What's next? That is the question of the hour. Although there was a period of time when I desperately tried to avoid the answer to the question altogether, I am slowly finding peace as God's still small voice continues to reassure me and reveal small portions of His plan of me. The big question people ask: When are you going to Kenya? The best answer I can give is in the Lord's time. I honestly do not know when I will get to go back. I do think that the next trip I make will be for several weeks, and not a permanent move. God has been leading me down a road I NEVER envisioned myself taking- starting a non-profit organization. I always thought I was entering the "helping profession" so I would not have to be in the middle of the business world and constantly crunch the numbers. Well- you quickly realize healthcare is one of the biggest businesses there is, and to truly make a difference, you cannot avoid the politics, legal aspects, and red tape altogether. So I enter this new season completely admitting I am not equipped, prepared, or confident, but I am trusting God wholeheartedly and continue to wake up excited about the prospect of working towards a sustainable solution for the clinic.
I look forward to the opportunity of continuing to share my passion and vision with more and more people as I begin the long road of starting a NPO. If it were up to me, I would pack my bags, buy myself a plane ticket, and go to Kenya, figuring out a way to stay there. But that is not what is best for the clinic, for the patients, for me....and God has just shown me that so clearly over the past few months. But He knows my heart. He knows I can't not do something. He knows my heart is going to be broken for the rest of my life, as I think it should be. So He led me down this new path...one that will be really hard, but I believe extremely rewarding and I now cannot imagine not doing it.
To everyone who has played a role in bringing me to this moment of graduation, thank you. "Thank you" does not fully capture everything that I want to tell you, but know that I fully recognize I could not have done this without all of your love, support, and prayers. And do not fear- you will get that same opportunity in this next season of life! I will need all the help, encouragement, and support that I can get to start a NPO. But as for now I let the words of one of my favorite songs, "Dream Big" capture my emotions...
When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way
And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big
