Almost Christmas

It is almost Christmas and I still am not in the holiday spirit. I want to be but I am not. In fact, it does not feel like Christmas time at all. I am hoping I switch in Christmas mode on Christmas Eve when all the festivities begin. I think it is fun that there are two babies in the family that will have their first christmas and two other kidd0 that have the energy and joy to bring life to any get together. Being able to spend Christmas with them is special for me.

I am missing my Kenyan friends especially now. I've never spent Christmas in Kenya but I guess the holiday of giving brings them to mind. With my heart trying to be in two countries at once, it is always an inner battle.

I wish all you that read this and that love and support me a very Merry Christmas. May your hearts be full of love and thanks this year for the birth of our Savior. God Bless!!

I am certain of this....

I am certain of this...that God answers our prayers! Within the past two months, the Lord has shown me that since He answers those "silly" prayers that I speak out to Him that He most certainly will answers the big ones....those prayers that are at the forefront of my mind and heart as I follow Him in obedience.

I have two great examples of the Lord answering my somewhat silly and simple prayers (even though nothing is silly to God). My shower head fixture had been broken for a long time (and had been super glued without success) and therefore I had to hold the shower head myself. On one particular day not so long ago i spoke a prayer in a sigh..."Lord, it would be nice to have a shower head that worked." Wouldn't you know, a few days later I saw a new fixture upstairs that was needed to do the trick. The person who bought it did not hear my prayer but the Lord moved him to buy that shower fixture that week so I would know that He was listening!!

A few days ago, before I left for a trip, I had every intention to do my dishes but, as things usually go, I ran out of time. I saw them sitting there before i left and said.."Lord, I wish these dishes were done and that I didn't have to leave them here a mess." Well, I came home 4 days later....breezed in and out quick to get to work...and then on the ride home said to myself.."Were the dishes there that I left??" Got home and saw that someone had washed and put away all my dishes while I was in Texas. My Lord was listening to me and I was blessed.

So now, I am going to be really honest with what I need...a big prayer request on my heart. I am praying that the Lord provides a team of people to rally around me and really help me as I move forward to establish this children's home. I need and so desire people to tap into that part of me and help me to be comfortable to live and share that passion daily. I am praying for accountability and assistance. I am praying for people to bounce ideas off of, to join me in prayer about decisions I make, to become just as passionate about what the Lord is doing in Kenya through me as I am etc.

" Lord of heaven and earth, I know you are listening and that you love this child of yours. You know my heart and my needs. I rely and depend on you with my entire being and I am seeking to make Your love my constant center. I give this request to you...knowing you will answer it...in your timing..in accordance with your will. Amen!"

I see Jesus!!

I am going to keep this post simple....not as wordy as I can sometimes get. I want to just share some of the ways in which I saw (and felt) Jesus this past week. Here we go:

I saw Jesus when...

• I spent time with a friend...the Lord has provided a friend who gets me and I get her.
• I watched a video by Lou Giglio with the girl's at bible study.
• An old favorite verse from Psalms came alive to me because of the video.
• A good friend texted me the same verse the next day...too perfect.
• I was able to picture 6 empire state buildings on top of each other and Texas covered in 22 inches of golf balls and realize how MUCH God LOVES me (you had to see the said video).
• I was able to go to Texas..spending time with awesome friends and making new ones.
• I was encouraged in my calling and was surrounded by people who had been to Kenya and understood my heart for Kenya.
• I attended a benefit for my friend's missions organization and was reminded how He is Jehovah Jireh
• I went to Sunday School had a really great discussion and time of sharing with two girls. We were able to relate w/ each other and uplift each other.
• I accepted a blessing than the Lord showed me had already taken care of things.
• I heard the testimony of an older man who started a children's home in Kenya.

I think I could list so many more. I love how the Lord knows just what we need and meets those needs. The Lord is really showing Himself to me powerfully. I feel His love immensely and am just trying to live every day with that as my center and focus. With His love as your center, everything else falls into place and you have a proper perspective.

In closing, I want to say that the number one way I have seen Jesus this past week is in other people. Thank you, my friends, for being His hands and His feet. Thank you for being His voice piece, speaking truth and encouragement into my life. Thank you for helping me to see that He cared about me through the care you showed to me. Thank you for loving me and being amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Heroes

Hello All,
I know lately I've been a blogging fool! I'm really starting to enjoy it. I don't know how people actually read this because I have a total of 1 follower but I'm gonna keep on writing and sharing.

Okay, so in my previous blog I talked about how I have been so inspired by those in Kenya I have met and become friends with who have disabilities. Their love for Jesus and their enduring spirits have encouraged and inspired me. I would like to introduce 3 such people in my blog here.

