Farewells are bitter sweet

This is when we went searching for giraffes.

It is that time again, time to say goodbye to another team of interns. This is the10th time to do so. (We have had 8 teams finish up at Gtown. We participated in the debriefing of a team that did their internship in Mombasa and we had said our goodbyes and did debriefing to the team that had to evacuate due to Covid in 2020). 

Each team stands out in it's own way. This specific one really enjoyed being together, and they were creative in being able to do so. Jason and I have implemented many rules because we live in a Islamic dominant environment. We stick out as Americans and are automatically assumed to be Christians because of this. Being an American and a Christian is one and of the same. Unfortunately there are negative connotations to this. Lots of people watch American movies and notice the loose morals of sleeping around outside of marriage. Because of this people will think we also sleep around. We want to show that we are set apart for God and adhere to His standards. One of the rules we have is that the single guys will not enter into the single ladies house, (without a married couple present) and vice versa. This intentionality of being above reproach has gained us respect in this community. A few times when the interns wanted to hang out, they would put a mat on the ground outside to essentially have a picnic and play card games. This enabled all their actions to be out in the open for all to see. The interns did all sorts of projects as a team. They painted a total of 6 farm houses and two schools during the time here. They also participated in the Christmas outreach (where they performed a drama) and helped with mobile clinic with other kingdom workers. There are many other things they did both individually and collectively. We are incredibly proud of them. Ultimately they modeled out,

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him". Colossians 3:17

I appreciate many different aspects about Kenya and 1 of them is that speeches are common at events. Usually interns get a first glimpse of this is after their competition of 4 months of Language studies. Their Swahili teacher organizes a graduation ceremony where everyone shares in a meal and then speeches are given. Each language helper tells stories about their time and gives gratitude for the opportunity. Interns are also asked to give a speech about their experience, and it usually can be awkward for them. They don't quite know what to say. Now as the interns came to the end of their internship they gave and received many speeches to their friends and even to the schools and churches they served at. They encountered speeches that were meaningful and tear filled. One of the interns noticed that there was so much closure to this chapter of life, because of these speeches.

The last few days of the interns time in Kenya is spent in Nairobi. Jason and I lead them through different exercises to help them begin the debriefing/re entry process. We have them think back on each month they were here and remember what happened. We also have them name all the individuals they met and surrender them each by name to the Lord. There is always a mixture of Christians and Muslims names that are mentioned. There is a burden for those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Savior because of truly not knowing if they ever will be seen again. We really desire that these names be released to the Lord knowing He is at work, even as the leave.

We presented a lot of questions for group discussions. We asked what were some of the joys and challenges of internship. We asked what they will miss and what will they not miss about the culture. We ask what is something they want to bring back to America that they learned while being here. We also had a time to acknowledge the strengths and giftings each intern have used. Last but not least we had exit interviews to finalize any last words. We all went out to a safari adventure and had dinner at a Brazilian barbecue restaurant. When it was time for them to go to the airport to fly out, we gave final hugs and stood waving goodbye until their vehicles was out of distance. We always knew their time was temporary but still this goodbye was very hard. Our daughters are all at an age where it is painful to love interns and then watch them go. It is still worth it. The truth is that each one of us is changed for the better having loved and lived with one another for the cause of Christ.

There were lots of times of laughter and fun in our living room. 

Success 

Tangled themed birthday. 

What happened each month the interns were here.

List of names of the people they met.

Hug/tackle after words of encouragement. 

Jason Hugging Keegan. 

Another hug/tackle.