Jetlag is a killer… This has been my running excuse for everything for over a month now. I think I’ve worn out my leverage in this particular area. I have had plenty of time to adjust to my surroundings and life here in England, yet I am still constantly tired. I think I need to change my catch phrase to “moving countries is a killer.”
It seems absolutely impossible for me to have been here over a month! At times, it feels like I’ve only just arrived. However, when I think about all that has happened, I realize it would have been impossible to have been here a shorter amount of time. Since I’ve neglected writing for so long, I will attempt to sum up the past six weeks.
I spent all of one week in England before I left for Kenya. In that time, I dropped off some suitcases and met my new church family (who are “bril”, by the way! **I love using British words**) I basically spent most of my first week sleeping. This is the only time my excuse of jetlag was legitimate.
Kenya always feels like coming home. An added bonus to this trip was the fact that I was going to be with my family while there. I love being able to introduce these special kids to the other special people in my life. It is also wonderful to share this amazing place and experience with my family. The trip had its unique elements. Being in a remote village in Kenya, certain things we westerners take for granted become luxuries. One luxury on this particular trip was water. February, being summer in Kenya, is always a dry month. However, this year has been worse than normal. Our village is currently in a drought and praying for rain. This meant non-essential uses of water, like bathing, were banned. All available water needed to be conserved so our kids could have drinking water. Even with such efforts, a new well was needed. (I will come back to that) This trip really opened my eyes to the conditions and lifestyle that those in Kenya are still forced to deal with. The true difference between the western world and everyone else is vast. If anything, it only made me love Kenya more!
Since returning to England, I have spent the majority of my time acclimating to “normal” life. Charlotte and I are becoming master builders! We successfully built 2 desks, a bookshelf, and two desk chairs during our first week of work (and, yes, they’re all still standing). We have since assembled a TV stand and a bathroom cabinet.
We had only been home from Kenya about a month when we received news that because of the extreme drought and issues with our well, our kids were getting very sick from drinking dirty lake water. We needed a new well, and we needed it immediately. However, because of previous issues, this well would need to be much deeper than a standard well and would cost a lot more. In desperate need of funds, we made an appeal on Facebook. We were shocked when we were able to raise the amount we needed in just one week!
We can officially say we moved to Uttoxeter and into our beautiful house. We were so blessed by our new church. People were kind enough to take us into their homes while we waited for our new place to be ready. I have been continually humbled by how giving Uttoxeter Pentecostal Church (UPC) has been. Without making an appeal or asking for help, people have blessed us with gifts of furniture, food, and money to help us set up our new home. I could not have asked for a better group of people to have as my new church family!
I have been given the chance to volunteer at few places in town besides One By One and the church. I am really excited about these opportunities and where they will take me. I promise to bring you stories about them soon.
My parents came to visit! It was such an amazing feeling to see them step off the train…. with 200lbs of my stuff (ya know, just few minor things I couldn’t bring when I came) But seriously, I missed them so much! Though they were only here for 3 days, I was so excited to be able to show them around this new place I call home. They seemed to like the town as much as I do. I was also able to introduce them to a few of my new friends. We even managed to see the Black Country living museum. They definitely weren’t here long enough, but I’ll take what I can get!
I know there’s so much more that has happened, but it is hard to cram 6 weeks into one post… I promise to do a better job of writing more often! Until then, enjoy some pictures taken over the past 6 weeks.
Thank you for everyone who is supporting me through prayers and monetary donations. I truly couldn’t be doing any of this without you. I am learning to depend completely on God and believe (even when it doesn’t seem possible by my standards) that all things will work for good! So, thank you again!!! Love to you all <3
1 Comment
Palmyr's Playhouse
3/27/2015 11:18:04 am
Bri- love you so much and are so proud of you! Being with you in Kenya was something I had never seen in the flesh, you dripped in grace and we're clothed in His presence. I know the kids will be so happy to see you back! Much love, angie
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
BriI've always had the desire to go. The phrase "this heart of mine was meant to travel the world" couldn't be more true. Archives
November 2015
Categories |