Richard, my Kenyan father - I have known Richard since I first came to Kenya in 2005. He was a neighbor in our culdesac and worked a phone booth that we frequented often. We'd share hellos and small talk back then but I did not have a real chance to get to know him. It wasn't until I returned to Kenya and February and then again this summer, that we got to know each other on a deeper level. He truly is a hero of mine.

Richard is in a wheelchair due to a road accident that happened almost a decade ago. At first, he struggled with depression and did not understand why God would make such a thing happen to him and his young family. But he allowed the Lord to teach him and reach him during his suffering. He knew that God could use him to reach others with disabilities so he decided to take classes in psychology so he could become a counselor! He is one of the most caring and loving individuals that I have met. He is a wonderful father, a wonderful husband (who loves his wife soo much), and a wonderful friend. I could write a lot more about him but i will leave it to a paragraph for now.

Daniella-Daniella is a woman I met this summer when I attended an outreach with Richard. She has a vibrant personality and was so friendly to me right off the bat. I could tell that she loved Jesus and others so much and that sharing Jesus and caring for others was her life mission. Although she suffers from CP, she never let it stand in her way. She has a good job (where she oftens faces people thinking she can't do something but she shows the differently), spends her free time visiting homes and schools for the disabled to encourage them, and helps out at the church as well. If i would have to pick three words to describe her I would say: she is fiesty, friendly, and on fire for Jesus. She has allowed Jesus to use her disability to bring Him glory!! What an amazing woman of God.

Tom- Tom is also someone I met at an outreach I attended with Richard. Tom was born healthy but when he became sick as a toddler, he lost his hearing. Although there are many challenges he faces as a deaf person in Kenya, he has a jubilant personality and untiring spirit. Honestly, he is one of the most sincere people I have met in my life. He works so hard is and is a teacher at a college. The Lord has opened doors for him to visit different places and meet deaf people from all over the world. I am glad that the Lord continues to encourage him as he has been such an encouragment to others. He exhibits the joy of the Lord whereever he goes.

So there you have it, three of my heroes from Kenya. I am blessed to call them my friends. Please, if you think about it, pray for these 3 individuals. Thank you for allowing me to introduce them to you.

Joni

It wasn't until recently that I started to read more about Joni Eareckson Tada. She has an amazing testimony and an amazing spirit. Her story really spoke to my heart; reading about her ups and downs with dealing with her disability and then how God brought her through and used what happened to her for His glory. I was so captivated reading her book and her honesty was greatly appreciated.

Over the summer, working with so many disabled people it made me appreciate my ability and helped me to realize that He gave me ability not to use it selfishly but to use it to reach out. For Joni, she questioned why God allowed her to have an accident to make her disabled but God had His purposes. She has been such light, encouragement, and inspiration to both those with abilities and disabilities. She states herself that it was very likely that without the disability, her life would have taken a totally different path. Her disability brought her to the end of herself and thats where she truly found and experienced God.

I am in awe of Jesus and how He gives people that capacity to endure and therefore lead others to Him through their testimony. Being able to met and talk to so many people with disabilities has given me the utmost respect for them.

I want to share one story that relates to some of what I've been talking about. While in Kenya this summer, I was able to take part in Challenger's meetings, a group that was composed mainly of people with disabilities but also with families of the disabled and those who worked with the disabled. Sometimes that Challengers would go to different places to encourage other with disabilities. I went on one such mission with them to a school for the physically handicapped. It is the case, because I am American, that when I go somewhere I get a lot of attention whether I want it or not. What I loved about going with the Challenger's to this school is that all the kids paid attention and wanted to know all about them...they were even willing to stand in line for a chance to talk to them. It warmed my heart and made me realize how powerfully the Lord was using the disabled to speak truth into other disabled people. They can reach them in a way I cannot.

And that is why I know that I must continue to have those with disabilities be a big part of the future home. Plus, I know that I have a tremendous amount to learn from them and so I want to surround myself with such fellowship. What a honor and a blessing to be able to get to know so many wonderful, strong individuals.

I had a dream....

Yes, I had a dream. I went to sleep on Tuesday and had a lovely dream that carried me into Wednesday morning. But then, I WOKE UP. I was annoyed because it was not reality and a funk started to develop in my soul in those waking moments. I should have given it to the Lord right there but I didn't. The funk turned into incredible discouragement from morning to mid-afternoon. Then my Mighty Warrior intervened and showed me His great love for me was the true message of the dream.

I was in the midst of texting a friend, still in funk, and I wrote "He delights in me...that is the truth that is getting me through this day." I've read in the bible He delights in me...I've even blogged in May about how He delights in me but I had forgotten. Yet the Lord implanted that truth in my head and then in the following hours taught my heart what it meant.

Using my dream, He made it crystal clear how He feels about me and who He wants to be to me. He taught me so much and brought the Truth so alive to me...that I could not help but share it. I downloaded on the girls last night at bible study and it was amazing! We focused on the verse in Zephaniah 3:17....it was really cool.

