I think for a long time, I have just been avoiding the fact that I am leaving Kenya. I mean, to a certain extent, I knew I was leaving because I had nearly everything packed up days before our departure. But when I was saying my goodbyes, it just felt like my typical goodbyes for the day…I would see them tomorrow. But this time, I wouldn’t. I don’t think this will fully hit me until I spend my first few days back in the US. I never really allowed time for it to hit me in Kenya. I was too busy trying to get projects finished, even up to the last minute—literally. (I looked like a fool running around the HEART compound from building to building, person to person. But honestly, as much as it was stressful, it was fun. And I was laughing the whole time.)
I am holding on to the fact that I will be applying for a part-time staff position at HEART and plan on being back next year. I already talked to Vickie about it, and everyone tells me I am welcome back. So…with the Lord’s provision, I will be back at HEART soon.
But for now, I know God has a reason for bringing me back to the States. I could have stayed if I wanted to…which I did…but I know God has a better plan for me than I can imagine. So I am just following His lead as I journey back and forth between my homes in California and in Kenya…
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Last Days in Kibera and with WEEP Women and Children
Thursday was my last trip into Kibera…for now. While Katie and Margaret needed to meet with a couple of the women, I was just there since it was my last opportunity to spend time with the women. I brought my guitar because I had promised to teach a couple of the women some tunes, so while the other interns met, I serenaded the other women. A couple of them were hanging out just outside of the WEEP center, taking a break from studying and practicing how to sew in a straight line. They were painting each others fingernails and toenails with a silver glitter nailpolish, which I can only assume was donated by one of the HEART teams that came to visit this summer. Street kids were playing a few feet away. They saw me pull out my guitar and their eyes lit up in interest. One girl in particular was captivated as soon as I started to strum. She admired from afar for a little while, but she slowly made her way up to me…Soon right by my side…staring at the guitar. I had fun looking deep into her eyes, pondering her story, as she listened to me play.
Because I kept asking for Everlyne, one of the WEEP women that was going to make me a sweater, one of the women finally called me into the preschool where Everlyne was eating. As I peeked in the door, I did a double take on Everlyne because she was hiding in the corner.
We exchanged smiles and laughed and hugged. It was so good to see her. She is a spectacular woman. We proceeded to talk about the sweater she was going to make me, and before I knew it, we were sitting in chairs…I was strumming the guitar…and we were talking about a million different topics. We talked about how faithful God is, our families, how she sees me as a daughter… It was wonderful. We must have spent a couple of hours talking. It was so easy and delightful to spend my afternoon with her. We shared in laughs as much as we did in stories, and she encouraged me greatly. She even talked about David from the Bible, and I told her how he is my favorite character from the Bible. It was so nice that our conversation was not limited because of language, cultural differences, or age difference.
The entire time that I was chatting with Everlyne, the little girl that was captivated by the guitar was peeking her head in the door. She heard my music and slowly scooted her way into the room, back glued to the wall the entire time. I kept smiling at her over and over. She was adorable. She finally shyly came up to me and looked into my eyes, then back at the guitar, then back into my eyes. I would ask her “Sasa?” and “Habari?” (What’s up?) but without response. Then she got comfortable enough to rest her hands on my knee, so I gently took her hand and ran it against the strings of the guitar to strum it.That was enough—she loved it! She strummed and strummed and strummed. I rubbed her soft cheeks and covered her head with my hand. She smiled at me, and when I asked her “Sasa?” she adorably said “Poa.” (Nothing). It wasn’t long before we would play in and out of my coversation with Everlyne. She would come running up to me with a big smile on her face. As I got ready to leave, she motioned for me to pick her up…which, of course, I did. She was so light and felt so natural in my arms. Then I tossed her up in the air and looked into her eyes, pushing her nose like a little button. When I put her down to leave, she grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go. It was hard to leave. Another piece of my heart was left in Kibera. I am starting to think I am not going to have a heart left!
Thankfully, I got to see many of the WEEP women and their children at the Kids Fun Day we held for the WEEP women and their children at the Giraffe Center. Katie, Margaret, and I ran the show of about 100 women and children, as we organized them all to see the giraffes and eat lunch. By the grace of God, everything panned out smoothly, and everyone had a great time. We even finished early!
This Kids Fun Day was supported by an 11 year old girl, who has decided for the past couple of years that instead of receiving gifts for her birthday, she would take money people gave to her to help children in Africa. Isn’t that precious? And that’s exactly what she did! These kids would have never had the opportunity to spend their Saturday at the Giraffe Center with a PB&J lunch. It was a special treat for them…especially considering that some of them may have otherwise not even set foot out of the slums where they live. How awesome that an 11 year old could give so radically! Asante sana, Alex.
Because I kept asking for Everlyne, one of the WEEP women that was going to make me a sweater, one of the women finally called me into the preschool where Everlyne was eating. As I peeked in the door, I did a double take on Everlyne because she was hiding in the corner.
We exchanged smiles and laughed and hugged. It was so good to see her. She is a spectacular woman. We proceeded to talk about the sweater she was going to make me, and before I knew it, we were sitting in chairs…I was strumming the guitar…and we were talking about a million different topics. We talked about how faithful God is, our families, how she sees me as a daughter… It was wonderful. We must have spent a couple of hours talking. It was so easy and delightful to spend my afternoon with her. We shared in laughs as much as we did in stories, and she encouraged me greatly. She even talked about David from the Bible, and I told her how he is my favorite character from the Bible. It was so nice that our conversation was not limited because of language, cultural differences, or age difference.
The entire time that I was chatting with Everlyne, the little girl that was captivated by the guitar was peeking her head in the door. She heard my music and slowly scooted her way into the room, back glued to the wall the entire time. I kept smiling at her over and over. She was adorable. She finally shyly came up to me and looked into my eyes, then back at the guitar, then back into my eyes. I would ask her “Sasa?” and “Habari?” (What’s up?) but without response. Then she got comfortable enough to rest her hands on my knee, so I gently took her hand and ran it against the strings of the guitar to strum it.That was enough—she loved it! She strummed and strummed and strummed. I rubbed her soft cheeks and covered her head with my hand. She smiled at me, and when I asked her “Sasa?” she adorably said “Poa.” (Nothing). It wasn’t long before we would play in and out of my coversation with Everlyne. She would come running up to me with a big smile on her face. As I got ready to leave, she motioned for me to pick her up…which, of course, I did. She was so light and felt so natural in my arms. Then I tossed her up in the air and looked into her eyes, pushing her nose like a little button. When I put her down to leave, she grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go. It was hard to leave. Another piece of my heart was left in Kibera. I am starting to think I am not going to have a heart left!
Thankfully, I got to see many of the WEEP women and their children at the Kids Fun Day we held for the WEEP women and their children at the Giraffe Center. Katie, Margaret, and I ran the show of about 100 women and children, as we organized them all to see the giraffes and eat lunch. By the grace of God, everything panned out smoothly, and everyone had a great time. We even finished early!
This Kids Fun Day was supported by an 11 year old girl, who has decided for the past couple of years that instead of receiving gifts for her birthday, she would take money people gave to her to help children in Africa. Isn’t that precious? And that’s exactly what she did! These kids would have never had the opportunity to spend their Saturday at the Giraffe Center with a PB&J lunch. It was a special treat for them…especially considering that some of them may have otherwise not even set foot out of the slums where they live. How awesome that an 11 year old could give so radically! Asante sana, Alex.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
"WEEP No More" - WEEP Graduation 2010
This is actually the article I wrote for the WEEP newsletter on the graduation ceremony we held here at the HEART compound last Saturday. I thought this would be the perfect way to blog about the graduation! :)
After years of anticipation, the day finally came—12 more WEEP women graduated, making a total of 17. Families, friends, HEART staff, and HEART supporters from all over Kenya gathered at the HEART compound on Saturday, August 21st to celebrate these women as they move forward, out of the WEEP centers, and begin their own businesses. Preparation began the day before with set up of large tents and continued early the next morning as the HEART staff and some of the Rotaracters came together with “all hands on deck” to ensure the ceremony panned out smoothly. The lawn of the HEART compound was lined with chairs and tables, which were subtly decorated with flowers and photos of various HEART projects. Guests began arriving as early as 9am and continued to arrive throughout the celebration. The sun was out, the kids were playing games on the back lawn, and people were piling their plates with delicious food. Everything was running flawlessly—even early!
To begin the graduation, the Kibera WEEP Women gathered in front of the stage to sing some songs. Then, as they began singing—drip, drop—droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. It did not take long before everything began to get soaked. Quickly, everyone turned their chairs around to face the opposite direction, and everything not under the tents was swiftly put under the tents. With positive attitudes—and even praises—the graduation proceeded. With a smile, Vickie Winkler, Executive Director of HEART, reminded everyone, “Rain is always a blessing here in Kenya, isn’t it?”
After a few members of the HEART staff spoke on Kids for School, Freedom for Girls, and WEEP, the graduating women entered from inside. Their graduation song was the beautiful sound of their voices praising God. They each received their diplomas with smiles and hugs from Lynn Adrian from USAID, Helen Dalton from AED/CAP Kenya, and Vickie Winkler from HEART.
After the graduation came to a close with prayer, people swarmed the newly graduated WEEP women to congratulate them. Random outbursts of singing, dancing, and laughing filled the time while everyone celebrated together. In the words of Isaac Mzee, who served as MC at the graduation, “these women we call WEEP ladies will now WEEP no more.”
After years of anticipation, the day finally came—12 more WEEP women graduated, making a total of 17. Families, friends, HEART staff, and HEART supporters from all over Kenya gathered at the HEART compound on Saturday, August 21st to celebrate these women as they move forward, out of the WEEP centers, and begin their own businesses. Preparation began the day before with set up of large tents and continued early the next morning as the HEART staff and some of the Rotaracters came together with “all hands on deck” to ensure the ceremony panned out smoothly. The lawn of the HEART compound was lined with chairs and tables, which were subtly decorated with flowers and photos of various HEART projects. Guests began arriving as early as 9am and continued to arrive throughout the celebration. The sun was out, the kids were playing games on the back lawn, and people were piling their plates with delicious food. Everything was running flawlessly—even early!
To begin the graduation, the Kibera WEEP Women gathered in front of the stage to sing some songs. Then, as they began singing—drip, drop—droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. It did not take long before everything began to get soaked. Quickly, everyone turned their chairs around to face the opposite direction, and everything not under the tents was swiftly put under the tents. With positive attitudes—and even praises—the graduation proceeded. With a smile, Vickie Winkler, Executive Director of HEART, reminded everyone, “Rain is always a blessing here in Kenya, isn’t it?”
After a few members of the HEART staff spoke on Kids for School, Freedom for Girls, and WEEP, the graduating women entered from inside. Their graduation song was the beautiful sound of their voices praising God. They each received their diplomas with smiles and hugs from Lynn Adrian from USAID, Helen Dalton from AED/CAP Kenya, and Vickie Winkler from HEART.
After the graduation came to a close with prayer, people swarmed the newly graduated WEEP women to congratulate them. Random outbursts of singing, dancing, and laughing filled the time while everyone celebrated together. In the words of Isaac Mzee, who served as MC at the graduation, “these women we call WEEP ladies will now WEEP no more.”
Monday, August 23, 2010
Safari Away
After two months in Kenya, I have finally had my first opportunity for a real safari. In a certain sense, I almost felt like I had experienced safari already in bits and pieces. I mean…where else do you get stuck at a complete stop on the highway because zebras are crossing? Where else do you see a giraffe eating leaves from a tall tree on the side of the road? Where else do you drive through uneven dirt and tall grasses to get to someone’s mud hut home? (I mean…seriously…it was like the Indiana Jones ride in real life!)
None the less, my safari experience thus far has been nothing short of wonderful. After about 5 hours of driving we arrived yesterday afternoon in time for an early evening drive. With just me, Katie, Margaret, and William, we had a blast singing praise songs and driving through God’s spectacular creation. We saw giraffes (I asked them to say hello to Lenard [the giraffe I kissed] for me), zebras, and tons of other exciting animals. It was my absolute favorite time of day, when the sun is just about to go down and all the colors of all of the grasses, shrubs, and animals are warmer. There is something gentle and romantic and holy about that time of day. I loved talking to God as the wind from the dusty safari air was blowing in my face and through my hair. It was so peaceful, yet so adventurous.
We went to visit some springs where the hippos usually are, but once we arrived, we were informed that all of the hippos have died due to the serious drought in Kenya. I thought the drought was last year, but apparently this year has not been good for the animals either. I couldn’t help but wonder how many people around this area have died from the drought due to lack of food and water as well…
During the closing of our drive, we drove to the top of the hill where we could look out across the entire valley. It was sunset, and you could see for miles and miles in all directions. This seems silly…but as I looked at the terrain and at the sunset…I remembered….I AM IN AFRICA!!!!! Bahhh, this is so awesome! GOD is SO awesome! Hahah. My heart melted as I watched the sun go down and the valley turn to night.
Katie, Margaret, and I also woke up early this morning to leave for another drive at 630am. That’s right. 630am. Though it was difficult to drag myself out of bed, I was quickly reminded of how much I love the mornings when we drove out the gate just in time for the sunrise. It was hardly half a kilometer before we had to stop to take pictures of the red sun rising over the valley. It was stunning. On our drive, we saw giraffes, ostriches, all kinds of antelope, and a herd of nearly 100 elephants!! No joke. We saw them from afar at first but as we started to return for breakfast, they were much closer. At one point, we were no farther than several meters from a group of them. We were careful though because herds that huge can be very dangerous, especially since there were lots of baby elephants with them. It was marvelous! So we stayed for long enough to get some good pictures, then we gave them their space so they didn’t feel threatened.
One of the coolest aspects of this safari location is the location of the hotel. It is right by a few watering holes where the animals will come to drink. So for example, yesterday I had lunch with some warthogs and zebras, and last night I had dinner with a cheetah, a giraffe, and a herd of elephants (at different times, of course). Even now, I am sitting with my feet up on the back porch, looking out over the African valley with the majestic mountains far off and zebras, ostriches, antelope, warthogs, all kinds of birds, and other animals coming to drink and bathe in the waterhole. It’s pretty surreal.
We went on another drive this evening, and after quite some time of not seeing any new animals, we were feeling pretty bummed. The whole drive I had been praying “God, we would love to see a cool animal—maybe a lion or a rhino or something! We want to delight in your creation.” When we were headed back for the night, I started to wonder “God, I understand that you have said ‘No,’ but I just don’t understand why. Why would you say no to a request like that? I know you delight in pouring your love out on your children. Why would you choose to keep us from delighting in Your creation?” Not long after, I was looking out hopefully for a lion lounging in the golden grasses, and on the side of the road, I saw a leopard. We made eye contact, and I had to do a double take…did I really just see a leopard?!?!?! It was hardly a meter away from me. “Stop the car!!!” I yelled. “I saw a cheetah!!!!!!” (Silly, Katelyn, didn’t know the difference between a cheetah and a leopard.) So we quickly threw the car into reverse and turned off the engine and sat with the leopard. It was sooo thrilling! And God allowed me the pleasure of spotting it! After some other cars started to drive up, seeing that we were stopped, the leopard stood up and trotted away. Then, satisfied, we proceeded to drive into the breathtaking pink and blue sunset. It was perfect. Seriously.
Isn’t God WONDERful??
None the less, my safari experience thus far has been nothing short of wonderful. After about 5 hours of driving we arrived yesterday afternoon in time for an early evening drive. With just me, Katie, Margaret, and William, we had a blast singing praise songs and driving through God’s spectacular creation. We saw giraffes (I asked them to say hello to Lenard [the giraffe I kissed] for me), zebras, and tons of other exciting animals. It was my absolute favorite time of day, when the sun is just about to go down and all the colors of all of the grasses, shrubs, and animals are warmer. There is something gentle and romantic and holy about that time of day. I loved talking to God as the wind from the dusty safari air was blowing in my face and through my hair. It was so peaceful, yet so adventurous.
We went to visit some springs where the hippos usually are, but once we arrived, we were informed that all of the hippos have died due to the serious drought in Kenya. I thought the drought was last year, but apparently this year has not been good for the animals either. I couldn’t help but wonder how many people around this area have died from the drought due to lack of food and water as well…
During the closing of our drive, we drove to the top of the hill where we could look out across the entire valley. It was sunset, and you could see for miles and miles in all directions. This seems silly…but as I looked at the terrain and at the sunset…I remembered….I AM IN AFRICA!!!!! Bahhh, this is so awesome! GOD is SO awesome! Hahah. My heart melted as I watched the sun go down and the valley turn to night.
Katie, Margaret, and I also woke up early this morning to leave for another drive at 630am. That’s right. 630am. Though it was difficult to drag myself out of bed, I was quickly reminded of how much I love the mornings when we drove out the gate just in time for the sunrise. It was hardly half a kilometer before we had to stop to take pictures of the red sun rising over the valley. It was stunning. On our drive, we saw giraffes, ostriches, all kinds of antelope, and a herd of nearly 100 elephants!! No joke. We saw them from afar at first but as we started to return for breakfast, they were much closer. At one point, we were no farther than several meters from a group of them. We were careful though because herds that huge can be very dangerous, especially since there were lots of baby elephants with them. It was marvelous! So we stayed for long enough to get some good pictures, then we gave them their space so they didn’t feel threatened.
