Sunday, June 17, 2012

Glory to Jesus, as He has allowed us all to participate in Beverlyn's joy.


Joseph sent me an email. I pause to reflect on how many people participate in the Lord's work towards this family. God made it all happen. Pastor Ed and Titus began a relationship that led to me and Anita going to Kenya. My husband saw the work of God and wanted to join God in what He was doing there. Walter was with us leading in the beginning. Frank has come along as a brilliant administrator able to handle the complexities of the ministry. Joseph responded to God's prompting to rescue this girl from the streets. Sara chose Beverlyn to bless through sponsorship. Christa came and chose to use donations from SO MANY PEOPLE and bless the whole family. It is not something we have done at any other time and imagine the impact to Beverlyn knowing that she was chosen and now her whole family was blessed by her connections to the program. The Trinity Kenya team assesses Beverlyn, connects with her school, and visits her home. Her school has been blessed to see a needy child come into the school with sponsorship and with a team that cares about her wellbeing. David photographs and sends them by email. The whole team purchases and disperses and measures her height, weight, wellness. The whole team cooks for her and serves the family and provides entertainment and team building activities among the children. Can you see God's glory in this towards one little girl? Can you see how God has wrapped His arms around her? And look at what He is building in her. Read this email from Joseph.....


Am not used to receiving calls from teachers of our sponsored children. It's even more unusual when it comes in over the weekend.

So you can imagine how I reacted when my phone rang and looking at the screen, it was Madam Rosebella of Injira Primary School. Injira is the name of the school that Beverlyn goes too. Rosebella is her caring and motherly class teacher.

I received the phone with apprehension, expecting some 'cold news', of course. Distress calls are what we are used to, especially when our sponsored children are either seriously sick, admitted in hospital or about to be sent home for fees. So you now know why I frowned when I saw the caller ID especially on a Saturday.

"I'm calling to inform you that Beverlyn topped her class in the just ended mid-term exam. She got 847 marks out of 1100. The second was a boy with 795 marks...." Now, at this point, I lost most my composure. "I must be dreaming," I thought aloud. "Madam, you've made my weekend, thank you so much for your input in Beverlyn's life. God bless you..." I found myself repeating those words. "Have a blessed weekend," were her last words and she hang up.

Six months ago this young girl was soaked in the rain, selling sugar canes on Kakamega streets. These young Position One brains were wasting away bargaining sugar-cane prices in the market. Now, here she is, pursuing her dreams. What a joy, what a blessing. From the street to position 1 in a class of 80+ pupils, 65% of them being boys. She beat ALL boys in her class! What??? Yes.

No doubt, you are part and parcel of this achievement. You are the reason for this celebration. You have changed a life. Just imagine the kind of impact you've made in the life of this young girl. Your efforts are not in vain. Thank you for giving love, hope and a future in Beverlyn's life.

Be blessed.

Regards,

Joseph Omuto.      

Monday, June 11, 2012

Give a cup of water to a small child.....


Do you love giving? My donors LOVE giving and look at these children! They love receiving! FUN!

Joseph declares....




I do remember Friday the 18th of May 2012. Stephanie and Christa had just set their feet on Shibuli soil for the first time in 2012.  It was Christa’s first visit to Africa and therefore, Shibuli. 

TGD students and the Cornerstone community were all present to welcome the donor community represented by Stephanie and Christa. It was TGD on one side, Shibuli Cornerstone NFE School on the other side with Stephanie and Christa alighting right in the middle of the unique and vibrant human panorama, singing joyfully and ululating, all for the glory of God Most High for arrival of the visitors.

Yes, that’s still fresh in my mind. The welcome, the vibrancy in Stephanie and Christa to be reunited with their Kenyan family and above all, the joy of expressing their love to the children by being good ambassadors of the donor community.  Now, that last bit is what makes this day special. The joy of expressing their love to the Kenyan community.

The TGD students had sung, Christa had taken her time to shake hands with each and every person in the compound (of course young and old, male and female. I mean, ALL!), the cornerstone choir had presented their wonderful songs of praise and the Cornerstone School children had garlanded the guests.  It was time to go shopping in preparation for next day’s big activity, The Sponsored Children Distribution.

Okay. It’s already midday so let’s get into the car and go buy items for next day’s distribution.  “Wait!” That’s Stephanie. “What is it?” We all ask. As I look outside the car window, I see Humphrey and other pupils rushing to have their lunch as usual. “Look at that shirt! He isn’t the only one though,” adds Stephanie. 

