14 days from now...

I received my day-to-day itinerary from the missionaries in Kenya yesterday. I was in the middle of a thousand things when I received the email, but was far too excited about the email, so I stopped everything and read through the tentative schedule. As I was reading it, I became so incredibly excited and inspired for the experience I am about to encounter. I even began to cry as I read the end of the itinerary, feeling sad that my trip was coming to a close. I wanted to share with you all some of the things I will be doing while I am there, now that I myself have a better idea.

14 days from now....

I will be getting off a plane in Nairobi, Kenya and I will have just made it through 24 hours of traveling. Unboarding the plane I will officially meet my host family that I will be living with for my months stay. Their names are Dennis and Michelle. I have been conversing with them through emails, and I know we are all going to get along great. After they pick me up, we will travel south of Nairobi to visit a Kenyan family that they are close friends with. We will stay the night there and the following morning I will begin my devotions with Dennis and Michelle at 7:30am alongside breakfast. This will be the start of our devotions together, because we will continue to do so every morning of my stay there.

After devotions, we will begin our trek to Kakamega (Western Kenya). This will be approximately a 10 hour drive of extreme discomfort...should be fun. The roads apparently are nothing compared to our smoothly-paved concrete highways. The missionaries put it this way, "We hope to arrive to Kakamega during the daylight hours but we often do not because of the delays, poor roads, construction, warring tribes, or the occasional cannibal…just kidding, not really".  :)
May 25-June 7...

During this time my schedule will change daily. Some of my responsibities will include:

1. Teaching a co-ed health education class at the Salvation Army Secondary School. I am responsible for getting the materials for this class and will be addressing some very difficult issues. The biggest concept that I am to cover is basic human rights. In Kenya, and much of Africa, girls and women are viewed as inferior and they are seen as sexual objects. In this health education class I have been asked to teach that women and men are equal and that women should be treated with respect. Then I will have multiple private sessions with the just girls to talk to them and show them that they ARE worth something, that the Lord values them and that they were created to be His precious bride. Please pray for these girls specifically..their self-esteem is very low and I want to show them Christ's love. I feel inadequate for this task, but the Lord will guide me.

2. I will teach private guitar lessons to some of the students at the school

3. I will learn how to help my host family maintain their small farm

4. I will visit an orphanage that is ran by Dennis and Michelle's friends. I will hopefully stay there for a couple of days to spend time with the children there and share my music.


June 8-18...

A team of 10-15 Christian volunteers from all over the world will join us in Kakamega! I have been getting to know some of these volunteers through email. My schedule will change at this point.

1. We are helping to host a two day medical camp, primary care outreach to the community.  At this time we will help with the medical issues or spend time getting to know the hundreds (maybe a thousand or more) of people who will come to this camp. My prayer is that the thousands of people coming will see the love of Christ pouring out of us as we serve them.

2. I will play a big role in guiding the volunteer team throughout their trip. I will be responsible for leading some of their devotions in the morning, organizing their day-to-day activities, and delegating responsibilities.

3. The team and I will then help in building additional classrooms to the primary and secondary schools (There are so many students, but not enough room for them, so this will help in allowing more students to be able to receive an education)

Wow, right? The Lord is going to do SO much on this trip. I am confident of that. Oh Lord, change the hearts of these people and draw them to You and Your salvation. And change our hearts as we serve the Luhya tribe, cause us to be more like You. Grow us in humility, servant hood, love, and may we see your power and presence throughout our trip. Your will be done.

Next time I write, I will be in the mountains of Kakamega! Love you all and thank you for your support! YOU made it possible for me to go where the Lord has called me.

May the Lord continue to accomplish His perfect will through us until the day of Jesus Christ!