One of the coolest aspects of this safari location is the location of the hotel. It is right by a few watering holes where the animals will come to drink. So for example, yesterday I had lunch with some warthogs and zebras, and last night I had dinner with a cheetah, a giraffe, and a herd of elephants (at different times, of course). Even now, I am sitting with my feet up on the back porch, looking out over the African valley with the majestic mountains far off and zebras, ostriches, antelope, warthogs, all kinds of birds, and other animals coming to drink and bathe in the waterhole. It’s pretty surreal.
We went on another drive this evening, and after quite some time of not seeing any new animals, we were feeling pretty bummed. The whole drive I had been praying “God, we would love to see a cool animal—maybe a lion or a rhino or something! We want to delight in your creation.” When we were headed back for the night, I started to wonder “God, I understand that you have said ‘No,’ but I just don’t understand why. Why would you say no to a request like that? I know you delight in pouring your love out on your children. Why would you choose to keep us from delighting in Your creation?” Not long after, I was looking out hopefully for a lion lounging in the golden grasses, and on the side of the road, I saw a leopard. We made eye contact, and I had to do a double take…did I really just see a leopard?!?!?! It was hardly a meter away from me. “Stop the car!!!” I yelled. “I saw a cheetah!!!!!!” (Silly, Katelyn, didn’t know the difference between a cheetah and a leopard.) So we quickly threw the car into reverse and turned off the engine and sat with the leopard. It was sooo thrilling! And God allowed me the pleasure of spotting it! After some other cars started to drive up, seeing that we were stopped, the leopard stood up and trotted away. Then, satisfied, we proceeded to drive into the breathtaking pink and blue sunset. It was perfect. Seriously.
Isn’t God WONDERful??
HEART Written on my Heart
After a week of busy office days of trying to design and author a couple of new newsletters for HEART’s WEEP and Freedom for Girls projects, creating personalized HEART stationary cards, getting the first HEART Kids for School Newsletter printed, preparing for the WEEP graduation…I am wiped. But I love my work here. There is always so much to do, so much to get done, and so many ways to help. Even I, a “just-out-of-high-school-and-fresh-college-blood-student” am able to contribute to the needs of HEART. It’s amazing how the fact that I am here and able to contribute so much is a testimony to the power of God. I couldn’t be doing this without Him.
Like I said it’s been a lot of busy days, where I end up working on projects from 9am to 9pm. I never thought I would be a work-aholic since I always give my dad a hard time about working so much, but I have failed to realize that I am half his blood! (Love you, dad. Looking forward to seeing you.) Hahah, anyway…my work may be way different than his, but now I understand the desperate desire to get projects that mean the world to you finished.
Because it has been such a busy office week, I have spent a significant amount of time around the compound and not a lot of time outside. For that reason precisely, Lower Taita is still very deeply engraved onto my heart. I think about it daily and am always telling whoever is around me “If I could choose only once place to return here in Kenya…it would be Lower Taita.” There was something special about that place, and honestly, I cannot wait to return. I couldn’t even tell you why… It just felt like family, dancing with those kids under the stars. It felt like home, walking through the village. It felt natural to wake up to clanging pots and pans, singing from the nearby church, and voices calling out in Swahili. I pray and will continue to be praying that when I return to HEART (I am trusting God will bring me back to HEART if it is truly His will), I will be blessed with the opportunity to stay with Pastor Lawrence and his family again.
Like I said it’s been a lot of busy days, where I end up working on projects from 9am to 9pm. I never thought I would be a work-aholic since I always give my dad a hard time about working so much, but I have failed to realize that I am half his blood! (Love you, dad. Looking forward to seeing you.) Hahah, anyway…my work may be way different than his, but now I understand the desperate desire to get projects that mean the world to you finished.
Because it has been such a busy office week, I have spent a significant amount of time around the compound and not a lot of time outside. For that reason precisely, Lower Taita is still very deeply engraved onto my heart. I think about it daily and am always telling whoever is around me “If I could choose only once place to return here in Kenya…it would be Lower Taita.” There was something special about that place, and honestly, I cannot wait to return. I couldn’t even tell you why… It just felt like family, dancing with those kids under the stars. It felt like home, walking through the village. It felt natural to wake up to clanging pots and pans, singing from the nearby church, and voices calling out in Swahili. I pray and will continue to be praying that when I return to HEART (I am trusting God will bring me back to HEART if it is truly His will), I will be blessed with the opportunity to stay with Pastor Lawrence and his family again.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Psalm 37:4 [Lower Taita]
Dear Family and Friends,
Please know that this final trip into rural Kenya this summer was the best one yet. It is something I struggle to explain. God has been marvelously molding my heart and continually softening it to the people of Kenya. The following is my prayer to God--the only one who understands what's going on in my heart. I am sorry I cannot capture it any other way.
God, you have shown me something spectacular...something inexplicable...something utterly overwhelming...something wonderful. I sob as I reflect upon my time in rural Kenya. Why? Because just when I thought You couldn't make anything better...you did. I have delighted in You, and You have given me the desires of my heart. You have pounded my heart deep into the dirt of Africa since birth...I just didn't realize it until less than a year ago. And when my heart was awakened to devote myself to glorifying You by serving in health education in rural Africa...a new place I had never been, not to mention, on the other side of the world...I knew it could have only been from You. My heart yearned for this place I never knew, I had never been. I had a love for these people whose faces were unknown and names unheard. And now... here I am... taking a stroll in the rural village of Taita with my Kenyan brother Isaac... during my favorite time of day... just as the sun starts to set... The kids are eagerly running to greet me... I shake hands and exchange "Habari zenu?"s with some of the locals... I look up and see the African sunset... I look to my right and see the mud hut homes... I look down and see my worn TOMS walking in the red dirt of the hills of Taita... I look behind me and see the majestic mountains... I look to my left at Isaac as he explains the way of life of rural Kenya... I am the happiest I have ever been... I feel right at home. God, you gave me this dream. And here I am. I have followed your calling, and I have seen the ways you have prepared me from the very day of my birth. But it is coming to a close and going back is going to be hard--in some ways, it seems impossible. I have been encouraged to be extra gracious with people when I go back, but I need You more than ever to do that. You have taken me by the hand and led me to Kenya. Will you take me by the hand as I leave my home here? Baba, I cannot imagine not coming back to Kenya. I am already planning on coming back. I know if You want me here, You will provide a way. Just like You did for me this summer. Lord, You are so faithful.
You have waterfalled me with blessings. Even the smallest things... even the most intimate things about me, Lord... You know. You knew I wanted to learn to dance the African way. As I headed to my room for the night after the perfect stroll and delicious Kenyan dinner, You had all of the kids of the family gather together to sing and dance to Your name. God, because of who You are, we celebrated under the black sky blanketed with stars. We sang. We danced. Old water buckets and doors for drums...voices lifted high... God, together we sang to you...danced in your name...in Your glorious creation... with Your beautiful people. We laughed. We encouraged one another. It could have just been a night where we went to sleep, but you set that time in motion... and it was the best evening of my life. I thought I already had a wonderful day after waking up to the glorious sound of roosters crowing, pots clanging in preparation for breakfast, people singing praise songs in the nearby church, goats crying, chicks peeping, and voices calling out in Swahili and spending my day at a nearby school teaching young kids on HIV and hand washing. But, God, You knew... my day was just beginning. You had the best evening of my life planned out.
You gave me a family--Pastor Lawrence, Mama Lawrence, the boys, the girls, little Chris. You gave me a home--a spectacular home with a breath-taking view in a safe village with the only concern of elephants crushing the crops at night. You gave me discomfort mixed with comfort, an astounding joy, and a peace of heart. You took me to the village where You revealed Your plans of HEART to Vickie 10 years ago and won my heart over 10 years later. You gave me the desires of my heart. And I am inexplicably grateful.
Please know that this final trip into rural Kenya this summer was the best one yet. It is something I struggle to explain. God has been marvelously molding my heart and continually softening it to the people of Kenya. The following is my prayer to God--the only one who understands what's going on in my heart. I am sorry I cannot capture it any other way.
God, you have shown me something spectacular...something inexplicable...something utterly overwhelming...something wonderful. I sob as I reflect upon my time in rural Kenya. Why? Because just when I thought You couldn't make anything better...you did. I have delighted in You, and You have given me the desires of my heart. You have pounded my heart deep into the dirt of Africa since birth...I just didn't realize it until less than a year ago. And when my heart was awakened to devote myself to glorifying You by serving in health education in rural Africa...a new place I had never been, not to mention, on the other side of the world...I knew it could have only been from You. My heart yearned for this place I never knew, I had never been. I had a love for these people whose faces were unknown and names unheard. And now... here I am... taking a stroll in the rural village of Taita with my Kenyan brother Isaac... during my favorite time of day... just as the sun starts to set... The kids are eagerly running to greet me... I shake hands and exchange "Habari zenu?"s with some of the locals... I look up and see the African sunset... I look to my right and see the mud hut homes... I look down and see my worn TOMS walking in the red dirt of the hills of Taita... I look behind me and see the majestic mountains... I look to my left at Isaac as he explains the way of life of rural Kenya... I am the happiest I have ever been... I feel right at home. God, you gave me this dream. And here I am. I have followed your calling, and I have seen the ways you have prepared me from the very day of my birth. But it is coming to a close and going back is going to be hard--in some ways, it seems impossible. I have been encouraged to be extra gracious with people when I go back, but I need You more than ever to do that. You have taken me by the hand and led me to Kenya. Will you take me by the hand as I leave my home here? Baba, I cannot imagine not coming back to Kenya. I am already planning on coming back. I know if You want me here, You will provide a way. Just like You did for me this summer. Lord, You are so faithful.
You have waterfalled me with blessings. Even the smallest things... even the most intimate things about me, Lord... You know. You knew I wanted to learn to dance the African way. As I headed to my room for the night after the perfect stroll and delicious Kenyan dinner, You had all of the kids of the family gather together to sing and dance to Your name. God, because of who You are, we celebrated under the black sky blanketed with stars. We sang. We danced. Old water buckets and doors for drums...voices lifted high... God, together we sang to you...danced in your name...in Your glorious creation... with Your beautiful people. We laughed. We encouraged one another. It could have just been a night where we went to sleep, but you set that time in motion... and it was the best evening of my life. I thought I already had a wonderful day after waking up to the glorious sound of roosters crowing, pots clanging in preparation for breakfast, people singing praise songs in the nearby church, goats crying, chicks peeping, and voices calling out in Swahili and spending my day at a nearby school teaching young kids on HIV and hand washing. But, God, You knew... my day was just beginning. You had the best evening of my life planned out.
You gave me a family--Pastor Lawrence, Mama Lawrence, the boys, the girls, little Chris. You gave me a home--a spectacular home with a breath-taking view in a safe village with the only concern of elephants crushing the crops at night. You gave me discomfort mixed with comfort, an astounding joy, and a peace of heart. You took me to the village where You revealed Your plans of HEART to Vickie 10 years ago and won my heart over 10 years later. You gave me the desires of my heart. And I am inexplicably grateful.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Whirlwind Week
Welp…it has been a whirlwind of a week. God has blessed me incredibly with adventures from bargaining at the Maasai Market to visiting the women at a couple of WEEP (Women Equality Empowerment Project) Centers to kissing a giraffe. Honestly, I am not sure how I am going to sufficiently put into words the past week, but I will do my best.
Several of my days have been lovingly labeled “Office Days.” These are my opportunity to focus on my project—designing and authoring HEART’s first Kids for School Newsletter. A chunk of the reason that the end of my week was spent in the office was due to Kenya’s constitutional referendum. August 4th was Kenya’s big voting day—yes or no to this constitution that would redefine Kenya and make history. In 2007, Kenya held a huge election which resulted in an incredible outbreak of violence across the country. Thousands were killed. The violence was concentrated in the Rift Valley and Nairobi. In Kibera slum, it was typical to get stopped by a random person and asked to speak in your mother tongue. If from that the person could discern you were from a rival tribe, they would murder you—even burn you alive. One of the staff members at HEART even struggles with the memory of seeing people being burned alive in the streets. It was horrific. As a result, we were advised by the US Embassy to keep a low-profile this year—stay home—better safe than sorry. They expected a peaceful election this year, but no one was interested in taking chances. So we had office days, when we not only worked hard, but prayed hard. Praise the Lord, the election went over very smoothly and very peacefully. And Kenya has a new constitution!
On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit the BulBul WEEP Center with the other interns and the sweetest couple in the world, Ken and Paula. As we listened to their stories, I was amazed at the transformation of these women. They have truly come from death to life. It’s almost hard to believe that at one point their skin was peeling off, their hair was falling out, or they had a CD4 count of 6. (That’s nothing! At that point, you might as well label her dead…seriously.) But God had a radically different plan for these women. When before they woke up and wandered the streets aimlessly, they now wake up with a purpose, with a mission, with meaning. They are mothers to their children, who are in school, because mom now has a job sewing mosquito nets. They are full of life, love, and joy. They are living with HIV. And even after they are kicked out of their own homes, even after they are widowed and left alone, even after laying hopeless on the side of the road for weeks…for years…they have been brought back to life…through treatment with ARVs, through the support and encouragement of Vickie, through the care and love of others, through the income of work, and through the power and grace of God. And, boy, do these women praise Him! Of course, in their generosity while we were there, they fed us a Thanksgiving-sized meal and sent us off with hugs and blessings.
Throughout other days, I have been able to serve at a table in the Westgate Mall (a super fancy mall where all the rich go in Kenya) where we, as a HEART team, spread the word about the Freedom for Girls Project. We expected it to be more of a “hand-out-brochures-and-let-people-know-what-HEART-is-doing-so-they-might-donate-later” type of event, but we ended up raising over 12,000 Kenyan shillings right then and there on that Sunday afternoon! Praise God!
As various guests have visited HEART, I have also had the opportunity to do various PR activities, such as giving tours of the compound, telling stories about HEART, or explaining HEART’s various projects and what exactly we do. It’s been fun! I am starting to feel like staff here. (God willing, maybe soon I will be.)
We also were sure to have fun on Saturday as we visited the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center. Surprisingly, the Elephant Orphanage was really hard for me—not because of the sad stories of the elephants, but because I was surrounded by a large group of people who had traveled all the way to Kenya…and they were pouring out compassion on the elephants. Don’t get me wrong, I love animals and I think it is important to care for God’s creation. But it got me thinking…how many people there were really going to see Kenya? How many would visit an actual orphanage? Were they here to give…or were they just going to take? Did they come just for safari, apathetic to the deep needs of Kenya? Were they just going to look straight ahead and not look into the eyes of the orphan, the HIV positive woman, the Kenyan who needs to know they are loved by the Creator of the Universe? It hit me hard. I don’t know what they were in Kenya for. Who knows…maybe they were here serving, doing something to help out… All I know is that the whole time…my heart ached.
After I had some time in the car to think, to pray, to process through… I was able to really enjoy my time at the Giraffe Center. I had so much fun delighting in God’s truly creative creation as I fed the giraffe. I even got to kiss one—TWICE! I put the food between my lips and it just swung around and ate it right out of my lips. It was slobbery and disgusting, but totally awesome! I mean…how often do you get to kiss a giraffe?!! It was way cool. I was on cloud nine as I was delighting in this creature made by God. On the way home, we named him Lenard, and I even decided giraffes are one of my new favorite animals. How precious…how awesome for the Lord to let me have that time up-close-and-personal with His handiwork in Africa!
Finally, I was so blessed with the opportunity to return to the Kibera WEEP Center for the first time in about a month. It was even more special seeing the beautiful faces of the women again, and they truly looked even better, even stronger, even prettier, than they did a month previous. Going back, their stories become more real. They are still there…living, sewing, working, laughing, singing, dancing, praising God in Kibera. You would never ever know in a million years they are HIV positive. During this visit, we made home visits. This was an adventure because since we were short on time, we had to split up. It was me, Katie, Margaret, Ken, Paul, and Sofia. Katie was the only one who had done home visits before. So of course, God pushed me out of my comfort zone just a nudge, and sent me to do my first home visit with Marge and Sofie. I loved walking through Kibera. Now I know that is way odd, considering the garbage and sewage lining the streets and overwhelming the air…but I was getting into the real deal, the real life, of these women in Kibera. So we carried bags of groceries from the WEEP Center to Roda’s home. The walk probably took about 10 to 15 minutes, which was filled with the constant call of “How are you? How are you?” So, in response, I would say “Habari?” ("How are you?") or “Sasa?” ("What's up?"), which really got the kids’ attention (She speaks Swahili?!?!). It was fun.
