35000’ over the Atlantic, 4580 miles to go and doing 587 mph…of course in an airplane. Where to start, where to start. I think that this is day 27, but it is getting harder to keep it straight. It is 12:22pm at Kitale, 11:22am in Amsterdam, Saturday. Saturday started earlier for us than for most of you. If you had paid attention in school, you would know why. Yesterday,…2 days ago for most of you, Sandy and I made the rounds to all the kids and the staff at the home and said our goodbyes. Some of the older kids cried as well as some of the staff. We have become attached to them and them to us. The place operates as a large family, and they had for the most part accepted us in. Anyway, tears all around….even Jeff, however his motivation was suspect. Sandy thought she would be glad to go, and I know it was true, but it wasn’t as easy as she thought. The thing I feared most came to haunt us…..we began to fall in love with all those people…yes, even the 82 sneaky little crumb snatchers. Those little critters look innocuous enough, but they have a way of getting to you….probably proof that they are alien beings.
Having left Anacortes on the 4th of Oct with mixed expectations, we are now out 27 or so days and are now trying to figure out just what the heck went on. Like all idiot Christians heading for the field, we knew we could just bless the socks off of all those less fortunate beings that God had directed us to minister to. “Yup” I said to myself…cuz I like to hear myself, “ I have a lot to give, and they have a lot of need”. And as you might be thinking, that’s not exactly how it is turning out.
Having been to Africa, and the outback before, Sandy and I thought we pretty much could fit into the culture pretty easily. As I have told you, there is a bit of a difference in living in Anacortes, and living in Kitale. For one thing, the roads in America have a flat surface free from mining operations. That and the contrast between western living and 3rd world living is something that really can’t be described here. If you haven’t been there,,,well, you haven’t been there. What happens in these situations, at least for us is that initially there are things that seem to devour you. Imagine leaving your living room, walking into a large aluminum tube, trying to be a contortionist for 18 hrs…just sitting…..sitting….getting up to go to the bathroom….now as an aside, every since my freshman year when the seniors ’helped me get acquainted’ with my locker, I haven’t cared much for airplane bathrooms….at least the locker door swung out……&sitting & sitting. Then someone opens the door and you step into….well, not your living room. Now all the niceties and rules that you have lived by don’t necessarily count. The surroundings don’t look like home. The temperature and humidity aren’t what they were 18 hrs ago. The people don’t look the same. Their ‘English’ is with a strong accent that make them hard to understand. There are few indications or signs of where to go and what to do next. The authorities seem to exude a power that is intimidating, especially since you don’t know what they can do to you. When you get through Immigration, being questioned and fingerprinted, you get ‘permission’ to be in their country…with the caveat that they can make you leave anytime they want….not exactly like home….unless you are a teenager. Then you collect your bags and face “Customs” While Immigration seemed to be interested in your DNA, these guys are interested in making you feel like you are criminal for bringing anything into their country. Then you go out into their world and find the British have corrupted them into thinking that driving on the left side of the road is the proper way. No big deal, you say….well remember ‘you haven’t been there’?… try sitting in the left seat watching vehicles coming at you from the front, sides, back, out of the potholes, from everywhere at 2000 mph. Doesn’t sound bad does it. But this all adds up to sensory and emotional overload….and this is just the first few hrs in country…..you shrug and say ‘I don’t see what’s the big deal’….and I say “I want my mommy” It is a big deal and you who have been there know. So now, you are on an exact reverse sleep time, tired and not being able to understand the language half the time and so you are in a semi state of confusion. Did I tell you that pre-aluminum tube, almost everyone looked somewhat (heaven forbid) like you, and now, almost no one does…..has nothing to do with race, just one more thing to put you out of your comfort zone. Smells, sounds, buildings, vehicles, signs, landscape….everything is strange. So you muddle on, marveling at what you see hoping that your ‘contacts’ will be where they said they would be. I don’t care how tough you are, you will feel a bit disoriented. So some of the romance of Africa begins to ebb……but it can come back…..stay with me. But don’t doubt, there is a culture shock.
So anyway, we came and we got to Kitale and we began to ‘feel’ what God was up to. You probably didn’t get much of a true feel from my previous postings, but it is what you paid for. The 1st 2 weeks, I didn’t feel good, Geri, Sandy and Marlies got malaria…..some of that romance that I mentioned. But even through that we were able to see that God is bigger than His ‘missionaries.’ He was doing something far greater than just the people could do. He was taking the willingness of a few, and sharing the credit with them for changing not only some kids lives, but probably a whole nation. Sound a bit much?? Well, Jesus is in the business of changing one person at a time, and if you get a few, the world will change….remember the 12 dudes He ran with. Like I said before, Kenya has a chance because Jesus is changing one at a time…..not only at InStep, but as I found out, many other places in the country. So we came to “minister”…to help change lives…..which we did. Surprise to us, it was our lives that changed. Those little Lilliputions (sp) so weak in each of themselves, as a group tied up our hearts and dragged us off to Jesus. We won’t be the same.
Some observations:
Most missionaries try to bring the culture over to what they (the missionaries) know. So the converts then become ‘different’ than their fellow citizens.
InStep believes and lives out the principle that as the people are changed by Jesus, they need to live out their lives in the society that they have around them. That means….now listen to me….that the kids they are loving are not learning to live the ‘mzungu’ life. When they leave the home, they will enter a society that lives differently than we do. They will probably walk everywhere, live in mud or mud brick houses, without electricity and running water. They won’t have gas or electric cook stoves or washing machines or most of the things we can’t live without. Jeff and Carla have purposely chosen to raise ’their’ kids as Kenyans, not as sudo-americans. The thing that affected me the most is that they do not live in a separated house, but just have a small room in the same building as their kids. They have no kitchen, living room, media room….but it is part storeroom. They eat the same ‘food’ (so called) that comes from the traditional charcoal burners, in the same room with the kids….just like a real mom and dad…..if you can imagine!! Their clothes are washed the same way as the kids clothes..on the ground, in a tub. I can’t emphasis it enough, that these kids are going to be able to enter their society as Kenyan, but with the one difference….their heart will be changed and their values will reflect our God’s values and so they will be the leaders that brings Kenya out of it’s dark past.
The first thing that I wanted to do was to make things easier for the kids…..”let’s get them modern stuff, let’s give them food that I can eat…..THEY NEED TO BE LIKE ME!” But then I go…..they grow and leave the home and go out into the society as a mzungu. Kenya needs Kenyan, not wazungu.(pl) I don’t know if this makes sense……sometimes I think I was born ’blonde’….most of the time if I put 2 thoughts together that make sense it is something like; “time to eat”. Yes it would be nice to make life easier, but it seems to be smarter to make life realistic. For J & C to “get” this concept is huge. For us to get it will be an act of God.
Now, for you that are involved with Snake Charmer. I’m talkin’ ta yous. Say, did you know that she has another name?? Yeah….it’s Ashley something or another……The rest of you can listen in if you want. I know that there is no way that you can know what God has done with that girl. You have an inkling, but it is bigger than that. I have seen her heart and watched her in action for almost a month. When she wasn’t harassing me, she was lovin’ on and teaching the kids, organizing the home, talking to the aunties, generally being a little Carla. (no implications, there Carla). She seems to have an intuition as to where the kids ’are’ and knows when one is not feeling well. Her heart really is in this work and she is in it for the long term. She has taken a large load off J & C…..well, C anyway,….anymore load off J and we would have to tie him down. So, since Charmer has the good sense not to read this, I am free to say, as a great friend of mine on Yokeko Dr. said…..”some go, and some send”. I’m asking you to consider ’sending’ Charmer by financially supporting her……long term. I don’t think she knows that I know she will be looking for about $1500 US per month…..that will cover her expenses, insurance and some reserve for flights home and sending Terry gifts etc. So, just sayin…..give it some prayer, and don’t tell her I kinda like her.
Now to some logistical stuff. This is where I shine and most get bored. If you go to rehemaministries.com you will see the basics of the ministry and some of the vision….Joyce has done a great job with that (that will be $10.00, J) But you can see that the 82 wants to be 400 with schools thru hi school, dorm for boys and girls with house parents for each small group of kids, and a clinic. Speaking of the clinic….did you know, probably not, that some great people got behind that part and have raised most of the money to build it. I would tell you who they are, but they have asked that I wouldn’t because they want vast amounts of jewels on there crown in heaven. Back to the subject at hand…..Since the money was raised, the weather has not co-operated at all. The ground here is made of cornflour and elmers glue….they call their rubber boots ‘gum’ boots…..and when it is dry it is like ugali. But when it is wet, it is fresh cream of wheat….so any action on it creates a sort of quicksand effect….you can walk on it but only if wearing pontoons. I could be exaggerating,,,,,maybe not. All this to say that contrary to what I have been posting previously, it has rained a lot……just about everyday since last March. So if you have a concern as to why the clinic is not underway, check with God……we think His timing will be perfect. If you have a chance, encourage J & C about this issue….I think that it bothers them that they haven’t been able to get this project going. (You didn’t hear that from me, Jeff)
Well, this magic box is saying that it needs the electric bucket guys to stop by……fat chance, since it’s probably some holiday at the electricity tank. So as soon as I can, I’ll post this…..but don’t think I’m done tormenting you….I learned from the best……3 to 5 yr olds….persistence is the key. Stand by for more.
What....now there are 105
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day 24
Just as an aside, the electric bucket guys suck here. I don’t know what kind of hours they keep, but I do know that they do spend most of them in the dark. That being said, now power again last night and mr computer was tuckered out (low bat)
Oddly enough, and to my surprise, the sun came up at about 6:30 am (which is most of yours 8:30 pm…..odd don’t you think). I sprang out of bed….more like a slinky toy going down stairs, Sandy says….combed over misc. hairs and hit the path running….in my own sort of way. Sandy mentioned the cement mixer and that was my challenge…how to get it to do it’s thing with minimal effort from me. Now the night before, a kid (27yrs) came over from another childrens’ home in Kitale…..stick with me, this has relevance…I think. Anyway, Justin didn’t seem too emotionally disturbed, but he hadn’t been at the home for very long. He made the of hand remark that he liked to do physical labor. Me: “but I thought you said you were from America!”. Future indentured servant: “I have dual citizenship…American and Peruvian”. “Oh“, I said “do they use shovels in Peru?” Daylight came (Thank the Lord, as the bucket guys evidently couldn’t find their way to work that night….too dark) and Physical Labor and I crept up on mixer and with shovel in hand ….P L, not me, and began. I had the forms ready, so there was nothing hold P L back from demonstrating his Peruvian heritage. Along the way, Eliud cam walking by, unaware of the danger he was in. Lucky for us, not for him, we had two shovels. Eliud, being a smart man, said “if we put the gravel, sand and cement in the machine, won’t it get it dirty….can’t we just mix it on the ground like my ancestors did?” “No problem” I said like a true supervisor, “you can just clean the machine after we are done”. “Can I really?” says he. He likes to joke like that. Meanwhile P L had the first batch ready and we were working hard…..you might think that supervising a Peruvian and a Kenyan is easy, but there’s not much shade here and so I broke a sweat as well. Once we were committed, and we had wet cement on the ground, Eliud suddenly remembered that he had to make a dump run with all the used diapers……looking at the pile of cement on the ground, I said “not without supervision!” Fortunately P L was new and didn’t catch all the nuances. It wasn’t until we were driving out that he used some of the Swahili that he had learned from Jeff.
While P L got to enjoy getting the credit for putting the cement in place, we were deftly working our way in and out of potholes that had been freshly dug….we were in the Van, not Toyota. Van is old and has given up hoping for a better life. Now, my deet cologne can be abit much in the morning, but it was no match for the sacks and sacks of used diapers as the African heat began to build…”You could sure use more deet” observes Eliud. “I know that Kenyan have a distinct odor” I say to him, “but it seems abit strong today”. He laughed and said that he would remember that comment. Did I happen to mention that Eliud is on the local police force? The DUMP! You probably have been to a dump….Sandy and I often have a date, going to the dump….I like to surprise her like that, being the romantic that I am…..but you haven’t been to this dump. Even the rats avoid this place. I won’t upset your stomach with the details, but suffice to say the “hospital disposes of all their medical waste, syringes, bandages, blood……had enough yet….. On the good side of the deal, a friend of ours gave us $20.00 (about 1600 shillings) to give to some one we thought had a special need. Now if you can imagine anyone more needy than the keeper of the dump……. He and his wife and kids live in a small house and are supposedly paid by the “city”. He has kept his side of the deal….city has not. With tears he thanked us and said “careful there….syringe sticking up”. He is a good man. If you can meet someone like him and then go back and think you need a bigger tv or newer car, you a tough, man, tough.
Back at the compound, P L was in total awe that he had completed the section of walkway. As he chased us around with a stick, he kept gloating over the fact that HE had done it. Good man, P L.
We sent the dove out yesterday…got alittle anxious, I guess, as it hadn’t rained for almost 24 hrs. Here’s hoping it doesn’t drown.
Got a lot to do today, as it is our last full day at the home. Everyone seems sad but have helped us pack. We found our stuff out by Toyota yesterday, with everyone waving goodbye…….I think that they will miss Sandy.
