Gimp vs. The Body of Christ

About a week ago I sprained my right foot better than I've ever had hurt a foot before. I spent the weekend prior participating in some hiking through fun terrain and yet while carrying a 4 year old piggy back through my yard I stepped in a hidden hole wrong and sent my foot and leg into extreme pain.

Went for x-ray's after 24 hours and found no fracture. The foot doesn't look that bad, but looks can be deceiving. Weight baring has been incredibly painful for me and I'm anxious to start running again. Gently walked a mile yesterday and am now paying the price. :-) Stubborn me....

Though this could potentially be a frustrating and discouraging event, I've decided it is a marking stone in my life. 1) With all my adventure seeking activities I've never actually hurt a foot this bad before BUT more importantly

2) I've experienced and seen the Body of Christ function as Christ intended it and been so blessed to experience God's grace through a bunch of imperfect people. I've learned to let people love and help me. I've had meals brought over, rides to school events that are actually a 45 second walk away, friends stopping by almost constantly, company at the hospital, and a package from the Lakeland's women's retreat - Thank you!!!

All a reminder to me of how God so preciously takes care of us and uniquely demonstrates His love to us in circumstances in our lives!

Here is newsletter #2 in case you couldn't open it. Though it doesn't look as cool, you are getting the information.

New beginnings of grace and love

I have given quite a bit of thought to newsletter #2 and now that I’m finally sitting here writing it is difficult to sum up 2 months as I’m sure it would be for you if you sent me an update.

I had humble beginnings here, as most people do. RVA has been incredibly stretched this year being short-staffed in many areas and having a large number of new staff. Many folks were filling in roles they are not trained for or prepared for and yet God has clearly led us forward.

I often found myself feeling inadequate for the tasks ahead. Our theme for the year is grace and I’m studying Romans in Bible Study with 4 couples which fits quite nicely with the theme of grace. With our staff being so stretched to fill roles and meet the needs of our students and ministries we have often found ourselves needing to offer extra grace and love to each other. I found myself thrown into a beautiful display of God’s grace working among imperfect people. Many times I have found myself cared for in ways I didn’t even know I needed. :-)

Rain is an integral part of life here. Rain causes crops to grow so people can eat, feed their cattle, and make profit. The rainy season didn’t produce as it should and left people hungry because their shamba (garden) wouldn’t grow. As we prayed and prayed, God sent quite a bit of rain in this last 2 weeks which is unusual timing. I’ve prayed that the people of Kenya would see God’s faithful provision. In the midst of the US economic issues I was reminded that we have nothing to worry about as God will answer our call before we cry to Him and He will care for us whether the need is rain, monetary resources, a hug, a friend, or a reminder that our God reigns. Love, Sarah

Life in second grade is great!

Some of you knew that I had planned to teach 4th grade and in fact headed to Kenya because the position I was initially being offered in the states was 1st or 2nd grade and I had my heart set on older kids. Well, the journey here was patiently led by God’s gracious hand as I learned to be obedient.

We probably have too much fun in 2nd grade! I have 10 students all of whom are pictured with me above. We have spent much time participating in activities in and out of the classroom to foster quite a unique community including tie-dying t-shirts, hiking, reading C.S. Lewis, singing songs, praying, and laughing a lot!

I think I have to attribute my enjoyment and ‘success’ thus far to the amazing group of kids I inherited. I might be learning more than they are, but I count it a treasure to spend each day with them.

Many times I will get a light knock on my door or see a small head peeping through the window. The uniqueness of our community here is that we live an arms reach from our students and often times I have kiddos sitting in my living room. Life doesn’t get much better! :-)

Quotable Kids

“I’m African-American!” - said by a student who is quite white. This shows very well how third culture kids think as they may be citizens of their parents home country, but are being raised in a foreign culture and often times create a culture unto themselves.

“Did you take your shirt off?” - said to me by a female student after I shared with my class about hiking with the 5th-6th grade boys dorm and the boys taking their shirts off to swim. Needless to say I lost it in laughter and had no idea what lesson I was attempting to teach.

“God, help us be patient, even when the computer doesn’t work” - prayed by a student. Our computers/internet are slower than shifting sand!

Girls just wanna have fun

Though life is busy with school and ministry responsibilities here at RVA we certainly find time for lots of fun! I have enjoyed playing many games of Settlers, hiking, hanging out in the dorms with high school girls, having students over for pancakes and cards, and of course getting my daily dose of chocolate!

