Email I sent out June 9th, 2008
Hey everyone!
I can't believe I've been here for over 2 weeks already! In some ways it's been some of the longest 2 weeks of my life but I'm already a quarter into my missions trip. I've been wanting to write an update for a while because I've experienced so much and have so much I want to say, but it's been hard to find time!
First, I just want to praise God for His provision financially! Some of you know that when I left, I did not have enough money to pay for the missions trip and my rent this summer, and I was facing $15k in non-resident tuition fees for the 2008-2009 school year. I questioned whether or not I should even be going on this missions trip instead of looking for a job, but I knew that there was no way I could do that, for God has set this trip on my heart. And His sovereign grace has been so amazing! I thank Him for the generosity that you guys have shown me, and for helping me find a subletter (after I had already left the country!), for a summer stipend I will be receiving, and just now, I received an email that funding has been found to cover my NRT for next year! It is from the fund that is used to pay NRT for first year graduate students, but one of the entering students will not be using it... "it's great news" the division manager told me. No, it's AMAZING news! =D I will also have a TA position to provide for my regular tuition and living stipend... praise God for His provision, and now my heart can be fully at ease!
I won't try to be too ambitious and write about the last 2 and a half weeks in a single email, so I will write mostly about the first week. It was mainly a time of confusion about my purpose in Africa, and dealing with ugly sins that revealed themselves in a place where it's every man for himself. It's far easier to "put others first in love" when you can be sure you will have enough to eat or when you have money to buy snacks (which I didn't). The first week, and still now, but especially the first week, was a painful time of both repentance and struggling to make sense of everything.
I've met two people in particular who truly inspire me. One of them, Wilson, was an orphan, sponsored by an American through Compassion for many years, and is now the leader of ICY Uganda which has an amazing ministry, as well as a sponsorship program called Empower Child. Were it not for his sponsor, Wilson said, he would probably be a criminal right now. This was so amazing for me to hear and ask him more about, because we know there are so many children waiting to be sponsored, and we hear of how they will be given an education and clothing and food, but we don't often get to know what happens to them. This is what can happen, and I am amazed at what God can do...
The second person will have to wait for another day, I gotta go soon...
I just want to thank God for how he has provided for me, and over the past week, revealed to me more about my mission here in Africa. I will be doing a lot of teaching in schools, and it will be mostly Christian/Bible classes, and I am really excited! Kenya is full of religious people it is true, but so few people have life...... please pray that I will decrease, and Christ in me increase, that I may be used by Him to be a blessing unto the people here, to both the Christians and non-Christians. I am also working really hard at learning Swahili, for God has given me a gift of ministering through conversation, but this is difficult when everyone knows English but speaks to each other in Swahili. I only understand what they choose to tell me. But God has been amazing in helping me learn the language! They say I am better than any other MST that has ever stayed with them... praise God for His working in me... I know this is His will.
There is so much more I wish to say but there are 2 people waiting for me to hurry up and finish. >_< Thank you for reading my email! Please reply and let me know how you're doing too!
God bless!
Virginia
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Hey everyone!
Following is an email I sent out on May 25th after I arrived, figured I should post it to my blog as well.
Just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and let you know that I've arrived safely in Nairobi! It's 12 pm on Sunday May 25th here, and I have a few minutes in a cyber (read: internet cafe) to check my email, before I leave with the ICY Kenya team to travel to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania for a 1 week conference.
It's been busy since I arrived, trying to process things and adjust to life here. I find myself wondering, what exactly am I doing here? The team seems to have things together and be very dedicated to their work, and it's not like I'm here to kick off something... I pray that God will help me get to know and understand them better, and see what they lack that I can provide. There's a lot I need to learn too, and much to unlearn about things I've come to take for granted.
I realized it's not good to have unfinished business when on a missions trip, especially one of this length... I'm not sure how many opportunities I will have to check my email, but I still need to sort things out at Berkeley this summer and for the fall, and that's not cool. =/ Please pray that everything will work out~
May God bless and watch over all of you! Hope to have another chance to write soon...
Love,
Virginia
Just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and let you know that I've arrived safely in Nairobi! It's 12 pm on Sunday May 25th here, and I have a few minutes in a cyber (read: internet cafe) to check my email, before I leave with the ICY Kenya team to travel to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania for a 1 week conference.
