The Dusty Path

"I have equipped you to stay of conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound paths."

- Jesus Calling

What can I tell you? What words do I have to describe what I am still trying to comprehend myself? 

I have never known what it feels like to be a minority or an outsider. I never knew this feeling of being uncomfortable in (of) my own skin, uncomfortable in and of my body. The stares we get are intense, curious, some gross, some comical. Every set of eyes ask the same question, "What are you doing here?" It seems that no matter how much Somali, Swahili and culture a team member can know, we will always be different, we will always be on the outside, we will always be charged the higher price. BUT though things may be more expensive for us, the cost we pay to be here, to be aliens and to follow Jesus, is SO worth it!

We live in Pangani, a very S* part of Nairobi. Probably 97% of our neighbors are S* refugees. Our walk to school takes about 15 minutes, and it's here we are reminded just how white we are. "Mzungu!" the Kenyans tell at us, which means "white person." Some of our younger team members get offered marriage proposals numerous times on our walks; often we are asked for money by street kids. 

It's hard to look anywhere except down because the roads are so muddy, and some how, everyone else seems to float over the mud while our shoes are drenched by the time we get to school- only making more reasons for people to point, laugh, and say things we do not understand. 

City buses, motorcycles and cars often come up on the side walks where we walk. There is a sense of lawlessness as no one yields to stop lights, pedestrians, or another car. We pass stands of fruit and vegetables, shoes, purses and underwear, all for sale on the side of the road. We walk over sewer lines and along trails of garbage. The smells change in an instant. One minute you are smelling a bakery, the next the most invasive and sour smell you can imagine has taken over your nose. We are often thankful for the scarves we wear, they protect us from dust and smells. We are also grateful for the fresh and inexpensive fruit and veggies we can buy to and from school!

Our friend took us to get henna done! We got it done in a salon and the ladies there were so friendly, we walked away with a couple phone numbers and new friends. Here is our friend scraping the excess ink off me.

The final product! I love it! I tell my students I want to have it forever. They explained the difference between henna and tattoo to me: Henna will eventually wash off, it's only on top of your skin. You can still wash and pray. Tattoo is IN your skin, you won't be clean enough to pray (that's how I understood it at least!). They have beautiful customs for a bride on her wedding day with henna. I have loved learning their culture!

Laundry day

 My temporary housing. I should move again next month and will post more pictures then!

 Our accommodations are really nice! Still learning the art of cooking at a different altitude...

There's more I want to tell and things I didn't get to say but it will have to wait until next month. Love you all!

The Final Count Down

With our new school year in Kenya starting up in Mid- August, I've moved my hopeful departure date up to mid-August! I find myself all over the place with everything I want/need to do before I go! People I want to see, places I want to go, books I need to read, skills I need to learn (stick shift), work that needs to be done, bills to be paid, speaking engagements, shopping, etc. It's a really strange thought to know that in a couple months, everything will be different. Then again, that is true for all of us, whether we plan and prepare for it, or whether it sneaks up on us...

Even though my list seems long, I believe that all God's asking me to do at this time is to simplify and focus on Him!

This Spring, my family and I went to Chicago as a mini-vacation and had a great time! It was my parents first time and a highlight for them was a large Italian import store called Eataly:)

I am waiting to hear back from my organization, but I believe I am in the 90's as far as my percent for fundraising is going!! God is so good and wild and amazing! Please continue to pray with me, I am unable to leave until I pay off the remainder of my $12,000 student loan. Jesus knows all about it and has a way, but keep your prayers coming- and THANK YOU for the support and for your encouragement! I have traveled and spoken at many churches and the acceptance, hospitality and love has been overwhelming. There are many I now consider like family because of our time together. Thank you, it means so much to me!

Next week, I'll be going back to Springfield, Missouri for a safety seminar. At our first seminar, we were taught that if you are a woman who feels threatened by a man, it's best to make yourself look as ugly as possible. How do you do that? By throwing up or peeing on yourself, of course. Things I never thought I'd want to learn. Looking forward to many more tips and strategies to staying safe!

This week I had the privilege of leading the missions portion of Vacation Bible School at my home church. I LOVED IT! Kids from 3 years old up to 5th grade learned about the S*mali people, listened to how they dressed, what they believe, how they eat and what sorts of activities they do. One of my most favorite parts was praying for any of the students who felt led to be a missionary and hearing them pray for the brothers and sisters hundreds of miles away. I think of the S*mali terrorist group and how their name literally translates into "the boys" (i.e. I'm hanging with the boys after school.) I think that if we can reach them at a young age, we can transform a nation. I am believing that our young peoples prayers were heard today :)

I've attached a couple news articles so you can see some ways to pray. These are truly intense times, but I believe God still has a plan and a desire for every S*mali to know Him! The attacks that took place on June 16th, 2014 (Attack near coastal resort) were targeting non-muslims. My prayer is that as we count the cost of following Him, we will ALWAYS consider Him worth it. 

Corruption and Terror
Attack near coastal resort

Kenya halts crack down on Somalis

For you, Oh Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.

-Psalm 3:3

It's not too late to be a part of my support team! I am still praying for monthly donations or even a gift of any amount- everything helps! 

You can go to giving.ag.org  and use my account #2957769 to make a donation.

