REJOICE and be glad, for great is your reward! Matt. 5:12

From an early age I knew that I wanted my life to count for more. More than the “All American Dream,” more than the normal day to day, 9-5 job, more than the ordinary life lived. Not to say I didn’t desire those things as well, but I knew deep down in my heart that God was calling me to do something different, for now at least. Coming from a very close family, having a great group of friends, and being involved within my church and community did not make my decision to leave home easy. Nonetheless, Gods calling on my life to go to the ends of the earth, serve the least of these, and share Christ love was clear. How could I say no?

 

I graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 2008 as president of my senior class and attended college at Anderson University where I received a degree in English Literature in 2012. The first thing on my agenda after graduating college was to serve Christ overseas, even though at the time, I had no idea where I would be going. While I was focused, determined, and had my own plan, I also knew it would all be in vain if it was not what God wanted for me. I started researching different organizations while still in school. After many months of searching, I stumbled across the organization, Africa Inland Mission, also known as AIM, which is based out of Atlanta, Georgia. I read their mission statement, heard testimonies, and tried to find out all I could about this organization while still being open to other areas and organizations. Since I really liked everything I read and heard about AIM, I decided I would apply, pray and see what happened. I applied, interviewed, and was accepted into the program within a few short weeks. This was my affirmation that God was calling me to Kenya. I was so thankful yet so scared as I began to make plans for my departure. Life was moving at a rapid pace, to say the least, and I thought to myself, “Am I really ready for this? Is this really God’s will for me?” My friends, family, and even strangers who knew about my assignment had been asking me many questions about my upcoming trip. However, the number one question I received was, “Katyn, why go?” I started thinking about the question more and more the closer my departure date was approaching and I realized that my answer was simple. Christ has called me to go!

 

Christ calls us to serve. He demands that we help the sick, poor, and brokenhearted, and more than anything that is what my heart desires to do. God made me for one purpose and for one purpose only, and that is to boldly proclaim the gospel, any other purpose for living, I consider insignificant. I also wanted this season of my life to be a time of growth, not only individually as a person, but spiritually as a follower of Christ. I want to know who Jesus is. I want my heart to break for him. I want to be brought out of my comfort zone. I want a change. I want a challenge. I want to explore different cultures and expand my horizons. I want to experience a new way of life, meet new people, and see new sights. God says that he blesses us when we are obedient to his calling, whether that is traveling around the world or traveling to our neighboring town. As Christ followers, we are to use our lives to bring him glory and to build his kingdom! I knew without a doubt, that if I did not go now, I would regret it 50 years down the road, and I did not/do not want to look back on my life and wonder, “what if?” Yes, I was scared, but I was more scared of staying home, out of comfort and contentment, and missing out on part of Gods great plan for my life. So, I simply answered the call and went.

 

I have now been in Africa for more than a month. However, the actual planning began eight months ago, the praying started ten years ago, and the preparation has been a part of my entire existence thus far. Sitting in my new room, at my desk, writing about my day to day experiences seems so surreal. Living in Africa has been about the only thing consuming my mind over the course of the past few months and the fact that I am finally here is a dream come true for me! I have wanted, wished, and longed to be here for quite some time, and I am in awe of God who has been so faithful to get me here. The fact that God would use a sinner such as me to share his love simply amazes me. I am so undeserving yet so blessed to be here!

 

During the month I’ve spent here in Africa, God has already been at work around me and in me! I originally came to Kenya to teach English, but right now my mind is on information overload from everything I am learning just by being here. I am currently working in a slum called Kibera, which is located right outside the city of Nairobi. It is the 2^nd largest slum in the world and the largest in Africa. I will be here for 4 months. Living in Nairobi, loving on kids, and learning more about God’s amazing grace each day is truly the good life! Even though there are some barriers such as culture differences and walking thirty minutes to work down dusty, dirty, slum streets, there is nowhere else in the world I would want to be. My heart is full here!

 

Just like being at home, some days are better than others. You have your highs and your lows and your ups and downs no matter where you are in life. It’s just part of living. One of the things God is teaching me is that being a Christian isn’t always easy. As a follower of Christ, He demands that we sacrifice the things we love in order to follow him, know him, and make his name known. I am definitely being challenged every day, I am obviously out of my comfort zone, and I am always missing my family, but God has been so gracious towards me. There have already been countless examples of how God is using me and the people around me to impact the lives of others. I am making wonderful memories that will last throughout my lifetime and I’m building relationships that I will forever be grateful for. Although I don’t know right now what God has for me after this assignment is over, I do know that whether it be back to Kenya, another part of the world, or even back home in Boiling Springs, SC, my heart’s desire is to be where the Lord wants me because I’m learning there truly is no better or safer place to be!

God promises that if we take up our cross and follow him our rewards will be great. He is rewarding me already, but the life I am striving to live is not for earthly riches, but rather heavenly rewards. I look forward to the day when I stand in the presence of my savior and say with a smile, “I ran my race,” (Heb. 12:1-2) and he replies, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23) “Let us REJOICE with great rewards!” (Luke 6)