One Blood. One Race.

People are people. Boys are boys. Girls are girls. Souls are souls.

I woke up this morning at 2:30am due to my blistering sun burn and I couldn't fall back to sleep. The phrase above was all that I could think about. So here I am, 3am and sun burnt writing this update. Bare with me as I go along, due to the fact that it is 3am.

One blood and one race is something that God has been laying upon my heart since last week. Allow me to explain. Over the past year, the Freeland's have been accruing items from their home and other people to give away to the students at the school. Balls, shoes, socks, clothing, pens, books, picture frames, hats, you name it. So last week, Michelle and I sorted through these items and found over 100 items. 50 items for the girls and 50 items for the boys to choose from. Each student would be able to pick one item to keep. So, we arrived to the school and separated the girls from the boys. Michelle and I set everything out on a table and told the girls that they could pick one item and that we would start with the Form 4 girls (Form 4 is the equivalent to seniors in high school). Their excitement was contagious. The girls came up to the front and browsed through all of the possibilities. They tried the clothing on right then and there, they received advice from their friends on what looked best, they giggled, swapped items, and asked me to take hundreds of pictures of them so that they could see how their new items looked on them. I couldn't help but notice, how I, as a girl do the exact same thing. Women browse, don't they? It took approximately an hour for all of the girls to pick an item out. I have never seen so many smiles at once and I was blessed to be able to see their joy from something so simple.

Once all of the girls had finally decided upon something, it was the boys turn. We took the girls out of the room and brought the boys in. I could see the boys eying items they might be interested in. They were obviously excited like the girls, but in a much more subdued manner. We started the same as the girls, allowing the boys to pick one item and we began with the Form 4 boys. I was shocked at how decisive the boys were. They walked up, grabbed an item instantly and sat back down. We finished with all 50 of the boys in 20 minutes or so. I couldn't help but think, girls are girls. Boys are boys. Whether you are in Kenya, America, Switzerland, or Haiti. We all have the same Creator and we were all created in the same image, right? So why do we find ourselves focusing on our external differences versus the heart?

Children are children. They love candy. They hide behind their mother's skirts when they are feeling shy due to the presence of a stranger. They love games. They cry when they get hurt. This is something you will see regardless of a person's race and this is due the to fact that we are all one blood. We were created by the same Creator and we all came from one man and one woman, Adam and Eve.

I watched a teaching by an Australian man named Ken Ham while I was here in Kenya. He discussed the racial categories we have given to people groups based on skin color. He explained that as Christians, we should not buy into racial categories and that instead we should not see African, Caucasian, Chinese, etc. But instead, we should recognize that there are only two “races” per say. Saved and unsaved. Walking in the light or walking in darkness. This should be our primary concern. We should be a people who are not hindered by diversity and instead are willing to show the love of Christ despite the fact that people might look different. I am not saying that I was racist or anything of the sort, however, God is showing me that in some ways I have limited His love to flow through me based on the fact that I feel I might not be able to relate to a person due to our differences in culture and looks.

I cannot tell you how many times I have had to tell these students that I am just like them and not better than them. I have encouraged them that God created all of us in His image and we simply have different shades of skin. What is the big deal with that? Do we seperate the big ear lobed people from the small ear lobed people? (Ken Ham). No! So why is the trait of skin color treated any differently? I believe that through sharing my own struggles with these beautiful students, they are realizing that I am like them despite our difference in skin color. I also struggle with my self-esteem, sin, fear, just like they do. People are people.

Are cultures different? Yes, of course they are. Praise God for creating us to be diverse and unique and not all the same. So all that to say, as God's people we should look past our differences and love relentlessly. Like God, we should look at a person's heart not their outward appearance. We should love like Jesus and show people through our love that God doesn't focus on the appearance of man but on the state of their heart instead.

