Caught in the Middle

It was late July, and I was stunned by the face of a starving baby that stared at me in the morning paper—a face that would continue to haunt me. As I opened up the Standard, one of Kenya’s national newspapers, I read heart-wrenching stories.

A Somali woman was trekking southward to Kenya in search for water when she went into labor. She birthed her baby, for whom she had no water to clean. The women travelling with her used the dirty clothes they were wearing to clean the baby. Trading off carrying the woman who just gave birth and the baby, they continued their search for food and water.

The situation is horrific. While I was volunteering with a non-profit organization, we received requests for food relief from communities in the Rift Valley and Meru. I knew I was in Kenya for a purpose, and all I could think was “Here I am, Lord! Send me!”

I met with some of the leaders of one area, who shared that they are looking for ways to provide the people of their community with food. Though the drought has hit northern Kenya and Somalia the hardest, many in the Rift Valley and other areas of rural Kenya are also suffering greatly.

Maasai men have left their homes with their herds of cattle and goats in search for grazing areas, leaving women and children behind—with no food or water. The river bed is dried up, and the water source they normally rely on is scarce. In a certain area near the main roads, where trucks and men with money pass through, women are selling their bodies in exchange for water for themselves and their children. HIV prevalence in that area is partnered with the desperate need for water.

And here I was…caught in the middle.

After phoning home, the news of the drought caught like wildfire in my church and many jumped at the opportunity to take action and help. Through the financial support of many, I had the extraordinary opportunity to deliver food to a small community in Meru, Kenya. “Today we are hungry, but tomorrow we will be satisfied,” said the Chief.
But the need continues. Even as we left Meru, we watched children walk along the side of the road with huge bundles of grass strapped to their backs. My Kenyan friend informed me that these children have no choice but to skip school, walk for miles carrying these fading grasses, and sell them for whatever small profit they can make. Then they buy food at the nearest location they can find.

God does not command us to save the world. That is His job. But He does expect us to take action. Mother Teresa wisely said, “If you cannot feed one hundred people, then feed just one.” And when we do, the Almighty King will say, “As you did to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus himself had compassion on those who were hungry (Matthew 15:32-39). He took what little the disciples had to offer and multiplied the food enough to satisfy thousands – with leftovers! In Meru, it cost us about one dollar to feed one person for one day.

What do you have to offer? I encourage you to give in faith…and watch God multiply.

Also find this article on the World Vision ACT:S website here.

Hunger Pain

Hunger pain. Every human being has experienced it. Whether it is a crying baby hungry for mother’s milk or the embarrassing noise your stomach makes in the middle of your afternoon class, everyone knows the feeling of hunger.

Thankfully, the fridge is just a few steps away. Food is readily available. You want it fresh? Cooked? Fried? Deep fried? Steamed? Organic? Chopped? Blended? Extra hot? Smothered in chocolate? We got it. But how many have been hungry without the option to quench the pain, or even just the annoying mumbling of the stomach?

When I was in Meru, I learned that many of the people in this community were eating maybe once every other day. They feel hunger, but have not enough to satisfy.

More so, hunger results in more than a loud and pained stomach. Focus is lost. Food consumes the mind. Dreams are overridden by the thought of biting into anything of sustenance. Tempers are shortened. Loved ones around you are irritable and in pain. The pounding in your head keeps a beat with your slowed pulse. You are faint. Your child cries out “I’m hungry,” but you have no food. It kills you.

The widow in 1 Kings 17 knew this experience all too well. With nothing left but a handful of flour and a little bit of oil, she was preparing to make one last meal for her and her son. Then she would wait to die. But Elijah, who was at that time living in a dried brook due to the absence of rain, asked the widow to bring him bread and water. So the widow left and made what she could with what little she had left and fed Elijah.

Talk about sacrifice. She chose to skip her last meal to give to someone else who had a greater need—but also a greater hope.

But the story gets better! Elijah had declared the promise of the Lord that her flour and oil would not run empty. Because of the widow’s act of obedient sacrifice, her supply of flour and oil never ended. The widow, her son, and Elijah were all satisfied.

We can repeat the fast of this widow. We can give up a meal—a physical need—to meet the need of another. We cannot bring the victims of the Horn of Africa to our dinner tables, but we can sacrifice a meal and send the money to feed one who is hungry.