By this time, it has come to our attention that Stephanie is talking about pupils with tattered shirts and true to her words, they are quite a number.  When I talk of tattered, I mean it. At one point you’d imagine that a pupil is putting on a rag or a piece of cloth around his or her body, exposing the entire back or belly. If it wasn’t for the T-shirt underneath, then half of the skin would be exposed. We all get out of the vehicle and both Stephanie and Christa now want to know how many pupils are wearing tattered shirts. Henry takes upon himself to find out who is who in the shabby garb. The rest, as they say, is history.

>>>Fast-forward to Thursday 7th June 2012. The pupils are over the moon.  You can see that for yourselves. They woke up knowing nothing about the new uniforms; shirts, blouses, tunics and pair of shorts.

Two hour earlier:-

Henry has been working in the background to ensure that the tailor is up to the task, doing the right thing and on time. The tailor is done, Henry has collected the uniforms and they are right with us.  As Frank asks Mama Rose (popularly known as Mama Sheila) to have the pupils gathered in the church, nothing crosses their minds that it’s anything to do with the uniforms for over thirty of them.

We all congregate in the church and after a word of prayer from one of the teachers, Henry calls out the names of the beneficiaries.  One look at them and you read all the melancholy in their faces. Poor children! Just imagine them in those ragged shirts, shorts and tunics. What would they be looking like one month from now? Some are ashamed of looking at the camera while others would rather hide behind their friends.  They are conscious of their situation and they think they’ll be on their way home in a couple of minutes. They think we want to send them home for putting on tattered shirts.

Their faces are asking, “Is that their intention? Are we going home because of our torn shirts? After all, that’s the common denominator between all of us standing here.”

I look at Humphrey. He looks scared. I imagine him asking, “What about the camera man? He is busy taking shots of us. The last time I appeared before a camera, I was smartly dressed. Gosh! Please, this is an embarrassment.”

As we ask the ‘torn uniform’ pupils to follow us out of the church, the rest keep wondering what will happen to their colleagues. Little do they know that they won’t go back home in the same frayed uniform they came with in the morning.  Up to this time, the uniforms are in a big black plastic bag outside the church.  As they line up for another photo from David, Henry reaches for the bag, gets out a heap of well-sewn uniform and immediately, the young ones brighten up. It’s joy, celebrations, laughter and screams of bliss. They are over the moon and above all, their lives will never remain the same.

This is the kind of joy you can’t explain in words. They are in new school uniform today because of you.

Thank you Stephanie and Christa.  We didn’t know that what you saw on 18th of May 2012 would culminate into this wonderful experience to these dear ones. You saw, you were touched and you took action. Glory to God Almighty and may He bless you with Abraham’s blessings.

This is just the beginning of celebrations on what the Lord has done through the donor community. Check out more photos on www.facebook.com/tgdkenya or at
m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.458004680894831.118607.285054111523223&type=1&m_sess=soBNvymG-_VtWTP46.

Beverlyn’s home, Grace and Everlyne, Wallace and Lina Valarie, Fredrick and Walter, Fridah, Paul, Cynthia, Asman, Noel and Ben, Yvonne, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Abednego, Gladys, Shaline, Zainabu, Lillian, Brenda, Elizabeth and Lydia all have a story to tell.  Actually, all the TGD sponsored children including the frontrunners, have a big smile on their faces. I’ll be telling you why as the Lord grants us life.

Till then,

Be blessed.

Regards,

Joseph Omuto.

Thursday, June 07, 2012

My babies....

You know, the love in my heart just swells when I see this photo. I have fretted over Sharon and Daisy (Photo from left to right: Sharon, Wallace, Valery "Linah"pronounced LEEnuh, and Daisy.) with their sponsors, Cyntreva and Carolyn. Now my own children, Kevin and Sarah, are sponsoring Wallace and Valery. Such a joy. Such a pleasure. These here feel like my FAMILY.

and THEY ALL DO!

I am dealing with these names all the time because I deposit your donations and I know who they represent. I have different children on my mind in the same way we consider those we love. I have hopes and dreams for them, fears and prayers. Then, when I go, I see some children more than others and certainly, the sick child and the sad one move me so much. AND THE HAPPY ONES! (Paul, Gladys, Yvonne) Sharon has been sick and Daisy used to be so timid. We have seen such an obvious benefit to these girl's lives. It can be so graphic and so wonderful--then there are times...when I see that some child is slow in learning...that I worry about their future so much. We are determined to try to develop vocational skills for each child.