Boys becoming men

Greetings from Nairobi!
Today, we made the lovely drive to Nairobi from Kakamega. This is approximately an 8 hour drive, on roads that jolt you from side to side the whole ride. No sleeping on this road trip, though I did try, and was not successful. We are here in Nairobi to pick up a team of 12 volunteers from the US and Canada. With this team, we will conduct a two day community wide medical camp and also build two new classrooms for the school. I am very excited to meet these wonderful believers whom I have been emailing with for a couple of months now. The Freeland's and I are very anxious for them to get here.
I am back to 100% health. Malaria meds work very fast and very well. Malaria is an infection that resides in the joints, so my whole body felt SO strange and sore. After I took the medicine, I was able to sit up with no pain the following day. Thank you Lord for your fast healing.
Sunday evening, I ate dinner at a Kenyan family's home. This was a fun experience. In Kenya, you don't use dining room tables and you usually wouldn't use utensils. But they were kind enough to give me a spoon. The man of the home prepared my plate and boy did he fill it HIGH with food. I was a little nervous when I saw the amount I was expected to eat, but I grabbed my spoon and jumped in. I ate koo koo (chicken), beans, mushy banana stuff, and ugali with sakumu. Ahh yes, ugali. The staple food of Kenyans, and it feels like a pound of rocks in my stomach. Ugali is corn flour that is brought to a boil in water until it becomes stiff where one has to cut it with a knife. It does not taste and has a texture of silly putty. It is easier to eat if you cover it in sakumu and beans. Sakumu, is a green similar to spinach. I can eat ugali, but it was difficult to eat as much as was scooped on my plate. As I was getting close to the bottom of my bowl, I placed my bowl on my lap to grab a drink of water--bad idea. As soon as I let go of my bowl, the Kenyan man had grabbed my bowl again and piled it high with more food. Oh no. I was scooping food onto Dennis' plate (with Dennis' consent), while no one was looking. I practically ate myself sick so that I wouldn't offend anyone. It was fun though, and thankfully I didn't get sick. I enjoyed being in their home and getting to tell them about "University" and what that is like.
Monday, I was able to teach again at the school. This was a joy to my heart since I hadn't been able to due to my sickness. I taught all 50 secondary girls a lesson for probably an hour or so. This was a fruitful time. The purpose of my class with these girls is a health education class, mainly relating to sexuality and sex education. I started the class with us talking about who God His character and how this should shape the way we conduct ourselves as women. I then let the girls get into small groups and write down any questions that they wanted to ask me. (I had them write down the questions because it is rare for them to have the boldness or confidence to speak some of these questions out loud) These were some of the questions. "What is love?" "Are you married?" "What is sex?" "What are the effects of abortion?" "How can I prevent AIDS?" "How can I keep myself from having sex?" "How do I increase my self-esteem?" "Why did God choose only men to be His disciples?" "What am I to do for God, as a girl?" "What are the effects of a boy and girl relationship?"
Unfortunately, I don't even really remember how I answered all of these questions. But everything typically went back to abstaining from sex to honor God, protect our own hearts emotionally and bodies from disease. It was one of those moments where the Holy Spirit was leading me and I was speaking what I was feeling led to speak. I felt so in my element even though I was communicating with girls who have very different lives than me. Some girls were taking notes, some girls had wide eyes, some girls could only giggle, and sadly there were some girls who had hard hearts and were rolling their eyes at the suggestion of abstaining from sex. However, no matter where each girl is at in their heart, I know that some seeds were planted. One of the girls, Sharon (whom I have grown to love so much), came up to me afterwards to encourage me. She told me that I did well and that what I spoke of was very helpful and needed. She encouraged me that the girls were listening, even if they seemed to just be staring at me at times. She also said that I used good language that was understandable and that I explained myself well. This was reassuring.
As I finished teaching the girls, two boys approached me who are approximately 16 years old. I greeted them and could tell they wanted to speak with me. Felix and Brytol were their names. Felix proceeded to say, "Brytol has an incident. And we were wondering if we could an speak with you privately about it" Of course I agreed and we headed away from the school to sit on a ledge overlooking the valley. Brytol began "When you taught us in class last week, you explained abstaining from sex to honor God, our own bodies, and our future wives. Well, I have never done anything with a girl before and I want to continue in this way" Felix spoke up, "Yes, I have never done anything either" Then Brytol continued "As I came to school, it became difficult. Because some girls are very beautiful here and they try to get my attention. I feel attracted to them, but I do not want to act upon it. I want to be pure, so how can I keep from being attracted to them?"
Wow. I was awestruck. This was the kind of response I was expecting from two girls, not two boys. Kenyan boys are not trained to think this way, so they simply don't. Showing this kind of emotion and desire, is practically unheard of. So hearing this desire to please God was just baffling to me. It took everything in me to note cry because it was very apparent they were speaking out of a sincere heart. At this point, I realized that these were no boys. These were young men, who were listening to a call God had placed on their lives before He had even formed them in their mother's womb. I felt so honored to have the opportunity to see them beginning to answer this calling.

