Back to School!

Well, it's exactly 2 months since I last wrote. How pathetic am I? Updating my blog more often is one of my new year's resolutions (along with flossing). Hope it sticks!

Today was the first day back to school, but it was only a half day. It was good to see the kids again. It reminded me how much I love them and enjoy teaching them (most of the time). This semester I will be teaching the same classes as last semester, but instead of teaching the Old Testament, I'll be teaching the New Testament. I'm REALLY excited about it. I just LOVE the NT. It's so rich and full of amazing truth. I mean, the OT is really great too, but harder for me to get through than the NT. Another class has also been added to my schedule... 9th grade boys PE. I will have them twice a week and we'll simply do fitness. I offered to teach it only for selfish reasons. I said I would do it only if it required doing fitness because I myself want to get in shape, and I want to use this class to force me to workout. Strange, I know. On top of that, girls' soccer has begun and we start having games next week. So, I guess I just didn't think I had enough on my plate. ;-P

Christmas break was nice. I still had voluntary soccer practices with the girls and it was fun. My parents also came from Spain to spend the break with me. It was nice to have them here and for them to see what my life is like here. But I didn't realize it would also be somewhat difficult. This has nothing to do with my parents and everything to do with me. It's difficult to describe in words all that a person goes through when transitioning from one world to another. I feel as though I have two lives... one in the States and one in Africa. And so then to have my parents here was a little strange because it was as though my two lives were now mixing. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have multiple personalities and I'm not being fake in one place and real in another. I'm still myself in both places, but because they are so different from each other and so far from each other, it just feels like two separate lives. I realize this may make no sense, but it's the best way for me to express myself right now. Anyhow, I really did enjoy having my folks, it was just different having them here than me visiting them at home. It wasn't bad, just different. We got to go on safari, we went to Kibera (largest slum in E. Africa), and we also saw a lot of cool and fun things in Nairobi. There's so much to do and see here. And we had a really nice Christmas together too. They liked what they saw of Kenya. We got to visit some homes of Kenyan friends and they really enjoyed experiencing the people and culture first-hand. And I enjoyed introducing them to all of my friends.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and processing about stuff and I find it very difficult to express my feelings and thoughts. I mean, how do I explain what my life is like here on a daily basis? How do I make people back in the States understand what kind of things I go through? And do people really care to even know those details? Sometimes I feel like, why bother with trying to explain, it will just take too long? Maybe that's selfish of me to think that way. I hope I'm not coming across negative, because I don't want to sound that way. Maybe that's why I also have been slacking on updating my blog, because I don't know what to say or how to say it. Does that make sense? But, I do want to be respectful to all of you since you want to hear from me. It's like I want to tell everyone everything about what's happening, what I'm learning, what my frustrations are, and so on. But how?

I still love teaching these kids. I still love living here. I love my family. I love my friends. I love the Lord and am thankful that He brought me all the way over here. And I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

Much Love,
Jen

Facebook | Your Photos - Church Friends

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137356&id=550306089&l=00f17c6a5a

These are pictures of me with my friends from church. I love my church!

Facebook | Your Photos - Kenya 2

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=132738&id=550306089&l=710d97291c

These are pictures of our staff retreat to Lake Naivasha awhile ago. Sorry this took so long. On this album is also included pictures of the car my roommate and I purchased when we first got here. There are pictures of our short weekend vacation to Mombasa. And then there are also pictures of me visiting the World Cup Trophy that was on tour here. It was quite the experience.

Update

So, school is still going really well. I still love my kids and my job. I still really enjoy living here in Kenya.

But life is about to get much busier since soccer season starts next week. I'M SO EXCITED!!! Next week we're doing just straight conditioning. The girls are already complaining. The following week (week of Thanksgiving & my birthday!) we're having tryouts. And then we start practicing after that. We don't start games until 2nd semester. We're supposed to have a U-19 team and a U-15 team. I'll be trying to coach both, with the help of one of the other teachers (Joel Dixon) who coached the guys. I'd also like to thank John Antonisse (girls soccer coach at UT-Dallas) and my friend, Jenny Wedemeier, for helping me a ton with coaching ideas, drills, practices, conditioning and the sort before I left for Kenya. Their resources and expertise have become a huge help to me. I'd also like to thank my brother and sister-in-law for giving me more conditioning ideas from Crossfit. I'm excited to use everything I've been learning from each of these people. I'm really looking forward to the season beginning because I love soccer and I really love the girls. I just hope I can be a good coach.

