Its The Final Countdown (feel free to sing the song)

Well well well...we made it to the final week! I can't believe that in 7 days I will be boarding a plane to head back to the states.

We just got back from our training program with the students. It was similar to a Nav Fall Retreat...well sort of... I mean it was in Kenya...and there were no tents and there was no tackle football...and did I mention it was in Kenya? Haha well it was similar in the sense that it was a great time for the students to bond, and grow deeper in their faith. The retreat was called Deepening Roots and our theme verse was Colossians 2:6-7. Paul Kimani (on staff with the navs in Kenya) was our speaker and he did an awesome job talking about developing a passion to be more like Jesus. We also had two workshops for the students. One day they learned about prayer and the word, and the second day they heard about fellowship and witnessing. There was also an organized quiet time and discussion group on Saturday.

We had a great time playing sports and just growing closer with the students. They are so much fun! I learned some new dance moves...yeah I know, its okay for you to be a little jealous, but don't worry I will gladly teach you all.

I think the highlight of my weekend was this morning. We had a time of reflection with the students and talked with them about what they had learned during the retreat. Hiliary and I were with the girls. It blew me away how much God had worked in their hearts in such a short period of time. They all seemed to have learned something and were excited to put it into practice when they returned home. I choked up a little bit as I encouraged the girls to not give up on meeting together as it says in Hebrews 10. I told them to take advantage of the fact that God has blessed them with a group of Christian brothers and sisters. It was hard for me to get out because its hard for me to think about how I wont get to be a part of that fellowship. Its tough to think that I may never see these people again. That thought passed through my mind and I could feel the tears coming. I am just amazed at how much God has done in this short period of time. I feel so privileged to have been able to witness the growth in these students hearts even if it was only for 6 weeks. I am so happy that they all grew closer this weekend and seem to be excited about continuing to keep one another accountable. Its such an incredible thing to watch as a light bulb comes on in someones head as they realize a new truth about the Lord.

This last week we hope to continue to just hang out with and deepen our relationships with the students. We are headed back to the slums on Tuesday and going hiking on Thursday, but other than that, we will just be chillin with the students. Though I have started to get a little sad about leaving these people, I am still ready to come home. 6 weeks was a great amount of time and it seems right for the trip to come to a close. I am so thankful to God for bringing me through the the tough times I faced at the beginning of this trip. It has been awesome to learn about how God uses those 'wilderness moments' or 'desert moments' to strengthen our faith.

In my last 7 days here I just ask that you would pray for perseverance to the end. We as a team have grown so so close and I am soooo blessed to have these 5 people here with me. I thank God for them every day. I have learned so much about everyone and I am excited to have them with me at PSU in the fall (well except for Chris... who will be bummin around SC till he leaves for the air force ha).

I will be seeing you soon! Can't wait. God Bless and have a great day :)

-Sacha