God is faithful to bless His obedient children. Grab a group of friends. Fast together. Give up one meal, two meals, four meals…whatever. Sacrifice a piece of your comfort and encourage one another along the way. It will stretch you in empathy, draw you nearer to God, and bring food to the hopeless and hungry. And God honors that.

“Is this not the fast that I choose…to share your bread with the hungry...If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually…” (Isaiah 58:6-7,10-11)

Airport Blog

Well… here I am in the airport…. My last day in Kenya was spent waking up very early to catch a matatu (public transportation, with the escort of a generous HEART staff) to Kenyatta National Hospital, where I had the opportunity to watch a couple more surgeries (including a surgery where they removed the thyroid glands and a gastrointestinal surgery). You know… typical day in Kenya. After watching the surgeries, I went to class with a friend who is a medical student at University of Nairobi. That was fun. J I returned to finish packing my things, lead one last devotion for the HEART staff, and say my “Tutaonana”s (“See you later”s).

After numerous trips to the airport to pick up and drop off interns, it’s hard to believe it is finally my turn to return to the States. Where did the past three months go? I have been so busy that I don’t even know where to begin recounting all of my experiences and adventures.

It’s not the best feeling—going back to the States. Don’t get me wrong… I am absolutely stoked to see my family—my parents, my brother, my sister-in-law, my NEWBORN NEPHEW (so exciting!!!), my “sister” Susan, even my cat…but saying goodbye has always been so hard—and full of tears. As I said goodbye to the staff I was saying farewell to my Kenyan family.

My heart is definitely still pounded into the dirt of Kenya—and I am convinced will always be. I have even been told by Kenyans that I have African blood. J I will very much miss this place I consider home.

The fact that even though this summer had its challenges but I still anxiously await the day I return makes me wonder what God’s long term plan is for me in respect to Kenya… Last year I was in Kenya two months…This year three months…what will next year be? It makes me excited to think about it. J

Thanks to all who have been a huge support to me—through prayers, financially, thoughts, encouraging words—whether I know it or not. It means the world to me.

I look forward to seeing many of you soon to share stories of how God stretched me (like taffy!) this past summer.

My theme for this summer: “Faith through the Refining Fire” (1 Peter 1:3-9)

All my love and gratitude…

Dancing with the Maasai - Caught on Film!

"If you cannot feed one hundred people, then feed just one." -Mother Teresa

As some of you may be aware, there is a severe drought that has affected the horn of Africa.

Turkana (in northern Kenya) is undergoing the worst of the drought right now, as people are literally dying of hunger. I read heart-wrenching stories in the newspaper of an elderly woman, who was reported to be hungry months ago...and because help did not come in time...she died a few days ago. And her picture was in the paper.... Another woman was trekking southward (from Somalia to Kenya) to find water when she went into labor. She gave birth to her baby, for which she had no water to clean, so the women with her used the dirty cloth they were wearing to clean off the baby. Then the women traded carrying the woman who just gave birth to continue in search for food and water.

The situation is horrific. I talked to Vickie, and she has said she has received requests for help with food/water from areas in the Rift Valley and Meru (both places I have been). I am not a fan of a quick fix, but I would rather help supply water and food for a day than nothing at all.

It has been weighing heavy on my heart ever since I saw pictures of a tiny starving baby in the paper (the Standard). I am in Kenya for a reason....and right now....all I am thinking is "Here I am, Lord! Send me!!!"

Today I met with some of the leaders of the Magadi area (which includes Oldonyonokie in the Rift Valley), who shared that they are looking for ways to provide the people of their community with food. Though the drought has hit northern Kenya the hardest, many in the Rift Valley and other areas of rural Kenya (including Meru) are suffering greatly.

Maasai men have left the homes with their herds (cattle and/or goats) in search for grazing areas, leaving women and children behind—with no food or water. The river bed is dried up (which I have seen firsthand), and the water source they normally rely on is sparse. In a certain area in Magadi near the main roads, where trucks and men with money pass through, women are selling their bodies in exchange for water for themselves and their children. HIV prevalence in that area is partnered with the desperate need for water.

Although the Maasai have always struggled with a water source in the Rift Valley, times have become especially hard now with a drought that has been called “the worst since 1950” (according to the Meteorological Department in Kenya). Would you partner with me in helping provide food and water for those in need?

