Hi! My name is Julianna and I am a part of the team that is now back home in Alaska. Because I have two other ministries I will be working with in Kenya until June, I was blessed to get to stay longer at ROCK Ministries after Cindy, Kyon and the team left mid-march. I was able to have my sister-in-law Evelina from Sweden come join me for two weeks. She came as soon as Cindy, Kyon, and the others left. They got to hug her briefly at the airport and then they were on their way back to Alaska! Evelina was exactly the morale boost me and everyone at ROCK needed as we were quite sad after the team left.

Due to a death in the Director Teresa’s family, we went with her to her family home in Kisumu and stayed with her girls while her and her husband Victor attended funeral ceremonies. Evelina and I had a true Kenyan experience, or as Teresa called it, “an adventure!” We went to the bathroom in a hole in the ground and bathed using a bucket! It was such a cool experience to see how most Kenyans do these daily things. After the weekend, we went back to Malava, preparing the whole time to be the guest speakers for the school that week. We were tasked with the theme of “Courage.” So, Evelina and I took turns teaching bible stories, playing games, and leading worship for the kids once (sometimes twice) a day.

We taught them about Daniel and the Lion’s Den, Queen Esther, Elisha and the Chariots, Joshua becoming leader of God’s people, David and Goliath, and last but not least JESUS! The children learned who courage comes from and that with God ALL things are possible. We also had the honor of teaching them new songs. One of our favorites is called, “Abba, I belong to you!” which repeats that simple phrase over and over. The children taught Evelina and I it in Swahili, “Baba, mimi ni wako!” And then Evelina brought her own culture in by teaching us it in Swedish, “Papa, jag ar din!” How memorable! I hope to never forget all of the ROCK Students, teachers, and staff singing about how we belong to God.

For Kenyans, April is a holiday month for schools. So, for the final half-week leading up to April 1st, classes were busy with sports days and getting ready to wrap up the term. During that time, Evelina and I took a few days just to be with the Lord and pray. Ministry, as many of you know, can be taxing and we all need rejuvenation from the Lord. It was so amazing to have the space to do that and to be send off in high spirits feeling refreshed.

This place and these people have become like a family to me—my heart will always be with them and already longs to return. Thank YOU for praying for us, the prayers were felt and needed. The staff on ground here in Malava are praying for you all as well. And I’ll have you know, I have never met a prayer warrior like a Kenyan.