Year One: The Recap

For many months, I’ve had thoughts running in my head about ways to sum up this first year. Although I’m sure Chase’s experience is different, I can certainly say that I have never been more challenged or more sure of God’s abundant grace. I’ll first start with a little (or…long) year recap for this blog entry:

From our first steps on this soil, God’s grace was present. I remember being surprised and saddened by how culture shocked I was. After all, I thought, this was my third time being here. I remember feeling unsure and maybe just a bit afraid of all the unknowns ahead. As Wendell Berry writes, “You are undertaking the first experience, not of the place, but of yourself in that place.” I was uncovering myself in this place and it was strange.

As soon as we hit the ground in Nairobi we checked in with our friends Mwita and Monica who had been living the past six months in East Africa. To my surprise and to my heart’s thankfulness, they happened to be IN Nairobi on the day we arrived! I remember thanking God over and over for the blessing of catching up with them and hearing their stories from past months. One entire day overlapped for me to spend time with Monica and I remember us talking together thinking how many similar struggles we were dealing with at the time. We kept on saying “me too!” and I think God knew that familiar feelings would provide my spirit with the comfort to move ahead. The next few days were when we met George Mixon who helped us get to know some Maasai people not far from Narok near where he and his family had served in years past. I distinctly remember asking him if his kids went to Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe (not knowing about local missionary kid schools or Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi) and him saying, “No, no. They are rivals.” Those funny thoughts and questions seem so long ago! The Mixon family has been a tremendous source of Christ’s strength, hospitality, and love to our family over these many months.

The first two weeks of our being in Kenya, we stayed with two of our friends in the Ngong Hills area. Jeremy and Becky welcomed us into their home to stay for two weeks while we sorted plans for where we would venture to next. I was so excited to meet their new (at the time 3 month old) baby Natasha "Tash". She was so small in this photo!

Time with Jeremy, Becky, and Tash

The month in Olepishet was an experience to be sure and a good one at that. It’s certainly one we won’t soon forget. We spent time in language learning for a month with two bunk beds squished together and enjoyed our trek every few days in Fred Foy’s Landcruiser out to a place with Safaricom internet connection to call our parents and MAYBE only maybe check our emails, post a blog, and checking facebook messages. It was like hitting a homerun every time we saw another one load.  It was also at this spot, where we would have loads of visitors come and stare at us through our car windows, and I don’t mean just casually glance at us through the glass, we are talking faces pushed up against the glass, tapping on the windows trying to talk to us or see what we are doing as we are trying to communicate with our parents on the phone. For the entire forty-five minutes we were there. I can’t blame them. I would too.

We experienced the kindness of that community and it excited us as we looked forward to our work in Kimana. I remember eagerly waiting for the news of the Strang’s arrival. I can remember where I was sitting in that same Safaricom (our internet/phone provider here in Kenya) spot when we called Fred Foy and found out the success of their fundraising. We were overjoyed!

Language and Maasai culture learning in Olepishet

This same rock is where we were invited (by phone) by American missionaries we’d never met to attend Thanksgiving in Bomet at Tenwek Hospital. Those few days blessed us deeply as we got to witness firsthand the impact the Espy family had made on their community in two years serving there. I mostly remember boxes, pizza, tears, and deep conversations. AND, GENEROSITY at its finest! They unloaded tons of spices and useful things for our home to take with us! It was like Christmas morning. During this period, we also found out about (and were in awe of) God's provision as we needed extra funds for a sturdy car. December was another month of displacement where God completely met our needs and exceedingly blessed us. Another dear missionary friend extended her apartment to us for three weeks and we loved getting to know more about her life and ministry, as she also worked with the Maasai. She even had a small Christmas tree set up which did something for this sentimental heart. Rhonda’s encouragement and love to us has been so good for our hearts. And, did I mention she has the best couches ever?!

Mudding a house with folks from Tenwek in Bomet, Kenya

The Strangs arrived a couple of days after Christmas and it was so amazing to see them after months of anticipation and prayer about where this journey would take all of us. We rented an apartment for the month of January and began using it as a base to look for more permanent housing in our area of ministry near Kimana (about 4.5 hrs from Nairobi). We looked at many places, but the prices were much too high. Like eyes popping out of our heads too high. We just had to trust that we would find a place somewhere. Then two of our friends brought us to a house in Loitokitok (the town south of Kimana). Upon opening up the gate, I think Cecily and I both were overcome by the "homeyness" factor.  It was a sweet little place that, with some adjustments, could work for us. And it has! It has been a sweet, sweet place of growth and surrender as the four of us studied language and discerned about where the days would land us all. Nine months in, when we finally were able to put our bags away, I think my spirit breathed a sigh of relief.

Fixin' up the place!

Not too long after our move was Chase’s birthday and unfortunately, gift giving is not usually my forte. However, I think I scored big this year. Chase has wanted a pup ever since we got married. While I am a big dog lover, the thought of having to leave one back in the US was just plain too much. As we neared time in Kenya, Chase kept dropping the hint that he wanted a pup soon. And Mozzie joined our family on May 9^th of this year at nearly three months old! He’s brought some extra laughter and snuggles and has taught us much. He’s a great little guy.

Then: our first meeting on April 17th (Chase's birthday)!

Now: Still loves giving kisses at seven months!

As we look back into a season of transition and unknowns, I see that God was preparing us for something (but that's for another blog). ;) His faithfulness in providing friendships with American missionaries and Kenyans alike has overflowed our hearts with joy.  The love and communication and support between our supporters have uplifted our spirits. It is a great blessing to be on this journey with you.

Be on the lookout for "Year One: The Reflection"