So…I love how God has a sense of humour!
It’s been a while since I’ve written on here and a LOT has happened
since then! One of the most amazing things that happened is that my gorgeous
guy of 2 years, Teo, proposed to me! We are so happy and planning our wedding
for September this year! J
Another amazing thing is that God has called me to step out
of my paid employment and into life as a missionary. This is a scary step, but
I know, by faith, that the God who calls will provide. I have had a lot of
confirmation over the last 5 months that this is what He wants me to do. When I was struggling with working out my decision God kept saying to me in many ways "How much do you love me? Will you obey me? Do you trust me?". I realised that often God wants us to be out of our comfort zone so that we can more fully trust in him. I also kept hearing.. "I want all of you...not just half" as I've often struggled with having a great job that pays during the week and being crazy busy 'serving' those in need on weekends. When I first came to Kenya I came to help kids in need, not to be 'employed'. I have felt myself being tugged in 2 directions for the past 3 years. I know that God needs me back in the dust and the dirt and in the uncomfortable.
When I first came to Kenya in 2007 my life changed.
Completely. And I couldn’t have stopped it if I tried. I didn’t know it at the
time…but look at me now…living almost 5 years in Kenya, engaged to the best
Kenyan man and living a life I couldn’t have planned for myself!
I also know that God usually doesn’t call the equipped. But
He equips those he calls, with more than they need. Over the past 8 years God
has been teaching me about loving and giving to those in need with an open
heart. It’s also amazing that he would call an Early Childhood Teacher to go
and work with street boys!
So…the plan is that when I finish my contract in June at
Rosslyn Academy I will move to work with Immanuel Afrika in Lusigetti (In July)
. This is a HUGE change for me as I will have to begin paying rent and
providing for my needs, without a guarantee of money. When I was volunteering
in the past, I had savings from working and then returning to Africa. As I have
been on a small wage for the past 3 years, I now don’t have these savings!
Immanuel Afrika rescues boys from the streets and provides a
safe, loving home where they can be rehabilitated from illicit substances and
alcohol and can begin going to school. The minute I walked into this place in
January last year I felt a sense of God’s overwhelming peace. I felt that the
boys were being so well looked after and that the people in this place
genuinely love them and want them to grow and succeed in life.
My role when I move there will be as Centre Manager. I will
work on the everyday running of the centre, will help with the child
sponsorship program and I will work to train the teachers in the school on best
practice for kids. I will also build relationships with the boys and help them
to see and experience God’s love. There is great need and I have a passion to
be able to fill the gap.
So there are many unknowns, which I would love your prayer
about.
·
That I will be easily able to transfer my work
permit over to a missionary permit (with no hassles in paperwork or bribery or
anything else).
·
That God will provide people in my life who can
support me both spiritually and financially as I help these boys.
·
That God will use me well for His glory.
So I am asking you to come on board with me in prayer. I
would love it for you to message me via email or facebook if you are willing to
stand with me on this journey and pray for me. I would love to make a prayer
wall in my bedroom!
If you have a church who is interested in getting involved
with supporting a missionary like me, please also let me know! If you attend a
youth group or Bible study and you’d be willing to fundraise that would be awesome!
I would also love some monthly financial supporters (even if it is only $20 per month!). If some people could give this, I would be able to pay my rent and buy petrol and food! If you would also like to give a one-off donation (however big or small) I would also appreciate it! I have worked out that I will need about $1600 AUD per month. This will cover my rent, petrol, insurance and food expenses as well as some money to be put aside to save for flights back to Australia every few years. This seems like a HUGE amount to raise...but God is bigger than any sum of money!
My aim is to be able to raise at least a few months rent by
June this year. If your feel like you are able to support me please contact or email
me at sjross77@hotmail.com and I can
give you my bank account details and sign you up for my newsletters.
Please feel free to share my story with others!
Baraka (Blessings)
Sarah ‘Waithera’ Ross
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