Oddly enough, and to my surprise, the sun came up at about 6:30 am (which is most of yours 8:30 pm…..odd don’t you think). I sprang out of bed….more like a slinky toy going down stairs, Sandy says….combed over misc. hairs and hit the path running….in my own sort of way. Sandy mentioned the cement mixer and that was my challenge…how to get it to do it’s thing with minimal effort from me. Now the night before, a kid (27yrs) came over from another childrens’ home in Kitale…..stick with me, this has relevance…I think. Anyway, Justin didn’t seem too emotionally disturbed, but he hadn’t been at the home for very long. He made the of hand remark that he liked to do physical labor. Me: “but I thought you said you were from America!”. Future indentured servant: “I have dual citizenship…American and Peruvian”. “Oh“, I said “do they use shovels in Peru?” Daylight came (Thank the Lord, as the bucket guys evidently couldn’t find their way to work that night….too dark) and Physical Labor and I crept up on mixer and with shovel in hand ….P L, not me, and began. I had the forms ready, so there was nothing hold P L back from demonstrating his Peruvian heritage. Along the way, Eliud cam walking by, unaware of the danger he was in. Lucky for us, not for him, we had two shovels. Eliud, being a smart man, said “if we put the gravel, sand and cement in the machine, won’t it get it dirty….can’t we just mix it on the ground like my ancestors did?” “No problem” I said like a true supervisor, “you can just clean the machine after we are done”. “Can I really?” says he. He likes to joke like that. Meanwhile P L had the first batch ready and we were working hard…..you might think that supervising a Peruvian and a Kenyan is easy, but there’s not much shade here and so I broke a sweat as well. Once we were committed, and we had wet cement on the ground, Eliud suddenly remembered that he had to make a dump run with all the used diapers……looking at the pile of cement on the ground, I said “not without supervision!” Fortunately P L was new and didn’t catch all the nuances. It wasn’t until we were driving out that he used some of the Swahili that he had learned from Jeff.
While P L got to enjoy getting the credit for putting the cement in place, we were deftly working our way in and out of potholes that had been freshly dug….we were in the Van, not Toyota. Van is old and has given up hoping for a better life. Now, my deet cologne can be abit much in the morning, but it was no match for the sacks and sacks of used diapers as the African heat began to build…”You could sure use more deet” observes Eliud. “I know that Kenyan have a distinct odor” I say to him, “but it seems abit strong today”. He laughed and said that he would remember that comment. Did I happen to mention that Eliud is on the local police force? The DUMP! You probably have been to a dump….Sandy and I often have a date, going to the dump….I like to surprise her like that, being the romantic that I am…..but you haven’t been to this dump. Even the rats avoid this place. I won’t upset your stomach with the details, but suffice to say the “hospital disposes of all their medical waste, syringes, bandages, blood……had enough yet….. On the good side of the deal, a friend of ours gave us $20.00 (about 1600 shillings) to give to some one we thought had a special need. Now if you can imagine anyone more needy than the keeper of the dump……. He and his wife and kids live in a small house and are supposedly paid by the “city”. He has kept his side of the deal….city has not. With tears he thanked us and said “careful there….syringe sticking up”. He is a good man. If you can meet someone like him and then go back and think you need a bigger tv or newer car, you a tough, man, tough.
Back at the compound, P L was in total awe that he had completed the section of walkway. As he chased us around with a stick, he kept gloating over the fact that HE had done it. Good man, P L.
We sent the dove out yesterday…got alittle anxious, I guess, as it hadn’t rained for almost 24 hrs. Here’s hoping it doesn’t drown.
Got a lot to do today, as it is our last full day at the home. Everyone seems sad but have helped us pack. We found our stuff out by Toyota yesterday, with everyone waving goodbye…….I think that they will miss Sandy.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Day 23
Hi again, Terry says it is my turn to share, so here goes. At times it has been a struggle here for me. I do miss my family, but know that God has brought us here for a reason. I am still not certain what that is, but I have grown to love these kids and am finding that as our time is drawing to a close it is becoming harder and harder to let go. The love they have to share is so unconditional and free. They wrap their grubby little arms around you and climb up in your lap, even for just a few minutes, then off they go to the next thing. (Footnote: assuming all the snot is wiped onto you). I don’t have all their names down, but they don’t care. I don’t know when, but I have a strong feeling that we will be back. (Footnote: This is probably reverse psychology on God....The last time we were here she said she'd never come back). There is so much to be done here and not enough time. We had thought that we might stay a bit longer, but the list of things to do just kept getting longer!!! So we will come home on schedule and see what God does next.
Marlies & Geri are leaving tomorrow to go on a safari and we will meet up with them in Nairobi for the flight home.
Terry and crew tried to pour a cement walkway today, but it poured again this afternoon, so had to postpone the pour.
So at 8:oo am tomorrow ( remember this is still Kenya) or thereabouts, they will mix the cement ( remember the cement mixer Terry wrote about earlier?) and get it laid out. Well that is the plan anyway. You will probably hear that story from Terry’s perspective tomorrow.
Jeff & Carla have been great to be with. They take the time to show us around even with all the things they already have on their plate regarding the kids. Today they took us to a spring that was put in in Aug of this year. It was an underground spring that was so polluted , but the people still used it. Now it has a cement and a filtration system in place that keeps the water from pollution and is much cleaner than before. Check it out at rehemaministries.com. It is great to see that they still have a desire to be of help to the Kenyan people beyond just caring for the children that nobody wants. Jeff & Terry are not really safe alone together. They have similar traits that can be frightening!!! (footnote: Sandy likes to exagerate a lot) I think they have become friends as well. Carla and I are much alike as well.
It is our job to keep those two focused on the tasks at hand. (Footnote: Read that last as NAG NAG NAG!)
Yeah, what Sandy said. Visiting InStep Childrens home is a lot like dinosaurs ‘visiting’ the LaBrea Tar pits. These creepy little buggers start to grow on you. I gotta get out of here…..I’m starting to do babies.
Marlies & Geri are leaving tomorrow to go on a safari and we will meet up with them in Nairobi for the flight home.
Terry and crew tried to pour a cement walkway today, but it poured again this afternoon, so had to postpone the pour.
So at 8:oo am tomorrow ( remember this is still Kenya) or thereabouts, they will mix the cement ( remember the cement mixer Terry wrote about earlier?) and get it laid out. Well that is the plan anyway. You will probably hear that story from Terry’s perspective tomorrow.
Jeff & Carla have been great to be with. They take the time to show us around even with all the things they already have on their plate regarding the kids. Today they took us to a spring that was put in in Aug of this year. It was an underground spring that was so polluted , but the people still used it. Now it has a cement and a filtration system in place that keeps the water from pollution and is much cleaner than before. Check it out at rehemaministries.com. It is great to see that they still have a desire to be of help to the Kenyan people beyond just caring for the children that nobody wants. Jeff & Terry are not really safe alone together. They have similar traits that can be frightening!!! (footnote: Sandy likes to exagerate a lot) I think they have become friends as well. Carla and I are much alike as well.
It is our job to keep those two focused on the tasks at hand. (Footnote: Read that last as NAG NAG NAG!)
Yeah, what Sandy said. Visiting InStep Childrens home is a lot like dinosaurs ‘visiting’ the LaBrea Tar pits. These creepy little buggers start to grow on you. I gotta get out of here…..I’m starting to do babies.
Day 22.9999
So, now that it’s well into the 23rd day of our African adventure, I can put down some thoughts about yesterday. I would have written last night, which is yesterday morning for you, but TIA…..This Is Africa….as the mzungu says here. Mzungu, you ask….later I say…. There is a lot, and I mean a lot of corruption here, and the people grow up often with a strange set of values. So, among other things, you don’t leave things of value just laying around…kinda like America only on steroids. Anyway, here, you buy time on the internet ahead, and they give you a USB plugin stick with the amount of kb’s that you bought. Now I had quite afew kbs and probably let that be known, and I’m guessing that some local said to himself, “Local, you need some of mzungus kbs. You should borrow them” . You might think that a 7th century citizen wouldn’t know how to us kbs or how to get them when they don’t have the stick, but I’m telling you that if local didn’t take them, then I would have to take responsibility for using all of them up…..and that’s not going to happen.
I woke up yesterday and began the ritual of getting ready to meet my many admirers (the little cretans that inhabit this place). Looking into the mirror, once again I was surprised to see such and old guy and I had to decide whether to trim the hairs coming out of my nose and ears, or just wet them down and comb them over. Opting for the latter, I headed out to see what damage Africa could do to me today.
There are 3 dogs that inhabit the place and keep the bad guys at bay during the night….I stay inside, as they have taken to seeing me as riffraff. One of the dogs, I’ll call Biteme, needed some shots for who knows what….probably as protection against the resident mzungu. Biteme may look dumb and lazy, but she seems to have a good memory for being stabbed by needles, and has the distinct advantage of 4 legs and Teeth. When the Vet (needlesticker) snuck onto the compound he thought he could just saunter up to Biteme and stick her full of holes. As good as this sounded to Biteme, she decided to toy with needlesticker and play tag. Not having any of that, Jeff donned his Kevlar suit and joined the fray. This started about 8:30 am. Lucky for needlesticker, biteme only needed a couple of shots, so “it shouldn’t take long” he says. After lunch and a short recuperative nap, Jeff and needlesticker finally coaxed biteme in by tackling her as she diverted her attention to some riffraff. I actually didn’t see the inoculations, as I cowered behind Toyota. After the incident, Jeff told me that he liked nothing better than wasting most of a day chasing dogs so I said that he should continue not using food to bait the dogs in. Biteme was alittle grumpy and slinked away…planning some kind of revenge. The other 2 dogs….they got a big kick out of the whole ordeal.
The afternoon passed as most do, since we came….Sandy lovin on kids, me lookin fer a new hiding place, and everyone staying near the lifeboats, as it is the dry season and it only rains now and then. Jeff sweet talked Toyota into taking us to the secondary school that Peter and Grace attend. It’s just around the corner as they say here….probably 3+ miles. This is the one place that I’d like to hear the parents…..”When I was a kid we had to walk to school in our bare feet….in the rain both ways” ……..“Yeah, dad,,you mean like I did today?” says little muddyfeet.
Oh, mzungu? White person.
I woke up yesterday and began the ritual of getting ready to meet my many admirers (the little cretans that inhabit this place). Looking into the mirror, once again I was surprised to see such and old guy and I had to decide whether to trim the hairs coming out of my nose and ears, or just wet them down and comb them over. Opting for the latter, I headed out to see what damage Africa could do to me today.
There are 3 dogs that inhabit the place and keep the bad guys at bay during the night….I stay inside, as they have taken to seeing me as riffraff. One of the dogs, I’ll call Biteme, needed some shots for who knows what….probably as protection against the resident mzungu. Biteme may look dumb and lazy, but she seems to have a good memory for being stabbed by needles, and has the distinct advantage of 4 legs and Teeth. When the Vet (needlesticker) snuck onto the compound he thought he could just saunter up to Biteme and stick her full of holes. As good as this sounded to Biteme, she decided to toy with needlesticker and play tag. Not having any of that, Jeff donned his Kevlar suit and joined the fray. This started about 8:30 am. Lucky for needlesticker, biteme only needed a couple of shots, so “it shouldn’t take long” he says. After lunch and a short recuperative nap, Jeff and needlesticker finally coaxed biteme in by tackling her as she diverted her attention to some riffraff. I actually didn’t see the inoculations, as I cowered behind Toyota. After the incident, Jeff told me that he liked nothing better than wasting most of a day chasing dogs so I said that he should continue not using food to bait the dogs in. Biteme was alittle grumpy and slinked away…planning some kind of revenge. The other 2 dogs….they got a big kick out of the whole ordeal.
The afternoon passed as most do, since we came….Sandy lovin on kids, me lookin fer a new hiding place, and everyone staying near the lifeboats, as it is the dry season and it only rains now and then. Jeff sweet talked Toyota into taking us to the secondary school that Peter and Grace attend. It’s just around the corner as they say here….probably 3+ miles. This is the one place that I’d like to hear the parents…..”When I was a kid we had to walk to school in our bare feet….in the rain both ways” ……..“Yeah, dad,,you mean like I did today?” says little muddyfeet.
Oh, mzungu? White person.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Day 21
Sunday morning for us…which is Saturday night for most of you, and, let’s see, it’s late October, so the sun came up at about 6:30...hmmm. I kinda stalled around, hoping that someone might bring me something to eat, and so didn’t eat this am. Taking my emaciated self down the hall, I looked outside and saw that Toyota had her hood up and two feet were sticking out. I thought to myself; Jeff must have really antagonized Toyota this time. She puts up with a lot from Jeff, but even Toyota has her limits. As I closed in on the two of them I thought I heard Jeff mumbling something….probably something he should repent of, but then I don’t speak much Swahili. Now don’t mention this to him, cuz he is a professing christian, and wants us to think he is very spiritual and above all worldly speech….and until I met him I thought so too. Anyway, I asked: “Problem?” “Why no” he says “I am just practicing some Swahili and I find that mashing my knuckles help expand my vocabulary” “Oh” I said, backing slowly away. I sensed that he might need me out of earshot. As I ran away, I swear that I saw Toyota smiling.
