The last year has been one of the most amazing and one of the toughest. As 2012 has come to a close and 2013 has begun there is one thing that I know is true... God is faithful to keep His promises. We were never promised that life would be easy, but we have the truth that God will always be there with us.
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5
In September 2012 I arrived in Kenya to work at the Africa Gospel Church Baby Centre. It has felt like a long road to get here. I felt God's calling to become a missionary back in 2004. To me it seemed like forever, but God's timing is not my timing and He knew what He was doing.
I have gotten to love and share with all of the children here. Many have gotten adopted since I have been here. What a blessing, to witness children become part of a forever family. My heart melts when I walk into a room and a big group of kids immediately come to me for a hug or want to come and spend time with me reading a book, playing or to learn something new. I love to hear the children singing songs about God. To have them tell me they know that Jesus loves them makes me smile.
I am so excited to see what God has planned for the coming year at the AGC Baby Centre.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Last year my father was diagnosed with cancer. My father told me he had been prayed over for healing. He told me that God could heal him one of two ways: either here on earth or in heaven. That was really tough for me to hear, because I knew how I wanted God to answer my prayers for healing for my dad. God decided to heal him here on earth. In that time and the following months I was really learning the meaning of praising God no matter how things turned out.
I am so thankful for parents who follow after God and raised me to do the same.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3
My grandma also passed away this past year along with another realtive and a couple of friends. I am so glad to know that all of them are in heaven. All of them had been struggling with one thing or another with their health. While death is hard on those left behind, it is so comforting to know they are no longer suffering and get to be with their savior.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
In everything over the last year I have felt God's presence and love. I have not always understood what He was up to, but I knew He was in control and that He had a plan.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
