November 9,2011
Being and doing what you know God has called you to do is not always an easy thing. I am experiencing that fact today. This has been a total meltdown day for me. Tears most of the day. Feeling sorry for myself and just wanting to go home. Maybe a little like the Israelites and their being in the desert. Home looks mighty good to me today! Maybe it is the torrential and incessant rain that is here in the “dry” season.
The rain that makes it impossible to dry the kids clothes and forces them inside all day. The fact that they will probably have to go to bed in their dirty clothes again tonight. Maybe it is the fact that so many are sick with malaria and are having to go into the clinic everyday to get their injections to keep them from serious illness. Maybe it is the treacherous roads that because of all rain, make it impossible to even drive on them with the 4 wheel drive Toyota. Terry almost did not make it home from the clinic run today. He is not even going to attempt to take the “aunties” home tonite. Maybe it is the corruption of a government that is preventing food to be given to the many starving people here in Kenya. They let it rot in their storage units until it develops a fungus that is deadly if eaten and then have to burn it in secret in the dump. Maybe I am just physically and emotionally exhausted…..whatever the case, that is where I am today. Sounds pretty romantic being a “missionary” huh? Not to me, not today.
Now tomorrow will be a different story….I hope. I am going to “gird up my loins” and get on the with the tasks at hand. I have had a very understanding husband today and he has just held me and told me things will be better tomorrow. He just let me have a good cry. Sometimes a good cry is good for the soul…oh and chocolate! Chocolate is good for most things. So I will try and wake up tomorrow with a better attitude and know that it really is not all about me. It is about what God has in mind for these 106 little kids who have lost everything, but have gained a whole lot more…..people who care for and love them, safety from those who would do them harm, a warm place with plenty of food. Please remember how blessed you are!
What....now there are 105
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Might be time to do the laundry
Halloween 2011
I need to vent abit, then let’s see what happens next. Some of you know and remember that a few months ago, I mentioned that food prices here…well it was ‘there’ at the time, because here was there for me then, if you get my drift. Let’s just for the sake of sanity, say that Kenya’s food prices were going thru the roof….whatever that means….even tripling and more. So, as a result, so many sent in enough money to buy maize and beans for Instep to get thru harvest time. Not only that, but so much came in that we were able to help another childrens ministry in Kitale….which is here (now). It completely blew me away (some of you wish), and once again God showed His mercy towards these kids. And a lot of you were a part of that miracle. So when is he going to vent you ask. Glad you asked, thank you. Hang on, I’m getting there. Now, there has been a food shortage in Northern Kenya for quite a few years, and the world has been sending food in to help. OK, here it comes! Yesterday, while you were sleeping, I took our weekly run to the local dump to dispose of about 1400 used diapers. I think I have told you about the dump, so you can look back thru the blogs to be refreshed. While there, Martin, (our local unpaid for 2 yrs dump manager) says almost with tears in his eyes; “see the smoke over there, come take a look”. You and I both know that I have been in Kenya long enough to mostly become calloused to all the ‘stuff’ here, but this was too much. There, on fire, piled high, was at least 100-180# bags of maize. And yes, maize is considered food here. Why were they burning it, you ask. Because instead of giving out the food to those in need, they stored it until it developed a toxic substance and became poison for consumption. Had it been given out months ago, it would have been fine, but instead, the officials let the people starve here while there was food in storage. So, it had to be burned….there must be a special place in Hell for those who have been withholding food while people are dying. I don’t know if it was the Kenyan government, or the UN or other world food organization, but it doesn’t matter, someone has directly contributed to the death of human beings…men…women….children….and the evolutionists say we are getting better….BS!
Sorry, sometimes the way it is here gets overwhelming. You have the option of not reading this…which I’m sure that some of you smarter ones are exercising even now, but I get to live it….even the true parts.
