Among the things that appear to be out of sync with my universe here is what they commonly call 'food' hereabouts. If you were to venture out of the compound and roam around the countryside, one of the things that you'd find is that the Africans in this part of the world primarily subsist on three main things; Ugali, (which we have discovered in past blogs to be some kind of unkind joke played on the residents here) Sukumawiki, (chopped up and cooked some kind of green stuff like chard or skunk cabbage...) and Githari (mostly semi-cooked beans and maize, somewhat like a moist Purina Dog Chow). Everyday, mostly the same thing. But here at Instep, the kids get much more variety....some even edible. At least every evening, the dinner is different day by day, repeating every 7 days. Like on Mondays, they get something like spagetti with meat in it with toasted bread or maybe something much like a taco..well sort of. Tues, millet and rice, Wed, deep fried potatos and sausage....well, it COULD be construde as sausage, I suppose. So you get the idea. Though often indecernable, the nutrition is balanced with the right amount of carbs, protein and vitamins, etc. Tonight was the Wed meal and thru a chain of circumstances such as new cooks, and lack of a Jeff, we forgot to get the sausage to give the cooks. Nancy, (new head cook...21 years old...) almost paniced, but we all got creative and dinner worked out just fine....the kids didn't even know they were being starved to death. It kinda works like that here....we worry.....God makes it work out fine. BTW, Nancy is a real keeper.
I heard in passing the other day, "JAMES, quit eating the bricks!!!" Seems he likes them....but then he's an ugali trained kid. I have been wondering why the kitchen is taking so many bricks.
We actually have a guy who can weld working on the shelving in the storeroom. He doesn't speak anything except swahili and I don't speak anything but jibberish....pretty interesting conversations...but we both speak construction. By the end of today, we should have the storeroom restocked....hoping to excavate Carla's kitchen....we might find some of the kids we have been missing. Plastering the new and old kitchen start today as well....making James lunch disappear behind a nice smooth wall.
Have I mentioned that BethAnn is doing a super job with the 4 yr olds....not an easy thing.
What....now there are 105
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Evidently a situation of definitions...
When I say 'quality', I mean.....what do I mean?
I don't believe that I told you about the Kenyan I met on the 747 on the way to Nairobi. He was going back Africa to see his wife and kid. He's going to school in Michigan on a US grant, getting food stamps and welfare. He said he was able to get his mother, father and brothers and sisters into the US. I asked what they were doing and he said...and I am not stretching the truth....for now anyway, "the US is a wonderful country, you can get welfare and food stamps so you don't really have to work" Hmmmm.....so I asked if he was going back to Kenya after he finished school to help his people. "Why would I do that?" he said, "this America is too wonderful a place." "How about your wife and kid?" I asked. "I don't think I want to get them into America" he replies. Not an uncommon story...I know 1st hand. I don't know whether I'm more upset with him or America for allowing such.
So anyway, enough about that, although it bothers me alot....and should you as well. Things are happening here. We have the new kitchen underway and it is about 1/3 of the way finished. At the same time, we brought in a man who claimed he could weld....and think even, to build some steel shelving for the storeroom. "I can do this, and do it well" he says. "how long will it take?" I ask. "Just one day" he proudly says. "Just one African day, or just one calandar day?" I inquire. You see, I'm beginning to get this place. He said he would start the next day, ignoring the question....I should have caught the inuendo. So, he did start about 8 am the next day, after we had cleared the room of about two supertankers worth of stuff, which we promptly placed in everones way. At 7 pm that night, he proudly says that after using up about 1 ton of steel and two boxes of welding rod, he now knows how to weld. Which made my day, as I am sure I hired him to learn how to weld on our dime....Part two of day one....which started the next morning: watching him cutting and welding all day, I made the observation that in America, I would put a penalty on him for not finishing by the deadline. That as it turned out wasn't the best statement....as he took it seriously and worked all thru the night until 8 am the next morning, creating what some might call 'modern art', but not really recognizable shelving. I asked him if he knew about quality control. "Yes," he said, "we look at it like birth control.....we try to prevent it." I'm beginning to believe that hitting myself in the head with a hammer might not be so bad.
We have two young'uns from Ellensburg WA here for a few months. They are teachers who say they are seeking God's will and think it might be here. But I suspect that they must be in the witness protection program and have done something terribly wrong as to be punished by being place here. They claim to be married, but seem to get along with each other anyway. Well anyway, they are really connecting with the kids, and keeping them away from me. Nate, and Emily...let's just call them "the kids", are working with the older kids at school.....'boy kid' doing real PE and 'girl kid' doing analysis of where each little snotlocker is academically. The are filling some much needed holes in the cirricullum.
I took them to Kitale today. I think it was a new experience for them, as they have spent their entire lives in the 20th and 21st century. When they get back to America, they can speak of their ability to time travel when in Africa....having entered a space-time continuum here.
