Here is one picture from the week! Our favorite driver, Victor, offered to give us a tour of all of Kitale. I'll post more about our adventures on that later.
This is Victor, Del and I visiting a swamp... so cool!
Friday, July 31, 2009
More, You Want More?!
Pastor Steve is having us all post blogs more frequently on a blog all together. So all of us created our own blogs last night. And we are going to do more tonight. So if you are at all interested in checking out that blog it is http://kitaleleadershipinstitute.blogspot.com/
Here is one picture from the week! Our favorite driver, Victor, offered to give us a tour of all of Kitale. I'll post more about our adventures on that later.
This is Victor, Del and I visiting a swamp... so cool!
Here is one picture from the week! Our favorite driver, Victor, offered to give us a tour of all of Kitale. I'll post more about our adventures on that later.
This is Victor, Del and I visiting a swamp... so cool!
Friday, July 24, 2009
People Let Me Tell You Bout My Best Friend
I am so thankful to be able to get to serve alongside of my best friend. This three month journey has been exponentially better because I get to share it with someone I love so much. We are both missing friends and family at home but I am so glad we are sharing this experience together.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Just A Handful
As my time in Kenya comes to an end in three weeks I cant help but think of the people that I am going to have to say goodbye to. I was not expecting it to be all that hard but now it is something that I am completely dreading. The people here have become apart of my daily life for the past two months and I cant imagine being so far away from them. When I return home I will be with people I love and that I have truly missed but pieces of my heart will be here in Kenya. I am so thankful for the relationships that have come of this trip and that each person has made an impact on my heart in a different way than the other. Here are some faces of people that I am excited to spend three more weeks with but going to miss dearly.
This is Attau. He lives on the streets and daily attends the school for street kids here called Oasis of Hope. He is one of the oldest boys there and is also around 6'4 and pretty intimidating at first. But he is just a kind and gentle boy who is trying to make the best of what he has.
These boys live together in the house of 43 kids that I posted about earlier. They are two of my favorite boys in the entirety of Kenya, Elias and Lamic.
Solomon and Augo are boys that attend a school called Purpose Driven Academy. Solomon is a refugee from Sudan and when he is not boarding at school he is living in a refugee camp. He is a sophmore in high school and he has such a drive to succeed. He is different than a lot of kids I have met here in a way that I cant quite explain. The other boy is Augustine who has stolen a HUGE piece of my heart. Two of the sweetest boys ever.
Of course Andrew. I have known him for a few years and he stole my heart long ago.
Oh gosh I am going to be such a wreck.
This is Attau. He lives on the streets and daily attends the school for street kids here called Oasis of Hope. He is one of the oldest boys there and is also around 6'4 and pretty intimidating at first. But he is just a kind and gentle boy who is trying to make the best of what he has.
These boys live together in the house of 43 kids that I posted about earlier. They are two of my favorite boys in the entirety of Kenya, Elias and Lamic.
Solomon and Augo are boys that attend a school called Purpose Driven Academy. Solomon is a refugee from Sudan and when he is not boarding at school he is living in a refugee camp. He is a sophmore in high school and he has such a drive to succeed. He is different than a lot of kids I have met here in a way that I cant quite explain. The other boy is Augustine who has stolen a HUGE piece of my heart. Two of the sweetest boys ever.
Of course Andrew. I have known him for a few years and he stole my heart long ago.
Oh gosh I am going to be such a wreck.
Friday, July 17, 2009
While You Were Sleeping
I am so thankful for the girls that I am living with on the compound here. We have all bonded so well and have been able to share our experiences together. God clearly knew what He was doing when He planned for all of us girls to be here together for the summer. We have grown to love each other despite all of our differences and all the struggles of being together ALL the time. Two of the girls are leaving in a couple of days and that is going to be such a sad moment for me and everyone else here.
Every Saturday I get to take around 5 kids swimming and it is one of the highlights of my week! Majority of the kids have never been swimming before in their lives and they are so scared. Its great. The pool is always freezing and the kids are still so happy to be in it. We get them coke afterwards and they love it. This is Ian, we were freezing so we laid on the floor to get warm.
