The Calm Disciple
A few weeks back I was sharing with a friend how I had been feeling anxious about my upcoming move to Nairobi. Even though it is what I have a desire to do, giving up everything I know to be comfortable is a really hard thing to do. On top of that, trusting the Lord to provide finances, new community and safety is something I've never had to do to this extent before. In our conversation she said asked if I knew the story of the disciples in the boat with Christ. {Shown below}
"35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
She shared with me that even though it was scary for the disciples, Christ rebuked them because of their lack of faith. They had seen Christ do amazing things, yet they still lacked the faith and big picture thinking to know that he could handle the situation at hand. She pauses for a moment and then asks "Breanna, what if you work to be the calm disciple in the boat? What if you work to be the one not looking at the waves and dangers but to Christ and his ability?"
This has been my new goal. To look to Christ and be the "Calm disciple in the midst of the storm". When I start to reflect on my insufficiencies, my worries about finances, my anxieties of living/driving/teaching in Kenya, I tell myself "Be the calm disciple in the boat". This shifts my mind to picturing myself in a boat with Christ. I look at him and his ability and know that he is SO much bigger than my current or future trials. I see his heart, love, life and care for me and know that he will refine, challenge and grow me through this- but he will never give me anything beyond what I can bear. Below I've shared a few pictures from my time here in Memphis. I'm at a 2 week intensive training course to prepare me for Kenya. I've also shared a few prayer requests (If you have time to pray for me in this journey- I genuinely covet your prayers. They are SO deeply appreciated).
{Pictured below is the all the new staff + Karen that will be teaching at West Nairobi School this coming year}
{Above is my new (And pretty sweet) roommate Caitlyn + her fiancé Lois. They are both social studies teachers and will be helping me learn US history so that I can teach my class. They will be getting married next summer... so I get Caitlyn for one year }
{Some prayer requests}
- That the Lord would provide me an immense amount of peace, trust and desire for him in this time.
-That finances and everything logistically (Visas, certificates etc) will come together in the right timing.
-For my students in Nairobi. That the Lord will be preparing their hearts and minds for this year. That he will be working in their hearts to be ready to hear more about Christ and his love for them.
-For a rejuvenating week in Montreal. I am just finishing up two weeks of training in Memphis and now will be heading to Montreal until the 14th.
{My roommates here at impact training}
A HUGE thank-you to everyone who is following along with me in this journey. Your support (Through prayers and financially), and words of encouragement have been a beautiful blessing. If you'd like, you can subscribe below to receive future updates of the ministry and journey the Lord has me on.
" Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now and forever. Amen." -Jude 1:24-25