Sorry it's been so long since my last update...

I'm just not very good about updating people on my life and keeping in touch with people. I don't know what my problem is. I want people to know what's going on with me and I want to hear about their lives and I miss all of my friends and family a lot. So, you'd think I would be better at this. Maybe it's my job and life that keep me busy, but I think part of it is also the fact that I'm lazy in this area of my life. Sorry.

I think too, sometimes, that I'm not sure exactly what to share with everyone or tell people because I feel like I do the same thing every day, all the time. But, I know people still want to hear about it. So, my last update was in Sept. Since then, I've attended 2 Kenyan weddings, have gotten to know my students more and more, have developed more friendships outside of school with people from the Kenyan church I attend, have begun to really enjoy living here, have played soccer with friends from church, have been staying busy with school but also been socializing, am learning more about life here, am getting more and more used to driving here, it finally started raining (which we desperately need), I fell down the stairs in my house but am ok, have been downtown Nairobi more, saw the biggest birds (storks) I've ever seen in my life, laughed a lot, been cooking more, and have been able to talk to my parents on the phone. We still haven't run out of water at our house, which is a HUGE blessing since it usually happens each year. The electricity rations are on the downturn and should be ending soon.

Weddings in Kenya are very different than in the States. Usually they're open to whoever wants to show up and they feed everyone. After the ceremony, the couple leaves for about 2 hours to get their pictures taken in their various favorite locations. During that time, the guests are all eating and waiting for them. Then, the couple returns and all the women welcome them at their car with singing and dancing, depending on what tribe they're from. They escort them in with singing and dancing and then everyone gets involved. This is followed by the couples' families giving them advice and blessings in front of everyone. There's the cutting of the cake and the wedding proceeds throughout the rest of the day with an after-party. They usually start around 11am or early afternoon. So, it's been quite interesting to attend those. I've enjoyed them.

But, my biggest highlight has been getting to know my students better. I just love them more and more each day. They have been opening up to me, which has been quite the honor and privilege. But, the more I learn about them, the more I realize what their needs are. Even though I'm teaching at a private Christian school, that does not necessarily mean that everyone's on the same track or has the same lifestyles or morals. The kids here are more like my public school kids than private school kids, not to say that's a bad thing. But, I was assuming differently when I first arrived here. These kids have just as many needs as my public school kids did. I've realized teenagers are teenagers no matter where you go. They still all have the same issues, problems, and insecurities. It all boils down to the fact that every one of them needs and wants to be loved and accepted. My biggest challenge now is to know how to reach them, how to get through to them, how to educate them in matters of life not just in my subject. All I know to do right now is pray for them continuously and earnestly. I realize how much I really care about them and desire for them to know God the way I know Him. I'm desperate for them to see God's love through me, but I'm not so sure I'm always doing a very good job. That's my biggest prayer request right now. So, I would covet your prayers for wisdom to know how to reach my students.

Thanks again for reading my blogs. I feel honored.

Many Blessings!

A Beautiful Sunday in Kenya

It's Sunday afternoon and it's a beautiful day. The sun is shining bright, there's a nice breeze, and I get the blessing of being outside using the internet on a beautiful campus. Our school here is quite the spectacle. There are many pretty plants and flowers here. Right now I'm watching a medium-sized lizard crawl around on a rock. Enjoying God's creation is a blessing to me. I believe that's why He created all of these things, so that we would give Him such glory and honor for creating such wonderful things. Evolution doesn't cut it for me.

