What to do now?

For the past 3ish weeks I have been back in Orlando and trying to decide what to do with my life. I have applied for 13 jobs (ten teaching jobs). I don't understand why when you apply for a job, and the employer doesn't want to hire you, they give you no response at all. Is it too much to ask for a simple email stating they didn't like me and I'm not good enough? Aside from the teacher jobs (which I just applied for today) I have applied to be a swim coach, elephant trainer, and a gorilla trainer.
Other than looking for a job I have been praying about going to seminary at RTS and I am considering longer-term missions. Maybe a year, maybe more, I don't know. I have been in touch with MTW and a missionary family in Honduras and they have invited me to come to Honduras the end of September. I am not sure what that will look like with all of the job searching and depleting funds, but I REALLY want to go. I would just go for 2 weeks and I think it would give me a better picture of being a full-time missionary in another culture than I got this summer. This summer was AMAZING, but because I was only working with nationals I didn't get a great picture of full-time cross cultural missions since they were serving within their own country.
Please pray that God would show me when/if I should go to Honduras, when/if I should go to seminary and what to do with my life.

Muthiga Bible Club

The note in this picture says Asante, Thank You if you can't read it! Thank you to my supporters!
Women from the HIV/AIDS support group in Muthiga
Craft Time
Adorable Elizabeth waiting for lunch
Lunch Time!

Home Visits

Ministry Team at Covenant Presbyterian Church
Me, Buena, Angelo, Adam

On Wednesdays, we spent time in a slum called Kawangware where we worked with Pastor Shikonde at Covenant Presbyterian Church. We would split up into groups and go visit people in their homes. Along with a translator or two, Adam (one of the other interns) and I would go out in search of people to visit and pray with. This was so much fun because it was an incredible experience to be able to go into peoples homes and talk to them. Even though these people have next to nothing they were so generous. They almost always offered us something to eat and drink. One of my fondest memories when visiting Kawangware was going into the home of a Sudanese family. There are many Sudanese refugees in Kenya who have come to escape the civil war in their country. Well we went into the house of Buena, the cousin of our translator Angelo, and at first only Buena and his mother were home. By the time we left there were about 20 family members packed in the house. They all went around and told Adam and me things they needed prayer for. Adam read some scripture and I prayed. This family was so generous and made us feel right at home. They went out to get Adam and me a soda and after we prayed we watched CNN for a while (the only time the whole summer I saw any television). Another time in Kawangware, we went into a home where we were offered lunch-rice and beef and tea. There were homes we visited where we were able to share the Gospel with non-believers and homes where we could pray for people who knew the Lord. Spending time in Kawangware was inspiring and encouraging.

Safari In Masai Mara

Here are some pictures from our time on safari in the Masai Mara. Words and pictures really can’t do justice to the beauty in this place. It was completely breathtaking and I have to say it is my favorite place in the world. The open savannah seems endless and I loved the sweet smell of the grass as we drove along with the top of the van open . I was blessed to just be in this place and see the beauty of God’s creation.

African Elephants
Joanna, me and the giraffes
Lions

AMAZING Lizard!
Safari Van
Water Buffalo

Zebra and Wildebeest Migration (This was amazing! There were literally thousands of wildebeests and zebras all migrating to Tanzania in search of green grass.)
White Faced Vervet
Hippos (We stopped here by the river for lunch and had to fight off the monkeys and mongooses so they wouldn't steal our food!)
Sunset over the African Savannah

Here is a complete list of all the animals we saw if you are curious...
Elephant
Giraffe
Rhinoceros
Lilac Breasted Roller
Vulture
Secretary Bird
Bustard
Meercat
Warthog
Lizard
White Faced Vervet
Mongoose
Turtle
African Solcotta Tortoise
Stork
Buzzard
Dikdik
Impala
Wildebeest
Thompson Gazelle
Heartabeast
Eland
Grant Gazelle
Silver Fox (Jackal)
Water Buffalo
Zebra
Ostrich
Hippo
Cheetah
Lion
Topi
Crocodile

Finally Some Pictures!

These are some pictures from the Kibera slum where we spent the most time. I worked with Teacher Abigail in the Nursery Class. This church has an incredible ministry for people with HIV/AIDS and they have an awesome Women's Bible Study and many other ministries to outreach to the community. The people in Kibera were so welcoming and loving. The children were so adorable and just wanted love and attention and I was happy to be able to spend time with them. Being in Kibera was a comlete joy. The poverty is overwhelming and there are so many needs in this place. But the love the people have for the Lord is incredible. I learned so much from spending time in the Kibera Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Children playing outside Kibera Reformed Presbyterian Church
Teacher Abigail with Alex and Teddy
Pastor Imbumi playing with some street children
The entire team on the edge of Kibera
Some sweet girls from the Kibera Youth Group
Kids at the Mamlaka School in Kibera



The Nursery Class

I will post more pictures soon from the other places we spent time. Thank you for your prayers. I am adjusting well to being back in the States.

Saftely Home

I arrived home saftely last night from Kenya. My last month flew by and we were busier than ever (hence the lack of posts on my blog).
The Kenyans taught me so much this summer about what it looks like to love and take care of those around you. I really enjoyed all of the opportunities we had this summer, but I think my favorite thing was workig with Teacher Abigail in her clasroom. Last Thursday when I had to say goodbye to the children it was certainly a tearful day. I will be missing all of those kids like crazy. Now that I am home I can finally post pictures from the summer. I could go on and on about the amazing people we met and all that we learned, but for now I will post some pictures and soon I will share some of the stories about people I met in Kenya.
Now that I am back in the States I will be looking for a job. Prayers to readjust to being home and for a job would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all of your support and encouragment all summer and thank you especially for your prayers.

Independence Day

Hope you all had a good 4th of July! I had one of the best ever. I was really excited about the 4th which is one of my favorite holidays and all of the other interns and myself wanted to plan a really great party to celebrate. We decided to have the party at the girls’ shelter. We bought decorations and American food and dressed up in red, white and blue and headed over there in the afternoon to share the holiday with our Kenyan friends.
We went all out decorating the house. We put up streamers and balloons. I made red and blue sashes for all of the kids to wear and we gave them all bracelets and necklaces that light up. The best part was the food. We had BBQ on the grill, baked beans, hot dogs, potato salad, potato chips, sodas, peanut butter cookies, chocolate cake, and even the Kenyans made a couple Kenyan dishes to add to the festivities.
At the end of the night we popped about 80 balloons-which represented fireworks. The interns all sang the National Anthem while facing our handmade American Flag and then Pastor Imbumi gave a wonderful speech about Americans. And of course the Kenyans and Americans can relate in that our independence is from Britain. We ended the evening thanking God for our countries and praying for one another.
On Wednesday we are leaving for Safari and we will return on Friday. Please pray that we have safe travels. I can’t wait to share the adventure with you when I return.