Your love for them has meant so much. It delights me to the core! I get letters, prayers, wishes, gifts and just thoughts and questions showing that you are engaged. (Not that you have to be! we love your donations and we love you!)

:-)

Thank you so much. When I went this time, I shook with wonder at all God can do when you just try and things happen because He is working through us all to accomplish His Purposes. It feels so good and it looks amazing. It is a true miracle!






Sarah sponsors Valery and you can see the delight in Valery's face and how she sparkles! What young lady doesn't love a new dress!?! How Jesus loves us!

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Such a blessing to see our sponsored children



Christa brought gifts from Megan Wise for Ben. Megan started off as a half sponsor to Ben with Heather Sais until Heather wanted to cover Ben fully. Ben still sees the extra love and prayers from Megan. She sent him some art supplies from the USA through Christa. Megan's gift is tailored to Ben's talents. The Trinity Global Development team and the teachers at Cornerstone School tell us of Ben's artistic ability and Megan wants to nuture that! (Her mom is an artist!) You can see Ben's enthusiasm!! It is such a joy to connect personally soul to soul.

Also pictured, Christa took a moment to get a shot of three of her five children. Here are Paul, Cynthia and Fridah. I love their full face smiles!! It was a good day at church together! And Cynthia perfomed for the whole church with her excellent voice. She did so well! We pray great things for all these children. God has remembered them and shown His love to them. He brings us a long way just to shower them with some of His attention. Now that's love! and it shows....


Thank you to all the families who care for these so far away but near in the Father's Heart.

Medical tests in Kenya





I was able to bring some relatively inexpensive items like urinalysis strips and a blood sugar monitor to test my team and some of the children. Next trip, I really hope to have more scheduled time to go through the tests slowly and give more thorough explanations--but I am thankful to God that we managed to get some of our Trinity Family tested.

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Dynamic Duo! In Jesus!

Check "Favorite" videos on my YouTube

Well, I put a video here by Christa and now the post has disappeared! How crazy is that?!? But you can find the video on my YouTube link and instead of watching the featured one that comes up (Although it is amazing, "Take One Minute,") Please click on the "Favorites" and Christa's video will come up. Yay! It was our theme song for this trip.

Friday, June 01, 2012

Jesus in Kenya


Click the link below to see what I am talking about!

Jesus wants to use YOU to wrap HIS arms around the world...  

I bought the new Christy Nockels CD in April and since I've had some trials (Jan, Feb, March, April,) I really felt like Song #2 was my theme song. (Shout out to Megan Wise, birthday girl on April 15 and theme song also is #2.) 
Preparing for Kenya in May, I checked out Christy Nockel's website and read about the writing of these songs. I can't even remember the title, but the words of #8 caused me to reflect and meditate. First off, my husband often prays for people: "God, wrap Your arms around them." and since He loves affection as his love language, of course he would pray something tangible. I feel frustrated sometimes that God is busy loving people and they don't experience it. I want people to know and feel and experience God's love and mostly GOD HIMSELF.  I know our greatest fulfillment is when we are engaged in the purpose of our creation: TO GLORIFY GOD AND BE SATISFIED WITH HIM FOREVER.
We aren't often satisfied. We often do not believe that God is enough. Those who adore Him, however, DO know that there will come a day when we will be satisfied in all the longings of our heart with the true loving presence of JESUS in our midst.
I don't long for some kind of nirvana in "heaven"--I long for JESUS. NOTHING BUT JESUS.
But in this life here? Well, I spend much of it complaining. I spend much of my time asking for MORE. I spend my prayers wanting all the people I know and love protected and prospering and blessed in Jesus.
So this song....I read that she was trying to express that God cared about women who were in sexual slavery against their will and that God cared about the babies tucked under the bed through the day and night. How so many are hurting and alone --and no one sees. No one, BUT GOD. and God sees and CARES and loves and reaches. He sings over us. That is in Zeph somewhere. A favorite scripture of mine since i learned that Hallel meant to jump and spin with delight back in my worship dance days with Anita Nenonen, Janice Horrell and Lisa Lipe and Jana Osborn and Cindy Tyler and more.

Well, I yielded to this "wrapping His arms" idea knowing that God does more than I understand and that He cares and has it under control. He has the whole world coming together to this time when Jesus returns and all is made right. In the meantime, the earth groans and we groan with it, eager for this revelation to become daily reality.