Haha..to be honest with you, I have a cold and I wanted to take nyquil last night before I went to bed. But I didn't because I figured that might stop me from having another dream about the amazing love of Christ. Regretfully, I do not remember my dream from last night but today He has me encouraged and enthralled with Him. In addition, He has helped me to have a productive day and to get things done that I've been aching to get done since I've been back. Woohoo...Hallelujah!

Growing Pains

Have you ever experienced growing pains?? For some of us, its been a long time since we have had physical growing pains but its when your legs or sometimes your arms would hurt when you were a child because you were growing. I recently had a conversation with a parent who said their daughter was not sleeping well and waking up crying from what she thought might be growing pains. It was after a conversation I had with a dear friend the other day about things I've been going through, that I realize that I am having spiritual growing pains. Like physical growing pains, spiritual pains hurt...I am being stretched... I feel uncomfortable...I feel sensitive...but the outcome is worth the pain.

Often times when we have great struggles, what comes is that we experience great amounts of growth. We grow in trust, faith, love, confidence, peace, etc. True, i don't like the pain now but I am excited to see the outcome when God creates a much more confident and bold woman of God. You might be going through spiritual growing pains too. Don't get frustrated or give up, just ask God what He might be trying to do in you.

Similarly, I think of the refiner's fire. A fire that hot cannot be pleasant...its gonna hurt. But when you go through the fire and the dross is removed, you are so radiant & beautiful and you reflect Christ even more than before.

So praise God for growing pains and His refiner's fire.

Decisions...Decisions

So, I am being very prayerful about this next set of decisions I must make. I have been thinking about how the Lord would have me move forward and I feel its been narrowed down to two avenues: join an organization that supports independent missionaries or partner with an exisiting NGO/NPO that is already working in Kenya. I have been thinking lately that the Lord might want me to go to Kenya for a length of time to shadow the directors and activities of one organization. This way I can find out the ins and outs of such an endeavor...with people who will be more willing to give me details because I won't be visiting different places but rather focusing on one. At the end of that time, I will be able to make a wise decision on whether I am suppose to do the NPO/NGO process myself or if the Lord is going to connect me with something already established (and not necessarily the same organization i shadow)...like a branch or satellite ministry. As the Lord unveils His plan, of course I might be led differently but as for now I am moving forward seeing if it will pan out with the Lord's help. If it doesn't, I am flexible because I don't want to do it MY way.

In the meantime, lately I have been hearing about different disabled ministries in the states through different media like television, magazines, word of mouth, etc. Since I figure it can't hurt to contact them, I've been sending e-mails out seeing if we can connect and encourage each other. I am inspired by the stories of these ministries...a summer camp for disabled children, a church for the mentally challenged, a group that reaches out to parents of disabled, a home for the disabled and abandoned...etc. It is almost unreal how much lately i've heard about different groups like this so I know the Lord has His hand in it.

In addition, there is an organization right in my hometown that works with special needs and disabled children that wants to chat with me and have me visit their place. God is amazing on how He connects people.

So join me in praying over what God has for The SKY Mission and what the next step is. Thanks and God Bless!!

Rejoice Always

Two words but so powerful....Rejoice Always. Its a wonder what implementing this into your everyday life can do for your soul and your attitude. Actually, Philippians 4 has been such an encouragement to me lately.... rejoicing, being gentle, not worrying, being prayerful, getting peace, fixing mind on Jesus, and being content with any situation (thats a quick summary of sorts). I am clinging to this chapter because it has really helped me to press on despite obstacles, discouragement, etc. All of the things mentioned in Phil. 4 cannot be done by Alysha (or you) alone...she needs Jesus to give her the strength and power because rejoicing, gentleness, not worrying, peace and contentment are not of this world...they are actually fruit of God's spirit.

We need to let the spirit invade our lives and other lives more. We need to let Him freely work as He'd like. And truth is that if we implement Phil. 4 into our lives...it will touch and change others lives as well. We will set an example of Jesus' character and it will be contagious. Wouldn't it be great if our Jesus-like character spread quicker than the swine flu?? Wish that could be the headline of the day... "Widespread Rejoicing and Prayer leading to Peace that passes Understanding happening all over the World."

Processing

Hello Everyone,
I am now home...i have been for two weeks. There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't thought of Kenya. I am trying to process my time there but find myself overwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, my time there was wonderful and I received a lot of information. The trouble is that now is the time for big decisions. The decisions I make now will be pivotal in what happens from here on out. I know that I am not making these decisions alone but pray that He allows me to hear Him clearly.

