In this series, we get to know some of the stories of the people in our class. As we journey together, we can celebrate what God has done and what He is doing in our lives, individually and collectively. This month Jamie Kent shares some of her story overcoming learning disabilities, living with Crohn's disease, and experiencing God's faithfulness.
I grew up in Waco, TX in a Christian family. However, we hardly ever went to church. The only time we were present was during Christmas and Easter. It was not until high school that I started getting involved in church. My first encounter with Christ was when I was a sophomore in high school. I was on a Chrysalis Flight, a three day spiritual retreat. On the final day of the retreat, I experienced God's love for me in such a powerful way. I told God that I would do whatever he wanted me to do and go wherever he want me to go. At that time, I never would have thought that God was going to take me on such a wild adventure to places I never thought I would go. Journeying with Jesus has been an interesting ride. I wish I could say that it has been easy, but it has been one of many mountaintop highs and low valleys but one that echoes His faithfulness and His provision.
Overcoming Learning Disabilities
Ever since I was young, I was told that I would never amount to anything due to my learning disabilities. Yes, school was a huge struggle for me and learning has always been hard. Of course my family and close friends always believed in me, but others did not. I was told I would never graduate high school, and if I ever went to college, I would fail out. By the grace of God, I now have a Master's Degree. God is indeed good!
Living with Crohn’s Disease
My struggles have not always been centered around school though. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's is an incurable disease in which the immune system attacks itself inside of the digestive tract. Since diagnosis, I have had numerous doctor visits, tests (MRI, CT scans, two colonoscopies), frequent blood draws, and one major surgery. While this disease is uncertain, I have learned to manage the symptoms with medication, diet, and exercise. However, I never know when the next big flare up might be around the corner.
Experiencing God’s Faithfulness
The common thread that has been weaved throughout my life is God's faithfulness. God has never abandoned me, through school, through living with Crohn’s disease, and now through my recent job loss. He has always provided for me and will continue to bless me, even in my darkest days. My favorite hymn is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" because the lyrics remind me that God is faithful. He never goes back on His word, or changes his mind. Each day his mercies are new. "Great is his faithfulness;his mercies begin afresh every morning"- Lamentations 3:23.
Praying for Jamie
Currently, I need prayer for my health because I have not been feeling well lately. The doctor is concerned that I am going into another flare. It is possible that I will have to start doing weekly injections instead of the bi-weekly injections I currently get. The injections are strong and potent and they make me very tired. Also please pray for the job situation as well. The job I would really like is in Mansfield, but I won't hear anything about an interview until after Easter. Pray that I would remain patient while He works.
Showing posts with label FWYP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FWYP. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Brian Okello: Detours on the Journey
Brian Okello is a dear friend and a member of First Woodway Young Professionals. He is originally from Uganda and has been in the states for three years now. In October, he was in a serious car accident. He was on his way to school on October 22 and not feeling well. He looked down for a second, swerved into the other lane, and hit another car head-on. Some might say he is lucky to be alive; Brian says God spared his life. His hip socket was shattered, his ribs were bruised, but his faith was strong. Two surgeries and several months of therapy later, he wants to share the story of God’s faithfulness and His provision through it all. Brian gave me the opportunity to write up his story and share what God has been doing in his life.
Brian & I sat down last week to reflect on his journey before, during, and since the accident. Brian is quick to tell me that the accident has been just one of many detours in his life, and like the others, that God has used it for good.
He tells me of the time at age 22, when God interrupted and permanently redirected his life. He was still in Uganda and had just graduated with a degree in economics finishing close to the top of his class. There were many open doors before him, but the most important one was the one that would lead him to Christ. Brian became a Christian that year and says it was a time marked as clearly as BC/AD in terms of the transformation in his life.
As he began to follow Christ, he began to work in business but heading the same trajectory no longer made sense to him. He spent a couple of years in seasons of fasting and prayer searching for God’s direction. Through those seasons, he did not feel called to leave the business world behind. Instead, he felt God calling him to the marketplace and showing him how to bring together work & ministry in new ways. It seemed God wanted him to use his business acumen for kingdom purposes. It was a new thought. And with that new clarity, a new direction would unfold, one that would eventually call him away from his home in Uganda.
