Nicole and the little neighbor puppy.

I was working in the TGD building early one morning and came out to see this little puppy wandering in the front gate. Now that seems like a prescription for disaster. How the heck would the little guy find his way BACK OUT? He wandered over to where I was working and took a liking to Catherine, our TGD Team Computer Teacher. I had her come over to me so I could get my hands on the little flea bitten cutie. OH PRECIOUS! I love animals and Kenya is full of them. A puppy is an American regular, but no less adorable. Nicole was very unsure and a bit frightened. Sasha wants NOTHING to do with dogs she does not know. She screamed bloody murder until we got that puppy away from her. I sat down on the ground near precious and began to just love and pet the little girl, I think it was.  It went nipping at little Precious' socks and nipping at my hand. I laid it on my lap where Precious watched with interest. After a while, I knew I had to get back to what I had been doing but I hated to leave the puppy. I asked Everline and she knew that it had come up the road. I hoped that meant someone would make sure it got back to its home! But I backed away and headed into the church. I think I came back just a couple of chores later to find Nicole was breaking up some leftover Ugali and feeding a ravenous little puppy. Clearly she had warmed to the little thing and was so sweet! I came over and praised her and got a picture. She seemed almost embarrassed and ran off self-consciously, but not before I got a couple of shots with her and the puppy. I like this one best. No, she did not kick it in the head on her exit! It just looks that way.

TGD Product Promotion!

I already raved about body wipes from REI from Adventure Medical Kits called FRESH WIPES (4.95 for 8 giant sheets--a bargain)

But I've got to add Cliff Bars Mojo Mountain Mix bars which really traveled well and tasted delicious every time. Chris and Tracy Leon gave me some miniature ones that were perfect. THANKS! You need to try them, too.

and SECRET Clinical Strength Deodorant. WOW!! When I'm in Kenya, it is sweat, dry, sweat, dry, sweat, dry. By the end of the day, I am NOT going to wear that dress again (or top.) Nope. Not doing it. Although it is not a big deal to go around smelling quite strongly in Kenya, I just can't seem to be okay with it. I continue to hold onto my American idea that body odor is a big no-no. Secret really helps here. This is some serious stuff. YES, the aluminum might give you alzhiemers a little early, but hey, you'll be smelling SWEET. This is a serious part of my Kenya trip arsenal. Take note, future travelers, and grab yourself one on your way.

Mickey, Titus, & Otis headed to Masai Mara and moms with bras! :-)

BOOK LIST

Here are some good books to read this winter and get the feel of Kenya. Amazon.com can help ya:

An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action for the Twenty-First Century -James Orbinski. This is a great book by a past president of Doctors without Borders. I love those folks! It actually talks most about Rwanda, but you get the feel for the continent here.

Six months in Sudan: A young doctor in a war-torn village. by James Maskalyk. Another one not specific to Kenya but wow, so moving.

Don't let's go to the dogs tonight: An African childhood by Alexandra Fuller. My Dad's girlfriend (whom I adore) told me this is her favorite book. It was intense! This girl had parents who neglected her but she has no bitterness but really tells how it went. It is an emotional look at Africa.

God grew tired of us: A memoir. by John Bul Dau. A story of Sudan. This was one of my early reads and I really enjoyed it. The pain in Africa is so real and felt by so many. It gives you a window into their world.

A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier. by Ishmael Beah. These stories STINK! I mean, the stuff these guys go through. All their family killed. The horror of it. Where to go. Getting drugged and learning brutality when dragged into an army. It's horrible. it's real for many boys. It ruins people.

Tick Bite Fever by David Bennun. You know, when you are on those 24 hour flights to Kenya, you gotta read something. I'm not a movie girl and somehow I cannot focus on the Bible on the plane. :-( but this book was a delightfully humorous look at life in Africa through the eyes of a young white kid who seems heck bent on injury. It was funny.

A Primate's Memoir: Love, Death and Baboons in East Africa by Robert Sapolsky. This is a very irreverent book that makes me chortle out loud. Steve and I have read portions to each other like when we were driving to Houston for Thanksgiving and I began the book. Then I had him read me some as I was falling asleep (I go to sleep at 8pm--yeah! wake at five am FULLY RESTED-whoa!)

ha ha I just posted this video because I was trying to get a different one on here

more photos

 Here is Otis and Mickey talking with the Community Health Workers and the CH Extension worker who is a PhD in Public Health and Dr. Iube came --he is on the far right. There were about 11 lay workers who talked to us about the challenges of their work and the needs they have for the community. Nutrition was one of their main concerns.

Here is one of the extra rooms we rented for three months so the programmers have an alternate area to study during conference. They were a bit panicked to think they might have to take a vacation so soon after getting the computers out of storage in the TGD building. We started this satellite office with the older computers. We are still completely up and running in the Cornerstone building!

The Great Rift Valley with Otis, Mickey and Frank. We didn't buy anything. I was looking for kangas but they only had shukas.

Otis shows the team some cool stuff on the computer PLUS he brought a USB drive with a massive library of information. THANKS OTIS!

Cynthia cooked us a marvelous feast on the night we came into town. THANKS CYNTHIA!

Mickey out at Panadol's place where we tested the water at the hillside spring.

Facebook links to photoalbums again

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=563215&id=555375061&l=68c1a7912a


cut and paste them into your browser


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=565083&id=555375061&l=e1dcfcc39e

Brendah and Shaline

Brendah hugs Mama Violet, who has become a mother to her. Shaline lives with Mama Phanice. Praise God for widows who have taken these girls into their hearts.

Fridah

Pictures posted below and on facebook

We have our orphan support ready to go. We have worked out the program in Kenya. We have returned to the original idea of keeping them in their current homes. Yes, it will make administration difficult, but Titus' home is not in good condition. Once it was opened up to prepare for cleaning, it was clear that it was less than satisfactory after sitting for some time.  The well could end up costing significantly more than planned. The government seems to be eager to press the Mazungu to keep high standards, which may include various fees. I am not about to let the government corruption stop us from giving these children precious relief in their suffering. There aren't rules about them staying in the home. I can't let them nickle and dime me out of a program of support. I was never thrilled about the communal living, which solved some problems and created others.
True, there are a few children who need to get out of their homes. We'll work on that. Most of them could stay, though. The important thing is getting them in school and getting them more food. We had hoped to be sure they had fresh clean water and a variety of nutritious food choices. We will be buying large amounts of food for the family to receive each month. The start up costs have been saved up from the last three months of giving. They will get bed nets, mattresses, toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap, underwear, uniforms, school supplies and more. Then monthly they will recieve rice, beans, ugali, oil, eggs, oranges, and more. Pastor Joseph will earn five dollars of every 25 for purchasing and delivering these goods to the children monthly--it will be quite a task! He has already been monitoring and ministering to them for free, so this will feel like a reward to him. Praise God! We partner together for the work of God and His Kingdom.
Titus, in the meantime, is undertaking an orphanage. He has done well with the preschool and would like to expand the protection to more children. He'd like to build a girl's dorm and a boy's dorm. He'd like to expand the school to the 8th grade. We both agree that under the church umbrella, the government will not hound him but support him. It is better for his organization to undertake something that will be government supervised and monitored. He can sniff out a rat better than I can! He has friends that will help him know what is truly required and what is not. It will take him some time to get all the building completed, but we are in agreement with him in prayer. The need is unbelievable. The number of double orphans is so high and again, tons of children in dire straits with only one poverty stricken parent. There is so much abandonment among the poorest of poor, that many children are left as orphans with relatives who might have some parents alive somewhere but completely uninterested. Women, in particular, leave their children when the father dies. They find another man who can support them and he usually doesn't want the extra baggage of someone else's children. Very sad, but very common. It is life lived on the edge and in survival mode, morality takes a dive. Thankfully, there is strong community incentive for blood relatives to take in children in their extended family. We see it over and over. But that does not mean the child lives in any sort of comfort. They might get a corner of the floor.
I'll stick some photos up soon. I went to see several of the children. I love them so much but it is so awkward with the language barrier. I thank those of you who are so generous as to care for a child not your own whom you don't even get to see. That is the love of God in your heart. and my heart breaks for these children and God has brought your heart to heal here. Thank you so much. Love is life.

