We are here!

Hello all,

We arrived here in Tarime late Friday night after a long drive from Nairobi! Thank you for the prayers for safe travels. These last few days have not been what I would call "normal" with all we have been doing to get settled in. We spent Saturday and Sunday on a safari out on the Serengeti, which was a blast. It was amazing to see God's creation in this setting. We have been getting the exciting experience of Tarime, with no power for the past few days, or running water for a day. Hopefully later this week, we will have both of these things working....I can hope, right? :)

As we arrived at the orphanage, we were received with open arms...literally. I think we spent fifteen minutes just giving and receiving hugs from each and every child. At times, I felt defeated because of how big the language barrier really is. Yet, I found joy yesterday when I was able to communicate through just playing ball with some of the kids. I could interact, and start to form a common bond between us, which was awesome! I just pray that communication will not be as much of a barrier as it has been.

Yet, through all of this, I know God is at work here in the lives of each of these children, and I am thankful for that. I consider it a privilege to take part in His work, and I must continually remember that it is not me at work, but Him working through me. To know that no matter what barriers there are for me, there are none for Him. I must strive to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. Sonny, the sports and discipleship coach, led a devotion over 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, while we were in Nairobi. I encourage you all to look over it. It makes me ask, am I truly showing others the fragrance and love of Christ in all of my words and actions at all times? I encourage you to ask yourself the same question. These are just a few thoughts of many I have on this passage, take the time to look over it!

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers, I appreciate all of you so much. I hope I can post some more on here soon, I will have to wait on power...we had to go to a neighboring town to a small internet cafe that had a generator for power to post this.

In Christ with love,

Jordan