Botanical Gardens, in my backyard!

Kelsey just made her first Sushi Roll!

I made it!! It has taken me a while to set up my laptop, but I am finally connected at my place! I arrived in the middle of the night on Thursday with a tired Kiwi waiting to pick me up. I walked out of the airport as if I was walking into a sauna...I still feel like I'm breathing in steam! Not quite like Colorado right now, I am sure! Any snow yet?

I am slowly getting settled at my new place and yes, my room is Quite Pink! The girls here are so helpful and gracious to help me as I sort through things. Of course I am Oblivious as to how to use the bus system! (Those of you who know me KNOW i'm horrible with directions, right matt?) So Dave and the girls are helping me get around town. The second day I arrived Dave took me to a GORGEOUS park where we did a tree top walk and hung out with the monkeys and comodo dragons! It's amazing that you can be in the middle of a metropolitan city and then get away to parks like this!

So for the past 4 days we have been meeting Dave's friends, Sprinting around the city to make the next bus, eating spicy asian couisine, seeing the sites and enjoying being together in the same city! Pretty surreal actually. It has been the smoothest transition and I'm excited for the plans the Lord has for me here. I've met an enormous amount of internationals already and fun to hear how they all ended up in S'pore. It is quite the hub!

This week I am working on meeting people with connections for possible work opportunities. The Second DAY I arrived I had a 2 1/2 hour interview with Equipping Leaders for Asia, which went Really well. The guy basically offered me the position, but am looking at all options at the moment. I would be training youth on Leadership principles and recruiting churches in the area to get plugged into our training. I would enjoy the position and definitely be challenged in new ways- but just want to make sure that is where the Lord wants me for now. So I'm off to meetings today and tomorrow to seek what is out there. Please pray with me on this as I make a decision!

All in all, it has been a fascinating first week of firsts! My first bus pass, first true asian meal, my first time attending a traditional Hindu celebration with a European soccer game on in the background :), first time making sushi from scratch, my first time attending an asian bible study, first time I have been in a white house (they opened it for the Hindu holiday), and my first time living in a tropical heater! :)

I'll be working on taking more pictures and posting them this weekend. You have to get a grasp of the downtown area which is just unbelievable...stay tuned. :) Thank you for all of your prayers and support as I make this transition. I just wish you all could be with me to experience this! hope to hear from you...

6 Days and Counting!

On October 21st I head off to my pepto bismo pink room in Singapore! (Which will be painted soon.) :) As I am sorting out what to pack and finishing last minute details, I can only imagine what lies ahead. As most of you know, I am more of an African girl. I’m typically off to Uganda or Kenya with organizations like World Vision, and now I am off to Asia to engage with organizations like World Outreach! My Uganda Pastor said to me recently, “Kelsey, you are like the trinity. You are an American, an African and now an Asian!” Well I wouldn’t say I’m anything Like the trinity, but I am excited to explore this part of the world I would have never traveled otherwise.

So here are the major updates: I have an Amazing living situation. I will be living with 5 American girls all around my age who are either working for Young Life or Teaching at an International School. They graciously offered for me to stay in their extra room (happens to be pink with daisies) J and I eagerly agreed! The house is in a Great location near the Botanic Gardens and close to Dave and downtown.

I have a few job interviews lined up when I arrive, as well as several people to contact when I get there. Jobs vary from leadership development to communication and marketing. Pray with me as I am making these decisions in the next few weeks…

Other than that, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all my friends and family that are so supportive. Driving away from Colorado was tough, really tough. All the Colorado memories flooded my mind as my dad and I drove out on I-70. I just got back from a family wedding in Seattle where I was able to see all my family members together. So now it is just last minute packing and anticipation to get there!

Dave and I are excited for this next chapter in Singapore and hopefully this blog can give a glimpse into what it will be like! So the next time I write, I’ll be about 14 hours ahead of ya in 90 degree heat!!

A Word from Pastor Paul to all of us...

I woke up this morning receiving this email from Pastor Paul. After a summer filled with stories of trials, suffering, pain, and fear, God's faithfulness and love toward His people pierced through those clouds of despair. Read the words from Pastor Paul, who knows more about trials than I ever will, and be encouraged that whatever you may be going through RIGHT NOW will eventually serve as a testimony to God's faithfulness in your life. Use this as your devotion for today- and allow it to speak to your life.

