Although I feel like I have a lot more to do before I leave, I have had fun getting prepared for this adventure! I have gotten my vaccines, sent out support letters, purchased my plane tickets (I even got to pick my seat on some of the planes!), and purchased my luggage. God has really blessed me along the way financially. My vaccines were mostly covered by insurance, and I found a really awesome deal on plane tickets, to pre-field training, from my local airport. I am still greatly in need of monthly supporters. Thank you to those who have already given donations or signed on for monthly support! I cannot thank you enough! Thank you also to those who have been praying for me as I prepare to leave!
I will be in Mississippi for training from June 27th-July 8th. I can't wait to meet my new co-workers and learn more about what I will be teaching! I find it funny that the first missions trip I ever took was to Mississippi, and the second one was to Kenya. Now I get to go to Mississippi to train for Kenya. Evidently those are the only two places I am called to. God really has a sense of humor! Please pray for safe travels, and for good relationships to be built between the staff.
I am trying to make the most of every moment that I get with my friends and family, and enjoying the comforts of home before I leave for a very different culture. Having spent two weeks in Kenya last summer has allowed me to become much more comfortable with the idea of living there for 2 years. I know a little bit of what to expect, and I am going into this move thinking of everything that I learned from my last journey to the other side of the world. Some things I learned from my last trip to Kenya; 1) Even the poorest people in America have a great deal more than the poorest people in some parts of Africa. This was very humbling for me and made me realize how little I really need to survive. 2) In some areas, things are run on "Kenyan time." As Americans, we often feel like we live in a fast paced, need it done yesterday, don't sleep til it's finished, kind of society. My experience with Kenya was that most people were much more laid-back and easy-going. I am looking forward to the change of pace 3) If you travel outside of the city, seeing a giraffe is like seeing a white tail deer! You don't see them all the time, but if you do, it's not that surprising evidently!
Thank you all for your love and support during the last few months of preparing to move. I know that I am going to face challenges, and I am so happy to have such a strong network of people praying for me, and supporting me back here at home. If anyone is interested in coming to visit, I would love to show you around and see you in person, rather than through a computer screen! You can keep in contact with me through skype, facebook, e-mail, and snail mail (My mailing address is Amber Geist, PO BOX 1333-00502, Karen, Kenya). I will try to update this blog as often as possible, but please be patient with me, especially in my first few weeks, as I am going to be a first year teacher in a foreign country!
Verse of Encouragement:
"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3: 5-6
Always remember to seek God's will above all else. His plan is perfect, and although there may be trials along the way, He will never leave your side.
Prayer Requests:
-Please continue to pray for all of the new teachers coming to Kenya with me (Rachel, Angela, Kristin, Gari, Jenn, and our newest group member, Tara, who will be teaching 3rd grade!)
-For safe travels and strong relationships to be formed at PFO in Mississippi.
-For smooth airport/plane travels to Kenya
-For an easy transition to a new culture
-For financial support to continue to come for myself and the other teachers from NICS
-For myself, my students, and co-workers at WNS to have a great year together!