With all that, I head to Kenya and bring my CD for the drive. But the potholes make the CD jump and we take it out. The days unfold and we are so busy and prayerful and rejoicing and organizing and hoping it all gets done as todays agenda bleeds into tomorrows and some things go undone.

Then we get to Beverlyne's house. Christa has 1700 in donations and she gets something for all 35 sponsored families plus the ones that were added after 2010 who didn't get the initial set up all get mattresses, towels, lanterns, sheets, so much! and she wanted to get something for EACH of Beverlyne's siblings--all 7!

We arrive and go in and it is all happiness around. Dark in the mud hut so we take some stuff outside after the children all get their clothes on. The little 2 or 3 year old girl has mistakenly gotten boy clothes. she's not pleased. she even cries when we try to stand her up for the photo on a chair (probably just scared of the attention or the chair wobbled.) Christa is not happy with the clothing error so she remembers that she's gotten this dress for a random child whom she adored. we don't even know where she is and we don't see her again (we will figure it out though) so in the meantime, Christa decides to give this little girl that dress. Well, what do you think happened? This little girl was so pleased! I don't think it is captured in the photos but it was so wonderful. I had to walk away from this scene because I could just SEE God wrapping His arms around the family. It was seriously like a award winning movie moment with the music playing in the background and swelling and the mood rising and the joy so tangible. I began crying rather convulsively. I was in wonderment but trying to keep control of myself.

This was a serious life moment. You only have a few of these in life. A peak. Like God punches through your sensations and your whole body is overwhelmed because it is so happy. Something is happening. Something is coming to fulfillment. You are on the right wavelength and timeline and you know, all the stars really do align because God made them! and it wasn't a movie. It wasn't a soundtrack and it wasn't an imagination. This was my real life and I was really living it. What compares? It's the polar opposite of doing the dishes and cleaning the toilet. The total opposite of mundane. What is your happy place? Mine is under the trees in Western Kenya where a friend has laid down a mattress, put gifts for children upon it, and handed a little dress to a small child as the mother, like a geyser, expresses thankfulness and joy. Your eyes water, your cheeks break from the strain, you can hardly see and you laugh spontaneously. That's my happy place.

This video she made---it sort of expresses that joy.

I can't use words to describe my joy -- but this video. It blows my mind because this is the song that was in my head and now I am in that song. With the moments that make up my real life so it is kind of a reality, nonreality. But it is something real in Jesus and something real in Eternity.

Jesus loves us all. So much. He puts us together. We give to each other. We love each other. We touch each other in a moment in time that holds eternity. OH this is beautiful. It's not just pictures--not just "images" of reality like the movies. It is REAL.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

okay, so not everyone smiles when we come bearing gifts....

Here is my little namesake, Baby Stephanie. Hasn't she gotten big? She looks a bit grouchy here but I am sure she loved her new green dress and her little bunny toy.
Thanks to Mama Medine and her church---- Pastor Bernard and his wife, Rose, got a new roof when the heavy rains flooded them out a couple years ago. Their roof and a whole wall caved in and they had no where to stay. Mama Medine had come with me. She is my mentor and role model as a missionary who was obedient to her husband and did not begin going to the nations until she was over 50!! (That's after being called of God at age 8.) What a delight! Her loving gift was somehow accorded to me and Pastor Bernard praised God that his family was remembered in their time of disaster.

 I first came with Mama Anita and Bwana Ed (Mzee?!)  He was my Pastor from 1988 who faithfully taught me to rely on (AND DO) the Word of God and Anita was another mentor and role model as a wife and loving mother. She also has prompted a couple of Baby Anita's. Thanks to our loving and thankful Christian family in Kenya who rejoice when we come and just bless us so much! May all our families be blessed in Jesus Christ forever and ever, to His Glory, Amen. 

Fun shopping for homes in our program

Thanks be to God for those generous people who rejoiced in their abundance and spread the joy to others across the seas. Good neighbors like the Good Samaritan who have not looked the other way but remembered orphans and widows in their distress. We had such celebrations-- party time in Kenya!! How many thanks rise to God when people know He has remembered them and sent your gifts. We have SO MUCH FUN distributing on your behalf! To see faces light up as we arrive. To see the pleasure and longing in the children's faces. To know we have connected soul to soul and conveyed value to the Beloved of God. The long, costly trip seems just the blink of an eye!! Thank You!!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

so good to be in Kenya

I went into visit Titus and Rose and it felt like home. The compound is developing so nicely. They have an electric fence to guard the computer center! Roxana, the dog, is still there and seems to remember me. i have so many pictures--I am so proud of our TGD Team and all they have accomplished. They work in unison with a common goal and they get a lot done. The distribution day grows more challenging with more orphans but Henry excels at tracking finances and Frank works with students on all the logistics. It's a great operation!

