Lessons, Lessons, and More Lessons

Last night after I wrote the blog, we went down to Dirubi Orphanage to enjoy their evening devotional.  This has become one of my favorite things.  The kids sing so well, and with such passion, and the adults are unafraid to share wisdom with them.  They are eager to hear a word of encouragement from us, so I let our best encourager, Clay Wooten speak to them.  He did very well, I was deeply moved and I know they were too.

Today our team got into the real meat of our visit. Here are some highlights:

Becca taught her English lesson.  Since these kids speak pretty good English, she focused on writing.  She told her story, her personal testimony.  The kids were blown away with her honesty and transparency.  Then she gave them the assignment of writing their own stories, and they jumped in with both feet.  They stayed through the their break and asked for more time to complete them.  She will get them tomorrow, and plans to pair their stories with their pictures and print them in a book to send back to them.  I can’t wait to read them!

Lisa continued her work with the tailoring students.  Yesterday they all made aprons and today they learned to make tote bags.  They were so proud of them and we could tell they have really been touched by her attention to them.

Barbie and Lacie continued to work with the kitchen staff.  The guacamole from last night was a big hit and the Kenyans asked for more, which we had tonight.  They also spent time with Thomas Alwala learning about the availability of foodstuffs here and the costs.  They are working to build a model menu and recipes that we can implement in our orphanages to improve nutrition.  I was a bit surprised with some of the findings, which is why I am so glad God brought them to us.

Ross is feeling a lot better and today was able to spend time evaluating the personal finance and computer classes.  He was impressed with their progress and had some great suggestions on how to improve the programs.  Our computer teacher is brand new, today was her first day, and I can imagine how nervous she must have been to face a mzungu in her classroom evaluating her work!

Clay was with the masons today and they really enjoyed his nurturing encouragement.  He has really been active in all areas this week and I have enjoyed his wisdom.  He spent hours singing with Stephen and teaching him new songs.  What a great way to bless the churches here!

Marshall, Megan, and CJ continued their training with the nurses.  CJ was especially struck by the quality of many of them.  He is working to establish a better protocol for treating malaria that will be more effective and cost us less in the long run.  I can tell having him in Kenya is going to be great.  God really does send us the best people at the right time.

As for me, I went with Thomas and Francis to Kasumu to get supplies and to get Francis to a doctor.  He has been feeling bad since the trip began, and CJ was concerned he might be having a malaria relapse.  The tests were negative and the doctors prescribed an antibiotic for an infection and something for his cough.  Hopefully he will be feeling better tomorrow. 

On the way home, I was feeling good and was so proud of myself for my excellent Kenyan driving.  As we were on the final leg, a muddy road from Sondu to the VTC, I managed to get the vehicle stuck in the mud.  So much for my pride.  To make it worse, we were blocking the road and the motorcycles could barely get by.  It was just another vehicle stuck in the mud for them until they realized a white guy was driving.  Then the kids from the nearby school got a break from classes and came out to the fence to watch the stuck mzungu.  Complete humiliation. 

Fortunately, one of the motorcycle drivers knew a thing or two about that road and getting people out of the mud.  He guided us, and with Francis behind the wheel, we managed to get out.  They whole episode was a great reminder to me of the importance of humility and leaning on the wisdom of others.  I shared my story with the students at devotional tonight and they really enjoyed both my embarrassment and the object lesson.

Tomorrow the journey continues as we wrap up or visit to the VTC.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned…

Vocational Trip first blog post

I’ll begin by apologizing for the lateness of the first blog post.  I usually do it after the first day, but I drove all day yesterday and was totally wiped out.  I remember clearly during the last medical mission trip, I was sitting in Midland complaining about the lack of reports from the medical team in Kenya.  I formally apologize for that as well.

This trip is a different kind of mission trip than we have done before.  Most of our other trips have been medical missions, which we have done many times by now.  On this trip we are taking a team of Americans to the Vocational Training Center to teach, love on, and encourage the students here who are learning a trade and preparing to leave our system at the end of this  year.

