GOD IS NEVER LATE ~ HE IS ALWAYS ON TIME.

Image by UnikBlends.

In the book of Jeremiah 1:5, the word says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” And in Jeremiah 29:11, the word says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I would like to use those two scriptures to narrate my story.

On a cold January morning in 2009, I arrived at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands to join my husband who had secured a job in one of the International Organizations in the Hague. I remember it was a very cold Monday morning by all standards having lived all my life in Africa all my life. When I got out of the airport to step into the car, I thought to myself, wait a minute, have I just stepped into a cold factory?

A few minutes later, I arrived home to a warm house and started a new life with my one-year-old and husband. I remember struggling to adapt to the new weather and culture as everything was so different from what I was used to. All this time, my one-year-old daughter kept me sane and gave me good company during the day as my husband was working full time.

Interestingly, my daughter was very okay with the weather, she was always excited to go out to play. My husband loved his job and it kept him busy as well. This meant that I was now the only one who had to fit in! In 2010, I was blessed with another child and I got busier taking care of them with the help of an au pair.

 In 2012 I decided to pursue an Advanced Master’s degree course in International law, and I can tell you for a fact that it was not a very difficult season. It was challenging for me because I had a small family to take care of and the education system was quite different than what I was used to.

After my master’s program, I did three internships, two with international organizations. It was while doing these internships that I had so much hope that I will be employed but unfortunately, I was not able to secure a job during and after the internship period. This went on for years and I felt so hopeless and frustrated.

Faith in God

In terms of my faith in Christ, I was getting profoundly serious and deep in the word of God and despite all. I was convinced without a doubt that HE was doing great things in my life. One day it was while listening to God’s message, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that I was focusing on doors that God had purposely closed for me since they were not in the plans that He had for me!

I had struggled and stressed myself to get a job at one of the International organizations but that was not the plan that God had for me. After listening to that message, I decided to arise and shine in the area that God later showed me. This is the same time I met a friend of mine at church who had similar challenges to mine. A graduate with no job. She was also a Kenyan and a neighbor, this was such an encouragement to me, such that we related in so many similar ways and motivated each other.

We met severally, and we decided to empower ourselves and other women in a similar situation like ours. We started a business together and formed an investment group and through the group, we empowered eight other women to own property in Kenya.

From all these experiences, I have learnt a lot and grown spiritually, socially, and economically. I have grown my businesses and I have been able to employ a few people too. I know there are so many uncertainties around and I share my story with the hope that it empowers you the reader. I would like to encourage anyone out there who is feeling discouraged especially during this time of the pandemic. God loves you and cares for you so much.

Keep trusting in HIM and HE will reveal to you the plans HE has for you. HE will give you everything you ask of him, according to his riches in glory. God is never late!

AMEN!

Betty.