J & C evidently have either lost their minds, or have become completely despondent, or have a real faith in Gods ability to take care of his kids here, as they will be leaving Kenya for a month. Jeff, a couple of months ago: “hey Kisers, how about you guys come visit us?” Me: “I think I told you that we were never going back to Africa.” Jeff: “Not Africa,,,just Kenya”. Me: “Oh, in that case, we are on our way….in fact, we are already there.” So we came expecting to have some good fellowship with J & C. Meanwhile they are plotting their escape and booking tickets out. This brings us to today….Jeff says, in passing, “did I mention that we are leaving next Monday….for a month?” “Oh,” I said, “where are we going?” (insert one of Jeff’s looks here) So, with his desire to slink out of Africa, the task remains to Sandy and I to find some scapegoats to actually carry the burden of 106 kids…and us too. That brings us to Sean (Slowtogetit) and Meredith (Marryme). These two have the ability and desire to make life go on at Instep, with the plus of being able to tolerate me! Anyway, between the four of us, we may be able to keep this place from collapsing….at least for a month. Nevertheless, Jeff has no one to blame except himself. As this week progresses, S,M,Sand me are plotting our overthrow of authority here. My hope is that S&M do all the work and Sandy and I get all the credit. If you have an ounce of mercy in your bones, you will pray for us. As I have said before, no normal human being….or 2 of them can possibly make Instep function. That being said, I’ll add that J & C are not normal…in many ways…..but have an incredible ability to do 106 kids, 36 staff, and all the crap that goes with the job. Our only hope for the next month is that God is unwilling for anyone to damage His kids here, and so will keep us in line.
Well, I have to go change my pants….every time I think of being here with all that goes on….without J&C, I have a little accident.
I need to vent abit, then let’s see what happens next. Some of you know and remember that a few months ago, I mentioned that food prices here…well it was ‘there’ at the time, because here was there for me then, if you get my drift. Let’s just for the sake of sanity, say that Kenya’s food prices were going thru the roof….whatever that means….even tripling and more. So, as a result, so many sent in enough money to buy maize and beans for Instep to get thru harvest time. Not only that, but so much came in that we were able to help another childrens ministry in Kitale….which is here (now). It completely blew me away (some of you wish), and once again God showed His mercy towards these kids. And a lot of you were a part of that miracle. So when is he going to vent you ask. Glad you asked, thank you. Hang on, I’m getting there. Now, there has been a food shortage in Northern Kenya for quite a few years, and the world has been sending food in to help. OK, here it comes! Yesterday, while you were sleeping, I took our weekly run to the local dump to dispose of about 1400 used diapers. I think I have told you about the dump, so you can look back thru the blogs to be refreshed. While there, Martin, (our local unpaid for 2 yrs dump manager) says almost with tears in his eyes; “see the smoke over there, come take a look”. You and I both know that I have been in Kenya long enough to mostly become calloused to all the ‘stuff’ here, but this was too much. There, on fire, piled high, was at least 100-180# bags of maize. And yes, maize is considered food here. Why were they burning it, you ask. Because instead of giving out the food to those in need, they stored it until it developed a toxic substance and became poison for consumption. Had it been given out months ago, it would have been fine, but instead, the officials let the people starve here while there was food in storage. So, it had to be burned….there must be a special place in Hell for those who have been withholding food while people are dying. I don’t know if it was the Kenyan government, or the UN or other world food organization, but it doesn’t matter, someone has directly contributed to the death of human beings…men…women….children….and the evolutionists say we are getting better….BS!
Sorry, sometimes the way it is here gets overwhelming. You have the option of not reading this…which I’m sure that some of you smarter ones are exercising even now, but I get to live it….even the true parts.