It's been busy since I arrived, trying to process things and adjust to life here. I find myself wondering, what exactly am I doing here? The team seems to have things together and be very dedicated to their work, and it's not like I'm here to kick off something... I pray that God will help me get to know and understand them better, and see what they lack that I can provide. There's a lot I need to learn too, and much to unlearn about things I've come to take for granted.
I realized it's not good to have unfinished business when on a missions trip, especially one of this length... I'm not sure how many opportunities I will have to check my email, but I still need to sort things out at Berkeley this summer and for the fall, and that's not cool. =/ Please pray that everything will work out~
May God bless and watch over all of you! Hope to have another chance to write soon...
Love,
Virginia
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Something I realized
... is that I, more than most people, have grown up way too fortunate for my own good. Not that I come from a family that by any means has a lot of money, but rather I've never had to pay bills, worry about tuition, or about money in general. A couple years ago I read an article at Boundless which talked about "adultescence", a social phenomenon made possible by Western affluence, in which adulthood is delayed well into the 20's and is accompanied by general lack of financial responsibility and commitment. I totally agreed with that article. Only to realize now that I've still be living it this whole time. Especially at a commuter school like UBC where I, like most students, lived with my parents, which meant no worrying about food, electricity, etc. and more money for movies, entertainment, eating out, and whatever I fancied. I didn't even hold a job while I was studying, which no small number of people do. I said I wanted to concentrate on studying, so I only held a few very informal jobs, mostly during the summers. And I definitely studied like crazy but as most people know, I was an avid gamer and also spent a lot of time on anime and manga...... here's that adultescence again, in the way time is spent, because as we know time=money (and money=evil and girls=time but psh, whatever =p)
What's really hit me in this past week is dude, I seriously need to grow up. I do buy groceries instead of eating out because it's expensive, but it's much more than that. Today I went to buy my malaria pills and other stuff for the missions trip, and one other thing that I had been prescribed was anti-diarrheal medicine. (Not the over-the-counter kind, but the really potent kind for serious cases...) And I was shocked to find out that 3 doses cost $30, but I shelled out the money anyway, and 5 minutes later went back to the pharmacist to return them. It's not worth it, it's not going to kill me anyways, and people on missions always get sick and I don't hear of THEM taking meds... =p Later, I was looking at the over-the-counter version, immodium, I was seriously considering at least buying that right? Because spending all of your time in the bathroom is hardly an effective ministry for Christ, and for that, I am willing to pay $7. As I was reading the box though, I caught a glimpse of the words "side effects include tiredness, dizziness, and nausea". I thought to myself, so either way I'm likely to feel rather unwell, only one way involves $7 and putting strange chemicals in my body. As if I'm not putting strange chemicals in my body already, what with all the shots and live oral typhoid vaccine, and malaria pills and so on, but that's beside the point. =p
I'm grateful to have learned these things, however uncertain my future is financially. It's a luxury for ME to be able to bake cheesecakes and try new recipes, even if it is for other people. A luxury to eat out and buy new clothes. A luxury and strange, sad kind of irony to have to buy things just to store all the stuff I own. So even though I don't fully know how I will pay for my summer or tuition in the fall, I thank God, because when He does provide, I can be a better and wiser steward for it. My parents understand very well how to save money, because they grew up very poor, but I have not yet learned how to really make an effort to not spend what I don't need to.
Though I do not want to worship money. To save and spend are both good, it depends on what and why, on God's calling and personal convictions. To enjoy food and appreciate beauty are not inherently bad, because God created food and God is the epitome of beauty. =)
But I would rather spend less on myself, and more for the kingdom, because we know that treasures stored up in heaven are eternal and only in God can we ever truly be satisfied. Oh how He has shown me one of my (really petty) weaknesses regarding this in the past few days! But that's a story for another time... now I shall study for my final tomorrow morning. =p
What's really hit me in this past week is dude, I seriously need to grow up. I do buy groceries instead of eating out because it's expensive, but it's much more than that. Today I went to buy my malaria pills and other stuff for the missions trip, and one other thing that I had been prescribed was anti-diarrheal medicine. (Not the over-the-counter kind, but the really potent kind for serious cases...) And I was shocked to find out that 3 doses cost $30, but I shelled out the money anyway, and 5 minutes later went back to the pharmacist to return them. It's not worth it, it's not going to kill me anyways, and people on missions always get sick and I don't hear of THEM taking meds... =p Later, I was looking at the over-the-counter version, immodium, I was seriously considering at least buying that right? Because spending all of your time in the bathroom is hardly an effective ministry for Christ, and for that, I am willing to pay $7. As I was reading the box though, I caught a glimpse of the words "side effects include tiredness, dizziness, and nausea". I thought to myself, so either way I'm likely to feel rather unwell, only one way involves $7 and putting strange chemicals in my body. As if I'm not putting strange chemicals in my body already, what with all the shots and live oral typhoid vaccine, and malaria pills and so on, but that's beside the point. =p
I'm grateful to have learned these things, however uncertain my future is financially. It's a luxury for ME to be able to bake cheesecakes and try new recipes, even if it is for other people. A luxury to eat out and buy new clothes. A luxury and strange, sad kind of irony to have to buy things just to store all the stuff I own. So even though I don't fully know how I will pay for my summer or tuition in the fall, I thank God, because when He does provide, I can be a better and wiser steward for it. My parents understand very well how to save money, because they grew up very poor, but I have not yet learned how to really make an effort to not spend what I don't need to.