Hello friends, Jack and Elaina, My daughter Kelsey.
Hope all is well with you, thank you for standing with us in prayers.Edith says hello to you all.

This morning i was studing about suffering and trials and God spoke to my heart in aspecial way which i thought i can also share with you and the church.
In the OT the prophets announced that, after a time of testing, God will wipe away the tears from the faces of his people and remove their disgrace.isiah25:6-9.

What is important in trials is to know how the Bible encourages us to face them. we need to affirm our confidence in love and tenderness of our God and father. It is He who allows us to experience these tests. But He provides away of escape from this trials. He does not allow them to last too long or to be too hard for us to bear.1corth10:13.
Howeverin God's hands, trials can become a tool to purify,to mature and to strengthen his children

Let us accept willingly all the trials through which we pass, never forgetting that testing of our faith produces persevererance. But let us be sure that this perseverance is allowed to finish it's work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking any thing.Jas1:2-4.
Let us worship the Lord not because of the things we have but let us worship God because of WHO HE IS.
Greet one another with a kiss of Love, Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.
From pastor paul, a servant of servants of God.

Our Prayers have been Answered...

Right before I flew home, I received an email from Pastor Paul concerning the situation with Julius. My father has been praying Psalm 35 over Pastor as he has been persecuted for his lovingkindness, and the Lord has heard our prayers! So read below and see how God truly is our Protector!
(Acton Faith Bible Church- you are small, yet powerful! THANK YOU for your prayers and your faith!)

"Hai Namugombe,
How is your morning? Iam just imagining how you are getting prepared for tomorrow back home!!!!!! Greetings from your mum, she says hello to you,I have been very busy moving in different police offices,with alot of spending, But i thank God that some thing has come out!!!!!!!The Court has given me a letter saying that i have no case to answer, It is Ikoza (Julius' father) who has the case to answer. With Tresspassing and Assault.Now it is Uganda verses the father of Julius and those he came with in my home. So for me i will act as a prosecution witness.

Thank you for your prayers and the financial support.
I wish you a safe journey and send my greetings to all my friends.above all to mr COWBOY. (That's you dad!)

Your African father,Pastor paul."

Sooo...who wants to come with me next summer to work on the clinic, minister with the widows and oprhans, and encourage Pastor??? Anyone, Anyone? :)

That's a wrap!

From the depths of Uganda,

to the mountains of Rwanda,

down to the cities of South Africa,

To the Karaoke hot spots of Kenya, we have had quite an adventure!

I've been domesticated... (I know, this is truly a miracle!) and yes, I picked out her apron...

Serenaded...

Educated....

Saturated (Walking home in the pouring rain, wearing the bus driver's sweater he so kindly let me borrow)...

Impersonated (fine fine, it's me. Yes that's my leg in the air. And you're shocked??) :)

World Vision-ated.......

And openly accepted....into the Mlay Family (Vice President of World Vision Wilfred, his wife Faith, and youngest son Josh)

As I was walking onto my plane Friday evening, I just stopped and soaked in my last minutes on African soil. As the sun pierced through the clouds, the Lord overwhelmed me as I began to count every blessing I received on this trip. I know that each relationship, experience, and memory fits into His perfect plan for what is ahead. So I walked on the plane smiling as I realized this summer is just the beginning of a life full of rich experiences such as these.




"Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering yourself with Light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind..The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works." psalm 104

Nurses, Anyone???

JUST got this from Pastor.... Isn't this AMAZING?? Everyone told me working with the government in Uganda will take FOREVER, but PRAISE THE LORD the He works in amazing ways:

"Hai daughter,
Hope you are doing fine,busy preparing to go back.Greetings from your mum, Thank you for your prayers,God is caring for us.

Today i was in the office of the District Health Officer. in our discussion he has agreed to give us the Nurses because he is the person responsible to recruit nurses in the District. So he has told me to write to him requesting for the nurses. He has also given me some one to come and inspect the building. I thank God for this!! God bless."

This is a GREAT first step! Pray with us as they begin to inspect the building. I know the road may still be long, but the District Officer's friendly assistance is a Praise!!

No word on anything from Pastor concerning the Julius situation. Let's keep praying about that as you never know what can happen-

To Acton Faith Bible: (and any others) I just got the HUGE bag of necklaces the widows made, and they are beautiful! Get the Christmas Boutique ready!

Kels