J & C evidently have either lost their minds, or have become completely despondent, or have a real faith in Gods ability to take care of his kids here, as they will be leaving Kenya for a month. Jeff, a couple of months ago: “hey Kisers, how about you guys come visit us?” Me: “I think I told you that we were never going back to Africa.” Jeff: “Not Africa,,,just Kenya”. Me: “Oh, in that case, we are on our way….in fact, we are already there.” So we came expecting to have some good fellowship with J & C. Meanwhile they are plotting their escape and booking tickets out. This brings us to today….Jeff says, in passing, “did I mention that we are leaving next Monday….for a month?” “Oh,” I said, “where are we going?” (insert one of Jeff’s looks here) So, with his desire to slink out of Africa, the task remains to Sandy and I to find some scapegoats to actually carry the burden of 106 kids…and us too. That brings us to Sean (Slowtogetit) and Meredith (Marryme). These two have the ability and desire to make life go on at Instep, with the plus of being able to tolerate me! Anyway, between the four of us, we may be able to keep this place from collapsing….at least for a month. Nevertheless, Jeff has no one to blame except himself. As this week progresses, S,M,Sand me are plotting our overthrow of authority here. My hope is that S&M do all the work and Sandy and I get all the credit. If you have an ounce of mercy in your bones, you will pray for us. As I have said before, no normal human being….or 2 of them can possibly make Instep function. That being said, I’ll add that J & C are not normal…in many ways…..but have an incredible ability to do 106 kids, 36 staff, and all the crap that goes with the job. Our only hope for the next month is that God is unwilling for anyone to damage His kids here, and so will keep us in line.
Well, I have to go change my pants….every time I think of being here with all that goes on….without J&C, I have a little accident.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sandy at the home front
It is now Saturday afternoon at the Instep homestead. Carla, Jeff, Terry and Shylo are off to a barbecue in town. I have decided to stay here and so has Beth Ann, the gal who has come to do a preschool with the 4 yr olds. Beth Ann is not feeling well and not feeling up to going and me, well I am just needing some peace and quiet!
It has been an up and down week. A new little one named Esther. A beautiful little girl that has been taken care of solely by her 9 year old brother for quite some time. He had been placed in a street boys home temporarily, for lack of another placement. As much as they had wanted to take him, Insteps policy is not to take youngsters that old. I understand it was heartbreaking for him to be separated from his little sister. The good news is that he has been now placed in another children’s home that has him in a foster home situation for a short period of time until they get their new home up and running. They may be able to take both children when little Esther gets stronger and healthier! God continues to be so faithful.
The hard part of my week is that my 85 year old father fell and had to be rushed to Harbor View Hospital. They knew he had a concusion and thought he had bleeding in his brain. Oh, to be so far away and something like that happens. My sister had only been home not quite a week and had to fly home. She lives in Salt Lake City. Dad is doing better and is not as critical as when he came in. He may be able to go back home to Anacortes Sunday or Monday. We had discussed ( my sister and brother and I) what if’s, but had not thought it would be our father! My sister is handling everything and I do feel somewhat guilty, but it is difficult getting back home and some flights have been cancelled coming into Nairobi. So I am praying , a lot!
Terry is starting some of his planned projects. Making shelving to store all the tubs that have been brought over with kids clothes and shoes, has been another TIA. At first the store had the plywood and then they did not! So hopefully it will be coming( in fact it is already there)! I am mending and sorting through all the tubs to see what we actually have on hand and of course getting to hold all the babies I want J )))))
The pace is slower here for sure and there is an emphasis on relationships that can get in the way of accomplishing any project, but over all things are going well. We have been feeling well and no Malaria, so all good!
Some of you may have been hearing the news regarding Kenya and the threat of attacks from Somalia. They are true, but we have not felt unsafe at all. The attacks have been focused on Kenyans, mostly in Nairobi. Because of that threat our other team that had planned on coming the first week in November is having second thought about coming over. I am going to miss not having them here, but totally understand their decision. We are being cautious, but living our lives. Carla, Jeff and Shylo are still planning on leaving Nairobi on the 7th of November and as far as we know should be able to get their flights out. So when and if they get out of Kenya, Terry and the team of Meredith and Sean will be in charge!!! Hopefully all will go well while they are gone…if not, we will try to miss them at the airport on our way outta town!!!