At a 40th b-day party the other night we broke out the karaoke and I was privileged to do the twist with my students (it was much more of a full body twist). I have spent 2 days during this 5 day weekend on intense hikes. Along with 3 others I climbed to the highest waterfall of the famed Kijabe waterfalls and the men enjoyed the bush-whacking that took place to get to our destination. I just followed gathering scraps and bruises along the way. Yesterday I hiked the dormant volcano (Logonot-look it up online) across the valley from us. It’s quite a dusty climb and provided beautiful 360 views of the Rift Valley as we walked around the rim.

One of my favorite moments was in the midst of many days full of activity. A group of 7th grade girls had just left my house. We had made pancakes, played Dutch Blitz, and laughed until our abs hurt. My house was a complete mess, I had to leave in a few minutes, and I thought “an un-kept house is a lived life”!

On Sunday mornings I walk streets full of garbage, broken glass, and animal droppings holding the sticky hands of street children who gather to hear that Jesus loves them. Even after all the hiking I participate in the most beautiful sight in Kenya has been these precious children who come running to shake hands and greet me with huge smiles. I’m so grateful that the international language of smiles and physical touch speaks volumes more than my inability to speak Swahili.

Please be praying for:

· Stamina for the next 6 weeks of school and ministry

· Forming of many new relationships

· A heart at peace with where God has me and what He has me doing

· Safety in travel and with health

· Upcoming holiday season (this will be my first one away from family)

· God’s continued provision in monthly support

Everyday life in Kijabe, Kenya

I know there is a 'ginormous' black spider living underneath my stove, because I saw him. He moved much too fast for my feet to stomp and I was barefoot, so the likelyhood as me actually touching my bare skin to him was slim to none.

The name of the game out here is 'home-making'. Ok, not really, but everyone can cook and can cook really well. I've been fed so much since I got here, but probably shouldn't count on it forever. On the home-making scale, I'd rate low. Contrary to what some folks back home think I can not cook. I can bake, but one can only survive so long on baked sugary goods.

So, I guess my learning curve must increase as I try to learn to cook in Africa at 7,500 feet elevation. I must light my stove with a match (holding fire in my hand is not a favorite) So, when I finally braved up to light my stove to hard boil eggs and simultaneously get hot water to wash dishes (multi-tasking, the language of women) the match sparked back at me and just about lit my shirt on fire, so I'm not off to a good start making friends with my stove.

Making friends with people has been a joy and delight as I've tried to maximize in that area before school begins this Tuesday. There are many wonderful folks out here, particularly women who are a blessing to me as they set a beautiful example to me of living daily for their Savior as teachers, moms, wives, friends, cooks, secretaries, dorm moms, etc... What a treasure!

Off to bed to stock up on sleep before the craziness of school begins. I imagine most of you are in the chaos of a new school year whether you have children or not. The verses I camped on today were Isaiah 26:3-4 which were wisely shared with me as I embarked on this new phase of life.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

So long suburban Chicago-land…

Well, hello! Today has been the day of packing, last minute details, packing, goodbyes,and more packing!I’m taking a much needed break to write you and I’m excited to have you as part of my support team!

I fly out tomorrow (Saturday the 16th@ 5 pm) and in the midst of the chaos today I’ve begun learning (or relearning) an important lesson. I had grandiose plans of organization and put togetherness to enable myself to be able to hit the ground running. I’m currently feeling the weight of a to-do list mostly unchecked and a heart feeling inadequate for the tasks ahead.

And yet, my God is reigning and He is good and He is faithful! He has provided in many ways even before I began this journey to get myself to Kenya. He has taken care of the big and little details to show Himself powerful. And I know He will continue to do so, even as I step on that plane tomorrow night with a crumpled list of unfinished to-dos in the garbage and many unknowns just across the ocean my heart is at peace and trusting in the one who has redeemed me and given me joy to share with others!

It has been a delight to practice living Hebrews 10:23-25 with you. And I am so blessed to have had so many of you respond with timely encouragement,hugs, pray, support, laughs, and listening ears as I journeyed to Kenya! It is an honor to have you in my life!

I will arrive in Kenya late Sunday night and will embark on the adventures the Lord has prepared for me on the dusty roads of Africa.

Blessings to you all! I look forward to keeping in touch! Love, Sarah