We’re learning, we’re learning our happy ABC’s!

Well, the past two days here have definitely been better than the first few! I can truly see how God has answered prayer. Not only am I finally in Kenya's time zone, but the overwhelming sense of loneliness is far less consuming. While it was painful, and still is at times, I'm thankful for the experience of complete solitude. I got to spend a TON of time with God that I've never really had before. I mean when you wake up at 2:30AM and your ride doesn't come until 8:45, there's a lot of tie to spend just hanging out with God and seeing what it means to dwell in His presence. I would highly recommend it. Just get away for a few hours and, as many of you I'm sure understand, God will work in you in amazing ways. Aside from getting to know God better, I've also met some really great people and gotten to know a few of the people volunteering here. Today I actually met a girl from Finland, Laura. She's only a few years older than me and is staying with some family in Nairobi during her gap year from university. She'll be here until May volunteering. Can you imagine?! Almost an entire year dedicated to service. Anyway, she's really nice and since we're both here (kind of) alone, we're going to grab coffee or something here. Pray that God brings of some interesting conversations! I've also felt very nostalgic the past few days too. The title of this post is also the name of a song I heard maybe 32 times since I've been here. Every now and then I'll get flashbacks of when I was little. I even remembered lying in my crib when I was about four. Crazy! I tell you, these kids have it great. NLH is really nice, not just functional, but very pretty. I've heard that some other orphanages around here are concrete and cinderblock type places, strictly built for function. NLH has hardwood floors, tons of bay windows and even a gazebo. You can tell they really want the kids to feel like they are in a home, which brings me to the kids themselves. There's probably about 40 or so kids here, ranging from just a couple months to 4 years old. I'm must say, I'm particularly drawn to the babies because they are just SO CUTE! They're always giggling in their little bouncy swings or squirming around. I fed one little boy, Sidney, who is being "promoted" from the infant ICU to be with the other babies. I swear I could have looked into his eyes forever, but then his diaper got a little active so I had to hand him back to one of the house moms. I'll make sure to get a picture of him up soon so you all ca see what I'm talking about. Then, there are the crawlers, who are always funny because they're at that just-about-to-walk phase. I've grown especially fond of watching Enoch assemble Mr. Potato Head in a variety of ways. Hey, I guess if he has all five senses it doesn't matter if his nose is above his eyes! The oldest group, the toddlers, is definitely the craziest in my opinion. Many are at the "terrible two" stage, so you know what I mean. That's not to say that they are in any way horrible, but 12 little boys running around is pretty insane. Did I mention that it's really only boys here? There are a few baby girls and a couple crawlers, but the majority is definitely boys. So, you can imagine the testosterone… Another thing that's definitely been on my life lately is something I kind of expected to be thinking when I got here. We have it SO, SO easy back in the US. The traffic here absolutely blows my mind. I haven't seen any stoplights and the roads are about as bumpy as a 13 year old with acne. Like all third world countries, tap water is a no no for drinking and, at least at the Savelburg, hot water, or water at all, is a miracle sent from God. I took a shower with a bucket of water and a Nalgene water bottle the other day. Awesome. Anyway, it's just kind of hit me, especially since last night. I met a group of high schoolers that have been here for about 2 weeks and last night was their last night in Kenya. They invited me to their "reflection time" after dinner, and the majority of people's comments were regarding the slums of Nairobi and how it made them realize how easy we all have it back home. They've been helping out at a school in Kiberia, one of the biggest slums here, and were blown away by how much these people struggled on a daily basis. These kids live to survive. Anyway, the overall feeling in the group was that they didn't want to go home and have things go back to normal, forget the smells, sights, sounds. I've been in their shoes before, and I can say that the first week they're home will be the hardest because it'll be so easy to slip back into the same routine from before they left. I'm sure the night before I leave Kenya will feel the same. I want this trip to change me, and you know what? I've been here for only 5 days and it has. I won't be the same when I get home. My mindset is completely different, especially in regards to my relationship with Christ, is completely different. I don't want to go home and be "Emily Nycum, the student at UNC." I want to be "Emily Nycum, the girl who is utterly enthralled with her God." Ok, I'm going to stop now because this post is really, really…..really long. I figured I'd make it long since I probably won't write another one for a couple days. Thanks for all your love and prayers! love, emily Micah 6:8 (Thanks Cam for sharing this one with me!)

Emily's blog Day 3

Honestly....

Well, I’m not gonna lie, the past few days have been a real challenge for me! I touched on this a bit towards the end of my last post, but I think I should go into a little more detail now that I’ve collected most of my thoughts.

The biggest thing I’m struggling with right now is definitely loneliness. I can honestly say that I’ve never been in more need of comfort in my entire life. I guess I should have realized this was going to happen. I mean I’ve known for a while that this trip would be solo. Anyway, I’ve searched for peace in distractions and phone calls to home, but it’s only temporary. I’m right back to feeling miserable the second I hang up. This is not to say that I’m absolutely hating my time here. That’s not the case at all!