It has been an up and down week. A new little one named Esther. A beautiful little girl that has been taken care of solely by her 9 year old brother for quite some time. He had been placed in a street boys home temporarily, for lack of another placement. As much as they had wanted to take him, Insteps policy is not to take youngsters that old. I understand it was heartbreaking for him to be separated from his little sister. The good news is that he has been now placed in another children’s home that has him in a foster home situation for a short period of time until they get their new home up and running. They may be able to take both children when little Esther gets stronger and healthier! God continues to be so faithful.
The hard part of my week is that my 85 year old father fell and had to be rushed to Harbor View Hospital. They knew he had a concusion and thought he had bleeding in his brain. Oh, to be so far away and something like that happens. My sister had only been home not quite a week and had to fly home. She lives in Salt Lake City. Dad is doing better and is not as critical as when he came in. He may be able to go back home to Anacortes Sunday or Monday. We had discussed ( my sister and brother and I) what if’s, but had not thought it would be our father! My sister is handling everything and I do feel somewhat guilty, but it is difficult getting back home and some flights have been cancelled coming into Nairobi. So I am praying , a lot!
Terry is starting some of his planned projects. Making shelving to store all the tubs that have been brought over with kids clothes and shoes, has been another TIA. At first the store had the plywood and then they did not! So hopefully it will be coming( in fact it is already there)! I am mending and sorting through all the tubs to see what we actually have on hand and of course getting to hold all the babies I want J )))))
The pace is slower here for sure and there is an emphasis on relationships that can get in the way of accomplishing any project, but over all things are going well. We have been feeling well and no Malaria, so all good!
Some of you may have been hearing the news regarding Kenya and the threat of attacks from Somalia. They are true, but we have not felt unsafe at all. The attacks have been focused on Kenyans, mostly in Nairobi. Because of that threat our other team that had planned on coming the first week in November is having second thought about coming over. I am going to miss not having them here, but totally understand their decision. We are being cautious, but living our lives. Carla, Jeff and Shylo are still planning on leaving Nairobi on the 7th of November and as far as we know should be able to get their flights out. So when and if they get out of Kenya, Terry and the team of Meredith and Sean will be in charge!!! Hopefully all will go well while they are gone…if not, we will try to miss them at the airport on our way outta town!!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Mud and tears
Oct 24, 2011
Now which one of you would think to tell me to take warm clothes to the equator….in Africa. I mean I never saw Tarzan wearing long underwear, just that diaper thingy. So, last evening: “Hey Jeff, I can’t find the heater in our room.” I say, while actually looking for a pile of kids to get under. Jeff, giving me one of his now world famous ‘what a dumb a**’ looks, says “We’re in the tropics, for crying out loud” but even I noticed that he was saying it from under his blanket. Who would have thought that it could get clear down to 70 deg F here. You laugh, but go sit under a sun lamp for 6 hrs and then see what 70 does to you. Before we came, the dry season began, but now that we are here, the rain doesn’t seem so dry to me, then that’s just me. True to form, when the Kisers are in Africa, the ‘blessings’ come. Now in Washington State we don’t necessarily call rain ‘blessings’, but here they do. It hasn’t rained hard, but it has rained every day…..good for the beans, and car body shops….more on that later.
Sandy has a pretty good hiding place. She goes into room 3 and gets behind a humongous pile of kids clothes an uses the sewing machine to repatriate different parts of dismembered clothes. Meanwhile the kids just blow by the door, never suspecting that hugs are just feet away. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is actually provable here. (Jeff….that is the axiom….I mean ‘thing that says stuff starts good and goes to h--- I mean to broken, ripped, smashed torn….bad.) Please hang with me as sometimes I have to tutor Jeff some. As an aside, I am really proud of Jeff, as he is using larger words more and more….he has learned to write in all capital letters.
