8,000 miles away

I believe that God works in numerous ways. One way that I believe he works is that sometimes, he takes us away from our problems, and struggles, to get us away. To help take our mind and focus off of those things. To take our focus off things that can distract us and change our focus. To take away smaller everyday things that can slowly take our attention. I believe he does this to take our focus off those things, and put it back on what does matters. To take us away and show us the things we need to focus on. To show us, and a lot of the time, remind us what really matters. To show us what our focus and attention should be on.

God has done just that with me this summer. He has taken me 8,000 miles away from some problems and struggles I have had. He has helped take my focus off of them, and helped put them on the things that they need to be back on. He has shown me, again, that I have to rely on HIM for everything I need, because HE is the only thing that will last. That NO MATTER what I go through, no matter what circumstances or pain or suffering comes my way, HE WILL BE THERE! That I can lean on him through anything. That I HAVE to lean on HIM in times of struggle and need, not the vanishing things of this world.
He has also continued to show me how true His Word is. How when His Word says that it is living and active, that it is EXACTLY that. Everything His Word says is true and that it does apply to our lives, even today. Even stories in the Old Testament that a lot of people say are boring and have no application to our lives today, are actually very good, interesting, and mostly very applicable to our lives today. Most of the stories in the Old Testament and their meaning can be applied to life today. They aren’t just stories from a long time ago, they still teach us things today. There is a reason that the Old Testament is a part of the number one most read book of all time.

I also believe that God can take us far away from those problems, struggles, and distractions to take our focus off them, and to show us new things that we would not have been open to, or would get our attention other wise. To show us insight, maybe to something that we have a passion for that we didn’t know we had.
One way that I know God did this through me was when I spoke to the 600+ high school boys in Kibwezi. I have never thought that there was even a remotely chance for me to speak, or teach in front of a lot of people, similar to a Pastor’s role. I have never thought that there might be a chance for me to do that sort of thing, even though I have always been somewhat of a leader, and felt the call to lead others around me. Even a few months ago I am not sure I would have wanted to do that sort of thing. But God had been slowing changing my heart. He has given me passion & desire to share that passion & to help people understand the things he has taught me and is continuing to teach me. Which when there was talk that someone needed to speak that weekend, inside of me, I knew I was going to be the one to do it. Throughout the day that I prepared for my teaching, I was never very nervous. God had given me the peace and reassurance that I need to know that HE was going to use me to talk to the students I was speaking to; not because he needed me, but because he let me be used by him.
Now after doing that, I have seen that passion for sharing my passions, and things that God has taught me to others, continually growing.

God has also continued to show me my increasing interest in digging into His Word, and trying to understand exactly what is going on, as well as what God is trying to teach us through this story. Working with, and sitting in on the Berith Bible College this summer has continued to show this. I look forward to the times that I get to go there and dive into His Word, and try to figure out what I am supposed to learn from it. Also to be able to have a knowledgeable, strong, christian leading me through this. This has spiked my interest, and curiosity about doing this back in the US as well.


Another huge way that God teaches us when he pulls us away from our normal lives, problems and whatnot is to show us how much we do have. I know personally how anytime that someone goes to a third world country and comes back talks about how fortunate and blessed they are to have what they are. I Completely agree with that, when you are able to go see so much poverty, hurt, pain, suffering, and difficult things; when you do come back to your easy, blessed, plentiful life you should feel that way. God has definitely done that for me again this year, just as he did last year. I think he has increased my knowledge and understanding of how fortunate I am, and we are as Americans.

But the thing that God has helped to show me A LOT this summer is not how fortunate I am in the case of my material possessions; my house, car, phone, electronics, clothes, and things of that nature; but more of how so very very fortunate and blessed I am with the people in my life. I have many AMAZING people in my life that have helped make me the person I am today! People that I know God has purposefully put into my life to help shape, and grow me to who I am today. People that have been great examples of the kind of person I want to be.

A huge thing I have realized this year and especially this summer has been that exact thing I am talking about when it applies to my family. My family is an AMAZING group of people. They are a family that loves, cares, provides, and would do anything to help me, ANYTHING. They are a family after God’s own heart. Our family is great and it all starts with my mom. We would not be anything near what we are without her. She is an amazing women. She wants to help anyone & everyone she can in anyway she can, no matter what it is, if it takes away from her own self, time, or fun. She has not had it easy, especially having to raise us 3 crazy boys growing up, mostly on her own, but she continued to be our spiritual leader, provider, lover, and everything we needed. She did all this while continuing to serve the Lord and lead us in that path, and showing us what we were supposed to do. I honestly don’t have any idea how she was able to do it. The thing that still amazes me every furtherer is how she continues to do that same thing today. She still does the same things for us, although in different ways since we are grown up. As well as being a phenomenal children’s minister at our church, which she does more than anyone could know for that, while still doing anything that is asked of her.
My brothers are also some amazing men. They have numerous talents, and are very very wise for their age. They both are very gifted musically, as well have servant hearts. Even though we have had our rough patches throughout the years, especially when we were younger, and I was a very angry child; I love them both very very dearly. I have finally realized after all these years how awesome, wise, kind, loving, and willing to serve and help that they both are. Mom has surely raised some amazing men.

But this summer I have also realized how very very fortunate I am with the people in my life that aren’t a part of my close, legal family, even though some are as close as family.
People that have been my sunday school, and youth leaders growing up. They have a huge impact on my life, and especially the growing of my faith. People that have stepped in when I needed guidance and helped show me the way to get me on the right path. People that have helped teach me what is right, have helped to show me the things that I have talked about earlier, things like relying on God’s Word. Also people just a few years older than me, that are helping to mentor me. This has not stopped with just be being in high school either, these amazing people God has put in my life to help continue to shape me. God has continued to bless me with some great friends, and leaders in my life. I am truly blessed to have so many people that I can come to when I am in need, when I need advice, or are just there for me no matter what happens.

God can do A LOT in a short amount of time when you are focused on Him. He has definitely done that for me these last 9 weeks. I am completely grateful for my time here in Kenya, and all the things that I have seen, heard, experienced, learned, and be able to be a part of.

~The Joy Is Rising