On this team in addition to myself, we have KWO board member Becca Yocham, Nursing Instructor Marshall Rogers and his wife Lisa, who is a master seamstress. Also with us are Clay Wooten, all around handy man, and his wife Barbie who is a professional mother and a great cook,  are joined by Lacey Haney, a nutritionist from Marble Falls, Megan Casselman, an RN, and her multi-talented husband Ross.  CJ Wilson, our new resident Nurse Practitioner rounds out the team.

What a great trip we have had so far!  Our flights were perfect, everything was on time, no delays, and we arrived with no lost baggage.  Miracle number one!

In the Nairobi airport, one of our team went to the restroom and lost their passport.  They didn’t know it was gone until one of the Kenyan cleaning girls came up to us asking if we had lost a passport.  Had we tried to go through customs without it, it would have been a real mess. She got a nice tip and – Miracle number two!

We spent the night at the new arrival center in Kamulu.  It is really nice and helps to keep the team together.  We were so efficient that we got started on our long drive to the training center on time and arrived, without any encounters with the police, before dark!  Miracle number three!

We got unloaded, had a nice dinner with our Kenyan hosts, and had a quick organizational meeting.  We slept well in the recently improved guest house at the VTC and this morning we were ready for our fist day of the mission.

Each of us split up and explored the operation of the training center in different areas.   Marshall, Megan, and CJ are conducting a training session with the nurses from our orphanages for these three days, so they got started on that.  Barbie and Lacey went to the kitchen to discover Kenya cooking and explore ways to improve the diet of our kids while maintaining food costs.  Lisa went to the tailoring program and spent time with them.  Becca spent time with the cosmetology students and Clay and I worked on a plan to finish the large dining hall / church building.  Ross was all set to help in the computer class, but unfortunately has been sidelined by a stomach bug.

This afternoon, we all got together to discuss our findings.  It was so encouraging to me to see how everyone jumped in to their assignments with real passion.  They asked some great questions and we made a plan for tomorrow to discover the answers and make improvements.  Becca will be teaching her English program tomorrow morning, and the others all have plans to continue their work in their respective areas.  The highlight of the day for me was watching GCR elder Clay Wooten get a manicure from our of the cosmetology students.  His hands have never been this soft!

This is such a great team, and so far everyone is doing great.  Please keep us in your prayers, especially Ross because I know he is eager to get back in the game!

What I Learned - Susie Neale

I am sitting in the airport with mixed emotions.  Part of me is very ready to be home and return to the 'easy' life while part of me is very sad about leaving the people and the Kenyan way of life.  Kenyan life is not easy.  The days are long and filled with tasks we think nothing about like using propane to heat water for a bath and the amount of time it takes to cook a meal.  This trip has made me realize how special this place is and how much I have been blessed by being here.

This is the first visit where I did not have a job so I was not stressed by no internet, no power or deadlines.  I had planned on reading a few books in the evening and using this trip to  prioritize my job search and goals.  I figured being away from home with Tim in a place we love and where we know exactly what we are here to accomplish would be good for both us.  I did not expect to learn anything new or see anything different than normal.  I did want to make this as easy a trip as possible for Tim.

I knew we would be staying at some orphanages and the John and Mary Sue Vocational Training Center.  I knew we would not have showers every day.  I knew we would eat on the orphanage schedule.  I knew I would take pictures and visit with the workers and widows.  I knew I would have some free time.  I thought I knew everything that could/would happen.  What I did not know or expect was the incredible graciousness, hospitality, friendship and love I would find just by being on sire for more than a few hours.  I got to see what happens in an average day of work for the widows - who happen to be some amazingly strong and dedicated women, what kids do in the morning before school - which goes from 8am to  6pm, what the guards do to keep everyone safe, and the incredible love and humbleness of our workers - who do not have a restful moment as phones are constantly ringing and people are always needing something.  Not to mention the women behind our workers.  I have never met more devoted, loving, self-sacrificing, servant women in my life.  I tried to be like one for a few days and realized how hard it was to put someone's needs before my own and how difficult it is to keep my opinions to myself.
 I did get to spend time at each location with the kids.  By time, I mean sitting and answering any questions they had - including 'Is mzungu poop different than Kenyan poop?'  Yes, I did answer and got a laugh in response which led to some really good questions.  The kids opened up and shared some fears, dreams, and goals.  They also wanted to touch my hair and rub my arms which is not something I have had 'time' for in the past.  I did hug every child and adult I saw part in effort to show I cared for them and in part to say thank you for what they are teaching me....God is good all the time and He has a plan for each one of us.

