It Feels Like Home to Me

I feel at home here. It's beautiful, I've made wonderful friends, and it couldn't get better. People always say that Africa doesn't have much, but they are rich in the Lord and rich in relationships. I think God is telling me to come back here. I don't know when but I know soon after the DTS. God's just telling me that this is where He wants me. I still need to continue to pray about it, but I feel as though this is what He wants for me. The orphanage is low on staff. I feel so at home here. I don't even know why, but I just do. I know that it's God. Today I went to town with six other friends. I got chocolate, shoes, and some food. It was a good day. I finally learned how to wash the African way. People were laughing at me for the longest time so I decided to become like the Africans and do it their way. I talked to someone about washing clothes and they were like, "You don't do it our way?" I said no. Then I told them that I've washed clothes by hand before but not like them. They asked me how I do it. I said that I just dip and swirl them around and then rinse. They would not stop laughing at me. We are definitely called to be fools for Christ let me tell you. This week was a wonderful week of learning. We learned about the nature and character of God and the Father Heart of God. God really spoke to me about how He is the only person that I need. It's been a great week. I'll update you all later. Tomorrow we're going to go out to eat with a bunch of friends for my birthday, so pray that I have fun!
Love you!
God Bless!
-Jess

Kiswahili Kiswahili Kiswahili!!!!

I was drowning in Kiswahili yesterday. Mary, bless her heart, invited me to go to her church. I was the only mazungu there. AWKWARD! You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I'm not. There were two little kids that were poking at me, touching my hair during the four hour service. Yes, I typed that correctly, FOUR HOURS. Noone should EVER complain about Jim speaking longer than until 11:15. It was really awesome though. I felt the Holy Spirit at that church. Africans are just more open about God and more excited it seems. At least they show it better than us mazungus. After church we went to a home to have lunch. (chakula... food) It was an english primary school teacher's house that we went to. Her husband just last Sunday crashed his motorcycle and it rolled on top of his leg. He broke it in many places. We had ndizi: hot bananas and meat. It was good. They have such HUGE portions here. I always say kidogo.. little but then I feel bad because I think they think that I don't like it. I told an African friend that, and he was like, you need to get fat! I was like, no I don't. That's the last thing I need. Last night, I took a little walk out of the base and watched the sunset. It was beautiful. God has made this place GORGEOUS even amongst the living conditions. I've already seen some of the most beautiful birds and lizards I've ever seen. They're a BRIGHT turquoise blue. Beautiful. Mary made us dinner last night. We had spaghetti, with meat, avocadoes, and for dessert we had coffee. I'm definitely blessed to have such a wonderful hostess. Yesterday was hard because I really missed you all, but it got better. Sometimes the power just randomly goes out here. Well, yesterday it decided to go out while I was taking a shower. That was interesting! When I fumbled out of the bathroom though, I looked up at the sky, and it was GORGEOUS! The stars were amazing!!! I kept telling everyone that we don't have stars like this in America. They're so surprised when I say things like that. They think that America has EVERYTHING, but we don't. We don't have near as welcoming loving helpful people, or stars that you can just look up at and stare at their beauty. You have to hike up a mountain or something. I think I'm getting adjusted. I know I am a lot more than I thought I would be at this point. God is good. Enjoy your day. Walk in His love today.
God Bless!
-Jess

ONE WEEK!

Yesterday it was exactly one week that I've been here. I love it here. It's so peaceful and the people are so welcoming and sweet. They are very helpful too. It's hard for us muzungus to accept help, but it's always better in life to be encouraged and helped. Tomorrow I get to go to a Kiswahili church. I'm excited, but it will be very long. Especially because I'll have no idea what they're saying, but it's all part of the journey. I got to play with a little orphan named Barakah. He's a sweetheart. He's six years old. He jumped off the bed and I would catch him. He's sooo cute. I talked to Mama Abby and Baba Abby about the orphanage and we need one more person to sponsor a little child. There are two children, but only one still needs support. It's only fifty dollars a month. That takes them to school, living expenses, food, etc. Let me know if you're interested. I feel at home here. It has to be God, because realistically I shouldn't feel at home yet. I'm learning Kiswahili pretty quickly. God is giving me a special memory just to learn Swahili. Mary, the lady that I am staying with right now said to tell all my friends and family thank you for letting me come here because she knows it can be hard to let me go. She is such a sweetheart. I love her laugh. Every time she laughs, I can't help but laughing. I'm staying with her for a week before the DTS starts, then I'll be moving into a dormitory. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I love you and I'll blog soon... hopefully. I finally got to today because the internet is FAST!!! YAY!!
God Bless!
-Jess