Many organizations are helping the worst of the situation in northern Kenya and Somalia, but many people across Kenya are still unreached and in need of your help. With your support, I can help bring water and food to families in remote areas. Not only will this bring relief for a day, but it will help establish relationships that will last a lifetime—relationships that can be used to invest in long-term solutions to such a grave need.

Checks can be made out to HEART with Drought Relief under the memo line. Please mail checks to:

HEART
PO Box 631964
Highlands Ranch, CO 80163-1964

Milele Shukrani! Mungu akubariki. (Forever grateful! God bless you.)

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.”

-Isaiah 58:6-11

Reflecting on the Past 6 Weeks

How do I begin to express the past 6 weeks? I have been to Upper Taita, Lower Taita, Kisii, Mombasa, Oldonyonokie, Kibera, Ngong, Bulbul, Maasai Mara, Nakuru, clinics and hospitals in Nairobi and Mombasa… I have spent days at the HEART compound, days away from the compound, days with little to no sleep, days upcountry, days on the road… It’s been fun, adventurous, never as planned, exhausting, and God-given. I hold sweet and sour memories from each of them.

Kisii was a much needed trip upcountry. Although brief, it is always good to get in to the field again. We spent one day building a house—from the bottom up—literally—mud ball by mud ball. Basically, when you build a house upcountry, you use wooden sticks, dirt, water, and nails. The community had pre-dug the holes in the ground, where wood poles are placed in to serve as the structure of the house. Once those are placed in the ground, giant sticks line the inner and outer perimeters of the house. Between the stick you place thick balls of mud to create walls. Wooden doors and windows as well as roofing are brought separately, and installed by construction workers in the community.

One of my favorite memories was watching one man of the community take off his shoes and in his ripped shorts jump in the mud. Of course, he was not doing it to have fun but to work hard. To me, it looked fun though… (Of course… I played in the mud as a kid…why not as a grown up?) Eager to break any cultural barriers, I took off my socks and shoes and jumped in to help mix the dirt and water to make a thick mud. I desperately wanted the community to know that I was there to serve—not as an American, but a fellow Kenyan. If that meant I had to be barefoot and covered in mud, so be it.

Additionally, when I saw a group of women fetching water and carrying it back on their heads… I got so excited… Pick me! Pick me! I want to help fetch water!... so with a mix of broken Swahili and English, I asked some of the women if I could join them in fetching water. They were surprised and thrilled. So we walked down to the location where they fetch water. The walk seemed quick, but I am pretty sure that was because I was so excited that I was fetching water in Kenya…just living alongside some locals. Kisii is in no shortage of water and it is lush and green. However, my friend Steve brought up a good point while I was there: Although it is wonderful that Kisii has a good supply of water, it is disappointing that they do not appear to be doing anything to harvest it. They are in good supply now, but what happens if a drought (such as the one that is happening in the horn of Africa) hits Kisii? All of the sudden, the supposed consistent life source is suffocated. (Anyway…water projects have definitely been weighing on my heart, especially with the travesty that is hitting northern Kenya and Somalia.)

After the women put a cloth on my head to help support the bucket, I placed the big yellow bucket on my head and headed back to where we were building the house. I must admit… carrying that water bucket—as fun as it was—was difficult. I was short on breath by the time I reached the top, but my return with the other women of the community was greeted by cheering (the African way, of course, with index finger waving high in the air). It was the best greeting I could have received. It was a good time to build friendships and help out as one of the young (Kenyan) women.

Before we knew it, the house was built. One day! It still surprises me. The young girl who received the home is a total orphan, who lives with her grandmother. Her grandmother was part of a polygamous marriage (her husband had two wives). The girl, now 15, got pregnant from another boy her age. The uncle of this girl, who is an alcoholic, came by their old home and set it on fire when he was drunk one evening. It killed four goats that the family had (very valuable to Kenyans). Thankfully, no person was killed or harmed. The whole story is quite honestly a mess and just an example of how broken of a world we live in. It breaks my heart. But now, the child of that girl, who is just about the cutest baby I have ever seen, will never have to experience what it is like to not have a home. And that to me makes it all worth it.

In addition to upcountry trips like Kisii, I have had the pleasure of revisiting the Kibera WEEP Center to work on files for the preschoolers. This was actually one of the intern’s projects but, unfortunately, since she was one of the two interns that had to leave early due to medical issues, I now have to complete her project. But as much work as it is, I don’t mind the excuse to get to go into Kibera time and time again.

