For Such a Time as This

Well my time here in Nairobi is coming to a fast close. It has been such a great experience. Far better than I could have ever imagined. I have had the opportunity to see God work in so many marvelous ways. Sure us interns have had our ups and downs but throughout it all God has been with us every step of the way. It is so hard to believe that it is our last week here and we will be heading home soon. I am sad to leave but at the same time I am ready to return home.

I am sad to leave all of the friends I have been able to make. Being placed in a certain work center in Mathare has allowed me to develop close relationships with a few people. They are so fun to work with and I look forward to each and every day I get to spend with them. Mary, Mercy, Kevin, and Vivian have become like family to me. My personality blends so well with theirs. We will spend time during lunch joking with each other or talking about serious issues. No matter the topic of conversation I am somehow able to relate to the things they talk about. I am also sad to leave Diana. I have had the opportunity to counsel her throughout the course of the summer and I feel we are just forming a good relationship. She is able to open up to me and in return I am able to talk with her and encourage her to stay in school. I believe that within the next two months she will be bumped up to high school. The high school for the children from the slums is separated in to boys and girls. It is a boarding school out in the country about an hour away from Mathare. I am going to miss my new friends but they will always be remembered in my prayers and in my heart.

On the other hand, I am ready to be home again. Being here this summer and witnessing to random people has opened my eyes. At home I have always been comfortable and have not really shared the gospel with people I talk to and that even includes my family. I believe that is, in a way, selfish of me. Just because I have a relationship with God and I know Him does not mean that everyone I come in contact with does. I have realized that people in the US need to hear about God just as much as people in other parts of the world. I do not want to be just going through the motions. I am going to make a change and share the love of God with others and witness to people even if it feels uncomfortable. I feel God pulling me back to the US to share my faith and share His good Word. I have had my eyes opened this summer in ways I never thought they would be opened. Not only have I realized the importance of sharing the Word but I have realized the importance in building relationships.

All throughout his life, Jesus never worried about time. He did not check the sun to see if He was spending too much time with one person or another. He valued the people and made sure they understood why he was on this earth. He went around daily telling stories and making new friends and investing in the people. I want to live a life like Jesus. I do not want to put time in the way of a new friendship. When that new friendship is formed then the door has been opened to be able to share your faith. I believe that we each have our own individual stories for a reason. No two stories are alike so that we can share with others and open the door to conversation and friendship.

Last Friday I was not feeling well and stayed back from work. I was being selfish and blaming God for me being sick. I did not understand why He had called me here just to make me sick and stay behind from work. (Major mistake on my part). This was also the day of fasting. I woke up early so I could start praying and I just had to cry out to God and ask Him why I was sick and why I stayed back. After a couple hours I was feeling a bit better and went to the dining area to do my devotion and drink tea. While I was reading, one of the workers, whose name is Peter, asked me if I was studying. I told Him I was and was able to share my devotion with him. He looked at me and then began opening up to me and sharing his story with me. After he shared I was able to share a little bit about myself with him and then we were able to discuss different verses in the Bible. We prayed and then after we prayed he told me that he was going to change his life for the better and to not continue doing the things he was doing and that he was going to give his life to Christ. A couple days later I saw him working and asked him how he was. He said he has never been happier and that he had spent the last couple days reading his Bible and praying instead of going out. Just when I was feeling down, God brought my new friend Peter into my life. In a way it was a slap in the face that I really needed. It does not matter whether or not I am sick or healthy. If God wants to use me to further His kingdom, He will use me. I am so happy that I was able to make a new friend and that He has given his life over to Christ. God is so good even in the times we feel we do not deserve it. No matter what we do He never changes nor loves us any less. We have been blessed to have such an almighty loving father.

God bless each and every one of you and I thank you so much for your support. Please join me this next week in prayer and in furthering the kingdom of God. When you least expect it God will place someone in your life who He wants you to open your arms to. That could be a new friend or even a family member. Try not to push them away because you are running short on time. Pull them close and invest your time in them. Maybe they just need someone to listen to them or someone to just simply smile and give them a hug.

God Bless!

Alicia