Where do I even begin with this boy. His name is Lamic and he lives in a 'home' with 43 other kids. I visit this house every Saturday and take 5 kids swimming each week. This week I got to take Lamic with me, he is one of the most gentle and kindhearted kids I have met here. I had a great talk with him about God and it was so encouraging and reaffirming to me of why I am here. Relationships. Not teaching and not working in a hospital but sitting down and talking with kids about the Lord. Its a hard thing to do here but when I was talking with Lamic he made it easy. He was such a blessing to me and I cant wait to get to talk with him even more. Love me some Lamic.
This is Augustine. This week I have fallen so in love with this little boy. He comes from a different circumstance than most kids here in Kenya. He was born in the womens ward of the Kitale Prison. His mom is currently still there but he has been fortunate enough to get placed in a great school in town. Despite the fact that we speak completely different languages and he has grown up in a world so opposite of mine, we share one thing in common, we love each other. Everyday when I walk through the gates of his school he comes running up to me with his arms spread so wide ready for me to pick him up and spin him around.
On our way to church on Sunday Delia's boda boda driver hit a cow and her foot got caught in the wheel of the bike. It took off a whole layer of her skin, I get so grossed out just typing this. As her best friend I had to be their to aid her, but I did not do such a good job. I felt like I was in more pain than her because it was so sickening to look at. Thank God there is someone living here who is gifted in medical crap because I can hardly take it. Delia is recovering and her foot is looking a lot better, so I hear.
About two weeks ago I found out that we are not able to go into the prison anymore. At first it was a total bummer but I have realized that even though I cant go and do ministry there I can still be in prayer for the work that God is going to be doing in the lives of those women. Keep them in your prayers.
This week I have started meeting up with a woman named Leila. She is a 23 year old Muslim who is searching God. She has been asking very challenging questions and is clearly searching for something to live for. I am meeting up with her around three times a week keep her and I in your prayers. Pray that God would be able to speak through me and show her the truth. I am simply an instrument for what He has in store for his life.
Thank you for reading this and caring about my journey and Kenya.
Every Saturday I get to take around 5 kids swimming and it is one of the highlights of my week! Majority of the kids have never been swimming before in their lives and they are so scared. Its great. The pool is always freezing and the kids are still so happy to be in it. We get them coke afterwards and they love it. This is Ian, we were freezing so we laid on the floor to get warm.
Where do I even begin with this boy. His name is Lamic and he lives in a 'home' with 43 other kids. I visit this house every Saturday and take 5 kids swimming each week. This week I got to take Lamic with me, he is one of the most gentle and kindhearted kids I have met here. I had a great talk with him about God and it was so encouraging and reaffirming to me of why I am here. Relationships. Not teaching and not working in a hospital but sitting down and talking with kids about the Lord. Its a hard thing to do here but when I was talking with Lamic he made it easy. He was such a blessing to me and I cant wait to get to talk with him even more. Love me some Lamic.
This is Augustine. This week I have fallen so in love with this little boy. He comes from a different circumstance than most kids here in Kenya. He was born in the womens ward of the Kitale Prison. His mom is currently still there but he has been fortunate enough to get placed in a great school in town. Despite the fact that we speak completely different languages and he has grown up in a world so opposite of mine, we share one thing in common, we love each other. Everyday when I walk through the gates of his school he comes running up to me with his arms spread so wide ready for me to pick him up and spin him around.
On our way to church on Sunday Delia's boda boda driver hit a cow and her foot got caught in the wheel of the bike. It took off a whole layer of her skin, I get so grossed out just typing this. As her best friend I had to be their to aid her, but I did not do such a good job. I felt like I was in more pain than her because it was so sickening to look at. Thank God there is someone living here who is gifted in medical crap because I can hardly take it. Delia is recovering and her foot is looking a lot better, so I hear.
About two weeks ago I found out that we are not able to go into the prison anymore. At first it was a total bummer but I have realized that even though I cant go and do ministry there I can still be in prayer for the work that God is going to be doing in the lives of those women. Keep them in your prayers.