Monday, May 14, 2012


Bishop (Head Pastor) Titus with Dr. Otis and Mickey Stanley. Below, Agnes shares information presented to Community Health Workers in our community.


On Monday the students continued with practicals we want them to know well the keyboard and parts of the window. And then we filled the assessment test you requested us to do it was fun. The same Monday Otis and Mickey came to visit us. On Tuesday we had a meeting with Frank as the students watched a video tutorial on the basics of word while Mickey and Otis went to Ebulechia. On Wednesday we continued to have a meeting but this time Frank, Imelda, Judith and I on what we do exactly in the field. We deal with the sponsored children, guardians, staff, students, front runners and the community as a whole. In other words Frank has the whole report as to what is done. On Thursday we attended a seminar which was hosted by Mickey and Otis and it was as follows:
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER
PURPOSE, GOAL AND OBJECTIVE
What is the duty of a community health worker?
Ø  To provide basic health services to the community or Village health worker(VHW)
Ø  Educate and advice the community and individuals or training
Ø  Should know the basic first aid and give people medication i.e. Provide first aid and emergency
Ø  Demonstrating a healthy diet
Ø  Providing guidance and cancelling
Ø  Demonstrating personal hygiene
Ø  Help access of water
How does the Community Health Worker support the community and the individual?
1.       Serves as an observer of community and the individual on matters relating to health and advice to improve it.
2.       Serves as an advocate in seeking health services and projects
3.       Is the primary interface of health system
4.       Provide potential conduct for house hold and community leaders to help them solve their problems like Safe water, Nutrition and Sanitation
GUIDING PRINNCIPALS
1.       Make clean water available to all (protected from contamination and bacteria and should be chlorinated if contaminated
2.       Ensure access to healthy and safe foods i.e. Fruits should be washed before eating and the food should come from inspected places
3.       Provide education for safe disposal of human waste i.e. water should be protected from animals and human waste. Latrines should be protected from insects and vermin to prevent cross contamination of food and water.
4.       Give mothers and babies good nutrition and care i.e. children to receive vaccines
5.       Provide access to healthcare for the sick and old
6.       Encourage healthy behavior to the young i.e. taught on the importance of hygiene and against smoking
7.       Encourage abstinence and loyalty to avoid AIDS. Use of condoms to prevent spread of ads and the only way to abstain is to be faithful
8.       Protect people from disease carrying disease carrying pests i.e. dwellings should be made insect proof like garbage which can serve as harborage  for disease carrying rodents and other pests should be buried
9.       Work for a safe environment free of harmful agents  like minimizing sources for air pollution like engine exhaust will reduce asthma
New Mother, Early Childhood, Late Childhood Adolescent, Adult and Elderly
COHORT 1:
Pregnancy, Delivery and New Born
1.      Importance for all pregnant mothers and their household to have a birth plan and to organize resources for getting skilled assistance like during delivery they should be under the care of midwife, nurse or the doctor.
2.      The couple should plan who will take care of the children the mother has given birth
3.      They should receive confidential counseling Test for HIV. If positive precautions taken to prevent baby form getting infection like when breast feeding no for aids but there is prevention
4.      The pregnant mothers to be given ant malaria to prevent malaria and getting anemic
5.      Blood pressure to be controlled
6.      Pregnant mothers need the best food available to the family like fruits- mangoes, guavas, oranges, vegetable- kale, meat, fish- dry and fresh, eggs, grains and beans, ion giving foods. They are safe to eat
7.       Pregnant mothers are particularly usceptible to malaria which can cause serious problems.
8.       Pregnancy before 18 and after 35 or within 2 years of the precious delivery increases health risk for the mother and her baby and child birth