We went in to see Jessica at ADC where we get greenges for the kids. I introduced "the kids" to her and asked about our order of greenges. "I don't have, but they will be here at 11:00." she says with a wink. Looking at my phone I see that it is now after 11:00. "So, Jessie, having alittle fun with the mzungu??...."I say. "This is Africa" she says, knowing I am knowing what she means. I'll probably go back on monday for the greenges...(oranges....well they could have been had they had a chance to get beyond the flowering stage).
So, Jeff left today, to spend 3 weeks with Carla, mostly in Spain. I hope he gets some much needed rest, as he will need it to put this place back together when he gets back.
I don't believe that I told you about the Kenyan I met on the 747 on the way to Nairobi. He was going back Africa to see his wife and kid. He's going to school in Michigan on a US grant, getting food stamps and welfare. He said he was able to get his mother, father and brothers and sisters into the US. I asked what they were doing and he said...and I am not stretching the truth....for now anyway, "the US is a wonderful country, you can get welfare and food stamps so you don't really have to work" Hmmmm.....so I asked if he was going back to Kenya after he finished school to help his people. "Why would I do that?" he said, "this America is too wonderful a place." "How about your wife and kid?" I asked. "I don't think I want to get them into America" he replies. Not an uncommon story...I know 1st hand. I don't know whether I'm more upset with him or America for allowing such.
So anyway, enough about that, although it bothers me alot....and should you as well. Things are happening here. We have the new kitchen underway and it is about 1/3 of the way finished. At the same time, we brought in a man who claimed he could weld....and think even, to build some steel shelving for the storeroom. "I can do this, and do it well" he says. "how long will it take?" I ask. "Just one day" he proudly says. "Just one African day, or just one calandar day?" I inquire. You see, I'm beginning to get this place. He said he would start the next day, ignoring the question....I should have caught the inuendo. So, he did start about 8 am the next day, after we had cleared the room of about two supertankers worth of stuff, which we promptly placed in everones way. At 7 pm that night, he proudly says that after using up about 1 ton of steel and two boxes of welding rod, he now knows how to weld. Which made my day, as I am sure I hired him to learn how to weld on our dime....Part two of day one....which started the next morning: watching him cutting and welding all day, I made the observation that in America, I would put a penalty on him for not finishing by the deadline. That as it turned out wasn't the best statement....as he took it seriously and worked all thru the night until 8 am the next morning, creating what some might call 'modern art', but not really recognizable shelving. I asked him if he knew about quality control. "Yes," he said, "we look at it like birth control.....we try to prevent it." I'm beginning to believe that hitting myself in the head with a hammer might not be so bad.
We have two young'uns from Ellensburg WA here for a few months. They are teachers who say they are seeking God's will and think it might be here. But I suspect that they must be in the witness protection program and have done something terribly wrong as to be punished by being place here. They claim to be married, but seem to get along with each other anyway. Well anyway, they are really connecting with the kids, and keeping them away from me. Nate, and Emily...let's just call them "the kids", are working with the older kids at school.....'boy kid' doing real PE and 'girl kid' doing analysis of where each little snotlocker is academically. The are filling some much needed holes in the cirricullum.
I took them to Kitale today. I think it was a new experience for them, as they have spent their entire lives in the 20th and 21st century. When they get back to America, they can speak of their ability to time travel when in Africa....having entered a space-time continuum here.
We went in to see Jessica at ADC where we get greenges for the kids. I introduced "the kids" to her and asked about our order of greenges. "I don't have, but they will be here at 11:00." she says with a wink. Looking at my phone I see that it is now after 11:00. "So, Jessie, having alittle fun with the mzungu??...."I say. "This is Africa" she says, knowing I am knowing what she means. I'll probably go back on monday for the greenges...(oranges....well they could have been had they had a chance to get beyond the flowering stage).
So, Jeff left today, to spend 3 weeks with Carla, mostly in Spain. I hope he gets some much needed rest, as he will need it to put this place back together when he gets back.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
What the heck....I thought Slim was banned from the internet
Remember me?
So, I left Africa after, 2 months, in mid May again, and was recieved home by my favorite wife in a marvelous way....Me, "Honey, I'm home." Sandy, "Were you gone?" But secretly, I think she knew I had been away, as my truck and tools had been sold. Almost within days we were on our motorcycle with some friends, touring the western US. Since spending a great deal of the last two years in Africa, I have learned that you can get as many as 6 people and a goat on one motorcycle. So, when I say 'with some friends' I mean friends in a past tense sort of way. Anyway, we took a look around Vegas, Death Valley, the Utah canyons, Yosemite and the coast back to Anacortes. Pretty amazing what our God has given us to enjoy. By the way, did you know that all things were created BY Him, FOR Him. He just lets us enjoy it with Him.