While Jeff was practicing his language lesson, the kids were inside with the local pastor have church services geared to them. I mentioned to the pastor that I thought Jeff was talking to God too. He smiled and whispered, “Toyota, huh?”
So, that is how the day started here.
Jeff told Snake Charmer that we would be going to Kitale for our weekly rendezvous with the other white people at 11:15. He told Sandy, Geri, Marlies, and I we would leave at about 11:00. Then he told Carla that we would leave at 11:30. At about 11:45 he came waltzing over to Toyota…the one with 5 animated people in it. I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish with that little shenanigan, but it might be a control issue……as I think that Toyota won round one. So off we go, searching for a road, any road that might get us to Kitale with minimal damage to our inards. Going down the ‘road’ we found that the locals had become very creative in filling in one of the potholes, as there was a dead animal in it….either that or the poor thing fell in the hole and couldn’t get out….not uncommon for animals, cars, and trucks. But we got to English lady’s (see day 4) place, with minimal bruising, as I think that Toyota had gotten her point across. It was a refreshing time,,,for one thing the food was actually recognizable, and only had a few flavor removers added.
While there, Carla and Charmer managed to upload the pics of the little buggers that they have trained to make my life hard. They were able to upload, because Kitale is on the perimeter of civilization and has internet access that is alittle faster than the pony express. So, then if you want to see the worlds most dangerous creatures, take a look at Facebook….Charmer says that there is 82 different pics with names posted, but my bet is that it is only 4 or 5 different pics with different names…..looks that way to me, anyway. While there, Boreholer came in a said he was getting plenty of sleep, since he has developed an ability to tune out God…..I smiled and said, “It’s hard at first, but with practice it can become second nature…..a lot of us do it”
Jeff said that we needed to get back soon because his favorite tv program would be on shortly. There were 7 of us in Toyota, and 6 of us made a mental note that there was still no satellite reception. But we did get back, just in time to view one of Africa’s most interesting sights…..the feeding of the multitude….all of us but one…who was watching tv.
Did I happen to mention that Carla has been doing ’yeoman’s’ duty for 29 years as of today. It is their anniversary….it’s almost over here, but it is just starting where you are and so you can continue to celebrate it.
Well, I think I’ll go out and pat ol’ Toyota.
While Jeff was practicing his language lesson, the kids were inside with the local pastor have church services geared to them. I mentioned to the pastor that I thought Jeff was talking to God too. He smiled and whispered, “Toyota, huh?”
So, that is how the day started here.
Jeff told Snake Charmer that we would be going to Kitale for our weekly rendezvous with the other white people at 11:15. He told Sandy, Geri, Marlies, and I we would leave at about 11:00. Then he told Carla that we would leave at 11:30. At about 11:45 he came waltzing over to Toyota…the one with 5 animated people in it. I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish with that little shenanigan, but it might be a control issue……as I think that Toyota won round one. So off we go, searching for a road, any road that might get us to Kitale with minimal damage to our inards. Going down the ‘road’ we found that the locals had become very creative in filling in one of the potholes, as there was a dead animal in it….either that or the poor thing fell in the hole and couldn’t get out….not uncommon for animals, cars, and trucks. But we got to English lady’s (see day 4) place, with minimal bruising, as I think that Toyota had gotten her point across. It was a refreshing time,,,for one thing the food was actually recognizable, and only had a few flavor removers added.
While there, Carla and Charmer managed to upload the pics of the little buggers that they have trained to make my life hard. They were able to upload, because Kitale is on the perimeter of civilization and has internet access that is alittle faster than the pony express. So, then if you want to see the worlds most dangerous creatures, take a look at Facebook….Charmer says that there is 82 different pics with names posted, but my bet is that it is only 4 or 5 different pics with different names…..looks that way to me, anyway. While there, Boreholer came in a said he was getting plenty of sleep, since he has developed an ability to tune out God…..I smiled and said, “It’s hard at first, but with practice it can become second nature…..a lot of us do it”
Jeff said that we needed to get back soon because his favorite tv program would be on shortly. There were 7 of us in Toyota, and 6 of us made a mental note that there was still no satellite reception. But we did get back, just in time to view one of Africa’s most interesting sights…..the feeding of the multitude….all of us but one…who was watching tv.
Did I happen to mention that Carla has been doing ’yeoman’s’ duty for 29 years as of today. It is their anniversary….it’s almost over here, but it is just starting where you are and so you can continue to celebrate it.
Well, I think I’ll go out and pat ol’ Toyota.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Day 20
Day 20.…a rather uneventful day. Slept in until 7:00 am, which is pm for you. Saturday here there is no school and so all the older kids have chores to do. I have been having fun with this blog, but not tonite….I think. Humor is a way that I have always dealt with stress in my life, whether it be as a kid entering a new school, or an old guy in Africa. The longer that we are here, the more I need to be funny in order to cope with the overwhelming world here. Sandy has shared a couple of stories, and surely they tugged at your heart. There are 82 kids here that for one reason or another, nobody wanted. Nobody wanted….nobody. Every kid has a sad story of abandonment, abuse or neglect. Most have been rescued at a young age and are receiving love and acceptance here, and won’t remember their history before InStep, Some of the older ones, like Kelvin and Bafo and Gracie and Churchill and more will carry the scars, both physical and mental for the rest of their lives. All will grow up with the knowledge that someone rejected them. There is nothing funny about that. So, I use the laughs to cover the pain, but I don’t want you to go on in your life not knowing that there are kids like these that desperately need someone to care. Jesus said take care of the orphans. He didn’t ask, He told!
The question is to me: do I care enough to give of myself in some way to touch someone that needs to be loved and has been thrown away by others? That is something that I am grappling with as I sit here tonite…which is this morning for you. I wish I could somehow convey to you how much this place can touch you. When you see the kids and know some of their backgrounds and yet have a smile on their face and hope in their smile, you can only be amazed at what Jeff and Carla are doing here in not even their little corner of the world.
This is a country that has a dark history, and I easily see how it has affected the people here. It can’t be changed quickly, but there is hope in the next generation. There are 82 young people that will see things differently from their ancestors and will have the skills to begin the much needed changes in the heart of Kenya.
J & C are not “westernizing” these kids. They are teaching them how to live in the society that they will move in to, but with a new heart and new vision for positive change. The combination of sharing Jesus in a tangible way and providing positive role models provides hope to me that Kenya will be a better place for the next generation.
It is all so overwhelming when you look at the big picture here, and I have learned a lot from J & C about loving one person at a time….and then another and then soon there might be 82 or as there hope is 400+. I’m glad that I came back to Africa even if I don’t come back because it has radically changed my perspectives. I still don’t do babies, but am getting closer.
Thanks for letting me change up tonight….which is this morning for you. I won’t be able to stand the stress for long, so will probably use humor to help me cope shortly.
The question is to me: do I care enough to give of myself in some way to touch someone that needs to be loved and has been thrown away by others? That is something that I am grappling with as I sit here tonite…which is this morning for you. I wish I could somehow convey to you how much this place can touch you. When you see the kids and know some of their backgrounds and yet have a smile on their face and hope in their smile, you can only be amazed at what Jeff and Carla are doing here in not even their little corner of the world.
This is a country that has a dark history, and I easily see how it has affected the people here. It can’t be changed quickly, but there is hope in the next generation. There are 82 young people that will see things differently from their ancestors and will have the skills to begin the much needed changes in the heart of Kenya.
J & C are not “westernizing” these kids. They are teaching them how to live in the society that they will move in to, but with a new heart and new vision for positive change. The combination of sharing Jesus in a tangible way and providing positive role models provides hope to me that Kenya will be a better place for the next generation.
It is all so overwhelming when you look at the big picture here, and I have learned a lot from J & C about loving one person at a time….and then another and then soon there might be 82 or as there hope is 400+. I’m glad that I came back to Africa even if I don’t come back because it has radically changed my perspectives. I still don’t do babies, but am getting closer.
Thanks for letting me change up tonight….which is this morning for you. I won’t be able to stand the stress for long, so will probably use humor to help me cope shortly.
day 19.5
Well, let me try to get you the most important update of your day…..for yesterday which is before your yesterday. After eating some unknown ‘food’ for breakfast, I prayed my usual after meal prayer; “Lord, please don’t let this food hurt me, amen”. Then I decided to sneak out past Bafo and Kelvin….would have made it too, except I got stuck in the mud and had to be pulled out by Toyota..in the ensueing commotion, B & K heard the laughter and manage to attach themselves to me scheming how to disrupt my day. Out to 'satansaw' we went….which as it turns out, has a purpose…if I keep it between myself and the boys, they keep their distance. Somehow, much to my and all others amazement, I managed to get 2 cabinets put together.
Sandy, Geri, and Marlies worked on keeping the little buggers at bay, working like sheepdogs. Snake Charmer and Geri worked in tandem taking 5 or 6 pictures of each of the midget tormentors. Since all kids under 4 look alike to me, I suggested that she just take 4 or 5 kids pics, duplicate them and just put different names under each.. Charmer has been studying under Jeff and was able to slip me the “the what a dumb***” look….pretty good too. I’m sure that she thought that she hurt my feelings, but I just slinked away chuckling. Without much help from me, hopefully the pics will be on the Rehema website soon.
A remarkable thing happened yesterday….it didn’t rain. We were so confused, we just sat inside with our life jackets on, expecting the worst. We thought that if this continues for a couple of days we would send out a dove to see if it could find any dry land to land on…. The electric bucket guys must have been celebrating the no rain as we had several empty wire times.
I told you about the wash ladies that do our clothes in buckets on the ground. We have taken to having great respect for them, as they are able to remove hundreds of pounds of snot from our clothes everyday. I don’t know how much snot a three year old can produce, but if anyone could come up with a use for it, I think we have stumbled onto the motherlode…..might be worth investigating.
Jeff dabbled in the 21st century today by hooking up and trying to ’point’ a tv satellite dish…..I didn’t have the heart to tell him that they didn’t direct satellite towards 3rd world countries. Last I saw him, he was sitting in front of a blue/snowy screen…..apparently very happy. Today, I think I will slip in a dvd and blow his mind.
Last night for dinner, we had what they called ’fish’ and I think it might have been once. Along with it they served ugali. Ugali is made from corn…..it is 60% corn, 20% flavor removers, and 20% Elmers glue. Traditionally they serve it with and axe and hammer, but as technology has increased, they have moved up to a chainsaw. The kids do love it tho, and I have come to appreciate it as well as the kids all sit quietly for a long time looking like cows chewing their cud.
As I mentioned last night, Carla has malaria again, and they have used the big guns on her last time with quinine….so please do pray for her….as she is our only defense against Jeff. Everyone else is fine with just a light covering of snot.
Sandy, Geri, and Marlies worked on keeping the little buggers at bay, working like sheepdogs. Snake Charmer and Geri worked in tandem taking 5 or 6 pictures of each of the midget tormentors. Since all kids under 4 look alike to me, I suggested that she just take 4 or 5 kids pics, duplicate them and just put different names under each.. Charmer has been studying under Jeff and was able to slip me the “the what a dumb***” look….pretty good too. I’m sure that she thought that she hurt my feelings, but I just slinked away chuckling. Without much help from me, hopefully the pics will be on the Rehema website soon.
A remarkable thing happened yesterday….it didn’t rain. We were so confused, we just sat inside with our life jackets on, expecting the worst. We thought that if this continues for a couple of days we would send out a dove to see if it could find any dry land to land on…. The electric bucket guys must have been celebrating the no rain as we had several empty wire times.
I told you about the wash ladies that do our clothes in buckets on the ground. We have taken to having great respect for them, as they are able to remove hundreds of pounds of snot from our clothes everyday. I don’t know how much snot a three year old can produce, but if anyone could come up with a use for it, I think we have stumbled onto the motherlode…..might be worth investigating.
Jeff dabbled in the 21st century today by hooking up and trying to ’point’ a tv satellite dish…..I didn’t have the heart to tell him that they didn’t direct satellite towards 3rd world countries. Last I saw him, he was sitting in front of a blue/snowy screen…..apparently very happy. Today, I think I will slip in a dvd and blow his mind.
Last night for dinner, we had what they called ’fish’ and I think it might have been once. Along with it they served ugali. Ugali is made from corn…..it is 60% corn, 20% flavor removers, and 20% Elmers glue. Traditionally they serve it with and axe and hammer, but as technology has increased, they have moved up to a chainsaw. The kids do love it tho, and I have come to appreciate it as well as the kids all sit quietly for a long time looking like cows chewing their cud.
As I mentioned last night, Carla has malaria again, and they have used the big guns on her last time with quinine….so please do pray for her….as she is our only defense against Jeff. Everyone else is fine with just a light covering of snot.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Day 19
Day 19 began as daylight came at...well, you know by now. Jeff and I did our little sparing match and then went on our ways to see whom we could irritate. I am much better at that than he is, but he is a good 'grasshopper' and is learning fast.
Sorry gang just had a glitch and I lost the rest of this....too bad too as it was a classic....Pray for Carla, as she was just diagnosed with malaria again. The rest us are all back up to speed.