I cannot explain the complete joy of waking up to the sound of kids singing at Londiani, the stars in the sky over Ndhawi, holding the hands of babies during church at Kericho, or sitting in a dark room listening to the chior at Uriri.  These are things I would never have experienced if I had not been staying overnight at our places and I thank each of you for allowing me to be a representative of your love. 

Nawapenda - I love you all.

Ngando

Our drive into Nairobi Saturday was uneventful.  We arrived about 5:30, which meant some traffic, but the new bypass highway is amazing.  It means we managed to not drive at night any day this trip, ‘kinda proud of that.

Sunday we worshipped at Kamulu Church of Christ with the Mbuvi’s and our other friends here at Made In The Streets.  At church we met an American named CJ Wilson who is raising funds to move here and head a medical effort fir MITS and other missionary works here in Kenya.  CJ is a nurse practitioner.  I’m excited about the prospects for him and our medical trips, and I hope to get some more time to meet with him tomorrow.

After church and lunch, we drove onto Nairobi to visit our last feeding station, Ngando.  This place is in a small rented building in a poor area (not quite slum) of Nairobi.  Simon Karanja is our worker here.  The place is tiny, about 12 x 20, but the church members who were waiting for us have big hearts and a love for orphans.  It was a short visit, not much to see, but I did manage to record their kids singing ane meet the church members.

Afterwards, we visited the school of a man named Gideon, a WBS student of John DeFore who has a small private school for the poor in a nearby Nairobi neighborhood.  You might think that private schools for the poor is an oxymoron, but they actually educate as many poor kids in Kenya as government schools.  Gideon has 400 students, 50 of whom are orphans that he doesn’t charge tuition to.  He manages to feed them a good lunch each school day, but his resources are stretched and they cant do much more for them.  Not sure what we are going to do with him, if anything, but it was a good visit.

There was time for a little shopping at a mall called Junction, which is nearby.  We were drawn in by a welcoming sign, Kentucky Fried Chicken.  It was awesome!  Imagine a KFC, in an upscale, ritzy mall decorated in Starbucks style, churning out original recipe as fast as possible.  Kenyans love chicken, especially Mauryn who ate six pieces, and this was just a snack!  Dinner in Kenya is not until 8 or so and it was only 5pm.  We dropped Stephen at the bus station for his long trip back to Homa Bay after our chicken and then drove back out to Kamulu.  All in all a productive day.

Monday is a lazy day around Kamulu, and then we depart on Tuesday evening.

Kikitemo

We slept in a bit this morning at the Kunste in Nakuru and then drove out to visit our friends at Kikitemo.  This is an amazing place for me because of the incredible story of God’s love that has been told here.  I won’t repeat it here; you can search for IDP in this blog archive and read my thoughts as we experienced them. 

When we arrived the kids and widows were all outside waiting for us, singing a welcome song.  We toured the place and then went in the hall to hear their singing and make our recording.  It was all very nice but it was getting a bit late, and we were anxious to get on the road.  Then Grace, the leader here, said that they just and a short drama to perform for us, and then we would be done.  Boy, am I glad we stayed.

The drama was a capsule of the life of an orphan, performed by orphans.  As the scene begins, the child is wandering lost and alone, calling out to God to help him after the death of his parents.  He is praying a soulful prayer out loud and then remembers his parents friends who may be able to help him.  At first the neighbors are willing to take him in, but they end up treating him very badly and making him do housework like a slave.  He soon runs away and is again alone, praying for God’s redemption.

That’s when he meets the heroine of the story, named Grace.  Grace takes him in and he joins the other orphans she has promised to care for.  Grace realizes that she has more than she can handle and calls her friend John, who suggests that he send an email to his friend in America, Tim.  Tim comes right over and promises money to help the orphans and the story ends happily.  The boy who played the orphan gave a soliloquy at the end, thanking God and the American donors for his redemption.  We were all in tears.

