Hear Their Stories

While my team was in Kenya last October, Kristy mikel had a phrase that she focused on during the trip. "Hear their stories." So I'm standing in school today working and that phrase comes to my mind. Hear their stories. So I think about the people I've met in the past 3 weeks and recall their stories.

The story of a girl who had a baby at 17 and is now in a healthy marriage at 25. The story of a woman who lost her mom tragically the last time she was in cosmetology school and is now able to take steps to her dream of owning a salon with her daughter by finishing school. The story of a girl who has 3 children and a boyfriend, but believes marriage would ruin her life. The story of an amazing lady that is divorced with 2 kids and laughs about how much she couldn't stand her ex husband. The story of a woman who is married to a man with a daughter, from a previous marriage, who she can't get along with. The story of a young girl who is married to a man in the army and how joyful she is that he will be coming home soon.

How amazing it is to learn their stories. To listen to them and hear their stories without ever asking about it. People want to share their stories. It's who they are. It's how they got to where they are now. It's their life. And they've shared their life with me. I'm so glad to know their stories...see where they come from.

I think God has used my story of Kenya to build friendships at school. I have pictures of the kids and me on my notebook that I see atleast 5 times a day. I smile everytime I see it. I look at Andrew's big smile and precious cuddling up to me and one of the boys at sunday school I got to give one of my bracelets to. I see these kids who just want to be loved. God saved them and has HUGE plans for their lives. That notebook with pictures has brought up more conversations than I could ever start on my own. One of my classmates wants to provide me with the opportunity to sell my bracelets at her salon when it opens and all of it will go to help me get back to Kenya. I've know these people for less than 3 weeks and they want to help me get to where I want to be. I'm amazed by this. These girls don't go to church. They don't read their bibles. They smoke. They cuss like there's no tomorrow. But they want to help me because they think I can make an impact.

I know God has such a purpose for me being at Vogue. So I'll continue to hear their stories. Continue to listen and obey God's voice. I know he is faithful. "He was faithful before and he'll be faithful again." Thanks, Lord for where you've placed me and for the opportunity you've given me with these amazing girls. Help me be an impact.

Vogue

I've been at vogue a full week now....I love it! haha. I'm going through school with two amazing girls who I've really clicked with and who are uplifting. Students there keep telling us that half of us will quit, but we are determined to stay strong and end up with our license! haha. Definitely feel that Vogue is where God has placed me right now and he will use me right there. It's certainly not a place where relationships with God are right. But I see God's face all over it and I know he loves those girls so much and I just want to show them some of his love. I've been building friendships with these girls who have so much creativity and laughter and personality. I pray God will move in this school. Let it start with me. Pray for opportunities and God moments during the days. Pray that God will give me the right words and will speak through me. Pray that God will provide financially for me to stay in school. I know he will and he is faithful. I'm so excited that God is able to use me with something that I'm good at and enjoy. Kenya will come, but while I'm waiting, maybe I can make an impact. God has a purpose and a plan. And that plan will always stand.

New Chapter

This weekend I'm wrapping up all the house sitting I've been doing over the last 4 months and getting ready to start up cosmetology school. It finally seems real after I picked up my uniform today and got some comfy black work shoes :) haha. So starting Tuesday...the next 10 months will be dedicated to completing school and figuring out what the next step is after I finish. Can't wait to see what God has in store!

Street Children

U.S. 750,000 - 1 million
Kenya 250,000 - 300,000

These are the numbers of street children in the United States and Kenya. How can this be? The amount of street children in the U.S. is over double the amount in Kenya. What are we doing about it? I dont see this where I am so it's hard for me to grasp the amount of kids that are classified as street children in the U.S. when I saw so many in Kenya. The gears in my mind are turning. Hmmmm...