Pre-Departure Journal

Oh my… it’s finally happening!!!!!

By the grace of God, the day I leave the country and finally embark on this adventure is approaching so fast. I have to say, I have a mixed bag of emotions flooding my system right now. Excitement, gratitude, anticipation, nervousness. You name it, I’m probably feeling it. I have an inkling that these journal entries might become one of my most prized possessions from this experience. They will become snapshots of who I was before this journey and, hopefully, who I become because of it.

Cue the Moesha diary music.

I’m still carrying the bittersweet feeling of finishing my undergraduate degree. It feels strange to close such a significant chapter of my life and immediately begin another one. College shaped me in so many ways, especially my passion for public health, leadership, and service. Now I’m stepping into a season where there are far fewer syllabi, deadlines, and clear directions. It’s exciting, but it’s also intimidating.

As I’ve been preparing for Kenya, I’ve realized that preparation is about much more than packing a suitcase. Of course, I’ve been checking off the practical things: making packing lists, gathering travel documents, and so on. But the most meaningful preparation has been spending intentional time with the people I love. Being with my friends and family before I leave has been incredibly rejuvenating for my spirit. Their encouragement has reminded me that I have a community supporting me, even from thousands of miles away.

More importantly, I’ve been spending intentional time with God. In the busyness of preparing for such a big transition, I’ve found myself returning to prayer more often. Instead of trying to control every outcome, I’m learning to surrender this experience to Him. There is something deeply comforting about knowing that I do not have to have every detail figured out before I get on that plane. My peace comes from trusting the One who already knows what is waiting for me on the other side.

I feel a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Kenya is not entirely unfamiliar to me because it is part of my heritage, but experiencing it as an independent adult is something completely different. This trip will challenge me to trust myself in unfamiliar environments, make decisions on my own, and adapt to situations that I cannot fully predict. While that uncertainty makes me nervous, it is also one of the reasons I wanted to participate in this fellowship.

Right now, I think it would be unfair to myself to have rigid expectations for this experience. My one prayer that has brought me the most comfort is simple: Lord, protect me and use me. That’s it. I don’t need everything to go according to my plan if I know I’m walking in His purpose.

The public health part of my brain is especially excited to see how health systems, communities, and organizations function outside of the United States. So much of my education has focused on health disparities, social determinants of health, and community-based interventions. I’m excited to witness these concepts in real life and learn directly from the people and communities I’ll be working alongside. I hope to leave Kenya with new knowledge, a broader perspective, and a deeper appreciation for the power of listening before leading.

As I zip up my suitcase and count down the final days, I’m choosing curiosity over fear. I don’t know exactly what this journey will hold, but I trust that it will shape me in ways I can’t yet imagine. Here’s to new experiences, unexpected lessons, and allowing God to write a story far greater than anything I could have planned myself.