As part of the home visit, we were required to ask a bunch of questions about Roda’s home life, her rent, her children, her health…anything and everything…for HEART to be able to keep an up-to-date file on each woman in the WEEP Center. Roda’s story is an incredible one of recovery. She is probably one of the smartest and strongest women of the WEEP Center. She helps translate into English for the other WEEP women who struggle. She counsels numerous other HIV positive women and serves as a personal mentor to the newest WEEP member, Lillian. Not only does she work at the WEEP Center, but once a week she teaches in a clinic about HIV/AIDS. All three of her daughters are in school, paid by her own money. She even opens her single-roomed home to a 19 year old orphan who stays with her and her three kids. She pays her own monthly bill of 800 Ksh for rent and electricity. There is food on the table, but not only that, but her family is eating a balanced diet. She is healthy, experiencing no side effects from her ARVs. But that is why the next part caught me so off guard…her second born…now 10 years old was raped in the year 2007 during the post-election violence. The hardest part was that when it was mentioned, it was fairly casual…not in the sense that it was not a big deal, but in the sense that it happens all of the time…like it is just a part of life for most, if not all, girls around here. As I looked over at her 10 year old daughter, I wondered…who in the world would want to rape a 7 year old girl? The daughter was smiling and I could not help but wonder…did she cry? What is she thinking now? Does she know she is valuable? It was unreal. It was heart wrenching. And it makes me sick.
As Margaret and I forced ourselves to press on with the questions, we made sure that her daughter had received proper medical care after the event. She did. We continued with questions and concluded our times with photos and prayer. I was so blessed to be able to pray over Roda, her family, and their home. I know that though my words may not have been sufficient, I have a perfect translator—the Holy Spirit. He knows the needs of that household, and He knows me heart. (What a relief!)
Like I said…it’s been a whirlwind. Please be praying for my heart as I am attempted to take this all in. God is showing me so much. Blessing me so much. Stretching me so much.
I keep thinking back to the words that we sang at one of the Revival services at the church around the corner… “And when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
Several of my days have been lovingly labeled “Office Days.” These are my opportunity to focus on my project—designing and authoring HEART’s first Kids for School Newsletter. A chunk of the reason that the end of my week was spent in the office was due to Kenya’s constitutional referendum. August 4th was Kenya’s big voting day—yes or no to this constitution that would redefine Kenya and make history. In 2007, Kenya held a huge election which resulted in an incredible outbreak of violence across the country. Thousands were killed. The violence was concentrated in the Rift Valley and Nairobi. In Kibera slum, it was typical to get stopped by a random person and asked to speak in your mother tongue. If from that the person could discern you were from a rival tribe, they would murder you—even burn you alive. One of the staff members at HEART even struggles with the memory of seeing people being burned alive in the streets. It was horrific. As a result, we were advised by the US Embassy to keep a low-profile this year—stay home—better safe than sorry. They expected a peaceful election this year, but no one was interested in taking chances. So we had office days, when we not only worked hard, but prayed hard. Praise the Lord, the election went over very smoothly and very peacefully. And Kenya has a new constitution!
On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit the BulBul WEEP Center with the other interns and the sweetest couple in the world, Ken and Paula. As we listened to their stories, I was amazed at the transformation of these women. They have truly come from death to life. It’s almost hard to believe that at one point their skin was peeling off, their hair was falling out, or they had a CD4 count of 6. (That’s nothing! At that point, you might as well label her dead…seriously.) But God had a radically different plan for these women. When before they woke up and wandered the streets aimlessly, they now wake up with a purpose, with a mission, with meaning. They are mothers to their children, who are in school, because mom now has a job sewing mosquito nets. They are full of life, love, and joy. They are living with HIV. And even after they are kicked out of their own homes, even after they are widowed and left alone, even after laying hopeless on the side of the road for weeks…for years…they have been brought back to life…through treatment with ARVs, through the support and encouragement of Vickie, through the care and love of others, through the income of work, and through the power and grace of God. And, boy, do these women praise Him! Of course, in their generosity while we were there, they fed us a Thanksgiving-sized meal and sent us off with hugs and blessings.
Throughout other days, I have been able to serve at a table in the Westgate Mall (a super fancy mall where all the rich go in Kenya) where we, as a HEART team, spread the word about the Freedom for Girls Project. We expected it to be more of a “hand-out-brochures-and-let-people-know-what-HEART-is-doing-so-they-might-donate-later” type of event, but we ended up raising over 12,000 Kenyan shillings right then and there on that Sunday afternoon! Praise God!
As various guests have visited HEART, I have also had the opportunity to do various PR activities, such as giving tours of the compound, telling stories about HEART, or explaining HEART’s various projects and what exactly we do. It’s been fun! I am starting to feel like staff here. (God willing, maybe soon I will be.)
We also were sure to have fun on Saturday as we visited the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center. Surprisingly, the Elephant Orphanage was really hard for me—not because of the sad stories of the elephants, but because I was surrounded by a large group of people who had traveled all the way to Kenya…and they were pouring out compassion on the elephants. Don’t get me wrong, I love animals and I think it is important to care for God’s creation. But it got me thinking…how many people there were really going to see Kenya? How many would visit an actual orphanage? Were they here to give…or were they just going to take? Did they come just for safari, apathetic to the deep needs of Kenya? Were they just going to look straight ahead and not look into the eyes of the orphan, the HIV positive woman, the Kenyan who needs to know they are loved by the Creator of the Universe? It hit me hard. I don’t know what they were in Kenya for. Who knows…maybe they were here serving, doing something to help out… All I know is that the whole time…my heart ached.
After I had some time in the car to think, to pray, to process through… I was able to really enjoy my time at the Giraffe Center. I had so much fun delighting in God’s truly creative creation as I fed the giraffe. I even got to kiss one—TWICE! I put the food between my lips and it just swung around and ate it right out of my lips. It was slobbery and disgusting, but totally awesome! I mean…how often do you get to kiss a giraffe?!! It was way cool. I was on cloud nine as I was delighting in this creature made by God. On the way home, we named him Lenard, and I even decided giraffes are one of my new favorite animals. How precious…how awesome for the Lord to let me have that time up-close-and-personal with His handiwork in Africa!
Finally, I was so blessed with the opportunity to return to the Kibera WEEP Center for the first time in about a month. It was even more special seeing the beautiful faces of the women again, and they truly looked even better, even stronger, even prettier, than they did a month previous. Going back, their stories become more real. They are still there…living, sewing, working, laughing, singing, dancing, praising God in Kibera. You would never ever know in a million years they are HIV positive. During this visit, we made home visits. This was an adventure because since we were short on time, we had to split up. It was me, Katie, Margaret, Ken, Paul, and Sofia. Katie was the only one who had done home visits before. So of course, God pushed me out of my comfort zone just a nudge, and sent me to do my first home visit with Marge and Sofie. I loved walking through Kibera. Now I know that is way odd, considering the garbage and sewage lining the streets and overwhelming the air…but I was getting into the real deal, the real life, of these women in Kibera. So we carried bags of groceries from the WEEP Center to Roda’s home. The walk probably took about 10 to 15 minutes, which was filled with the constant call of “How are you? How are you?” So, in response, I would say “Habari?” ("How are you?") or “Sasa?” ("What's up?"), which really got the kids’ attention (She speaks Swahili?!?!). It was fun.
As part of the home visit, we were required to ask a bunch of questions about Roda’s home life, her rent, her children, her health…anything and everything…for HEART to be able to keep an up-to-date file on each woman in the WEEP Center. Roda’s story is an incredible one of recovery. She is probably one of the smartest and strongest women of the WEEP Center. She helps translate into English for the other WEEP women who struggle. She counsels numerous other HIV positive women and serves as a personal mentor to the newest WEEP member, Lillian. Not only does she work at the WEEP Center, but once a week she teaches in a clinic about HIV/AIDS. All three of her daughters are in school, paid by her own money. She even opens her single-roomed home to a 19 year old orphan who stays with her and her three kids. She pays her own monthly bill of 800 Ksh for rent and electricity. There is food on the table, but not only that, but her family is eating a balanced diet. She is healthy, experiencing no side effects from her ARVs. But that is why the next part caught me so off guard…her second born…now 10 years old was raped in the year 2007 during the post-election violence. The hardest part was that when it was mentioned, it was fairly casual…not in the sense that it was not a big deal, but in the sense that it happens all of the time…like it is just a part of life for most, if not all, girls around here. As I looked over at her 10 year old daughter, I wondered…who in the world would want to rape a 7 year old girl? The daughter was smiling and I could not help but wonder…did she cry? What is she thinking now? Does she know she is valuable? It was unreal. It was heart wrenching. And it makes me sick.
As Margaret and I forced ourselves to press on with the questions, we made sure that her daughter had received proper medical care after the event. She did. We continued with questions and concluded our times with photos and prayer. I was so blessed to be able to pray over Roda, her family, and their home. I know that though my words may not have been sufficient, I have a perfect translator—the Holy Spirit. He knows the needs of that household, and He knows me heart. (What a relief!)
Like I said…it’s been a whirlwind. Please be praying for my heart as I am attempted to take this all in. God is showing me so much. Blessing me so much. Stretching me so much.
I keep thinking back to the words that we sang at one of the Revival services at the church around the corner… “And when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
Monday, August 2, 2010
Jehovah Jireh Orphanage
You know what I am going to miss most when it is time for me to return to California? Beauty. The beauty that saturates the hearts of the people. The beauty that flows from their inner being into their eyes. In my time here, I have experienced seeing the people of Kenya with the eyes of God. They are so beautiful! I know their beauty and as I spend my hours with them, I know my beauty. We delight in each other...in the creative ways God made each of us unique. They are beautiful. I am beautiful.
I lack that at home. Some may even argue that I am surrounded by more beautiful people at home. Yet, I see no beauty. I know no beauty. I feel no beauty. But here....here in Kenya...I know beauty. It flows so naturally as the faces of the people here light up when you sing, when you teach, when you dance, when you take photos, when together you praise God.
I hope and pray I can take home this pair of eyes that God has given me. You see things in a whole new light, with a whole new persepctive, with a whole new set of eyes. You see the present...you live, you give, you love in the present...with an eternal perspective. I never want to let that go.
We educated about 25 girls on their monthly cycles, sex, abstinence, rape, relationships, STDs, pregnancy, goals/dreams, and HIV/AIDS. The girls were intelligent and very responsive to what they were being taught! It just....connected. Some of the expressions in the eyes of these girls were surreal. There was hope. There was grace. There was joy. There was beauty.
In addition to everything we talked about we emphasized that it's never too late to wait. We had the girls repeat the phrase: "It's never too late to wait." As we had the girls write down anonymous questions on scraps of paper, questions started to come in such as: What if I have already lost my virginity...can I ever be a virgin again if I choose to wait? Katie handed me the scrap of paper and encouraged me to tackle it. I went about explaining that although physically you may never be a virgin again, spiritually and emotionally you can become a virgin again. With God, there is always grace. Praise God, there is always grace. One of the girls started to clap. I was blown away! YES! CLAP! Now that is something worth clapping about! So together we clapped, praising God for His unending grace. Wow, I am trying to hold back tears as I write this. It was so beautiful. They get it. They get God's grace. Even at their young age. Even in their circumstances. All orphaned, living in this cement building, surrounded by dusty air and flies. There was beauty. There was grace.
By God's grace alone, it was another very successful day with the Freedom for Girls teaching. Even our new guests, Ken and Paula played irreplacable roles. (Keep in mind, they arrived at 1am last night.) Ken voluntarily stepped up to teach the boys, and Paula helped to encourage the girls. Margaret and Sophie played with the kids. It was a day hand-crafted by God, and it is yet another place I poured my heart into and hope to return again.
But for now, I am thrilled to know that 25+ more girls will have a year's supply of sanitary towels, 4 pairs of underwear, knowledge of their monthly cycles, and are excited to wait to have sex until they are married. And I am even more thrilled to know that these girls truly know the grace of God...and they are saturated in His beauty.
I lack that at home. Some may even argue that I am surrounded by more beautiful people at home. Yet, I see no beauty. I know no beauty. I feel no beauty. But here....here in Kenya...I know beauty. It flows so naturally as the faces of the people here light up when you sing, when you teach, when you dance, when you take photos, when together you praise God.
I hope and pray I can take home this pair of eyes that God has given me. You see things in a whole new light, with a whole new persepctive, with a whole new set of eyes. You see the present...you live, you give, you love in the present...with an eternal perspective. I never want to let that go.
We educated about 25 girls on their monthly cycles, sex, abstinence, rape, relationships, STDs, pregnancy, goals/dreams, and HIV/AIDS. The girls were intelligent and very responsive to what they were being taught! It just....connected. Some of the expressions in the eyes of these girls were surreal. There was hope. There was grace. There was joy. There was beauty.
In addition to everything we talked about we emphasized that it's never too late to wait. We had the girls repeat the phrase: "It's never too late to wait." As we had the girls write down anonymous questions on scraps of paper, questions started to come in such as: What if I have already lost my virginity...can I ever be a virgin again if I choose to wait? Katie handed me the scrap of paper and encouraged me to tackle it. I went about explaining that although physically you may never be a virgin again, spiritually and emotionally you can become a virgin again. With God, there is always grace. Praise God, there is always grace. One of the girls started to clap. I was blown away! YES! CLAP! Now that is something worth clapping about! So together we clapped, praising God for His unending grace. Wow, I am trying to hold back tears as I write this. It was so beautiful. They get it. They get God's grace. Even at their young age. Even in their circumstances. All orphaned, living in this cement building, surrounded by dusty air and flies. There was beauty. There was grace.
By God's grace alone, it was another very successful day with the Freedom for Girls teaching. Even our new guests, Ken and Paula played irreplacable roles. (Keep in mind, they arrived at 1am last night.) Ken voluntarily stepped up to teach the boys, and Paula helped to encourage the girls. Margaret and Sophie played with the kids. It was a day hand-crafted by God, and it is yet another place I poured my heart into and hope to return again.
But for now, I am thrilled to know that 25+ more girls will have a year's supply of sanitary towels, 4 pairs of underwear, knowledge of their monthly cycles, and are excited to wait to have sex until they are married. And I am even more thrilled to know that these girls truly know the grace of God...and they are saturated in His beauty.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Lost in God's Goodness
I have been in spiritual warfare as I battle to remind myself of my purpose in being here. I didn't just come. God sent me. I was doubting my usefulness around here. Am I really needed?
After a full day of meetings throughout Nairobi yesterday and quite a few office days, not only was I relieved to be reminded of my heart for this place, but I was stretched yet again. I was getting very comfortable working from the compound and going into meetings, but it was dangerous for my soul. I was not receiving the usual intake of sights and smells and people of Kenya outside of Ridgeways (where the compound is located), Village Market, and other developed shopping centers. I began to fear that my soul was becoming numb to what I see here in Kenya. As it slowly becomes more and more like home, my soul was becoming more and more comfortable. And that is the last thing I want it to do.
Thankfully, God knows me more intimately than I know myself. Today, He planned to have me get out of the compound and onto the streets and into a school of Nairobi. He reminded me of the truth that I am needed. Though I am learning so much, and being so greatly blessed, I have come to give something. And even if that is the hope of Jesus Christ to one child, a smile to a hopeless victim of HIV, a dance for a group of girls, a piece of knowledge to an uneducated community...this journey has been well worth it.
This was my challenge: God sent me and Katie to complete a Freedom for Girls seminar at Akiba Primary and Secondary School...on our own. No Kenyan staff (other than our wonderful driver Jackson), no HEART staff. Today we were HEART's representatives. We were Christ's ambassadors. We were leaders. We were teachers. The two of us. Together. I don't know what Katie was feeling, but I was definitely stretched as we had to step up and talk to the teachers at the school, figure out details, and teach the 98 girls about their monthly cycles, sex, and HIV/AIDS. And guess what?? I loved it!
Just last night I read from Jeremiah (goodness, this blows my mind): "Now the words of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, "I am only a youth"; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,' declares the Lord. Then the Lord put out His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" (Jeremiah 1:4-10a)
I was also reminded of 1 Timothy last night, when Paul is talking to Timothy and encouraging him: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have...Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:12-16)
This time I was the youth.I was Jeremiah. I was Timothy. God was pushing me to go out. God was putting words in my mouth. To teach. To set an example. To not neglect the gift I have. To love.
It was a very successful day. I praise God in the victory. God used me and Katie to educate 98 girls on their monthly cycles, sex, abstinence, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, STDs, abortion, rape...and 98 girls will have a year's supply of sanitary towels. As Katie and I taught, we were faced with difficult questions--many that challenged me to give difficult answers and recall information that I have not necessarily studied in depth. I have been encouraged to step out, to lead, to teach, and to learn. I was surprised by how much I knew (which was totally a God thing), and how much I was able to teach. (Even one of the teachers encouraged me, saying, "The girls learned a lot today. Even me, I learned something new...at my age!" Praise God!)
I am overwhelmed in God's goodness, in His faithfulness, in His provision. It was all Him. I just needed to obey His calling. As I stand in awe, my heart is so lost in His.
After a full day of meetings throughout Nairobi yesterday and quite a few office days, not only was I relieved to be reminded of my heart for this place, but I was stretched yet again. I was getting very comfortable working from the compound and going into meetings, but it was dangerous for my soul. I was not receiving the usual intake of sights and smells and people of Kenya outside of Ridgeways (where the compound is located), Village Market, and other developed shopping centers. I began to fear that my soul was becoming numb to what I see here in Kenya. As it slowly becomes more and more like home, my soul was becoming more and more comfortable. And that is the last thing I want it to do.
Thankfully, God knows me more intimately than I know myself. Today, He planned to have me get out of the compound and onto the streets and into a school of Nairobi. He reminded me of the truth that I am needed. Though I am learning so much, and being so greatly blessed, I have come to give something. And even if that is the hope of Jesus Christ to one child, a smile to a hopeless victim of HIV, a dance for a group of girls, a piece of knowledge to an uneducated community...this journey has been well worth it.