First, I told them that there is nothing wrong with finding a girl beautiful, that it is natural. I then proceeded to advise them to become a team. To keep each other accountable (it took me probably 10 minutes to just explain what the word "accountable" means). But they understood with time. I told them to make a pact with one another and to make sure the other boy is never in a situation where they might go down that route with a girl. I also told them that any time their bodies are reacting to a girl and they begin to feel tempted, that they should pray in that moment and set their minds on whatsoever is good, on Christ. I encouraged them that the Lord would bless and honor them if they did this and that He also would give them the strength to abstain. We talked about self-control with our bodies and our thoughts. I then joined hands with them and prayed for the two of them and I felt that the Lord was working on their hearts, I couldn't help but cry at this point. I felt so used by God and was assured once again, that I am supposed to be HERE in Kakamega, Kenya at this present time. Brytol and Felix were overjoyed by the time I said Amen. Their smiles were wide and they said "Asante sana, asante sana" (Thank you very much, thank you very much). I gave them a hug and told them I would continue to pray for them, and that people in the good ole' USA would join me in praying for them as well. So friends, say a prayer for Brytol and Felix that God will continue to raise them up to be men who are examples within this country. This country needs good strong men who are willing to be a light, regardless of what the rest of their culture is doing.

May it be so Lord, Amen.

Choosing contentment

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any an all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:11-13

The past couple of days have stretched me in ways that I never anticipated. Before I came, I was told time and time again to be flexible while I was in Kenya, to put aside all expectations and be ready for whatever the Lord had in store for my time here. As I prayed and prepared for this trip, I reflected on how MY plans get in the way of me allowing the Lord to accomplish His plan. Many are my plans, but regardless of how many plans I make, it is the my Creator who directs my steps.

A couple of days ago, I started feeling slightly sick but I didn't think much of it. However, yesterday morning I woke up in a worse state. I was running a fever, experiencing nausea, my joints ached, and other symptoms. The Freeland's decided to take me to the doctor. As I was there, the Kenyan doctor was far too smiley for my liking. I could tell he was enjoying treating a Mzungu and I wanted to slap him for it. It's funny how easily and quickly our hearts can change when circumstances are less than ideal. They did blood work and results said that I had malaria and parasites. While waiting for these results, doubt and fear began to creep in. "Why am I here? I just want to go home." I felt at war with myself, because part of me was completely discouraged and fearful, but another part of me knew that the Lord was in control and that He knew all along that this would happen. I knew that I was called to be in Kenya, because I had seen how great the need was and how few the workers were. I was experiencing firsthand the flesh and spirit at war within me. As I was crying and pitying myself, I decided to choose to believe in God's goodness and sovereignty. I simply said Jesus' name over and over again and finally felt at peace within myself. "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any an all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:11-13 Now, have I learned to be content in every circumstance and in all things? No, not quite. But I am learning, and that is a start. Praise God.

In short, the doctor told me that I have malaria and parasites. But this is an easy fix. I got a malaria treatment pill and took a "de-wormeing" pill. Malaria is an infection that resides in the joints, that is why I have been so sore. But this morning, I woke up feeling SO much better. The Lord's healing was quick! However, today I am still resting and am expecting a full recovery shortly.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support in my trip. It means so much.

I will hopefully be back in full speed soon and be able to update you all shortly.

In Christ,

Kayla