Earlier in the day yesterday, I drove Joseph and Lil’ Twerp (Shylo) into Sabanga, the little village near here, to get maize and potatoes. The ‘roads’ were dry….unlike later….more on that coming up. So we get to the metropolis and find a door in a brick building that had some kernels of maize sprinkled around. So Joseph says to the lady standing in the door, “lots of words and noises that can’t be understood by mzungu”. She replied, “more noises and strange words”. This went on of about 5 minutes. At one point I broke in and asked J what the deal was. “Not made yet” he says…..we are negotiating. She wants 2650 Ksh and we will pay 2600Ksh. (50 cents diff). It wasn’t the 50 cents, it was who would win the match. Although she seem, to me, to be the better bargainer, J managed to pull it out and he chalked up another victory in the battle of the market place. A repeat performance at another place for the potatoes, and J was absolutely gleeful. “Did you see that” he says. “they didn’t have a chance!” Not exactly the world series of negotiation, I thought….but said, “it is an honor to be in your presence, oh Market Master.” So, back to home, 150 kg’s heavier.
So a couple of days ago, Jeff Lil’ Twerp and I went to town, and were picking our way thru the lead mines, when LT says to Jeff, “How do they fix these roads?” Jeff, giving me one of his looks, rolling his eyes says to LT. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen it happen.” Which brings me to the sad tale that I am about to tell.
Every night , after dark, Jeff takes the two or three Aunties that get off shift home. Most of them live within 6 or 7 miles, down little dirt lanes about 10 ft wide, sometimes having flat surfaces for 8 or 10 inches at a time. Some of these lanes are shaped like a barrel…maybe 3 ft higher in the middle than at the sides, which are sort of a ditch affair, with vertical dirt walls. This brings us to Kiser driving skills….or lack of it. This dirt, when wet becomes very much like ice…or like a known substance here….snot. So, with Jeffs genteel coaxing, I was easing my friend Toyota along the ‘road’, and then it was over. With a subtle ‘bang’ Toyota had come to rest against the left side wall of the lane….which is hard mud as well, with brambles hanging over it. Being as I have never liked damaging things, especially expensive things, I pretty much ruined my day….and probably longer. But bless his heart, Jeff looked over at me smiling and said TIA. I think he is a better man than me….but don’t you dare tell him. Anyway, long story short….like that ever happens with me……between 4 wheel drive, patience, and the winch, Toyota proved her worth again. Jeff wouldn’t let me get out of the drivers seat, Aunties got home, as did we. The damage wasn’t too bad….partially caved in left side panel, but nothing broken except my ego….and heart….I love ’ol Toyota.
And so, another day in Africa, and God has proven once again that He is good. This is life.
Now which one of you would think to tell me to take warm clothes to the equator….in Africa. I mean I never saw Tarzan wearing long underwear, just that diaper thingy. So, last evening: “Hey Jeff, I can’t find the heater in our room.” I say, while actually looking for a pile of kids to get under. Jeff, giving me one of his now world famous ‘what a dumb a**’ looks, says “We’re in the tropics, for crying out loud” but even I noticed that he was saying it from under his blanket. Who would have thought that it could get clear down to 70 deg F here. You laugh, but go sit under a sun lamp for 6 hrs and then see what 70 does to you. Before we came, the dry season began, but now that we are here, the rain doesn’t seem so dry to me, then that’s just me. True to form, when the Kisers are in Africa, the ‘blessings’ come. Now in Washington State we don’t necessarily call rain ‘blessings’, but here they do. It hasn’t rained hard, but it has rained every day…..good for the beans, and car body shops….more on that later.
Sandy has a pretty good hiding place. She goes into room 3 and gets behind a humongous pile of kids clothes an uses the sewing machine to repatriate different parts of dismembered clothes. Meanwhile the kids just blow by the door, never suspecting that hugs are just feet away. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is actually provable here. (Jeff….that is the axiom….I mean ‘thing that says stuff starts good and goes to h--- I mean to broken, ripped, smashed torn….bad.) Please hang with me as sometimes I have to tutor Jeff some. As an aside, I am really proud of Jeff, as he is using larger words more and more….he has learned to write in all capital letters.
