touches my life with gentle care, never with anger or rage. I have a father who protects me and cannot sleep without the knowledge that I am safe. I have a father who is ALWAYS there for me. I love my Daddy!

I have a mother. I have a mother who cares for my health, for my big and small aches. I have a mother who has been a teacher to me, in life and in academics. I have a mother who lends a listening ear when I don’t even know I need one. I have a mother who comforts. I have a mother who gives without expecting anything in return. I have happiness in my mother. I love my Mom!