Pastor Bernard's new house--THANKS TO MEDINE'S CHURCH!!!

Pastor Bernard and his wife are so blessed. Here we are next to his home with the roof from Mama Medine's church. Such a gracious gift. He is overflowing with joy and gratitude. He was beside himself with happiness when I saw him in July after she had given him the gift and then it was built. they moved in joyously as the family was reunited after the flood. That little child on the hip is the adorable BABY Stephanie. Obviously, she is going to be a powerful woman of God declaring the Lord's glory to the nations and serving others in humility. We know that about Stephanies, right?! and Baby Anita's, too!!

Otis and Mickey Stanley with my fave clinical officer, Dr. Iube of Emusanda

Meeting with community leaders

We met with Caleb, head of the community committee, a liason for the hospital and community. Otis has the positions more accurately represented. I just smiled. :-)
Then the head nurse is behind Caleb in a white coat. On the other side of the tree was Dr. Kennedy. Beyond him was the sub-chief or the man in charge during the local chief's absence. Then we had many community leaders and community health workers in the audience. it was a great meeting. they asked for an x-ray machine and an ambulance. anyone out there got an x-ray machine?? Iguhu hospital is in need. I've given them the light box should one arrive.

Otis explaining the need for clean water. He tested 12 sites.

My favorite photo

This is Mickey Stanley with Nicole Lumwachi. HOW she got Nicole on her lap without treats or toys is beyond me. I guess it was Jesus. I love all the elements of this photo. It is a blessing to me.

SEVERAL DAYS WORTH---KEEP READING!

Nov 16th. Tuesday. busy, always busy. however, i’ve made a slower pace than usual. this has helped so much. 

today we gave away much of the personal type items that we brought in the container, plus Dr. Kennedy came in a vehicle to pick up what he could carry. a wheel chair, xray viewer lightbox, needles, sutures, gloves, more. 

we gave away some shirts that we got from Austin Samaritans because they were a misprint. they are a bright TGD blue. oh the students loved them! there was such great fun and celebration! we made a little video and they were so happy. i love them so much. 

We gave away bras. oh the women loved them! they were so happy! we had so many. wait until you see pictures. no one is wearing them--have no worries---they are holding them and smiling!

Otis and Mickey have taken the message of health to the community. I still think like a “medic” and Otis has to set me straight. I’m trying to align myself with much of their way of thinking because in principle, I agree. but habits die hard. and it just shows how much work we have to help others see what is needed. 

clean water, good latrines. My programming teacher, Joseph O. has typhoid--his first time. He takes Cipro.....which I have brought. of course, I need it in case I am ill, but I will leave it for the next one who is diagnosed. it is expensive.

we do so much all the time. mickey gave out cookies--does that count? ha ha! it is so fun to do it. the children love it. We took photos with Paul, Noel, and Ben. We got to give nutritional supplements to some loved ones with AIDS and some nutritionally compromised children and to an elderly woman who was recently quite ill and is still recovering.

I re-trained Catherine, programming teacher, on the midwife packet so she could re-train the midwives as they came for refills and give them kits. We will be making kits for Community Health Workers and giving them out when we arrange a training for them with the Community Health EXTENSION worker (a trained, paid professional who oversees the lay workers in the community.)

I gave away plenty of new mother items like diaper ointment, breast cream, and other items to Dorcas O., our top programming student who is a new mother to a tiny baby girl named Precious. I gave Rose some Bible song CDs from my mom and gave Alphabet posters and banners to Eunice from mom (mama Dot) and gave Pastor Joseph school supplies for his school of 70 students who train on one chalkboard together in the church building. (they do have a new latrine with a boys and a girls side.)

I gave toiletry items to all my TGD students and staff who were assembled and I gave some to the compound workers who were there.  It was fun. We were taxed ridiculously on those items---we might as well enjoy them! they cost us THOUSANDS! (horrors.)

but there are so many wonderful items. Dr. Kennedy loved the surgical sets and was scooping them up. There are alcohol wipes and sterile gloves and bandages that can go for midwives. There is providone iodine (betadine) and there is bathroom antibacterial agents. There are surgical gowns and disposable cloths and new baby sets and so much! wow! 

this will be such a help to the community. It was a tremendous privilege to be able to hand these out to people. I am so thankful to Mickey who has used some brain power to assist me. it is so much you can quickly get overwhelmed but you have to stay on track if this is going to get utilized well. 

God is good. I am thankful. Thank you to all of you who have contributed throughout the container process. it was long and costly but those items are headed to a local hospital and it is encouraging the people that there is HOPE! someone CARES! and it will undoubtedly save lives. 

the midwife kits from Only Believe Ministries have a sterile sharp to cut the cord and a plastic undersheet for the mamas. There are 500 of them and I have NO DOUBT that many lives will be saved because there is so much death here from Tetanus. Praise God that He has heard the cry of the families!

and a mother of children in the preschool died yesterday. she was early in her pregnancy and she died from high blood pressure. Thankfully, her children have a father  who is alive. They live on the road that we are on---so they are neighbors and friends. Oh it is sad. I wish we could have done something sooner! I have blood pressure monitors here. oh it is hard the way the people die so easily, quickly and frequently. 

Be thankful. Thank God for what you have. You are blessed. You were born in a country of plenty and have plenty all around. 

Nov 17th Wednesday morning. I had a good night although terrible dreams about major catastrophe with some alien type being coming to kill and destroy people in mass. My stomach has done well--I have not had any sickness. We are mostly eating only at the hotel or grocery store, so there is little exposure to certain types of germs. 

Poor Joseph O. has Typhoid and now Mickey and Otis have insisted he not come around others until he has completed his course of antibiotics. He doesn’t like to sleep when he is ill--I think he may fear dying at some unconscious level. He was eager to come up to Cornerstone at his leisure, but they insisted he stay away. He will be quite lonely. Let’s see if he can keep it up. 

It is quite a different trip to remain in the Golf Hotel. There is very little difficulty like this. I am enjoying it. Maybe I’ll go this route each time? But it does cost me more and so I have to weigh it out. I’m keeping such a light schedule with the Stanley’s here.  We often return to the hotel by 5 or 6pm and do very little in the evening. I could schedule more for myself but it is such a light pace that AGAIN....I am thinking perhaps this is a better way! Even like this I have not had quite enough time to download each day and recharge, I have not had time to type out a reporting of the days events, but instead I have used the extra time to SLEEP. Imagine! Sleep! what a concept. I think it is good. and the Golf Hotel is so cool at night. I am never hot. I spend a little time in reflection and some time reading scripture or reviewing some Swahili. I have not prayed much--it is as if this time is not so much the time of prayer as the time for action. I pray at home. I am counting on you at home to pray. I am counting on Steve to pray for me for protection. I know I will pray for Ed and Anita when they come. I pray with my team or in the churches from time to time during my visit. This has been less of a ministry focused trip although every action for others is a ministry and every suffering for Jesus is a ministry. If I get discouraged, I think of Hebrews 12: consider Him who endured such hostility by sinners against himself so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. and I have not yet resisted sin to the point of shedding blood. No. So I resist sin by loving others and working for those who may not always understand me. Many here want assistance from me and do not understand why I cannot give something to them personally. I get many requests---although significantly less than has been common in the past.