Earlier in the day yesterday, I drove Joseph and Lil’ Twerp (Shylo) into Sabanga, the little village near here, to get maize and potatoes. The ‘roads’ were dry….unlike later….more on that coming up. So we get to the metropolis and find a door in a brick building that had some kernels of maize sprinkled around. So Joseph says to the lady standing in the door, “lots of words and noises that can’t be understood by mzungu”. She replied, “more noises and strange words”. This went on of about 5 minutes. At one point I broke in and asked J what the deal was. “Not made yet” he says…..we are negotiating. She wants 2650 Ksh and we will pay 2600Ksh. (50 cents diff). It wasn’t the 50 cents, it was who would win the match. Although she seem, to me, to be the better bargainer, J managed to pull it out and he chalked up another victory in the battle of the market place. A repeat performance at another place for the potatoes, and J was absolutely gleeful. “Did you see that” he says. “they didn’t have a chance!” Not exactly the world series of negotiation, I thought….but said, “it is an honor to be in your presence, oh Market Master.” So, back to home, 150 kg’s heavier.
So a couple of days ago, Jeff Lil’ Twerp and I went to town, and were picking our way thru the lead mines, when LT says to Jeff, “How do they fix these roads?” Jeff, giving me one of his looks, rolling his eyes says to LT. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen it happen.” Which brings me to the sad tale that I am about to tell.
Every night , after dark, Jeff takes the two or three Aunties that get off shift home. Most of them live within 6 or 7 miles, down little dirt lanes about 10 ft wide, sometimes having flat surfaces for 8 or 10 inches at a time. Some of these lanes are shaped like a barrel…maybe 3 ft higher in the middle than at the sides, which are sort of a ditch affair, with vertical dirt walls. This brings us to Kiser driving skills….or lack of it. This dirt, when wet becomes very much like ice…or like a known substance here….snot. So, with Jeffs genteel coaxing, I was easing my friend Toyota along the ‘road’, and then it was over. With a subtle ‘bang’ Toyota had come to rest against the left side wall of the lane….which is hard mud as well, with brambles hanging over it. Being as I have never liked damaging things, especially expensive things, I pretty much ruined my day….and probably longer. But bless his heart, Jeff looked over at me smiling and said TIA. I think he is a better man than me….but don’t you dare tell him. Anyway, long story short….like that ever happens with me……between 4 wheel drive, patience, and the winch, Toyota proved her worth again. Jeff wouldn’t let me get out of the drivers seat, Aunties got home, as did we. The damage wasn’t too bad….partially caved in left side panel, but nothing broken except my ego….and heart….I love ’ol Toyota.
And so, another day in Africa, and God has proven once again that He is good. This is life.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
ROCK STAR VISITS CHILDRENS HOME!!!!
Oct 22,2011
The ride to our home in the east was mostly uneventful….if driving thru a WWI trench warfare ‘no mans land’, while dodging donkeys, bicycles, people, motorcycles and misc. trucks and cars in our lane, is uneventful. One completely normal thing (for here) was that their were men with spray cans of white paint using a dot-dash method outlining each pothole. There is some outrageous rumor that the government is going to fix the road. So I suppose that it will be of benefit to highlight the problem areas….problem is, that the road is all problem area….maybe the outlines were being placed there as targets so Jeff wouldn’t miss any of them….which he pretty much did….not miss any. Anyway, it seemed strange to outline some of the holes when in reality, the whole road is a hole….maybe they did it for the spelunkers, to make it easier to find the mother lode…. Shylo seemed to enjoy the ride and I even caught here with her eyes open a couple of times.