This was my challenge: God sent me and Katie to complete a Freedom for Girls seminar at Akiba Primary and Secondary School...on our own. No Kenyan staff (other than our wonderful driver Jackson), no HEART staff. Today we were HEART's representatives. We were Christ's ambassadors. We were leaders. We were teachers. The two of us. Together. I don't know what Katie was feeling, but I was definitely stretched as we had to step up and talk to the teachers at the school, figure out details, and teach the 98 girls about their monthly cycles, sex, and HIV/AIDS. And guess what?? I loved it!
Just last night I read from Jeremiah (goodness, this blows my mind): "Now the words of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, "I am only a youth"; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,' declares the Lord. Then the Lord put out His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" (Jeremiah 1:4-10a)
I was also reminded of 1 Timothy last night, when Paul is talking to Timothy and encouraging him: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have...Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:12-16)
This time I was the youth.I was Jeremiah. I was Timothy. God was pushing me to go out. God was putting words in my mouth. To teach. To set an example. To not neglect the gift I have. To love.
It was a very successful day. I praise God in the victory. God used me and Katie to educate 98 girls on their monthly cycles, sex, abstinence, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, STDs, abortion, rape...and 98 girls will have a year's supply of sanitary towels. As Katie and I taught, we were faced with difficult questions--many that challenged me to give difficult answers and recall information that I have not necessarily studied in depth. I have been encouraged to step out, to lead, to teach, and to learn. I was surprised by how much I knew (which was totally a God thing), and how much I was able to teach. (Even one of the teachers encouraged me, saying, "The girls learned a lot today. Even me, I learned something new...at my age!" Praise God!)
I am overwhelmed in God's goodness, in His faithfulness, in His provision. It was all Him. I just needed to obey His calling. As I stand in awe, my heart is so lost in His.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
I'm where I'm supposed to be. [Nyakach - Day 2]
After my first day and second night upcountry, I never thought I would wake up to a day that would so capture my heart and my attention.
We were to open up an office for the Nyakach Kids for School Programme, so when we arrived at the Pap-Ondit Subdistrict Hospital, I was surprised to say the least. Maybe we were going to visit someone first? Maybe the office is here? As I looked around, I thought of how beautiful it was, colored with greens of trees, grass, flowers. This would be a really nice place for the office.
Isaac and Evans went to go meet with some community leaders before we started on whatever we were doing there, so Kyndal, some of the girls from the team, and I passed time playing games like hopscotch, ninja, and sword fighting with dried bean pods that fell from the tree. Talk about a blast from the past! I can't even imagine what the families at the hospital were thinking as they saw the Wazungu making "Hi-ya!" noises and stabbing each other with pieces of tree. It was fun, and I think they saw and enjoyed our delight.
Finally, Isaac and Evans came back, and after meeting the leaders, we were going to set up the office. It was a beautiful building, and I kept thinking about how great of an office it would make! But I got too far ahead of myself... As we went inside, I quickly learned that the office space was a 4' by 6' "room" (more like closet), which was filled with a desk and four chairs. It was cozy with only 3 people in it. But you want to know the best part? Isaac and Evans were thrilled! Sure it was small, but it is SOMETHING! The community leaders, when they heard about what HEART was doing with Kids for School in Nyakach, knew there was no space, but they managed to make some. I couldn't help but be convicted of my assumptions and share in their gratitude and joy.
After we set up the office with a brand new Dell computer, Inkjet Scanner and Printer, Visitor's Book, and other office items, we headed out for the meeting with the community elders. During this meeting, I stumbled upon my passion once again, as Evans addressed the leaders with the message of preventing HIV/AIDS. The focus of this meeting was primarily on male circumcision, as it is not currently practiced in Pap-Ondit, Nyakach. Let me give you some background...
-Nyanza (the area we were in) has the highest infection rates of HIV in all of Kenya
-Male circumcision has shown to reduce infection rates by 60%
-90% of HIV infection in Kenya is from sex
-30% of uncircumcised men aged 30-54 were found to be HIV positive
You can see why this would be encouraged. Although this was the main focus of the time, so much information was covered and by the end of the meeting the leaders were very well educated and asking questions like... "Can we get a handout/brochure with this information to take to others?" "Can we have a seminar where some of us can learn the skills to counsel for those who are HIV positive?"
I was frantically writing down notes, and even though I was sitting on the cement floor, my mind was eating up all of the information thrown at the elders about HIV/AIDS. I was not only remembering all that I had learned in my Pestilence Class, but I was learning more about HIV/AIDS in Kenya specifically.
Evans was a beautiful speaker, funny, and very good with the people. He reminded them that "there is no home that has no been affected by HIV/AIDS...You may say you have not been infected, but you have been affected." They respected him. I was dreaming of being in his place one day, being the one to educate people of HIV/AIDS and prevention.
In God's timing, maybe one day I will be. But for now, I am loving learning and being a part of it even at this age. God has been SO faithful in revealing the truth in His Word: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Not only did God grow my passion through this meeting, but He grew my compassion as I learned of various tragedies of the past when it came to HIV/AIDS prevention.
(Forewarning: I am going to be honest and open with you some things that were discussed in the meeting in this next section, so it may include some graphic details.)
Awareness is no longer the issue with HIV/AIDS. It is not the knowledge but the behavior that will change the status of HIV/AIDS in a community. Leaders have a special area of influence and a moral obligation to do something about it. Sex should not be ignored but talked about. If you tell a child who stumbles upon a condom that it is a balloon, he might blow up the used condom as a balloon. Then the child will learn about it from another child. Because a lot of homes in upcountry Kenya are one-roomed or thin-walled if there is more than one room, a child will grow up hearing sex but not knowing what it is. That child then might find the need to learn about it from another child or by exploring for himself. If rape is an issue (which it is), there is a new "condom" for women with teeth on it, so that if she is raped it will remain on the man's penis and will tear his skin if he tries to pull it off. This will help find the rapist and prevent the women from being infected or getting pregnant. Examine yourself before you start pointing fingers...Ask yourself..."what is my lifestyle?" We are too quick to judge. Stigma needs to be replaced with compassion and love. Two to three lives were lost in the Pap-Ondit area due to door-to-door testing and results because no counseling was provided. We don't just need testing but referrals that will lead to treatment with ARVs and counseling. Knowing your status is essential. It will change your life. Circumcision needs to be done in a hospital setting, not a traditional setting. It is a medical procedure that should be performed with proper tools that are sanitized, not a rock or the same knife for 30 or more boys like some upcountry practices. Funerals take place almost every Saturday. Something needs to be done. Dream big.
The desperation of this country in the midst of this HIV/AIDS pandemic rips at my heart. You can imagine where challenges will be faced. But for now, we press onward, one step at a time, "pole pole" (slowly by slowly).
This community is now aiming to have 300 males circumcised by the end of August. Some are hoping for even more. This is big. It's a breakthrough. And I praise God for what will be done through this change and what He did do through this meeting on a hot, beautiful, upcountry, Kenyan afternoon.
We were to open up an office for the Nyakach Kids for School Programme, so when we arrived at the Pap-Ondit Subdistrict Hospital, I was surprised to say the least. Maybe we were going to visit someone first? Maybe the office is here? As I looked around, I thought of how beautiful it was, colored with greens of trees, grass, flowers. This would be a really nice place for the office.
Isaac and Evans went to go meet with some community leaders before we started on whatever we were doing there, so Kyndal, some of the girls from the team, and I passed time playing games like hopscotch, ninja, and sword fighting with dried bean pods that fell from the tree. Talk about a blast from the past! I can't even imagine what the families at the hospital were thinking as they saw the Wazungu making "Hi-ya!" noises and stabbing each other with pieces of tree. It was fun, and I think they saw and enjoyed our delight.
Finally, Isaac and Evans came back, and after meeting the leaders, we were going to set up the office. It was a beautiful building, and I kept thinking about how great of an office it would make! But I got too far ahead of myself... As we went inside, I quickly learned that the office space was a 4' by 6' "room" (more like closet), which was filled with a desk and four chairs. It was cozy with only 3 people in it. But you want to know the best part? Isaac and Evans were thrilled! Sure it was small, but it is SOMETHING! The community leaders, when they heard about what HEART was doing with Kids for School in Nyakach, knew there was no space, but they managed to make some. I couldn't help but be convicted of my assumptions and share in their gratitude and joy.
After we set up the office with a brand new Dell computer, Inkjet Scanner and Printer, Visitor's Book, and other office items, we headed out for the meeting with the community elders. During this meeting, I stumbled upon my passion once again, as Evans addressed the leaders with the message of preventing HIV/AIDS. The focus of this meeting was primarily on male circumcision, as it is not currently practiced in Pap-Ondit, Nyakach. Let me give you some background...
-Nyanza (the area we were in) has the highest infection rates of HIV in all of Kenya
-Male circumcision has shown to reduce infection rates by 60%
-90% of HIV infection in Kenya is from sex
-30% of uncircumcised men aged 30-54 were found to be HIV positive
You can see why this would be encouraged. Although this was the main focus of the time, so much information was covered and by the end of the meeting the leaders were very well educated and asking questions like... "Can we get a handout/brochure with this information to take to others?" "Can we have a seminar where some of us can learn the skills to counsel for those who are HIV positive?"
I was frantically writing down notes, and even though I was sitting on the cement floor, my mind was eating up all of the information thrown at the elders about HIV/AIDS. I was not only remembering all that I had learned in my Pestilence Class, but I was learning more about HIV/AIDS in Kenya specifically.
Evans was a beautiful speaker, funny, and very good with the people. He reminded them that "there is no home that has no been affected by HIV/AIDS...You may say you have not been infected, but you have been affected." They respected him. I was dreaming of being in his place one day, being the one to educate people of HIV/AIDS and prevention.
In God's timing, maybe one day I will be. But for now, I am loving learning and being a part of it even at this age. God has been SO faithful in revealing the truth in His Word: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Not only did God grow my passion through this meeting, but He grew my compassion as I learned of various tragedies of the past when it came to HIV/AIDS prevention.
(Forewarning: I am going to be honest and open with you some things that were discussed in the meeting in this next section, so it may include some graphic details.)
Awareness is no longer the issue with HIV/AIDS. It is not the knowledge but the behavior that will change the status of HIV/AIDS in a community. Leaders have a special area of influence and a moral obligation to do something about it. Sex should not be ignored but talked about. If you tell a child who stumbles upon a condom that it is a balloon, he might blow up the used condom as a balloon. Then the child will learn about it from another child. Because a lot of homes in upcountry Kenya are one-roomed or thin-walled if there is more than one room, a child will grow up hearing sex but not knowing what it is. That child then might find the need to learn about it from another child or by exploring for himself. If rape is an issue (which it is), there is a new "condom" for women with teeth on it, so that if she is raped it will remain on the man's penis and will tear his skin if he tries to pull it off. This will help find the rapist and prevent the women from being infected or getting pregnant. Examine yourself before you start pointing fingers...Ask yourself..."what is my lifestyle?" We are too quick to judge. Stigma needs to be replaced with compassion and love. Two to three lives were lost in the Pap-Ondit area due to door-to-door testing and results because no counseling was provided. We don't just need testing but referrals that will lead to treatment with ARVs and counseling. Knowing your status is essential. It will change your life. Circumcision needs to be done in a hospital setting, not a traditional setting. It is a medical procedure that should be performed with proper tools that are sanitized, not a rock or the same knife for 30 or more boys like some upcountry practices. Funerals take place almost every Saturday. Something needs to be done. Dream big.
The desperation of this country in the midst of this HIV/AIDS pandemic rips at my heart. You can imagine where challenges will be faced. But for now, we press onward, one step at a time, "pole pole" (slowly by slowly).
This community is now aiming to have 300 males circumcised by the end of August. Some are hoping for even more. This is big. It's a breakthrough. And I praise God for what will be done through this change and what He did do through this meeting on a hot, beautiful, upcountry, Kenyan afternoon.
Friday, July 23, 2010
First Time Upcountry [Nyakach - Day 1]
Last year, HEART held a "Life Skills" Training Seminar for the teachers at a primary school in Nyakach. This year I joined HEART as they returned not only to see that what the teachers learned had passed on to the students, but to host a Kids Fun Day for the kids and open up an office for the Nyakach Kids for School Programme.
At about 10:45am, we met with the teachers of the 12 schools that were present to discuss the purpose, which was HIV/AIDS prevention, and the schedule for the day. We also made it clear that throughout the day, there would be HCT (HIV Counseling and Testing), and we encouraged the teachers to lead by example. In the words of Isaac, HEART project manager, we "cannot go far without [them]."
With it being my first trip upcountry, I had a lot of fun playing "journalist," writing everything down and taking photos upon photos. My notebook is full of names, dates, times.
By 11:30am, introductions of each school, teacher, HCT Counselor, and HEART team member began, and by noon, the "entertainment" began. The kids from each school came together and performed poems, songs, and/or dance with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. Some were in English, others Swahili, and some even in Luo, the mother tongue of Nyakach. I had so much fun as the kids pulled me and some of the other team members up to dance along to the beat of the drum with their school. All of the Kenyans laughed as they watched us dance along. I think they might have been pleasantly surprised that God has gifted even the Wazungu with some dance moves...
At 1pm, we got some games going for the kids, which they loved. This included a sac race and a dressing race. Some of the HEART team including myself, Kyndal, and Isaac got in on a sac race. Kyndal and I schemed before hand (like our usual, trouble-making selves) and decided that while Kyndal ran and stole Isaac's sac, I would get ahead and win the race. We watched our plan unfold beautifully and shared lots of laughs with Isaac and the kids watching.
By 2:10pm, we got all of the kids settled and ready for classes. Again, we separated them into youth girls, youth boys, kids, and adults/guardians. There were actually a significant amount of guardians that were present that day, which was great because it allowed us to encourage more people to go in for testing.
I worked with the youth girls, and I'll be honest, with this being my first time (remember this was my first trip upcountry), I was a little nervous. We faced many challenges. First, we had a classroom set up with desks in a circle to encourage more of a group discussion, but as soon as the girls started pushing and shoving their way in, we quickly learned that a classroom just wasn't going to cut it. (There were even girls crammed outside, attempting to peek in through the windows!) So, we moved outside. But as we began our teaching and asking the girls questions, instead of enthusiasm, we faced a hundred blank stares. In addition, the teacher that was there to help us translate wasn't doing much of anything. She even had a hard time understanding the message we were attempting to convey. We tried to get the girls to participate by offering candy to anyone who answered or asked a question, but we still faced hesitation. As we tried to get the girls to talk about what might tempt them to have sex, we expected to here the desires for love, value, beauty. Although we did, we were also faced with the problem of men offering girls the exchange of money that the girls need for school for sex. It was heartbreaking.
After much difficultly, we managed to teach the girls that HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and STDs could keep them from accomplishing, let alone pursuing, their goals. The only way they could 100% avoid this risk is abstinence. We encouraged the girls that they can control their desires and that sex is worth the wait. We even focused on beauty and had all of the girls say together, "I am beautiful." Throughout the lesson, there were giggles and shy faces, but I can only hope the message reached some girls. This was definitely a learning experience for me, but little did I know, it would only get better (at Old Donyo Nyokie) as I learned what did and did not work when it came to teaching girls.
Ultimately, I thank God that it was challenging for me with the culture and language barriers because I learned so much. Though I was discouraged, I quickly learned to never give up hope and to take things one step at a time.
And in the end, one girl asked some truly hard-hitting questions: What if you are HIV positive and pregnant and your new boyfriend is HIV negative...do you tell him? What if he rejects you?
I do not know if this was completely hypothetical or not, but we simply encouraged her to tell him her status. It is essential for everyone to know their status. And we went from their to encourage the girls to get tested. We also encouraged the young girl to seek God and seek a community/friends that would support her if he did reject her. And we reminded her that if he rejected her, he is not worth having around anyway.
But it was hard. Could you imagine?
After the lesson, we had all of the girls line up, so we could document their names, birth dates, ages, and schools, rewarding each with a candy. We spent the rest of the day playing with the kids, singing, dancing, and just having a good time. At one point, some of the kids put a hot pink, hair-like skirt on my waist and taught me some dance moves. It was a lot of fun as the kids crowded around and watched me attempt their dance moves.
At the end of the day, each kid got a goody bag and a bar of soap. After a final gathering and prayer, we sent the kids off as it was getting late, and they needed to walk home. (Kids typically do not get out of school until 5pm here.)
It was an exhausting first day, but I was encouraged that 160 people were tested and Tammy, HEART's director of children's ministry, said that the children's teaching was an extreme success.
At about 10:45am, we met with the teachers of the 12 schools that were present to discuss the purpose, which was HIV/AIDS prevention, and the schedule for the day. We also made it clear that throughout the day, there would be HCT (HIV Counseling and Testing), and we encouraged the teachers to lead by example. In the words of Isaac, HEART project manager, we "cannot go far without [them]."
With it being my first trip upcountry, I had a lot of fun playing "journalist," writing everything down and taking photos upon photos. My notebook is full of names, dates, times.