This week I have started meeting up with a woman named Leila. She is a 23 year old Muslim who is searching God. She has been asking very challenging questions and is clearly searching for something to live for. I am meeting up with her around three times a week keep her and I in your prayers. Pray that God would be able to speak through me and show her the truth. I am simply an instrument for what He has in store for his life.
Thank you for reading this and caring about my journey and Kenya.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Reunited
Around four years ago was my first trip to Kitale, Kenya and the one kid that stole my heart was a 10 year old boy named Andrew. He is the boy pictured above and I have loved being able to spend more time with this summer. His story is one like none other. His mother lives in a ditch in the middle of town where trucks stop throughout the night and take advantage of her. She is known as 'crazy mama' here in Kitale but to us Americans we call her 'ditch lady'. She has had a countless number of kids and Andrew only knows of one sister he has, Jambi. She used to be living in one of the slums and sleeping from hut to hut with whatever man would give her money, food, or just a place to stay. Yet, Andrew still loved her so much and it brought him so much joy when he got to see her. Four years later they are both doing well but it had been a year since they had seen each other.
This Friday I picked up Andrew from school and took him to go visit Jambi. He was so giddy and excited the whole car ride over there but then when it was time to get out of the car, he froze. It was darling. They were so excited to see each other but slightly uncomfortable in the beginning. I loved getting to see them together and see the love that they still have for each other.
I will blog again soon and keep you posted more often. Can't wait to share more pictures with you.
This Friday I picked up Andrew from school and took him to go visit Jambi. He was so giddy and excited the whole car ride over there but then when it was time to get out of the car, he froze. It was darling. They were so excited to see each other but slightly uncomfortable in the beginning. I loved getting to see them together and see the love that they still have for each other.
I will blog again soon and keep you posted more often. Can't wait to share more pictures with you.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Wonderful Week
Joseph is one of my favorite children here in Kenya. I love spending time with him and seeing him smile. He is an amazing and smart boy who loves God. He lives in a house with a couple other boys and he has told me that he knows that God has chosen him to be apart of that house.
Meet Hannah, Janet and Juliet. They are all around the age of 20 and they are from Rwanda. They have lived on the compound with us ever since I arrived here. Their stories touched my heart and I loved getting to know them for the time being. They were all Islamic until one year ago when they met Pastor Steve. He changed their lives forever. They dove into reading the Bible and comparing it to the Qu'ran. Hannah made the decision to follow Christ and set aside her old ways. The two other girls saw the change in Hannah's life and decided to do the same. They hardly speak English but every night we would sit down with them and teach them how to read and write in English. Just the other day Hannah found out that her sister in Rwanda is very sick. The decision was not hard for Hannah to make, she needed to go home and be with her sister for her time being. So the three Rwandan girls packed their bags and left the compound. So many tears were shed that day, me included. They are great girls with wonderful hearts for the Lord and people. It was so hard saying goodbye to them because no one knows when we will see them again.
Sister Freda has us all over to her house the other night for dinner and it was such a blast! When Del had malaria on our last trip here about two years ago this is the room that we stayed in together.
On Friday night we went over to some boys house and hung out and had dinner with them. They blasted Celine Dion and Michael Jackson (R.I.P) and we just danced the night away. It was such a fun night filled with laughs.
As our 4th of July party we had a ton of kids over for games, movies and dinner! It was such a long and tiring day but everyone gained up their energy knowing that the kids would remember this for years to come. We had a huge girls sleep-over that included painting nails! They could not have been more happy. As we were painting nails I asked some of the girls to tell their stories, little did I know what I had just opened up. The girls were so transparent and open about the hurts that they have gone through. What amazed me the most was that they have all experienced the power of God and they are not ashamed of where they have been because of what God is currently doing in their lives. We closed the night of conversations and nail painting in prayer and it became a night I will never forget.
