April
Hello Community,
Well… I’ve sheepishly let go of monthly updates. With preparations to leave, I just haven’t been able to keep up with sharing all the goings-on (and so much has been happening).
As I prepare to head home, I find myself reflecting deeply on the goodness of God over these past eight years in Kenya. I think back to that 23-year-old version of me stepping off the plane into a new country, a new continent, a new culture—and into a new career—while also learning to live on my own for the very first time. I’m in awe of all the Lord has brought me through.
My view on life, missions, who God is and what He is capable of, friendship and community, and ultimately the calling He has placed on my life… all of it has been shaped by my time here.
A few updates:
A list of items needed:
I’ve waffled (is that the right word? haha) back and forth about whether to share this list. It’s a list of all the household items I’ll need to build a new life on the Island. I don’t want to seem needy or like I’m asking for too much. And yet, the reality is—I need a lot of things, and I’m coming home with very little money.
Everything from kitchen utensils, appliances, a couch, a TV—these are all things I’ll eventually need to buy. So I’m placing this list here with humility.
If you have extra, are getting rid of something, or just want to help by buying and sending something to my parents—thank you. That would be so, so appreciated. But seriously—no pressure at all. I find it weird to ask this, since technically I’m not “a missionary” anymore. This is just part of the transition off the field.
If you can offer something, please put your name down. And if you need it out of your house before July 12th, reach out and I’ll do my best to coordinate with you!
List of Items: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-IzOCrLo-I6AnXXGrmT_WZ8HtsIxzj-OJeUvzTdhOR0/edit?usp=sharing
A car to borrow?
One more thing I’m hoping to sort out before I get home—transportation! I’ll need to borrow a car for a few months while I get settled, find a job, and become eligible for financing to purchase my own vehicle.
If you happen to know of an extra car that isn’t in use or have any leads on one I could borrow short-term, I’d be so grateful. Just something reliable enough to get around while I land on my feet.
Earlier End Date:
Due to some changes in plans here, I’ll be heading back to Canada earlier than expected. I’ve booked a flight for July 12th. My plan is to continue working with the counselling centre until the original end date—early September—but I’ll finish the last two months remotely from Canada.
If you’re a financial supporter, I’ll be sending out more details in a separate email soon.
EMDR Training:
I’ve been diving into training and certification for a therapy approach called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It’s a research-based modality that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories that tend to linger in the mind and body. Trauma often leaves us with deeply rooted negative beliefs about ourselves, others, or the world. EMDR helps shift those beliefs to something more healing and hopeful.
Right now, I’m in the thick of training and supervision, seeing more clients than ever as I learn and grow in the technique. It’s been an eye-opening and meaningful journey—though I won’t lie, the late-night classes (thanks to the U.S. time zone) have definitely pushed me past my usual bedtime!
The Moving Process:
I’ve been joking that my current part-time job is selling all my household items, planning a move, and applying for jobs! What a wild and funny process it is to try and move your whole life across the world.
I’m working to stay grounded and present here, soaking up these last months in Kenya as best I can. At the same time, I’m polishing resumes, submitting job applications, searching for a place to live, planning a new photography website, and trying to find homes for all my stuff. It’s a beautiful, difficult, and exhausting thing to live in the tension of this in-between.
How can you be praying?
Please keep praying for me as I transition. That I would be able to enjoy my time here in Kenya and stay present, while also feeling ready and at peace about moving back to Canada. Pray that the Lord would use this in-between season, and that my heart would remain open to whatever He wants to teach me.
I’m confident that He doesn’t waste anything. So I’m asking Him to grow me, shape me, and draw me closer to Himself through it all.
And practically—please pray that the many details around moving, finding a job, and finances would fall into place. I’d be so grateful for your prayers and support during this time.
A few snapshots from the last couple months:
Another friend came to visit, and we’ve been soaking up the sunshine and even squeezed in some camping adventures. The first few photos are from our final staff meeting with our boss—who, true to form, showed up in a cat sweater (I LOVE her). That inspired our psychiatrist in Sweden to join the fun from afar in her Pikachu sweater—honestly, it was the perfect way to end our time together as Soohyun leaves back to Korea.
Another highlight: a dear friend welcomed a beautiful new baby. I also got some updated headshots done for a photography page I’m working on. The rest of the photos are just little glimpses from everyday life—I’m trying to capture and savour the small beauties here in Kenya as this chapter wraps up.
I’ve been posting more frequently over on Instagram, so if you’d like to follow along, I’d love to have you there: @bee_tom
As always, thank you so much for following along!
Breanna
