Preparing for an unfamiliar trip.

Having to remind myself that student teaching in Kenya is not a short trip, a three-week cross cultural experience, or a familiar getaway with my family has become a frequent occurrence over the last couple of weeks. This stay at Rift Valley Academy is a four month semester in the middle of Kenya, a country and continent incredibly different than anything I have ever known. Am I nervous? Absolutely. Am I excited? Incredibly. I know not what to expect or how to entirely prepare for this experience. One thing I do know: I will be teaching, and for now this is what I must cling to for security. It is teaching that is my one true passion and I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to finally begin this occupation at RVA. I know that God has planned this trip and I know it is exactly where I should be for the fall. Realizing this plan has lessened my nervousness significantly.

I hope I truly begin to take to heart the importance of this trip not only on my teaching career in the future, but on my growth spiritually as a follower of Christ. There will definitely be times in the next four months where I will attempt to turn away from God, seeking to solve issues of loneliness, frustration, culture shock, and pride on my own. My prayer is I relish the times of adversity, as if I am completely understanding these times to be stepping stones towards becoming stronger in my faith. It is always easy to make these statements before the periods of struggle are thrust in your face at the most inconvenient times in life.

"Little by little, in patience and long-suffering you will overcome them, by the help of God rather than by severity and your own rash ways." 

 -Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 

The word 'long-suffering' is a fascinating word as it means to patiently endure lasting offense or hardship. Enduring hardships is tough enough in itself, but we are asked to endure these hardships patiently.

I cannot wait to see what God has planned for the next four months. I have been blessed with an incredibly family to both travel and reside with while at this wonderful school. Prayers would be much appreciated for safe travels. However, I pray most sincerely that my own selfishness and pride does not deter me from seeing God's true purpose for this experience in Kenya. Earthly desires will pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever, as it states in 1 John. How cool it would be to shed all of these earthly desires of mine while at RVA and focus exclusively on the will of God...

Growing in relationship with God, with students, and with fellow teachers...I have the opportunity to engage in all three in the next four months.

I leave in three days.

.oj.