Kenya, Here I Come!

Well...not quite yet. But in just a few short months I'll be on my way to Kenya with a team of 12 other students to learn, serve and love. (check out the slideshow of pictures to the side...) In August I will return to Michigan for four months to prepare and by mid January I'll be on a plane headed for Kenya.

If you are interested in finding out more about the program I'm with, Bethany College of Missions, check out their website. It's the only college I've found with this amazing balance of practical and academic learning along with a continued focus on bringing God glory. Check em out!
Also if you are interested in supporting the work we'll be doing in Kenya, check out Bethany International.
Ok, now for the good stuff...now that the business is out of the way. ;)

Until about two weeks ago, I was still feeling hesitant about this next step in my training for missions.
I have had quite a few unfortunate experiences recently with disappointment, so I was holding Kenya out to the Lord with a relaxed grasp...but it turns out I was holding it a little too loosely. I was terrified to dream and let my heart engage in the possibility of living in Africa for 16 months because I had consistently had doors slammed in my face for a year or two.

To be totally honest, I did not trust God with my heart and I was desperately trying to keep from being hurt again. Even though all of this was subconscious, I still made the choice at some point to distrust God. One of my team mates saw through my "holy" attitude of waiting for God to confirm this next step, and called me out on my lack of faith. He recognized that although I was saying that I was just continuing to walk forward with these plans until God changed my direction or told me to stop, my heart was unmoved. In action, I was walking towards what God has set before me, but in spirit I was rebelling and refusing to let my heart move forward.

Needless to say, I repented and am now VERY excited to go to Kenya. I trust that if God has other plans, he is a Good Shepherd and will not mislead me. When/if it is time for me to go a different direction, he will tell me. He will not let me be drawn away by a thief and he will not let me run headlong of a cliff. If all else fails, he will whack me over the head with his staff and set me on the right path again!

There is freedom in faith. Because I believe that God is good and that he is faithful, I can rest and continue to walk towards Kenya with joy and excitement. I am free to deepen relationships with people on my team, free to talk like I am going to Kenya for real, and free to open my heart to God's dreams for our times there.

Praise God for his loving rebuke!