So basically, I must decide what missions organization I am coming under. This is a hard task....they all seem to be different and have different advantages and disadvantages. Pray that I can find one that is a perfect fit. I also must plan another trip to pinpoint the province the Lord wants me to start in and then look for available land. I am trusting the Lord has set apart a location and He will lead me to it. In addition, right now I am in the process of making short-term and long-term plans. It is exciting that the Lord is revealing more and more but now I must package it in a way that I can present well to others. Lastly, a big thing is that I must make decisions here about the job i'm doing and how I am going to use my time. The ball is rolling and I do not what to stop the ball. Pray for endurance, boldness and for me to know God's timing.

A newsletter is forthcoming...i've been working on it but again the trouble is there is so much to say!!! I look forward to you all hearing about what happened and what's next. Also, the website will be updated.....this summer proved to be a time of guidance from the Lord and so I want the website to convey the new direction. Thanks all for your patience and continued prayer as I try to get over my reverse culture shock and move forward. God Bless!!!

Home Stretch

I guess I am now in the home stretch of my summer vision trip to Kenya. With less than 20 days left, I am starting to feel as if I'm not ready for this time to be over. It has been a wonderful time in the center of God's will. You know, when you are in the center of God's will...there is no safer place for one to be. Anyhow, the Lord has made me to dream bigger but focus more. I will write out the new vision or direction soon so I can share it with all. I haven't been the best blogger but I have really tried. My blogging won't stop when I get back and we will just all have to wait in anticipation to see what the Lord does next. Even if it does take me some time to report, I will report. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Areas of Need

I've felt moved recently to share with you two areas of need that I've seen here. I am hoping to be a mouthpiece for these two situations and see what the Lord might do.

• Internally Displaced People

As a result of the post-election violence that occured the beginning of last year, there are many internally displaced people still living in IDP camps. Some of the larger camps are still receiving assistance from NGOs but there is smaller ones that are barely managing and ignored by the gov't etc. I had the privilege to visit one of these camps which caused my heart to break. These people are desperate but when you talk to many they are trusting the Lord and pressing forward. I was able to talk to one man who, even though he lost three of children and has to take care of his wife with post-traumatic stress disorder, still believes that God is faithful and good. He brought to my attention that many people in the camp don't even have bibles because most of their belongings were left or destroyed. It is my desire to be able to get bibles to hand out to these people so they can be encouraged by the word of Jesus.

• Relatives living with AIDS

Eva, my best friend in Kenya, found out that her brother had AIDS shortly after I arrived here this time. I have seen her struggle with knowing how to get her brother the proper care and food he needs. Her family looks to her because she is very responsible and has always been there when they needed her. She has unselfishly sent most of her monthly salary to her family and therefore barely makes it by on her own. Of course my heart goes out to her because she is my dear friend and I want to help where I can. It is hard to see her going through this but she encourages me by having a positive attitude and a peaceful assurance that her savior and mine knows what He is doing.

I don't know what the Lord plans to do, but I believe He is in control. If you are touched or moved about either of these areas and want to know more, please feel free to contact me. God Bless!!!

Quick Note

Thanks for your prayers!! I am feeling full of joy and confident in what the Lord is doing in me and through me. Last week was rough but because of God and God's people, I am feeling refreshed and renewed. I have less than a month here but my schedule is coming together nicely and I have much to see and do yet. I hope you are blessed this day and every day!! Thanks again for thinking me and lifting me before the throne.

Steal, Kill, and Destroy

I've realized that when things are going smoothly and you are making a lot of progress, Satan gets worried. That is why this past week or so, He has really tried to discourage and frustrate me. He wants to steal my joy, kill my efforts, and destroy my progress. There is no good in him and he therefore wants to try to ruin anything that is one the path to giving God glory.

It came to head yesterday when, oddly enough, I planned a trip for the youth I've been staying with to Hell's Gate. I won't go into detail but you could tell Satan was at work to bring confusion, division, and frustration. The Lord reigns supreme and used the challenges of the day to bring us together to share at night. He also provided someone whom I could talk which was a blessing for sure. He works all things out for good.

But today I can say that I am just trusting the Lord and moving forward in joy. I am not going to let satan win. I ask that you pray for my heart and my mind, you know they can be a battlefield. I want to continue to be focus on the Lord and my purpose here. Pray that I can look to all the good He has done and put aside one day that went from bad to worse. I appreciate all your love and support and I know the Lord will do big things in the last month I am here...even bigger than He has already done.

In the Lion's Den

I was reading Daniel the other day and the Lord spoke to my heart. I admire the way that Daniel lived out His faith. He was so in tune with God and he made sure that his actions and words matched his beliefs and that they were honoring to God. He lived above accusation, people had nothing they could say he was doing wrong. In fact, when two men tried to get him in trouble, the only thing they could find he was doing "wrong" was praying to God. You see, they had to pinpoint an area in his faith that he was being obedient and then trick the king into passing a law against it. This really boogles my mind!! I want to live like that...I want to keep myself pure and keep my ways and actions in tune with God. Daniel listened to God and knew God. He was devoted to God's word and devoted to communication with God. In turn the Lord made him be a great influence on those around him and continually protected him, provided for him, strengthened him, etc. It is my prayer that we strive to live the same.