Sorry gang just had a glitch and I lost the rest of this....too bad too as it was a classic....Pray for Carla, as she was just diagnosed with malaria again. The rest us are all back up to speed.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Day 18
This morning, which is your night...got it yet?....Jeff: "sleep well?" Me: "well praise God, my malaria seems to have been miraculously healed now that I am out of Toyota". "Want to go to town?" he asks. Now I have come to sense when he is mocking me, so I subtly said "stick it in your ear". By his reaction I knew that he had caught my drift....sometimes it takes alot with him. After our morning bout, we chose to go our separate ways, both feeling that we had won that session. Finishing a fine hearty breakfast of some unknown 'food' I went out to do battle with the tools that I had foolishly brought. They have this "tablesaw" here that was designed by idiots. I have taken to calling it Frankenstiens Monster, as it often has a life of its' own. As I go about my day 'working' I am careful not to turn my back on it. Now I know my saws, and that thing is no saw....I am contemplating a deliverance service for it. So, today, being healed of malaria, I went about another tremendous spurt of creative energy. That being depleted around 8:10 am, which is pm for you, I slogged it out for a few more hours and got 2 cabinets built for the school. I don't know what they are going to put in them, as they have few books and little supplies. Maybe Jeff can use them for vacation homes when he needs a break from the tool cabinet. I have somehow acquired 2 shadows, which is hard when there is no sun....rained again....anyway they seem to be about 10 yrs old and are close to being surgically attached to me.....they are Bafo & Kelvin, and their stories follow:::
Hi all. I guess it is my turn to write on Terry’s blog. He thinks you may be tired of all his road stories, although they are all true, and may be ready for my perspective once again.
I am not sure what I expected when we had planned on coming to Kenya. Maybe a chubby grandma ready to give some loving to little ones. But as the time has gone by, I am finding myself being drawn to some of the older boys. Boys about my grandsons Daniel & Dakota‘s age. Daniel is 10 and Dakota is 8. They are both great boys and I love them dearly, but they are boys, smelly & dirty at times. These boys here are smelly and dirty as well, but there is something about them that draws me to them. Maybe it is their need for hugs. Dakota and Daniel will hug me, but it is not a primary need!!! Tonite as I was heading off to our room after “jammie time” they all came up to me for their nightly hugs. What a blessing it was for me. Hey didn’t I come to give them love? God has a way of doing the unexpected.
I think tonites story will be about a couple of these boys. Kelvin is 10 and seems to a happy go lucky kid.
Usually he has this look that you wonder might be trouble ( he is a great practical joker) but he is a hard worker and is really good with the littler ones. Kelvin was beat on a regular basis by a woman that was supposedly his aunt. She would hit him on his head with a hot poker, she broke his arm by hitting it with a metal rod. She would wrap his little penis with hot barbed wire and cut him on his legs. A neighbor finally reported her to the police and she was arrested and put in jail for a year. Kelvin was made a ward of the court and Jeff and Carla were contacted and they took him in. He has been with them about 3 yrs. When the time came to make it official the magistrate came out to the children’s home and wanted to speak to the children, most of them were very nervous, except for Kelvin, He marched in with a big grin on his face. When asked why he was so happy, Kelvin said “ Mama Carla said I could live here forever” The judge said” is that what you would like?” Kelvin said “Of course!” A home where he is loved and fed and clothed and given the opportunity to go to school. What could be better than that?
Bafo ( Brian) is another of these boys. He seems to have been mostly raised by his father. They lived in a very poor section of Kesogon. Bafo’s dad would leave in the morning about 7:00am and lock the door and Bafo had to stay outside all day until his dad would come home ( drunk) about 10:00 pm. Bafo was 4 yrs old at this time. My grandson Dane is 4yrs old. I cannot imagine doing this to any child! Somehow this little boy became a shadow to Jeff. Jeff would see him wandering the street where they lived and when he followed him home Carla would feed him. Some nights he spent the night with them because his dad would not come get him. After about a year the father finally gave permission for him to stay with Jeff and Carla. Bafo is a very smart boy. He wants to be a pilot someday. When he found out that Terry had his pilot’s license, it really cemented their relationship and. they have spent a lot of time together. He is a quick learner and is trying to learn to use all the tools Terry has brought over.
Where would these 2 boys be without this children’s home? In Kelvin’s case, probably be dead. In Bafo’s case, maybe a homeless street kid. Both saved because a couple who loved Jesus saw the need here in Kenya.
Back to me.........
So, I have to get out of this country....it's getting to me. They caught me holding and feeding a baby tonite and you all know I don't do babies.
Hi all. I guess it is my turn to write on Terry’s blog. He thinks you may be tired of all his road stories, although they are all true, and may be ready for my perspective once again.
I am not sure what I expected when we had planned on coming to Kenya. Maybe a chubby grandma ready to give some loving to little ones. But as the time has gone by, I am finding myself being drawn to some of the older boys. Boys about my grandsons Daniel & Dakota‘s age. Daniel is 10 and Dakota is 8. They are both great boys and I love them dearly, but they are boys, smelly & dirty at times. These boys here are smelly and dirty as well, but there is something about them that draws me to them. Maybe it is their need for hugs. Dakota and Daniel will hug me, but it is not a primary need!!! Tonite as I was heading off to our room after “jammie time” they all came up to me for their nightly hugs. What a blessing it was for me. Hey didn’t I come to give them love? God has a way of doing the unexpected.
I think tonites story will be about a couple of these boys. Kelvin is 10 and seems to a happy go lucky kid.
Usually he has this look that you wonder might be trouble ( he is a great practical joker) but he is a hard worker and is really good with the littler ones. Kelvin was beat on a regular basis by a woman that was supposedly his aunt. She would hit him on his head with a hot poker, she broke his arm by hitting it with a metal rod. She would wrap his little penis with hot barbed wire and cut him on his legs. A neighbor finally reported her to the police and she was arrested and put in jail for a year. Kelvin was made a ward of the court and Jeff and Carla were contacted and they took him in. He has been with them about 3 yrs. When the time came to make it official the magistrate came out to the children’s home and wanted to speak to the children, most of them were very nervous, except for Kelvin, He marched in with a big grin on his face. When asked why he was so happy, Kelvin said “ Mama Carla said I could live here forever” The judge said” is that what you would like?” Kelvin said “Of course!” A home where he is loved and fed and clothed and given the opportunity to go to school. What could be better than that?
Bafo ( Brian) is another of these boys. He seems to have been mostly raised by his father. They lived in a very poor section of Kesogon. Bafo’s dad would leave in the morning about 7:00am and lock the door and Bafo had to stay outside all day until his dad would come home ( drunk) about 10:00 pm. Bafo was 4 yrs old at this time. My grandson Dane is 4yrs old. I cannot imagine doing this to any child! Somehow this little boy became a shadow to Jeff. Jeff would see him wandering the street where they lived and when he followed him home Carla would feed him. Some nights he spent the night with them because his dad would not come get him. After about a year the father finally gave permission for him to stay with Jeff and Carla. Bafo is a very smart boy. He wants to be a pilot someday. When he found out that Terry had his pilot’s license, it really cemented their relationship and. they have spent a lot of time together. He is a quick learner and is trying to learn to use all the tools Terry has brought over.
Where would these 2 boys be without this children’s home? In Kelvin’s case, probably be dead. In Bafo’s case, maybe a homeless street kid. Both saved because a couple who loved Jesus saw the need here in Kenya.
Back to me.........
So, I have to get out of this country....it's getting to me. They caught me holding and feeding a baby tonite and you all know I don't do babies.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Day 17
Today was a national holiday here....something akin to Presidents day, but since they have only had 3 presidents on this cycle, they call it something else....like "Let's take the day off Day."
Because of the holiday, the men who dig the potholes in the 'road' had the day off, so the 'road' to Eldoret seemed about the same, with no new holes to be observed. It isn't a bad road, as World War One battle fields go, but Sandy thinks she may need to go on dialisis as of tomorrow....and she is just coming off a bout with malaria. Speaking of malaria, the symptons are headache, upset stomach, back ache and possible diarriha. I was sure that I was coming down with it, until I realized that just being on the 'road' here presented the same symptoms. Anyway, we left at 7 am, which is pm for you, and drove to Eldoret....I don't know how far but it couldn't have been over a couple of hundred miles. As you recall, they call it 'driving' but it's more like playing chicken with everyone else including the donkey carts...seeing who can hit the potholes at the fastest rate.
So we get to the city and go into a really neat shop where a local artisan shows his stuff...and being good rich Americans we buy a whole bunch of stuff to take home...some for our greedy selves, and some to sell at home parties in the US to help fundraise for the home. Cool stuff ...great artisan...I'll tell you more about that tomorrow....the connection sucks tonight and I don't know if this will upload. Long day and time to quit.....Marlies is doing better as is Sandy....they know how to do malaria here.
I'll close for now, mentioning that evidently the graveyard electricity bucket 'filler men' that keep the tank filled evidently took the holiday seriously as we had no power last night until the day shift came in at 6:30am which is pm for you....Sorry about the brevity, I meant to keep it short.
Because of the holiday, the men who dig the potholes in the 'road' had the day off, so the 'road' to Eldoret seemed about the same, with no new holes to be observed. It isn't a bad road, as World War One battle fields go, but Sandy thinks she may need to go on dialisis as of tomorrow....and she is just coming off a bout with malaria. Speaking of malaria, the symptons are headache, upset stomach, back ache and possible diarriha. I was sure that I was coming down with it, until I realized that just being on the 'road' here presented the same symptoms. Anyway, we left at 7 am, which is pm for you, and drove to Eldoret....I don't know how far but it couldn't have been over a couple of hundred miles. As you recall, they call it 'driving' but it's more like playing chicken with everyone else including the donkey carts...seeing who can hit the potholes at the fastest rate.
So we get to the city and go into a really neat shop where a local artisan shows his stuff...and being good rich Americans we buy a whole bunch of stuff to take home...some for our greedy selves, and some to sell at home parties in the US to help fundraise for the home. Cool stuff ...great artisan...I'll tell you more about that tomorrow....the connection sucks tonight and I don't know if this will upload. Long day and time to quit.....Marlies is doing better as is Sandy....they know how to do malaria here.
I'll close for now, mentioning that evidently the graveyard electricity bucket 'filler men' that keep the tank filled evidently took the holiday seriously as we had no power last night until the day shift came in at 6:30am which is pm for you....Sorry about the brevity, I meant to keep it short.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 16
"Hey, come on" Jeff said, as I opened the storage box,"let's go to Kitale". Not falling for that old trick, I said, "I already gave blood at the office" But his suave manner overcame my hesitation and we headed off for town. "This time can we take the road?", I pleaded. "Only if we can find it" he says". It was raining hard....hard being relative here, if you can still breath, it is only hard.....so finding the road wasn't as easy as you might think. The rain water needs some place to go and so it takes the easiest route.....unlike Jeff. He said he was confident that we were on the road....but I had my doubts as two kayakers came by. There was one advantage to the water; I couldn't see the craters and therefore didn't waste all that energy on bracing myself.
Once in Kitale, we tied up to the nearest dock and let Carla and Snake Charmer out to fend for themselves, while Jeff and I stayed in the truck to see how they faired. Confident that they weren't mistaken for riffraff and actually got into the shop without hurting anyone, we untied and followed the current back to Boreholers to conficate some more of his tools....which was easier this time since he wasn't there to ride herd on us. This time we got a cement mixer....now for my Kenyan friends, the mixer was a machine with a motor, so we were not kidnapping anyone. Now Toyota had enough room for maybe up to ten people, but I don't think that the manufacturer took into account that there might be a cement mixer inside. Probably just an oversite that they have corrected by now. So, by the time we got the mixer and some other tools on board, Jeff had figured out how to run Toyota from the outside....which wouldn't normally be so bad, except now the kayakers were making fun of him. Never-the-less, we made it back to the shop and after some interesting conversation, decided not to put the girls on the rooftop carrier.....who'd a thought it would become such an issue. Anyway, with the three of them confortably sandwiched into the front seat, I snuggled quietly into the mixer anticipating my rapid demise from contusions. Since I couldn't see, I have no idea how Jeff managed to navigate...and I do mean navigate home. I emerged with only a slight concussion, happy not to have swam home.
Today another ministry.....populated with more of those disturbed missionary types came out "play" with the kids. A few hours, later, those still standing were evacuated back to safety....while their casualty count was high, it was nice to be relieved on the front lines for awhile.
So, while we grumble and mumble, it does feel like we are exactly where we should be, and that is a good thing. In America we often are confused by what we think is important and get distacted by all the glitz. Here things are basic and it is much easier to separate the important from the fluff.
By the way, Marlies came down with malaria today......what a country!!!
Once in Kitale, we tied up to the nearest dock and let Carla and Snake Charmer out to fend for themselves, while Jeff and I stayed in the truck to see how they faired. Confident that they weren't mistaken for riffraff and actually got into the shop without hurting anyone, we untied and followed the current back to Boreholers to conficate some more of his tools....which was easier this time since he wasn't there to ride herd on us. This time we got a cement mixer....now for my Kenyan friends, the mixer was a machine with a motor, so we were not kidnapping anyone. Now Toyota had enough room for maybe up to ten people, but I don't think that the manufacturer took into account that there might be a cement mixer inside. Probably just an oversite that they have corrected by now. So, by the time we got the mixer and some other tools on board, Jeff had figured out how to run Toyota from the outside....which wouldn't normally be so bad, except now the kayakers were making fun of him. Never-the-less, we made it back to the shop and after some interesting conversation, decided not to put the girls on the rooftop carrier.....who'd a thought it would become such an issue. Anyway, with the three of them confortably sandwiched into the front seat, I snuggled quietly into the mixer anticipating my rapid demise from contusions. Since I couldn't see, I have no idea how Jeff managed to navigate...and I do mean navigate home. I emerged with only a slight concussion, happy not to have swam home.