After we got home, in mid june, Sandy asked me when I was thinking I should go back to Instep....sort of a 'here's your hat, what's your hurry' kind of thing. I told her that God has always let me know and I didn't know yet. She said Sept was a nice time to travel...especiallly alone. She knows how I love to travel sitting in a seat designed for toddlers for 20+ hours. Well anyway, I didn't think I'd go then, having a much better connection with God than she has. OK she said, but you'll go then, you'll see. So one night in early August, I woke up about 2am and knew that I was supposed to go in Sept. I woke Sandy up (which she alway enjoys) and told her that I just came up with a good idea....that I should go back to Instep in Sept. "Wish I'd thought of that" she said, adding something in swahili that she had learned from Jeff. Then that morning about 7am, Jeff called from Instep and told me that he needed me back, as Toyota was missing me badly....that and he had alot of work for me to do, as he himself doesn't do any, so there is always an abundance for others. So, reveling in how discerning I am, I asked Sandy to book a ticket for me....."already done" she said...."at 2:30.
And..here I am, back in the 17th century, wondering just why, still trying to find a use for snot. But let me tell you a short (like that happens) story that happened enroute. For about a year, Sandy and I have been talking to a woman friend of ours named Rebecca about Instep, and she said she has a neice in Nairobi that works for a mission,and would like to go. Which, Lord willing will happen next January. So I'm in Amsterdam, with a 2 hr layover and I wander down to the departure gate. Standing there, for awhile, when a person comes out and says that there is a problem with the 747 and that there would be a 2 hr delay. "oh goody" I say....well sort of, more like some of Jeff's swahili. Looking around, there is no place to sit except on the floor against the wall next to a young lady. Well, contrary to my nature, I sat down and struck up a casual conversation with this gal. "Where you headed?" Her, "why, back to Kansas, of course, pointing to the monitor that said Nairobi. I could tell I was going to like this gal. Well as you can imagine, I could tell you all of the conversation, but I'll cut to the chase...chase being a relative term, as we were just sitting. Her name is Brittany and she is from Georgia and is traveling alone for the first time and is pretty stressed out. She's about 21. She is going toKansas Nairobi to some mission project that she didn't know much about. This raised some red flags for me, as I have seen enough of African 'missions's to know that all may not be as presented. By this time I mention to her that I thought it was interesting that God would inconvenience 450 people with a delay just so we could meet. And it was true. Anyway, the airline brought in a different 747 and we boarded, she to 37G and me to 31G. On the way I checked with her and helped fill out the immigration and custom forms. Being abit concerned for her, as she was coming into a rather not-so-nice airport, I waited for her in the skybridge and took her to immigration, where 450 tired and cranky and late (because of us,,,I didn't bother to mention to them) people were waiting in line. (up to and hour). I have 'resident' status now, because the US has been looking for somewhere to put me... so I took her with me to the Kenya Resident line where there only a few waiting. It took some of my incredible charm, but the official took her application and money, of course and we were able to get to the luggage turnstile and get our stuff. I got thru Customs and kept an eye on her until she got thru. Then I found the guy who was supposed to pick her up in a sea of 100 or more and got her connected. Wishing her well and giving her my email and Kenya phone # we said goodbye....me alittle concerned. I took a taxi and walking out to the parking lot, a car stopped and rolled down the window and a white hand came out and said, "Hi, I'm Kristen and thanks for watching over Brittany". That made me relax. The on the way to my hotel I get a text; this is Kristen and I am Rebecca's neice. I have been wanting to meet you. All this to say....WHAT ARE THE CHANCES??? 8000miles away, delayed aircraft inconveniencing 450 people just to arrange an incounter so we couple connect with someone we have known about for quite awhile. Coincidence.....I think not. It seems that everytime I'm involved with Instep, there is just miracle after miracle.....the biggest is that they let me come back....
So, I left Africa after, 2 months, in mid May again, and was recieved home by my favorite wife in a marvelous way....Me, "Honey, I'm home." Sandy, "Were you gone?" But secretly, I think she knew I had been away, as my truck and tools had been sold. Almost within days we were on our motorcycle with some friends, touring the western US. Since spending a great deal of the last two years in Africa, I have learned that you can get as many as 6 people and a goat on one motorcycle. So, when I say 'with some friends' I mean friends in a past tense sort of way. Anyway, we took a look around Vegas, Death Valley, the Utah canyons, Yosemite and the coast back to Anacortes. Pretty amazing what our God has given us to enjoy. By the way, did you know that all things were created BY Him, FOR Him. He just lets us enjoy it with Him.
After we got home, in mid june, Sandy asked me when I was thinking I should go back to Instep....sort of a 'here's your hat, what's your hurry' kind of thing. I told her that God has always let me know and I didn't know yet. She said Sept was a nice time to travel...especiallly alone. She knows how I love to travel sitting in a seat designed for toddlers for 20+ hours. Well anyway, I didn't think I'd go then, having a much better connection with God than she has. OK she said, but you'll go then, you'll see. So one night in early August, I woke up about 2am and knew that I was supposed to go in Sept. I woke Sandy up (which she alway enjoys) and told her that I just came up with a good idea....that I should go back to Instep in Sept. "Wish I'd thought of that" she said, adding something in swahili that she had learned from Jeff. Then that morning about 7am, Jeff called from Instep and told me that he needed me back, as Toyota was missing me badly....that and he had alot of work for me to do, as he himself doesn't do any, so there is always an abundance for others. So, reveling in how discerning I am, I asked Sandy to book a ticket for me....."already done" she said...."at 2:30.
