Hello, friends and family.
It has been several weeks since I have sat down to gather my thoughts and share what the Lord is doing in my life. I have almost been home for three months, and it has been nothing less than a rocky but yet beautiful journey.
From adjusting to living back in the United States, to trying to find my purpose and calling in Seymour, to reuniting with old friends, making new friends, spending time with family, to learning how to bring the things that I have learned on the field into my daily life at home, to getting into the habit and learning what it looks like to pursue Jesus in daily life at home, it has been nothing less than one of the hardest transitions I have ever done.
I came home to so much love, support and encouragement, and I am so thankful for the ways that people poured out love over me to help make the transition easier.
The truth of the matter is that I had just came home from serving the Lord for nine straight months living each day missionally, pursuing the Lord daily, living in constant community that pushes me toward the Lord and pouring out my heart to thousands of people across the world.
Coming back, the devil was prowling around like a roaring lion trying to devour me. I began struggling in ways that I never expected. But through the struggles, the temptations and the hard days, I have learned how to completely rely on the Lord through the chaos, how to pursue him daily in the midst of crazy American living and what it looks like to live out a Christian lifestyle here.
Coming back to the United States a completely different person has been such a process. — a process where I have learned that it also involves coming back to a new way of living life, a process where I have learned a whole lot about the grace of the Lord and his love for me through the difficult times.
When I came back, I started working at my church, Seymour Christian Church. This opportunity has been one of the most beautiful blessings to my transition to being home. While it has been difficult, this opportunity to serve with them has kept me on my feet. They are the most loving people who have been such a support system to me along this journey.
Upon coming back, I prayed that the Lord would open doors, he would close them and he would provide opportunities that I knew would only be from him. Many blogs ago, I wrote about Zimbabwe and the calling that I felt there. It was a place that I knew I would be visiting again, but I wasn’t sure when that would be.
A few weeks after getting home, my host from Zimbabwe reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to come and help them host a camp. After lots of prayer, I happily accepted his offer.
So with that being said, I am leaving Aug. 30 to head back to Zimbabwe to host a camp. I will be spending three weeks in a place where I called home, a place where I met people who became family. My heart is beyond excited for what the Lord has in store, the ways that he is going to use me and the sweet reunions I am going to have with my people in Zimbabwe.
The Lord is doing some crazy things in my life. He is taking me on unexpected journeys, but I have learned how important it is to have a heart that is open to what he is doing and a heart that is willing to just say yes when he calls.
I knew I would be going back to Zimbabwe, but I had no idea that it would be this quickly after returning home. I also have had little time to prepare and little time to fundraise, but I trust that the Lord has a plan that will reveal his provision and faithfulness.
I don’t have the words for how blessed I have been by the community and the love and support that Seymour has poured out over me. The support that I have received and the people who have rallied behind me on this crazy journey that Jesus has me on have been nothing short of a blessing.
I am so thankful for you, and I am so thankful for your prayers. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to head to Zimbabwe, Africa, next week, and I also faithfully trust the Lord in providing the funds to get there.
If the Lord lays it on your heart to donate, all monetary donations can be sent to 631 East Drive, Seymour, IN 47274. If he lays it on your heart to support me in other ways, that also is a blessing.
A few things I am needing to take with me for the camp are glow paint, name tags for 90 children and the board game Risk.
I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I am even more grateful for the opportunity to share it with you.
Jesus has such sweet plans for our lives, and he has such a sweet plan for your life, as well. Be open to what he has for you, and he will take you to beautiful, unexpected places.
Keia Blair is a Seymour native who attends Cincinnati Christian University. In May, she completed a nine-month mission trip around the world. Soon, she will be going back to Zimbabwe for three weeks. Send comments to [email protected].