My mommy....

My mommy has been asking about when I would update my blog... so I thought I would do so quickly now. Life is good because God is good... when we start looking at like from a Kingdom perspective, we see a lot of amazing things and understand even our failures and sufferings in a different light.
I am currently on midterm break from school. I cant believe I have been in Kenya for over a year, but at the same time, I can totally believe it... life is here! My classes are pretty good this term. I have Systematic Theology with Dr Black- let me tell you, this guy is all about deconstructing our preconceived notions and brainwashed traditions and challenging us to think for ourselves and know what we believe and why. Its tough and amazing. Then there is homiletics (preaching)- will give my first exegetical sermon at NEGST in a week... any suggestions on passage to use? Greek- what?!? You know the saying "It's all Greek to me!" Imagine actually studying Greek... let's just say I took my midterm exam yesterday and left there like, "I either got 100% or 50%." Not a great feeling... but its over with and all i can do is pray that God will help through the rest of the three terms of Greek :) And finally, I have Pentateuch (first five books in OT). It is really interesting as well, seeing as though it is my first Bible book class at NEGST. I just turned in a paper on Deception on Genesis that really challenged me and made my ask questions I had never thought of asking before.
Then, there is ministry. I am still singing with Nairobi Chapel Worship team and loving it! Also, am leading YUP (Youth with Unlimited Potential). It is on NEGST campus. A lot of the youth seem to live their lives with little accountability or instruction on things that interest them, things that really matter to them in their lives as youth. We meet every Monday for a few hours. This term, we just finished our series on music (thank you Kerah and DJ Krowbar) and will begin our next series on relationships after the midterm break. God is doing amazing things in the lives of the youth- truly transforming their minds and therefore, there actions to be focused on Him and His ways! Also part of YUP, we have the YUP band- we try to lead chapel at least once a term... this is a time for the youth to get exposed in the area of using their musical gifts for the Lord... also been awesome!
Suvia Childrens Home is doing well. I visited a few months ago and plan on visiting Oct 23rd. I will update yall on how that goes. This time we are partnering with many people. My E-group (Bible Study) will do a program in the morning of songs and skits and crafts and games. We will eat lunch with the girls, then K-krew guys will do an awesome concert for the community. Furthermore, I have some amazing friends who are donating dresses and other things to the girls that we will deliver on that day! (Thanks to everyone involved!)
What else? Plan on giving some vocal lessons to youth. Tried guitar lessons again... but decided need to do it at a time when the time and passion are both there. Hope to start painting and writing songs again. Been supporting my three little girls from church. Friends are good, although the move off campus as changed many of those friendship dynamics in good and sad ways. My E-group is awesome- iMPRINT! Although, we have been going through some tough times- many friends and family members of iMPRINT members have passed away in the last two months (keep them in your prayers). Anything else will have to wait to be updated next time... I just got served uji by my wonderful roommates- Sally na Marion! Gotta go! Peace and love!

Just a little update...

Sometimes I wish I were like those people who blog everyday about really awesome and mind-blowing things... and then I think, 'do i really want to blow my mind that often?' and decide to write a short update :)
So, we only have a few weeks of school left for this term. I have so many papers to write... and I know they will get done with the strength and grace of God. Am taking African Church History, Bible and Moral Issues, Introduction to Missions and Folk Islam. Its been an interesting term. Some of my favorite topics/papers have been on: Polygamy, Secular/Gospel Music, missions in the church, charms in folk Islam and how to practically apply history to the church in Africa now.
I have continued in singing at Nairobi Chapel. Am helping with YUP (Youth with Unlimited Potential) on campus (holla!). Am walking beside three little girls from my church working on memory verses, talking bout life and helpin out were i can. Got a band going with some of my fav people- haven't come up wit a name yet, but we have lead worship for a conference and will lead worship at chapel and a praise and worship night soon! Speaking of conferences... helped out with/attended a conference on grace and forgiveness with Christi (www.awakencoaching.org)- was amazing... God did some great stuff in us all!!! Started my new Ecclesia group a few weeks ago and it rocks!!! (which means we just ended Plug-in... which was amazing- thank you worship team group! And the retreat was... WOW!) And just trying to build relationships with people in the area- I really pray that God leads me to people who can build me up and walk in the same direction... and I pray that I can be that for others as well!
Excited to visit Suvia Children's Home again in just a few weeks! Also, excited because I may be moving off campus- please be praying about that. And am lookin at car stuff?!? And my friend KJ is comin from the US to visit for two weeks! Furthermore, I am actually going to get to see my family this summer. We will meet up in Europe! Yea! Moreover (i like this connecting words) excited about stacey's wedding in about a month (am on line... for first time in life!)
I had a bunch of friends leave Kenya this past month and that has been a bit tough... but please be praying for them. Rachel (my twin) went back to Malawi because she has been sick for long... we pray she will be able to come back in a years time. Memory (my prayer partner) went back to Zimbabwe... she will be getting married in Dec. Hannah (my lil sis) went off to college in the US. Thandiwe (she informs me, i am her "new social life") traveled to the states for a summer internship. After graduation in July, more people will be leaving- so pray for them and pray for me at the same time.
Overall, life is good... am living and learning and living and learning... I just pray that God will continue to mold me and renew my mind each day that I may become more and more like Him in all I do. I praise Him for His grace and forgiveness that is constantly there especially when I do wrong, knowingly, unknowingly, towards Him and others.

Striving for Greatness... changing the status quo... changing the world: Lessons from Mwende at Suvia Children's Home

I have discovered that service is paradoxical in its nature. Every time that I feel that God has laid it on my heart to go serve or help or change, I come back from the experience myself served, helped and changed. This is no exception with Suvia Children’s Home.

About two years ago, I was part of a team who helped build various parts of the home. When we left, it was still unfinished and there were no children. I returned to Kenya in 2009 for schooling and on my first break, I traveled back to Suvia to find it filled with 26 vibrant and loving girls! The next break I had, I knew I had to return again. This time I went to visit the girls, but also to interview them so that World Servants can prayfully get each one of them sponsored. Through this process, I was able to get past the usual visitor’s songs and poems to learn a little bit about each girl with their own voice: their own story.

One such story was that of Mwende. I don’t know all of the details, but what I do know has changed my life. Mwende is one of the older girls at Suvia. She is a born leader and inspires us all to reach for greatness! Mwende’s parents and grandparents are no longer in her life through various circumstances. She was left in her early teens to take care of her younger siblings. There came a point when it was too much for her; she didn’t know how to be a mom- she tried to take her own life. Thank God that attempt failed because today she is a beacon of light to everyone she sees. She is determined to one day become the President of Kenya. I believe that that can happen and, more importantly, so does she!

The thing is that our world is made up of individuals, but it is also made of systems. It is important for an individual to have a dream, a drive, and natural abilities. If we work hard, we should be able to achieve our goals. But that is not always true. Many people get stuck in a system that does not allow them to reach their goals. Many people do not have the opportunities that others might have for many reasons.

So, I have begun to think (I know, a dangerous thing!) and I have not come up with a solution to all the world’s systemic issues and injustices. But I am thinking; I am challenging myself to not be okay with the status quo, but to strive for greatness- just like Mwende. I want bright, God-fearing, leaders like the girls at Suvia to not only reach their goals, but to change the world! So how does that happen? I am thinking about it… are you?

How can we each use our abilities and resources to change the world for the better?