I am also working on Ashlee’s project this week, which is coordinating a Youth Seminar titled “Kicking HIV out of the Community” in Bware, Migori. This youth seminar will partner soccer and HIV prevention teaching to appeal to the youth to cease the spread of HIV in their community through practical life skills.

So… that is what is going on right now and a quick update on events that have happened, but I never shared. The intern that got very ill had a serious infection (some sort of food poisoning) which lead to her vomiting a lot. An artery in a one-way valve that connects the esophagus and stomach burst due to the constant stretching of the one-way valve in the opposite direction. This burst caused her to cough blood after forceful vomiting. Because she was so sick, she also experienced severe dehydration which led to vertigo and weakness. This is all to say, she is back in the States now and on the road to recovery.

Today I took the day off to catch up on sleep, process my journey thus far, and try to figure out how to best help areas in desperate need of food and water in the midst of this severe drought.

1 Kings 8:56 is the verse that showed up on my phone today: “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise…”

Amen to that.

Camping Out in Hospitals

Hi All,

Please keep the interns and I in your prayers. I have spent the last 3 days and 3 nights in hospitals (Mombasa Hospital then Nairobi Hospital) with one of our interns, who became violently ill (vomiting blood) while we were in Mombasa. I have been busy taking care of her in the hospital, and though we are back at the HEART compound now, it is a busy time of working to reschedule plane tickets and working with insurance companies to get her and another intern back to the states early. She is on the road to recovery, but still weak. She will probably be fine in a matter of days; it just takes time. In addition, the other two interns' time is coming to a close and we want to be sure they feel accomplished by their time spent here in Kenya.

Please be praying for health, calm spirits (to replace a high stress level), and strength.

Thank you for your prayers and understanding. I will give more details later when I have a moment.

Love,
Katelyn

Dancing with the Maasai

Hey all,

I am just going to stick with quick updates on what I’ve been up to. I feel like otherwise, you will never get any blogs! So…

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of revisiting Oldonyonyokie. After getting up in time to leave at 6am, we hit the road. About three hours and several spectacular views of the Rift Valley later, we pulled up to the school. I was back! What a sweet opportunity. We started by meeting the teachers and touring the school (as the Hazen team and a couple interns had never been before), including the new girls dormitory that they built. This dormitory was definitely a huge accomplishment, but right now it is just a building with about 10 different open rooms. I look forward to seeing it with beds!

Water continues to be a need for the Maasai in Oldonyonyokie (or as we so lovingly call, “Old Donkey”). So after playing with the kids—throwing around Frisbees, blowing bubbles, and chatting about future dreams (such as what they want to be when they grow up, etc.)—we handed out bread and water to all of the students and teachers. The look on some of these kids’ faces…I am telling you…I have no idea when they last had clean water or a small meal, but…I have never seen anyone so happy to have a couple pieces of plain, sliced bread.

So we let them break and eat, and while they did we met the headmaster of the school. We were then surprised with some exciting news…the kids, who have competed among other schools in their area, are now going to Nationals to compete with schools across the nation! (I was serious about them being the best singers and dancers I have seen.) With all of the traditional Maasai attire, they performed three different songs for us. Then…as if it cannot get better…they invite us to dance with them! AND…after laughing my way through and doing my best…they told us that everyone did wonderfully, but “this girl right here…Katelyn” (pointing to me as well as one of the team members) did exceptional. The teachers proceeded to tell me I could be a Maasai and gave me a Maasai name—Naisimoi. The children gave me some of the Maasai attire to try on for photos and giggled at my awkwardness in their tribal accessories.

I will have to put up videos and photos. (We captured it all on film this time!)

Ironically, before we left, the clean water truck arrived. (The leaders at the school had been trying to get this man to come for three weeks!) Our time was coming to a close, so we said our “Kwaheri”s and headed out. We stopped at Counselor Jackson’s to pay our respect to the leader of the community and deliver some water. It was a successful day, and I definitely look forward to going back. J

Pray for rain in the Rift Valley!

Journey to Taita

Before I knew it, the interns (Aubrey, Ashlee, Brittany) and I were headed to Taita. I can’t help smiling just thinking of it. Last year, my experience in Lower Taita was a dream come true. (Check out my blog on Taita from last year.) I had only prayed and hoped I would return. And there I was…on the long, bumpy road back to Taita…this time leading a group of girls. I was ecstatic when I found out that we would get to stay with Pastor Lawrence and his family again.