I encourage you to read Daniel, especially the first half. I really learned a lot from King N. as well. We must remember that power comes from the Lord and not let pride make us think we are bigger than we are. Plus, when we hear from the Lord and know we need to change our ways...lets not hesitate and forget. We must remember that the Lord never lies...therefore we shouldn't challenge Him.

God Bless!!

Kenya Update

Hello All,
It's been a little over two weeks since I've written. As always, I've been busy especially since last week I had visitors from America. In general, the information continues to pour on how to start an children's home and I am receiving and digesting it all. No big decisions are being made yet because I need time to process and then move forward with all the tools in my belt. But even a month and a half in, I feel like I have grown in discernment and wisdom. I continue to pray that God equips a team of Kenyans to come along side me here (and in the future be a part of the staff) and that I just know that they are genuine. I also pray that I won't do anything unless I know for certain its of the Lord. However, I sense that if its from the Lord that He will do all He can to confirm it.

Right now, I am in the phase of visiting children's homes and traveling around Kenya to see where the Lord would like to set up His home. These two goals are going to be somewhat combined because upon coming here I realized that August is a better time to visit orphanages because the children are on break (even though i've already visited a good number). There is much in store for the next month and a half....my heart is at peace and ready for what lies ahead.

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I know that I am being lifted up before the throne and that gives me energy for each new day. To all my supporters, my letter will be sent to you in the next couple days. I decided to do a midway letter and then a letter when I return. I hope you are having a blessed summer...sorry the weather hasn't been the best there. Love to you from me from Kenya!

Did I Jump the Gun??

Jumping the gun…this is an American saying we did something or said something before it was the right time. This phrase really is not understood in Kenya but the closest phrase I can think of here is “Haraka haraka haina baraka.” This phrase translates like this: Hurry has no blessings. So why am I sharing these phrases with you?? It is not because I am rethinking everything….I know I am called to Kenya, that the Lord is calling me to start a children’s home and extension ministries (school, clinic, etc.), that He is leading and guiding me every step, etc. But what God has been stirring in me is that I might have jumped the gun on the location of His planned ministry.

Since the time I received my calling, I always assumed that Kibera was the location. As crazy as it sounds, Kibera was a place that was comfortable to me because it is the place that I had lived during my two year stay in Kenya. However, after a trip to a town called Eburru, my mind is reeling over the notion that I might have chosen the slum because it was comfortable and not because it was Divine telling me such.

I’ve done this many times before (we all have) but a notable time about 5 years ago comes to mind. It was a time I knew I was called to missions but I choose comfortable New Zealand over something more challenging and stretching. The reason that I ended up in Kenya is that I then actually prayed about the decision extensively and that’s where my patient, loving Heavenly Father wanted to send me (and I am so glad He did). It took God transforming my plans to come in line with His. It took me deciding to take a risk and trust that the Lord would walk me through it.

So how does this all connect?? This is coming to mind now because Eburru is essentially in the bush of Kenya. Few people come out this way to help those here. I saw hunger and poverty in a much different way then I do in Kibera and my heart broke. Kibera has gotten many people’s attention and there is many NGOs reaching out to the slum. But there is more places like Eburru that have been forgotten but also have great need.

Will you join in me in praying about where God wants me to establish this home for His glory?? I am willing to recklessly abandon my prior thoughts to just be filled with His. In fact, this is what this time this summer is all about. Who knows…maybe the Lord will lead me back to Kibera but just maybe He is going to take me to a remote place to serve. Thanks for your prayer support and I will keep you up to date on where God leads my heart.

Seek God First

It's me again!! I wanted to write you first about how God showed me that if I seek Him first...all other things will be added to me. As you all know, I followed God in obedience to Kenya this summer. As hard as I worked to arrange everything, I did not know where I would end up staying because I wanted to see the places first before I decided on one. However, since this matter was up in the air I was really worrying about it.

On the plane ride here, my mind was plagued by the fact that I was not sure where I would be staying or if I would be safe. Plus, on top of it all I knew that if I stayed by myself, I would need to prepare all my meals (which is a bit harder here)...I would need to buy furniture etc. (which adds up quickly)...I would battle loneliness...etc. I needed to make the choice on the plane whether to let Satan win by worrying and not trusting or whether to give it to God and believe that He would make all things work. I made the choice to give it to God and anytime a thought creeped in..I gave it to God again.

