100 Lessons in 100 Days

Today marks my 100^th day in Kenya, which I think is reason to celebrate!  But rather than throw myself a party I thought I’d focus on things that I’ve been learning thus far.  So, I give you, 100 lessons in 100 days!  These are in no particular order.

1. I am here because God led me to this place.
2. Tears are okay…there is plenty of growth in the valleys.
3. Having visitors come through is like getting to open a Christmas present!
4. I will not make it a year in Kenya without every piece of clothing I have getting peed on, spit up on, drooled on, snotted on, or having some other bodily function take place all over it!
5. Learning Kiswahili from the kids will likely leave you with the wrong pronunciation!
6. Joshua 1:9 is a driving force to my every day here.
7. Salgaa will always have a special place in my heart – no matter where I go.
8. When pointing out a cow walking on the road to the kids, the correct word is ng’ombe (cow) not mume (husband).
9. I desperately need to practice more Kiswahili!
10. The statement “Llamas are a social animal.  They just want to say ‘hi’.” is a lie.  They are in fact only interested in chasing me and making me scream!
11. The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.
12. I can never spend too much time alone with God.
13. Sour milk is not a delicacy that I or my stomach enjoys!
14. Ten minutes in Kenyan time really means anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
15. God can and is transforming lives in Salgaa.
16. I should never be surprised at what I might find here.  My third week here, I encountered two white Amish women in the supermarket!
17. God is enough.
18. Encouragement from home (cards/letters, emails) is a greater encouragement than likely anyone could ever realize.
19. Never use Akamba Bus! (This is what Amanda Yoder & I took to Uganda.  It was 4 hours late in arriving at the bus station in Nairobi & then it broke down & we stood in the dark alongside the road for 3 hours before it was fixed.  A 12 hr. trip took almost 24 hrs. to make!)
20. Skype is one of the greatest inventions known to man!
21. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, the best way to start a day is in surrender to God.
22. Salgaa is a tough place to do ministry.
23. No matter how many times I see a zebra, monkey, giraffe, or any other “African” animal, I will always be amazed!
24. Tough days are going to happen.  It’s up to me to learn through them.
25. God’s here and at work in Kenya, of that I’m sure.  Yet what I am most certain of is that God’s here and at work within me.
26. Cooking from scratch is intimidating, but it’s not as hard as I always made it out to be in my mind.
27. When crossing the road, it’s look RIGHT then left.  Not the other way around!
28. Wearing my hair down when playing with the kids is just asking for it to get pulled!
29. Wearing a skirt in the toddler area is ALWAYS a bad idea!
30. My shirt will always be seen as a convenient place for kids to wipe their nose.
31. Saturday morning extended time alone with God is possibly the greatest addition I’ve made to my weeks here.
32. Seeing kids get adopted from Baby Center is one of the greatest gifts!
33. Anytime I get to interact with students on a mission field, my heart is blessed.
34. Pincher ants should be classified under Kenya’s “Big Five”.
35. “The greatest hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do.  Jesus took a towel…and began with washing the disciples’ feet…The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it.” –My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
36. Skin color, language, & blood don’t matter…these kids are like my own.
37. The movie “Meet the Robinson’s” said it best, “KEEP MOVING FORWARD!”
38. God is always speaking to us; it’s just that we don’t often take the time to listen.
39. Amanda Yoder will almost always use me as a shield when something is coming at us!  Thanks Amanda!
40. Seeing Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Jeanette, & Moses Prenkert in Uganda was truly a gift from God that came just at the perfect time!
41. Prayer is still the greatest tool I have to use here.
42. My dream is too small if I can accomplish it on my own.
43. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in Salgaa.
44. Goodbyes are tough, no matter how long or short a team/individual is here.
45. Salgaa – no story is the same and each one proves the desperate need for God’s hand in that place.
46. Stepping outside and seeing the mountains in the distance are just another reminder of how great God is.
47. If Amanda Yoder and I ever got on Amazing Race we might not win but we would provide quality entertainment!!! (Our trip to Uganda felt like a leg on the Amazing Race)
48. Eating a mango directly from the peel can cause a form of poison ivy around your mouth!   
49. Hearing the kids shouting my name when I walk by is one of the sweetest sounds.
50. I’m white.  In case I could ever possibly forget that, I often find this is a form of greeting when I’m walking through the streets of town.  “Hey, you’re white!”