And joyous it certainly was as I reunited with the family. Seeing Pastor Lawrence, Mama Lawrence, Junior, Jemima, Raymond, Emanuel, and so many others again…I cannot put in to words how special it was for me. And they remembered me by name! It felt like being home.

When we arrived, we got to take a look at the greenhouse. It looked like it was doing very successfully, as it was filled with nyanya (tomato) plants. We also enjoyed some chai and a short walk to a field where some kids were playing soccer. I was in awe that I was taking a similar stroll that I took with Isaac (my Kenyan brother) last year. After I spent some time exchanging glances and holding the hand of a new young child around Pastor Lawrence’s home, we enjoyed a filling and delicious dinner, followed by some dancing with the kids. My heart bubbled with joy as the family and I reflected on sweet memories from last year and exchanged new dance moves. My personal favorite was the “praying mantis.” (You’ll have to give a personal request if you ever want to see that one.) Hahah…I am laughing out loud just thinking about it. That was fun.

The next morning we headed to four different schools to interview girls under the Freedom For Girls project to analyze the successes and challenges while implementing the project. This was actually a challenge because of communication issues. The girls understood few English words, and let’s just say…I am not yet fluent in Swahili (Maybe one day!). It was a long day and a bit exhausting, but we were all having a blast simply being upcountry and learning one step at a time.

That night we headed to Madokas’ home in Upper Taita, which was nothing like any upcountry home I have seen. This home belonged to an ex-member of Parliament in Kenya, and I was shocked to pull up to a beautifully arched home, surrounded by the most spectacular garden. We walked in to cozy couches and a fire burning in the fireplace, with chai sitting on the table ready to warm our cool and exhausted bodies. I felt like a Kenyan princess. The interns and Lydiah (HEART Staff) and I enjoyed laughing and giggling together about the exquisite accommodations. We were thrilled to have a cozy place to stay…not to mention….with a breathtaking view.

The next day we visited four more schools—this time in Upper Taita. We approached this day with a different “plan of attack” in that we had Lydiah read the questions in English and Swahili and the girls fill out the forms on their own. This proved much more effective as the girls were free to write in whatever language they were most comfortable in—whether English or Swahili. Because of that, we received more honest, thorough, and confident answers from the girls when reading them later.

We spent another last night at Madokas, cozying up by the fire and exchanging stories, laughter, and reflections on the day before we headed back to Nariobi. I was so sad to leave, but something in me is convinced I’ll be back again. God was faithful to let me return to Taita once already…why not again?

Quick Update!

Hello all!

Just wanted to share this with you. It is a painting series I did while I was in school. I was blessed with the opportunity to write an article about it as a member of the National Leadership Council for World Vision ACT:S. Pretty cool!

P.S. I will be working on blogs today. Lots of adventures going on here at HEART. Check out my facebook page for some of the most recent photos of my adventures of building a house for a 14 year old AIDS orphan, her 3 month old son, and grandmother upcountry in Kisii, Kenya.

Nimefurahi. Mungu ni mwema!

Ngong and Bulbul WEEP Centers

Our first HEART project-related adventure outside of the compound was long-awaited….at least for me. Sure, I was kept busy preparing for the interns, meeting with Vickie, putting together 6 different schedules (one for myself and for the interns), planning projects, and waiting to move in to my room at the compound… But there is something about being in the field that reminds you of why you are there. It had been about 5 days and though I was at HEART, I felt like I hadn’t really gotten to the heart of things yet. To be honest, that is one of the greatest challenges with being intern coordinator. Instead of being busy experiencing the fun, taking part in the teaching, and looking forward to the next adventure, I am making sure the interns are doing all of the above. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely love being intern coordinator. The interns we have this year are spectacular and each have a unique gift and personality to offer to HEART and the people of Kenya.

