After the meeting on Wednesday about new school rules I got a text from Jeff saying "We have some work to do..." and I just knew it wasn't going to be great news for us. My first reaction is usually to panic for 3 seconds and then start planning onbecause that's what Moms do right? Then I started thinking...how bad can it really be? We knew we needed more classrooms, we knew we needed to complete the buildings that weren't complete so really the only things that were new news to us were the added toilets, plastering the insides of the room and the sudden time crunch of everything being completed by January.

If you don't understand how Kenya usually works it is more of a build as you go kind of thing. Many schools don't have permanent classrooms (instead theirs are built out of mud and iron sheets), many schools don't have windows, many schools don't have the proper number of teachers or the teachers aren't certified, many of them lack proper curriculum. So last year when we started building MCA we started school right away while actually building the school. Throughout the school year we added needed things and buildings as money allowed. This is the typical Kenyan way, everything is a process which is much different than what Jeff and I are used to.

January of 2019 just after we began Mercy Christian Academy.

Now it seems as if things are going to shift and not be "as you go" or "as you can". For us that puts us in what I call "crunch time", but really if this sticks and becomes the new way it will definitely be better for Kenya overall. Selfishly, because let's be honest, sometimes I just want things my way, I'm excited because this will force us to complete some things and not always be under construction. Since we moved here almost 3 years ago every part of our property has been under construction. It would be nice to have something done! Of course we hope we will add to the school each year, but this way each class won't be under construction. It will also allow us to focus on making the classrooms colourful and inviting for our kids.

We have a great group of teachers who are getting what we feel like God has called us to as school directors. This is exciting to watch and be part of.

Today we met with our teachers and told them the new way things had to happen. We talked about the money we needed God to provide and how we needed to start building as soon as possible. Our teachers were encouraged to see that we had began working on more toilets and they were encouraged that God would provide. As we met with them they talked about things they wanted to add to our school in 2020 like Biblical integration, art, music, learning about other cultures...for the first time I saw some excitement in them. And why not? We are all very well aware that 10 months ago we didn't have any buildings, any books, any uniforms...but God!

I wish I could put into words what it is like to have God come through for your kids and people in such a big way day after day. I wish I could put into words what it is like for other people, many who we've never had the privilege of meeting, join with us, pray for us, give of their time, give their money to keep this ministry going. Sometimes it is hard to believe, how much y'all give. We've honestly wondered if they meant to give that much and we've questioned why David (president) would stay up till 2am trying to sort stuff out, we've been so, so incredibly blessed!

So I panicked for a few seconds, but now I'm sitting back and waiting to see what God does. We know where we want the next classrooms to go. We (we hired someone) are digging additional toilets and we are waiting. God is good y'all! So, very good and if He decodes that we don't need to add to our school, He will still be good.

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do NOT be ANXIOUS about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING by PRAYER and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4‭-‬7 ESV (emphasis added 😀)

https://aboutface.atlas.thrinacia.com/campaign/29/mca-campus-completion

Peace, Prayer, and Preparation

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