Apples to Apples

I made it!

I arrived in Nairobi very late on Sunday evening, spent Monday shopping with my host family (who would have thought my first day in Africa would consist of shopping?), and Tuesday was our travel day out to Tenwek Hospital. I was greeted by the cook in addition to some of the visiting staff and moved into my appartment located at the Guesthouse. This apartment complex is where I'll be living, eating, communing and serving for the majority of my time here and it's been a pleasure to begin to meet the people that I will be working along side of for the year. Gladys, the Guesthouse manager, is incredible. She's been kind in ways that I didn't think I needed kindness including giving me a tour of the hospital, introducing me to longterm missionaries, and just making sure I'm alive and well. My host family, the Chupp's, are long term missionaries here and Dr. Chupp is the leading physician and medical director of the hosptial. I'm amazed at how much he does and how he keeps a smile on his face and still makes time for his family. A challenging yet fulfilling lifestyle, from what I understand.

Last night I had dinner with some of the visiting staff, one of whom graduated from Wheaton in 1961(?). He and his wife met in Chemistry class and the rest is history. I told him it was a classic Wheaton love story and he laughed a little bit completely understanding the truth to that statement. I also met a couple and their daughters from Rochester, Minnesota who in fact work with a family whose children attend Wheaton. This is a small world and continues to get smaller at every turn.

After dinner the kids, including myself because I'm not quite sure if I'm allowed to sit at the big kids table or if I should dismiss myself with the kids, decided to play some games. They finished up a short card game and then decided to play Apple to Apples. Everytime someone says Apples to Apples someone else cheers and raves about how good they are at that game and how much fun it is.. that someone else is never me. Apples to Apples actually gives me anxiety and I cry myself to sleep after every time I play. In this particular game, the card that I put to down to be reviewed was in fact the first card to be reflipped over because it wasn't up to par with the choosers definition of "creepy" or "colorful." Playing with 6 young(er) kids who have no idea who Cher is apparently didn't appreciate my card choice as much as I did. Low and behold, by the end of the game I had accumulated 1 adjective card while each other player had at least 5. Let's just say, I'm a sore loser. Very sore.

This stupid game, rather my stupid response to a fun party game, pointed out some pretty harsh realities about my own will and personality. I like to be good at things, to get better, and to win. I blame this competitive drive on years of sports and it really is a part of who I am. But right now, when my job is to serve and to be served, to care and to encourage, this competitive drive might need to supside in order to let grace overwhelm me and others. This struggle reminds me of John 3:30 where it states, "He must increase, but I must decrease." How often do we want this but never fully empty ourselves so that the Lord may overflow?

Everyday will be a new challenge and a new opporunity to become a part of this community. I cannot tell you how blessed I have felt by your encouragement, emails, support, and love thus far. I'm hoping to take and add some pictures soon, I'm sorry they haven't come yet -- internet's a bit slow. Please keep me in your prayers for continued boldness in the Spirit and transition into a new life. God is good, and I pray I am steadfast in seeking His goodness around me!

|| I must decrease so that the heart of the Lord may overflow through me ||