And..here I am, back in the 17th century, wondering just why, still trying to find a use for snot. But let me tell you a short (like that happens) story that happened enroute. For about a year, Sandy and I have been talking to a woman friend of ours named Rebecca about Instep, and she said she has a neice in Nairobi that works for a mission,and would like to go. Which, Lord willing will happen next January. So I'm in Amsterdam, with a 2 hr layover and I wander down to the departure gate. Standing there, for awhile, when a person comes out and says that there is a problem with the 747 and that there would be a 2 hr delay. "oh goody" I say....well sort of, more like some of Jeff's swahili. Looking around, there is no place to sit except on the floor against the wall next to a young lady. Well, contrary to my nature, I sat down and struck up a casual conversation with this gal. "Where you headed?" Her, "why, back to Kansas, of course, pointing to the monitor that said Nairobi. I could tell I was going to like this gal. Well as you can imagine, I could tell you all of the conversation, but I'll cut to the chase...chase being a relative term, as we were just sitting. Her name is Brittany and she is from Georgia and is traveling alone for the first time and is pretty stressed out. She's about 21. She is going to
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Down but not out
November 9,2011
Being and doing what you know God has called you to do is not always an easy thing. I am experiencing that fact today. This has been a total meltdown day for me. Tears most of the day. Feeling sorry for myself and just wanting to go home. Maybe a little like the Israelites and their being in the desert. Home looks mighty good to me today! Maybe it is the torrential and incessant rain that is here in the “dry” season.
The rain that makes it impossible to dry the kids clothes and forces them inside all day. The fact that they will probably have to go to bed in their dirty clothes again tonight. Maybe it is the fact that so many are sick with malaria and are having to go into the clinic everyday to get their injections to keep them from serious illness. Maybe it is the treacherous roads that because of all rain, make it impossible to even drive on them with the 4 wheel drive Toyota. Terry almost did not make it home from the clinic run today. He is not even going to attempt to take the “aunties” home tonite. Maybe it is the corruption of a government that is preventing food to be given to the many starving people here in Kenya. They let it rot in their storage units until it develops a fungus that is deadly if eaten and then have to burn it in secret in the dump. Maybe I am just physically and emotionally exhausted…..whatever the case, that is where I am today. Sounds pretty romantic being a “missionary” huh? Not to me, not today.
Now tomorrow will be a different story….I hope. I am going to “gird up my loins” and get on the with the tasks at hand. I have had a very understanding husband today and he has just held me and told me things will be better tomorrow. He just let me have a good cry. Sometimes a good cry is good for the soul…oh and chocolate! Chocolate is good for most things. So I will try and wake up tomorrow with a better attitude and know that it really is not all about me. It is about what God has in mind for these 106 little kids who have lost everything, but have gained a whole lot more…..people who care for and love them, safety from those who would do them harm, a warm place with plenty of food. Please remember how blessed you are!
Being and doing what you know God has called you to do is not always an easy thing. I am experiencing that fact today. This has been a total meltdown day for me. Tears most of the day. Feeling sorry for myself and just wanting to go home. Maybe a little like the Israelites and their being in the desert. Home looks mighty good to me today! Maybe it is the torrential and incessant rain that is here in the “dry” season.
The rain that makes it impossible to dry the kids clothes and forces them inside all day. The fact that they will probably have to go to bed in their dirty clothes again tonight. Maybe it is the fact that so many are sick with malaria and are having to go into the clinic everyday to get their injections to keep them from serious illness. Maybe it is the treacherous roads that because of all rain, make it impossible to even drive on them with the 4 wheel drive Toyota. Terry almost did not make it home from the clinic run today. He is not even going to attempt to take the “aunties” home tonite. Maybe it is the corruption of a government that is preventing food to be given to the many starving people here in Kenya. They let it rot in their storage units until it develops a fungus that is deadly if eaten and then have to burn it in secret in the dump. Maybe I am just physically and emotionally exhausted…..whatever the case, that is where I am today. Sounds pretty romantic being a “missionary” huh? Not to me, not today.