By 11:30am, introductions of each school, teacher, HCT Counselor, and HEART team member began, and by noon, the "entertainment" began. The kids from each school came together and performed poems, songs, and/or dance with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. Some were in English, others Swahili, and some even in Luo, the mother tongue of Nyakach. I had so much fun as the kids pulled me and some of the other team members up to dance along to the beat of the drum with their school. All of the Kenyans laughed as they watched us dance along. I think they might have been pleasantly surprised that God has gifted even the Wazungu with some dance moves...
At 1pm, we got some games going for the kids, which they loved. This included a sac race and a dressing race. Some of the HEART team including myself, Kyndal, and Isaac got in on a sac race. Kyndal and I schemed before hand (like our usual, trouble-making selves) and decided that while Kyndal ran and stole Isaac's sac, I would get ahead and win the race. We watched our plan unfold beautifully and shared lots of laughs with Isaac and the kids watching.
By 2:10pm, we got all of the kids settled and ready for classes. Again, we separated them into youth girls, youth boys, kids, and adults/guardians. There were actually a significant amount of guardians that were present that day, which was great because it allowed us to encourage more people to go in for testing.
I worked with the youth girls, and I'll be honest, with this being my first time (remember this was my first trip upcountry), I was a little nervous. We faced many challenges. First, we had a classroom set up with desks in a circle to encourage more of a group discussion, but as soon as the girls started pushing and shoving their way in, we quickly learned that a classroom just wasn't going to cut it. (There were even girls crammed outside, attempting to peek in through the windows!) So, we moved outside. But as we began our teaching and asking the girls questions, instead of enthusiasm, we faced a hundred blank stares. In addition, the teacher that was there to help us translate wasn't doing much of anything. She even had a hard time understanding the message we were attempting to convey. We tried to get the girls to participate by offering candy to anyone who answered or asked a question, but we still faced hesitation. As we tried to get the girls to talk about what might tempt them to have sex, we expected to here the desires for love, value, beauty. Although we did, we were also faced with the problem of men offering girls the exchange of money that the girls need for school for sex. It was heartbreaking.
After much difficultly, we managed to teach the girls that HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and STDs could keep them from accomplishing, let alone pursuing, their goals. The only way they could 100% avoid this risk is abstinence. We encouraged the girls that they can control their desires and that sex is worth the wait. We even focused on beauty and had all of the girls say together, "I am beautiful." Throughout the lesson, there were giggles and shy faces, but I can only hope the message reached some girls. This was definitely a learning experience for me, but little did I know, it would only get better (at Old Donyo Nyokie) as I learned what did and did not work when it came to teaching girls.
Ultimately, I thank God that it was challenging for me with the culture and language barriers because I learned so much. Though I was discouraged, I quickly learned to never give up hope and to take things one step at a time.
And in the end, one girl asked some truly hard-hitting questions: What if you are HIV positive and pregnant and your new boyfriend is HIV negative...do you tell him? What if he rejects you?
I do not know if this was completely hypothetical or not, but we simply encouraged her to tell him her status. It is essential for everyone to know their status. And we went from their to encourage the girls to get tested. We also encouraged the young girl to seek God and seek a community/friends that would support her if he did reject her. And we reminded her that if he rejected her, he is not worth having around anyway.
But it was hard. Could you imagine?
After the lesson, we had all of the girls line up, so we could document their names, birth dates, ages, and schools, rewarding each with a candy. We spent the rest of the day playing with the kids, singing, dancing, and just having a good time. At one point, some of the kids put a hot pink, hair-like skirt on my waist and taught me some dance moves. It was a lot of fun as the kids crowded around and watched me attempt their dance moves.
At the end of the day, each kid got a goody bag and a bar of soap. After a final gathering and prayer, we sent the kids off as it was getting late, and they needed to walk home. (Kids typically do not get out of school until 5pm here.)
It was an exhausting first day, but I was encouraged that 160 people were tested and Tammy, HEART's director of children's ministry, said that the children's teaching was an extreme success.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Breath-taking Mombasa and WEEP Women
Mombasa is, to say the least, gorgeous. Although in from the coast it rings similar to Nairobi with dirt sidewalks and burning trash, when you reach the white sands, the great blue Indian ocean, God's creation at it's purest...your breath is taken away.
I had the special opportunity to fly to Mombasa on July 12th with Vickie, the interns, and a few women from the Grass Valley team to visit the ladies in the Mombasa WEEP center. When we arrived, we stopped at the hotel that we were going to be staying in to drop off our luggage. But this was no ordinary hotel. It was a resort. And beautiful. It certainly juxtaposed upcountry Nyakach. After dropping off our luggage, we headed over to Nakumat (a local supermarket) where we bought food (rice, beans, milk, etc.), soap, and handkerchiefs for the women. Once we organized the food and goodies into separate bags, we drove to the WEEP Center where we met all nine women. In comparison to the Kibera WEEP Center, this center was significantly larger, had lots of natural light from windows, had a nice tile floor, and had ceiling fans, which are essential in the coastal heat.
The women welcomed us hospitably and with warm smiles, firm handshakes, and gentle kisses. We spent the afternoon with them exchanging smiles and languages, as some of the women did not speak very good English and we did not speak very good Swahili. They, of course, fed us a ton of delicious food, and as we finished up, Margaret gave a business presentation. She taught the women pointers, helpful hints, basic tips, tricks, and ideas for their individual future business plans. We encouraged the women to pursue a source of income outside of WEEP, so that one day they could "graduate" from WEEP like some of the Kibera WEEP women. As the women were encouraged to pursue starting their own self-sustaining businesses, they encouraged us in that most of them had already begun.
This was also a very sensitive time for the ladies because they have just recently lost Sarah, one of their fellow Mombasa WEEP women, to HIV/AIDS. She was too sick and was not able to make it. Every woman agreed that Sarah was a woman who brought beauty wherever she went, so we took some time to remember her and discuss ways we could commemorate the beauty she brought to life. My eyes began to well-up with tears as Vickie said to the women, "I have supported you, empowered you, helped you fight HIV, and gotten you back on your feet...but I know that if you do not know Jesus Christ and have confidence of where you will spend eternity...I have failed you." That's when I knew...Vickie is truly a woman after God's heart...a woman I aspire to be like.
After a wonderful afternoon with the ladies, eating, laughing, talking, and dancing in the cement-floored church connected to the center, we had each lady come one at a time, so we could pray over her individually and any specific requests that she had. I was moved by some of the requests of these women. Some asked prayer for strength to get through HIV/AIDS. Some asked that God would take care of their children, who they want to prosper but fear cannot provide for. Saumu, one of the women, even asked for prayer for her daughter, whose husband not only tried to kill her and Saumu, but has taken their children and is no where to be found. Another woman asked for prayer for her 21 year-old son who has been on and off suicidal and refuses to come home.
We laid hands on each woman and prayed for her and sent her off with a bag of food and other essentials. As we made our way to the van, we played with some of the street kids, took pictures with the women, and said our last "goodbye"s before heading off.
The rest of our time (about 1.5 days) in Mombasa was spent at the resort White Sands. We were blessed with our "seventh day"--a time to relax and replenish our energy. We slid down the water slides into one of the many pools, napped by the Indian ocean, lounged in outdoor bed with the ocean breeze, enjoyed each other's company, swung in a hammock, tore up the outdoor dance floor at night, snacked in the shade by the pool, shopped on the beach, and walked on the water. It was an experience straight from a dream. You have to understand that the tides of the Indian Ocean (at least where we were) are quite extreme. At one point, the water would be all the way up to the resort, and a few hours later it would be so far back that you could walk on the sandbank, which was covered in seaweed. We had fun, toes squishing in the gooey sand, exploring the various sea creatures on the sand bank. The reason I say we "walked on water" was because you could look out at the ocean and see people exploring the sand bank, but from the shore, they looked like they were simply taking a stroll on the Indian Ocean. I loved resting and delighting in God's creation. His beauty is definitely manifested here in Kenya!
The best part was...I never felt guilty for being at this resort. You would think that it would be too much of culture shock to go from staying in upcountry Kenya to relaxing at a 5-star resort in Mombasa. Instead, I was at peace because I was reminded of when a friend told me that it is not your living quarters that validate your mission--it's your heart. I knew that my socks were being blessed off, but I also took it gratefully. I mean....who complains about blessing? Shouldn't we instead be praising God?
Besides...what is poverty? Is it when a child cannot go to school because he or she cannot afford a uniform? Is it when an orphan has to walk several kilometers to fetch water that is not even pure? When you live in a mud hut? When you have to relieve yourself in a hole in the ground rather than a porcelain toilet? Whatever it may be...I pity not those who have little, but those who have everything yet do not have the joy of the Lord that I have seen in the people of Kenya.
Many Kenyans have something a lot of people will never have...complete and utter reliance on the Lord and desperate hope in God.
I had the special opportunity to fly to Mombasa on July 12th with Vickie, the interns, and a few women from the Grass Valley team to visit the ladies in the Mombasa WEEP center. When we arrived, we stopped at the hotel that we were going to be staying in to drop off our luggage. But this was no ordinary hotel. It was a resort. And beautiful. It certainly juxtaposed upcountry Nyakach. After dropping off our luggage, we headed over to Nakumat (a local supermarket) where we bought food (rice, beans, milk, etc.), soap, and handkerchiefs for the women. Once we organized the food and goodies into separate bags, we drove to the WEEP Center where we met all nine women. In comparison to the Kibera WEEP Center, this center was significantly larger, had lots of natural light from windows, had a nice tile floor, and had ceiling fans, which are essential in the coastal heat.
The women welcomed us hospitably and with warm smiles, firm handshakes, and gentle kisses. We spent the afternoon with them exchanging smiles and languages, as some of the women did not speak very good English and we did not speak very good Swahili. They, of course, fed us a ton of delicious food, and as we finished up, Margaret gave a business presentation. She taught the women pointers, helpful hints, basic tips, tricks, and ideas for their individual future business plans. We encouraged the women to pursue a source of income outside of WEEP, so that one day they could "graduate" from WEEP like some of the Kibera WEEP women. As the women were encouraged to pursue starting their own self-sustaining businesses, they encouraged us in that most of them had already begun.
This was also a very sensitive time for the ladies because they have just recently lost Sarah, one of their fellow Mombasa WEEP women, to HIV/AIDS. She was too sick and was not able to make it. Every woman agreed that Sarah was a woman who brought beauty wherever she went, so we took some time to remember her and discuss ways we could commemorate the beauty she brought to life. My eyes began to well-up with tears as Vickie said to the women, "I have supported you, empowered you, helped you fight HIV, and gotten you back on your feet...but I know that if you do not know Jesus Christ and have confidence of where you will spend eternity...I have failed you." That's when I knew...Vickie is truly a woman after God's heart...a woman I aspire to be like.
After a wonderful afternoon with the ladies, eating, laughing, talking, and dancing in the cement-floored church connected to the center, we had each lady come one at a time, so we could pray over her individually and any specific requests that she had. I was moved by some of the requests of these women. Some asked prayer for strength to get through HIV/AIDS. Some asked that God would take care of their children, who they want to prosper but fear cannot provide for. Saumu, one of the women, even asked for prayer for her daughter, whose husband not only tried to kill her and Saumu, but has taken their children and is no where to be found. Another woman asked for prayer for her 21 year-old son who has been on and off suicidal and refuses to come home.
We laid hands on each woman and prayed for her and sent her off with a bag of food and other essentials. As we made our way to the van, we played with some of the street kids, took pictures with the women, and said our last "goodbye"s before heading off.
The rest of our time (about 1.5 days) in Mombasa was spent at the resort White Sands. We were blessed with our "seventh day"--a time to relax and replenish our energy. We slid down the water slides into one of the many pools, napped by the Indian ocean, lounged in outdoor bed with the ocean breeze, enjoyed each other's company, swung in a hammock, tore up the outdoor dance floor at night, snacked in the shade by the pool, shopped on the beach, and walked on the water. It was an experience straight from a dream. You have to understand that the tides of the Indian Ocean (at least where we were) are quite extreme. At one point, the water would be all the way up to the resort, and a few hours later it would be so far back that you could walk on the sandbank, which was covered in seaweed. We had fun, toes squishing in the gooey sand, exploring the various sea creatures on the sand bank. The reason I say we "walked on water" was because you could look out at the ocean and see people exploring the sand bank, but from the shore, they looked like they were simply taking a stroll on the Indian Ocean. I loved resting and delighting in God's creation. His beauty is definitely manifested here in Kenya!
The best part was...I never felt guilty for being at this resort. You would think that it would be too much of culture shock to go from staying in upcountry Kenya to relaxing at a 5-star resort in Mombasa. Instead, I was at peace because I was reminded of when a friend told me that it is not your living quarters that validate your mission--it's your heart. I knew that my socks were being blessed off, but I also took it gratefully. I mean....who complains about blessing? Shouldn't we instead be praising God?
Besides...what is poverty? Is it when a child cannot go to school because he or she cannot afford a uniform? Is it when an orphan has to walk several kilometers to fetch water that is not even pure? When you live in a mud hut? When you have to relieve yourself in a hole in the ground rather than a porcelain toilet? Whatever it may be...I pity not those who have little, but those who have everything yet do not have the joy of the Lord that I have seen in the people of Kenya.
Many Kenyans have something a lot of people will never have...complete and utter reliance on the Lord and desperate hope in God.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ol Donyo Nyokie - Maasai Tribe
Somehow, God manages to bless me with greater and greater joy. Today was perfect. To put it lightly, my face hurts from smiling.
After rolling out of bed at 5:30am, when breakfast was supposed to start, we loaded up a van that seats about 20 and headed off to Ol Donyo Nyokie at about 6:15am. After 3 hours of bumpy roads, smog, and breath-taking views of the Rift Valley, we arrived at the school in the Maasai village.
The children in their red, gingham-patterned uniforms greeted us with excitement and faces covered in smiles. We decided to reverse the schedule for the day and begin with games because it gets so hot in the valley. (It is pretty much a dusty desert.) People were playing football (aka soccer), jump-rope, singing, and chatting with the kids. I made my way over to the volleyball court where we started a few intense games. They are serious about their volleyball! We played with a soccer ball and sweat up a storm, but it was so fun. It was mostly the older boys that were playing, about ages 15 to 16; the younger boys served as the ref and kept score in the dirt. We even had someone with a whistle to call whether the ball was in or out! By the end, my arms and ankles were several shades darker, as they were covered in dirt. After playing about four games in the beating morning sun, the kids broke for lunch, and we got a tour of the school campus.
It was nicest school I've seen yet since I've been here. Each classroom had nice benches, cement floors, and a black chalkboard. They also showed us the staff room and library. Their library was a bright sunflower yellow and had hundreds of books piled and lined up on shelves. It was a small room, but in comparison to the other schools, it was so much more organized and well-cared for.
Then, we sat down and the kids performed a couple of songs. Let me tell you...these Maasai kids are some of the most talented, most gifted kids I have ever seen. They sang and danced a couple of tribal songs for us. The whole time I could not wipe the smile off of my face. It was so beautiful and so impressive! One of the team members even told them at the end of our trip, "When I am in Heaven with Jesus, I hope the voices I hear are yours." I am telling you...it was incredible!
We then broke into separate classes for youth boys, youth girls, children, and adults. I worked with the youth girls again. Praise God, it was the most successful Freedom for Girls program I have been involved in yet. We covered A LOT of topics, thoroughly discussing and teaching on menstrual cycles, sex, abstinence, and HIV/AIDS. The girls asked excellent questions and were very open about talking in front of the other girls. I was so impressed at how well they spoke English and their willingness to listen and learn. It was one of those moments where you knew the girls were connecting the dots in their heads. We had about 7 women there teaching, and each and every one of us were able to add essential teaching to the session. We not only discussed those topics but delved into the "unspoken"s of sex, HIV, relationships with boys, and dealing with one's monthly cycle. We had testimonies shared from team members about waiting until marriage to have sex, boyfriends, and how they deal with their cycle. We were open about types of sex and modes of transmission of HIV, and we cleared up myths and misunderstandings about condoms, HIV/AIDS, and relationships. We were surprised at one question that a girl asked about whether or not you could get HIV/AIDS from having sex with an animal! I never saw that coming, but we clarified that though HIV is virus in humans, sex with animals is not God's intent for sex and is not a healthy or safe practice. I thought about bringing up SIV (which is basically HIV for monkeys), but I decided it would be too complicated and unnecessary. The girls were catching on to the phrases "It's not too late to wait," "No is an answer," and "I am free!" (We even sang the "I Am Free" Song again!) I was even able to use a diagram that I learned from when Brad Henning came to my high school and spoke on abstinence! I cannot even tell you how thrilled I was to be able to take all that I have learned from my Pestilence and Civilization class last year and teach these Maasai girls about it! I am telling you... I am living my dream! I cannot help but think of Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Oh praise Him!
Long story short, we soaked up all the time we were given...like a dry sponge...and the team of women we had was clearly God-ordained and was a true testimony as to how we each serve as different yet essential parts of the body of Christ.
