Whew, it’s been a whirlwind of activity since I last blogged. In one since, time in Africa seems to stand still: so separated from everything I know and am accustomed to with so much activity crammed into one day. Yet, in another since it seems like a week’s gone by and it’s been an eternity. It has been awesome to see the Lord teach me so much in the two weeks I’ve been here! I’ve learned more about myself, more about His guiding, and more about His heart already. We truly serve an Almighty and All-Powerful God!
Our last week of the Mocha Club trip was spent at a local high school named New Dawn. This school is in a different slum named Huruma. Huruma is nestled inside one of the richest neighborhoods of Nairobi. However, it was described by the locals as “a pit: no one escapes and no one does any better for themselves”. New Dawn has literally transformed this entire community. There is now hope for the hopeless and a future for these people from the pit. Jesus has entered the hearts of the youth and this has made it an entirely new place. On our last day we were able to outfit the entire school with backpacks, water filters, and new Bibles for every student! The director of their school, Ms. Irene, has been praying for this for over a year. What a neat opportunity to be the feet of God directly answering a prayer. Being back at New Dawn four years later allows me to feel a part of God’s bigger story. It’s like I’m getting small glimpses into His incredible plan of life and the story He is carrying us through.
One particular girl captured my heart: her name is Jentricks and she is the assistant Head Girl of the school. She is a Form 2 student aka a sophomore. She walks an hour to school each way, meaning she leaves at 5 AM, well before the sun rises. She excels in her studies and abounds in her thirst for the Lord. She questions the injustices of life but has unwavering faith. Her smile lights up the room. She’s a natural born leader. She has hope for a bright future first and foremost because of Jesus and through his provision of New Dawn and the guidance/care/hope this school brings. I love seeing the impact Mocha Club actually has in these on the ground projects. It is more than reading statistics and spouting off horrifying facts; it’s coming face to face with it, hearing stories and seeing hope. Seeing that sacrificial living is so worth it. Seeing Christ in the midst of it all.
Now I’m in Jinja, Uganda with my sister. The plan was for me to go to South Africa after leaving my Team Mocha, but after feeling not at peace at all with that and pretty homesick, the opportunity for Jinja opened up. I’m praying for the Lord to show me what He has in store for me here and that I can be used mightily for His purpose.
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