Though I do not want to worship money. To save and spend are both good, it depends on what and why, on God's calling and personal convictions. To enjoy food and appreciate beauty are not inherently bad, because God created food and God is the epitome of beauty. =)
But I would rather spend less on myself, and more for the kingdom, because we know that treasures stored up in heaven are eternal and only in God can we ever truly be satisfied. Oh how He has shown me one of my (really petty) weaknesses regarding this in the past few days! But that's a story for another time... now I shall study for my final tomorrow morning. =p
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Leaving for Africa soon
I figure it's about time to start blogging again, so that I can keep people updated.
On the morning of May 6, 2008, I finally received word that I had been accepted to go to Kenya this summer. It was the end of many weeks of waiting and praying and more waiting, and the beginning of more praying and rushed preparations. As I've been telling almost everyone, I'm super excited!! I have had such a deep longing for Africa for so long, and since the day I found out about ICY in mid-March, God has been opening doors.
But I'm so anxious. I've barely had an appetite for a week, and that means stress. I can only pray that it is because I have so many things to think about and do, and not because I do not trust God. When I heard the news, my mind was going a million miles an hour coming up with a to-do list which included getting my vaccinations, deciding on when exactly to fly out and booking my tickets, talking to my parents, writing my support letter and raising support, finding someone to sublet my apartment, cleaning and packing up all my belongings, booking my flight home to Vancouver (as I won't want to try from an internet cafe in Kenya), figuring out how I can pay tuition in the fall, and what almost seems ridiculous is, I still need to do a final project, study for an exam, and grade homework.
Vaccinations were the top concern on my list, because most people need to book appointments well in advance, and adequate time is recommended between getting shots and actually leaving. I first called up student health services and was told that May 19th was the earliest opening! After much searching on the web fand many phone calls, I finally booked appointments at two different clinics. One was a travel clinic, and they had no openings until the following week... but the doctor was very kind and agreed to see me before the clinic opened on Saturday! And fortunately so, because a certificate for vaccination against yellow fever is required to enter Kenya, and does not become valid until 10 days after the shot.
I had already booked my plane ticket for the morning of May 22nd before I found that out. Thank God I was able to get yellow fever on the 10th...
And if I could not fly out on May 22nd, I would not be able to leave before June 2nd, because all of teams in Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania will be attending a meeting in Dar es Salaam. I had the choice between joining them before or joining them after, and I wanted to join them for the conference. What would I do in Berkeley for a week anyways? I would rather meet the teams in Africa, and the people I'll be working with for 2 months. And yes, I will be flying back on July 28th, and to Vancouver hopefully soon after.
I can't believe that I'm leaving in a week. There are so many issues in my life right now that I don't know how God is going to save me from them all. All I can do is wait on Him and pray and hope, because I know that He goes before me and clears the way.
I have no time. I don't know how to even start my final project because I don't understand the material. I have basically no money after paying for this missions trip. If I don't find someone to sublet my place within the next week, I'll have even worse problems. I somehow managed to overdraw my bank account 7 times without being notified once, which I have never done in my life, with fees totaling $235. I'm flying to Kenya in a week... with rather short connection times in 2 of the world's busiest airports... by myself. And after I return, I will certainly not be able to afford $15k to pay nonresident tuition for my studies. I'll also need to find a place to live, but not now, because I would have to do a double sublet and one is enough. My mom is not terribly pleased and worries for my health and future, but what weighs infinitely more heavily on my heart is how I told her I would raise financial support. I admit now it was done partially in fear and appeasement. But Father, will you let your servant be called a liar, and your name dishonored because of it? Isn't it written, "you will be saved -- you and your household"? May you forbid that my household have anything bad to say about you!