When I arrived I did look at houses. But while I was doing this, I stayed with my friend Eva, who is the caretaker at an orphanage. It was interesting to say the least....three people sharing a double bed (and people know I have issues..lol). So in my head, i knew it wouldn't work for me to stay there. However, my head was telling me wrong because the Lord wanted to provide for me through them. Eva and Jackie graciously moved to the store room and gave me the double bed and room to myself. I am able to eat with them and the kids there and I won't get lonely. I don't need to buy furniture and don't have to worry about safety. WOWIE...God is AMAZING!!

He is providing for me in other ways because I am seeking Him first and being obedient. He has smoothed the path before me and showed me time and again that He cares for His servants. I hope this challenges you to put Him first as well and you will start to see Him work and move in awesome ways.

I am continuing to focus on special needs/disability centers for two more weeks. Tomorrow I get to visit an inclusion preschool all day which is much like the Headstart program I worked in in the states. God continues to confirm my calling while allowing me to take a small part in the lives of the beautiful children here.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I will post again soon. Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!

We are all God's children

I have been in Kenya one week. This week, along with getting settled, I have visited organizations and ministries that are reaching out to those with special needs and disabilities. In Kenya, if you have a special need or disability, you are most often ostracized from the community and hidden away. If you try to be a part of the community, there is still a stigma and many are not helpful or sensitive to your additional needs.

I become very sad when I think about this too much. They are beautiful and wonderful children/adults of God and they have been told quite the opposite. I have more faces now in my head of the children here with special needs and disabilities. I have such a love for them and my heart groans for them. I respect the staff who day in and out care for, teach, help, etc. these children even though their society thinks they are wasting their time in such a job. I have such respect for the children as well...that they continue on day by day....with smiles on their faces and abundant love in their hearts. How is it that I am so blessed to be able to even shake the hand of these lovely people??

Otherwise, the Lord is providing for my every need here so far. It has been such a smooth transition and everything that I had worried about has been taken care of by our loving Father. I will write more about this later though....i have so much to say.

You will be hearing from me again soon. Thank you for taking this journey with me!!

Goodbyes

So I leave tomorrow for Kenya! I am still frantically running around the house trying to get everything cleaned and packed before I go (this is the way I do things). Luckily, I have someone coming over to help me and to keep me moving...woohoo...Praise God for good helpers. And I don't have to leave the house as early tomorrow because my flight was changed. It turns out that I was on the inaugral flight from US to Kenya and they cancelled it last week. Praise God for lovely travel agents who stay up all night to rebook you. Now I will be going from Newark to Amsterdam and then to Kenya.

So the past couples days have been filled with goodbyes. I have done this leaving thing before but each time its hard to say goodbye to my kiddos. I face this going and coming back from Kenya, the kids don't fully understand why you are leaving them and can't comprehend that you will be back. As my sister said "three months is forever to a little kid."

I had to say goodbye to my two clients. They are two precious little girls that I have bonded with and that I get to see nearly everyday. I know that they will grow so much and change so much while I am away...but I am lucky that I will be able to continue services with them when I return. Praise God for flexible work situations and for Zoe and Maddie.

I had to say goodbye to my niece, Daynika. She is only 3 months old so she really does not understand that her Aunt Alysha is going away. By the time I return, she will be 6 months...goodness me...it seems like she was born yesterday. But praise God for beautiful nieces....she is so darn cute it unbearable sometimes. I know when I come back we will have time to get to know each other.

Then I had to say goodbye to my other niece and nephew. They are so special....I enjoy and love them so much. Aidan is going to be 3...he is hilarous and adorable. Grace is 5 and is a spitfire. She is smarter than me I believe and I think we are a lot alike...haha. They can understand a little better that I'm leaving but are struggling with it. They will forget and invite me to all the things they are doing this summer ("Wanna come wit us Lysha? - Aidan) I told Grace that she could e-mail me messages and I will e-mail her back. She told me to e-mail her "I miss you so very much Gracie. Love, Aunt Alysha." I will certainly do this. Praise God for these two...they have a big piece of my heart. And Praise God that my brother in law was late coming home from work on Saturday so I had extra cuddle time with Grace!!

Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to the little girls in my sunday schoool class. They are too sweet. And although they aren't really kids...and do understand that I'm leaving to follow God's will ...I had to say goodbye to my youth group kiddos...they are fantastic too!

Now I really must go clean. I will post soon after I get to Kenya and let you know what is happening. Take care!!

Kenya Bowl!?!

Last night the Ave. (the young adult group I am a part of) arranged a fundraiser for The SKY Mission called Kenya Bowl!?! It turned out to be a real success and a great time of fellowship. I did not even have time to bowl because I was chatting so much. Last night blessed my heart...to be supported and encouraged....to laugh and have fun. It is good to know that as I travel I have people that will be thinking of me and praying for me. Thank you to all involved in making it happening and all who came out to bowl. Kenya Bowl!?! YES YOU KEN.

