Two days ago, after having returned from twenty-four hours of FUN with my amazing 7th grade “Caring Community” group out at the Stocksdales’ beautiful “Maisha Cottage” in Naivaisha for an overnight/cookout/river swimming time,
…I had the pleasure of helping my friend, Anna, celebrate her 28th birthday by joining her, her husband Jared, her mother and father-in law for Beef Curry and Peanut-Butter Chocolate Cake…
Although I am twenty-four, and Anna is 28, what’s four years? We have really become fast friends. She and her husband Jared just came out to RVA in January, but already we have enjoyed getting to know each other, and have discovered similar loves: J.Crew, competitive swimming, Harry Potter, dancing, eating chocolate, and hanging out with her daughter, Malindi, who is not quite two:
She is my new, little friend, and we are kindred spirits because like her, I was a wiry BUSY BODY as a toddler. I also have a special connection with Malindi, because I visited the beaches of that coastal town back in October 2009.
That was the weekend.
Then, yesterday around two, I had the joy of sharing at Chapel for all the students. My 10 min. sermonette was based on two things – THIS day and THAT day, and my text came from Hebrews 3: 12-13, Hebrews 10: 23 -25, and Psalm 16.
In particular, I honed in on verse twenty-four and twenty-five from Hebrews 10, which say: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” I exhorted the students that God wants us to encourage one another EACH day as we live in light of eternity, and that God’s intent for the ordinary, mundane days of life is that we glorify Him in those moments through contentment in the “pleasant” boundary lines He has placed within our lives (Ps 16).
I am also on Day two of a medication called Tinidazole, which helps get rid of Amoeba and/or Giardia. Yes, I have a little stinker somewhere in my intestinal walls! Ickkk!!! Through talking with people here who have experienced this more than once, and a friend’s Dad, who is a infectious disease specialist, it was made clear that my random five days of intense, sharp lower back and abdomen pain, followed by 3 days of intense nausea and “stomach flu” symptoms, that these were common indicators of having Amoeba. So, I am praying that the Lord will rid me of this FULLY and FAST.
Despite the ‘sickness,’ two hours ago, I had fun doing me and Jenny’s usual work-out routine – 2 Gillian Michaels 20 min. “Shred” video segments. I just thought I would throw this in there, because even though weekly work-outs seem rather mundane, I have genuinely enjoyed these times with my dear friend. As Frank says to George in Father of the Bride II, “George…I tink ve arh boonding, heah.”
In twenty minutes, I will begin Dorm Devo’s w/ my girls! This is something we do every Tuesday evening from 8:30-9:30. I am looking forward to being with them. They are right in the middle of Midterm exams/projects/papers, sooo…we are going to shorten our mtg. tonight and spend some time looking up scriptures on fear/worry and then pray for each other. Plus, treats and announcements, of course! 🙂
Then, in two days, I will hop over to my neighbor country, Uganda, to visit my dear friend, Carly Batten, who moved there in March. Last time I was in Uganda was January 2008, when I participated in a two-week “E-team” alongside fellow CLC singles in the Kamwenge District, due west of Entebbe.
It was during January 2008 that I had to change my itinerary last minute (due to the post-election violence occurring in Nairobi) and NOT come to Kenya to visit my relatives, the Konings, who were actually here at RVA as dorm parents for the 2007-2008 school year. It was in NOT going to Kenya that the Lord placed it on the back-burner of my heart…and here I am! So, Uganda holds precious memories for me.
I cannot wait to see Carly and to participate in the ministry that she is involved in there with young high-school girls at “Victor’s Junior Christian School.” Visit her blog here: www.carlytoafrica.com
Carly has also arranged for us (and her friend Lindsay) to raft the NILE RIVER on Friday! Class 5 Rapids. No joke. People have said it’s crazier than the white water in Colorado. Gulp. I hope we survive! To get psyched up for it, I have been listening to the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack, especially the “Canoes” track 🙂
Last but certainly not least…tomorrow is June 2 (TWO). This date marks exactly TWO months until I LAND in D.C.!
I cannot believe it. There are so many emotions going on these days, and while I am incredibly excited about coming home, it is bittersweet. It will be hard to leave the wonderful place where I have been spending my twenty-fourth year – a place where God has shown me grace and mercy each twenty-hours of each day…a place where I have been blessed and blown away by the amazing plans and provisions of my Father in heaven.
Signing off for now. I’ll post pictures of Uganda next week.