The women were really happy about the bras. We set up one of the rooms in the Trinity Global Development building so that the boxes were high enough that the men passing by as they carried wood to the back rooms would not see in. The women could sort of put the bra up to themselves and gauge if it was going to work for them. Each of them got more than two- I think all American women would agree that you need more than one or two! They must be washed and they wear out. The women here appreciated the generosity. There were so many to choose from! Some were a little on the wild side--i was not sure if I should even bring those--but I decided that they should come if they were given. I hate to be known as the bra lady but I do think that women should have the opportunity to dress modestly. It is respectful. God approves!

Praise God and All Glory to Him for all He is doing here! I just stand in amazement as I passed out children’s tylenol and toothpaste and lotion. Lotion is really appreciated here and soap is good. these are NOT things that we need to buy in the USA, though. We need to buy local products. 

Soon I will make a list of things I would like to gather here with USA funds. I will be making kits for Community Health Workers and for Traditional Birth Attendants. I would like to raise funds to buy the local brand of tylenol because they know how to use it. If I bring something else, they don’t know it is the same things. The population of workers are not necessarily educated, so we don’t want to do anything that might be confusing. Simplicity and familiarity work best. The birth attendants are already requesting gloves, a sterile sharp, and something to put the birthing mother upon. We also are adding the importance of soap, clean ties for the cord, and some blanket for the baby. Poor women do not prepare properly. They may not even have the recommended four prenatal visits.  They need to have tests run but they resist the cost. The whole cost of having a baby at Iguhu Hospital is 500 kenyan shillings or about $6. 

I am keeping some scales, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and other valuable items for monitoring. We could also bring some dip sticks which give plenty of diagnostic information, but they need to stay out of the heat---quite a challenge here.  We have gloves and gauze and we need some women’s feminine products for after the birth. We have some basins. We have betadine liquid and alcohol wipes. We have plenty of ace bandages (don’t need those for births, though!)

Did I mention I was hit on the head? I was in the TGD building and we have a large round table --about 60 inches diameter---and when we moved some boxes, it came crashing down and smashed my head. OH MY GOODNESS, it hurt and I was thinking in a flash that I was about to probably fall to the ground or start crying, but no. Nothing. It hurt but not in some weird way. So I thought ice would be good because surely it was going to be hurting insanely any moment. No. It didn’t . But Mickey was quick on the draw. She knew exactly where there was a disposable ice pack. She got it and activated it and we put it on my head. I thought I should sit down in case anything happened, but nothing. It hurt for one brief moment and I am still amazed that I am fine. It was a terrible accident and yet I am not hurt. Definitely in the miracle category. Even now I feel my head and there is no soreness--now that is impossible! So I thank and glorify Jesus. Angels must have assisted in some way. There is no natural explanation.

I want to tell stories about other people but they are hard to think about. Ummmm...Titus’ mom is visited by Dr. Iube (EYE--yube) and Abigail, the nurse, is Titus’ mom’s sister! that is wild to me. Abigail and Dr. Iube give her home visits. Even Dr. Kennedy went to give her a home visit after seeing us and packing his vehicle. 

I am sure that the Kenyans might like if I gave thing away more ceremoniously, but I would rather just give it. I think it might add more respect to the giving if I did it in a ceremony, but in the USA, we have little ceremony except at beginnings and endings. In politics, there is so much ceremony and I am just not a political girl. My citizenship is in heaven, however, and I await the ceremony there.

Pastor Steve and Pastor Stanley were married in Christian ceremonies in August. The brides wore white gowns and had attendants and much of what we have in the USA. It is a big costly affair but the men were also ordained in the same service. Now they wear the collar of a priest. I saw pictures where Titus had a very intense get up like a POPE! He had the tall hat and a cape. Even here when the Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister came, he wore some authoritative gowns. 

Rose is happy to be home, but she misses KFC chicken. ME TOO! I love original recipe legs. She ministered in several churches. She brought home gifts from friends. She enjoyed the changing colors of the trees--so beautiful and vast. She visited the Shawnee Forest where Mickey and Otis live. The cold was difficult. She had to wear a turtleneck and then a dress over that, then a light sweater and then a coat. you never need that here. Maybe a dress and a sweater occasionally in mornings and evenings. Rose made a great lunch for us with Kuku, chungwa, chumvi, (rice,) scucuma wike, chapati, and more. She looks rested and happy. I know she will be glad to see Titus come home.

November 19.

Yesterday we met with the CHEW and the CHWs and Dr. Iube. We loaded things to go to Dr. Kennedy’s hospital in Iguhu and we loaded things for the Mukhaleri Clinic near Pastor Juma and for Emusanda Clinic up the road from Cornerstone--which is our community of Shibuli.

Also, I had many women come and get some bras for their family and friends. I think I told them four and they came out with maybe 10 each. But I know they will share them and trade them as gold. Anne really needed one so I was happy to give her a chance. Evelyn Wumlachi and Doreen got some and all my TGD students and staff got some. I think I sent Florence in there and Eunice. Lydia came to get bras. Her face is completely healed--she had Bell’s palsy but looks great now.  So many women got to share in the blessing and the extra go to the women’s meeting in Isongo on Saturday. 

I am pretty well worn out. I have not had the typical long days of all day Trinity work and all day church work because the Stanley’s were so good about ending the day early. They kept a relaxed pace and I think it really worked wonders for me. God used that time to give me SLEEP and strength. I had time to think and regroup as each new challenge came up. We had a lot of decisions to make as we learned that the clinic was not going to be feasible under these circumstances. There were great sanitation challenges on the current compound and we have no way to get more land. There was the government challenges as an outside NGO. I think the government is usually so glad to get extra help and when a local is doing good work, they will lower the standards, but Muzungus are kept to a higher standard (which really should be the normal standard.) Since I saw the lower standards, I hoped we could make a clinic work and our standards on cleanliness would be an improvement! But we would have no way to assure that drugs were used properly and not stolen. There is so much theft here and many people think of things in their environment as if they are there own to share with others. We can’t afford such liberties with drugs, which can kill.  Those were some of my deepest concerns. Plus, a clinic would demand an increase in donations---how am I supposed to create that? I just rely on God but He just wants us blessing the community in the way of giving to the health community and encouraging their own efforts. We were happy to give the sonogram machine to Dr. Iube and we gave so many other things...hospital beds and blood pressure monitors and several weird machines that were unknown to us---to Dr. Kennedy. We have many supplies for Dr. Iube and for midwives and community health workers. I made some bags. Even some baby bags for Emelda and Janenite to use when they complete their nursing courses. 

I doubt that I gave a good explanation here, but know that the computers are a great treasure here and the medical supplies were loved by all. My hopes of a maternity clinic are dashed but I know God used the hope in me to drive the efforts it took to get some materials here. 

