Hello Sweet friends,
I am so thankful to those of you who chose to take the time and read my writings. Though I know they can be a bit lengthy, your interest in me & what Jesus is doing is so encouraging.
This year has continued to be a wild ride! With this pandemic, online school and Jesus calling me to a new path which includes going back to school (yikes!), I am continually amazed at the Lord’s providence through it all. In this post I hope to share a bit of how life has been here in Kenya, show a few photos of our trip to South Africa and give a bit more info on what next year will look like for me here in Kenya.
2020-2021 School Year
This 2020-2021 School year has been challenging, uplifting and full of adventures. With being fully online the first semester, building relationships with my students was challenging. Working to keep grade 4 students accountable, hold them to high academic standards, all through a computer screen, was an adventure. I laugh to myself as I write this. I think for many people looking into the situation, it just doesn’t seem like the ideal setup. However, there were so many surprise blessings within the chaos. I was able to have more one-on-one conversations with students than I ever had had before. When I taught Bible, my voice was echoing into their houses. The truths of who Christ is and what He has done for us were ringing through to parents, some who had never really heard the gospel before. Additionally, being online allowed us, teachers, to connect in different ways. Relationships were built and strengthened as we had more time to talk without students around. I think also the camaraderie that was built through a shared challenging experience, played into the new connections and relationships.
This past quarter, we had the students in person. I LOVE my class this year, they are energetic, inquisitive and full of such unique personalities. The amount they make me belly laugh is unlike any other class I have had before. Though wearing masks, social distancing and sanitizing our hands dry, they have been such troopers with all the new requirements.
Here are a few photos from our time together in class.
Masters & a New Position
In September this year, I was talking with a friend and she asked, “Hey, what would you think about becoming the new chaplain/counsellor at our school?” This question in the past would terrify me. “Uh uh, no way,” would be my normal response. It’s always interesting to me when the Holy Spirit so drastically changes your heart, often without you even knowing. I was stopped in my tracks as I took an assessment of my feelings. Huh, it didn’t scare me as much as it had in the past. I love moments like that. Moments where you get to stop and go, “Okay, what are you up to Jesus?” As I mulled over the possibility, I began to get excited. If I did apply for this position (as it is only a 65% time position), I would be able to pursue my Master’s in Counseling online at the same time. This is something my heart has been yearning for, however, I just haven’t had the time.
When I approached my principal about the idea, her response was so encouraging. “All your ideas Breanna,” she said, “are nothing I have not already thought of before.” Wow, Jesus, you are so cool. Not only had he been preparing my heart for this, but he was preparing others for it too.
So, as of August 2021, I will no longer be a 4th-grade teacher but the elementary chaplain/counsellor. My position includes planning lower and upper elementary chapels, teaching social-emotional classes to PreK-5th grade, and organizing discipleship groups. Guys, my job is literally going to be teaching about Jesus & emotions! How amazing is that?!
I have applied to an online Masters in Counseling program through Yorkville, but I am still waiting to hear about admissions. As of right now, my plan is to work Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the school, then have Tuesday and Thursday to work on my Master’s. My heart long term is to aid missionaries overseas, helping them know they aren’t alone and pointing them towards the sufficiency of Christ in all things.
I am trusting Jesus for the funds at the moment. With going down in workload, I will need to raise more support. If you are interested in partnering with me, please feel welcome to reach out. I would love to connect.
Holy Spirit Reflections
This is the last piece on this blog post I get to write- I’ve hesitated to write it as I am not sure of where to start, how to share and what I want to share exactly. Some things in my walk with Jesus are SO personal, I haven’t yet learned how to articulate them. Additionally, I understand that the views of the power and workings of the Holy Spirit are so diverse, I recognize not everyone may share my same perspective.