A Travel Companion

You know I was thinking about something the other day. I have been telling everyone that I am traveling independently(alone) to Kenya this summer...that it is just me who is going. I realized the error in my words....it was like God was essentially saying "Excuse me, you are not traveling by yourself...You have a travel companion."

Whoo hoo...I have a travel companion...the best travel companion ever! Everywhere I go in Kenya, He will be with me. He is the best at making plans and preparing things ahead of time. He doesn't have baggage but is willing to carry mine. He gives me energy and strength rather than zapping me of it. He helps me speak and helps me think clearly. He's a good listener and helps me to process. He does so much more than that and I'm glad to be traveling with Him. In fact, I am glad that I have been officially traveling with Him since the age of 12 and this is just another leg of the journey...the amazing race. So let me correct myself once and for all.....God and myself will be traveling to Kenya this summer....I will not and could not go without Him.

So a short update:
I am tying up loose ends here...figuring out bills, making contact lists, still networking and scheduling, have to soon pack and clean, etc. So far I am not overwhelmed..Praise God for this. I am just filled with anticipation. I am so blessed by the support I received so far and I continue to be floored by how God moves hearts and lives to come along side me in this endeavor (I know I am being redundant in saying it but it is so true). The Young Adult group I am a part of has decided to have a bowling fundraiser..where part of the proceeds go to the The SKY Mission. What a unique and great way to help God and I get to Kenya!!

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD): 12 Days.

Thank you everyone!!

He delights in you!

Last night, I read Psalm 18. Psalm 18 is quite long with 50 verses total. I have read it many times before and even just recently but God had something to show me in this Psalm. When I read verse 19 the last four words hit me..."He delighted in me." The Lord DELIGHTS in me. The Lord DELIGHTS in you. It is hard for us to accept that Lord delights in us, it is something we don't hear from the world or get from the world. I've realized over the past couple years how much time and energy it takes to be a people pleaser...and at the end of the day those people are not saying that they delight in me. But by doing nothing other than just being me, the Lord says He delights in me. What a great love our Father showers on us! Our Father accepts us for who we are.

I've got the golden ticket!

Woo hoo!! My ticket for Kenya this summer has been purchased!! It is good to have it finally...I am so thankful for how God is being my provider. I am ready and excited to see what the Lord is going to do with my time there. He is painting on a canvas larger than I can see...I trust the Master Artist.

My Grandmother

I was able to speak yesterday at the church that my grandmother attended when she was still alive. It was a church that she poured her heart into and tried to all she could to keep it afloat in the years that it was struggling. What a blessing for me to share there and honor her in doing so!

About half the congregation remembered my grandmother and told me kind stories of their memories of her. I could not help but cry at different moments because I miss her so much and cherish her just as much. As a grandmother, she was a jewel.

I know that she would be proud of me and encourage me in what I am doing. She always loved me for who I was. I wonder if she would ever have expected me to be so totally in love with Africa....wanting to be a missionary....etc. Maybe she caught a glimpse of it while she was still alive...maybe she saw who I was becoming long before I even knew.

One month to GO!

Well...lets see what has been happening:

~ I have been spoke at two churches so far and have two more scheduled to speak at. God has given me confidence and boldness to go up and present what He has laid on my heart. I am excited to go to my Nana's old church and my old home church.

~I was able to visit a mission's organization that takes on independent missionaries. I had a very nice time there and was able to meet missionaries from Kenya who are on furlough. Through this new connection, I have received much encouragement and for that I am grateful.

~ All things are now in order for me to send off my support letter...so I am working on that. If you would like to receive one...please let me know.

~ God blessed my conversation with the mom's of the little girls I work with. I was fearful that they would be upset about me leaving but they were more than supportive. Praise God!!

There is many odds and ends yet but I believe in faith that it will all fall into place. Thank you for thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.

Steps

All that needs to be accomplished must happen in steps. Often it seems that I make a couple steps forward and then find myself a couple steps back or with 20 more steps added. I know I must just go one step at a time...little by little...asking for guidance and not running ahead or letting the Devil push me behind. I need your prayers to be able to do this. I also need to praise God and be happy when I even made just one step or really even a half a step.

Willing to be Redirected

I wanted to let everybody know that I am waiting on making The SKY Mission an NPO. I feel as if that Lord has a different way for me to get to the same result. For instance, there is a few mission organizations that will take on independent missionaries with their own vision and plan, rather than having you fit into their existing projects. They support and back you...plus doing all the things that I don't like doing....like handling money, doing logistics, etc. I found one such mission's organization about 30 minutes from where I live and my parents have been talking to one as well. So I am going to find out more about these organizations and see where the Lord leads me.