We are thankful to Medical Bridges and to Austin Samaritans for their equipment and supplies. At Emusanda clinic, we took one whole Land Cruiser packed full of boxes of supplies to them and returned to load the sonogram machine and sort out some personal items for the TGD students and staff. When we returned a few hours later, they had already put away the supplies from the morning at Emusanda. They were so happy and thankful! I was so overjoyed to be the bearer of such good news! it really is fun to go around delivering things that make people so happy. It really is fun to tell someone--hey, American women have given bras to you--go and take a look!  and they come back smiling and singing. AMEN!  and yes, I did get pictures of women holding bras. now, the woman at Panadol’s church who really inspired the drive was no where to be found. I didn’t see her on this visit. I pray God has made a way for her to be supported! 

The Trinity students were blessed. There were so many boxes of lotion, shampoo, sanitary pads, diapers, blankets, socks, and other items that we were seriously taxed on. How good it was to see them eager to pick these things up! We placed them all in one room and opened boxes and set them out on tables and against the walls. Then one by one, in order of student ranking after the leadership team, the students came in to pick ONE item. Then they went out, placed it in some spot they had chosen and got back in line in order. After some time--we did that at least five times, we increased the items to FIVE each time and we went through the line again maybe twice, possibly three times. Then I gave each person 30 seconds to go through and get what they could. Even everyone made it through once. Then I did Walter and Frank at the same time, Henry and Catherine at the same time (we made a special pile for Joseph O. because he is home with Typhoid.) Then the top two students, next top two, then the next few, then the last few and we were all done. 

I always have so many things to leave with them like.....cliff barts, a small five dollar walmart lantern with batteries, a pack of batteries I didn’t use, ketchup I bought to put on fries, ovaltine i never used, bisquick steve sent me from home last time that came after I left, kleenex tissues, cold medicine, no brand nyquil, ibuprofen, tylenol, soaps from the hotels, shampoo from hotels, wash cloths, band-aids, sewing kits, and pens. I like to lay them out on the table and let them pick one by one. it’s fun. I leave my old suitcases. I bring purses I don’t use as much. I might bring an old pair of shoes (not this time.)

I make much of it because it was a wonderful day of fun and blessing for my team and students! I dismissed them all and headed back to town. We gave a bassinet to Frank as he has a baby on the way and lives in the city (it’s not really an appropriate piece for a mud hut.) He is tickled to get it! He was so funny as we sorted things out for Dr. Kennedy or Dr. Iube or midwives or for TGD or for us. We have an unbelievable load of tape---he wanted to keep it. There was some funny piece of something--we didn’t know what it was---he said, “keep it. we can use it for something.” and he cracked me up. He didn’t want anything to go out away from the community.  and while its true that we laughed about it, it is also what Steve and I were thinking. It is a hard line to make when deciding what to bring. It seems like they have such great need that at home in the USA, I hate to throw away anything or give it to Salvation Army when I could bring it to Kenya. But you can only take so much luggage. it is heavy, troublesome and it costs. so it stays home. 

but when we got things from Austin Samaritan’s, they gave us some things that were expired and we were not sure what to do with those. do we even bring junk into the homes of our friends? Would they be offended and think we think less of them? but with a memory of hard times, we considered that even something useless could be given a new purpose with some creativity. We threw it all in and brought it.

I’m glad I did. I definitely wish that I had the ability to get most of it to the best destination, but I am glad that there is so many ways that these items can be a blessing.

Now the computers? they are amazing and I have to buy extension cords and some other things so they can use them. Those students are so excited that it cannot be explained. I think the whole community is excited that they have them nearby. I pray we can get that building finished and bring people in!! 

NOV 20th: Saturday

I’m in my room resting. I have had time to pray and read scripture and meditate on the Lord. It’s been rejuvenating. I think I will come on short visits from now on, rent a car, and stay at the Golf Hotel. It really makes for a pleasant trip. It can maybe be Monday through Friday and I’ll do a Wednesday out at Ebulechia Church. There was a funeral for a local leader going on when I visited which reduced attendance. I think Peter Washika presides over Pastor Wycliffe’s church? or is it Pastor Bernard Masoso? 

Bernard is so thankful to Mama Medine’s church. He has the biggest smile. His house was rained out in the floods of spring and I’m sure he felt so hopeless. His family was farmed out and separated and imposing on others. Now they live in one big house. I think his wife is over the women’s ministry somewhere. I’ll have to check with Joseph. I don’t remember meeting her before. I loved meeting little Stephanie! I remember when Bernard was an associate pastor but then he was over Shianda--that’s a hard church in a Muslim area that has seen many come to Christ anew. That means plenty of family conflict. I can’t imagine what sorts of issues come up in a church like that.

I went to the bank yesterday to close the original account we opened with Steve, Titus, Rose and Me. It has been drawing on the funds there for monthly fees and Henry just told me. I tried to close it when we were here last time--I don’t know why it is still opened. I went to the bank yesterday and the line was about 30 people long. I have never seen it so long. There were maybe 2 or three tellers for all those people. There were many people waiting in the area of Eunice’s desk, but I didn’t see Eunice. There is another desk there and the women seated was unfamiliar to me. She had customers she was speaking with. I looked around for other areas that might be possible. There were some offices against the other wall but it didn’t look like what I needed. How to even get someone to ask??? So I got in the shortest line....the one where you check your balance. It is called “Enquiries.” There were three people ahead of me...I was in for a wait. But I kept looking around and looking at that unfamiliar lady. Finally, she was getting up and headed into the back of the bank which is closed off to customers by a door with an alarm. She looked at me long. She was looking at the Muzungu. I used the occasion to lock eyes with her so as not to be interrupting but to get attention. When she realized I was staring right back, I said, “Excuse me, is Eunice in?” but she was not in at all on this day. I asked if I needed to speak with her to close one of my accounts. She said I was in the right line for it. HALLELUJAH! now that was fortuitous! Praise the Lord. I also needed to exchange US dollars for Kenyan shillings but that was not going to happen. 

When i got up to the teller, I told him my dilemma. We were four of us and only I was available. I was leaving town and my husband was in the USA. Titus was out of town. could I fill something out to close the account? He asked what my account number was. I told him I did not know. Could he look it up? He asked for my bank card and I told him it had been hijacked. Curiously, he did not even bat an eye at this! He asked for my passport. I said I forgot to bring it (now I look so bright, right? ) and I gave him my Texas Drivers License (surely as good as a passport, right?) and he could see my picture and my signature. His computer looks me up and he can see my signature, so he asked me to sign a piece of paper--which then he matched to my license and my bank record. a match, yes. 

So he had me write a letter to say what I wanted to do and to sign it. then Titus needs to come in next week and do the same. I pray we get it done this time!

We still have the account with Henry. The bank cards were cancelled but the account is open and it is how I wire funds each month. Now Henry never goes to the bank alone. Someone takes him on a motorcycle, which is much safer. Whoever those robbers were, they still know he is around and where they found him and how much money he had ($1000.)

Nov 20: Saturday 2nd Entry

Why did the chicken cross the road? To show the armadillo that it could be done.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit out in his boat on the lake all day drinking beer.

True Story from Otis: Abe Lincoln moved to a new town in Illinois where a man was notorious for being the ugliest man alive. The big ugly man heard that Abe Lincoln was even uglier and he had to see for himself. When he saw Abe, he told him, “ I am going to have to kill you because you are uglier than me!” and Abe replied, “Sir, if I am uglier than you, I deserve to die.” And because he spoke well, they became the best of friends.