Now tomorrow will be a different story….I hope. I am going to “gird up my loins” and get on the with the tasks at hand. I have had a very understanding husband today and he has just held me and told me things will be better tomorrow. He just let me have a good cry. Sometimes a good cry is good for the soul…oh and chocolate! Chocolate is good for most things. So I will try and wake up tomorrow with a better attitude and know that it really is not all about me. It is about what God has in mind for these 106 little kids who have lost everything, but have gained a whole lot more…..people who care for and love them, safety from those who would do them harm, a warm place with plenty of food. Please remember how blessed you are!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Might be time to do the laundry
Halloween 2011
I need to vent abit, then let’s see what happens next. Some of you know and remember that a few months ago, I mentioned that food prices here…well it was ‘there’ at the time, because here was there for me then, if you get my drift. Let’s just for the sake of sanity, say that Kenya’s food prices were going thru the roof….whatever that means….even tripling and more. So, as a result, so many sent in enough money to buy maize and beans for Instep to get thru harvest time. Not only that, but so much came in that we were able to help another childrens ministry in Kitale….which is here (now). It completely blew me away (some of you wish), and once again God showed His mercy towards these kids. And a lot of you were a part of that miracle. So when is he going to vent you ask. Glad you asked, thank you. Hang on, I’m getting there. Now, there has been a food shortage in Northern Kenya for quite a few years, and the world has been sending food in to help. OK, here it comes! Yesterday, while you were sleeping, I took our weekly run to the local dump to dispose of about 1400 used diapers. I think I have told you about the dump, so you can look back thru the blogs to be refreshed. While there, Martin, (our local unpaid for 2 yrs dump manager) says almost with tears in his eyes; “see the smoke over there, come take a look”. You and I both know that I have been in Kenya long enough to mostly become calloused to all the ‘stuff’ here, but this was too much. There, on fire, piled high, was at least 100-180# bags of maize. And yes, maize is considered food here. Why were they burning it, you ask. Because instead of giving out the food to those in need, they stored it until it developed a toxic substance and became poison for consumption. Had it been given out months ago, it would have been fine, but instead, the officials let the people starve here while there was food in storage. So, it had to be burned….there must be a special place in Hell for those who have been withholding food while people are dying. I don’t know if it was the Kenyan government, or the UN or other world food organization, but it doesn’t matter, someone has directly contributed to the death of human beings…men…women….children….and the evolutionists say we are getting better….BS!
Sorry, sometimes the way it is here gets overwhelming. You have the option of not reading this…which I’m sure that some of you smarter ones are exercising even now, but I get to live it….even the true parts.
J & C evidently have either lost their minds, or have become completely despondent, or have a real faith in Gods ability to take care of his kids here, as they will be leaving Kenya for a month. Jeff, a couple of months ago: “hey Kisers, how about you guys come visit us?” Me: “I think I told you that we were never going back to Africa.” Jeff: “Not Africa,,,just Kenya”. Me: “Oh, in that case, we are on our way….in fact, we are already there.” So we came expecting to have some good fellowship with J & C. Meanwhile they are plotting their escape and booking tickets out. This brings us to today….Jeff says, in passing, “did I mention that we are leaving next Monday….for a month?” “Oh,” I said, “where are we going?” (insert one of Jeff’s looks here) So, with his desire to slink out of Africa, the task remains to Sandy and I to find some scapegoats to actually carry the burden of 106 kids…and us too. That brings us to Sean (Slowtogetit) and Meredith (Marryme). These two have the ability and desire to make life go on at Instep, with the plus of being able to tolerate me! Anyway, between the four of us, we may be able to keep this place from collapsing….at least for a month. Nevertheless, Jeff has no one to blame except himself. As this week progresses, S,M,Sand me are plotting our overthrow of authority here. My hope is that S&M do all the work and Sandy and I get all the credit. If you have an ounce of mercy in your bones, you will pray for us. As I have said before, no normal human being….or 2 of them can possibly make Instep function. That being said, I’ll add that J & C are not normal…in many ways…..but have an incredible ability to do 106 kids, 36 staff, and all the crap that goes with the job. Our only hope for the next month is that God is unwilling for anyone to damage His kids here, and so will keep us in line.
Well, I have to go change my pants….every time I think of being here with all that goes on….without J&C, I have a little accident.
I need to vent abit, then let’s see what happens next. Some of you know and remember that a few months ago, I mentioned that food prices here…well it was ‘there’ at the time, because here was there for me then, if you get my drift. Let’s just for the sake of sanity, say that Kenya’s food prices were going thru the roof….whatever that means….even tripling and more. So, as a result, so many sent in enough money to buy maize and beans for Instep to get thru harvest time. Not only that, but so much came in that we were able to help another childrens ministry in Kitale….which is here (now). It completely blew me away (some of you wish), and once again God showed His mercy towards these kids. And a lot of you were a part of that miracle. So when is he going to vent you ask. Glad you asked, thank you. Hang on, I’m getting there. Now, there has been a food shortage in Northern Kenya for quite a few years, and the world has been sending food in to help. OK, here it comes! Yesterday, while you were sleeping, I took our weekly run to the local dump to dispose of about 1400 used diapers. I think I have told you about the dump, so you can look back thru the blogs to be refreshed. While there, Martin, (our local unpaid for 2 yrs dump manager) says almost with tears in his eyes; “see the smoke over there, come take a look”. You and I both know that I have been in Kenya long enough to mostly become calloused to all the ‘stuff’ here, but this was too much. There, on fire, piled high, was at least 100-180# bags of maize. And yes, maize is considered food here. Why were they burning it, you ask. Because instead of giving out the food to those in need, they stored it until it developed a toxic substance and became poison for consumption. Had it been given out months ago, it would have been fine, but instead, the officials let the people starve here while there was food in storage. So, it had to be burned….there must be a special place in Hell for those who have been withholding food while people are dying. I don’t know if it was the Kenyan government, or the UN or other world food organization, but it doesn’t matter, someone has directly contributed to the death of human beings…men…women….children….and the evolutionists say we are getting better….BS!