Today another ministry.....populated with more of those disturbed missionary types came out "play" with the kids. A few hours, later, those still standing were evacuated back to safety....while their casualty count was high, it was nice to be relieved on the front lines for awhile.
So, while we grumble and mumble, it does feel like we are exactly where we should be, and that is a good thing. In America we often are confused by what we think is important and get distacted by all the glitz. Here things are basic and it is much easier to separate the important from the fluff.
By the way, Marlies came down with malaria today......what a country!!!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Day 15
The pressure of getting this blog out is starting to get to me. I’ve begun to think about what I should say 2 or 3 minutes before I start writing…..you may laugh, but I rarely think about what I’m saying…..just ask Sandy.
It’s taken a couple of weeks, but I think (there’s that word) I have figured out the electricity system here. Somewhere around here they have a huge tank of electricity. Now if not too many people use power, the tank has enough room to hold all the electricity that is needed…..but if too many people use it, it must empty the tank and all the lines empty out too, leaving us without power until the men come with buckets and fill the tank again. Some times they are pretty fast, and some times….well, lets just say that it’s harder to see for long times. So, I am looking for a bunch of extension cords to fill with electricity and have on standby for those darker moments. That way we will always have some in reserve.
Sandy went on meds last night for malaria, as I stated before, and slept pretty well. She woke up this am…which is pm to most of you….feeling better and is as we speak out with the unwashed masses (they are just finishing dinner). She ate well tonight and is helping to get the little buggers into jammas.
This morning…which is last night for most of you…..stay with me, you’ll get it…..once more, something came over me and I actually produced another masterpiece…..a 2’x2’x8’ storage cabinet. Now Carla can get some the stuff out of her room and store it in the new box. The first thing that she sent to be stored was Jeff. She said it served two purposes…..it gave her some more room…AND some peace and quiet. There isn’t much room for anything else, but Jeff said he could hold some stuff on his lap.
I didn’t tell you yesterday about ol’ boreholer and his tools. Seems he is heading back the US soon for short time and had a few tools that he wanted Jeff to have. I took Jeff aside and explained to him that “I” was his tool supplier and was feeling like boreholer was invading my domain…..Jeff gave me that “what a dumb*** look and tactfully said “GET OVER IT” Going back to boreholer, we found that he had some good stuff, including a belt sander, planer, router and some hand tools. The strange thing for me was it was all very useful and ran on African power. Boreholer said he wasn’t using the stuff and he would count it a blessing if Jeff would take it and put it to use……Jeff said OK, although he doesn’t have a clue how to put them to use, I say feeling that I might have value again. So, now Jeff has some more stuff to hold on his lap.
Our well calloused kidneys took another workout this afternoon, ….which is last night for most of you….getting it yet?….as we made our weekly pilgrimage to Kesogon for the ’bible study’. Last week Carla asked me to lead the study. Somehow word got out and almost nobody came, so we did a slight of hand and rescheduled me for today…..evidently, the word didn’t get out and about 14 people showed up and because of Kenyan politeness stayed until the bitter end. Everything I said was translated into Swahili by Josai (sp) one of my favorite people here. He must have taken everything I said and made sense of it because all there smiled and nodded their heads. I don’t even know what I said let alone what Josai said…..but I got a standing ovation as they all got up to leave. After almost 2 hours of preaching the word, I realize that I was beginning to yawn right along with them. I was almost as relieved to stop as they were to have me stop….but at least I showed them how spiritual white people are!! Home again via the test track and Jeff did exceptionally well, only missing 2 or three major potholes.
Of course it rained again, all to help prepare us for Washington, I suppose. I’m beginning to freak out……Yeah, I know, you’ve known longer than I…..but I think I’m going to sad to leave this place…..kinda getting used to all the malaria and typhoid and other disruptions to life….oh by the way, Snake Charmer (Ashley) thought she was coming down with another bout of malaria, but it turns out to typhoid…..thank God it wasn’t something serious…..just kidding. There seems to be a bit more stuff than usual so we would appreciate your prayers….mostly for the kids….and if you have time mention us.
It’s taken a couple of weeks, but I think (there’s that word) I have figured out the electricity system here. Somewhere around here they have a huge tank of electricity. Now if not too many people use power, the tank has enough room to hold all the electricity that is needed…..but if too many people use it, it must empty the tank and all the lines empty out too, leaving us without power until the men come with buckets and fill the tank again. Some times they are pretty fast, and some times….well, lets just say that it’s harder to see for long times. So, I am looking for a bunch of extension cords to fill with electricity and have on standby for those darker moments. That way we will always have some in reserve.
Sandy went on meds last night for malaria, as I stated before, and slept pretty well. She woke up this am…which is pm to most of you….feeling better and is as we speak out with the unwashed masses (they are just finishing dinner). She ate well tonight and is helping to get the little buggers into jammas.
This morning…which is last night for most of you…..stay with me, you’ll get it…..once more, something came over me and I actually produced another masterpiece…..a 2’x2’x8’ storage cabinet. Now Carla can get some the stuff out of her room and store it in the new box. The first thing that she sent to be stored was Jeff. She said it served two purposes…..it gave her some more room…AND some peace and quiet. There isn’t much room for anything else, but Jeff said he could hold some stuff on his lap.
I didn’t tell you yesterday about ol’ boreholer and his tools. Seems he is heading back the US soon for short time and had a few tools that he wanted Jeff to have. I took Jeff aside and explained to him that “I” was his tool supplier and was feeling like boreholer was invading my domain…..Jeff gave me that “what a dumb*** look and tactfully said “GET OVER IT” Going back to boreholer, we found that he had some good stuff, including a belt sander, planer, router and some hand tools. The strange thing for me was it was all very useful and ran on African power. Boreholer said he wasn’t using the stuff and he would count it a blessing if Jeff would take it and put it to use……Jeff said OK, although he doesn’t have a clue how to put them to use, I say feeling that I might have value again. So, now Jeff has some more stuff to hold on his lap.
Our well calloused kidneys took another workout this afternoon, ….which is last night for most of you….getting it yet?….as we made our weekly pilgrimage to Kesogon for the ’bible study’. Last week Carla asked me to lead the study. Somehow word got out and almost nobody came, so we did a slight of hand and rescheduled me for today…..evidently, the word didn’t get out and about 14 people showed up and because of Kenyan politeness stayed until the bitter end. Everything I said was translated into Swahili by Josai (sp) one of my favorite people here. He must have taken everything I said and made sense of it because all there smiled and nodded their heads. I don’t even know what I said let alone what Josai said…..but I got a standing ovation as they all got up to leave. After almost 2 hours of preaching the word, I realize that I was beginning to yawn right along with them. I was almost as relieved to stop as they were to have me stop….but at least I showed them how spiritual white people are!! Home again via the test track and Jeff did exceptionally well, only missing 2 or three major potholes.
Of course it rained again, all to help prepare us for Washington, I suppose. I’m beginning to freak out……Yeah, I know, you’ve known longer than I…..but I think I’m going to sad to leave this place…..kinda getting used to all the malaria and typhoid and other disruptions to life….oh by the way, Snake Charmer (Ashley) thought she was coming down with another bout of malaria, but it turns out to typhoid…..thank God it wasn’t something serious…..just kidding. There seems to be a bit more stuff than usual so we would appreciate your prayers….mostly for the kids….and if you have time mention us.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
day 14
Sunday seems to come earlier here than it did in Anacortes. Checking out the window, I realized that it was time to get up, as it was, as you know by now, almost 6:30. Sunday morning is so much different than other mornings, as the kids all sleep in and are quiet until about 10:00am, and so we were able to rest until breakfast was served to us in our bed…..this missionary life is the ritz!
Now, after that nice dream, I woke up and saw that it was really almost 6:30 and so got up, showered, shaved and put on my cologne of choice…..deet insect repellant. You may not know this, but the Kenyan people have a distinct odor…..not bad,,,but just different than we pale people. I’m sure that they think the same of us…..”those white people sure smell different” they say, “kinda like that spray stuff we put on insects”
We, Jeff, Carla, Snake Charmer (Ashley) Geri, Marlise, Sandy and I all went to Kitale today to socialize with some of the other people that have lost their minds and believe that God has called them here. There seems to be quite a few of them and so we were able to continue on in our delusion.
Oh, I met Boreholer today. I had pictured him as a crusty old coot that chewed tobacco and spit on the sidewalk……if there were sidewalks. Much to my surprise, he looked a lot like a normal human being and spoke with intelligence and clarity, with a distinct Arizona accent….maybe that’s because he is from Arizona. He wasn’t exactly old or a coot…..probably 30 something and articulate. I could make fun of him, but trouble is, his heart for poor and hurting people was quite convicting to me. During the hour or so that I spent with him, he mostly talked of different ideas to help the poor by providing ways that they could help themselves. He has a deep commitment to serving Jesus in a tangible way. I’m beginning to question my heart to serve the God I confess. Here, most of the ’missionary’ types have a hurting heart for the people, and have given up their lives as they have known it to be here. Most have family somewhere else in the world and feel the tug to be with them, just as we all do, but have chosen to be obedient to what their Lord has called them to. I wonder just what I am willing to give up….am I able to turn my back on the comfortable to do what I should????…….I sure like my “stuff”. Because of Jeff and Carla, there are probably over 60 kids alive and thriving that otherwise would be dead, because there would be no place for them in this culture. J & C have given up the comfort of the US and the direct contact with their own kids and grandkids to provide the presence of Jesus to these kids. It is easier to read about this kind of commitment than it is to see it first hand. Dang! it’s making me think….sucks, don’t you know.
We had a good day in town and during the visit we got a call from Dr Shadrack saying to put Sandy on some anti malarial medicine, even tho it hadn’t definitively shown up in her blood yet. She has had some classic symptoms last night and today. Caught early, it is controllable and since they have more malaria here than most places, they really know how to attack it. Sandy is OK and might be down for a couple of days. We had chosen not to take the preventative medicine as the cost was high, and the chance of getting malaria was still around 50%. And we have already seen this, as Geri was on the medicine and still got malaria…..she is back full steam and doing fine. To our kids…not to worry….especially you, Jen.
I know that I promised that Sandy would write today, but just like in high school when the report was due……..”I’m sick”!!! HEY, see I have 15 followers of this blog….by the time I get back I’ll be famous!!
Now, after that nice dream, I woke up and saw that it was really almost 6:30 and so got up, showered, shaved and put on my cologne of choice…..deet insect repellant. You may not know this, but the Kenyan people have a distinct odor…..not bad,,,but just different than we pale people. I’m sure that they think the same of us…..”those white people sure smell different” they say, “kinda like that spray stuff we put on insects”
We, Jeff, Carla, Snake Charmer (Ashley) Geri, Marlise, Sandy and I all went to Kitale today to socialize with some of the other people that have lost their minds and believe that God has called them here. There seems to be quite a few of them and so we were able to continue on in our delusion.
Oh, I met Boreholer today. I had pictured him as a crusty old coot that chewed tobacco and spit on the sidewalk……if there were sidewalks. Much to my surprise, he looked a lot like a normal human being and spoke with intelligence and clarity, with a distinct Arizona accent….maybe that’s because he is from Arizona. He wasn’t exactly old or a coot…..probably 30 something and articulate. I could make fun of him, but trouble is, his heart for poor and hurting people was quite convicting to me. During the hour or so that I spent with him, he mostly talked of different ideas to help the poor by providing ways that they could help themselves. He has a deep commitment to serving Jesus in a tangible way. I’m beginning to question my heart to serve the God I confess. Here, most of the ’missionary’ types have a hurting heart for the people, and have given up their lives as they have known it to be here. Most have family somewhere else in the world and feel the tug to be with them, just as we all do, but have chosen to be obedient to what their Lord has called them to. I wonder just what I am willing to give up….am I able to turn my back on the comfortable to do what I should????…….I sure like my “stuff”. Because of Jeff and Carla, there are probably over 60 kids alive and thriving that otherwise would be dead, because there would be no place for them in this culture. J & C have given up the comfort of the US and the direct contact with their own kids and grandkids to provide the presence of Jesus to these kids. It is easier to read about this kind of commitment than it is to see it first hand. Dang! it’s making me think….sucks, don’t you know.
We had a good day in town and during the visit we got a call from Dr Shadrack saying to put Sandy on some anti malarial medicine, even tho it hadn’t definitively shown up in her blood yet. She has had some classic symptoms last night and today. Caught early, it is controllable and since they have more malaria here than most places, they really know how to attack it. Sandy is OK and might be down for a couple of days. We had chosen not to take the preventative medicine as the cost was high, and the chance of getting malaria was still around 50%. And we have already seen this, as Geri was on the medicine and still got malaria…..she is back full steam and doing fine. To our kids…not to worry….especially you, Jen.