After we dropped off the ultrasound machine up the road at the Emusanda Clinic, we were driving down the hill. A beautiful rooster was on my side of the road and was startled by our approach. Right as we came to him, he darted in front of the vehicle. It seemed to me he had no where to go but under! I gasped, frightened. Oscar and Don were in the back of the car and quickly assured me that the rooster had made it across and they were even then looking right at him. Frank laughed that I would be so scared for the rooster. He told me that the chickens in the area were very clever. They were rarely killed in the road. He said, “ I thought you only cared about the chickens whose names were known to you.” I had told him that I could eat chickens, but not when they were pets. Although my daughter Sarah refused to eat the chicken given to me feeling it was cruel, I could have eaten that one as long as I had PLANNED on eating it. If by chance I considered a chicken a sweet pet, then forget it. I would not want to eat any pet.

The interesting thing about that is that the passover lamb was to be taken in the house in the year before it was eaten. This sweet lamb was to be loved by the children and cared for all year. It was this sweet little lamb that was slaughtered at passover and eaten. This lamb was the picture of Jesus, a sweet beloved son of Israel and our Savior and King. He comes hurting no one and yet is slaughtered for our protection and forgiveness forever. Jesus is no stranger, he is the beloved Son that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. I think of the pain it caused the children to slaughter the lamb and it mirrors the pain of the Father to put all our sin on Jesus. I am thankful! I am thankful that my beloved Jesus died for me!

Nov 20: Third entry Saturday. 

I’ve come down to pay my bill. I get the local rate of 3800 ksh which is 50 a night. It cost me about 664 to stay here for 14 days plus a small amount of food. I only had three other charges...one for 280 ksh (milk and pasta), one for 50 ksh (milk), and one for 800 ksh ( I didn’t know it was so much--like 10 dollars to let Frank eat breakfast...I would have made him EAT MORE FOOD at that price!)  So I’ve saved plenty of money. I’ve hardly eaten. I bought some cokes one time and I think I bought one or two meals at the  Nakumatt restaurant. It’s low priced considering how good it is. Today I have eaten corn flakes in my room and before that I ate the trail mix steve bought me in my care package that arrived in July as I left for home.

I’m going to take Frank and Cynthia to eat at Nakumatt and I’m getting fried chicken. I think I will come home and eat some original recipe KFC legs which have a little meat on them. The chickens here are quite scrawny, but I’m thankful for them. and I don’t know their names.

There was the great stork out on the lawn this morning. He and his pal were walking along slowly away, and I wanted a photo. 

here today gone tomorrow

I am ready to come home. hard to believe. but Steve is home and i am not. we've had quite a month. and then there is much happening here and I think I'd like to have a peaceful rest. We did have a nice vacation day in the kakamega forest today where we saw some monkeys in the trees. we went with pastor joseph, pastor stanley and pastor steve. I learned new luhya words. khutsie--come on-let's go like twende. and I already learned jeribu in swahili means trying. shoot. i learned other words that I've forgotten already. but it was a good day and the trees and plants were beautiful. Mickey sends the message that they are doing well and having a wonderful time. tomorrow we will give the medical equipment to dr. kennedy for Iguhu hospital and his home clinic. we will try to meet the community health extension worker and we will give information to pass to his lay workers in the community homes. we will give some nutritional supplements to sharon, an orphan with aids, to praxcidia's husband at ebulechia, to titus' mom, and to Dr. Iub at Emusanda for infants.

We have set up a small shop in the little township called "Center." We are setting up some computers in the same Cornerstone room. Some people gossiped that Mama Stephanie was leaving Cornerstone--my goodness it is always some negative chatter around here to make you crazy. I shared from the pulpit about how we love Titus and we are family and no one is going anywhere! No one is upset and we are here in Shibuli and staying here.
We had the most wonderful day with Joseph's church yesterday. How I love them all so much. Mama Theresa, Mama Violet, Mama Phanice (who wasn't there but I saw her today.) The girls danced for us, WE danced, it was such a joy. Pastor Joseph danced. I saw myself on video and was a bit sick to watch it. UGLY! FAT! but let me tell you---JOY IN THE LORD --JOY WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!! I was in heaven and having a great time. It was great to see Praxcidia (no idea how to spell it) and to see Pastor Bernard who is so happy and thankful how Mama Medine heard his terrible situation when the floods came and washed away part of his home. Her church donated funds that his house would be rebuilt and it is a FINE home! Bigger and with a tin roof. how happy he and his wife are!! and they have BABY STEPHANIE!!!  I confess it is my great joy to see beautiful little baby Stephanie! and now she will get to play with several baby Anita's! really, it is not about fame or popularity, but it is a joy to know someone has named their child after you! It is easy enough since they take their AFrican names from family but they can give our Christian name. Oh how I pray that Baby Stephanie is a mighty woman of God and a minister in her community and to the world. may she grow up educated. and you can be sure, I will watch over her. she is precious.  and so is Precious. How we love Precious Lumwachi! she is a darling! and even Nicole was so sweet to me this time. and she actually warmed to Mickey immediately----which is a great honor. Nicole is slow to warm but Mickey somehow won her over.

i have not posted. i was on facetime with Steve. how awesome! we spent one hour over the internet wi-fi in the golf hotel. yes, talking out loud together in the lobby. the other day we had the luxury of the signal reaching my room. i wish that would continue!

today was a good service. when they got up to name different leaders and such, I knew almost everyone by NAME! i love so many people! and you know, people are not dying this time! hallelujah! someone is praying! and also, I have not had so many people telling me their hardship story. i was telling otis and mickey they were getting off easy. not even any beggars!!! and then, after I said it, two young boys came up to the car with hands out. but here is not so bad as Nairobi and not so bad as India. you do not get mobbed. even if you have candy and they run to you, you are not overwhelmed. they keep a measure of composure. the children here are generally pleasant and open hearted. although it was disconcerting for Evangeline to have the car load come to her home. Her father's sister keeps her and she was frowning nearly the whole time, when she is usually such a beautiful smiley girl. but praise God that she has a sponsor.

oh it was so good to go to the children. awkward, yes, I cannot always speak to all of them. they know who i am, though. today I saw fridah and gladys. it was good to have fridah come and eat with the grownups. i like it. and then sharon came to me. I had some people who had said they would sponsor sharon, who has AIDS. she is florence's ward. but i was not even going to take her into my program because too many resources could drain away from children like gladys who have a long and healthy future ahead of them, even the potential to go to college and be community leaders in the future. there are so many orphans here, and so much need. Even Ruth, who is Doreen's husband's sister's daughter. the sister died and now Ruth lives with the grandma. so common. I really like ruth. or Anne's brothers or sister's child or children live with her. she works for Titus as a house girl making some small amount but feeds her children and those left orphaned.  These are not in our plan. there is also diamond, I took photos of her. her mother takes care of her but wanted support since the father died. diamond is a precious little girl. but she is not on the program to be sponsored. there would be no end to children in line if I just opened up to everyone.