9.       Family planning is the responsibility of both men and women
10.   Physical of women and children is a serious public health problem and is inacceptable. Abuse during pregnancy is dangerous to the mother and the child.
11.   Every woman has the right to health care especially during pregnancy and child birth. Health care providers should be available
12.   Pregnant mothers and new born should be screened for disabilities and impairment  in order to plan for any in corrective measure to address the problem
13.   All new born babies need to be protected need to be protected from infections that may interfere with their growth and development measure body temperature for baby on mother
Early Childhood 2 weeks to 5 years
1.       Care and affection during the earliest years help the child to thrive. Bottle feeding can lead to illness and death of the baby if the mother cannot breast feed her infant the baby should be breast fed with milk or a substitute from a clean cup
2.       Weigh your baby regularly from birth to the age of 2 years if the child has not gained the weight for 2 weeks then something is wrong
6 weeks to 2 years
1.       The child needs to feed five times a day in addition to ustained breast feeding there after the child can be fed on family foods five times daily without breast feeding
2.       During illness children need to continue to eat and drink regularly. After an illness children need at least one extra meal everyday
3.       Immunization is urgent every child needs a series of immunization during the 1st year of life. A child who is not immunized is likely to suffer illness and become permanently disabled.
4.       Diarrhea kills children by draining water from the body. Give extra fluids as soon as diarrhea start.
5.       Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or ash with water after contact with stool and before touching food or feeding children
6.       Child with cough and cold should be kept warm and encouraged to eat and drink as much as possible if the child is breathing rapidly is dangerous
7.       Child with fever should be examined immediately
8.       Families and communities can prevent spread of mosquito by cutting grass, keeping bushes away from homes, draining stagnant water, keeping battery acid and medicines away from reach of children
9.       Young children need more food to develop. It is good to nature their growth. Children learn how to behave and adults set as their role model
10.   All children should be wormed at least twice every year
11.   Parents should talk to their children on the issue and sexual act. Early childhood is unsafe, abortion and STDS are threatening. They should also advice them on drug abuse too.
12.   Everyone who is active should contact VCT (counseling)
13.   . They need sufficient nutrition especially more proteins
25-59 years are at risk of getting AIDS and transmitted diseases
1.       Need check up of Blood pressure, blood sugar, and regular check ups
2.       They are at risk of Tuberculosis and it is curable
Over 60 years. They have the risk of getting blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Advice is that they should try to be physically active every day
When to refer to medical facility: (conditions that warrant immediate attention)
Vomiting, Convulsions Not alert, Not responding, Not able to drink or eat, Coughing seriously, Difficulty in breathing, Diarrhea, Fever.
With breathing problem check for:
Chest in-drawing, strange sounds (strider) fast breathing.
With diarrhea look for:
Not alert, not responding uninterested slow return of skin pinch, not able to drink or eat (breast feed), severe dehydration irritable or restlessness, thirsty drinks eagerly.
When you want to know one is suffering from the following you check for: malaria they have stiff neck, hot body, higher temperature, .When one has measles one feels hot, felt hot in past 3 days. With Ear problem, one feels pain, swelling, rubs, pulls ear frequently. With malnutrition, visible wasting or oedema of both feet. Anemia, severe Palma
Baby born and has not visited health center has rigidity, bulging, fontanel, pus draining from the eye
ABCD (basic first aid)
A – Airway
B -Breathing
C- Circulation
D- Dressing the wound
We are eagerly waiting to see you next week and praying for safe journey to Kenya. Be blessed
Agnes