Sorry, sometimes the way it is here gets overwhelming. You have the option of not reading this…which I’m sure that some of you smarter ones are exercising even now, but I get to live it….even the true parts.
J & C evidently have either lost their minds, or have become completely despondent, or have a real faith in Gods ability to take care of his kids here, as they will be leaving Kenya for a month. Jeff, a couple of months ago: “hey Kisers, how about you guys come visit us?” Me: “I think I told you that we were never going back to Africa.” Jeff: “Not Africa,,,just Kenya”. Me: “Oh, in that case, we are on our way….in fact, we are already there.” So we came expecting to have some good fellowship with J & C. Meanwhile they are plotting their escape and booking tickets out. This brings us to today….Jeff says, in passing, “did I mention that we are leaving next Monday….for a month?” “Oh,” I said, “where are we going?” (insert one of Jeff’s looks here) So, with his desire to slink out of Africa, the task remains to Sandy and I to find some scapegoats to actually carry the burden of 106 kids…and us too. That brings us to Sean (Slowtogetit) and Meredith (Marryme). These two have the ability and desire to make life go on at Instep, with the plus of being able to tolerate me! Anyway, between the four of us, we may be able to keep this place from collapsing….at least for a month. Nevertheless, Jeff has no one to blame except himself. As this week progresses, S,M,Sand me are plotting our overthrow of authority here. My hope is that S&M do all the work and Sandy and I get all the credit. If you have an ounce of mercy in your bones, you will pray for us. As I have said before, no normal human being….or 2 of them can possibly make Instep function. That being said, I’ll add that J & C are not normal…in many ways…..but have an incredible ability to do 106 kids, 36 staff, and all the crap that goes with the job. Our only hope for the next month is that God is unwilling for anyone to damage His kids here, and so will keep us in line.
Well, I have to go change my pants….every time I think of being here with all that goes on….without J&C, I have a little accident.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sandy at the home front
It is now Saturday afternoon at the Instep homestead. Carla, Jeff, Terry and Shylo are off to a barbecue in town. I have decided to stay here and so has Beth Ann, the gal who has come to do a preschool with the 4 yr olds. Beth Ann is not feeling well and not feeling up to going and me, well I am just needing some peace and quiet!
It has been an up and down week. A new little one named Esther. A beautiful little girl that has been taken care of solely by her 9 year old brother for quite some time. He had been placed in a street boys home temporarily, for lack of another placement. As much as they had wanted to take him, Insteps policy is not to take youngsters that old. I understand it was heartbreaking for him to be separated from his little sister. The good news is that he has been now placed in another children’s home that has him in a foster home situation for a short period of time until they get their new home up and running. They may be able to take both children when little Esther gets stronger and healthier! God continues to be so faithful.
The hard part of my week is that my 85 year old father fell and had to be rushed to Harbor View Hospital. They knew he had a concusion and thought he had bleeding in his brain. Oh, to be so far away and something like that happens. My sister had only been home not quite a week and had to fly home. She lives in Salt Lake City. Dad is doing better and is not as critical as when he came in. He may be able to go back home to Anacortes Sunday or Monday. We had discussed ( my sister and brother and I) what if’s, but had not thought it would be our father! My sister is handling everything and I do feel somewhat guilty, but it is difficult getting back home and some flights have been cancelled coming into Nairobi. So I am praying , a lot!
Terry is starting some of his planned projects. Making shelving to store all the tubs that have been brought over with kids clothes and shoes, has been another TIA. At first the store had the plywood and then they did not! So hopefully it will be coming( in fact it is already there)! I am mending and sorting through all the tubs to see what we actually have on hand and of course getting to hold all the babies I want J )))))
The pace is slower here for sure and there is an emphasis on relationships that can get in the way of accomplishing any project, but over all things are going well. We have been feeling well and no Malaria, so all good!
Some of you may have been hearing the news regarding Kenya and the threat of attacks from Somalia. They are true, but we have not felt unsafe at all. The attacks have been focused on Kenyans, mostly in Nairobi. Because of that threat our other team that had planned on coming the first week in November is having second thought about coming over. I am going to miss not having them here, but totally understand their decision. We are being cautious, but living our lives. Carla, Jeff and Shylo are still planning on leaving Nairobi on the 7th of November and as far as we know should be able to get their flights out. So when and if they get out of Kenya, Terry and the team of Meredith and Sean will be in charge!!! Hopefully all will go well while they are gone…if not, we will try to miss them at the airport on our way outta town!!!
It has been an up and down week. A new little one named Esther. A beautiful little girl that has been taken care of solely by her 9 year old brother for quite some time. He had been placed in a street boys home temporarily, for lack of another placement. As much as they had wanted to take him, Insteps policy is not to take youngsters that old. I understand it was heartbreaking for him to be separated from his little sister. The good news is that he has been now placed in another children’s home that has him in a foster home situation for a short period of time until they get their new home up and running. They may be able to take both children when little Esther gets stronger and healthier! God continues to be so faithful.