I praise God because He has been building up my faith in leaps and bounds this past year, so that even though I feel like screaming inside and wish it would all go away, I will wait on the LORD. Because there isn't anywhere else to go but to Him this time, and nothing good will come out of worrying or being anxious. The LORD is the God of my faith and salvation, and He is fully able to do all things. I will not forget His love and kindness shown to me this past year, how He rescued and redeemed me from my sins and suffering, how He blessed me with joy beyond words.
May the name of the LORD be praised!
On the morning of May 6, 2008, I finally received word that I had been accepted to go to Kenya this summer. It was the end of many weeks of waiting and praying and more waiting, and the beginning of more praying and rushed preparations. As I've been telling almost everyone, I'm super excited!! I have had such a deep longing for Africa for so long, and since the day I found out about ICY in mid-March, God has been opening doors.
But I'm so anxious. I've barely had an appetite for a week, and that means stress. I can only pray that it is because I have so many things to think about and do, and not because I do not trust God. When I heard the news, my mind was going a million miles an hour coming up with a to-do list which included getting my vaccinations, deciding on when exactly to fly out and booking my tickets, talking to my parents, writing my support letter and raising support, finding someone to sublet my apartment, cleaning and packing up all my belongings, booking my flight home to Vancouver (as I won't want to try from an internet cafe in Kenya), figuring out how I can pay tuition in the fall, and what almost seems ridiculous is, I still need to do a final project, study for an exam, and grade homework.
Vaccinations were the top concern on my list, because most people need to book appointments well in advance, and adequate time is recommended between getting shots and actually leaving. I first called up student health services and was told that May 19th was the earliest opening! After much searching on the web fand many phone calls, I finally booked appointments at two different clinics. One was a travel clinic, and they had no openings until the following week... but the doctor was very kind and agreed to see me before the clinic opened on Saturday! And fortunately so, because a certificate for vaccination against yellow fever is required to enter Kenya, and does not become valid until 10 days after the shot.
I had already booked my plane ticket for the morning of May 22nd before I found that out. Thank God I was able to get yellow fever on the 10th...
And if I could not fly out on May 22nd, I would not be able to leave before June 2nd, because all of teams in Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania will be attending a meeting in Dar es Salaam. I had the choice between joining them before or joining them after, and I wanted to join them for the conference. What would I do in Berkeley for a week anyways? I would rather meet the teams in Africa, and the people I'll be working with for 2 months. And yes, I will be flying back on July 28th, and to Vancouver hopefully soon after.
I can't believe that I'm leaving in a week. There are so many issues in my life right now that I don't know how God is going to save me from them all. All I can do is wait on Him and pray and hope, because I know that He goes before me and clears the way.
I have no time. I don't know how to even start my final project because I don't understand the material. I have basically no money after paying for this missions trip. If I don't find someone to sublet my place within the next week, I'll have even worse problems. I somehow managed to overdraw my bank account 7 times without being notified once, which I have never done in my life, with fees totaling $235. I'm flying to Kenya in a week... with rather short connection times in 2 of the world's busiest airports... by myself. And after I return, I will certainly not be able to afford $15k to pay nonresident tuition for my studies. I'll also need to find a place to live, but not now, because I would have to do a double sublet and one is enough. My mom is not terribly pleased and worries for my health and future, but what weighs infinitely more heavily on my heart is how I told her I would raise financial support. I admit now it was done partially in fear and appeasement. But Father, will you let your servant be called a liar, and your name dishonored because of it? Isn't it written, "you will be saved -- you and your household"? May you forbid that my household have anything bad to say about you!
I praise God because He has been building up my faith in leaps and bounds this past year, so that even though I feel like screaming inside and wish it would all go away, I will wait on the LORD. Because there isn't anywhere else to go but to Him this time, and nothing good will come out of worrying or being anxious. The LORD is the God of my faith and salvation, and He is fully able to do all things. I will not forget His love and kindness shown to me this past year, how He rescued and redeemed me from my sins and suffering, how He blessed me with joy beyond words.
May the name of the LORD be praised!
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