After the teaching, the kids performed a few more awe-inspiring, traditional tribal dances including ones that are typically performed at weddings or in worship. Gah, it was amazing! After saying our final "thank you"s, prayer, and goodbyes, we headed off. On our way back we stopped at the village of Counselor Jackson, where we met his wife and kids, whom were dressed in beautiful Maasai colors and jewelry and saw his mud-hut home. It was beautiful and surreal. Counselor Jackson even presented Steve, HEART's team coordinator, with a staff that typically goes to the chief of a tribe! It was a lot of fun on the way home as we got stuck in a little bit of Nairobi traffic and joked about how Steve is the first, official, albino Maasai man, and he could command everyone out of the way.
Goodness, I hope I get to go back to the Maasai village again as well!
Overall, it was a day clearly made by God, and though I assume it can never be matched, God has His ways of surprising me. And I am looking forward to it.
After rolling out of bed at 5:30am, when breakfast was supposed to start, we loaded up a van that seats about 20 and headed off to Ol Donyo Nyokie at about 6:15am. After 3 hours of bumpy roads, smog, and breath-taking views of the Rift Valley, we arrived at the school in the Maasai village.
The children in their red, gingham-patterned uniforms greeted us with excitement and faces covered in smiles. We decided to reverse the schedule for the day and begin with games because it gets so hot in the valley. (It is pretty much a dusty desert.) People were playing football (aka soccer), jump-rope, singing, and chatting with the kids. I made my way over to the volleyball court where we started a few intense games. They are serious about their volleyball! We played with a soccer ball and sweat up a storm, but it was so fun. It was mostly the older boys that were playing, about ages 15 to 16; the younger boys served as the ref and kept score in the dirt. We even had someone with a whistle to call whether the ball was in or out! By the end, my arms and ankles were several shades darker, as they were covered in dirt. After playing about four games in the beating morning sun, the kids broke for lunch, and we got a tour of the school campus.
It was nicest school I've seen yet since I've been here. Each classroom had nice benches, cement floors, and a black chalkboard. They also showed us the staff room and library. Their library was a bright sunflower yellow and had hundreds of books piled and lined up on shelves. It was a small room, but in comparison to the other schools, it was so much more organized and well-cared for.
Then, we sat down and the kids performed a couple of songs. Let me tell you...these Maasai kids are some of the most talented, most gifted kids I have ever seen. They sang and danced a couple of tribal songs for us. The whole time I could not wipe the smile off of my face. It was so beautiful and so impressive! One of the team members even told them at the end of our trip, "When I am in Heaven with Jesus, I hope the voices I hear are yours." I am telling you...it was incredible!
We then broke into separate classes for youth boys, youth girls, children, and adults. I worked with the youth girls again. Praise God, it was the most successful Freedom for Girls program I have been involved in yet. We covered A LOT of topics, thoroughly discussing and teaching on menstrual cycles, sex, abstinence, and HIV/AIDS. The girls asked excellent questions and were very open about talking in front of the other girls. I was so impressed at how well they spoke English and their willingness to listen and learn. It was one of those moments where you knew the girls were connecting the dots in their heads. We had about 7 women there teaching, and each and every one of us were able to add essential teaching to the session. We not only discussed those topics but delved into the "unspoken"s of sex, HIV, relationships with boys, and dealing with one's monthly cycle. We had testimonies shared from team members about waiting until marriage to have sex, boyfriends, and how they deal with their cycle. We were open about types of sex and modes of transmission of HIV, and we cleared up myths and misunderstandings about condoms, HIV/AIDS, and relationships. We were surprised at one question that a girl asked about whether or not you could get HIV/AIDS from having sex with an animal! I never saw that coming, but we clarified that though HIV is virus in humans, sex with animals is not God's intent for sex and is not a healthy or safe practice. I thought about bringing up SIV (which is basically HIV for monkeys), but I decided it would be too complicated and unnecessary. The girls were catching on to the phrases "It's not too late to wait," "No is an answer," and "I am free!" (We even sang the "I Am Free" Song again!) I was even able to use a diagram that I learned from when Brad Henning came to my high school and spoke on abstinence! I cannot even tell you how thrilled I was to be able to take all that I have learned from my Pestilence and Civilization class last year and teach these Maasai girls about it! I am telling you... I am living my dream! I cannot help but think of Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Oh praise Him!
Long story short, we soaked up all the time we were given...like a dry sponge...and the team of women we had was clearly God-ordained and was a true testimony as to how we each serve as different yet essential parts of the body of Christ.
After the teaching, the kids performed a few more awe-inspiring, traditional tribal dances including ones that are typically performed at weddings or in worship. Gah, it was amazing! After saying our final "thank you"s, prayer, and goodbyes, we headed off. On our way back we stopped at the village of Counselor Jackson, where we met his wife and kids, whom were dressed in beautiful Maasai colors and jewelry and saw his mud-hut home. It was beautiful and surreal. Counselor Jackson even presented Steve, HEART's team coordinator, with a staff that typically goes to the chief of a tribe! It was a lot of fun on the way home as we got stuck in a little bit of Nairobi traffic and joked about how Steve is the first, official, albino Maasai man, and he could command everyone out of the way.
Goodness, I hope I get to go back to the Maasai village again as well!
Overall, it was a day clearly made by God, and though I assume it can never be matched, God has His ways of surprising me. And I am looking forward to it.
Monday, July 19, 2010
"Together We Can" [Meru - Day 1]
After arriving the night before, "setting up camp" in Pastor Joshua's home, eating our hearts out, drinking lots of Chai, and getting a full night's sleep with two to a twin bed, we had a full day ahead of us. We drove to Kathanga Primary School where we were going to have a Kids Fun Day. When we arrived, the head teacher Christopher showed us around the school campus. We saw the plant nursery, the kitchen (which was pretty much a wood shack with open air walls for the smoke to escape), the pool (or "hole in the ground" with plastic lining, where roof rain water is caught and used for cleaning), several classrooms, and the staff room.
By 11am we began the Kids Fun Day with prayer, introductions, identifying the purpose of the day (which was HIV prevention). All of the kids from the different schools put on performances of dance, poems, songs, skits, and even solos--all of which had the message of HIV/AIDS and/or HIV/AIDS prevention. This was again a lot of fun and took pretty much all afternoon. Then, we had lunch, which was delicious, as always, and hung out with the kids, singing and dancing, before separating them into youth girls, youth boys, children, and adults for teaching.
We also had to separate the kids involved in KFS (Kids for School) from those who are not supported by HEART. Once that was all finished and figured out, each group separated into different classrooms or areas on the field. I was in the group that taught kids and any other youth that was there who was not involved in KFS, or simply didn't know where else he/she was supposed to be. Together with Breanna, Margaret, and Jen, I taught the kids about hand washing and HIV/AIDS.
I rubbed one hand in the dirt and left the other one the way it was. As I held them up, we asked the kids, "Which hand has germs?" The kids pointed to the hand with the dirt on it. We then went to explain that they were incorrect: both hands have germs. We then gave a demonstration on how to properly wash your hands with soap and water and explained when you should wash your hands and the various diseases you can prevent by washing your hands.
As we moved on to HIV/AIDS, we asked the kids what they knew about how it was transmitted and what to do to avoid becoming infected with HIV. Most of them already knew that it could not be spread by playing with someone who is infected or touching someone who is infected; so we simply reassured them that it is okay to play with HIV infected kids, and even encouraged them to do so. We then clarified that HIV is spread through sex, as well as blood-to-blood and mother-to-child. I was surprised at how much the kids already knew. We then talked about abstinence until marriage and did not need to go any further than that. I can now only hope that these kids take what they know and put it to practice. It is not the knowledge, but the behavior, that will change the outcome of this HIV/AIDS pandemic. We also stressed the importance of knowing one's status.
While the other girls talked about hand washing and HIV/AIDS, I had fun acting out what they were explaining with funny faces and gestures. I figured even if the kids did not quite understand what we were saying in English (or even what the translator was saying in Swahili), they could get the message through my dramatic movements and sound effects. It allowed me to connect with the kids in the midst of a time that could be very boring or seemingly impertinent for a young child.
After the teaching, the kids were dismissed to play games including jump-rope, football (aka soccer), and bubbles. There was also, as always, lots of singing and dancing from the "Wazungu," as the kids loved it when we would sing a song. They swarm around you like bees with hardly enough room to move around. One song they especially loved, I am pretty sure we sang 100 times. It was the banana song, which was perfect because they are starting to grow bananas at the school for a source of food and income! It had hand motions, which I will let you imagine, and goes: "Grow bananas, grow grow bananas. Pick bananas, pick pick bananas. Peel bananas, peel peel bananas. Cut bananas, cut cut bananas. Mash bananas, mash mash bananas. Eat bananas, eat eat bananas. GO bananas, GO GO BANANAS!" On the last part, we go crazy and jump around and fling our hair everywhere. The kids would constantly scream with excitement. They loved that song. I am sure they will be singing it for a long time.
By the end of the day, you hair is filled with dirt, your body is covered in dust, and your eyes are cloudy from the dusty air--most of which is from the people touching your skin and playing with your hair. Since most of the kids in Meru have never seen a white person before (aside from maybe on TV), they would crowd around you to touch your skin, shake your hand, play with your hair, or take a picture with you. I had never had that much attention from Kenyan kids, but one eventually explained to me that it was not just the color of my skin, but to them, I was very soft. If you know me at all, I hate it when people touch my face, but one girl reached up to touch my face, and I let her. It was too sweet. And I can still feel her hand rubbing my cheek.
Throughout the whole Kids Fun Day, people were encouraged to go to the HCT (HIV Counseling and Testing), which we had set up in one of the rooms at the school. By the end of the day, we had 236 come in and get tested. Zero were positive! This was an outstanding turn out for the day, and as much as the fact that none were positive was a surprise, I cannot say we were not overjoyed.
At the end of the day, we gathered all of the kids, HEART team, and teachers together for a final summary of all that was taught and all that was learned. Many "thank you"s were said, and a lot of the kids encouraged "our visitors to feel at home and come back again." After we closed with prayer, we headed back to the vans to load up. But before we left, we were called into one of the classrooms by the guardians. When we stepped in, many more "thank you"s were given, and they presented each one of us with gifts. I don't know how, but I ended up with a lasso (fabric that they wrap into a skirt), three necklaces, and a pair of earrings--all hand-crafted. Others received similar items, and still others received African gourds or handbags. It was a time full of lots of laughter and smiles--and blessing. A lot of these people are living off of less than 100 shillings (a little over one US Dollar) a day, and here they are, presenting us, who have plenty, with generous, beautiful, and somewhat silly gifts. It was precious.
Finally, we said our goodbyes once again and headed home to Pastor Joshua's where we exchanged stories and discussed the schedule for the next day. I love upcountry. Have I mentioned that God is good?
By 11am we began the Kids Fun Day with prayer, introductions, identifying the purpose of the day (which was HIV prevention). All of the kids from the different schools put on performances of dance, poems, songs, skits, and even solos--all of which had the message of HIV/AIDS and/or HIV/AIDS prevention. This was again a lot of fun and took pretty much all afternoon. Then, we had lunch, which was delicious, as always, and hung out with the kids, singing and dancing, before separating them into youth girls, youth boys, children, and adults for teaching.
We also had to separate the kids involved in KFS (Kids for School) from those who are not supported by HEART. Once that was all finished and figured out, each group separated into different classrooms or areas on the field. I was in the group that taught kids and any other youth that was there who was not involved in KFS, or simply didn't know where else he/she was supposed to be. Together with Breanna, Margaret, and Jen, I taught the kids about hand washing and HIV/AIDS.
I rubbed one hand in the dirt and left the other one the way it was. As I held them up, we asked the kids, "Which hand has germs?" The kids pointed to the hand with the dirt on it. We then went to explain that they were incorrect: both hands have germs. We then gave a demonstration on how to properly wash your hands with soap and water and explained when you should wash your hands and the various diseases you can prevent by washing your hands.
As we moved on to HIV/AIDS, we asked the kids what they knew about how it was transmitted and what to do to avoid becoming infected with HIV. Most of them already knew that it could not be spread by playing with someone who is infected or touching someone who is infected; so we simply reassured them that it is okay to play with HIV infected kids, and even encouraged them to do so. We then clarified that HIV is spread through sex, as well as blood-to-blood and mother-to-child. I was surprised at how much the kids already knew. We then talked about abstinence until marriage and did not need to go any further than that. I can now only hope that these kids take what they know and put it to practice. It is not the knowledge, but the behavior, that will change the outcome of this HIV/AIDS pandemic. We also stressed the importance of knowing one's status.
While the other girls talked about hand washing and HIV/AIDS, I had fun acting out what they were explaining with funny faces and gestures. I figured even if the kids did not quite understand what we were saying in English (or even what the translator was saying in Swahili), they could get the message through my dramatic movements and sound effects. It allowed me to connect with the kids in the midst of a time that could be very boring or seemingly impertinent for a young child.
After the teaching, the kids were dismissed to play games including jump-rope, football (aka soccer), and bubbles. There was also, as always, lots of singing and dancing from the "Wazungu," as the kids loved it when we would sing a song. They swarm around you like bees with hardly enough room to move around. One song they especially loved, I am pretty sure we sang 100 times. It was the banana song, which was perfect because they are starting to grow bananas at the school for a source of food and income! It had hand motions, which I will let you imagine, and goes: "Grow bananas, grow grow bananas. Pick bananas, pick pick bananas. Peel bananas, peel peel bananas. Cut bananas, cut cut bananas. Mash bananas, mash mash bananas. Eat bananas, eat eat bananas. GO bananas, GO GO BANANAS!" On the last part, we go crazy and jump around and fling our hair everywhere. The kids would constantly scream with excitement. They loved that song. I am sure they will be singing it for a long time.
By the end of the day, you hair is filled with dirt, your body is covered in dust, and your eyes are cloudy from the dusty air--most of which is from the people touching your skin and playing with your hair. Since most of the kids in Meru have never seen a white person before (aside from maybe on TV), they would crowd around you to touch your skin, shake your hand, play with your hair, or take a picture with you. I had never had that much attention from Kenyan kids, but one eventually explained to me that it was not just the color of my skin, but to them, I was very soft. If you know me at all, I hate it when people touch my face, but one girl reached up to touch my face, and I let her. It was too sweet. And I can still feel her hand rubbing my cheek.
Throughout the whole Kids Fun Day, people were encouraged to go to the HCT (HIV Counseling and Testing), which we had set up in one of the rooms at the school. By the end of the day, we had 236 come in and get tested. Zero were positive! This was an outstanding turn out for the day, and as much as the fact that none were positive was a surprise, I cannot say we were not overjoyed.
At the end of the day, we gathered all of the kids, HEART team, and teachers together for a final summary of all that was taught and all that was learned. Many "thank you"s were said, and a lot of the kids encouraged "our visitors to feel at home and come back again." After we closed with prayer, we headed back to the vans to load up. But before we left, we were called into one of the classrooms by the guardians. When we stepped in, many more "thank you"s were given, and they presented each one of us with gifts. I don't know how, but I ended up with a lasso (fabric that they wrap into a skirt), three necklaces, and a pair of earrings--all hand-crafted. Others received similar items, and still others received African gourds or handbags. It was a time full of lots of laughter and smiles--and blessing. A lot of these people are living off of less than 100 shillings (a little over one US Dollar) a day, and here they are, presenting us, who have plenty, with generous, beautiful, and somewhat silly gifts. It was precious.
Finally, we said our goodbyes once again and headed home to Pastor Joshua's where we exchanged stories and discussed the schedule for the next day. I love upcountry. Have I mentioned that God is good?
"I Am Free" [Meru - Day 2]
The last day in Meru, we began by setting up the office which was in a small town in Meru. At about 9:30am we arrived and took pictures with the aqua and bright blue painted office. People of all ages swarmed to see the "Wazungu" ("European travelers" in Swahili). On the outside of the office hung a sign that read "Kabachi Kids for School Office Opened on 17/7/2010 By Vickie Winkler." (Ironically, Vickie was not there, but that's beside the point.) Inside the 6'x12' office were two desks, one cabinet, four chairs, and a shelf, which sat underneath one of the desks. At 10am the official office opening ceremony was held where the chief (that's what they call them! Don't you love that?) of the town gave a short speech, expressing his infinite gratitude to HEART.
We set up the office with a brand-spankin' new Dell computer (with all the works) including a Scanner/Printer! In the words of the Chief, "Our computer will help us communicate all over the world." This office will not only do that, but will provide a place for documenting and organizing the Kabachi Kids for School Project in Meru. It will be run by leaders in the community and will allow for the Kids for School Project to be run by the community with the assistance of HEART rather than vice versa.
After the office opening, the Bayside team headed back to Nariobi and Katie, Margaret, the Kenyan staff, and I headed to Kathanga Primary School to launch the Freedom for Girls Project in Meru. When we finally arrived at about noon, there were about 600 girls sitting on the hill, waiting to be taught, and more were walking in. After we piled out of "The Elephant," the head teacher began to separate in the girls from the boys, the girls into schools, and girls into age groups. (Why this was not done before we arrived, I have no idea. But again, you just go flexible with Kenyan time. As they say around here, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.")
