Missions in Africa

On Friday I experienced the most awesome teacher inservice I've ever been a part of. Our entire staff (over 120 people) split up into six groups to visit different mission organizations of which our Rosslyn families are a part of. It was amazing to see the various ways people minister in Africa: providing clean water, Bible translation, HIV care, children's homes, and more. In the course of the day I got to visit four organizations of the 70+ that Rosslyn families work for. MAF, one of the many acronyms used around here, provides air transport for many of the other organizations. Their whole mission is to fly other missionaries throughout Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. Another organization, CMA (don't ask me what all these acronyms stand for :), does many things, one of which is teaching people how to filter their water from disease using only the sun and clear bottles. My favorite was the New Life babies home that takes in over 50 HIV positive babies at a time. Most of the kids are adopted by age 3, and many of the children running around my campus came from that home. We also heard testimonials from a few parents who are able to do their work because their kids can go to Rosslyn Academy.

Seeing and hearing all the work going on totally touched my heart. I held back tears several times throughout the day because I was overwhelmed by the fact that God wants me to be here, to be a part of all the amazing things going on. I feel so honored to be a minute piece of God's big puzzle. I'm very blessed to teach kids whose families are doing so many awesome things throughout this continent. I can't express how grateful I am that God is using me to do something I love.

URGENT!

My roommate, Christa, is having major visa permit issues. Worse case scenario involves her being kicked out of the country, leaving behind her Kenyan fiance, missing her wedding in December, and putting a halt on the ministries she's involved with here. Please pray! This not only affects Christa, but all the new staff's work permits and Rosslyn Academy's reputation with that office.

Pray that...
1. The Kenyan immigration office in Nairobi would show Christa and Rosslyn Academy favor.
2. Christa would be given a work permit.
3. Christa and Rosslyn administration would have peace about God's hand in the situation.

Thank you!

Busy, busy, busy!

It is day three of my work week, and I'm as busy as ever. There doesn't seem to be enough time to even go grocery shopping. "Winter Kim", as my friends often say, is kicking into high gear. My classroom is coming along, there is tons still to do, and I have a lot of curriculum to weed through, but it is all good. I'm excited about the new year and the amazing people I get to work with. It is an adjustment after teaching at the same school for five years (I have to remember not to compare). I kind of feel like a first year teacher in many ways. My classroom was an empty shell when I arrived with only a few old shelves, filing cabinet, and teacher's desk. Now I've got bulletin boards, desks, newly painted shelves, and some curtains I sewed by hand (I don't have a sewing machine). I'm learning how to get things done around here - my new best friend at school is Stephen, the Kenyan man who does it ALL on campus. So onto lesson planning I go, thinking of all my co-workers at Veritas at the same time. For my dear Veritas family, enjoy your last few weeks of summer vacation!

Church

In my short time in Kenya, I've attended two churches. The first Sunday was spent at an international fellowship that meets right on my school's campus. It's purpose is to feed and fill expatriates who give to other ministries throughout the week. It is very much like most Christian churches you'd find in the States. Today I attended a Kenyan church with a small handful of other mzungas (white people) in the congregation. It meets in a very large tent with sound equipment, stage, and big white screen for worship. It has an English service with praise and worship containing English and Kiswahili songs. I really liked the Kenyan church. It focuses on social justice (I know my Oregon family will like that.) and community building and outreach. Although I may try some other churches with friends, I think I might have found my new church family - Karura Community Chapel.This picture is a good representation of Karura, which is a little smaller than what you see here. But the red dirt, surrounding trees, and few cars give you an idea of my Sunday morning experience.

Today's Shopping Trip

I went shopping for fabric with four other gals today. On the way we got stuck in a traffic jam, which is very common in Nairobi. The traffic is horrible here - worse than China, worse than anything I've been in. While we were stuck in the jam, a man selling maps came alongside our car. I needed a map for my classroom, so I rolled down my window to discuss a price for a world map. At first we couldn't agree and traffic started moving, so on we went with the vendor running after our car. He decided my price was OK, and he agreed to sell it to me. Through the window he gave me the map and I handed him the shillings. I bought my classroom world map while in a traffic jam without ever getting out of the car. It was great. The rest of the afternoon was spent fabric shopping, which was somewhat successful. There is much more shopping to be done, but that's never been a problem for me. :)

On a different note, many of you have requested pictures of my roommates and house. I don't have internet on my personal computer yet, so I cannot post pictures yet. Hopefully it will be coming soon. Be praying that I get internet at home. It's still up in the air. When I get it, I'll post about all those details and give you a video tour of the house. I also want us to finish decorating before the tour, so please be patient with me.