Update #9

Dear Friends,

As I prepare for my second year in Kenya, here are my reflections on the last year.

Looking down from the second story of Akiba School, I see class three students playing jump rope and class one chasing each other around the uneven concrete courtyard. Every time I become frustrated with my surroundings or the Kenyan culture, I take a step outside and look down in the courtyard. I remind myself of the joy found in children- their innocence to the world around them. The loving nature of children and their carefree spirit remind me to take time to invest in people. And even if you don’t see change, you know that you tried your best to influence, motivate, or help someone. Pictured above: After school with some of the primary students; To the right: Morning assembly at Akiba School

The past 10 months spent in Kenya, God has shown me the limits of my capabilities and the possibilities of His. I entered this experience not sure where I would be staying, what I would be doing, or how God would use me. The first couple of months were spent getting to know people and settling into this new place. We came with the mission of serving The Falls Church partner ministries in Nairobi and God has led me to help at two places in particular: Akiba School and Light and Power Centre. I think the most important thing I have learned is that God uses all past experiences to prepare you for the future ones. My accounting and business skills gained in college have helped at Light and Power. The brief teaching experiences I have been exposed to have equipped me to have patience with my math students at Akiba. It has been incredible to see how God orchestrates people, places, and experiences together. Pictured above: One of the "slum" areas where we work; To the right: Children from the Light and Power Saturday Program

You all are the reason I am able to continue to experience so much. Because of your support, God is molding me into the person he desires me to be and showing me the direction he wants for my life. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you for your support. I remember the moment God called me back to Kenya- I was overcome with emotions- crying and feeling such a strong sense that this was the step I was supposed to take. However, it wasn’t until each of you encouraged me in the process and felt the need to contribute that everything came together.

I look at what I have done this past year- serving people through teaching, tutoring, coaching, and helping, but the most important thing God has done is to allow me to learn. Learn about another country, another culture, another group of people. Through the work I am doing in Kenya, God continues to teach me something new about his nature. Recently, I have been taught about what it means to be a child of God. So as I enter my second year serving in Kenya, I return to the courtyard. I return to the image of a child and I see joy and freedom. Because of the sacrifice Jesus made, we are all able to experience that freedom- not constrained by the problems of this world, but free to pursue our passions and use the gifts the Lord has given us. Our time on earth is brief and the journey not always easy, but I am excited to see how God continues to weave each of our lives together. Thanks for allowing God to carry out his purposes for my life and may we each continue to exemplify Jesus in all we do.

Grace and Peace,
Anne

Ways to stay involved:

• Continue to pray for the effectiveness of our ministry in Kenya
• Consider becoming more involved at Akiba, Light and Power, or other ministry partners by donating clothes, calculators, books, or consider helping a boy at Light and Power to attend technical school or college- email me at astoehr@gmail.com if you are interested
• Continue to financially support the work we are doing through Kenya Connection- www.kenyaconnection.org click on Donations for more information

DOWNLOAD AS PDF: UPDATE 9