Inspiring stories from Kenya
Today, our team split up to best use our time.
Jenna, Luke, Morgan, Bishop James and I went over to Eor-Ekule Secondary School. It was an unexpected second visit to build further relationships with the students and staff. We took gifts for the teachers and administrators; binders filled with paper, pens, & pencils. We also took "sweets" for the students.
Jenna and Morgan worked with the girls, answered questions, and encouraged them. Luke was able to dig deeper with the group of boys interested in innovative thinking, and did some training on how exactly to run the class on their own.
I had the opportunity to counsel four girls one on one. They each shared their stories and struggles with me and I prayed over each of them at the end of our time together.
Two girls in particular really had an effect on me.
The first came from a family of 7 children. Her father has three wives, something very common in this culture, and sent her mother and their 7 children away. She was the only girl in the family who had not been married off at 12 for a dowry. Her mother, despite financial lack and going against societal pressures and norms, encourages her to remain in school and continues to farm and sell vegetables to barely cover her daughter's tuition.
The second shared a similar story. She was one of 9 children, and she wanted to remain in school instead of being married off young. She told me that she was made to change the world- she wanted to become both a doctor and a politician to create change. Her confidence in God's plan for her and in God's way of providing despite her many challenges in life was INSPIRING.
Later in the afternoon once we got back at camp, Bishop James slaughtered a goat in celebration of our visit. They are roasting it over the fire and we are about to eat it for dinner!
All is well, we're enjoying our time here, soaking it all in, and spreading the love of Christ each day.
xoxo, Nicole Trotman
P.s. Hi Winston, mom, dad, Mimi & papaw! Love & miss you all.