I feel like I’ve lived an entire life since my return from Kenya on 6/30. So much has happened. So many blessings but also the horrific jigger. This stupid little pest wreaked havoc on my body and my mind and my spirit. To say I was unsettled would be an understatement. This darn jigger has uprooted so much of my priorities, it has opened a floodgate of emotions, some of which are anger and frustration. I’ve been mad at God. Mad that He created these pests, mad that they exist, mad that the poor have to deal with these on top of their meager food, medical care, clothing, homes, etc. It’s NOT FAIR!
Then, I was mad that God allowed me to have a jigger. Not because it was painful (which it definitely was), but because He knows me and knows I can’t NOT do anything now that I’ve had a glimpse into the pain and trouble they cause. He so knows me. So, He KNEW I would have to do something. DARN IT! He KNEW I would be an advocate for the prevention and treatment of jiggers for my brothers and sisters across the globe. And I was mad. Why me? Why do I have to do another thing? Where’s everyone else? Why aren’t more people speaking out? Why do I have to be a voice? Then, I had pride come in and say “Christa, you do enough. You already do more than most. Blah Blah Blah”. So, God and I had some discussions. And I was mad. And sad. But, my post from the hospital raised funds for our first community clinic! So, God was like…”There. See. How hard was that?”
We had our first community clinic on my birthday (8/24). We treated over 200 people and fumigated over 15 homes. We provided shoes. This was made possible by my friends and family that support Give Amore! Wow!!!! And I was so happy and excited for the clinic. I knew these people were going to get healed and feel better! Yay yay yay!!! And then I saw the pictures. And the videos. And it was worse than I imagined. To hear the children screaming in pain. To see adults immobilized because of jiggers all over their bodies. It’s too much. So, I was mad all over again. Mad at people’s posts of their caramel macchiatos at Starbucks. Mad at people going to Disney. Honestly, I was mad at the world. And heartbroken. So very heartbroken.
So, I took it back to God and he told me clearly if I would be obedient, He would expand my territory in all areas of my life so I can be a voice, so, I can raise awareness and raise funds. I took to the only platform I have at the moment, Facebook, and shared my heartbreak. And we were able to raise enough funds for ANOTHER jigger removal clinic at the end of September!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!
Now I shift back and forth between gratitude and frustration. Between hope and despair. Between joy and anger. It’s a crazy ride I’ve been on. I didn’t expect this and the task feels too big for me. But, I know my God is bigger. And He moves mountains. So, I trust and I obey and I tell EVERYONE who will listen about what we are doing in Kenya and hope that it will spread like wildfire. Our mission is to give hope, to give joy and to give love and with God on our side, we will not fail.
Thank you for joining us on this wild adventure. The highs are high. The lows are low. But we are transforming lives and God is providing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you would like to give to support our mission, please do so at www.giveamore.org.
“I didn’t need to be Mother Teresa. I didn’t need a habit and a homeless life. To walk alongside those God had placed in my path, I didn’t need to flee the me God made me to be. I just need the strength of my convictions, which centered on justice for everyone.”