After about 45 minutes, we were able to begin the teaching. Katie spoke in English while Lydiah translated into Swahili. Margaret held the sign, and I took notes to be able to document for the Kids for School newsletter. She began by teaching about girls' monthly cycles. Most of the time, she asked questions, so she could base her teaching on what the girls did and did not know. The girls were taught why they bleed, the function of the ovaries, and about estrogen. Then, we proceeded with the sanitary towel (aka "pad") demonstration. Katie was very good at making it humorous for the girls by holding up the panties to herself and doing a little jig, and making the girls touch the sticky part of the sanitary towel. This was crucial to breaking the cultural barrier and awkwardness that came with talking about issues that usually aren't talked about publicly. Then, she covered different practical ways to relieve pain that comes along with their monthly cycles, including light exercise, hot water bottles, and gently massaging their stomachs. All of this led to the point of encouraging girls to stay in school while they have their cycle. (Often times, a girl is forced to miss school because she does not have supplies to deal with her monthly cycle, which causes her grades to suffer and, therefore, her whole education to suffer.)
We also briefly taught about sex and encouraged abstinence. Katie gave the girls different reasons why we should abstain until marriage. Most of the reasons were to avoid things that would get in the way of them accomplishing their goals to be nurses, doctors, lawyers, newscasters--including getting pregnant or getting an STD including HIV.
In closing, we asked the girls to write down any questions they had on pieces of paper. After we gathered the scraps of paper, we answered all of the questions. Some of the questions included: When does your monthly period end? What if your cycle comes more than once a month? What if I am 16 years old and have not yet experienced my monthly cycle? Can you get pregnant if you do not have your period?
Unfortunately, we were also surprised by how many questions had to do with the risk of getting pregnant or having sex during, before, or after one's period. We returned to the encouragement of abstinence, so those issues are not even a concern. We wanted to be sure that the girls understood. We asked them what they would say if a boy asked them to have sex. They responded, "No for now." Lydiah, shocked by the response, replied, "No for now? Yes for later? When is later?" They replied, "After school." Lydiah was surprised about how the girls had been misinformed. Later does not mean after school, but when you are married. Not after schooling, not if you get married, but when you are married.
After clarifying about abstinence and how it is the best way to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs, which could cause a girl to drop out of school, I stood up front and taught the girls a song. The whole time Katie and Lydiah were teaching, I felt the Holy Spirit putting this song on my heart. I realized how perfect it would be to teach the girls in this Freedom for Girls program; they love songs, and this one was simple, had dance moves, and was a "repeat-after-me" song. I edited the words a little bit to personalize it for the girls. This is how it went:
I am free to run. (I am free to run.)
I am free to dance. (I am free to dance.)
I am free to go to school. (I am free to go to school.)
I am free. (I am free.)
Yes, I am free! (Yes, I am free!)
I am free to jump. (I am free to jump.)
I am free to clap. (I am free to clap.)
I am free to live for You. (I am free to live for You.)
I am free. (I am free.)
Yes, I am free! (Yes, I am free!)
It was so much fun singing and dancing with a group of over 600 girls. They loved it. I loved it. God had used the common language of dance and music through me to celebrate with the girls about what they had just learned...and all on the spot!
After finally getting the girls settled down and seated again, Isaac and Evans, who are leaders in the Kids for School project on the Kenyan HEART staff, explained to the girls how the program would work. This was all done in Swahili, so Margaret, Katie, and I didn't really understand what was going on. At one point, the girls from one school began an "up-rising" in defiance to what Isaac and Evans were explaining. I was later informed that Isaac and Evans were explaining how the project works: The sanitary towels remain at the schools, where the girls can retrieve them (with guidance from the teachers) when necessary. This allows tracking of where the towels are going and how often. (A few days before a year's supply of sanitary towels for 1,000 girls had been delivered.) The girls complained and wanted to simply take the towels with them. This may seem like the better idea and a harmless solution. Unfortunately, the problem is that when the girls take them home, much of the time, family members including moms, aunts, and sisters as well as friends will take the sanitary towels to use for themselves, leaving the girls with less than a year's supply of towels. Not to mention, there are girls who would ask for the towels to take home for their family, friends, or teachers, who have not even started their monthly cycles. So, Evans stood up in front and explained to the girls that this is a project, and they can either be involved with how it is run, or not participate.
This was an odd bump in the road that has never happened before when launching a Freedom for Girls program. Usually the girls are very grateful and excited about the program. It was determined by the leaders that one of the schools sent their girls with misinformation that the girls were to go, get the teaching over with, retrieve the sanitary towels, come back and bring them to teachers, family, and friends. This is so sad, but we drove over the bump and ended on a positive note of freedom.
Just when I think the day is over, and we are waiting in "The Elephant" for Lydiah, Evans, and Isaac to finish informing the teachers how the program should be run, I am surprised to see four young boys outside my window. They were curious about the "Muzungu" ("European traveler"). I smiled and waved, figuring that that would be enough to satisfy their curiosity. But as they stood there, I decided to get out of the car and do some interacting. Since there were only four of them and no other kids in sight, I offered them some Gushers. (You know, those gummies with the sweet, gooey liquid inside?) It was probably the first time they had ever tasted something like that. I had fun watching them explore the flavor.
Pole pole ("Slowly by slowly"), more and more kids started to show up. Long story short, about 15 kids ranging from two to seven years old ended up finding the "muzungu." Together we played, sang, danced, high-fived, did cartwheels, and ran around in the grass. It was the most special blessing. These kids, dressed in ragged clothes, were giggling with joy at me chasing them around and playing with them. Who knows how many of them had a home...how many were orphans...how many had eaten...how many had ever bathed...how many are in school. One of the boys had a "50 Cent" shirt that looked like if you grabbed it, it would just rip off. Another boy had a "Dallas Cowboys" sweatshirt that must have once originally been white. Another girl, whose hair was braided to her head, was dressed in an adorable sundress and raincoat that was so worn and tattered, she looked like a kid from Les Miserables. But this is real life. And here she was standing in front of me, giggling with giddy joy. Her smile is forever ingrained in my head. Another one of the young boys that showed up was dressed in a worn silver suit and striped button shirt. I swear he looked like a young Usher or something. He was a handsome young fellow. I wondered what his future would be. I had so much fun, sharing laughs and good times with these kids, and only wish I knew their names. But God knows them each personally and intimately, and even if I cannot pray for them by name, God knows exactly who I am praying for and each of their needs.
It was the perfect ending to a wonderful, action-packed day. And I praise God for all that He has done.
We set up the office with a brand-spankin' new Dell computer (with all the works) including a Scanner/Printer! In the words of the Chief, "Our computer will help us communicate all over the world." This office will not only do that, but will provide a place for documenting and organizing the Kabachi Kids for School Project in Meru. It will be run by leaders in the community and will allow for the Kids for School Project to be run by the community with the assistance of HEART rather than vice versa.
After the office opening, the Bayside team headed back to Nariobi and Katie, Margaret, the Kenyan staff, and I headed to Kathanga Primary School to launch the Freedom for Girls Project in Meru. When we finally arrived at about noon, there were about 600 girls sitting on the hill, waiting to be taught, and more were walking in. After we piled out of "The Elephant," the head teacher began to separate in the girls from the boys, the girls into schools, and girls into age groups. (Why this was not done before we arrived, I have no idea. But again, you just go flexible with Kenyan time. As they say around here, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.")
After about 45 minutes, we were able to begin the teaching. Katie spoke in English while Lydiah translated into Swahili. Margaret held the sign, and I took notes to be able to document for the Kids for School newsletter. She began by teaching about girls' monthly cycles. Most of the time, she asked questions, so she could base her teaching on what the girls did and did not know. The girls were taught why they bleed, the function of the ovaries, and about estrogen. Then, we proceeded with the sanitary towel (aka "pad") demonstration. Katie was very good at making it humorous for the girls by holding up the panties to herself and doing a little jig, and making the girls touch the sticky part of the sanitary towel. This was crucial to breaking the cultural barrier and awkwardness that came with talking about issues that usually aren't talked about publicly. Then, she covered different practical ways to relieve pain that comes along with their monthly cycles, including light exercise, hot water bottles, and gently massaging their stomachs. All of this led to the point of encouraging girls to stay in school while they have their cycle. (Often times, a girl is forced to miss school because she does not have supplies to deal with her monthly cycle, which causes her grades to suffer and, therefore, her whole education to suffer.)
We also briefly taught about sex and encouraged abstinence. Katie gave the girls different reasons why we should abstain until marriage. Most of the reasons were to avoid things that would get in the way of them accomplishing their goals to be nurses, doctors, lawyers, newscasters--including getting pregnant or getting an STD including HIV.
In closing, we asked the girls to write down any questions they had on pieces of paper. After we gathered the scraps of paper, we answered all of the questions. Some of the questions included: When does your monthly period end? What if your cycle comes more than once a month? What if I am 16 years old and have not yet experienced my monthly cycle? Can you get pregnant if you do not have your period?
Unfortunately, we were also surprised by how many questions had to do with the risk of getting pregnant or having sex during, before, or after one's period. We returned to the encouragement of abstinence, so those issues are not even a concern. We wanted to be sure that the girls understood. We asked them what they would say if a boy asked them to have sex. They responded, "No for now." Lydiah, shocked by the response, replied, "No for now? Yes for later? When is later?" They replied, "After school." Lydiah was surprised about how the girls had been misinformed. Later does not mean after school, but when you are married. Not after schooling, not if you get married, but when you are married.
After clarifying about abstinence and how it is the best way to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs, which could cause a girl to drop out of school, I stood up front and taught the girls a song. The whole time Katie and Lydiah were teaching, I felt the Holy Spirit putting this song on my heart. I realized how perfect it would be to teach the girls in this Freedom for Girls program; they love songs, and this one was simple, had dance moves, and was a "repeat-after-me" song. I edited the words a little bit to personalize it for the girls. This is how it went:
I am free to run. (I am free to run.)
I am free to dance. (I am free to dance.)
I am free to go to school. (I am free to go to school.)
I am free. (I am free.)
Yes, I am free! (Yes, I am free!)
I am free to jump. (I am free to jump.)
I am free to clap. (I am free to clap.)
I am free to live for You. (I am free to live for You.)
I am free. (I am free.)
Yes, I am free! (Yes, I am free!)
It was so much fun singing and dancing with a group of over 600 girls. They loved it. I loved it. God had used the common language of dance and music through me to celebrate with the girls about what they had just learned...and all on the spot!
After finally getting the girls settled down and seated again, Isaac and Evans, who are leaders in the Kids for School project on the Kenyan HEART staff, explained to the girls how the program would work. This was all done in Swahili, so Margaret, Katie, and I didn't really understand what was going on. At one point, the girls from one school began an "up-rising" in defiance to what Isaac and Evans were explaining. I was later informed that Isaac and Evans were explaining how the project works: The sanitary towels remain at the schools, where the girls can retrieve them (with guidance from the teachers) when necessary. This allows tracking of where the towels are going and how often. (A few days before a year's supply of sanitary towels for 1,000 girls had been delivered.) The girls complained and wanted to simply take the towels with them. This may seem like the better idea and a harmless solution. Unfortunately, the problem is that when the girls take them home, much of the time, family members including moms, aunts, and sisters as well as friends will take the sanitary towels to use for themselves, leaving the girls with less than a year's supply of towels. Not to mention, there are girls who would ask for the towels to take home for their family, friends, or teachers, who have not even started their monthly cycles. So, Evans stood up in front and explained to the girls that this is a project, and they can either be involved with how it is run, or not participate.
This was an odd bump in the road that has never happened before when launching a Freedom for Girls program. Usually the girls are very grateful and excited about the program. It was determined by the leaders that one of the schools sent their girls with misinformation that the girls were to go, get the teaching over with, retrieve the sanitary towels, come back and bring them to teachers, family, and friends. This is so sad, but we drove over the bump and ended on a positive note of freedom.
Just when I think the day is over, and we are waiting in "The Elephant" for Lydiah, Evans, and Isaac to finish informing the teachers how the program should be run, I am surprised to see four young boys outside my window. They were curious about the "Muzungu" ("European traveler"). I smiled and waved, figuring that that would be enough to satisfy their curiosity. But as they stood there, I decided to get out of the car and do some interacting. Since there were only four of them and no other kids in sight, I offered them some Gushers. (You know, those gummies with the sweet, gooey liquid inside?) It was probably the first time they had ever tasted something like that. I had fun watching them explore the flavor.
Pole pole ("Slowly by slowly"), more and more kids started to show up. Long story short, about 15 kids ranging from two to seven years old ended up finding the "muzungu." Together we played, sang, danced, high-fived, did cartwheels, and ran around in the grass. It was the most special blessing. These kids, dressed in ragged clothes, were giggling with joy at me chasing them around and playing with them. Who knows how many of them had a home...how many were orphans...how many had eaten...how many had ever bathed...how many are in school. One of the boys had a "50 Cent" shirt that looked like if you grabbed it, it would just rip off. Another boy had a "Dallas Cowboys" sweatshirt that must have once originally been white. Another girl, whose hair was braided to her head, was dressed in an adorable sundress and raincoat that was so worn and tattered, she looked like a kid from Les Miserables. But this is real life. And here she was standing in front of me, giggling with giddy joy. Her smile is forever ingrained in my head. Another one of the young boys that showed up was dressed in a worn silver suit and striped button shirt. I swear he looked like a young Usher or something. He was a handsome young fellow. I wondered what his future would be. I had so much fun, sharing laughs and good times with these kids, and only wish I knew their names. But God knows them each personally and intimately, and even if I cannot pray for them by name, God knows exactly who I am praying for and each of their needs.
It was the perfect ending to a wonderful, action-packed day. And I praise God for all that He has done.
Living the Dream
I have finally been blessed with the opportunity to slow down. It has been a very busy past couple of weeks for me, especially as I had one trip after another. You would think that I would get better at unpacking and packing, coming home to Nairobi one night and leaving the next morning, but somehow it became progressively more and more difficult.
As I have been able to breathe this morning, I came to realize...I am living the dream. All of my hours devoted to researching opportunities to serve, my numerous college application essays about my longing to serve as a community health worker in rural Africa, my passion grown from my Pestilence and Civilization class, the little ways God has revealed His plans for me...I am finally here in Kenya, traveling throughout rural villages, loving the kids and providing health education with a great team. I am living out my dream. What a faithful God!
I hadn't yet expressed emotionally all that I am seeing, breathing, teaching, and learning until this morning. And it surprised me. After meeting with the team, my eyes filled with tears. Surprisingly, these were not tears of sorrow, compassion, or longing. They were tears of joy. As much as I miss home and all my loved ones there, I have never been so happy. They poured down my face as I attempted to explain to my dear mom. I can't believe it took so long to hit me. God is SOOOO good!
I realize it has been a while since I have last blogged, so I have chosen to devote today to blogging about my trips to Nyakach, Mombasa, and Meru--all of which were very different. I will probably write about 5 or 6 blogs--one for each day that we were serving in the village--since a lot of time was devoted to driving 6 to 8 hours through the breathtaking country of Kenya, God's beautiful creation. (Just FYI, I will probably post my blogs in reverse chronological order, so if you start from the top and work your way down, you can read them chronologically.)
Continue to follow me on my journey and hear what God is teaching me, and what He is teaching the people of Kenya through me. He is SO good!
As I have been able to breathe this morning, I came to realize...I am living the dream. All of my hours devoted to researching opportunities to serve, my numerous college application essays about my longing to serve as a community health worker in rural Africa, my passion grown from my Pestilence and Civilization class, the little ways God has revealed His plans for me...I am finally here in Kenya, traveling throughout rural villages, loving the kids and providing health education with a great team. I am living out my dream. What a faithful God!
I hadn't yet expressed emotionally all that I am seeing, breathing, teaching, and learning until this morning. And it surprised me. After meeting with the team, my eyes filled with tears. Surprisingly, these were not tears of sorrow, compassion, or longing. They were tears of joy. As much as I miss home and all my loved ones there, I have never been so happy. They poured down my face as I attempted to explain to my dear mom. I can't believe it took so long to hit me. God is SOOOO good!
I realize it has been a while since I have last blogged, so I have chosen to devote today to blogging about my trips to Nyakach, Mombasa, and Meru--all of which were very different. I will probably write about 5 or 6 blogs--one for each day that we were serving in the village--since a lot of time was devoted to driving 6 to 8 hours through the breathtaking country of Kenya, God's beautiful creation. (Just FYI, I will probably post my blogs in reverse chronological order, so if you start from the top and work your way down, you can read them chronologically.)
Continue to follow me on my journey and hear what God is teaching me, and what He is teaching the people of Kenya through me. He is SO good!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Day with the Wife of the Ambassador of Israel
Vickie and the HEART team were invited by the wife of Israel's ambassador to join her in a few formal presentations. I was one of the blessed three girls that got to join her. First, we went into the Korogotho slum where we entered into a school for kids with disabilities. Because there were not very many kids, the presentation of books was postponed. But I treasured the few moments I had to spend with the kids. Their eyes lit up as we entered, and they clearly loved having visitors. Our driver Jackson was having fun playing airplane with the kids. Margaret was receiving hugs from a few. And one of the kids would not stop playing with my hair. He loved it.
Next, we went to another school, where they showed us around. They had just developed a new hand washing system for the kids, as they were just provided with clean water.