The hard part of my week is that my 85 year old father fell and had to be rushed to Harbor View Hospital. They knew he had a concusion and thought he had bleeding in his brain. Oh, to be so far away and something like that happens. My sister had only been home not quite a week and had to fly home. She lives in Salt Lake City. Dad is doing better and is not as critical as when he came in. He may be able to go back home to Anacortes Sunday or Monday. We had discussed ( my sister and brother and I) what if’s, but had not thought it would be our father! My sister is handling everything and I do feel somewhat guilty, but it is difficult getting back home and some flights have been cancelled coming into Nairobi. So I am praying , a lot!
Terry is starting some of his planned projects. Making shelving to store all the tubs that have been brought over with kids clothes and shoes, has been another TIA. At first the store had the plywood and then they did not! So hopefully it will be coming( in fact it is already there)! I am mending and sorting through all the tubs to see what we actually have on hand and of course getting to hold all the babies I want J )))))
The pace is slower here for sure and there is an emphasis on relationships that can get in the way of accomplishing any project, but over all things are going well. We have been feeling well and no Malaria, so all good!
Some of you may have been hearing the news regarding Kenya and the threat of attacks from Somalia. They are true, but we have not felt unsafe at all. The attacks have been focused on Kenyans, mostly in Nairobi. Because of that threat our other team that had planned on coming the first week in November is having second thought about coming over. I am going to miss not having them here, but totally understand their decision. We are being cautious, but living our lives. Carla, Jeff and Shylo are still planning on leaving Nairobi on the 7th of November and as far as we know should be able to get their flights out. So when and if they get out of Kenya, Terry and the team of Meredith and Sean will be in charge!!! Hopefully all will go well while they are gone…if not, we will try to miss them at the airport on our way outta town!!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Mud and tears
Oct 24, 2011
Now which one of you would think to tell me to take warm clothes to the equator….in Africa. I mean I never saw Tarzan wearing long underwear, just that diaper thingy. So, last evening: “Hey Jeff, I can’t find the heater in our room.” I say, while actually looking for a pile of kids to get under. Jeff, giving me one of his now world famous ‘what a dumb a**’ looks, says “We’re in the tropics, for crying out loud” but even I noticed that he was saying it from under his blanket. Who would have thought that it could get clear down to 70 deg F here. You laugh, but go sit under a sun lamp for 6 hrs and then see what 70 does to you. Before we came, the dry season began, but now that we are here, the rain doesn’t seem so dry to me, then that’s just me. True to form, when the Kisers are in Africa, the ‘blessings’ come. Now in Washington State we don’t necessarily call rain ‘blessings’, but here they do. It hasn’t rained hard, but it has rained every day…..good for the beans, and car body shops….more on that later.
Sandy has a pretty good hiding place. She goes into room 3 and gets behind a humongous pile of kids clothes an uses the sewing machine to repatriate different parts of dismembered clothes. Meanwhile the kids just blow by the door, never suspecting that hugs are just feet away. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is actually provable here. (Jeff….that is the axiom….I mean ‘thing that says stuff starts good and goes to h--- I mean to broken, ripped, smashed torn….bad.) Please hang with me as sometimes I have to tutor Jeff some. As an aside, I am really proud of Jeff, as he is using larger words more and more….he has learned to write in all capital letters.
Earlier in the day yesterday, I drove Joseph and Lil’ Twerp (Shylo) into Sabanga, the little village near here, to get maize and potatoes. The ‘roads’ were dry….unlike later….more on that coming up. So we get to the metropolis and find a door in a brick building that had some kernels of maize sprinkled around. So Joseph says to the lady standing in the door, “lots of words and noises that can’t be understood by mzungu”. She replied, “more noises and strange words”. This went on of about 5 minutes. At one point I broke in and asked J what the deal was. “Not made yet” he says…..we are negotiating. She wants 2650 Ksh and we will pay 2600Ksh. (50 cents diff). It wasn’t the 50 cents, it was who would win the match. Although she seem, to me, to be the better bargainer, J managed to pull it out and he chalked up another victory in the battle of the market place. A repeat performance at another place for the potatoes, and J was absolutely gleeful. “Did you see that” he says. “they didn’t have a chance!” Not exactly the world series of negotiation, I thought….but said, “it is an honor to be in your presence, oh Market Master.” So, back to home, 150 kg’s heavier.
So a couple of days ago, Jeff Lil’ Twerp and I went to town, and were picking our way thru the lead mines, when LT says to Jeff, “How do they fix these roads?” Jeff, giving me one of his looks, rolling his eyes says to LT. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen it happen.” Which brings me to the sad tale that I am about to tell.