The kids are great, and I adore playing with them and just loving on them. However, when I return to the Savelburg, I’m alone, and that’s something I’m not used to.

I think the biggest prayer I can ask from you all right now is that I can learn to find my comfort and company in Christ. I’ve done this in the past, but whenever I’ve struggled with something or gone through heartache, I’ve had friends and family there to give me a hug or point out a really great verse for me. For the first time, I have to be completely dependent on His strength because there is no one here for me to look to. I know He’s here with me, but I’m sure may of you know what this feels like. It’s hard to feel God’s arms around me when I feel completely and utterly alone. A bit depressing, huh?

I know God is working in this time, and I’m sure a lot of it is that fact that I’m exhausted and having a hard time adjusting to this time zone (I’m writing this at 4:39 AM). Culture shock and jetlag only intensify homesickness. Things are already starting to look brighter, and I’m sure once I get into the swing of things here, I'll be completely fine! I’m trying to get my focus to be more outwardly instead of focusing on me and what I’m going through, which is pretty hard since I’m naturally prone to consider myself before others. It’s all just a learning experience and I’m just waiting for God to reveal His bigger plan. He’s watching out for me, so I just have to trust Him.

I have, however, found great comfort in Psalms 27:13-14, so you should definitely look it up because it’s a great verse! Anyway, I promise that future postings won’t be this sad! It’s a tough adjustment, but I think in time I’ll find that my solitude won’t be so lonesome and quiet when it’s consumed with God’s presence.

Thanks for all your prayers. They mean the world to me and are DEFINITELY working!

love,
emily :)

To follow my trip, please go to http://theoarfoundation.blogspot.com and leave a message. Thank

Day 01!

Well, I am finally here after about 36 hours of traveling! I greeted Kenya by playing Toto's "Africa" on the plane (Leah: it brought back fond memories of our dorm room dance party!)When I got to Savelburg (a convent I'm staying at), I pretty much spent the rest of the day sleeping. The jet lag is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I've been up since 2AM because of the 7-hour time difference.

Although feeling somewhat exhausted, there was no way for me to be tired when I got to the New Life Home. The babies were SO ADORABLE! I started off the morning feeding them and playing with them before they headed off to their mid-morning naps. Then I played with the "crawlers" for a few hours. These kids were just as their title suggests, active and just on the verge of walking. Like all little kids, they enjoyed being tossed in the air, and their giggles were absolutely contagious. I really can't describe the joy these kids have, and they are so well taken care of. Each is known by name and the house mothers really care about them.

After a lunch break at the Ya Ya market, I played/fed the little babies again before jumping back over to the crawlers. The weather was also gorgeous today, a bit hot, but really nice, so it was great playing with the kids outside!

Thanks again for all of your prayers! It's definitely a tough adjustment, as I'm just realizing I'm here completely alone, which is about as foreign to me as Africa. I know God is here, though, and I guess He's the best company I can ask for!

love,
emily

TOMORROW!

Ah! I can hardly believe that in less than 24 hours I'll be on a plane
(2, technically speaking, with an awesome 12-hour layover in London)
heading to Kenya! For those of you who haven't heard about how my
plans have changed over the past few months, here's a little update!
Basically, the missionaries in South Africa were having issues of some
kind and would not permit my group to do ministry at the university in
Pretoria. Since that was our main ministry focus, there was really no
point in going. As you can imagine, I was pretty upset when I found
out our trip was cancelled. Since I had already raised the money
necessary to go, I looked around for other opportunities to serve.

After praying and looking for opportunities, I heard about the chance
to organize a trip through the OAR Foundation to work at New Life Home
Trust in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization ha been around for about 30
years and has 8 satellite orphanages in Kenya. I'll be traveling a
bit within the country, but I'll mostly be staying in the Nairobi
area, working at the Kilimani House/Ark and Ruiru, then traveling to
the Kisumu House for a bit. In a nutshell, I'll spend the next 4
weeks playing with babies and toddlers! Many were abandoned when they
were only days old, and NLH has medical clinics setup to help nurture
these infants back to health. I'll be helping out wherever they need
me!

To be completely honest, I have absolutely no idea what to expect.
I'm beyond words excited and I can't wait to see what God has in store
for me while I"m over there! I'll post pictures/update this blog
whenever I get internet access! Again, thanks SOOO much for all your
prayers and support! This experience would not be possible if it
weren't for the incredible generosity I've received over the past few
months, and for that I cannot thank you enough!

love,
emily!

Jeremiah 32:27

Rock the Baby Project

Please Join Emily Nycum as she shares her trip to Nairobi, Kenya and works with New Life Home Trust and the Rock the Baby Project. Emily will be leaving on 6/23 and returning on 7/27/09.