Retreating...

I have mentioned I'm going on the church retreat this weekend. I don't know much about it other than that we are staying at Lukenya Getaway and studying the story of Joseph from Genesis. The overall weekend title is 'Navigating your journey' which seems quite appropriate to me, as I'm on quite a journey at the moment! I originally thought it would be good to go at least partly to get to know people better, which I'm sure will be a feature of the weekend. But as it gets nearer I also think it will be a timely opportunity to reflect on my journey so far, both in England and more recently in Kenya, and take time to listen to where God wants me to go next.

I say timely for a few reasons. The period leading up to me coming to Kenya was extremely busy with all the practical arrangements that needed to be made and there was little time for reflection in the immediate run-up. So the last chance I had to really take time out was in August when I had a few days away in Dorset. That seems a long time ago now! Similarly, although things slowed down to begin with when I arrived here, they quickly sped up again and I had lots to get used to on a practical level; again little time to be still. I am much better at being busy than taking time out, not that this necessarily works well for me, but I find it easier and less intimidating. However, I realise the importance of setting aside time where you haven't got jobs to do and you can focus your mind on the bigger picture rather than the little details. This is one thing I hope to get from the weekend.

Another reason this is timely is that I have been finding things at school tough this week in particular. I try not to write too much about the difficult stuff, as I'm sure it's more fun to read the funny and exciting things - and there are lots of those! But if I'm honest there have been some days where I've doubted what I'm trying to do here and wondered whether I've bitten off more than I can chew. I knew it wouldn't be a straightforward path, coming here to join an established team and try and help them make changes - no one likes change really, and especially when it's coming from someone who's new and unknown. I understand this, and I have tried to be sensitive, but sometimes I still seem to put my foot in it. Also, I have got to a stage where the staff are comfortable enough to tell me what they really think, rather than just saying "yes yes yes" which is often the way here - this is good that they are happy to tell me the truth, it's just a little bruising at times! Anyway, that's another reason I think this weekend has come at a good time; hopefully I'll be able to rest and refocus as well as pray about how I can handle things better.

So tomorrow I shall be off with some kind friends who actually come from Dorset (!) and the weekend will begin!