I am teaching my first class tomorrow, 6th grade English and freshman English! Then Wednesday is my first day being with the prisoners and I am counting down the days until then. I'll keep you posted on all that goes on! Thank you for all of your prayers. Love you all.
Meet Hannah, Janet and Juliet. They are all around the age of 20 and they are from Rwanda. They have lived on the compound with us ever since I arrived here. Their stories touched my heart and I loved getting to know them for the time being. They were all Islamic until one year ago when they met Pastor Steve. He changed their lives forever. They dove into reading the Bible and comparing it to the Qu'ran. Hannah made the decision to follow Christ and set aside her old ways. The two other girls saw the change in Hannah's life and decided to do the same. They hardly speak English but every night we would sit down with them and teach them how to read and write in English. Just the other day Hannah found out that her sister in Rwanda is very sick. The decision was not hard for Hannah to make, she needed to go home and be with her sister for her time being. So the three Rwandan girls packed their bags and left the compound. So many tears were shed that day, me included. They are great girls with wonderful hearts for the Lord and people. It was so hard saying goodbye to them because no one knows when we will see them again.
Sister Freda has us all over to her house the other night for dinner and it was such a blast! When Del had malaria on our last trip here about two years ago this is the room that we stayed in together.
On Friday night we went over to some boys house and hung out and had dinner with them. They blasted Celine Dion and Michael Jackson (R.I.P) and we just danced the night away. It was such a fun night filled with laughs.
As our 4th of July party we had a ton of kids over for games, movies and dinner! It was such a long and tiring day but everyone gained up their energy knowing that the kids would remember this for years to come. We had a huge girls sleep-over that included painting nails! They could not have been more happy. As we were painting nails I asked some of the girls to tell their stories, little did I know what I had just opened up. The girls were so transparent and open about the hurts that they have gone through. What amazed me the most was that they have all experienced the power of God and they are not ashamed of where they have been because of what God is currently doing in their lives. We closed the night of conversations and nail painting in prayer and it became a night I will never forget.
I am teaching my first class tomorrow, 6th grade English and freshman English! Then Wednesday is my first day being with the prisoners and I am counting down the days until then. I'll keep you posted on all that goes on! Thank you for all of your prayers. Love you all.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Recently
This past Saturday we took six boys swimming and it has been one of favorite days here so far. The boys were so nervous because none of them knew how to swim, but one boy thought he knew how to swim so he went ahead and jumped off the diving board into the deep end. We then saw his arms flapping and his head not coming out of the water, so Chris dove in and got him out. We were all laughing so hard at the fact that he thought he knew how to swim, so he just went for it. The day consisted of fun times in the pool, freezing water, and great conversations with these teenage boys.
I have been spending about one to two days a week at a Sister Fredas Cottage Hospital. Sister Freda is a remarkable woman with the kindest heart I have ever known. She runs a hospital but also takes in children that have lost their parents or their parents are to weak to take care of them. She has children living at her home and also on her hospital compound. There are three children living at the hospital now and I have loved spending time and playing with them. These children have become siblings to each other share a love for one another like no other kids I have seen before.
This is Morgan. He is four years old and loves cows.
This is Elia. I am quite confident in saying that he is the cutest kid ever. He has such a wonderful personality and loves to laugh.
Tomorrow is my first day visiting the prison and I have been looking forward to it all week. Continue to keep me in your prayers and thank you so much for taking an interest in my journey.
I have been spending about one to two days a week at a Sister Fredas Cottage Hospital. Sister Freda is a remarkable woman with the kindest heart I have ever known. She runs a hospital but also takes in children that have lost their parents or their parents are to weak to take care of them. She has children living at her home and also on her hospital compound. There are three children living at the hospital now and I have loved spending time and playing with them. These children have become siblings to each other share a love for one another like no other kids I have seen before.
This is Morgan. He is four years old and loves cows.
This is Elia. I am quite confident in saying that he is the cutest kid ever. He has such a wonderful personality and loves to laugh.
Tomorrow is my first day visiting the prison and I have been looking forward to it all week. Continue to keep me in your prayers and thank you so much for taking an interest in my journey.
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