“Prepare yourself” Jeff says, “the kids have gotten the word that you are coming.” “And me trapped like a rat in this infernal contraption.” I lament. And boy was he right! As we turned into the compound, this sea of little black children descended on Toyota like locusts in Egypt. As I opened the door, hoping to escape, all was lost when they mobbed me, taking me down like a cheetah takes a wildebeest. I did my best, and thought I might have a chance, until from the veranda I heard a frenzied chant “BABU TERRY, BABU TERRY, BABU TERRY……” All the while those whom I thought were my friends and family just stood and laughed…..laughed! While I feared that I might succumb to the urge to hug the little snotlockers. MarryMe (Merideth) yelled out “You’re a rock star!” And so for a moment, I basked in the glory…until I came back to my senses and began planning my escape.
The rainy season is mostly over, but the place is alive with new growth…the shama (field) is green with new beans and the vegetable garden has exploded….well not exploded, but is producing more than this place can use for now. Carla says they are able to even sell some of the goods. We have two new large greenhouses that weren’t here when I last left and they are full of things like tomatoes and peppers. Kinda surprising that almost anything grows here….they are even harvesting their own greenges!
I don’t know if I told you that SlowToGetIt and MarryMe have come on staff here and have begun to take some of the load from J & C. And just in time too, as I have come to add to Jeffs load….as much as I can.
J&C will be leaving Kenya for a month in a couple of weeks, leaving the care of Instep in STGI, MarryMe, Sandy and my hands…..foolish….yes….necessary…..yes. They need a break. Looks like I will be the only one with a drivers license, so have been snuggling up to Toyota and taking her for some short dates. So far so good. Meanwhile Jeff is giving me a crash (bad word in this context) course in his brand of Swahili, just incase I need to discipline Toyota. I am beginning to learn the difference of the roads from the not roads….there actually are designated places to drive…..mostly the impassable places.
I knew I was home yesterday when I heard Carla yell out to the playground, “Mellissa…..quit eating your clothes!!!”
The ride to our home in the east was mostly uneventful….if driving thru a WWI trench warfare ‘no mans land’, while dodging donkeys, bicycles, people, motorcycles and misc. trucks and cars in our lane, is uneventful. One completely normal thing (for here) was that their were men with spray cans of white paint using a dot-dash method outlining each pothole. There is some outrageous rumor that the government is going to fix the road. So I suppose that it will be of benefit to highlight the problem areas….problem is, that the road is all problem area….maybe the outlines were being placed there as targets so Jeff wouldn’t miss any of them….which he pretty much did….not miss any. Anyway, it seemed strange to outline some of the holes when in reality, the whole road is a hole….maybe they did it for the spelunkers, to make it easier to find the mother lode…. Shylo seemed to enjoy the ride and I even caught here with her eyes open a couple of times.
“Prepare yourself” Jeff says, “the kids have gotten the word that you are coming.” “And me trapped like a rat in this infernal contraption.” I lament. And boy was he right! As we turned into the compound, this sea of little black children descended on Toyota like locusts in Egypt. As I opened the door, hoping to escape, all was lost when they mobbed me, taking me down like a cheetah takes a wildebeest. I did my best, and thought I might have a chance, until from the veranda I heard a frenzied chant “BABU TERRY, BABU TERRY, BABU TERRY……” All the while those whom I thought were my friends and family just stood and laughed…..laughed! While I feared that I might succumb to the urge to hug the little snotlockers. MarryMe (Merideth) yelled out “You’re a rock star!” And so for a moment, I basked in the glory…until I came back to my senses and began planning my escape.
The rainy season is mostly over, but the place is alive with new growth…the shama (field) is green with new beans and the vegetable garden has exploded….well not exploded, but is producing more than this place can use for now. Carla says they are able to even sell some of the goods. We have two new large greenhouses that weren’t here when I last left and they are full of things like tomatoes and peppers. Kinda surprising that almost anything grows here….they are even harvesting their own greenges!
I don’t know if I told you that SlowToGetIt and MarryMe have come on staff here and have begun to take some of the load from J & C. And just in time too, as I have come to add to Jeffs load….as much as I can.
