Moments from Eastern Region Conference
I was pretty nervous about the AIM eastern region conference this past weekend because of all the new people that would be on campus. As much as I was excited to see who else was serving in Kenya and Tanzania too, I was nervous to go to events not knowing "anyone."
The first event I attended was the square dance. It was so fun to see friends that I know from my ABO and friends I'd met in Nairobe. I saw ladies I knew from staying at Mayfield guest house and friends I knew from way back to candidate week.
As the weekend continued I way that this group of missionaries are not just friends, we are family. We have been through births and holidays and vacation retreats together. We eat meals together and share communion with one another. We have shared our lives with one another as a church family does. Although we are not with one another every Sunday for worship, we worship together as we lift each other up in prayer.
As the conference came to a close I saw the man who led my group at orientation back in Peachtree city. Brian was our missionary in residence. It was crazy to see him and his wife now in Kenya, but it reminded me that as a missionary our journey takes us all over. We may start in one place, but we can end up someplace else entirely. The one thing that brings us together is AIM and our mission to share Jesus with others. At the last event we honored "retirees." Mr. Propts (the one my dorm cover dorm is named after) shared how they had thought about leaving AIM many times and going to a different organization. He shared that everyone is messed up in some way, but thankfully we are all messed up together. I am blessed to be part of a humble group of missionaries serving Africa.
As the conference wound down and I headed home I passed a group of my students and missionary kids playing late night soccer. As I headed off the field a few of the kids called out my name. What a way to head home knowing that I have kids who I have invested in and who recognize me and say hi.
I love serving with these missionaries and I love serving these kids. What a blessing.
The first event I attended was the square dance. It was so fun to see friends that I know from my ABO and friends I'd met in Nairobe. I saw ladies I knew from staying at Mayfield guest house and friends I knew from way back to candidate week.
As the weekend continued I way that this group of missionaries are not just friends, we are family. We have been through births and holidays and vacation retreats together. We eat meals together and share communion with one another. We have shared our lives with one another as a church family does. Although we are not with one another every Sunday for worship, we worship together as we lift each other up in prayer.
As the conference came to a close I saw the man who led my group at orientation back in Peachtree city. Brian was our missionary in residence. It was crazy to see him and his wife now in Kenya, but it reminded me that as a missionary our journey takes us all over. We may start in one place, but we can end up someplace else entirely. The one thing that brings us together is AIM and our mission to share Jesus with others. At the last event we honored "retirees." Mr. Propts (the one my dorm cover dorm is named after) shared how they had thought about leaving AIM many times and going to a different organization. He shared that everyone is messed up in some way, but thankfully we are all messed up together. I am blessed to be part of a humble group of missionaries serving Africa.
As the conference wound down and I headed home I passed a group of my students and missionary kids playing late night soccer. As I headed off the field a few of the kids called out my name. What a way to head home knowing that I have kids who I have invested in and who recognize me and say hi.
I love serving with these missionaries and I love serving these kids. What a blessing.
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