The Finish Line is Fast Approaching

The summer is starting to wind down. It is insane to think of how quickly this summer has passed by. We spent this past weekend in Massai Mara for our safari. It was somewhat awkward being a true tourist for the first time this summer. Although we have been called mzungu (white man) all summer, we have never filled a “tourist” role. Early Friday morning two matatus (vans that holds 12 or more people) pulled up to the compound. We traveled 6 hours southwest of Nairobi. We were close to the Tanzania border. The Maasai mara is one of the most famous safari destinations in the entire world. We saw people from Germany, China, England, Canada, and the USA.

Those of you who have known me since I was little know that I grew up wanting to be the next Crocodile Hunter. I was like a little kid in a candy store getting to see all of these wild animals. We got to see herds of zebras, and the wilder beast migration across the Massai Mara River. We saw hippos, a rino, herds of elephants, all kinds of birds, giraffes, and we came within 15 feet of about 10 lions. The group kept thinking of all of the scenes in The Lion King that these animals were in, but there was no Pride Rock sighting. “You killed Mufasa” could be heard from the group as we approached a herd of wilder beast. This was a life changing experience. It was something I have been waiting for since I was born.

God’s creation amazes me. Seeing all these animals in their natural habitat and the beauty of their surroundings made Romans 1:19-20 really come to life. How can anyone look at the variety of earthly creation, a sunrise, a sunset, and the beauty of a mountain and not know that there is a God. Those things only describe visible earthly creation, much less the vastness of the universe or the complexity of a single molecule.

This past Sunday, a large portion of the group suffered from food poisoning. We assume that it came from the Massai Mara. I was spared. Saturday night I took a Cipro (antibiotic) to fight against a sinus infection. I guessed that taking that little pill spared me from a day of misery. Although Corey was sick, God still provided him the strength to give the sermon on Sunday. It was incredible seeing such a tangible answered prayer right in front of us. As soon as the sermon was over, he became extremely sick. Other than that experience of food poisoning, the group’s health has been extremely well since we have been here.

This Sunday will be our last Sunday in Kibera. We are flying out on the 24^th. It is going to be the start of an emotional week for the team. Every single one of us are leaving a portion of our hearts here. Although there are some things back home that each of us are looking forward to seeing, there is a large portion of us all that want to stay here in Kenya. God’s hand on this team has been very evident. The team is still anxiously awaiting the “storming phase” that was drilled into us at prefield training. This has become some sort of joke to the team. We realize that each day is a blessing and we have tried our best to take advantage of each opportunity that we have here. The maturity of each team member has been an important factor in the smoothness of the summer. Another important thing is that each person on the team really wants to be here. No one is seeing this as a miny vacation.

I will be giving the sermon at church on Sunday. Keep me in your prayers as I prepare. Also keep the team in your prayers as a whole as we begin to long week of goodbyes and prepare ourselves to get back into the American culture. I truly believe that it is going to be a hard adjustment. 

HE must increase i must decrease,

Justin