after the rain

It has been awfully dreary and rainy lately, and i find it hard not to let the weather affect my mood. I’m really not a big fan of rainy days (even though i’m not an outdoors person :P) and it’s especially no fun when you have to squelch through the puddles on the ground with long pants (which i often wear nowadays, in my job ;) But it’s all too easy to grumble about the weather instead of remaining joyful whatever the circumstance. Must remember to appreciate good weather all the more when it’s just cloudy, or a nice amount of sunny and not sweltering :)

In two weeks’ time, we’ll be in Kenya. Still lots to be done - i haven’t finished preparing my lessons on Daniel which Iris and i will be teaching the little kids. We haven’t bought all the necessary supplies yet and haven’t started packing. Other things to be done before we leave: get a haircut, and for me to get one more jab for Hep A. I am still rather apprehensive about the living conditions, but will try to learn to adapt. Please pray for all the preparations for the 8 of us in the team – that we’ll be able to cater to the needs to the church there with our lessons, and for the packing that will be done on Sunday. Praise God that we were each allowed an extra 10kg of baggage! I guess for short-term missions, it's really not so much what we can give to the people there, but just to go and see what God is doing among them. And also to meet a few of the people from different nations who we'll see later in Heaven ;)

* if you have time, check out this photo taken by Ken Duncan, which was taken in Rainbow Valley, Victoria Falls, Africa. A wonderful reminder of God's promise to Noah after the flood, of His goodness and mercies.

surrounded by antibiotics..

I was told that the psychs at the department often seem to get sick at the same time.. And looks like now is one of those times :P It's a bit scary how many of my colleagues are on MC or have been feeling under the weather. Some also have been feeling rather burnt out and tired lately. Guess that's part of being in the social services profession, when they put so much of themselves in the job. For me, i'm still trying to find the balance between learning and growing in the areas i know next-to-nothing about, and building on my strengths in my area of (relative) 'expertise'. And of course, trying to minister to the needs of my clients and colleagues too.

To top it off, husband also not well :P *help i'm surrounded... *

We're keeping the July Kenya team in prayer while preparing for our own time there. Can join us in praying for the teams - for good health and wisdom in preparing/teaching the lessons, and most importantly to be open to God's leading as we go.