I spoke to a friend yesterday who is nearing retirement from her lifelong career. She pondered that sweet she is winding down yet at the same time still learning to better serve those she interacts with. This is so important. We never stop growing, learning, and experiencing new things in life. Although it can also be true that a lifetime of learning has given us a toolbox of what works and what doesn’t. That is why it is so important to share our finds with younger people who have not had the decades of growth.
It is such a joy to know that Ronnie B and I are going to Kenya to the school/orphanage we support. (Connect with a Childis their website if you want more information or to donate) Tom Abungu is allowing me to take all my tricks of the trade from my special ed career and share them with his teachers. He told me they have not had special ed training and would appreciate any tips that could help one of their students. While I have a plethora of ideas to share, I also know that this meeting will grow me as much as it grows them. What an opportunity to share with those who are in the trenches in this foreign land and who love their kiddos enough to take time to grow.
Each day is a growing opportunity. That is why I get up early to do my Bible study. It is not only to be closely connected to Jesus but also to learn something that hits my heart in a different way in this season of life. Today I learned that each of us does not hear from God in the same way. I would not have thought of myself as a knower but that is my main way to hear Him. I like to say that God gently pressed into my back and nudged me to act. Too often, I resist before moving into His plan but when I do it always creates a powerful connection. There should be a growing aspect of each day. Some will be small and barely noticeable while others can make me need to go out and buy new shoes. Okay, maybe it is not about my feet growing but rather my heart and my head.
When we launch on our trip Thursday to Egypt and Kenya the growing won’t start when we land in Cairo. The people we meet in the airports and on the plane have the power to connect with us and grow our lives. I recall flying from Ireland to Barcelona last year. There was a young mom with three littles. One had autism and was understandably melting down on a plane full of strangers and stimui. This mom did not apologize or get frazzled by her kiddos loudly annoying other passengers. Because she remained calm her young one eventually relaxed into his surroundings. How often I panic and get worked up when things aren’t going as I expected. That does nothing to shift the situation but exasperates it. This mom taught me to take a breath, live through the moment and most importantly not to apologize for what is unavoidable. My hope is she will not avoid flying with her littles in the future just because of the nasty looks she received. I gave her my book and told her how inspiring she was with how she handled her kiddos.
I look forward to meeting people on our journey, on our group tour and at the teacher meeting. It is pretty clear that the next few weeks will be a growing season for Ronnie B and me. I am not taking my iPad so may not blog much but will be posting on Facebook. Barbara Friedman Barber. Please join our journey there. Tell me how God grows you in the next few weeks whether through His word on your couch or off on an international adventure.
In Him,
Joyful
10-19-26
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