I know that I promised that Sandy would write today, but just like in high school when the report was due……..”I’m sick”!!! HEY, see I have 15 followers of this blog….by the time I get back I’ll be famous!!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Day 13
"Self", I says, "it's time to get up" As you know by now, or should, it was almost sunrise time....6:30 of course. "Stay in bed", says my 63 year old body. As the battle raged, I found myself a slave to my 'morning person' self and was up and shaving before my body caught up.
It rained again last night reminding me again how good it is to be here in the 'dry season'. But it was drying out by 7:30, so after fending off the tempestuous herd, I headed for my hideout.....only known by me and 82 kids.....whom, by the way, being Saturday, had chores to do before they could turn their attention to tormenting me. So, I had a couple of hours to actually get something done before resuming my defensive posture. Since Carla has surrendered much of her personal space to storage, I began to build a lockable storage cabinet to placed in the 'Powerhouse' storeroom. Much to my surprise, and to many others too, I got the whole cabinet roughed out by 9:30 and was confounded by actually producing something. Jeff caught me looking totally confused, and said what I needed was to have my kidneys beat to a pulp..."come on" says he, "lets see if our bodies can stand the "roads" and go to town". He likes to tempt fate like that. So off we go headed down what he said was a road to Kitale. On the way, we dodged many a crater, while testing Toyota's ability to survive climbing in and out huge potholes....all the while Jeffs saying how good the roads are this year. (it's harder to talk with the wind knocked out of you, so it took awhile). Somewhere along the line, the front end of the truck fell off, or so it seemed, as the steering wheel began to breakdance in Jeffs hands....."c-c-omp-p-pleeet-t-ty n-n-normallll," he says, gasping for air. Turns out a wheel balancing weight must have mysteriously fallen off, causing one of the front tires do the hoochie goochie. I'm sure that one day, spelunkers exploring the potholes here will find a plethora of wheel weights. Anyway, hopalong Toyota came to Kitale. Jeff said that he didn't have any feelings left in his hands, ( I had plenty in my butt) and that maybe we could get the front end put back on the truck....we went to...and I swear....and actual Toyota shop. Now you are imagining a big dealership with a huge bright red lighted sign....and you'd be WRONG! After herding Toyota down what looked like a dry creek bed, we came to "the shop". Now to get in, we had to go through a gate...a manned gate with a guy with a night stick, that gave me the idea to behave myself...not easy, by the way. Just as an aside, most of the shops(stores, to you and me) have guards at the door to keep out the riffraff. Fortunately they didn't notice my riffraff tendencies and have let me in without a whack. Anyhoo, "got a spin type wheel balancer?" Jeff inquires. "Yes" an attendent confidently and, I might add proudly says. "well then, could we get the front wheels balanced?" Jeff says, with a hint of doubt. "we have no wheel balancing weights" was the reply. Hmmmm, I thinks to myself, there might be some money in spelunking in these parts. So, off down the creekbed we went on our quest for the 21st century. Now we had other chores to do, so we stopped at sattelite tv shop and Jeff took his receiver in to get it activated, while I milled around doing my best not to look like riffraff. After about 20 minutes were informed that we could now rot our brains out in front of the tv with the best of them....some 21st century stuff.
Then we went to a hardware shop, looking for hinges and hasps and stuff. As I intently looked for Ace Hardware, or Home Depot, Jeff stealthily drove back to the 18th century and place us in front of "a shop".....with a guard.....Stepping back in time, we found ourselves in an approximately 16' x 30' dark hole in the wall that had all kinds of stuff stacked and leaning against the wall. It was run by an east indian who was born in Kenya, and spoke swahili and indian and what I think was english...at least I think he thought so. Turns out, Jeff speaks 'swa-indi-lish' and we got what we needed.
So we headed to a tire shop and not only did they have a spin balancer, but evidently had their own team of spelunkers, as they had weights too. Now, this place was no Les Swab, because no-one came running to help.....but they did let us help, by taking off our own wheels and replacing them after they were balanced......they were nice that way!! By then, the feeling was returning to Jeffs hands and he was able to tell that the tire shop had done well, and we headed back toward home...and just in time too, as the blood in my urine had just about cleared up.
Arriving back at the compound just in time to be swept downstream into the house by the latest "rain". All in all, a good day, and I am so thankful that I learned to swim at a young age, as it might be useful if this "dry season" continues.
Most of the kids remain healthy with the exception of a few, that will be fine in awhile. J & C keep close tabs on them. I'll try to have Sandy write something of value tomorrow....I know, that would be refreshing after me. Thanks for the prayers....this is an amazing place with truely the hand of God upon it.
It rained again last night reminding me again how good it is to be here in the 'dry season'. But it was drying out by 7:30, so after fending off the tempestuous herd, I headed for my hideout.....only known by me and 82 kids.....whom, by the way, being Saturday, had chores to do before they could turn their attention to tormenting me. So, I had a couple of hours to actually get something done before resuming my defensive posture. Since Carla has surrendered much of her personal space to storage, I began to build a lockable storage cabinet to placed in the 'Powerhouse' storeroom. Much to my surprise, and to many others too, I got the whole cabinet roughed out by 9:30 and was confounded by actually producing something. Jeff caught me looking totally confused, and said what I needed was to have my kidneys beat to a pulp..."come on" says he, "lets see if our bodies can stand the "roads" and go to town". He likes to tempt fate like that. So off we go headed down what he said was a road to Kitale. On the way, we dodged many a crater, while testing Toyota's ability to survive climbing in and out huge potholes....all the while Jeffs saying how good the roads are this year. (it's harder to talk with the wind knocked out of you, so it took awhile). Somewhere along the line, the front end of the truck fell off, or so it seemed, as the steering wheel began to breakdance in Jeffs hands....."c-c-omp-p-pleeet-t-ty n-n-normallll," he says, gasping for air. Turns out a wheel balancing weight must have mysteriously fallen off, causing one of the front tires do the hoochie goochie. I'm sure that one day, spelunkers exploring the potholes here will find a plethora of wheel weights. Anyway, hopalong Toyota came to Kitale. Jeff said that he didn't have any feelings left in his hands, ( I had plenty in my butt) and that maybe we could get the front end put back on the truck....we went to...and I swear....and actual Toyota shop. Now you are imagining a big dealership with a huge bright red lighted sign....and you'd be WRONG! After herding Toyota down what looked like a dry creek bed, we came to "the shop". Now to get in, we had to go through a gate...a manned gate with a guy with a night stick, that gave me the idea to behave myself...not easy, by the way. Just as an aside, most of the shops(stores, to you and me) have guards at the door to keep out the riffraff. Fortunately they didn't notice my riffraff tendencies and have let me in without a whack. Anyhoo, "got a spin type wheel balancer?" Jeff inquires. "Yes" an attendent confidently and, I might add proudly says. "well then, could we get the front wheels balanced?" Jeff says, with a hint of doubt. "we have no wheel balancing weights" was the reply. Hmmmm, I thinks to myself, there might be some money in spelunking in these parts. So, off down the creekbed we went on our quest for the 21st century. Now we had other chores to do, so we stopped at sattelite tv shop and Jeff took his receiver in to get it activated, while I milled around doing my best not to look like riffraff. After about 20 minutes were informed that we could now rot our brains out in front of the tv with the best of them....some 21st century stuff.
Then we went to a hardware shop, looking for hinges and hasps and stuff. As I intently looked for Ace Hardware, or Home Depot, Jeff stealthily drove back to the 18th century and place us in front of "a shop".....with a guard.....Stepping back in time, we found ourselves in an approximately 16' x 30' dark hole in the wall that had all kinds of stuff stacked and leaning against the wall. It was run by an east indian who was born in Kenya, and spoke swahili and indian and what I think was english...at least I think he thought so. Turns out, Jeff speaks 'swa-indi-lish' and we got what we needed.
So we headed to a tire shop and not only did they have a spin balancer, but evidently had their own team of spelunkers, as they had weights too. Now, this place was no Les Swab, because no-one came running to help.....but they did let us help, by taking off our own wheels and replacing them after they were balanced......they were nice that way!! By then, the feeling was returning to Jeffs hands and he was able to tell that the tire shop had done well, and we headed back toward home...and just in time too, as the blood in my urine had just about cleared up.
Arriving back at the compound just in time to be swept downstream into the house by the latest "rain". All in all, a good day, and I am so thankful that I learned to swim at a young age, as it might be useful if this "dry season" continues.
Most of the kids remain healthy with the exception of a few, that will be fine in awhile. J & C keep close tabs on them. I'll try to have Sandy write something of value tomorrow....I know, that would be refreshing after me. Thanks for the prayers....this is an amazing place with truely the hand of God upon it.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Day 12
As you rightly assume, the sun came up at about 6:30 today and life was well on the way by then. Checking on the kids at breakfast, I had the distinct impression that somehow I had been transported back to Egypt.....the kids decended on me like a pack of locusts......Babu..Babu!! Now I have a strong constitution and all, and I still don't do babies, but they are breakin' me down, bit by bit....so you might be praying for me to hold my ground..
As suspected, Carla was diagnosed with typhoid today. She hasn't gotten over the malaria attack and now this. Not so unusual here,,,so they say, and Carla is taking her antibiotics and she will conquer this too. She actually is a remarkable person...thru all this, she is still out lovin' and caring for the kids...and on top of that she has to put up with Jeff...
Today, Sandy got some clothes modified for the hoard, trimmed a bunch of flannel-graph figures...you remember the flannel-graph..pretty much gone the way of the Dodo bird except here. She also did a bunch of 'womens work'....cleaning, washing, making beds etc.....(I'll pay for that one) I got some sawhorses built and made a piki-piki for the little kids. A piki-piki is a small motorcycle, 125cc to 250cc that they use as a taxi....often putting up to 9 people on it at once......just kidding, but I have seen 4 people on them at times. The one I made is only about 10" tall and is made out of wood....none functioning, but it still seemed to get a couple of miles on it as the kids dragged it up and down the veranda with up to 5 kids on it.
This afternoon it rained....well that's what they call it here, but it is more attuned to a tsunami in diguise. I thought for awhile that I saw Noah beconing....probably not though.
Alittle after 6 this morning, I poked my head into Jeffs office (10x8' storage room attached to the kitchen)...just him, 10 thousand diapers & 900 loaves of bread....anyway I said hi and he looked at me and "Well, what happened?" "I beg your pardon" I says......"What happened with the water story?" Seems he was awake most of the night in anticipation of the end of the story from yesterday. So, for Jeff, I will finish the story, if you will just bear with me.....evidently he follows my blog..
So this missionary guy, whose name is Ron Pinkerton (of the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency of the 1800s) says to J & C God told him that they would be getting a borehole that following week. Their reaction: Thankyou Ron, now go back to your missionarying. Now, shortly thereafter J & C were in town at the local hangout when the guy that drills the wells asked to sit with them. "OK, but behave yourself", (my adlib). And he sits down and says "I have to get some sleep!" "and that pertains to us, how?" says Jeff. Boreholer replies, "I can't sleep, God keeps telling me I need to go out to your place and drill a well" "NO MONEY" says Jeff. "I guess it doesn't matter" says weary Boreholer, "I need sleep, and God is intent on keeping me up til I give in and bore you a well". So out he came and began a well........"Hmmmm" says J &C, "maybe there is a God". (my interpretation). Then some money showed up and helped Boreholer, but only about $12,000. Now remember the $20,000 figure? Well that didn't include a pump to push any water up out of the hole...add another 4-5 thousand...so now we have a $24-25 big G's hole going into the ground only costing 12 G's. On and on the drilled, and the hole kept caving in and they were having a hard time contolling the situation....In steps God again...at 60 meters ( about 190' for those of you in Anacortes) He put a huge rock. Now I would have said "Crap!!!", but Boreholer says "this will stop the cave-ins, goodie goodie, whoopie" (my emphasis) On down through the rock to about 100 meters and, (time to get excited now), Boreholer drills right into an underground river.....pure, clean, limitless water! Did I mention pure, clean, limitless??? Now, listen, this is certified clean water. It took alittle while, and some cajoaling, before J & C were willing to give up the old, not so good well......well, I might be exagerating about the giving up part. As a result, they are able to offer clean water to those around the area that come for it.
Take it as you wish, but this is a place where God often shows his hand in unusual and miraculous ways......There are 82 kids right here that are free from waterbourn diseases. Don't underestimate this God of ours...............more tomorrow, if you can stand it......Hope you're happy, Jeff,,,,see it all turned out good.
As suspected, Carla was diagnosed with typhoid today. She hasn't gotten over the malaria attack and now this. Not so unusual here,,,so they say, and Carla is taking her antibiotics and she will conquer this too. She actually is a remarkable person...thru all this, she is still out lovin' and caring for the kids...and on top of that she has to put up with Jeff...
