Hello all! Greetings from the Athi River Base in Kenya. I have officially completed my first week in Africa and can I just say, a gigantic piece of my heart will forever remain here <3. It is a surprise if I even come home in February...... Just kidding!!! Don't freak out, mom :P

So, as soon as the wheels of my plane lost contact with the asphalt in Los Angeles, I found that God was already so absolutely present. For the entire takeoff, I have to admit that I was bawling my eyes out. I had finished reading the sweet letters my friends and family had written me and my soul was simply laden with heaviness. After a bit, though, I was able to compose myself and that was when the sweetest, older Dutch woman next to me leaned over and whispered, "Are you all right?" Then she proceeded to offer me halls and tissues. I just felt so taken care of and watched over by her and her husband. They made sure I woke up for meals and always took my trash for me. The Lord poured out His comfort, and I knew that I was in good hands.

Landing in Africa, I was both nervous and excited. However, the moment the 4 other students I met in Amsterdam and I stepped outside into the warmth and sunlight, I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be. Then driving to the base, we had the opportunity to take a look at the city, see so many different kinds of animals, and watch the culture unfold before our very eyes. BTW...The driving is crazy here!!! There are no lines on the roads whatsover and people have no fear. I thought we were surely going to crash, but God definitely protected us.The base itself is sitting on HUGE land. The locals call it "The Bush" and we students head out into it during our quiet time every morning. Giraffes, zebras, antelope, and caribou can be frequently spotted just hangin around. How cool is that?!  

There are 25 DTS students total; they come from Canada, Germany, the US, and other parts of Africa. I absolutely love them all! Truly, the Lord has so knit us together that we fit just like pieces of a gigantic puzzle. I am rooming with the three most hysterical girls and we definitely keep each in stitches all of the time. One even has a southern accent and I keep finding myself picking it up, so if I start to say/write "ya'll", you will understand. Our daily schedule looks like this:
6:30 am - breakfast
7:00 am - quiet time
8:30 am - class
1:00 pm - lunch
2:30- 4:30 pm - work duty
6:00 pm - dinner
7:30 - 9:00 pm - class
10:00 - lights out
It is definitely a packed course, but my mind and body have adapted quickly with God's help. I get to take a bucket shower about every 3 days, but now that I have my hair braided, that is less of an issue. The bathrooms are out- house style and are located a little ways from our dorms. There is one big dining hall that we all take our meals in plus a few other buildings that house staff. Laundry is done by hand in buckets and we fetch out own water for washing from these giant tanks. The drinking water sometimes runs out, but we always make sure we are stocked up in our rooms. I am really glad I brought the water flavor things because the water is a little salty. I know it may seem as though things are difficult here, but honestly, there is such joy and satisfaction that comes from all our hard work.

Quiet times are my favorite. It is amazing how loud God's voice is when you take the time away from all of the distractions to simply listen. Oh, the things He has been saying to me! One example is the other day, I was watching the wind blow the clouds westward and I was marveling at its power. Then I felt Jesus whisper into my heart, "Let my Spirit move you". It was then that I realized that my life would have such a different impact if I simply surrendered complete and total control to my Master and allowed Him to guide me. Not to mention there is enormous power when He is orchestrating my steps. Then as I looked around, I saw a herd of cattle being led down the road by a shepherd. Once again I felt the Lord speaking and this time He said, "I will take care of you". Now, there is no fear in total abandonment of myself, for I know the Lord is always looking out for me. 

There is so much to tell you guys that I feel like there could never be enough time to share it all with you. I will do my best, though. Please continue to keep me in your prayers! I am definitely realizing and learning the power of beseeching the Lord. Know that I am well...MORE than well, actually...I am free. That is the best way to describe how I feel being here. I love you guys! Keep checking in for more updates.