“Miss Galloway, you’re going to Rift Valley Academy, right?”

A sweet freshman walked tentatively into my classroom this morning. It cracked me up that she led with that, as it was the same question she asked yesterday- almost afraid this morning the answer had changed. It turns out, last year she was a student at RVA, and next year she will be again when her family moves back on the mission field!

She held in her hand 2 pieces of notebook paper folded over 4 times and stating on the front (I hope it helps somehow.)  

  “I was thinking last night… and I wrote down some things that I wish someone had told me before I went to RVA.” She extended her hand and passed to me her gift. “I even drew you a map.”

I got all choked up as I thanked her and clutched my new treasure.

In the past month I’ve begun the process of support raising. I’ve begun meeting and video calling with friends and family to share about my ministry and the incredible opportunity I have to invite them to be a part of what God is doing in my life, in Kenya, in Africa, and the world in reaching people for Christ. It’s been a lot of fun, talking about how God has been moving in incredible ways, and sharing about the excitement of the things to come.

But it has also been hard- logistically, but also with the few people I’ve already met with, questions have been asked that have forced me to face some truths and realities about what embarking on this journey means. Don’t get me wrong- Jesus is so worth it- but there has been a bit of a reality check when questions as simple as, “Have you been there before?” carry the whispers of my flesh, causing me to doubt God’s goodness, “You’re moving across the world and have never even seen this place, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

But God. He is so much bigger than my own meager attempts to remind myself.

He knew I needed a reminder from Him of the goodness of his plan, and today it came in the form of carefully thought out notes from a sweet 14 year old girl:

• “Cafo = cafeteria. Tuesday lunch = burgers + everyone running to get first dibs.”
• “If you want to see a really good sunrise/sunset, the Admin Building porch overlooking the basketball courts.”
• “Chai mugs are a thing- bring a good quality coffee mug because every school day morning around 10-10:30 there’s a chai (tea) break and chai on cold mornings hits the spot like nothing else.”
• “Get to know the (specific family) if they’re still there. The whole family was kind and welcoming to me when I was new and they’re just pretty great all around.”

With an entire sheet of these hints, I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who goes out of His way to remind me I am loved as I seek to faithfully follow Him with my small faithful footsteps.

I am thankful too for the ally I have found in this sweet girl that I get to know now, her locker outside of my classroom, but will get to teach when I move to the other side of the world.

Prayer Points

• Please pray for the Lord’s continued leading in this journey.

Praise Note

• I am thanking God for this beautiful reminder of Himself through this student and her thoughtful gesture.