but can you imagine when Sharon came to me (not the Sharon that we have in the program, but the Sharon with AIDS.) She is a girl of about 13. She is small and she is covered with some skin problem. She actually looked better than usual. But she asked to speak with me. I told her I did not have a sponsor for her. she knew someone who had told her they would be her sponsor, but that person, when I talked to them, had decided to sponsor some children in Haiti instead. what can I do? I cannot do for all. I told her to pray. but there are many like her. there is another girl named Sharon who goes to church with Fridah and Gladys. She followed us around when we went to this church and those girls were with her. she followed when I invited them to come eat with me. and what could I say? You! Go away! sometimes you do say such a thing, it is awful, but not that time. and I could see how she looked at me. i was wondering....is she an orphan? or does she just want school fees? I didn't dare ask. don't open the flood gate. oh it is painful work to be here sometimes.

but on tuesday we will be giving so much good equipment and supplies to Dr. Kennedy for his home clinic and the hospital in Iguhu, Kakamega District. they have great need. he runs a good place and keeps things so clean. he is such a good doctor and prays for each patient. he is compassionate --something often lacking in a place where doctors are overworked and under-resourced.

tomorrow we go to kakamega forest. i have never taken the day off to go there. I'm going to do it. then I will be able to show Steve where it is.

we are also moving wood out of the school building where we had stored it for the time. WE NEED TO FINISH THE SECOND FLOOR AND PUT THE ROOF UP!! Please consider giving to our building so that we can set up the computers and let the community learn new skills. Even if we trained enough people then some employer could come to the area and take advantage of a newly trained workforce! the whole community will benefit. even when there are jobs here, someone from the outside gets the job because they have training, but we need the locals to get the good jobs. Please help us finish this project. we have many materials needed to make much of it. but we also need money to pay workers. Titus will be home to oversee the work and help us get the most for our money. Please tell your friends!

so much good is going on around here. God bless you and I pray you are able to donate even some $20 to the projects we have going on here. www.TGDonline.com  God will bless you abundantly as you consider the poor here and remember the orphan and widow in their distress.

Mama Anita will be coming in December and can bring your donation to the people, if you prefer. What has God put on your heart?

Got the computers out

we got several computers out of the TGD building.  oh i cannot think.

Where to start?

Already 100 things have happened and I did not write it down. Beautiful countryside today with the lush green trees and fields and the people in colorful clothing and sometimes dusty and dirty all along the roads. Stepping out of the way for the car going by, I wave and smile while looking into children's eyes--they light up as they make eye contact and for just that moment-we are together in time connected. such a joy. they are so receptive.
we saw water everywhere. there have been the rains. water swirling, rushing and muddy brown but joyful. the dirt roads with huge puddles like pools for goats. the sky so blue with white puffy clouds and then turning grey and glooming making the bright green turn deep and rich. oh to have my long lens camera--but I only took the small pocket one-which makes flat photos and doesn't catch the beauty of my friends.

Oh when we came to Shibuli (Cornerstone) yesterday, the preschool had the long parade and the tgd students and even the choir! they welcomed us with the christmas tinsel necklace but first as I pulled up and got out the car, my heart leapt and the lump in my throat as my heart swelled with love. Me? yes, i'm a crier sometimes but it is not like me to cry at greeting or leaving. so I was surprised. just so much emotion. so happy to be back. so many prayers for my friends. so much longing to help them more and more because the need is so great. I know the suffering, I know the loss. I know the trouble, even the conflicts. I know the weakness. I love them all. I love them with real Jesus love and real human affection. Very dear to me. Those sweet children. I love them so much but when I get with them, the language and lack of real deep relationship makes it so awkward!! even as I greeted my beloved orphans--what to say? no real conversation. but emotion--so intense. so profound. I lay my life down for them. and yet....not. and yet I sit in my comfortable house with my comfortable life and I go along as if all is well. In heaven, it is well. and one day, all will be well. I have cause to rest in Him.
Today 137 children learned to brush their teeth courtesy of Mickey Stanley. Oh we had so much fun! she had a model mouth from a dental assistant friend. I marveled. I love that stuff. she used it to demonstrate. TGD students assisted us and translated. Lawrence is a marvelous translator! He has a beautiful booming voice and has excellent command of English and Swahili even though his native language is Luhya.
I have spoken with the team and had some hard conversations, but I have also enjoyed giving them a chance to talk to me about the stresses we all went through with the container. It is just so good to connect and hear their hearts and troubles. Steve made videos for them.
Oh and the clinic. you know, no one seems to give any donations for the clinic specifically. Now I am really delving into the particulars with the help of Otis and Mickey's research and knowledge. I will just have to pray and seek the Lord afresh. We are waiting on their debriefing to decide if we should even consider moving forward. the government here insists on the great need. they are so supportive. i asked them what would happen if i had to close one month due to lack of donations. the sanitation officer was so compassionate. he said, "We all know about shortages. There is no penalty. We only want to know that you hope to reopen soon." because with sporadic giving, how can I commit to something if I will be held liable? I only want to help. I only want to give. I intend no harm. yet, harm can occur.
Everyone here wants the clinic so bad. Emelda and Janenite are going to refresher school (at Anita's expense--and unasked!) to be prepared to work there.
but Otis and Mickey have come to "keep Stephanie out of trouble." and perhaps I must remember that I cannot get ahead of God. That was Medine's word to me as she left. I have taken it to heart.
We shall see.

well, Otis has given me some insight. He told me that if you give a man a fish, he eats for a day, but if you teach him to fish, he will spend all day fishing on the lake with a six pack of beer. Hmmmmn. I never thought of that.

Otis has been testing the water. we went to panadols. They have a wonderful church there built by pastor Chad's church. We crossed the bridge and Otis slipped while trying to help a lady across. Oops! He did not fall in the water. but to test the water, we found the spring where they draw. I never knew they had a spring. I have always worried about them getting that water from the lake. it was good to see panadols wife. she is so fun. she is the one who walked 20 miles for 7 hours ONE WAY in order to learn to sew and now she has her own sewing machine.

You know, we did so much yesterday, but I don't remember the day. really. it was long. i got to bed late. i remember that i fell asleep trying to read technical documents that intrigued me. Otis gave me such wonderful material. I just LOVED IT. so maybe I'm not in my PhD program, but this was reminiscent of those days. A big stack to cover in a week. Just my cup of tea. well, maybe once upon a time. but I am determined to enjoy these things.

Also today, Otis did some work with our TGD team related to educational material.

OH MY GOODNESS> i am here in the lobby of Golf waiting for Frank to return -=i had him take emelda and janenite--and this guy is listening to music really loud. so disruptive! aahhhhgggg. ok. maybe he stopped. praise God. Jesus sent someone to give him a phone call. he was giving me a migraine .

my neck is sore from driving all over those bumpy roads. but we had A/C ! YES! what a luxury. oh yeah. what a luxury. i am so grateful.

oh yeah, I was saying I was reading technical documents related to health process -= community entry in kenya with a health dispensary and I fell asleep accidently. I woke to a mosquito buzzing in my ear. oh that is a joy (not.)

i want to sleep in tomorrow so bad! but we getting up early. what did we do yesterday? I don't know.
I saw Agnes on the road as we drove home from Gladys. How crazy! I am across the world and I run into someone I know. So many wonderful friends. So many beautiful people. So many lives interconnected. how happy I am.

