It hasn’t escaped our notice that our blog title has read: “Our journey to Kenya and back” and that the title has seemed awkward since we have been back home here in the United States. Ian and I have discussed if I should change the title, but there has been something in me (and him) that has been unable to let the title (and the experience) go. I think maybe a part of us still hasn’t made it back.
We have now been home for 15 months, the exact amount of time that we spent living and working among Kenyans in Thika, Kenya. I reflect back and already cannot believe that the woman living and experiencing that life….was me. I read back over blogs written while there and realize how much has slipped from my memory already. Did I really sit on benches next to laboring women in 3rd world maternity wards, travel pregnant in a public vehicle with 20 Kenyans, and navigate Ian being held & questioned at a Kenyan police station?
Many of you know Ian. He’s great & I am so thankful that I get him as a partner in this life. You also would know that he can be really intense. He says stuff that makes me want to stick my fingers in my ears while mumbling, “La, la, la, la. I don’t hear you.” He knows this. So instead, he chooses carefully when to share these thoughts with me & I in turn try to listen without freaking out. He hears intensely from what we call the Holy Spirit: that inner prompting of your deepest self to take action that can be scary, challenging, and humbling. Ever since leaving Kenya he has struggled with knowledge that he can do more for people living in chronic & serious need. He struggles with balancing the safety and comfort we both want for our family & listening to the quiet yet growing call to use his talents in places that other people would rather only visit and take pictures of.
Can I just say that it is downright terrifying to think of giving up all of the wonderful comforts of Portland, Oregon AGAIN to go somewhere…..ELSE? It wouldn’t be a short-term choice if it happened again.
I’m pretty darn sure that the Holy Spirit is working on both me and Ian. There is definitely the knowledge that this Kenya Part 2 is probably just the gate to something else amazing & scary & perhaps downright crazy….but I am so pleased to share and announce to you all that for now, from Portland, Oregon, this desire to serve globally is being done through the launch of:
Ameena Project
I am thankful that Ian called on some like-hearted friends, Megan Steele and Shari Altree, to listen to his desires to continue serving globally & that they whole-heartedly jumped in with us.
Tomorrow I’ll take you on a tour of Ameena Project: What it is, How we’ll work, What it will take and so on! We’re so happy to welcome you on this journey with us.