Sitting on My Bed

Before I started working at Msafara I spent most of my time sitting on my bed. I would read, writing, listen to music, sleep, learn German – whatever suited me at that moment. After I started working at Msafara, sitting on my bed became a luxury, something I only got to do on Saturdays and Sundays. Monday when I got back to Nairobi from 10 exciting and life changing days of traveling from one side of Kenya to the other (more about that to come over the next few days), I told my parents that I want move to my own place (eg. apartment). My mom's first comment was, "Well, I didn't want you to go back to sitting on your bed all day, so maybe that's a good thing :)." Aside: I was a little surprised by her respond – I expected something more along the lines of "Why, no I don't think that is a good idea etc, etc."

Well, today guess what I did (Msafara finished two days ago on Monday)! Of course, I sat on my bed…the ENTIRE day. Sadly, though I wasn't resting, relaxing and recuperating. Actually I have been working the whole day, while sitting on my bed with my computer in my lap.

Today I have looked at over 8,000 pictures – all pictures taken over the past two weeks. I landed the job of sorting through them, deciding which ones to delete, which ones would be good for a memory CD for those who traveled with Msafara, which ones could be used in the documentary and which ones have the potential for being used for a photo exhibition. The sad thing is that although I started this job last night and then picked it up again this morning at 7:30 I'm still not done. I have worked the whole day with only a few breaks – mainly to eat (my mom made some yummy chocolate cookies last night, something I'll miss when I move out) – and I haven't even finished going through the pictures the first time and deciding which ones to delete. Once I finish writing this blog I have to look at about 1000 more pictures. Then tomorrow I have a morning full of meetings to wrap up Msafara, an afternoon full of looking at video footage with my new partner, Ken, (he took about 32 hours of video footage), and then back to looking at pictures in the evening. Why oh why do I want to be a photographer as well as a journalist.

So I'm sure you are wondering since I've been looking at so many pictures, why I haven't posted any yet. Well please be patient – they are coming…SOON! I promise.

Finally I want to share a few prayer requests:

1. God did a lot of things in my life and heart while I was on Msafara and I need prayer that I will not backtrack and forget what He has done. I know this specific work is not yet done so please pray that God and I will continue this process in the way He desires.
   
2. I have a number of choices I have to make, including where I want to live. Please pray I will make the right choices
   
3. I need a source of income – either through a job or through supporters. Currently there is no job prospects but God can change that. Currently my support is less than a ¼ of what I NEED to live (and that would be living very simply)
   
4. I need wisdom to know what the next steps I am to take in pursuing journalism. I have some opportunities but I'm not sure yet what to do.
   
5. My parents need a house. We can no longer stay in the one we have been living in. Please pray they will find one at an affordable rate within a couple of weeks.
   

To be continued…. :)