I'm so pleased and honored to know that people read my blogs and want to keep hearing stories from me about my life here in Kenya. I really appreciate it and am humbled that y'all would care. Thank you! Also, thanks for so many of your prayers. God is answering. I'm doing really well here. I LOVE my students here so much. I loved my students in the States too, but I'm not sure what's different here. Maybe it's because I get to actually know these students more than the ones at home because at home I had around 170 students, whereas here I only have around 55. It's quite a difference when you're talking about investing in students' lives. I also love teaching the classes I'm teaching. I have so much fun with my students, but I like the subjects too. Plus, the students seem way more interested and participate a lot more than I've encounterred before.

I'm also really excited for girls' soccer season to start. Tryouts won't happen until Nov. Most of the girls who play soccer are playing basketball right now, so I can't do anything with them before tryouts. The guys play soccer during lunch. The other day one of them asked if I would be on their team during lunch. I said sure, but that I was sorry if I caused them to lose. I felt so special! And it was so much fun to play with them.

The students and classes make it all worth while. When I get frustrated at the other things that really bother me, like politics that come into play at any job, then I keep reminding myself of the students and it makes it better. Why does every job have to have politics? It's so annoying, frustrating, and it can get ugly too. But, I guess it could always be worse.

Anyways, today was my 4th time to go to a church that I've decided to be a part of. It's called Karen Community Church. I just LOVE it!!! The worship is AMAZING!!! The teaching is good, sometimes are better than others. Today was my first time to go to the singles' sunday school class. It was great! It's a small group and they're super nice and discuss really great things. They invited me to their camping trip next weekend, and I'm soooooo excited to go. I am the only white girl in the group and I'm just really excited to become friends with some Kenyans and just spend time with other people besides those at school (not that there's anything wrong with school people, but I need some diversity). Plus, I want to see more of Kenya besides just the big city of Nairobi. There's so much more! I really love this church. The people seem really great and seem to have their hearts in the right place. I really desire to get involved somehow.

I know I had promised pics a long time ago and haven't done it yet. I'm really sorry, but I will do my best to get those uploaded soon. I still need to downsize them first before I get download them. Thanks for your patience. And thanks for being interested in my life. Many thanks!

My Heroes

I would like to write a blog about my parents because they are my heroes. And no, they did not ask me to write this. In fact, they have no idea I have written this. I guess it just makes sense to write about them since I've been homesick lately.

My parents are some of the most amazing people I've ever known. Of course they're not perfect, but oh, wait... none of us are. What a realization. And if you think you are, then just keep lying to yourself. Anyways, that was a side note.

Getting back on track, my parents have been the biggest influences in my life and I'm truly thankful for that because I believe they have been very good influences. They did the best they could raising me, and I don't think I turned out too bad, by God's grace. ;) They taught me the important things in life and taught me about values and morals. They taught me about faith in God, about the grace that He gives, and His unconditional love. They took care of me, they provided for me, and loved me. They have supported me and have always been there for me. They have always believed in my goals and dreams, even when all I wanted to be was a farmer during my growing up years. What little kid says they want to be a farmer all the way until they're in college? My parents could have said, “Maybe you should pick something a little bit more practical and realistic.” But, no, they let me dream and they supported me in that and tried to find ways to get me there.

And I must say, they're also a pretty good-looking couple, still even at their age. :) I couldn't ask God for better parents. God obviously knew what He was doing when He placed me in their family. My parents have always shown strong faith and trust in God during difficult times and circumstances, and believe me when I say 'difficult'. They have been through some not-so pretty times in their lives and still do. But they have always persevered and sought wisdom from the Lord to make it through those times. And seeing that has always encouraged me. They have also always sought the Lord's will and direction in decisions they've had to make in things I've witnessed in their lives. They have lived their adult lives for the Lord, to serve Him, know Him, and love Him. They continuously share God's love and His message with others. Overall, they've been a good testimony to me. And I hope and pray that God gives me the opportunity someday to try to be that kind of a parent to my own children.

Anyways, there's so much more to say, but how do you put it in words? I love hanging out with my parents because they're just so much fun too! They challenge me, keep me accountable, and make me laugh. The list could keep going, but I think I've made my point. I hope you can have the privilege of meeting them someday. They'll bless your socks off!

I Love You, Mom & Dad! -Jenny