Brian came to the United States in March 2012 as part of a training program at a local bank. He wanted to learn more about private equity and resourcing, and the opportunity was here. The move was challenging. Even church was hard, as the cultural differences were apparent not just in worship styles, but also in the depth and manner that people expressed their faith. The spiritual disciplines that had guided Brian in Uganda were not as integrated into the community of faith, leading to times of loneliness and isolation. Brian, though, enjoys God’s friendship more than anything, and it is His friendship and His presence that saw Him through that transition.
Brian spent a year and a half preparing for business school. He ran into another unexpected detour, though, with the GMAT. After three unsuccessful attempts to get the scores he needed, he realized God seemed to be closing that door. He still felt called to continue his education, though, and realized he needed a stronger background in accounting. It was another unexpected detour and one that would lead him back to MCC, not Baylor, to pursue an accounting degree.
While God continued to open doors and provide financially and mentally for the journey back to school, Brian admits that this season was a particularly dry one spiritually. Brian was studying hard and working two jobs. He knew God was faithful and had a plan. However, much of the joy & intimacy that typically characterized Brian’s relationship with God was missing. He was not experiencing that same friendship with God that had seen him through tough times before. We lifted him up many times during life group, sensing his discouragement and praying for restoration. It looked like things were beginning to turn around. Brian was accepted to Baylor and was scheduled to start this spring. Pieces were falling into place financially and academically. And once again, Brian could see God’s hand clearly at work.
Then, October 22, a crash, another detour, another turning point. And in the blink of an eye, everything was different. As he regained consciousness, Brian felt an overwhelming peace, in the midst of a lot of pain. He sensed God speaking directly to his heart, "I will give you grace for this season." Brian would later write a poem to capture the emotions of that day:
Once again, it seemed God was calling him to lay all of his plans on the altar, but now, Brian was again so aware of God’s presence and His care. Brian, again, responded, like he did at the age of 22, “Whatever you are going to do, Lord, it’s okay with me. I am yours.”
I asked Brian what God had been teaching him through this season. What is God doing in your life? Brian had a whole list of lessons that God has been teaching him. He talked of learning to receive the love of God through others and moving away from the pride that we can it ourselves. He talked about experiencing the overwhelming nature of God’s love from the body of Christ, both near and far, with love offerings and prayers and gifts of support from friends and from strangers. He talked about giving his life again to Christ with open arms, willing to follow wherever He leads – whether school or home or somewhere new. On a different level, he talked about learning responsibility and the importance of health insurance. But mostly Brian talks about this season as one of revival in his life, one where God has called him back to Himself and His presence and His sweet fellowship. He hears God echo the words “When I bring you to a place, I will take care of you.” Brian has experienced that care deeply through this season. And asked if he could go back and avoid the accident, he says no way. It’s so worth it.
What does Brian most want others to know about his journey?
God is faithful to His promises, when He says He will pick you up & dust off your ashes, when He says He will clothe you in His righteousness, He will. He is faithful and consistent. And He cares for you.
How can we continue to pray for Brian?
Brian & I sat down last week to reflect on his journey before, during, and since the accident. Brian is quick to tell me that the accident has been just one of many detours in his life, and like the others, that God has used it for good.
He tells me of the time at age 22, when God interrupted and permanently redirected his life. He was still in Uganda and had just graduated with a degree in economics finishing close to the top of his class. There were many open doors before him, but the most important one was the one that would lead him to Christ. Brian became a Christian that year and says it was a time marked as clearly as BC/AD in terms of the transformation in his life.
As he began to follow Christ, he began to work in business but heading the same trajectory no longer made sense to him. He spent a couple of years in seasons of fasting and prayer searching for God’s direction. Through those seasons, he did not feel called to leave the business world behind. Instead, he felt God calling him to the marketplace and showing him how to bring together work & ministry in new ways. It seemed God wanted him to use his business acumen for kingdom purposes. It was a new thought. And with that new clarity, a new direction would unfold, one that would eventually call him away from his home in Uganda.