Thanks for your continued prayers. God Bless!!!

Purposeful Accidents

It is funny how quite accidently you end up on a website and end up finding a ministry, a person, etc. that becomes a great contact and big encouragement. I know that its not really an accident (we can not see whats happening behind the scenes)...that God has a purpose for it. As I have been pursuing God's call on my life, I see how He is the one who is helping me network and connect. For instance, yesterday I was searching for images on the internet for a presentation. As I somehow started site jumping, I found myself on a site for a special needs school in Kenya. I e-mailed them and before I left for the day, I received one back. I will be able to visit the school during my trip this summer....rather cool I think. This isn't the first time this has occured

I believe God is good. It is easy to get distracted and discouraged by different circumstances but we MUST remember to take time to really see what God is doing in the midst of everything. In Lamentations 3:22- It says that "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed.." woo hoo! Circumstances will not consume us...okay...check. Then in verses 25 and 26 it says "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him, and it is good to wait quietly for the Lord." We must keep on hoping, seeking, and waiting....all the while trusting in His goodness.

Sacrifice

I was praying yesterday and the Lord gave me the word "sacrifice." A bit after I was drawn to the book of Esther and was able to see how she sacrificed herself to the Lord and His people. The Lord taught me about much more than just sacrifice last night but I know there is more He wants to impart to me. Please pray that my heart is open to hear!

Update

It is now April and time just continues to fly. I am making every effort to get things in order for my trip to Kenya this summer and praying to God for direction each step of the way. Little by little, things are falling into place and I praise HIM for that. I always have to remind myself though that I need to be patient and trust in God's timing and ability. I am a worry wort and I am emotional.....I get really anxious about all that has to be done and instead of laying it at the Lord's feet I dwell upon it. Truth is that I cannot do it but my God can.

This summer I will be focusing on three areas: special needs/disabilities ministry, orphanage ministry, and outreach to orphanages and children's homes in the slums. Since I will be in Kenya for three months, I will take a month to focus on each area. He is helping me to prepare for each of these ministries now and figure out all the details. He is providing in many different ways and I am so thankful. There are still loose ends though, so I ask for your prayer covering for this endeavor.

Other than that, there is a web page that has been started, I am calling churches and setting up speaking engagements, business cards and prayer cards are in the making, support letters will soon be ready to be sent out, etc.

It has been a wild ride so far. Wild because it has been intense and stretching but not wild like out of control. I know everything is controlled in the hands of my loving Savior. He reiterated that to me yesterday when he spoke Isaiah 58:11 to me. Take a minute to read it and I hope it encourages you.

Okay, thats all for now. Have a blessed day.

You are stronger than you know...

I just wanted to share something with you. It is something that God spoke to me but I believe that the message was not just for me but for all that are willing to hear and receive. The message is that "You are stronger than you know!!" The same power that God has is within those who believe. Do we live like the same power that dwells within God, dwells within us?? I think most of the time, probably not. But if we started to live in the strength and power that the Lord promises us and gives us, imagine how different every aspect of our life would be. Satan tries to come and make us feel defeated and discouraged. He lies about who we are and who God is and tries to get us disconnected from our power source. We need to fight to stay plugged in!! The reward is great for those who do stay plugged in though....the reward is having abundant life and the ability for God to use you because He knows that you will channel His power to broken, hurting, lonely, sick people (and the rewards are more numerous than just that and are from here to eternity). YOU are stronger than you know!!

Woo hoo...I have a whole lot more to say on this...it gets me all excited. I am still growing in this area and I know a lot of us are. But God's awesomeness floors me.

I am a blogger now!

Hello all,

It is exciting for me to be posting my first blog. I never thought that I would be doing something like this but I wanted to be able to update and share with you the journey I am taking as I follow God's will for my life.

You see, God placed the call to missions on my heart as a senior in college. I wanted to go to New Zealand and He wanted me to go to Africa. God won out on this one and got me to Kenya despite myself. I am sure glad He did because the connection I ended up having to Kenya and its people is only something that could only be fashioned by God himself.

I did missions work in Kenya for two years and felt specifically called to the children living in the slum areas. My second year I was volunteering in 4 orphanages weekly and loving every second of it. At the end of my time there, I knew God was asking me to be a full-time missionary and that He wanted me to build an orphanage. Needless to say, I was excited but overwhelmed. This task was much bigger than myself.

So, lets fast forward a bit. God released me from one of my job positions the beginning of this year to move ahead in His will for me. He has really been providing for me and helping me because I don't know how to do this but I am thankful He does. Together, we are making headway and orphanage ministry in Kenya is becoming more of a reality every day.

My blog will be used to tell you what God is doing and to give Him the glory! I pray that it will be an encouragement to you. Take care and God Bless!!!