The story is not accurate - it was John DeFore who answered the email sending the first money here when these people were refugees of their last post-election violence.  I was just the first mzungu to visit them.  And the story also leaves out the terrible ordeal they went through as displaced persons before John met them.  But it was a beautiful tribute and a fitting end to a great trip.

Before we left we spoke to the assembled church of widows and orphans.  I was asked to say something, as I am at every place.  Usually I have a set-piece that I do, but this time it would not come to me.  I had no idea what I was supposed to say.  I looked at the widows, many of whom lost their husbands and possessions during the last election cycle, and heard my own voice reassuring them that even though the elections are just a few days away, it will be different this time.  This time they are under the protection of a mighty king who has proven his faithfulness in ways that few outside could understand.  He has delivered them from death and then from starvation and replaced their lost families with a big, new family.  This time the angels of the kings stand guard around this place and no evil shall pass.

I have no idea where that came from; it just came out of my mouth.  My prayer is that it was from the spirit and the tears of the widows tell me I am right.  Pray for the Kenyan people as they go through a tense time of elections and remembering all that was lost the last time around.

A change of plan

We had planned to be at the Siriqa Hotel in Eldoret tonight but we went to Nakuru instead.  We are having to skip our planned visit to our new orphanage at Kinyach in the Pokot region.  Our worker there, Wilson Kiptoo advised us that tribal tensions are very high in their area due to the upcoming elections and some cattle rustling that frequently occurs between the Pokot and their neighbors.  The orphanage is in no danger, but the area that we would have to pass through has seen some violence and the national police presence is high.  They would likely turn us back if we tried to pass.

While this is not normal for their area, it is to be expected during times of increased political activity.  The national elections are on March 4, and we are seeing signs of increased tensions in their "swing" regions.  Following the 2007-8 elections, there was significant violence throughout the country, especially in contested areas.  That is why we are here now and not in March as we usually are.  We are fine and in no danger, and I'm sure next time we come we will be able to visit Kinyach with no problems.

Tim

Kipsenende

This morning left our temporary home at Kapsabet and drove over to the third orphanage in this area, Kipsenende.  This place is almost a year old, and it’s one of our best looking orphanages.  This is the place were we first installed the new high efficiency jiko (wood stove) that we are now putting in every orphanage.  They are making good use of them, though they have feeding capacity to spare.

We arrived around 10, and recorded the choir first.  This has been a great experience for us, since every choir is trying extra hard to do their best, knowing that so many donors will be listening when we publish the CD.  After that, we walked around and saw the place.  It’s looking good.  Then we met with the elders, like we try to do at every place.  They had a list of questions (requests), some that I had to say “no” to, and some that I got to say “yes.” 

That may be the hardest thing that I do, deciding what projects are worthy and what are not.  It’s easy to say no to one of the elders asking for college tuition for themselves, (that happened).  It’s harder to judge which worthy project of several possible ones to fund.  I hope I get it right more often than not, just trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide me.

Susie and I then got to spend some time with the kids, answering questions and hugging and laughing.  Q&A sessions have been very good this trip, with the kids really opening up to Susie.  Then it was time for lunch, a big spread as always.  We then said our goodbyes and hit the road for Nakuru as we begin the long, homeward journey. 

The drive took about 3.5 hours through some big potholes and road construction on the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway.  That highway makes me laugh, because when it was built the pavement was only laid about 4 inches thick over a base of compacted soil.  Not near enough highway for the heavy truck traffic that it carries, so the lanes have developed ruts, like a dirt road would.  Some are more than a foot deep, making passing a real adventure!

When we arrived at Nakuru, we made for the Nakumatt to restock water and stuff, and were greeted with another great surprise.  A Nairobi Java House had just opened a few weeks ago right next door to the Nakumatt.  What a sight for sore eyes.  We decided to have dinner on American schedule, (Kenyans like to eat at 8pm).  Stephen was having none of that, he just had a snack saying he was in need of ugali at the right time for dinner!

So now we are at the Kunste Hotel, leisurely repacking and resting.  We plan to sleep in a bit and then stop at Kikitemo on our way back to Nairobi tomorrow.  Thanks for reading!