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Ramblings during a happy mood--Rejoice!

okay, i just put a photo to make it interesting. Don't we look YOUNG?!

I just changed to the new timeline on facebook --AND IT MADE MY PAGE SO INTERESTING!!! To me, anyway. It has so many family photos, puppy photos, good things I shared, quotes, friends, and so many wonderful Kenyan photos in large size. I am loving it! I could post all day! But by now I have posted on my mom's and Pamaw's, then "liked" several things and changed my profile picture on the new timeline, so anyone who has me on their list might delete me. :-(

I remember hearing someone say they got off of Myspace because someone posted all the time. well, that's the fun of it! and when someone posts all the time, it is like listening to a big talker! I can't imagine getting irritated at people's posting ( I suppose three mean ones in a row would get to me) because that is the whole idea of it. it's like being in a circle with people and some talk more than others.

well, if I am with people I know, I am LOUD. If I am with people I don't know, I am quiet and subdued. (This can be very brief since an hour together might put anyone in the I-know-you catagory.) And then with groups, you have to be careful not to dominate. Find ways to include the ones who aren't talking. But you know, you ask the wallflower a question and they start answering and someone else will just burst out and talk over them. Happens to us all!

I really like including the left out people. Don't you hate it when the left out one is YOU? Every now and then, you can find yourself with some people and something happens that makes you feel stupid. It's a terrible feeling. Or left out. Terrible feeling. Who wants that? No one. But when it happens to you....just maintain composure and try to focus outwardly on loving and esteeming those around you. It doesn't make you less, it makes you MORE! (Now, it is a bit harder to do this if you stuck your foot in your mouth and are now trying to recover. Ouch!)

God is so good to love us through embarrassing or humiliating moments. You know, if you were humiliated, just humble yourself and it can flow right over you! When someone criticizes, just ask yourself, "Is there any truth to what they said?" and if there is....just agree. There is some Christian guy --and this would work better if I could remember who---He would say to his attacker. "Oh, soandso, you are too gentle. For I know worse things about myself." Now what is a bully going to say to that? Ha! Bullies only have fun if they really get you tortured. Or if someone mocks you, you can say, "Excuse me?" as if you didn't quite hear, and most people will back right down. Because it is just a bully type of spirit and you just need to confront that one mildly to maintain your dignity. God is with you!

Now how did I ramble onto THAT?  Well, someone needed that today. I pray you walk in Godly dominion and overcome the victim spirit. If you are in Christ, you are an overcomer! and you do not have to PROVE that to all humanity. You will find yourself in glory forever with Jesus at the end of all this. Wait patiently when suffering. In fact, Jesus says, Count it all joy when you encounter trials of many kinds because this is good for your faith! (Okay, look that one up because i botched the quote there.) Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say, REJOICE!

and if you are on facebook, go scroll down through my page. I so enjoy that! Thank you Jesus!

AND WE HAVE THREE NEW CHILDREN SPONSORED THIS MONTH! WOWOWOWOWOWOOOOO (that is wow and woo put together.)

Monday, May 07, 2012

Our Nurse Emelda!




God paid for Emelda's education through Anita and now we have Emelda working for us, our community, our children. She has a new sponsor through Mama Anita so she can continue her good work with those who cannot pay. She needs medicine and gloves. All donations are still welcome because there is never an end to the need. We want to reduce the burden on the child bearing women, the elderly and the children. Praise the Lord! He cares for us so gently!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

last day in India

well, i should have gone shopping but I didn't want to go shopping. I would have liked to learn more about what it means to a hindu to live day in and day out. Or for a Christian amongst Hindus. What are their worldviews? How do they explain disasters or injury or sickness? What does a Hindu do to appease God and what does good behavior mean? Who sets the standards? How many gods do you need to follow to "get it right?" How do they think we came into being? What do they think of other religions?

now what are the chances of someone speaking to me about such things. Particularly when those whom I am in contact with are Steve's employees. Perhaps they could fear they would encroach upon sacred ground improperly or something, I don't know.

and I wanted to see Steve write on a white board and explain the organization or the architechture (spell?) arcitecture, no. anyway, the skeleton of the programs they are working on. the bones of it. the forms of it. I like to watch him explaining that to people. they never expect someone high up like him to know so much about it, but he's a programmer at heart. (an ambitious one.)

so I think I will have to go back to the hotel and wait it out until we get ready for our flight. George, who is also here, has a take off time of 4am!!! good heavens! it is an hour to the airport. he won't get any sleep tonight. that makes for some hard hard flights. and he doesn't sleep well on flights. We take off at 6am, so we are just behind him, but we may have a tiny snooze first. so I think I should just go back. My hope was to do email and to write to my beautiful donors who are so gracious and loyal and i am so blessed!! I come here and I see the poor people and I think, Oh God you love them so much! and I know He is sending out His love through people one way or another. I want to be a part of that.

well, it won't be so much this time, but I am planning on next time.

I just had a FABULOUS samosa, though. It was onion and corn and so delicious that I am sure to crave it until I return. I've had some great food here. I am blessed. God has put us in a good place.