Little Ben at the preschool today was in rags. He has no clothes besides his uniform and it is NOT making it. he looked hideous. but he made eye contact with me and smiled. I hope he recognizes me. Little Noel is growing up. How come she looks so healthy and changed and he looks like a ragamuffin? They live with the same grandma.

which reminds me of Panadols wife coming out and body slamming Mickey. Even without seeing because I was on the other side of the SUV, I heard the running, screaming joy, and the thud--then Mickey trying to be kind and recover while greeting. The enthusiasm runs over! Even the grandma to Jane, Lillian, and Vivian. So happy and so talkative in her language right to us....but we didn't understand. I used my little words---but I am so very rusty. I cannot remember my Luhya.

oh , i must stop. so tired. so tired. pray for me, friends. pray for our team. we need strength. our schedule has been rigorous, as usual. and always Joseph asks me if I can visit one more. so we left early morning and it is8:20 ---which seems so early to you--but when you've been riding the African roads, you need sleep.

Tonight, we should transition to this time zone fully.  (in the name of Jesus)

I miss Steve. I miss my puppies. I'm hoping my children are well and happy. I want them to love Jesus more and more and serve Him with their life. Let it be so.

God bless you. Pray that God prospers the Kenyan community here through Trinity Global Development and Cornerstone church, In jesus name. Pray we love one another, serve one another, forgive one another. Pray we love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. What have we done for ourselves today? Have we done that same thing for another? Maybe it is time to do so.

I love this place. I feel like everything I do has importance. Nothing mundane here. Nothing simple except my Swahili. Way too simple but I'm trying!

posting in my sleep. I knew I could talk in my sleep, but type? hmmn

November 8 -I think? MONDAY. I know it is monday.

we went to Ihuhu. Don showed us around. caleb was a community representative. we are going to meet with Dr. Kennedy again and he will bring the local chief. We are going to do a brush in for all the children. I have to meet with the team. I have those bras that the women are waiting for. I get to bring out the six used computer/monitors and get the students working on them. 

With Otis and Mickey here, I dare to hope we can be a viable compliment to the community health services. At a minimum, we need public health messages. Otis really stresses the wells. I wish Steve could be here with us because I don’t want anything to be lost in the transfer of information. But tonight it occurred to me that I could get him to discuss it with me on video! then I could watch it to harvest the nuggets and Steve could get the whole conversation as it happened.

We had a great meal with cynthia. I mentioned that in the blog but the blog was so rushed. Now this is me downloading from my brain. We entered some sort of twilight consciousness as the evening fell upon us. I stumbled out onto the grass and could not keep my footing. It was as if my brain could not give me the messages. and I WAS THINKING OF DRIVING? ha ha! Good thing Frank had already cornered me into being taken by planning with his brother, Robert, who then left so there was no turning back. And we are alive today, so apparently it was the right choice. :-)

I love it here. I love the difficult parts. what is it that comes over me? I think i am just constantly proving to myself that I love Jesus and adore sacrifice for Him. He is our God! He is Jesus! and Kenya is totally cool. I have compassion for the suffering. I want to be part of the solution, I do what I can do. these thoughts go through my head continually. and there is no wavering. I know this is right, regardless of fruit, calling, purpose or any deliberation. I am with God in this. My husband is with God in this. Those two together are a sum total! 

Okay, so on Day 1 (or let’s call it Day 2!) No one has died and no one has specifically come to me to ask for something in particular. Freedom! 

I have an awful allergy response that has not calmed down. It is very thick --even though I am drinking water--and choking me and intense stuffy times and little runny times. Definitely not an infection--I would not be this spry (well i guess i was not spry in the dark on the uneven grass and through the mud puddle which seemed to beg me to slip on in.)

 oh goodness. sleep is creeping into my veins and collapsing them, insisting on a full night’s rest. Ok, body. I hear you. Can my mind agree? Please? Body and Mind, be at peace. Holy Spirit rule in my spirit with your peace. May my life glorify the Lord Jesus!

Oh how loving I am as I drift off. so loving .....deliriously loving with songs in the night.

1st full day in Kenya

so here I am in my hotel room with wi-fi. I was able to post last nights entry. I'm blessed. Great day today.
we drove from Nairobi through Nakuru, through Kisumu, over the terrible roads to Kakamega. We stopped in to see Dr. Kennedy and he was able to get the pharmacist, Don, to give us an excellent tour for Otis and Mickey. It was great. They are in need of water and land. it is so expensive to build a building UPWARDS (don't I know it!) and they want to add land and build one story buildings. They need a man unit because they have labor/maternity and pediatrics. They have a Comprehensive Care Clinic which is devoted to AIDS. He explained many things about AIDS that Otis was understanding. I got lost on the particulars of medication as I am not familiar with those words. I just say or think retrovirals. He said that children who were started young on treatment have grown to the fifth grade and are doing well. If a mother has AIDS, they put her on medication immediately and her baby as soon as it comes.
It was a low patient day, which was interesting. The chart on the wall was informative to them in ways differently than I understood. We will go speak with the sanitation officer tomorrow and hopefully get up to Emusanda clinic. Mickey has planned a brush-in for the preschoolers---won't that be precious!?!
They'll get to see the clinic building and all the storage.
We had a fun time of sharing and learning on the long drive. I drove to Kisumu but started worrying that fatigue could become costly so I let Frank drive. He did a great job--it is pretty hard because the speed bumps appear out of nowhere when you are scanning for potholes. they are not painted so you just run into them. Definitely does its job of slowing you down!
I am unsure what to write because I worry the wi-fi will quit and I will lose what I've posted.
so it is just spilling out as fast as possible.
We ate at Frank's house. Cynthia made us a delicious feast! They got to try Chapati, the tortilla. There were greens and an onion/tomato dish I like that I've seen frequently. The chicken was a very plump, delicious chicken. I appreciate all her hard work. It would have taken a LONG TIME just to cut up those foods, not to mention all of the watching over pots and adding ingredients. THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO CYNTHIA.
I've got to remember to keep my mouth shut so they can tell me what I do not know. I find that my few trips here give me the impression that I know much (and I have learned many things by my own questions!) and I should let Frank tell in his own way. But I answered many questions for him. (not surprised?? )
I think the long road after the long flight may have been much on Mickey--only because you don't expect it. It was a fun day with much to see and I know I got brain overload on my first trips. We should all sleep so well. We will do a half day tomorrow and then get in as much as possible after that.
Otis felt very informed by the trip to Iguhu Hospital and wasn't interested in another government

OH I'm posting. I lost connectivity for one scary moment. I will just finish by saying we can cut some hospitals off our to-do list which probably will free us up quite a bit.

I wish I had the brains to be more descriptive. I would say, "Let me tell you what He has done for me, He has done for you, He has done for us." I see the great generosity of USAID and of Global.....global something. It seemed that much was given by these organizations. Praise God for helping others!

In Kakamega! Golf Hotel with wi-fi reaching my room---cool

Hi everyone! I love you! I'm so happy! we had a great day. I have some blog I wrote last night :

November 8. Hours and hours in a plane and in airports. I get restless to get on with it but the minutes tick by slowly. I left my home just before 9:30 am in Austin, TX Saturday. I arrived here in Nairobi at 8:30pm Sunday. I didn’t make it to my room until after 10:30 and I think i was able to lay down by 11pm--Sunday 2pm Austin time. ahhhhhh. To be laying flat means all that blood goes where it wants to go! ahhhh. I snuggled into my pillows and thanked Jesus.  It took 28+ hours to get here. Even as I write, 28 hours does not seem like much---oh but when you are on an 8 hour flight with three more hours to go? Endless. And I had two 8+ hour flights.