The kids would crowd around and delight in your presence, shouting "How are you? How are you?" in their adorable Kenyan accents. They would put out their hands for you to touch them, as if you had something miraculous to offer. And as you grabbed each hand and looked each child in the eye and smiled, their eyes grew and smiles filled their faces. I wondered if this is how Jesus loved the children when He walked the earth. We went upstairs and attended the formal presentation of the books. The kids sang, danced, and recited poems, much of which was filled with joy, humor, and personality. They even grabbed the ambassador's wife, Vickie, and Margaret to dance with them!
Our last stop was at another school, which was decorated beautifully with artwork by the kids. Again, we were greeted with smiles and "Karibu"s and "How are you?"s. We made our way around the back of the school where there was a dirt patch. There we held a "ground-breaking ceremony," for it was where a new kitchen would be built for the school. This would allow the kids to have a meal during the day to nourish them and help them focus and be healthy, so they will do better in school. It may even feed children that may not eat any other time during the day.
The children loved having their pictures taken. The last school danced for us once more before we had to leave. I was sad to go, but it has made me excited for all of the time I will spend with the Kids for School project in the next couple of months.
These kids are forever etched into my heart. And it breaks my heart that I may never see them again. But the Lord is watching over them. And in His timing, maybe someday I will return.
Next, we went to another school, where they showed us around. They had just developed a new hand washing system for the kids, as they were just provided with clean water.
The kids would crowd around and delight in your presence, shouting "How are you? How are you?" in their adorable Kenyan accents. They would put out their hands for you to touch them, as if you had something miraculous to offer. And as you grabbed each hand and looked each child in the eye and smiled, their eyes grew and smiles filled their faces. I wondered if this is how Jesus loved the children when He walked the earth. We went upstairs and attended the formal presentation of the books. The kids sang, danced, and recited poems, much of which was filled with joy, humor, and personality. They even grabbed the ambassador's wife, Vickie, and Margaret to dance with them!Our last stop was at another school, which was decorated beautifully with artwork by the kids. Again, we were greeted with smiles and "Karibu"s and "How are you?"s. We made our way around the back of the school where there was a dirt patch. There we held a "ground-breaking ceremony," for it was where a new kitchen would be built for the school. This would allow the kids to have a meal during the day to nourish them and help them focus and be healthy, so they will do better in school. It may even feed children that may not eat any other time during the day.
The children loved having their pictures taken. The last school danced for us once more before we had to leave. I was sad to go, but it has made me excited for all of the time I will spend with the Kids for School project in the next couple of months.
These kids are forever etched into my heart. And it breaks my heart that I may never see them again. But the Lord is watching over them. And in His timing, maybe someday I will return.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Lovely WEEP Ladies
Glimpses of Kenya's heart have begun. I have shared what I have seen, but let me tell you of the people. Of what's really going on. I had my first opportunity to spend the day in the slums of Kibera at the WEEP (Women's Empowerment Equality Project) Center today. As we entered I saw much of Kenya at its worst. Burning garbage, stale sewage, dusty air, dirt floors, shacks after shacks, crowded areas, disease...you can imagine the sights and smells. But I also witnessed Kenya at its finest...A school of preschoolers welcomed us with "How are you?"s, "I love you!"s, and not to mention, giant smiles and waves. Gah, I'm in love. When we walked in the building, it was separated into three rooms of which the back two were used as classrooms. The kids also sang us a song before we left, lots of clapping and dancing included!
We spent time with the women, who each greeted us with a gentle hug or handshake and "Karibu." Some of them were very shy, however, as a lot of them still battle with the shame of HIV. As we entered, we sat down and spent time chatting with Gladys, who is pretty much the "Mama" of the center. (And that's what we call her. "Mama" is Swahili for a respectful term to an elder woman.) She welcomed us so warmly, continually reminding us that she loves visitors. As about seven of the women trickled in, we began with a song. Steve and Katie encouraged me to bring my guitar because the women would love the music, so together we sang "Nothing But the Blood" and "In the Secret." They shared songs as they clapped and sang, and together we exchanged the common language of music. It was beautiful.
Then one of the women Jane encouraged the group with a passage from Philippians. Because it was the first time at the center for me and Margaret, the ladies went around and shared a short testimony. All of them were very quiet when they spoke, shy in their words, and it was often hard to understand them. A couple of the ladies even spoke in Swahili because they didn't feel confident enough in their English. (Gladys translated.) Many of them shared how they became involved with the WEEP Center. I was humbly blown away by their thankful hearts in the midst of their battles with HIV and the stigma that faces it. All of them praised God.
Lillian, new to the WEEP center, when tested HIV positive was rejected by her brother whom she lived with at the time, who told her "I have no food for you, no shelter for you, no money for you except to buy your coffin." By her brother. So she and her son were kicked out and on their own. Thankfully, Ronda, another WEEP lady, brought her to the center, where she is now learning to sew, so she can help make money by sewing uniforms for schoolchildren. Her son now attends the preschool run by the WEEP Center.
Many of the women share similar stories of the stigma they faced when they were diagnosed with HIV. Friends who would normally buy bananas from them would pass by and spit at them. People would ask Gladys why she spent time with women who were HIV positive. But through the WEEP Center, the women have truly been empowered by the Spirit, and the stigma has gone down from what it was before. They are now encouraged by their God-given value, and they "amen" at knowing they are children of the living God.
I so desperately want to pour my heart out to these women, but I am at a total loss as to how. I enjoyed spending time with them, but I almost don't know how to love them best. I am not feeling discouraged though. I know my God will accomplish great things through the WEEP Center. He already has! They are praising Him! In word and song and deed as they encourage and love on one another.
I look forward to returning. I told one of the women I would teach her a little bit of guitar. I plan to keep that promise. I'm not much of a teacher, but I anticipate the day...
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday of Preparation
Today was another relaxing day at the compound. I've been told to enjoy days like these because the days will get very busy very soon. After breakfast I spent all morning both inside and outside in the sun, playing the guitar and focusing on worshipping God through song. In the afternoon, Kyndal, Margaret, Katie, Vickie, and I went to lunch at the River Cafe to discuss each of our projects for the next couple of months. (This was such a blessing because Vickie, founder and executive director of HEART, is always very busy. We had to leave the compound to meet because otherwise we would have risked being interrupted, as Vickie is often bombarded with needs and questions...Yet she never stops giving.)
I learned that my project will be centered around the Kids for School project. My responsibility is pretty much to play "journalist." I will have a couple of opportunities to go upcountry into rural villages this month where new offices for the Kids for School project are opening up. I will be writing EVERYTHING down, taking tons of pictures, getting names, ages, etc. My job is to gather ALL information because, unfortunately for HEART, "if it is not documented...it never happened." I will leave for Nyakach this Thursday and will return to Nairobi on Sunday. (Unfortunately, that means no blogging for those days...not to mention no toilets, no running water, and bucket baths...but with all the documenting I will be doing, I am sure I will come back with plenty to share.) Later this month, I will go to Meru and do some more documenting in a rural village there.
From my understanding, the Kids for School project works with orphans (often who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS), providing them with uniforms and goats. But they don't just hand them over to the kids. The child needs to show responsibility and will eventually pass on the goat (or its offspring) to another child who needs it. Honestly, I do not know nearly anything about it, but I plan on picking the brains of Evans and Isaac, Kenyan HEART workers, who work with Kids for School all the time.
Then after my trips and gathering all of the information and pictures, I will be responsible for using my artistic talent and writing skills to create HEART's first official Kids for School newsletter! The template will then be used for future Kids for School newsletters as well. What an honor!
I am not sure how this whole thing will go, or what it will look like the next two months, but I would love it if you continued to follow me as I follow God to wherever and to whomever He takes me.
I am excited. And scared. But my God is with me. Whom shall I fear?
I learned that my project will be centered around the Kids for School project. My responsibility is pretty much to play "journalist." I will have a couple of opportunities to go upcountry into rural villages this month where new offices for the Kids for School project are opening up. I will be writing EVERYTHING down, taking tons of pictures, getting names, ages, etc. My job is to gather ALL information because, unfortunately for HEART, "if it is not documented...it never happened." I will leave for Nyakach this Thursday and will return to Nairobi on Sunday. (Unfortunately, that means no blogging for those days...not to mention no toilets, no running water, and bucket baths...but with all the documenting I will be doing, I am sure I will come back with plenty to share.) Later this month, I will go to Meru and do some more documenting in a rural village there.
From my understanding, the Kids for School project works with orphans (often who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS), providing them with uniforms and goats. But they don't just hand them over to the kids. The child needs to show responsibility and will eventually pass on the goat (or its offspring) to another child who needs it. Honestly, I do not know nearly anything about it, but I plan on picking the brains of Evans and Isaac, Kenyan HEART workers, who work with Kids for School all the time.
Then after my trips and gathering all of the information and pictures, I will be responsible for using my artistic talent and writing skills to create HEART's first official Kids for School newsletter! The template will then be used for future Kids for School newsletters as well. What an honor!
I am not sure how this whole thing will go, or what it will look like the next two months, but I would love it if you continued to follow me as I follow God to wherever and to whomever He takes me.
I am excited. And scared. But my God is with me. Whom shall I fear?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wewe Mungu ni Jehovah!
First of all, Happy Fourth of July to all my friends and family back home! I have had a lot of fun with my friends here decorating our home and ourselves with red, white, and blue. We've enjoyed celebrating even as we are in Kenya.
On our way to church today, I caught more glimpses of the desperation of Kenya. Traffic was not nearly as bad. The streets are lined with potholes after potholes, so you are constantly four-wheel driving. Sometimes driving on the dirt beside the road actually makes for a smoother ride. Other cars would drive on the right side of the road to avoid the potholes. (Keep in mind, in Kenya you drive on the left.) They looked like they were going to ram right into us before quickly swerving away. People were walking up and down the roads, as usual. In Kenya, you walk just about everywhere. Kids of all ages walked both alone and with adults. I wondered how many of them were orphans, what their lives were like, if they would eat tonight. Small streams lined some of the streets where I saw a man washing his face and quenching his thirst. Some people were washing their clothes. The water was filled with garbage and what appeared to be sewage. It was just about the same color as the dirt, and at one point I saw a man, standing beside the road, relieving himself into the stream. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of water-borne diseases were thriving in the street-side streams...if the people drinking or the kids bathing in it would soon show symptoms of a disease that would make them miserable or destroy their bodies... People were sitting in the piles of rubbish, sleeping in the rubbish, seeking food or anything of sustinence in the rubbish. Kids were playing in an old giant-tire yard. People were sitting on old piles of bricks or pipes. Abandoned brick buildings are found everywhere, in which the roofs are falling in. Red dust covers both the ground and the air, and you're often torn between closing the windows or getting some airflow whatsoever.
When we finally arrived at the church, we were greeted by a sweet lady named Lydia (not the same Lydia as yesterday). The church was set up in what seemed like the most random place to have a church. There was a tent filled with people and children in plastic chairs with the speaker preaching into the deafening loud microphone. I was informed that this was a different church than HEART's usual one. The reason we attended was because the pastor of the church invited Pastor Bob, who works for HEART, to preach that day since the usual pastor had just recently lost his brother to HIV/AIDS and also had to take his wife to the clinic. Before church began, Tammy (director of Children's Ministry at HEART and wife of Pastor Bob), the other interns, and I went inside a metal "shed" (I guess you could call it) to do Sunday school for all of the little Kenyan kids. Man, my heart was won over, as I'm sure anyone's would be if they were in my place. There were about 45 kids ranging from babies to ten year olds, one Kenyan Mama, and the four of us squeezed into the 6' by 10' shed. We had lots of fun singing songs, reading a giant storybook about how God created the world, and making crafts. I even got to improv a puppet show with Margaret, a fellow intern! It was the best experience smiling at the kids, seeing them blush and smile back, wave to them and have them wave back. One boy was irresistibly cute and kept standing by my side, looking up at me and giggling, grabbing my hand. Maybe he was laughing at my weird white skin, but we had fun exchanging high-fives and smiles. It seems like some of these kids are forced to mature fast because they quickly become responsible for the younger ones. One girl walked in with a little baby strapped around her back in a sling.
After Sunday school, we headed over to the tent where the church service took place. The service began about 10:30am and ran until about 1:30pm. It consisted of lots of praise songs, both in Swahili and English, sometimes even mashed together. Several times I watched people go up to the pastor and hand him a scrap of paper in the middle of the service. Being my American self, I couldn't help but be perplexed. I mean...isn't that rude and disruptive? But I soon learned that the pastor would go up front and read off the pieces of paper, and someone would be invited up to bless the congregation with a song--the same people that got up to hand the scraps of paper to the pastor. This truly was a community church. It didn't matter if you were not great at singing or if you were shy. You went up there and led the church in praising God.
I love the ways Kenyans worship. It was loud, fearless, and joyful. There were shouts of praise, hands lifted high, and plenty of clapping and dancing. It reminded me of Psalm 150.
"Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud, clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!"
And I was invited to be a part of it. They quickly grabbed us and sat us down, right in front. They even had us come up front at one point and introduce ourselves as HEART interns. After Pastor Bob spoke on prayer, and how God hears and answers all our prayers, encouraging us to pray for God's will and not our own, I met Evans, who translated into Swahili for Pastor Bob and also works for HEART. He greeted me as a "sister from another mother" and invited me to "come back again and again and again and again..." I hope I will return.
This is Kenya. God is here.
On our way to church today, I caught more glimpses of the desperation of Kenya. Traffic was not nearly as bad. The streets are lined with potholes after potholes, so you are constantly four-wheel driving. Sometimes driving on the dirt beside the road actually makes for a smoother ride. Other cars would drive on the right side of the road to avoid the potholes. (Keep in mind, in Kenya you drive on the left.) They looked like they were going to ram right into us before quickly swerving away. People were walking up and down the roads, as usual. In Kenya, you walk just about everywhere. Kids of all ages walked both alone and with adults. I wondered how many of them were orphans, what their lives were like, if they would eat tonight. Small streams lined some of the streets where I saw a man washing his face and quenching his thirst. Some people were washing their clothes. The water was filled with garbage and what appeared to be sewage. It was just about the same color as the dirt, and at one point I saw a man, standing beside the road, relieving himself into the stream. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of water-borne diseases were thriving in the street-side streams...if the people drinking or the kids bathing in it would soon show symptoms of a disease that would make them miserable or destroy their bodies... People were sitting in the piles of rubbish, sleeping in the rubbish, seeking food or anything of sustinence in the rubbish. Kids were playing in an old giant-tire yard. People were sitting on old piles of bricks or pipes. Abandoned brick buildings are found everywhere, in which the roofs are falling in. Red dust covers both the ground and the air, and you're often torn between closing the windows or getting some airflow whatsoever.When we finally arrived at the church, we were greeted by a sweet lady named Lydia (not the same Lydia as yesterday). The church was set up in what seemed like the most random place to have a church. There was a tent filled with people and children in plastic chairs with the speaker preaching into the deafening loud microphone. I was informed that this was a different church than HEART's usual one. The reason we attended was because the pastor of the church invited Pastor Bob, who works for HEART, to preach that day since the usual pastor had just recently lost his brother to HIV/AIDS and also had to take his wife to the clinic. Before church began, Tammy (director of Children's Ministry at HEART and wife of Pastor Bob), the other interns, and I went inside a metal "shed" (I guess you could call it) to do Sunday school for all of the little Kenyan kids. Man, my heart was won over, as I'm sure anyone's would be if they were in my place. There were about 45 kids ranging from babies to ten year olds, one Kenyan Mama, and the four of us squeezed into the 6' by 10' shed. We had lots of fun singing songs, reading a giant storybook about how God created the world, and making crafts. I even got to improv a puppet show with Margaret, a fellow intern! It was the best experience smiling at the kids, seeing them blush and smile back, wave to them and have them wave back. One boy was irresistibly cute and kept standing by my side, looking up at me and giggling, grabbing my hand. Maybe he was laughing at my weird white skin, but we had fun exchanging high-fives and smiles. It seems like some of these kids are forced to mature fast because they quickly become responsible for the younger ones. One girl walked in with a little baby strapped around her back in a sling.
After Sunday school, we headed over to the tent where the church service took place. The service began about 10:30am and ran until about 1:30pm. It consisted of lots of praise songs, both in Swahili and English, sometimes even mashed together. Several times I watched people go up to the pastor and hand him a scrap of paper in the middle of the service. Being my American self, I couldn't help but be perplexed. I mean...isn't that rude and disruptive? But I soon learned that the pastor would go up front and read off the pieces of paper, and someone would be invited up to bless the congregation with a song--the same people that got up to hand the scraps of paper to the pastor. This truly was a community church. It didn't matter if you were not great at singing or if you were shy. You went up there and led the church in praising God.
I love the ways Kenyans worship. It was loud, fearless, and joyful. There were shouts of praise, hands lifted high, and plenty of clapping and dancing. It reminded me of Psalm 150.
"Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud, clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!"
And I was invited to be a part of it. They quickly grabbed us and sat us down, right in front. They even had us come up front at one point and introduce ourselves as HEART interns. After Pastor Bob spoke on prayer, and how God hears and answers all our prayers, encouraging us to pray for God's will and not our own, I met Evans, who translated into Swahili for Pastor Bob and also works for HEART. He greeted me as a "sister from another mother" and invited me to "come back again and again and again and again..." I hope I will return.
This is Kenya. God is here.
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