Brian came to the United States in March 2012 as part of a training program at a local bank. He wanted to learn more about private equity and resourcing, and the opportunity was here. The move was challenging. Even church was hard, as the cultural differences were apparent not just in worship styles, but also in the depth and manner that people expressed their faith. The spiritual disciplines that had guided Brian in Uganda were not as integrated into the community of faith, leading to times of loneliness and isolation. Brian, though, enjoys God’s friendship more than anything, and it is His friendship and His presence that saw Him through that transition.
Brian spent a year and a half preparing for business school. He ran into another unexpected detour, though, with the GMAT. After three unsuccessful attempts to get the scores he needed, he realized God seemed to be closing that door. He still felt called to continue his education, though, and realized he needed a stronger background in accounting. It was another unexpected detour and one that would lead him back to MCC, not Baylor, to pursue an accounting degree.
While God continued to open doors and provide financially and mentally for the journey back to school, Brian admits that this season was a particularly dry one spiritually. Brian was studying hard and working two jobs. He knew God was faithful and had a plan. However, much of the joy & intimacy that typically characterized Brian’s relationship with God was missing. He was not experiencing that same friendship with God that had seen him through tough times before. We lifted him up many times during life group, sensing his discouragement and praying for restoration. It looked like things were beginning to turn around. Brian was accepted to Baylor and was scheduled to start this spring. Pieces were falling into place financially and academically. And once again, Brian could see God’s hand clearly at work.
Then, October 22, a crash, another detour, another turning point. And in the blink of an eye, everything was different. As he regained consciousness, Brian felt an overwhelming peace, in the midst of a lot of pain. He sensed God speaking directly to his heart, "I will give you grace for this season." Brian would later write a poem to capture the emotions of that day:
In the blink of an eye...
In the blink of an eye, my life came to a pause;
yet in the pause, YOUR presence protected me.
In the blink of an eye, all pain gushed through my being;
yet in the pain, YOUR peace comforted me.
In the blink of an eye, anxiety brought my hopes and desires crushing down;
yet in the anxiety, YOUR purpose for me stood firm.
And now, ...
With eyes wide open, i see YOU knitting me together for the sake of YOUR great Name.
With eyes wide open, i am overwhelmed by YOUR love through the body of YOUR son Jesus.
With eyes wide open, i know that YOUR path for me has been carefully crafted.
Once again, it seemed God was calling him to lay all of his plans on the altar, but now, Brian was again so aware of God’s presence and His care. Brian, again, responded, like he did at the age of 22, “Whatever you are going to do, Lord, it’s okay with me. I am yours.”
I asked Brian what God had been teaching him through this season. What is God doing in your life? Brian had a whole list of lessons that God has been teaching him. He talked of learning to receive the love of God through others and moving away from the pride that we can it ourselves. He talked about experiencing the overwhelming nature of God’s love from the body of Christ, both near and far, with love offerings and prayers and gifts of support from friends and from strangers. He talked about giving his life again to Christ with open arms, willing to follow wherever He leads – whether school or home or somewhere new. On a different level, he talked about learning responsibility and the importance of health insurance. But mostly Brian talks about this season as one of revival in his life, one where God has called him back to Himself and His presence and His sweet fellowship. He hears God echo the words “When I bring you to a place, I will take care of you.” Brian has experienced that care deeply through this season. And asked if he could go back and avoid the accident, he says no way. It’s so worth it.
What does Brian most want others to know about his journey?
God is faithful to His promises, when He says He will pick you up & dust off your ashes, when He says He will clothe you in His righteousness, He will. He is faithful and consistent. And He cares for you.
How can we continue to pray for Brian?
- Wisdom & direction – Brian has been accepted to Baylor and plans to attend this fall, pending financial provision.
- Daily surrender to God & humility as he continues to heal and to share his journey – “Let them never see Brian Okello, but let them see you, God.”
- Favor & provision with medical bills
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