Wait. WHAT?!
Eight weeks has flown by in a heartbeat. It's hard to believe that the summer is ending and it is time to head back home! I keep staring at my screen thinking that if I don't write any of this I won't have to leave. But I am excited to return home and to share this wonderful experience with you all and hear about how God has worked in your lives as well!
I'm also starting to realize how hard goodbyes really are. But here's the thing about hard goodbyes: they mean that you've made a relationship with those around you, allowed yourself to be vulnerable, and that you care.
To bring you up to speed on our last couple weeks in country:
Monica and I arrived back in Nairobi last week from Ewaso Ng'iro. Saying goodbye was hard but we know that there is great work being done at the clinic for the people in the surrounding areas. For the past eight weeks we have been able to learn, grow, and see God move in incredible ways. The clinic system has an amazing group of clinicians, nurses, and staff who are committed to providing healing and care to the people around them. They were incredible teachers to us but even more than that they were, and still are, better friends. The impact that they have left on my life as a nursing student and an individual is one that will be lifelong.
We then traveled to Malindi to spend time at the CMF retreat with other interns and missionaries from Kenya and Ethiopia! I'm grateful for the time that we had debriefing, getting to know the other missionaries that are serving in different places in Africa, and the ministries that they are working in. It was also great to see the beautiful people from Grandview Christian Church and spend time helping out in kids ministry with them. I'm so thankful for all of the love and encouragement that they poured into all the missionaries and their families while at the coast. I know for me it was such a blessing to see familiar faces from home and to spend time in the presence of such sweet people.
Right now Monica and I are back in Nairobi spending the last few hours that we have left with our host family, the Cluff's. I'm so grateful for the patience and love that they have shown us both this whole summer. It has been a blessing to have their guidance while learning to live in a completely new culture. Both Kim and Joe along with their two great kids are a fantastic family and the work that they are doing here in Kenya is a blessing to all those around them.
It's hard right now to process a whole summer but I do know that this internship has been far more than I ever could have imagined. I've been stretched in ways that I never thought that I would be stretched and learned to love in a completely different culture. Through everything God has remained constant and His faithfulness has endured. I'm so thankful for all that I have been able to experience while in Kenya and I want to thank you all for the support that you have given me this summer. Without your donations, love, and prayers I wouldn't be here! There aren't enough words to convey my gratitude and love for you all but know that you mean the world to me, even from and ocean away.
I can't wait to see you all state side but for now though packing calls....
Much Love and Many Thanks,
Anne
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