A friend for life

2007

I had a book when I was younger - A friend for life - which I remember laying in bed, with a torch under the covers, reading after I should have been asleep and thinking WOW... that would be so cool!  

Africa, babies, things going wrong.... then being sorted out 'last minute' by God. I read the book a few times, then forgot about it...

2008

Then in 2005 Mum suggested a trip to Zambia... which happened and happened again, and happened a third time... until I moved here. Through all that time I had forgotten the book, and the story.

2008

A friend for life is about someone who went to Kenya as a missionary working with hospitals and then taking babies into her home which grew and grew. Before Katie went to Kenya she had to go through bible school, nurse training and various courses where she was almost kicked out because of her 'bad behaviour'. Something in that book appealed to me... maybe it was the kids!!

One day about 2 years ago we had finished eating dinner and Don and I were talking. He was telling me about a lady he knew when they lived in Kenya - which prompted me to remember this book... and it was the same lady.

2017

There are massive differences between what Katie did and what I'm doing. She was a nurse, I'm a teacher, but there are a few similarities too. Even though it was a book for young people she wrote about the difficulties as well as the good times. Sometimes it seems like the smallest job becomes the biggest chore. Other times I find myself thinking "If I was in the UK I would just 'Amazon it' next day." or "Let me check prices/availability/where to get it online before I go" before realising the 'shop' I'm heading to is a man selling slides on the side of the road.

In the last few days I've been a little obsessed with a song...

It says

2017

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well

Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see
And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name

So, I guess its been a reminder to keep my eyes on Him even when I get frustrated that things are never straightforward. Through the tough times Katie saw God move and we have seen it here too and we never know what He has planned next.

About a year ago ZEMS sent boxes of my old books for the school Library... and look what was inside...