If your eyes are reading this, then consider yourself hugged. When I write, it’s my way of keeping track both of what’s going on around me and what’s going on in my heart. So for you to take the time to track that with me is nothing short of humbling, even if you’re just trying to kill time. The fact is, God shows me His love through the investment you make. Just thought I’d start off with that…

So these past several days have been all over the place, but here are some highlights in chronological order:

1. We had a send off for Dr. Mead that would do the President of Kenya proud. Seven goats were slaughtered. Tons of side dishes were prepared. The sound system was brought out. Oh, it was a party. And on top of that, it started pouring rain halfway through. Did that stop us? Course not. What truly awesome party would ever let a little rain stop it? To see our staff family join together to celebrate the impact of one man and his family was so incredible. Dr. Mead might be physically leaving Monday, but he’ll never be gone from this place, and I thank God for that.
2. Collins, our new Uganda CUREkids Coordinator, made the trip to Kijabe to train with me for a week. A crash course in CUREkids. Needless to say, we shared a lot of laughs, a lot of camera and MacBook tips, and a lot of time together. Please be praying for Collins as he starts the Uganda CUREkids program and for the kids’ and families’ stories he’ll be sharing with you.
3. Our inaugural CUREkid in Kenya, David, came back for his follow-up this week. After waiting all day for them to arrive, seeing him and his family made me smile all over my face. I was in the room as his cast was taken off. I gave him a piggyback up to our new orthopedic workshop to be fitted for his brace. I was beside him as his new cast was applied. I was there, journeying alongside them, and I felt unbelievably privileged. These stories I’m writing are starting to come full circle, and the relational candy of this job is multiplying. As our doctors leverage their scalpels and plaster and braces, I’m trying to leverage my camera and my words for their benefit, and in the process, I’m being captivated by the role God allows me to play.
4. Peter, one of our social workers at the hospital, was in a horrible car accident, and by the grace of God, he came out without any major injury. Seriously, it’s a miracle considering that his car was hit from behind by a bus and rolled over several times before settling on its top. After he was discharged, the business team decided to go visit him one morning in place of our usual staff devotion. As we walked out of the hospital and onto the dirt road leading to Peter’s house, I felt so thankful to be in a place where no one questions leaving work to walk 5 minutes in the dirt to offer encouragement to one of our own. And they aren’t wearing hiking gear folks, they’re in suits and dress shoes. We sat in Peter’s living room and for some reason, Ruth, our cashier, volunteered me to give “an encouraging message” to the group that now included Peter’s wife and mother. Thankfully, God gave me some material, and I think Peter and his family felt the love we wanted to show him by coming and spending some time.
5. This is getting long.
6. Last week, I got word that someone really special to me was going to be at an orphanage down the road. So after Collins and I worked on some logistical things with the camera and computer, we joined some friends to go down to the orphanage and photograph the kids there before surprising my friend. Note: I. Love. Surprises. Love them. So as Collins practiced his camera skills, I tried not to throw up from excitement. Luckily, I didn’t pass out, and the surprise was sublime. Having the chance to see my friend, who I won’t see until I get back to the States, was like God’s box of chocolates to me that day. Mmm. So so good.
7. This past weekend, I joined my friends as we were invited to visit a children’s feeding program run by the wife of a member of the Kenyan parliament named Mrs. Myoki (not 100% on that spelling). We were driven to her house in Nairobi, then she drove us out to her husband’s hometown, Kithianio, located about 100 kilometers southeast of the city. When we arrived, we went into the local church and were greeted by at least 75 kids. They had a presentation of songs already prepared and wasted no time dancing and singing their little hearts out. It was seriously unbelievable. Our group gave a little introduction, and then since it was already getting late, we said goodnight to the kids and headed to Mrs. Myoki’s home there in the village. That night, her husband joined us and roasted a goat for dinner, and we hung out with some of the older youth from the church that the Myokis had invited over. The next morning, church started at 10:30AM, so 11:15AM Kenyan time. Mrs. Myoki had requested a couple of us to give a mini-sermon, so after the kids did some more singing, Preston and Misha preached to the Kithianio congregation as Mrs. Myoki translated. So awesome. Church ended at 1:00PM, but our day was just beginning. After service let out, all the kids stuck around for the food distribution, and I’ve never seen kids line up so fast or eat so much. Most of the kids in Kithianio aren’t guaranteed a meal at home, so to have a promised meal every weekend is not something they would even think about missing. After eating, we led some organized games, then as soon as bubbles and balloons were distributed, disorganization ruled the afternoon. And we played the most massive game of “tag”, except it was 75 kids running every which way as a couple of us tried catching them while also evading their attempts to tag us. It made no sense, but complete sense, all at the same time. When we finally got in the car to leave, we were so tired, but so satisfied, and the moments & memories that were created in those two days were soaked in sweetness.
8. At Bible study, a guy was wearing a ChickFilA waffle fry tie. What a tease.
9. Since I don’t want to end on 9, let’s just move right along…
10. This week, our ENT team has been here doing our cleft palate and lip surgeries. One of my CUREkids was a patient this week, so I went in to watch her surgery and was so fascinated by the process. These surgeries are unlike the others, because when they finish, nothing is bandaged up or casted over, so the before and after is seen immediately. The result is definitely something to smile about.

I’m about to hit 1200 words, which translates as me giving myself the red light to get off stage. But I’m praying that you’re seeing God’s face in what’s going on out here and that you’re seeing His face in what’s going on out there. That’s one of the many things about God I love thinking of…that even though your 10 highlights don’t match mine, God’s face is the same regardless. He’s present. He’s available. And there’s evidence of Him in everything that happens. I hope we both keep our eyes open to what He can teach us in even the most “insignificant” of happenings.

Originally posted at: http://nashipai.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/oh-goodness