I pray we all get sleep on flights home! International flights are hard on the flesh. But what a privilege! I'm glad to be born in this era.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Another day in India

Yesterday droned on in the morning but developed into a positively wonderful day. I waited for hours without communication from Steve and had no way to know if anyone was coming to get me or if I was going to spend the whole afternoon in my room. My phone had no service but I dared not leave the hotel room landline. The room became a mandatory sabbath. No way to work or control things. I tried to discipline myself to settle into it patiently. I read the bible, I prayed sporadically, I zoned out, I thought of children in Kenya and the team. I thought of how grateful I am to donors. I asked God to lead me to some work for the poor here. RING RING and the women were here to pick me up at4. I dressed and ran down to the elevators. I am staying in the mostluxurious hotel, but I longed to find and greet children who are needy. We headed to St. Theresa's Tender Loving Care Center. Here Mother Theresa, named after the saint who was Theresa the little flower, supports 29 girls who all came as babies after the Tsunami. Tamina, a CA employee, suggested we get them some snack--she was right! Typical for me, I was showing up empty handed. But I did not have a well thought out plan. We sent the driver for some cookies and chocolate. Mother showed us photos from the over 1000 children she had placed. She was formerly a nurse in cardiology, maternity, and something else. She had been a nun since she was 22. Now she was surely over 70 and had trouble walking. Hunched over and with braces on her knees and a cane. She was precious all in white and chatty with arthritic knarled hands.I loved her although I only understood about 75% of what she said. We met the beautiful young girls. All dressed well and appearing quite well adjusted. What a cohort together they were! They showed us a dance they learned from watching bollywood. ADORABLE. I think they all greeted me as Aunty. Many were vying to catch my eye. You know they know that they want to go home with someone! Two were already destined for Holland and one for Germany. Many children had gone to Washington DC, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. She had multiple books on her desk thatfamilies had created for her showing their child growing upthrough the years and sending letters to her to show her their happiness. It costs nothing really to send these girls to school in Hindi, the national language, but it costs about $25 a month for English classes (school in complete English immersion.) All together, Mother was paying 40,000 Rupees a month or $800 USD for the girls to have English. They had 2 ancient computers, which gives me the idea that surely I can come up with donations for 2 new computers or else buy them myself. I could bring them on my next trip here. Steve is supposeed to come for a whole month. Maybe July. On another note, though, it turns out the C.A.(which stands for computer associates technologies) also has its own India charity which is Hope School. I will look into it when I come back--they are out on holiday until June. It is a school to educate the poor children whose families might not otherwise be able to send them. I could really get on board with that because Steve cannnot ethically promote our work without the potential that someone feels "pressured" to give in order to remain in good favor at their job. ( sad face.)But I can really promote Hope School with the CA employees in Long Island. So that is my plan. I did find a Christian orphanage and will also visit there next time. It is 90 minutes from my hotel and I am not giventhe driver the whole day. so...God will make a way if He chooses. It was good to see the good mother and her beautiful children. They are available for adoption and I suppose their age makes them less likely candidates. I might even get them all dresses. I bet I could find them for $10 here. That would only be $290. (well, there is tax.) Several of them wear glasses---you know that is expensive! Later we had an excellent dinner at a buffet at the Novatel Hotel. I have eaten several Indian dishes that I have enjoyed plus they have versions of Asian food like vegetable fried rice. There is always steamed rice and a great flat bread that has a pancake taste from the grill (unsweet.) I had a great hushpuppy type item with cumin. I had "golden coins" at a chinese restaurant that were spicy and delicious. Breakfast yesterday had greek salad YUM!!!! and some bean sprout thing with lime and cilantro and cabbage was great. So no food suffering plus luxury hotel is an interesting way to experience India. I hate using water here because I know we US tourists like our daily showers which sucks up all the water stealing it from locals and their wells. I get that rich person guilty complex. Then I go to get an hour long massage for $30 and I just PRAISE GOD!!! The people at this hotel are very very gracious and service oriented. It is a real pleasure. The weater is hot but it feels good to me. Yesterday's rains cooled it greatly. It was perfect. Driving through the roads you see hundreds of pedestrians, auto-rickshaws, motorbikes, cars and buses. At any moment, five cars and motorbikes honking at once. A grating symphony of notes. Dust rises up here and there. Fruit stalls interspersed with electronics or clothing stores. Temples here and there to the elephant face god and buildingsnamed Krishna this or that. Beautiful sarees floating everywhere, young beautiful girls and matriarchs past their prime. Outside my window, there is a helicoptor pad for the hotel. It looks like some aztec sacrifical pinnacle laid out and ready for worship to something. I'll have to take a picture. Palm trees among flowering trees and moldy old buildings next to modern ones. So much here is familiar as my beloved Kenya. I feel at home while simultaneously knowing nothing about anything. The culture is hidden to me. People thousands of years old with shared knowlege I could only guess at from cursory readings. I enjoy our differences and drink in the flavor of a people created by God.