Anyway, this all to say… It was very good to get out in the field once again. I was so deeply reminded of the love God has given me for the Kenyan people. The interns and I visited the Bulbul WEEP Center first, only to be delayed to the Ngong WEEP Center because not all of the women had arrived yet. “Hakuna wasiwasi,” (No worries) as we say in Kenya. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.” So Jackson (Kenyan staff and currently the only driver for HEART) took us to Ngong. When we arrived, Mary, Ngong WEEP Coordinator, showed us a tour of the place. After we sat and introduced ourselves (this was my first time to Ngong WEEP center). Each of the women gave a quick testimony, always thankful for the love they receive from visitors and their “Mama” Mary. One of the women was using a voice box because in addition to HIV she suffered from throat cancer. As if life could not be broken enough from the pain of stigma and other challenges when diagnosed HIV positive, she had no voice. When she spoke you had to listen closely to hear her thankful and joyful words. How could someone who has suffered much be so joyful? I wonder this all the time. And all the time I am reminded of what a great God I serve. It was so evident from their stories that they are another group of women, who through the empowerment and resources provided through HEART and this center and ultimately the power of God, have been brought from death to life.

Aubrey, one of the interns, shared an encouraging word on fellowship. I played a song on the guitar, which the interns joined me in singing. And Ashlee and Brittany helped paint the women’s nails. It was just a very relaxing time for us to love on them. Though I was tempted to think that our time there was in vain because we weren’t really doing anything to practically help these women, it was evident in the smiles on their faces that they simply delighted in being loved—something they had never experienced once declared HIV positive. We spent a good amount of time singing and dancing with the women as well, which of course was a blast. The Ngong WEEP women are known for their singing and dancing—cause once they get going they hardly stop. Even as we departed to be able to visit Bulbul and escape Nairobi traffic in time, they sang us out the door.

When we arrived at Bulbul WEEP Center, I was blessed to see some familiar faces. Some of the women recognized me from the previous year, and it was a delight to see them again. The women at Bulbul, however, were a bit shyer than the Ngong women. Please be praying for them, as I know they can do great things if only Christ strengthens them. Again, I played a song for them after Aubrey shared her devotion and we danced together. We did not stay at Bulbul for long because a few of the women arrived late; I did not want to steal precious time when they needed to be working on sewing mosquito nets at the center.

Overall, I was thankful to be reminded that my work here (through God’s strength), whether directly or indirectly, is affecting lives—even if in the smallest way.

Just a Glimpse

I thought I would go ahead and post my schedule from the past couple of weeks to give you an idea of what has been keeping me so busy. Please also know that this is an overview and does not include the itty-bitty details and errands that also need to get done. Please be praying for strength for me! God is truly stretching me in what it means to rely on Him wholly. Without Him, I am incapable!

June 15^th: Arrive in Kenya

June 16^th: Meet with Vickie to discuss intern projects

June 17^th: Aubrey (Intern) arrives in Kenya

June 18^th: Ashlee and Brittany (Interns) arrive in Kenya

June 19^th: Ridgeways Baptist Church (RBC) in the morning, orientation for interns in the afternoon, meet with interns to discuss projects

June 20^th: Office Day – organizing Kids for School (KFS) files

June 21^st: Visit Bulbul and Ngong WEEP Centers, weekly meeting with interns for study on Humility

June 22^nd: Travel to Taita Hills

June 23^rd: Research and analysis of success of Freedom for Girls (FFG) project at 4 schools in Lower Taita

June 24^th: Research and analysis of success of FFG project at 4 schools in Upper Taita

June 25^th: Return to Nairobi

June 26^th: RBC

June 27^th: Office Day – create Intern Handbook for HEART intern program

June 28^th: Visit Kibera WEEP Center, weekly meeting with interns for study on Humility

June 29^th: Planning and running errands for Staff luncheon (June 30^th)

June 30^th: Staff Luncheon, Meghan (Intern) arrives in Kenya

July 1^st: Meeting for Ashlee’s project, FFG Sanitary Towel Donation at Doshi’s, shopping at Babu’s and Maasai Market

July 2^nd: Celebrate Ashlee’s 20^th Birthday a day early– bowling at Village Market and lunch at Art Café

July 3^rd: RBC, updating blog, meeting with Meghan to discuss her project

Karibu Kenya...Tena!

Well…here I am again…at HEART in Kenya. And how sweet is.

It is hard to believe that just a year ago, I was venturing to Kenya for the first time as an intern with HEART. Now I am here as intern coordinator, and it just feels like home. All the sights, sounds, and smells are no longer foreign, but evoke memories from last year, and flood my heart with joy and compassion. Clouds of dust from the roads clog your nostrils. Garbage burns on the streets. Roads lined with potholes throw you around the vehicle like Indiana Jones. Traffic clogs every round-a-bout in Nairobi… It is good to be back.

