purpose

Finding my tribe

“Father Lord, I earnestly prayed, ‘Help me find my tribe, that will help me find my voice, that will help me sing my song.’ Even as I type this today, I see the sequence of a song, I see the rhythm of the words, and I see the music in it all. Because that’s how my mind works.

Why was I making this prayer? Because I was feeling pretty lost. I had just come from a session of desperately trying to explain myself to someone who did not understand me, who I was, what I did, and why I did what I did the way I did it. We were both in the vineyard, we were both creatives, and we had so much in common, but try as I did, they could not understand me. I gave up.

Then I realized that for the one person who did not ‘get’ me, there was always another who picked the words right out of my mouth. If I developed a thought, they voiced it before I could. They have read every single blog I have written since I started over a decade ago! They have read my books, downloaded my music, and shared it with anyone who cares to listen! They will listen to my podcasts, even those that sound boring even to me!

Then it occurred to me that my tribe is out there. They are my support team, they are my backup, they are my cheerleaders. They do not care if I am rich or broke, they do not care if I am small or famous. They like everything I say, they enjoy everything I do, and they are in sync with who I am.

The mistake we make in life is to presume that we are sent for everyone. In business, we want to sell our products and services to everyone, as a minister, we want to pastor each and every one. Each one of us has the people we are called for. The issue is that, like a needle in a haystack, we will have to find our lot. It’s a very slow and tedious process, which requires one to develop a thick skin because the amount of distraction we face from opposing tribes is incredibly crazy.

The Bible in John 3:27 says, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.’ That’s why it’s important to be patient. If God has given you a mission and you are burning to get the word out there, ask Him for your tribe. Ask Him to bring the target people for which your mission lies. Our God is faithful and kind. He will do it speedily because it’s more important to Him than you to fulfill the work for which He set you at the beginning of the world.

Finding your tribe is not just about connecting with people who share your interests or beliefs; it’s about finding those who resonate with your unique voice, your individuality, and your purpose. In a world full of noise and distractions, it’s easy to feel lost, to feel like you’re speaking to an audience that doesn’t quite understand or appreciate your message. But rest assured, your tribe is out there.

The people who are meant to walk alongside you on your journey, the ones who will amplify your voice, and harmonize with your song are waiting to be found. They are the ones who will support you, inspire you, and lift you up, regardless of your circumstances or your status. Your tribe will stand by you through thick and thin, believing in your mission and your vision.

But the path to finding your tribe is not always straightforward. It’s a journey that requires patience, resilience, and unwavering faith. You may encounter many who don’t resonate with your message, and who don’t understand your vision, but that’s okay. Remember that you are not sent to everyone. Your calling, your mission, and your message are meant for a specific group of individuals.

As you embark on your quest to find your tribe, keep the words of John 3:27 close to your heart. Trust in the divine plan and timing. Ask your Father, the Lord, for guidance, and He will bring the right people into your life. He knows the importance of your mission, and He wants to see it fulfilled.

So, do not lose heart. Keep creating, keep sharing, and keep singing your song. Your tribe is out there, and when you find them, you’ll know. They will celebrate your uniqueness, your authenticity, and your purpose. They will be your unwavering support, and together, you’ll make beautiful music in the symphony of life. Your Father in heaven has already set the stage for your success, and your tribe will be there to cheer you on.”

Motherhood is a fulltime job

Motherhood is A Full Time Job

My name is Caroline Bongo, I am a mother, and that’s my full time occupation.

Besides being a wife, I am a consultant agronomist cum food scientist and an entrepreneur too. I am a founding partner of Farm to Fork ltd and others,  Basically that’s what one could call my day job, but that’s what I call ‘my other babies’

Some of these other babies are all still quite young. But I am thrilled to watch them grow day by day. The lessons I have learnt raising biological children, have made me a better business person than any course that could be offered in Harvard!

I happen to have half of me inclined to science and the other half to arts. To be honest, I don’t know which I love most. Because I enjoy doing both.

You see both science and arts involve creativity, and that’s the core of who I am. So then again meet the writer, The author of the book “In the arms of a stranger. The musician, the recording artist and performing artist and the inspirational speaker. (Okay I don’t know if I should say speaker, maybe I should just say, the girl who loves talking😀)

 

But above all the things I do in life, I just love the art of being used by God to conceive, carry, bring a little human to the world and more importantly see them grow into their full potential. I have done this 7 times! And were it not that the biological clock like they say is ticking, I would definitely want to bring more home.

Many times a mother of one will ask me “How do you do it? I can’t even manage one; how do you manage seven?”

My answer always is “I don’t manage, I just parent”

It’s the beauty of economies of scale better by dozens. On a more serious note, when they are that many, they no longer need you, they rarely need your attention anyways; they have each other.

But why do I say motherhood is a full time job…. while I am normally doing what seems like a million other things in a 24-hour day?

It’s because it’s the only one thing that sticks in my mind 100% of the time. Whether I am at home, or with a client, drawing pictures with words, taking a daily walk, practicing with my church choir, travelling literally all the time, I am thinking about my kids.

It’s crazy

 

Like most mothers, will walk into a shop looking for a much needed dress for myself and will find myself back home with some pretty dresses for my girls. I will give up anything for my children.

It’s just what mothers do.

A little while ago, my oldest came to my bedroom and said. “Mom your wardrobe is horrible” I answered with a nod “I know I have gotta buy me some new clothes”. I had just given birth three months before and there was literally almost nothing I could fit in.

I thought she was going to leave it at that but she went on. “Mami I need some cash, I need to buy some stuff” I asked how much. She was going back to school the next day so I thought she needed it as part of her shopping.

I told her how much I had.

She told me to dress up, we were going to buy me clothes in some affordable wholesale cloth shop she had seen with the money I was offering her. She wasn’t going to take a no. That really moved me. My baby me has surely grown up too quickly.

Basically whether a mother is with her kids or not, she is on a full time call. When my first was young, I thought to myself ‘let me work hard and take good care of her, when she turns 16 she won’t need me no more’

Now she is past 16 and I realize she needs me even more. She needs me for more things than food in her mouth or a dress that she needs. She needs me for dating advise, she needs me to help deal with life hurts, she needs me when she is faced with difficult decisions and I know very soon she’s will need me to be just there for her.

I know that because I have a mother who has just been that. Even long after having my own family, she has been the backbone of my stability as a mother.

This is to every woman out there that has spent sleepless nights worried what their child was going to eat tomorrow. The scared mother in tears who sleeps outside the emergency room as the doctors run a medical procedure on her child. To the mother with a special child who cannot do stuff like other human children,

To the special mothers who have taken another woman’s child and treated them like their own, this is too to the mothers who have their little ones in heaven and finally to the hopeful mothers who pray day and night to hold a little one in their arms.

You are all amazing human beings and you deserve a medal. We all have purposes on earth, but a mother fulfills a divine purpose just carrying, adopting and raising a little human.

 

Author . Musician . Blogger
Caroline nkirote-Bongo

info@carolinebongo.com

+254 722 771442