Abdulrabbi

Abdulrabbi aka Abduli 

I love Abduli. He grew on me from day one of my time here. He was shy at first and didn't really speak. A few weeks after I got here some of the kids said he doesn't really talk to me because he has a crush on me. I laughed because it was cute cause I didn't think and african child could blush. That was exactly what he did at the dinner table that night while we were eating our homemade pizza. 

The photo above was taken after church. I wanted a picture with one of my other kids and Beni was not cooperating. Abduli offered to take a picture with me. Don't you think it turned out wonderful? :)

Bethany Joy (Betha)

You would think being a pastors kid you get used to saying goodbye or see you later. But after someone new has to leave my life to continue there's, i get incredibly sad. I might even get a bit angry with God because he brings wonderful people in to my life and then they leave.

Bethany Joy Gerber is a friend that made my time here in Africa that much more greater. She spent time with me. We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas together and bonded like no other friendship. She loves God and has the best smile on this earth. She is slow to anger but I have never seen her angry (which is an attribute that i am in need of).

Bethany Joy came into my life on November 9th, 2011 and she will always be my friend.
I love you Bethany Joy!
You will be missed in Africa,but i will see you on the other side of the Ocean!!!


Kellie

6 Month Mark

Two more days and i have passed my six month mark. This is so bitter sweet because i see my friends succeeding and some moving on with their lives. Some said they would keep in contact and some said i will see you when you get back. Some said they would love me forever no matter where i went and some said they couldn't live with out me. Right now, these days before my sixth month mark i feel all alone, so helpless. I don't feel loved, by the only one i wanted to be loved by. And i miss all the friends that would help me get through this time. It is almost on the verge of depression because these thoughts of me being so far behind everyone, gets me so down in the dumps. At this six months mark, i need more prayer than ever because this is really hard being away for this long, while being out of your comfort zone, or even in the arms of someone who said they loved me...

Words are just words if there is no action behind it...

Kiswahili word:

ombe- to pray

I just got finished reading Kisses from Katie and i was inspired! Someone who has been in my shoes has felt what i am feeling and who has gotten through it, has given me hope! This book has opened my eyes in ways i could not have imagined ever possible. One thing that caught my eye was the fact that she had put all her faith and trust in God, wholeheartedly. She stood fast to God's leading in her life, even if she felt uncomfortable! This all was so amazing to me because how many times do we totally do what God wants us to do and what God is calling us to do without kicking and screaming. If not some of the time, mostly not EVER.

I am here in Africa because i put faith in MY God and i trust Him. And i KNOW he will help me through. All the struggles i face and everything that gets me upset, i know that He has my back.
Some people say, "God never gives you more than you can bare." I believe in my heart that that is not true. He always gives us more so we can solely lean on Him,  for everything.

God has given me much more than i thought was good for me, so all i can do now is trust and believe that My God has got my back...

How Great is Our God!

I am in awe at how God has worked out so many things as I have been here for these past 5 months. Over this past week i have come to really feel God in what i have been doing over here. Even though there has been more downs than ups i am still Praising our maker.

LaSonya had a missionary group (which were the founders of the orphanage) come to her house and fix it up...Ksusha ended up taking the whole week off to spend it with them. She knew mostly all the people who came to help out because Ksusha goes to the church they go to.. Well since i can't take another week off because i am saving it for when my mom comes, I decided to meet up with them with every chance i got. When i had the chance to spend time with them i did and it was wonderful. They made it possible for me to have the most wonderful two day break of my life! One of Ksusha's really good friend wanted us to have wonderful free time so she planned that we stay at the hotel with her, so they got Ksusha and i a room at this nice place..

I was so thankful for all the love and all the graciousness that these people showed me. To top it all off the lady doesn't know, but I've literally run out of money for being here so long and she was so gracious enough to give me her left over money that she exchanged. I said nothing to these people to do anything for me yet they were so giving and so loving. I didn't expect them to help me but she did. I never told them i had financial troubles recently. I just had been praying about it and there God was to show me that He still loved me and the He still hears me when i pray...I praise HIM and HIM alone because HE owes all the credit and credit is due!

The Five DreadHead Look

The five dread head look, soon to be whole head is underway...

I have always wanted dreads ever since I was a teenager. It has been one of those things that has caught my eye when anyone that has them walks by. I have been so enthralled with the way they look that i too will have them soon.

Ksusha and I started my dreads this past week and they take so long to knot up that we only, together, got five done. They will probably be done right before i go home.
So, this dreads thing got me thinking. I am who i am because of my past...what has happened in my past has made me who I AM today. Whether people like it or not i am ME....

Things have changed me and my persecutive on life...

I don't worry about what people think of me any more. Hate me or love me, I'm not changing who i am.

Being a pastors kid has made it easier for me to move on. Moving from one place to the other has made me more well rounded. Its made me want to even travel the world.

The life that i have lived has made me want to love God even more.

Back to the dreads...If you don't like me with dreads to bad cause I AM ME and i am NOT changing for anyone except God. I am me so take it or leave it...





Kiswahili for Today:

meza( me zah)- table

Remember the Time

Does anyone remember the time when they were little kids? Do you remember the time when u could play in the sand box and be okay with getting out being dirty? Do you remember the time you didn't care you were being disrespectful to you parental/guardians?

Well, i have realized that a lot of the attitudes that these children have been having with me are the same things i used to struggle with as a child. Rolling my eyes, not listening, pretending i am ignoring the one who is giving the orders, not doing or trying my best at something, etc.

Yes yes i know some of you might be saying no i never did these but really truly think back.
Now look at where you are now and see how far you have come from such and attitude. Such a small look at life...Let's be real we still might have attitudes but we have changed as we have grown. We have changed physically, mentally and spiritually.

Ever since i was a little girl i wanted to be someone great, someone that changed the world. That is one of the many reasons i am wanting to become a Nurse. Someone who will help people with all their strength until there is none to give. That IS the person i want to be. I want to save lives. I want to be that person that the family thanks for doing all you could. "Thank you for saving my loved ones life."are the words i want to hear. I want to be THAT person.

All my life i wanted to be that person but i have always felt not good enough. I have always felt below par with everything in my life. Sports, school, playing my violin. Always feeling too big for my jeans, always to freckly, always to pimply, always too out going, always having a short temper, and sometimes even being too out spoken...

Well i have come to realize GOD made me this way...I have to learn to love me for me...with all the defects and all the blemishes in my character...God loves me and I love Him...

I hope and pray that all of you guys who read will realize God made you this way so you can fall in Love with yourself...Everyday. Everyday you find out something new about yourself, you can fall in love all over again. I Pray that for all of you...

Kellie


Kiswahili Lesson of the Day:

Acha!- (command) quit it

God made all things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small.

Had a wonderful day with my LaSonya. That sweet thang is getting over having Malaria so we mostly rested. We listened to wonderful Christian music and she even let me color in her coloring book.(she loves me if she let me do that)...but over all i had a wonderful second day off and it was a great way to end my week, from a stressful week that is. We also had a photo shoot.. Sonya is so much better than me in photography. She is teaching me pole pole. So here are a few i hope you Enjoy:)

What i learned this week is that you should spend every minute as if it were you last. Don't live with any regrets and learn from your mistakes. And always take showers when you get angry because it helps you calm down.

P.S the Kiswahili word of the day is Karibu which is Welcome or You are welcome:)

Have a wonderful day Rafiki yangu!