My first few days were spent settling in, recovering from the long journey from California. I had the privilege of meeting with Vickie (HEART Founder and Executive Director) for dinner to discuss the interns and their various projects. It was a very sweet time (nearly 3 hours!) of not only discussing intern projects and getting excited for that, but sharing dreams. I adore seeing the ways God works in her heart and how He still gives her dreams. It reminds me of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” What a delight to have a heart-to-heart with a woman that is so earnestly loving the Lord and loving others.

Aubrey, the first intern, arrived the evening of June 17^th. Ashlee and Brittany, the following two interns, arrived the next evening (June 18^th). As the interns arrived, my job was to make sure they became familiar with the compound and were able to settle in smoothly. Since both sets of girls arrived late in the evening, I usually encouraged them to sleep in the following morning to recover from the long journey.

The interns, however, anxious and ready to get to going in Kenya (which I love!) woke up in time for church on Sunday. (When in Nairobi, we typically attend a church just down the street called Ridgeways Baptist Church.) Sunday afternoon I had the interns join the Bayside Team, who arrived early Sunday morning, for orientation—where they are essentially prepared for anything and everything they may encounter here in Kenya including cultural “do”s and “don’t”s, living conditions, money exchange, etc.

After that, I met with the interns to discuss what their time here is going to look like. I introduced them to each of their projects and gave them a basic schedule of the next 6 weeks. It was fun to see each of them get excited about their projects as well as the projects we would be accomplishing as a group. It had been a long time coming of essentially “studying” these girls, getting to know them, answering their questions, and finding a project for them that would benefit HEART that they could be stoked about accomplishing. Watching them light up when I announced their projects was well worth it.

The interns started off their week at HEART in the office organizing files. Although not the most fun activity in the world, they did wonderfully. The Kids for School (KFS) Project requires a file on each child with medical information, guardian and sibling information, a goat census, quarterly check-ups, and photos. It is crucial that these files keep up to date, but because there are over 1,000 children benefitting from the KFS Project (meaning 1,000+ files), the task is time consuming and easier said than done. So the interns helped begin to organize the files, so that they could continue to be organized by anyone who could lend a helping hand in the near future.

Pole sana (Very sorry) for taking so long to get blogs up, but you will have to be gracious with me as I blog in chunks. Right now, the interns and I are off to Nakumat (the local supermarket) to run some errands and purchase supplies for a HEART staff luncheon that we are organizing. I will blog about my adventures to the WEEP centers in Bulbul, Ngong, and Kibera and my adventures to Upper and Lower Taita Hills when I return. I am certainly kept busy as an intern coordinator! Please understand I am essentially “on the job” from 7:30am to 10:00pm.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I have some “God stories” that I look forward to sharing with you soon!

It's Count Down Time [30 days]

30 days...30 days and I will be back in Kenya. What a surreal reality.

What more can I say than…God has been so good to me. Being at UC Irvine since returning from Kenya last August 31^st has been a journey—to say the least. The last month alone, God has been blessing me beyond belief.

Some recent updates include…

-My trip has been paid for financially by the generous support of many, whom I hold close to my heart.
- I was confirmed for a position on the World Vision ACT:S National Leadership Council (1 of 8 members across the nation). For more info...http://www.worldvisionacts.org/
-I have been helping out with the weekly prayer meetings for CRU and was asked to lead the Prayer Team for CRU next year.
-I have been attending and serving at Compass Bible Church, with the excuse to see my wonderful brother Evan and sister-in-law Julie every week.
-My nephew James Ethan is expected be born when I get back from Kenya in mid-September. J

These are just a few of the millions of ways God is working in my life—not to mention the little ways He blesses me as I strive to walk with Him daily.

I have updated my prayer request list (on the right side of the page), and I would be eternally grateful if you began praying for me now, even before I set foot in Kenya. Please especially be praying for my heart, that I would truly, truly be a humble and selfless servant for Jesus Christ.

Lastly, I am SOOO EXCITED! I will do my best to keep you all updated as I get ready these next few weeks. I cannot believe how soon it is already! God has been so faithful to fulfill this desire of my heart (Psalm 37:4). 30 days…