Today, Sandy got some clothes modified for the hoard, trimmed a bunch of flannel-graph figures...you remember the flannel-graph..pretty much gone the way of the Dodo bird except here. She also did a bunch of 'womens work'....cleaning, washing, making beds etc.....(I'll pay for that one) I got some sawhorses built and made a piki-piki for the little kids. A piki-piki is a small motorcycle, 125cc to 250cc that they use as a taxi....often putting up to 9 people on it at once......just kidding, but I have seen 4 people on them at times. The one I made is only about 10" tall and is made out of wood....none functioning, but it still seemed to get a couple of miles on it as the kids dragged it up and down the veranda with up to 5 kids on it.
This afternoon it rained....well that's what they call it here, but it is more attuned to a tsunami in diguise. I thought for awhile that I saw Noah beconing....probably not though.
Alittle after 6 this morning, I poked my head into Jeffs office (10x8' storage room attached to the kitchen)...just him, 10 thousand diapers & 900 loaves of bread....anyway I said hi and he looked at me and "Well, what happened?" "I beg your pardon" I says......"What happened with the water story?" Seems he was awake most of the night in anticipation of the end of the story from yesterday. So, for Jeff, I will finish the story, if you will just bear with me.....evidently he follows my blog..
So this missionary guy, whose name is Ron Pinkerton (of the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency of the 1800s) says to J & C God told him that they would be getting a borehole that following week. Their reaction: Thankyou Ron, now go back to your missionarying. Now, shortly thereafter J & C were in town at the local hangout when the guy that drills the wells asked to sit with them. "OK, but behave yourself", (my adlib). And he sits down and says "I have to get some sleep!" "and that pertains to us, how?" says Jeff. Boreholer replies, "I can't sleep, God keeps telling me I need to go out to your place and drill a well" "NO MONEY" says Jeff. "I guess it doesn't matter" says weary Boreholer, "I need sleep, and God is intent on keeping me up til I give in and bore you a well". So out he came and began a well........"Hmmmm" says J &C, "maybe there is a God". (my interpretation). Then some money showed up and helped Boreholer, but only about $12,000. Now remember the $20,000 figure? Well that didn't include a pump to push any water up out of the hole...add another 4-5 thousand...so now we have a $24-25 big G's hole going into the ground only costing 12 G's. On and on the drilled, and the hole kept caving in and they were having a hard time contolling the situation....In steps God again...at 60 meters ( about 190' for those of you in Anacortes) He put a huge rock. Now I would have said "Crap!!!", but Boreholer says "this will stop the cave-ins, goodie goodie, whoopie" (my emphasis) On down through the rock to about 100 meters and, (time to get excited now), Boreholer drills right into an underground river.....pure, clean, limitless water! Did I mention pure, clean, limitless??? Now, listen, this is certified clean water. It took alittle while, and some cajoaling, before J & C were willing to give up the old, not so good well......well, I might be exagerating about the giving up part. As a result, they are able to offer clean water to those around the area that come for it.
Take it as you wish, but this is a place where God often shows his hand in unusual and miraculous ways......There are 82 kids right here that are free from waterbourn diseases. Don't underestimate this God of ours...............more tomorrow, if you can stand it......Hope you're happy, Jeff,,,,see it all turned out good.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Day 11
Well, then, this morning, the sun came up at.....you guessed it, 6:30. The sky was mostly clear and so we decided to get up and join the circus again. It's still amazes us how the cooks and 'aunties' have everything organized and the way everything just clicks....bath, dressed, breakfast, clean-up, school for the older ones, fun and teaching for the little ones. Now, you have seen that the Kenyans seem to dominate the 'running' market, well here might be a reason.....everyday, if it's not raining, the aunties take the kids....any that walk, 2 and up on "safari" (swahili for journey). I know, you're thinking like maybe around the block or something.....think bigger...like 2 miles, out around the area through the fields and back. Try that with your average american 2 year old! There is a reason for the safari, in that to get around in Kenya, you do alot of walking. 7 to 10 miles one way to somewhere is the norm and so, Jeff and Carla are making a concerted attempt to prepare their kids for the culture that they will enter.
Did I tell you about the water system here??? probably not. Would you like to know? Of course you would...you hang on my every word. When InStep bought this property, they put in a small dug well and hit some water. It wasn't alot, or very clean, but it was water. As the kids began to multiply, the water need increased. Duh! J & C kept praying for a better water source, but nothing just popped up. To put in a drilled well (borehole here) would cost $20,000 US,,,a bit much for a struggling childrens home in the middle of nowhere. One day another missionary was visiting and just happened to mention that God had told him that the home would be getting a borehole that very week......Yeah, right! No money and the drilling outfit was months out in scheduling.........so........see you tomorrow, Lord willing and the electricity don't die.
Did I tell you about the water system here??? probably not. Would you like to know? Of course you would...you hang on my every word. When InStep bought this property, they put in a small dug well and hit some water. It wasn't alot, or very clean, but it was water. As the kids began to multiply, the water need increased. Duh! J & C kept praying for a better water source, but nothing just popped up. To put in a drilled well (borehole here) would cost $20,000 US,,,a bit much for a struggling childrens home in the middle of nowhere. One day another missionary was visiting and just happened to mention that God had told him that the home would be getting a borehole that very week......Yeah, right! No money and the drilling outfit was months out in scheduling.........so........see you tomorrow, Lord willing and the electricity don't die.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 10
So, the sun comes up about 6:30 am and it goes down about 6:30 pm. We are about 1 degree north of the equator and at somewhere above 5000 ft. The temperatures are very mild...in the hi 70's in the day, and low 60's in the night. The sun is much more intense than at the 40+ latitudes and we have to be
careful of too much exposure. It hasn't been too much of a problem, as we have been getting thunder clouds in the pm.
The cooks are at it around 5am and cook on outside fires and a charcoal stove inside. They use a 10x10 brick room for a kitchen and have only an outdoor faucet on the outside of the building. It's amazing to see the kind and volume of food that they prepare 3 times a day. They also sterilize all the dishes and bottles and keep everything very clean.
careful of too much exposure. It hasn't been too much of a problem, as we have been getting thunder clouds in the pm.
The cooks are at it around 5am and cook on outside fires and a charcoal stove inside. They use a 10x10 brick room for a kitchen and have only an outdoor faucet on the outside of the building. It's amazing to see the kind and volume of food that they prepare 3 times a day. They also sterilize all the dishes and bottles and keep everything very clean.
- Action Alert: Ashley, a 21 yr old girl that is from LA, CA and lives here full time was just outside and accidentally stepped on a black momba snake. They are highly venomous and she could have been in serious trouble, but God was with her and she wasn't bit. The men of the compound took some sticks and killed it....I will post the pic's when I can. The snake was about 3-4 feet long. This is serious stuff, especially with all the kids around. I hope Ash can sleep tonight.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 9
OK then, finally! We are mucho thankful for having outside contact via the internet, but sometimes it's down for hours, then when we can connect, the power goes out or it takes 15 or twenty minutes to log in. It's alot like having dial up without the up.
I am feeling much better today and have only one more injection of antibiotics in a few hours. I wish I could upload pictures, but that is just about impossible. I actually got some tools out and made a couple of things today. Some shelves for the diaper area......they go thru over 200 diapers every day. It has been rather a free for all looking for the right size for the right hinee. Having the battery op tools has been quite a blessing, as the power is so unpredictable. I also cut out some holes in a piece of plywood for a beanbag target. The don't know what a beanbag is, but they will, thanks to Geri.
Yesterday we went about 18 km to Kesogon and had a bible study with some of the locals. We actually met in a house on the old compound where we stayed in 2002. On the way back, we stopped and met with John Munguy (sp) a solid Godly man whom I became friends with back when. What a great guy. I hope to spend some time with him soon.
The men here mow the grass with a short pole with 4 or 5" blade on the end,,,something like a sythe...just swinging it most of the day, chop chop. The laundry, and these are very clean people is done on a concrete slab out back outside with clothes lines over it. They do it all by hand and get the whites like our advertisers say they can, but can't. ..............
Dr Shadrack just came and is taking care of some kids, and gave me my shot. It's really amazing, this guy works out of a dark small brick shack, but knows so much about modern medicine. I don't know how he does it, but I have total confidence in him. He's treating little Melissa for malaria as we speak.
Sandy has been cutting the feet.....no not like peoples' feet,,, feet out of the sleepers that we brought here. The kids are long legged and have larger feet than most white kids. Cutting the feet out makes them last longer....I mean you did that for your kids, I'm sure.
So, we want to share some of the kids' stories and will as time and airwaves permit. All the kids have unique stories....not all as tramatic as Gloria, but almost.....Jeff and Carla are trying to keep this as anti-institutional and more like a real family as they can. They try to touch and communicate with every kid every day.....unlike myself, with my own kids, whom I ignored as much as possible. J & C really are "baba and mama" to these rug.....I mean concrete rats.
I am feeling much better today and have only one more injection of antibiotics in a few hours. I wish I could upload pictures, but that is just about impossible. I actually got some tools out and made a couple of things today. Some shelves for the diaper area......they go thru over 200 diapers every day. It has been rather a free for all looking for the right size for the right hinee. Having the battery op tools has been quite a blessing, as the power is so unpredictable. I also cut out some holes in a piece of plywood for a beanbag target. The don't know what a beanbag is, but they will, thanks to Geri.
Yesterday we went about 18 km to Kesogon and had a bible study with some of the locals. We actually met in a house on the old compound where we stayed in 2002. On the way back, we stopped and met with John Munguy (sp) a solid Godly man whom I became friends with back when. What a great guy. I hope to spend some time with him soon.
The men here mow the grass with a short pole with 4 or 5" blade on the end,,,something like a sythe...just swinging it most of the day, chop chop. The laundry, and these are very clean people is done on a concrete slab out back outside with clothes lines over it. They do it all by hand and get the whites like our advertisers say they can, but can't. ..............
Dr Shadrack just came and is taking care of some kids, and gave me my shot. It's really amazing, this guy works out of a dark small brick shack, but knows so much about modern medicine. I don't know how he does it, but I have total confidence in him. He's treating little Melissa for malaria as we speak.
Sandy has been cutting the feet.....no not like peoples' feet,,, feet out of the sleepers that we brought here. The kids are long legged and have larger feet than most white kids. Cutting the feet out makes them last longer....I mean you did that for your kids, I'm sure.
So, we want to share some of the kids' stories and will as time and airwaves permit. All the kids have unique stories....not all as tramatic as Gloria, but almost.....Jeff and Carla are trying to keep this as anti-institutional and more like a real family as they can. They try to touch and communicate with every kid every day.....unlike myself, with my own kids, whom I ignored as much as possible. J & C really are "baba and mama" to these rug.....I mean concrete rats.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Day 8
Terry is not feeling very well so I(Sandy)am going to enter tonight. I certainly will not be as entertaining, but I do have another perspective to share with you all.
Being here has been a tremendous eye opener for me. I t is easy to go to Rehema Ministries/ Instep Childrens Home website and see the stories of each of the children that are living here. It is another thing to see them all in person. Jeff & Carla know each and every story related to these kids. Most are heart wrenching. Almost every child has been abused, abandoned or left to starve by their parents. Tonite I want to tell you about a little girl that has so touched my heart. Her name is Gloria and she has these huge brown eyes and a beautiful smile that lights up the room. Her mother gave birth to her behind a bush along side of the road. She did tie off the cord, but then walked away and left her there.She still was covered in the birthing fluid which atracted the ants. If you have ever watched the learning channel you will know that the African ants devour whole animals. They started to do the same thing with little Gloria. By the time someone found her the ants had turned her arm and her torso into hamburger. God sent this person to find little Gloria and took her to the hospital where she remained for a week. Jeff & Carla then took her here to the Children's home. This litttle girl has thrived under the love and care she has received . The only scaring she has is a little on her arm. Praise God!!! There are 81 other similar stories here. It has become so real to me that God has called us here for a reason, if only to be able to share with you all that God has a plan for these children, that they are not forgotten by Him.
Being here has been a tremendous eye opener for me. I t is easy to go to Rehema Ministries/ Instep Childrens Home website and see the stories of each of the children that are living here. It is another thing to see them all in person. Jeff & Carla know each and every story related to these kids. Most are heart wrenching. Almost every child has been abused, abandoned or left to starve by their parents. Tonite I want to tell you about a little girl that has so touched my heart. Her name is Gloria and she has these huge brown eyes and a beautiful smile that lights up the room. Her mother gave birth to her behind a bush along side of the road. She did tie off the cord, but then walked away and left her there.She still was covered in the birthing fluid which atracted the ants. If you have ever watched the learning channel you will know that the African ants devour whole animals. They started to do the same thing with little Gloria. By the time someone found her the ants had turned her arm and her torso into hamburger. God sent this person to find little Gloria and took her to the hospital where she remained for a week. Jeff & Carla then took her here to the Children's home. This litttle girl has thrived under the love and care she has received . The only scaring she has is a little on her arm. Praise God!!! There are 81 other similar stories here. It has become so real to me that God has called us here for a reason, if only to be able to share with you all that God has a plan for these children, that they are not forgotten by Him.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 7
So, here we sit in a coffee shop in the town of Kitale. Every sunday, a lot of the local white people come and get updated on just what is new. We will be here for awhile, just goofin'. Even tho the rainy season has past, it has rained every day since we came, and is currently thundering here and will still start to rain soon. Rain here is more like Snoqualmie falls.