It's great to hear and see many of you! Looks like summer is off to a great start for many of us with bike rides, swimming, vacations, graduation parties, etc. Would LOVE to see you all in these next couple of months. I am praying for many who send requests so keep them coming!

Rude Nicknames

Usually this time of year I'd be cutting off the last of winter's fury by being on a mission trip somewhere hot and sweaty with my Agora family! Praying for the teams in Myanmar and Taiwan as they are ministering to the beautiful people! In the mean time, here we are, doing the occasional high-knees through mounds of snow (not any more I hope!), happy that the suns out, only to be smacked with the reality that, for the moment, it's only for looks- no real heat yet. But soon!

Did you know the Somali have a love of rude nicknames? It's true! Normally they will find something wrong, usually with the way you look, and highlight it! Baldy, No Fingers, Small Eyes, Big Nose, Stutterer, Shorty, Big Head (given to the President). Gaal, or infidel, is a popular one too, it normally refers to a non-Muslim. Perhaps, when the time comes, I will look at it as a sign of acceptance? The 6th grade me is wondering which feature they'll pick. Any suggestions?

So my car has has been given me trouble for a while and we've been praying about what to do with it. There were many speaking engagements I needed to be at that I couldn't get to. Recently someone blessed me with a newer car so that I could travel anywhere I needed to go! In one month, I've already put 3,000 miles on it! The car came just in time! 

Enjoy the goofy, yet classy pose:)

I AM NOW AT 75% !!! Whhhhat?!

There's so much I want to say and gush on and on about God. I'll just let one of my favorite verses say it for me though:

Jesus did many other things as well, if every one of them were written down,  I suppose that even the whole world  would not have room for the books that would be written.

                                                         - John 21:25

Simply put, He has been blowing me away with His faithfulness, provision, and Word. Even when He tells me "no", I am learning to trust Him! His plans for us are so good! My new saying is "Jesus knows" and that covers everything... my school loans, my hopes and dreams, fund-raising, my income, timing- He knows and He has it covered! 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly more than than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus, through out all generations, forever and ever. Amen! 

-Ephesians 3:20

I've been busy busy traveling all over Ohio, sharing what God has been putting on my heart. I thought I would hate this process- public speaking AND asking people for money (gross). Turns out, I love it! I'm constantly being refreshed and encouraged (and occasionally drained-in a good way- if we're being real). Of course there's the time where I didn't think things went well or it was unproductive, but, Jesus knows! I'm incredibly grateful to be meeting so many wonderful people and seeing God WORK over and over again- beyond my expectations.

Now then, stand still and see the great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!

- 1 Samuel 12:16

You can go to giving.ag.org and type in my account #2957769 or snail mail it to:

AGWM

1445 N. Boonville Ave

Springfield, MO 65802

*Please include my account #2957769 on the memo line

**Praying for you! There are some who have sent prayer requests ranging from needing new jobs, new home, salvation for family members, etc. I love to pray for you and hear from you so continue to email me :)

LOTS of love,

lin

A Thrill of Hope!

This Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years was wild! Just the way we like it:)

No matter what occasion, when all the kids and grand kids are home- things just become infinitely more interesting and loud...

For Thanksgiving we did our annual ginger bread competition. Truth be told, there is no actual ginger bread in sight! This years theme was "Your Favorite Place" so I reconstructed a Peruvian hut along the Amazon River (you can see the anacondas hanging off the roof and in the shiny black water) and a hammock off of the hut! I was this years winner, although, rumors of mercy points being given were heard. Guys, jealousy is ugly.

Below is Lisa's favorite place: our Aunt's house in Michigan

Laur's favorite place: Mackinac Island, Michigan

                    My dad had a big milestone this year... He turned 60! So, naturally, we roasted him :)

Christmas Eve at the kids table!

And to top everything off, some how we all managed to be in town on the SAME day! Some of us came from Italy, Michigan, Kentucky, and Cleveland but we made it! Blessed beyond belief to have these ladies.

Life is good. God is great. AND I just read that because of the Italian influence on the Somali people, they love pasta and marinara sauce! I will have a little bit of home, even among the Somali! Any day now, I should receive my books on learning the Somali language. It will be like no other language I've ever attempted to learn. Jesus, take the wheel!

Please pray that as I live in "Little Somalia" in Kenya, we will be seen as trusted people, rich in hope, peace and love. 

This is how they will recognize you as my disciples, when they see the love you have for one another -John 13:35

Recently, Somalia was ranked as the second hardest place to be a Christian in the world according to the World Watch List. World wide, the amount of Christian martyrs doubled from 2012 to 2013 and strife between Christians and Muslims is rising as well.  Many people still continue to flee from Somalia into surrounding countries, so pray that they do not spread strife, but instead come looking for peace. With all that being said, I believe that God is up to something great in Africa. Will you be a part of it?

Fundraising has really picked up this year as I book churches to speak at and friends and family to share dreams with. However, the need is still there to raise more money and I know I was never meant to do this alone.  If you feel led to help in any way, from financial help, praying or even helping me come up with unique and creative ways to raise money, please email me any time! 

God bless you! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I am believing for a bright and fulfilling 2014 for everyone!

To donate, you can go to giving.ag.org and type in my account #2957769 or snail mail it to:

AGWM

1445 N. Boonville Ave

Springfield, MO 65802

*Please include my account #2957769 on the memo line!