[ African Items]

Below are just a few pictures of the African Items for sale at MERCY UNLIMITED INC in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Not only are you supporting the Kenyan community, but you are supporting future ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRIKA!

You like these items? You should see the others! :)

[ A Break ]

I was so fortunate enough to go to Mombasa for a about 3 1/2 days with a bunch of great friends for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Although I love my job deeply, it was so relaxing to get away for a few days and just rest.

Mombasa is on the coast of Kenya that is filled with lots of sun and beaches! It was absolutely fantastic (but also very weird) to be in 90 degree weather on Thanksgiving Day! Being back at the Indian Ocean sent me back to my very first trip to Africa with a few girls from Harvest Baptist Church's youth group. Not only was I able to spend my time to thank God for my current blessings, and where I am going, but also remind myself of where I have came from. I also was able to ride a camel on the beaches of the Indian Ocean. Boy, that was an experience. I felt like I was in an Aladdin sequel.

We also had Emily (my housemate's) surprise birthday party too! Little did she know that we were planning something small for her! It was so fantastic to see her face when we started singing happy birthday to her!

It was great to see more of Kenya as well, and see how the needs of the people change with the cities, towns, and villages. When I was on the beach, I was able to talk to a man named Samuel whose work is to sell necklaces and wooden carvings. He lives along the beach so he can tell these items to tourist. He has been in Mombasa his entire life and he LOVES what he does. I asked him that he should love what he does, but he needs to love God more. I told him about how God has changed my life and how I got to Kenya. And he told me, "Don't worry young one, I already have Jesus in my heart." It is amazing how many people have such big faith in Jesus and yet have much less than what I have. I am glad that I was able to speak with Samuel briefly to reminded how much a blessing these people are to ME.

Meanwhile in the UNITED STATES, my mother finally received my package of African-made treasures to be sold at Mercy Unlimited in their missionary section. Handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, stone rhinos, wooden animals, and dishes are just a few of the beautifully made pieces you can buy at Mercy to support future ministry work here in Kenya! These pieces are great for gifts because no one else in the world has the exact same item! :) Please check out the section at Mercy Unlimited!

Well. Holiday is now finished. Its back to reality and real work! :) Blessings to you all! I thank God for you!

[ Contentment ]

God has been showing me so many things over the past few months. God has especially been working in me the past month. I have been fortunate to be able be able to physically walk away from "the world." There is nothing wrong with the United States, but I am sure many of you will agree with me that many of the stress that you have in life... money, being quick, not slowing down, working lots of hours and never getting ahead, is items that we as humans face in this world that we can not get away from in the United States. And many of you are so very strong and brave, and you walk away from that stuff right where you live. Oh, how I envy that! I wish I could of walked away from it all when I was in the States. But it took me moving across the world to finally find myself and to have a deep, true love relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray that one day I can be as strong as many of you, who live in the States and can have this relationship.

I have learned how weak I am, how undeserving I am, and how much I truly need Jesus Christ in my life. Of course, I have always KNOWN these things. But for the first time in a long time I have been able to experience these items.

To see the sun rise and set almost every night, to see how truly big the world, and to be able to see such beautiful nature around me as shown me how small I am and how big God is. I am nothing compared to the magnitude of Him. And yet, God cares so much for me. And yes, God cares so much about you. He has made this entire world: the continents, the rivers, the oceans, the sea animals, and yet...He made made "good," ..."very good."

Its been so easy to see all of my faults, all of my sins, and all of my weakness here. I thank God that He has shown me these weaknesses so that I can build myself up into an even strong woman of God. I am nothing but thankful that even after everything I have done in my life...all the miss-ups, the mistakes I have done on accident, and especially the mistakes that I did knowing full well I was doing wrong, were all forgiven...all of them. And God, God has forgiven each and every one of your sins...the big and the small. We were so undeserving, but God did send His son. And Jesus died on the cross...just for you and me. Oh how thankful I am that He did this.

I truly need Jesus. I can not live one day, one moment, one second without Him. Oh how I have had to rely on Him more than anything else in this world. When I miss my family, He is there. When I miss my friends, He is there. When I mess up, He is there. When I am alone, He is there. When I really really really want that McChicken sandwhich with no lettuce, He is there (Sorry, had to put that in ....). God is HERE. GOD IS WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. Right beside you as you read this blog. His hand is on your shoulder and He is saying, "How I love you my dear child. How I love you." He is fighting for you.

I hope in the middle of this that you are encouraged by my words. Without a doubt the journey has been hard, but oh so beautiful. I thank God for this journey. He is molding and working in me every single day.

I am but a great sinner, in need of a great Saviour.

May all the glory, and honour, go to our Great God!

[ getting into the groove ]

I finally feel like I am getting into the groove of things after four month. Granted, I still have so very much to learn but I feel like I am on the way though! I was fortunate enough to spend some time with another teacher at Rosslyn Academy here. We went to the elephant orphanage to see a bunch of 1 to 3 years old elephants play soccer and roll in the mud. Little did we know that we would be seeing a giraffe, warthogs, and a rhino! In America, we try to save trees. In Africa, we try to save elephants

The Monkey Problem: A few times during the week a monkey likes to jump on top of my classroom roof. The roof is some kind of metal so it makes a lot of noise. The cleaner of my classroom has come a few times to try to get the monkey off, but he realized that the monkey has made a nest on top of my classroom roof. Too funny...

We also were able to go to Kazuri bead factory where many single, kenyan women work. Kazuri bead factory is a wonderful ministry that gives back to the community. These ladies are so talented and they are good at what they do! I could never do what they do!