I have stuck to my guns and have held firm that I don't do well with babies......however, they seem to do WELL with me and I am often at the bottom of a little black pile of kids. Speaking of kids, I told you that we are in the company of 82 of the little buggers, with 60+ under 5 yrs,,,well they have some local ladies that they call "aunties" that are in charge of keeping them safe and doing what they are supposed to be doing. Can you imagine 82 little kids all sitting quietly at a long table waiting to eat....happens here, and not only that, but the older ones....like 7, 8 etc, help with the younger ones and even do alot of the clean-up. I could have used the aunties as my kids were growing.
Sandy is well on her way to getting her "baby fix", but says it will take awhile. She seems to much more at home with all the snot and dirty hands than I am....as for me, they call me Babu......(grandfather).
Sandy is doing fine, but I have this upper respiritory problem and so stopped in the local clinic....mud hut...with medical stuff and educated people....they checked for malaria, Negative, and gave me a shot and sent me packin' with 2 different antibiotics. They do know their stuff, and work under pretty dismal conditions.
I have stuck to my guns and have held firm that I don't do well with babies......however, they seem to do WELL with me and I am often at the bottom of a little black pile of kids. Speaking of kids, I told you that we are in the company of 82 of the little buggers, with 60+ under 5 yrs,,,well they have some local ladies that they call "aunties" that are in charge of keeping them safe and doing what they are supposed to be doing. Can you imagine 82 little kids all sitting quietly at a long table waiting to eat....happens here, and not only that, but the older ones....like 7, 8 etc, help with the younger ones and even do alot of the clean-up. I could have used the aunties as my kids were growing.
Sandy is well on her way to getting her "baby fix", but says it will take awhile. She seems to much more at home with all the snot and dirty hands than I am....as for me, they call me Babu......(grandfather).
Sandy is doing fine, but I have this upper respiritory problem and so stopped in the local clinic....mud hut...with medical stuff and educated people....they checked for malaria, Negative, and gave me a shot and sent me packin' with 2 different antibiotics. They do know their stuff, and work under pretty dismal conditions.
Day 4
Day 4
Yesterday, we flew into Eldoret and were picked up by Carla and Jeff with their Toyota super machine. Six tubs on top, two inside with six people. We went into Eldoret and stopped at a new “supermarket”. Now, we have been to African “supermarkets” before, so we just figured it would be more like a 1910 general store…sort of. But were we surprised…..we made a 100 year jump and ended up in something like our Safeway…modern, well stocked, lighted, and staffed….including scanners at checkout. Turns out it is the most modern store in western Kenya. We picked up some snacks and headed for Katale.. About 1 hr up the “road”. Road, being a relative term here. We drive on the left side, English style, and dodged atomic bomb sized craters, donkey carts, people and semi trucks. Pray for kidney repair for us. We have been in Katale before, but it seems that the 20th century has begun its encroachment, and we were able to have a western style lunch at a rather large place owned by an English lady. Then we drove another ½ hr to the Children’s Home. Can’t send pictures yet but will try to upload some on Sunday when we go to town.
Yesterday, we flew into Eldoret and were picked up by Carla and Jeff with their Toyota super machine. Six tubs on top, two inside with six people. We went into Eldoret and stopped at a new “supermarket”. Now, we have been to African “supermarkets” before, so we just figured it would be more like a 1910 general store…sort of. But were we surprised…..we made a 100 year jump and ended up in something like our Safeway…modern, well stocked, lighted, and staffed….including scanners at checkout. Turns out it is the most modern store in western Kenya. We picked up some snacks and headed for Katale.. About 1 hr up the “road”. Road, being a relative term here. We drive on the left side, English style, and dodged atomic bomb sized craters, donkey carts, people and semi trucks. Pray for kidney repair for us. We have been in Katale before, but it seems that the 20th century has begun its encroachment, and we were able to have a western style lunch at a rather large place owned by an English lady. Then we drove another ½ hr to the Children’s Home. Can’t send pictures yet but will try to upload some on Sunday when we go to town.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Well on our way
So we left Anacortes at 7am courtesy of our # 1 son. Jeri Darkus, Marlisse Appel, Sandy and I trucked our way down I-5 to Seatac. On board was 7 50# plastic tubs and 1 70# tub, full of kids clothes, shoes, and some tools. So we get to the departure track, stop and unload our stuff and a guy there starts doing a curbside checkin. We get to talking, and he gets really interested in what we are up to and says that he would like to do something like that in the spring...Heh heh....did we have a deal for him. Gave him some info and asked what we owed for the overweight tub (should be $150.00 more). "What overweight tub?" he says. "Ah, the 70 # one" I replied. "Must be mistaken" he says.....saved us mucho denaro for the Orphanage. Couple hours later, we are compacted into form fitting seats, that became our home for the next 9+hrs.
Amsterdam was the next thing we came in contact with and had a 3 hr layover before head south. Did you know that you have to buy internet time there....could be why you didn't hear from me then. Anyway, we just sat there salivating for the onboard meals that KLM would provide, and longing for sitting in seats designed for pygmies. Soon enough, we were airborn again.
Sitting next to us were a dentist and his wife from the Netherlands, going to Kenya to do some short term dental work on kids. The became really interested in where we were going and said he'd like to make himself available if it worked out in the future......heh, heh, heh....did we have a deal for him.
Got to Niarobi at some unknown time and day.....dark, anyway and were close to the last off the 747, and therefore last in line for immigration......on, you guessed it, 'African time'. 2 hrs later, we got to the desk and after being photographed and fingerprinted, got our visas. Went to baggaged to claim our tubs. Now I had been sweating bullets or something, because we had tools in the tubs that weren't exactly legal to import....Now, facing customs, I noticed that the seals had been broken......AAAHHHHEEEE Chihuahua!!! They asked where we were going, and basically said "Git otta heah". Praise the Lord!
Now we sit in the commuter waiting area to go to Eldoret. I haven't been able to check the tubs, but did see on one the scanners that tools were in one tub.....more to come from InStep Ministies Childrens Home....soon
Amsterdam was the next thing we came in contact with and had a 3 hr layover before head south. Did you know that you have to buy internet time there....could be why you didn't hear from me then. Anyway, we just sat there salivating for the onboard meals that KLM would provide, and longing for sitting in seats designed for pygmies. Soon enough, we were airborn again.
Sitting next to us were a dentist and his wife from the Netherlands, going to Kenya to do some short term dental work on kids. The became really interested in where we were going and said he'd like to make himself available if it worked out in the future......heh, heh, heh....did we have a deal for him.
Got to Niarobi at some unknown time and day.....dark, anyway and were close to the last off the 747, and therefore last in line for immigration......on, you guessed it, 'African time'. 2 hrs later, we got to the desk and after being photographed and fingerprinted, got our visas. Went to baggaged to claim our tubs. Now I had been sweating bullets or something, because we had tools in the tubs that weren't exactly legal to import....Now, facing customs, I noticed that the seals had been broken......AAAHHHHEEEE Chihuahua!!! They asked where we were going, and basically said "Git otta heah". Praise the Lord!
Now we sit in the commuter waiting area to go to Eldoret. I haven't been able to check the tubs, but did see on one the scanners that tools were in one tub.....more to come from InStep Ministies Childrens Home....soon
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Times almost up
2001 after 911 Sandy and I were in church and heard about an opportunity to go to Africa. We looked at each other and both said at the same "we should do that." And just like that, we knew that God was calling us to go and check out a little village in western Kenya. So in September 2002 we went, and spent a couple of weeks meeting and relating to the people of Kesogon. But..heard no call to stay or go back to Africa. In fact, as I recall, Sandy said. "NEVER, NEVER, WILL I GO BACK!! Others did go back, in fact, Ron & Joyce Panzaro kept going back over and over, helping to get decent water systems in place, and beginning an orphanage.
Now, fast forward to 2010. Sandy had been tracking the orphanage and came to me and said the unthinkable..."I think God is calling me to go to the orphanage this year" "Ha Ha Ha", I said..."do you remember that the orphanage is in Africa???" "Doesn't matter", she said, "I think God wants me to go." "OK", I replied, "then YOU should go, I don't do well holding babies." And that's how we began to plan.
Bear in mind that Sandy is mostly an introvert that is relatively secure when surrounded by things she knows and is familiar with, but totally insecure when taken out of her element.
So, she was going! and that was that. But, me, not so much. I don't do well holding babies. We planned to send her. After all, God was calling HER! I don't do well holding babies. In stepped Joyce..."there is a need for someone to work on the building" she manipulated. "Why don't you just ask God if He would like to have you go and help the kids have a decent place to live?" she continued, with a grin.. "OK" I said, "but I already know that He hasn't called be back to Africa.....Tahiti, maybe, not Africa."
So, tomorrow, Sandy is leaving for Kenya, just as she was told to by God. Oh yeah, a carpenter will be escorting her. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE GOD!! and His provision. Many people came and offered to help with logistics and whatever we might need. So off we go at 7:00 to Seattle for a flight (about 9 hrs) to Amsterdam. 3 hour layover and then 9 more hours to Niarobi. We will overnight in Niarobi and take a small plane to Eldoret, in west Kenya. We will be picked up there and in about 30 minutes, should be on the compound......But I still don't do well holding babies.
Now, fast forward to 2010. Sandy had been tracking the orphanage and came to me and said the unthinkable..."I think God is calling me to go to the orphanage this year" "Ha Ha Ha", I said..."do you remember that the orphanage is in Africa???" "Doesn't matter", she said, "I think God wants me to go." "OK", I replied, "then YOU should go, I don't do well holding babies." And that's how we began to plan.
Bear in mind that Sandy is mostly an introvert that is relatively secure when surrounded by things she knows and is familiar with, but totally insecure when taken out of her element.
So, she was going! and that was that. But, me, not so much. I don't do well holding babies. We planned to send her. After all, God was calling HER! I don't do well holding babies. In stepped Joyce..."there is a need for someone to work on the building" she manipulated. "Why don't you just ask God if He would like to have you go and help the kids have a decent place to live?" she continued, with a grin.. "OK" I said, "but I already know that He hasn't called be back to Africa.....Tahiti, maybe, not Africa."
So, tomorrow, Sandy is leaving for Kenya, just as she was told to by God. Oh yeah, a carpenter will be escorting her. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE GOD!! and His provision. Many people came and offered to help with logistics and whatever we might need. So off we go at 7:00 to Seattle for a flight (about 9 hrs) to Amsterdam. 3 hour layover and then 9 more hours to Niarobi. We will overnight in Niarobi and take a small plane to Eldoret, in west Kenya. We will be picked up there and in about 30 minutes, should be on the compound......But I still don't do well holding babies.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Step by step
Gear packed, details attended to. 450 lbs of gear and clothing and tools and stuff to go the orphanage. Sandy comes home tomorrow and we shall finish coordinating the last of the travel plans...5 days to go.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Clock is ticking
7 1/2 days til the adventure begins. Most of the gear that is going is on hand and will be packed this week. Sandy is getting reved up but with one caveat. She has to take a short trip to Colorado Springs tomorrow to care for our #6 who has a kidney stone with complications. So I'll be on my own for a few day. Tough, but doable...even for me.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The saga continues
So, with the need for logistical support work at the orphanage, comes the revelation that there is an almost total lack of tools to accomplish the tasks. Now, with the help of God and some of His friends, we have compiled a small cache of battery operated commercial grade tools that should meet the challenge. Thanks to all those who have contributed to the acquistion of said tools. To go with us when we travel will be a circular saw, jigsaw, drill, concrete drill, nailgun, batteries and charger. Also some basic hand tools will come along.
The power in Kenya is of different cycles (50hz vs our 60hz), and would damage our motorized tools, but will work fine for charging the batteries.
All that is left is to purchase a bunch of fasteners, ie: nails, screws, staples, concrete fasteners, and misc stuff.
As with everything else that our team is taking, the tools will be staying with the orphanage to be used by any that have need.
Sandy and Jeri are collecting a bunch of stuff for the kids, including clothes, ministry things and some specific items for some special need kids.
It's been amazing to watch, as supernaturally things keep falling in place.....and...I didn't want to go....initially. But that's a story for another time.
Thanks to all who have gotten involved.
The power in Kenya is of different cycles (50hz vs our 60hz), and would damage our motorized tools, but will work fine for charging the batteries.
All that is left is to purchase a bunch of fasteners, ie: nails, screws, staples, concrete fasteners, and misc stuff.
As with everything else that our team is taking, the tools will be staying with the orphanage to be used by any that have need.
Sandy and Jeri are collecting a bunch of stuff for the kids, including clothes, ministry things and some specific items for some special need kids.
It's been amazing to watch, as supernaturally things keep falling in place.....and...I didn't want to go....initially. But that's a story for another time.
Thanks to all who have gotten involved.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Soon to happen
This is all new, but here goes. In alittle over a week, we will be heading for the airport for transport to Kenya. Sandy and I will be in route to In Step/Rehema Ministries orphanage near Kitali. We'll try to keep some kind of running blog that should wow you and leave salivating for more. We leave Seattle October 4th and should be gone for almost about a month. There is some work to be done and babies to be held. So soon we will make our second trip to Africa. Oh, the pertinant website is http://www.rehemaministries.com/
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