Dear friends and family,
Thank you so much
for your prayers over the last few months. I have so appreciate them. It is
always so encouraging to hear from you in response to emails or posts I have
sent out. Can you believe it? We are leaving for Japan next Sunday!! I have
been able to talk to Laura often on Facetime and we are SO excited to spend 3
weeks together. Its hard to believe our time at Tenwek is drawing to a close.
(Mine at least, Dad and Rachel will return for about 5 more weeks)
Last weekend I was
able to go to RVA again. I am so thankful that each time I have returned there
it feels more and more like home. I am so excited to start ministry there as of
December 23rd. I was able to meet with my dorm girls for about 20 minutes after
their study hall while I was there on Thursday night. They asked me a few
questions and we visited some. It is such a blessing that out of the 17 girls I
will have, I have met or know all but 3 of them. That is so helpful since I
will be starting late into the school year with them. (Missed term 1) The first
part of the school year is always a big step in building relationships with the
girls so I am thankful that even though I didn't get that time with them we
aren't totally starting from scratch. I met with the dorm mom who was taking my
place just for this first term and she was able to share some concerns as well
as encouragement she has experienced this term. She shared how many of the
girls have not connected or tried to connect well with her. Being a TCK (third
culture kid) comes with its own challenges. Often as a mode of defense and self
preservation TCKs will avoid short-term relationships because their life is
filled with so many it is hard to commit to one knowing there will be another
good-bye. There are usually two different coping methods. One, is to totally
avoid any commitment and the other is to do the opposite and go very deep
quickly because you know your time is short. (I usually tend towards the 2nd
response, though understand the 1st as well because goodbyes are so painful. It
is easier to just keep things shallow so it won't leave too big a mark) Please
be praying for the dorm mom that she would leave RVA being encouraged in the
little things and knowing that God is sovereign over His design to have her
there for those 3 short months. He knows exactly who needed her there. Please
pray also for wisdom for me and open hearts for the girls and myself as we
prepare to build up relationships and learn to live and work together as they
adjust to a new dorm parent. Pray for their month at home too that they would
have a wonderful time with their family and come back to school refreshed and
ready to go for a new term.
I am excited to be setting up house soon, however this also brings up
another prayer request. One of the most important areas in any home has to be
the family room in my opinion. J For a dorm, it seems even more important. It
represents comfort, home, and family when these girls are away from all of
those in a boarding school. I realized this in my last apartment/dorm and was
blessed to have needs such as couches and pillows covered since I was able to
furniture sit for a lady on home assignment. However, this time I will be
responsible for purchasing these things with my work-funds that come from my
supporters (all of you) to set up my home. There are some things you can get
and have made at a very reasonable price here. However, that does NOT include
couches. Kenyan's are not known for their comfortable seats. (As I am writing
this I have a pillow propped against my back to help support my back from the
terribly hard couch I am sitting on. ;-)) Also, they are VERY expensive. Most
couches I have looked at are over 1,000$ alone. And that is just for ONE!
(remember I will have 17 teenage girls) Will you please join me in praying for
finding just the right -and hopefully a little cheaper- couches? (I know..
never thought you would be praying for a couch did ya? haha) Some experienced
missionaries have pointed me to 2 different online communities that sell
second-hand things in Nairobi so I have been keeping an eye on those sites. I
know God cares about all these details so am trusting Him to direct me in this.
If you ever feel led to give a one-time gift for a situation like this or for
other ministry costs that come up for me as a dorm parent, you can do so on the
AIM website. I have a work-fund account
that these usually come out of rather than the monthly pledges. ( http://www.aimint.org/usa/give After you
click on the link, it will give you an option for giving online and a link to
click on called "GIVE" Then once you click on that 2nd link it will
take you to a site where you can find my name and click on the Amy Jarrett link
. Then it will keep asking you to fill out the information and should direct
you in the next steps. You would choose the SUPPORT section rather than the
home assignment box.)
Thank
you for joining me in prayer for these things! ONE MORE and then I will close. J My niece, Elissa, and
her husband, Blake, are expecting their first child any day. Please be praying
for Elissa and a safe delivery. It is so hard to be so far away from family at
times like these! We are eagerly awaiting any word from family that Baby Dias
is here.
Serving
with you dear friends,
-Amy