Every night , after dark, Jeff takes the two or three Aunties that get off shift home. Most of them live within 6 or 7 miles, down little dirt lanes about 10 ft wide, sometimes having flat surfaces for 8 or 10 inches at a time. Some of these lanes are shaped like a barrel…maybe 3 ft higher in the middle than at the sides, which are sort of a ditch affair, with vertical dirt walls. This brings us to Kiser driving skills….or lack of it. This dirt, when wet becomes very much like ice…or like a known substance here….snot. So, with Jeffs genteel coaxing, I was easing my friend Toyota along the ‘road’, and then it was over. With a subtle ‘bang’ Toyota had come to rest against the left side wall of the lane….which is hard mud as well, with brambles hanging over it. Being as I have never liked damaging things, especially expensive things, I pretty much ruined my day….and probably longer. But bless his heart, Jeff looked over at me smiling and said TIA. I think he is a better man than me….but don’t you dare tell him. Anyway, long story short….like that ever happens with me……between 4 wheel drive, patience, and the winch, Toyota proved her worth again. Jeff wouldn’t let me get out of the drivers seat, Aunties got home, as did we. The damage wasn’t too bad….partially caved in left side panel, but nothing broken except my ego….and heart….I love ’ol Toyota.
And so, another day in Africa, and God has proven once again that He is good. This is life.
Now which one of you would think to tell me to take warm clothes to the equator….in Africa. I mean I never saw Tarzan wearing long underwear, just that diaper thingy. So, last evening: “Hey Jeff, I can’t find the heater in our room.” I say, while actually looking for a pile of kids to get under. Jeff, giving me one of his now world famous ‘what a dumb a**’ looks, says “We’re in the tropics, for crying out loud” but even I noticed that he was saying it from under his blanket. Who would have thought that it could get clear down to 70 deg F here. You laugh, but go sit under a sun lamp for 6 hrs and then see what 70 does to you. Before we came, the dry season began, but now that we are here, the rain doesn’t seem so dry to me, then that’s just me. True to form, when the Kisers are in Africa, the ‘blessings’ come. Now in Washington State we don’t necessarily call rain ‘blessings’, but here they do. It hasn’t rained hard, but it has rained every day…..good for the beans, and car body shops….more on that later.
Sandy has a pretty good hiding place. She goes into room 3 and gets behind a humongous pile of kids clothes an uses the sewing machine to repatriate different parts of dismembered clothes. Meanwhile the kids just blow by the door, never suspecting that hugs are just feet away. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is actually provable here. (Jeff….that is the axiom….I mean ‘thing that says stuff starts good and goes to h--- I mean to broken, ripped, smashed torn….bad.) Please hang with me as sometimes I have to tutor Jeff some. As an aside, I am really proud of Jeff, as he is using larger words more and more….he has learned to write in all capital letters.
Earlier in the day yesterday, I drove Joseph and Lil’ Twerp (Shylo) into Sabanga, the little village near here, to get maize and potatoes. The ‘roads’ were dry….unlike later….more on that coming up. So we get to the metropolis and find a door in a brick building that had some kernels of maize sprinkled around. So Joseph says to the lady standing in the door, “lots of words and noises that can’t be understood by mzungu”. She replied, “more noises and strange words”. This went on of about 5 minutes. At one point I broke in and asked J what the deal was. “Not made yet” he says…..we are negotiating. She wants 2650 Ksh and we will pay 2600Ksh. (50 cents diff). It wasn’t the 50 cents, it was who would win the match. Although she seem, to me, to be the better bargainer, J managed to pull it out and he chalked up another victory in the battle of the market place. A repeat performance at another place for the potatoes, and J was absolutely gleeful. “Did you see that” he says. “they didn’t have a chance!” Not exactly the world series of negotiation, I thought….but said, “it is an honor to be in your presence, oh Market Master.” So, back to home, 150 kg’s heavier.
So a couple of days ago, Jeff Lil’ Twerp and I went to town, and were picking our way thru the lead mines, when LT says to Jeff, “How do they fix these roads?” Jeff, giving me one of his looks, rolling his eyes says to LT. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen it happen.” Which brings me to the sad tale that I am about to tell.
Every night , after dark, Jeff takes the two or three Aunties that get off shift home. Most of them live within 6 or 7 miles, down little dirt lanes about 10 ft wide, sometimes having flat surfaces for 8 or 10 inches at a time. Some of these lanes are shaped like a barrel…maybe 3 ft higher in the middle than at the sides, which are sort of a ditch affair, with vertical dirt walls. This brings us to Kiser driving skills….or lack of it. This dirt, when wet becomes very much like ice…or like a known substance here….snot. So, with Jeffs genteel coaxing, I was easing my friend Toyota along the ‘road’, and then it was over. With a subtle ‘bang’ Toyota had come to rest against the left side wall of the lane….which is hard mud as well, with brambles hanging over it. Being as I have never liked damaging things, especially expensive things, I pretty much ruined my day….and probably longer. But bless his heart, Jeff looked over at me smiling and said TIA. I think he is a better man than me….but don’t you dare tell him. Anyway, long story short….like that ever happens with me……between 4 wheel drive, patience, and the winch, Toyota proved her worth again. Jeff wouldn’t let me get out of the drivers seat, Aunties got home, as did we. The damage wasn’t too bad….partially caved in left side panel, but nothing broken except my ego….and heart….I love ’ol Toyota.
And so, another day in Africa, and God has proven once again that He is good. This is life.
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