51. Everything I had to surrender to get to this point has been and will be worth it.
52. Every new baby that comes through our gate is a reason to give God praise.
53. Keeping a flashlight on hand at night is necessary if you don’t want to find yourself falling over a table when the power goes out!
54. There is nothing quite like having a precious baby fall asleep in your arms.
55. “Usikule hiyo” (don’t eat that), “Usipige” (don’t hit), “Usisukkume” (don’t push), and “Hapana” (No) are probably my most used Kiswahili phrases!
56. Being caught in a rainstorm in Kenya is not as fun as it may sound when the roads are made of dirt and you quickly find yourself covered in mud!
57. God often speaks in the most unexpected ways!
58. I am in good hands and have come to acquire many Kenyan mamas who treat me as if I’m their own daughter!
59. Sitting on the balcony in the afternoon and reading is one of the most relaxing ways to pass the time.
60. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6-7
61. Personal space is sometimes a laughable concept here in Kenya.
62. Bugs crawling up out of the shower drain are somewhat of a normal occurrence.
63. “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior…go in the strength you have…” –Judges 6:12,14
64. Amanda Yoder & Judy Siegel were two of the best additions to two of my months here in Kenya!
65. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense…” –Isaiah 12:2
66. Less of me, more of Him.
67. Risk brings opportunity.
68. When it comes to holding a precious little baby, two hours feels more like 20 minutes.
69. So Others May Live – this phrase rocked my world several years ago and has become a constant reminder of why I do what I do.
70. “I will open the way up before you, ONE STEP AT A TIME.” (Taken from a devotional book called Jesus Calling…thanks Margie for the gift!)
71. There is something awe-inspiring about taking time to sit and just listen to God’s creation all around you.
72. When all else fails, just shrug and look apologetic!
73. “The LORD is the strength of His people.” –Psalm 28:8
74. Desperation breeds dependency.  I want to find myself desperate for God.
75. International worship services are like a small glimpse of Heaven!
76. I have been given an incredible opportunity.  It’s up to me to make the most of it!
77. Prayer unleashes the power of God into our life and into the lives of others.
78. “If everything were easy and obvious, we wouldn’t need faith in our lives.” –Letters to God
79. “Accept each day just as it comes to you.  Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances.  Instead, trust Me enough to yield My design and purposes.” –Jesus Calling devotional.
80. Camping in Kenya is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
81. Klutzy moments are so much more fun when someone else is around to laugh with you!
82. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” –Exodus 14:14
83. When God asks us “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2), He’s really asking “FOR WHAT is that in your hand?”  Thanks Derry.
84. God will never be done breaking my heart for His people.
85. Coloring will always be fun no matter how old you are!
86. I am exactly where I am supposed to be “for such a time as this.”
87. You’re never too young or too old to be used by God.  But what you have to be is willing.
88. I have been blessed with an incredible family, incredible friends, & an incredible body of believers who love and support me no matter how many miles are in the way!
89. Peanut butter is one of the greatest foods known to man.
90. The greatest cure for homesickness is to look into the eyes of a child who doesn’t have a home of their own.
91. Squatty potties are sometimes inevitable…might as well just embrace it!
92. Trousers mean “pants” and pants mean “underwear”.  An important thing to remember when excusing yourself to “go put pants on” because you’re cold!  Oops!
93. When a man starts negotiating in cows, RUN!
94. The greatest gift any one of us has to give to this world is our own intimacy with Christ.
95. “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” –Isaiah 42:6-7
96. “And my God will meet all (my) needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19
97. Hakuna Matata! (It means “no worries”)
98. When a matatu says it seats 12, it’s really just a suggestion!
99. TRUST is something I’m called to do every day.
100. It's gonna be worth it all!