My room at Hillpark hotel is lovely. I am so thankful!!! As I walked into the lobby last night, my soul appreciated the familiarity. The beautiful wood walls, the men in their uniforms at the front desk, and the tile floors. The smells were familiar and pleasant to me. They upgraded my room to a premium room although I was paying for a single standard. This room has a claw foot tub, A FAN (HALLELUJAH!), and a robe in the closet. This is really a great place and definitely one of the cheaper hotels where you get American amenities for $133. They have a tea pot, bottled water set out, and thick thirsty towels. I spoke a little swahili to the man checking me in...then we had a good little conversation. He said, “Tomorrow, only Swahili for you. That’s it. No more English. Starting tomorrow.” It was fun.

When I first came into my room, I breathed a sigh of relief. MADE IT! I looked around the room and what did I spy with my little eye? I saw cockroach spray for guests to use. Hmmmmnnnn. Either God enjoys a laugh or He was trying to warn me to be ready. Well, I brought two little plastic roaches for personal desensitization. So far...no roaches in the room (Thank you, Jesus.)  know I want to be ready for anything and cockroaches should be low on the list of things that categorize as catastrophic. I can handle anything. I can handle anything. Thank you Jesus for making me strong to be able to handle anything. I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Father. He is my role model and He does the work of transforming me...so I will yield and be filled with Him.

He is faithful and I trust Him. So I sit on my rented bed in my rented room and write to people I know who are living in a prosperous land. My fan blows my hair from time to time as it circulates. My nose is still so stuffy. My eyes burn with fatigue. Foolishly, and I’m not sure how or why, I woke up at 3am thinking I needed to get up and that it was 6:00 am. By the time I was showered with my hair dried, I looked at my watch and gasped. WHAT?? I’ve been getting ready too early? My hair was already looking hideous but since I am about to lay down on freshly dried hair, I will have a serious case of bed head upon arising for the second time. This is Kenya. You learn to roll with the inconveniences and praise God for all you have at home. Hair is nothing, right? 

I have more than what I need on every trip. Packing is always a lesson in how little you really need but how fiercely you want to bring something for every contingency. I pray many of you experience your own internal battles with comfort on a future trip to Kenya with me!! If you like camping at all, it is a serious camping upgrade due to hotels. Think of it as rough camping and then you will be grateful for all God adds to it. However, even the Golf Hotel in Kakamega will cost you about $40 a day. Then again, you get a free breakfast buffet there with eggs, bacon, toast, cereals, milk, coffee, chai, tea, drinking chocolate, cokes, fruits, juices, and plenty of other options. It is wonderful to have full belly satisfaction each day. The rooms have showers, toilets, mosquito nets, TV, and there is laundry service available and cheap. The lobby has wi-fi which helps keep the connection with loved ones at home. You could write a trip blog and post to all your friends!

I pray you come with me and bring your tourism dollars to my community of friends here. Don’t you know that even in the coming, you are doing something helpful? The people here are like a family to me. Anita and I know and love so many and have both met people who really connect with us. Even though you cannot have long drawn out personal conversations with all of them, just to see friends, see them in their eyes, and to touch them in greeting is such a pleasure. We are eternal! People matter the most. People matter forever. And they will really give you a welcome for coming. I love that. It is such a gift.

I pray many more will come join me in Kenya rather than going to Europe or Hawaii or some other wonderful place. THIS is a wonderful place.  I pray God will draw people to have a social justice vacation rather than a luxury indulgence. The rewards are intense satisfaction! When you go on a luxury vacation, what does it do? It makes you loathe to go back to your un-vacation life at home. Feelings of resentment over your lot in life can creep up because greed makes us want MORE vacations, MORE luxury indulgences, and MORE comfort. Instead we start feeling like, “Time to make the donuts.” (a commercial for Dunken Donuts.)

A Kenyan vacation is better. You come home so grateful for public water fountains, our 10,000 restaurant options, and air conditioning (which I always hated before because it is unnaturally cold.) You come home thankful for our health care system that we utilize continually. You come home thankful you have a job! Whereas luxury vacations make even a good job seem mundane and beneath you. 

SECOND ENTRY:

Ok. I cannot sleep. I am so eager to show Otis and Mickey the countryside! It is so beautiful and lush here. It is a feast for my eyes. Suddenly I remember we get to go to Nakumatt in Kisumu! It is a very large grocery store and it carries some western items. I need shampoo and conditioner and I knew I could buy it here instead of carrying it in my  bags.

I keep thinking of things people could do when they come here. The preschool is a great opportunity for ministry. There are 130+ children- but i don’t think they are always all there. There are at least three classes. Bringing books would be welcomed. Any one of us could read books to the children. Once I thought of it, I had to ask myself....why haven’t I done that before! What beautiful entertainment and connecting for everyone involved. yes, they understand some english and they are learning english in class--so it benefits them to hear a native speaker read to them. and with pictures? fun fun for little ones. You can leave the books for the teachers--even read them to the children on another return visit and they will associate that story with you. 

Another opportunity is tooth brushing. You simply ask friends and family to donate toothbrushes until you have 150 of them. It probably only takes four tubes of toothpaste to cover every child. Most of these children don’t use toothpaste on a regular basis, so there is no need to get them some--and they might eat it. But toothbrushes will forever be an ongoing fun opportunity because toothbrushes wear out!

I really see that I need others to come alongside me and join this work. What can you champion? A well costs about 2500. Is there some way you could do something fun to raise money for a well? What about church groups, clubs, bunko or golf groups? If you are part of any organization, there may be an opportunity for you to be a spokesperson for the poor. Just gather those donations in the same way we have all done (and do) for our children’s school projects. If you’ve ever sold chocolate bars, entertainment coupon books, held a tupperware/southern living/ Mary Kay/ jewelry, gift wrapping, or been sponsored for a run-----YOU COULD DO THIS! You are more than qualified to make a difference in the lives of impoverished children!

I will say this over and over. The most important thing is to bring yourself and just love others you meet. God intended for us to love and serve one another. He has empowered us to do it. He is not as interested in works as He is in your heart. And this will break your heart in the best way. Noble themes here. The stuff of life. Day in, day out survival and community. You don’t have to preach or teach anything--you can come just meet people. If you don’t come with me--go somewhere that is not perfect luxury and show your soul just how rich you are and how little you need. It is refreshing!

Champion the orphanage. Own it as yours. Help build a home for those children. They are going to be squished into Titus’ home without appropriate spacing. 19 children in a three bedroom of less than 1000 sq. feet. We need several rooms so we can separate girls from boys and older children from younger children. That is five rooms alone when you consider that Pastor Joseph’s family will need their own room. They will all be squished into the master bedroom but that is also the room with the toilet! Which means constant interruptions. All total, it would be Pastor Joseph’s family of seven (they just had a new baby girl!) and 19 children. Seems to me they need a larger place!

 I don’t know how much it would cost, but $40,000 should be plenty. Several church members in Illinois got together and raised $40,000 for a home for Evangelist Harrison and the fourteen people who live in his house--and they did it quickly! It is in my heart to see this for MY children. It is my dream. I am taking action rather than pining about how I want to help. Here is a clear call to action: Help these orphan children get a home!

Come now fount of every blessing, tune our hearts to sing your praise. Let us praise you by sharing in your heart for the poor. Let us love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.  My people here do not just HAVE  a neighbor who can help them --so God is sending light across the seas through YOU. I praise God for you. I praise God for the orphan sponsors and those who have joyfully contributed to the computer lab. The work here is bearing fruit and is a great blessing to this community. God is at work here! He does not forsake His people.