Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Kenya 2014!!

Hi all you amazing people!

I am aware that many of you are still coming back from holidays, or settling in slowly into the impact of the first week of work. So I thought I would update you on the exciting news for this year, and then I will be in touch with everyone personally. :)

So as the subject subtly says, yes I am going back to Kenya!! And here is the really exciting part - I have been given a Class E, Missionary Work Permit which basically means I have a one year permit, (yes no more short term visas!) which is renewable every year! And it is only for amazing price of R400 :) This means I can volunteer in Faith Based Organisations (FBO) which opens up new chapter for me. I have prayed into this, and before all of this happened I had spent a lot of time with God asking Him what are my plans for this year. I asked Him to open up doors so clearly that I would know I should go back to Kenya, specifically the Kiberan slums. The passion and love for Kenya, Kibera especially and the amazing people that I have always been in touch with.

As you will know last year ended with 2 months in Uganda. I spent time there seeing if that was where I could pour my heart into, and for many reasons I realised it was not right for me. I came back in December feeling unsure as to where I should be this year. At that point I had no way of getting a permit to be in Kenya without a huge amount of moolah passing hands(which, yes, I chose not to do!) So I prayed into where I should be, and with a permit now organised I can now go back to where I believe strongly that God wants me in. Serving, loving, living out God to the children and families.

So how did this permit come through so quickly. Well, honestly God could have only made that happen! It was organised through a bishop heading up a section of Kibera, who runs a school and children's home. And there was also help there too, a young lady called Millicent. I worked with her last year, and God has really placed her on my heart that she could be the person for my future. So it's something amazing that God has an extra joy for me in Kenya (why am I still surprised that God can use our situations for something more?)

I have many options to be placed in, due to Haki (the previous organisation I was with) not being a FBO. My heart at this point is to be going to St Catherine's, a school and home to orphans in the area of Kibera, to be involved there and see how I can be of good use. They are working on buying a plot of land to become self sustainable in food for the children, school needs etc. This really excites me, and I have had experience with this in Uganda. http://stcgreenhouse.com/Home.html There are a few other organisations that want me, which are also based in Kibera, so I am not in want of places that I can aid their impact with the Kiberan community. This is an exciting time for me, and as you will know next to South Africa, Kenya is such a big part in my life, and I am really really looking forward to going back and seeing all "my" children from last year, and friends I accumulated from just being where God placed me.

I have saved enough money for a plane ticket, medical insurance and the likes. I am basically ready to leave! Literally give me a week and I am on my way :) I am also making plans to study teaching through Unisa from this year.This is also really exciting and is one step closer to me being self sustainable in the future.

Will you partner with me again this year and continue your awesome sponsorship for me over 2014? To continue being the intrepid umzungu missioning to welcome Heaven to Kibera, impacting the people, children and families and allowing me to continue what God has made me to do and where God is continuing to call me to.

Love'ya all!

Gareth, aka Beanie, aka the Intrepid Umzungu