My Relationship With Africa May 07, 2022

2005 I first set the goal to go to Africa.

2008 I started using my school’s library computer during lunch period to research African stories. I was most drawn to the stories of refugee women in Sudan. These were the first glimpses I had of a people group so different from what I had ever known. And they faced struggles that I couldn’t imagine.

2012 My first trip overseas. For two months, I served in local schools and orphanages throughout East Africa. I coached softball and taught character development classes. I fell in love.   

2013 I sold everything and lined up a  return trip to Kenya with a friend. We were serving in the local schools, yet my main priority was to establish my future home.

While there, every long term opportunity and resource fell through. I was heart broken that I could not immediately make my home in that beautiful country. However, I’m a Christian, and I genuinely believe Nothing happens by chance and that I could trust him to lead me. 

2015 I graduated with my bachelors and I started to prepare again. I applied for a peace corps position in Tanzania. I made it through the stages of interviews and things looked to be going great. Then I received the call that they had chosen someone else. I was told there were no other positions available in East Africa that coming year.  Again, another closed door. Again, I had to restart. 

2016 I was dating a guy at this point, and I fell in love. It did not make sense. I felt peace about walking forward in a relationship with this all-American white boy who would never consider living in a third world country. Yet, as sure as I was supposed to be in Africa, I was sure that I was meant to marry Grayson. 

2018 Grayson and I worked together to find a way to East Africa. We partnered with habitat for humanity in Kenya. We fundraised, bought flights, then the entire Kenya division of Habitat for Humanity shut down…. Yup. 

2020 Olive Baptist was looking to send individuals to Ghana. I have never traveled with a church, and I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to. However, we were willing to walk through any open door to get me overseas….Then Corona hit. 

2021 Through happenstance, we ran across this couple who teach and live in Small town on the coast of Kenya. Grayson and I planned a 10 day tester trip to see if this was a good place to start building a work. After so many failed attempts, we didn’t know what to expect. The family hosted us, introduced us to their community, and gave us opportunity to explore. Finally, we found a place that felt right. 

2022 I’m back in Mombasa. This time, on my own. I left my wonderful and supportive husband at home to take care of our child. #Dogmom And by chance the family that we had visited, are busy working with a group of students for the next month. So, I’m spending my days building a foundation for years to come.  I’m learning the area, the culture, and the language. I’m also building a clientele and community here. It’s slow work, but it’s steady. 

Through this journey, I have learned so much about God’s nature and how to recognize the His voice. I been gently guided through one humanitarian work to the next. I have also found that His timing is the only one that will work. Let’s see what happens next. ;)