Off I Go!

So long, farewell...
It has been an emotional and stressful week for me.
Emotional. Saying goodbye to my students and school was difficult. While I'll get to see the students next year, I won't be going back to that school or wonderful staff. It is always hard leaving a place where you have grown immensely as a person and, in my case, a teacher.
Stressful. Not knowing the timing for teaching overseas, Kenya was the first and only trip planned for me this year. Well, God had other plans. Leaving and fund raising for two trips (one bigger than the other) in one year is kind of crazy. That realization was dumped upon me as I raced to complete documents, pack, write a letter, print things, and correspond with AIM during the course of a week.I have witnessed God's peace and strength in my life plenty of times, yet I still become a basket case when there is a long to-do list. One of my weaknesses - trying to control too much and stress about it.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

That being said, I am ready to leave on my 7 am flight tomorrow morn and trust Christ with what I've left at home. I will arrive in Houston to meet my team and then we will depart for a trip to Nairobi, Kenya June 2.
Words cannot express how thankful I am for friends and family like you. I am so undeserving to be this blessed! Please keep me and my team in your prayers as the adventure begins:
  Traveling, team bonding, and for our only expectation be that God will work in our lives through Kenya.

I hope to write again sometime after we land in Nairobi.

Baraka.

Well, I'm Going Back

As the plane surged down the runway with power and speed, tears filled my eyes uncontrollably. Then when the wheels left the African ground, my heart broke a little in my heavy chest. I didn't know whether I'd ever again see a country and people that I had grown to love dearly. I had to trust that God would give me the strength to be content in any circumstance that came my way from that moment on (Philippians 4:11-12).

Kenya. I'm going back.

My first trip to the beautiful country in 2011 (see unfinished blog here: http://adventureforkenya.blogspot.com/ ) changed my world; my perspective, my relationship with God, my heart for people and cultures, all of it. I have been changed. Now, my desire is to give my whole life to Jesus to used for His purpose no matter what the cost.
Since then I have grown as a person, a follower of Christ, and as a teacher. I have not stopped learning from my first Kenya experience and it will forever be a huge part of my history. Yet, a new experience stares me in the eyes. I will have a new team, a new assignment, and new ways I will be brought to my knees in awe of Christ and His unfailing love.

God provided funds for my trip without me lifting a finger. I have so many blessings in my life and my friends and family are a huge part. Thank you all for the support! Being humbled and overwhelmed with the love, I am preparing to leave this Friday, May 31.
Please be in prayer for me and my team as we get ready to rendezvous in Houston before heading overseas. I am feeling particularly overwhelmed with tasks that had to be put off until school got out for the summer. Pray for peace and productivity, and that I would put my whole trust in Christ at this time.

Lastly, I would love letters while I'm in Kenya, so I have included the address in which I can be reached during the summer. You can also send emails.
Keep in mind that I will not have many opportunities to access the Internet and may only update my blog 3-4 times during the course of my trip. Don't assume the worst if you don't hear from me often.

Again, thank you for all of your support and love. May the name of God be praised and may His face shine upon all of you.

Baraka (Blessings),

Missy
            



Missy Barnett
c/o Global Project
FOCUS Centre
P.O. Box 781
Ruaraka 00618 KENYA

DO NOT TO SEND PACKAGES, TELEGRAMS, CABLEGRAMS, REGISTERED
MAIL OR PERSONAL CHECKS, except in case of emergency. The Kenyan postal system is not like ours. Send their letters “air mail” and use metered stamps (regular stamps are sometimes stolen). Letters generally take 2-3 weeks for delivery to and from Kenya.