The Right Path

Last week was insane! I had to say "good-bye" to a group of amazing people who have become a second family to me the past 3 years. Teaching at Kendall-Whitter was a life changing experience. I learned so much about myself, working with other people, serving God in an unlikely way and that everyday is like a mission if you choose to accept it. I keep thinking of the little boy in my room who has been through brain cancer, chemotherapy, suffered a hearing loss and wears hearing aides. Coincidentally his name means, "God with us". A couple of times last year I would look at him and automatically think, "Oh! God with us! Yes HE is and how can I be more Christ like today? How can I show the love of Christ to my students without saying it?" I hope I managed to do that for them. Anyway, it was a hard time saying goodbye, especially to my boy(who I had in class two years) and his mother (who speaks no English but came and gave me a big hug and said "thank you"). I felt blessed to have known them.

The week ended very exciting: I have my plane ticket and I am moving to Rwanda on August 6! One door shut and immediately the next door opened..just like that. So today I went to the doctor and got all the meds I'm going to need for the next 4 months. Then I went to Wal-Mart and bought all the toiletries/personal items I will need and put them in boxes...with the help of Olivia, of course. I am delivering them to the B2R office tomorrow in Little Rock so the New Life group (who my sister is going with) can take them to Rwanda for me. Each person can take two bags weighing less than 50 lbs each. It's amazing to know that when I arrive in Musanze, my two boxes of school items and my two boxes of personal items will be waiting for me...whew!

I don't have any really strong feelings right now about anything. I don't feel like I have completely left Kendall-Whittier and I don't feel like I am moving half way across the world. Maybe it's because I am following so closely behind God and walking in the path HE has laid out for me. I do have one feeling. This feels right. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm doing what I was made to do. I have my faith and I am prepared to follow the Lord where HE leads me. With HIM I am unstoppable.

Africa

Africa by Emily Dibb

When you’ve acquired a taste for dust,
The scent of our first rain,
You’re hooked for life on Africa
And you’ll not be right again
Till you can watch the setting moon
And hear the jackals bark
And know that they’re around you,
Waiting in the dark.

When you long to see the Elephants,
Or to hear the coucal’s song,
When the moonrise sets your blood on fire,
You’ve been away too long.
It’s time to cut the traces loose
And let you’re heart go free
Beyond that far horizon,
Where your spirit yearns to be.

Bittersweet

I have 11 more days with my students! Most teachers are ready for the summer to be here..no students, no classes, just time to relax. I can't help but feel sad that this school year is over. Kendall-Whittier has been such an amazing part of my life. I really feel like they are my Tulsa family. (especially, Kathleen Walker-she's always going to be my Tulsa momma, no matter where in the world I end up). I have learned so much about myself and other people while working at KW. I love the population of students I work with. I admire them and their families. June 15 is going to hit me hard, I'm afraid.

This weekend has been particularly difficult for me. Lauren and I shed our first tears when thinking about goodbyes. It's going to be the first time in 7 years that I will be a world apart from my best friends. They have been with me through so much. I know they will always be a phone call or email away but I owe so much of the woman I am today to them. Thank you, girls. YOU are the definition of best friends.

I was the only family member not home this weekend for Memorial Day and I realized that's how its going to be for a while. I'm going to miss my nephew's first year of life. I want to prepare myself for the distance while clinging on to every minute I have left in the states. Why are goodbyes so hard...and yet, I still have 2 months!

But just before I get too wrapped up in my thoughts, God has a way of reminding me what His plans are for me. I had a surprise message on facebook from Manzi, a friend and Sonrise student I will soon meet in Rwanda. It was a simple, "Hallo Dear Sister Walker, how are you?" I was thrilled to hear from him even though we have only talked once or twice online. His timing could not have been more perfect. It's amazing how God does that, isn't it?! It brings me back to reality that this is what God has for me. He has paved the way for me to move to Rwanda. As Beth Moore said, "My feet were meant to dance on a different turf." And I know mine are meant to dance in Rwanda.

This chapter of my life is coming to an end. Although it will be sad and difficult, it will also be glorious. I feel truly blessed to be chosen by God to work in Africa for Him. It is an honor to serve His kingdom where so much devastation has affected His children. People tell me "Thank you" for the work I am about to do but I want to say, "Thank you" to those who are helping me on this journey. I didn't choose this path, God had it all laid out before me. I just take the steps.