You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of us.
You make
me new,
you are making me new.”
-gungor, beautiful things
one month ago i stepped off a plane into nairobi. this wasn’t anything like home. the people were different. everything was dirty. everything was loud & confusing…and everything was SO african. a few days later i got dropped off in the middle of no where, africa where i was the only little, white girl. i had to relearn how to do everything. nothing was familiar. i felt like a walking freak show…but, i had 13 little girls that needed me to be strong & to give them every bit of love i had. God gave me the strength to get through it, & gave me more & more love for them every day. yesterday i left my little girls for the next couple of weeks. it wasn’t easy, but i could hardly believe the progress we’ve already made! i rode into nairobi, & i could hardly believe my eyes! this was the cleanest, grandest place i had ever been to. it’s funny how your perception can change. i got to spend time with my mentor, then have dinner with my new flat mates. i’m staying in the ‘single gal’ house with sarah from oregon, cordula from germany, & evelyn from switzerland. i can’t tell you how nice it was to sit back & just have a normal conversation with people who understand a lot of my struggles & joys of kenya. i can’t tell you how exciting it was to have a hot shower, or see a washing machine…or a chocolate bar. i am so thankful that this is changing my heart & my priorities more & more every single day. i am so thankful that when i said, “God, use me,” He did….and when i told Him, “maybe i wasn’t right for the job,” i am so thankful that He didn’t give up. one of the things that i have been trying to explain with some kenyan friends is the purpose of trials. they think you must have done something wrong to be enduring something unpleasant, and they can’t see the good things that come after. i’ve made no secret that there have been some really hard days for me here. it feels like walking through fire a lot of the time…but, when we walk through fire God won’t let us be burned, & in the end the only things left are what’s of worth. if we let Him, He will make beautiful things out of us.
Maggie!!! I love reading your blogs!! I was behind on them, but Amy has been keeping me posted about everything. I miss your visits, having you plop down on the couch, talking, laughing, silliness!!!! It sounds like you’re having so many amazing experiences. I am happy you are with people who can relate to what you have experienced. And, never underestimate what a hot shower can do to raise your spirits!!!!! Love you and praying for you!!!!
beautifully said, mb! i miss you!
My church choir sand this song last sunday. ..it’s been a great comfort as it continues to play not in my head but in my heart….Only my heavenly Father can make awesomely beautiful things out of the seemingly worst situations….