In December, I came across an old sermon series through Bridgetown Church. It was a Holy Spirit conference they had back in 2018 and a man named Mike Pilivachi was speaking. As I listened to him share, a part of my heart was stirred in a new way. The way he heard from the Holy Spirit, how he walked in obedience, I wanted that. I remember standing in front of the coffee maker in my parents’ house on Van Isle at 6 am. No one else was awake and I was listening to this sermon of the power of God- his words brought this new yearning to my soul. I just stood there in awe, picturing Jesus on the counter before me I just looked at him and said, “Ok, what do I need to do to have THIS!?” It wasn’t this guy’s crazy stories that drew me in, it was the way he was so clearly experiencing this closeness with Christ and then walking it out through the day. I remember Jesus smiling back at me, the way he does when He is just so excited about what I’ve discovered. His eyes seem to say, “Oh I am SO excited for what I have in store for you.”
When I returned home to Kenya, I began to read and listen to more. Mike also has a book called, “Everyday Supernatural.” This book is a beautifully written piece that speaks about how the gifts of the Spirit are for everyone. Everyone. I’ve always been able to see pictures from Jesus, ones I knew that were not just of me. But as I read this book I could feel the Spirit saying, “I want to grow this in you- for you to share this with others too.” The thing I love about all of this is the whole goal is closeness with Christ. All of it. Then from it flows Building the Kingdom and showing the power of God. Yet what God wants first and foremost is for us to just love Him with full abandon, wildly deep love. He chooses to show us the power of the Spirit because it’s another way he whispers His love to us.
Conveniently our church was doing a whole series on the Holy Spirit in February-March this year. I’ve been learning to hear words or pictures and offer them to people. Nothing super profound has happened, and I know I’ve probably heard wrong sometimes. However, every time I try, I can see the smile of Christ as he whispers, “Let’s go!”
We often underestimate the excitement Jesus has as we go on this life journey with Him. I love His smile I see whenever I step out and offer a word to someone or even just sit with Him and hear something he wants to say to me — these all are Him drawing close, giving me his full attention and eagerly anticipating what is next. How beautiful and humbling and amazing is it that the God of the Universe chooses to and wants to do this with us!?
Here are Mike’s sermons I listened to- https://bridgetown.church/series/holy-spirit-conference-2018/
Cape Town Adventures
I was so encouraged, rejuvenated and blessed by this sweet trip we had the opportunity to take. Last year at this time, I had saved up birthday/Christmas money to fly to Burundi with a friend. This trip however fell through as the world Pandemic hit Kenya. We were given vouchers that we needed to be used before March of this year. So, we needed to go somewhere this year that was far enough away to use the full voucher. Friends had visited SA over Christmas and spoke highly of it. Seeing as we could rent a car (no public transit) and most things were outside away from other people, we decided to go.
I don’t think I’ve been to many places around the world that are as beautifully diverse and grand as Cape town. Situated near the southernmost tip of the continent, Cape Town has beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean that hit the land and jut up into huge mountain tops. Our trip consisted of seeing penguins, hiking mountains/taking cable cars up the mountains, going on beautiful walks by the ocean and of course having a Starbucks coffee or two (or 5).
*Some of the photos are from Mae’s film camera so they aren’t all in focus. But I love them still so wanted to include them :)
Praise & Prayer
{Praise} We have been in person for a whole quarter!
(Prayer) We are now mandated to be online again until further notice. Prayer this will not be long and we will be able to teach for a majority of the final quarter.
{Praise} Jesus has provided a new position at the school that is so focused on my interests & passions. I am also so excited to begin my master’s!
(Prayer) I will find the funds to work part-time and pay for schooling
{Praise} The community at church and school has been so amazing this year
(Prayer) That we will continue to find unique ways to pursue community even with the current lockdown in Kenya.
(Prayer) That Canada lifts their travel restrictions and I will be able to visit this summer.
For those of you who read this all the way through, thank you. Thank you to all who are so supportive and interested in all Jesus is doing. If you have questions or want to connect, I am as always happy to!
Much love,
-Bree