J&C will be leaving Kenya for a month in a couple of weeks, leaving the care of Instep in STGI, MarryMe, Sandy and my hands…..foolish….yes….necessary…..yes. They need a break. Looks like I will be the only one with a drivers license, so have been snuggling up to Toyota and taking her for some short dates. So far so good. Meanwhile Jeff is giving me a crash (bad word in this context) course in his brand of Swahili, just incase I need to discipline Toyota. I am beginning to learn the difference of the roads from the not roads….there actually are designated places to drive…..mostly the impassable places.
I knew I was home yesterday when I heard Carla yell out to the playground, “Mellissa…..quit eating your clothes!!!”
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hide your children...I'm back
October 2011, the beginning
So, leaving home 5 days ago and losing contact with the known world, I have not had the inclination or energy to produce archive able material. Having previously set the standard so high, that I now fear that I may not be able to amaze you with my wisdom, knowledge and grasp of human nature…..or be able to construct such dribble as in prior ramblings.
Oct 16th arriving at the airport, there was Victor….yes, that Victor (ask one of the two that have followed my blog from the beginning [Sandy or me]). Now I like Victor, but I’m really not much for man hugs in public. I may be the only person in history who their baggage handler has ran thru throngs of people just to hug. “going back to Africa?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm. “yes” I replied, “I left something over there and I need to go find it.” “must be important if you need to travel so far” he responds. “seems to be…..can’t live without it…..my heart.” I say, still wondering what happened to me.
Then all of a sudden, it was the next day for us and the same day for you, and Sandy and I were carefully unfolding our legs and arms so as not to break anything before departing into the Amsterdam morning. I still believe that our luggage has more room than we do, and so may ask next time to trade places with it as we travel internationally. It was here that we found that Shylo’s luggage was not sent thru to Nairobi and that it was scheduled to spend an extra day in Holland….once again prompting me to ponder switching with the luggage. But my favorite wife managed to use her beguiling ways to get the luggage on our plane. Oh, Shylo is a cute little twerp that managed to attach herself to us. 18 yrs old, from Pasco, WA and notably the granddaughter of the chairman of the board of Rehema Instep Ministries…..not that that had anything to do with pressuring us to take her….but I’m sure you understand.
8 hrs into the next leg of the journey, on the Dutch airline KLM, one of the flight attendants announced that they had found a hearing aid in a lavatory and said that the owner could claim it. Now don’t hold me to this, but I believe that mostly people that can’t hear wear hearing aids….so, if that’s the case, announcing over the intercom system might not have the desired affect…..think about it…..hey..I may be getting some of the pizzazz back……
Ok, at Nairobi International Airport, (I try to say with a straight face), we managed to get thru immigration soon after the other 430 people did, and so were able to continue our ‘slowest line choice’ record. The 6 or 7 of you that have faithfully endured this blog will be surprised, as I was, that our luggage, including Shylos’ made it undamaged, and that the customs agent looked at the Rehema tag and just waved us thru….I thought I was in a dream…..but wait, there is more….our ride to get to our hotel was actually there….probably because he had fallen asleep….and gets paid by the hour. So, although he wasn’t the best taxi driver in Nairobi, he did know where Marble Arch was….which is good as he works there.
Because it was our early afternoon, and it was about midnight in Kenya, we enjoyed our horizontal 6 hrs looking at the ceiling before heading back to the airport… you see we had to be there before 8 am to check in for our 10 o’clock flight to Kitale….. I was relieved to know that TIA is alive and well and that I hadn’t imagined how Africa is…..our 10 am flight would be leaving right on time….at 3:30.….which wasn’t exactly true.. Oh we did board the plane at 3:30, but due to something, like maybe the pilot hadn’t arrived yet, we didn’t actually take off until about 4. But lucky for us, Jeff lives in Africa, and had no illusion the flight would be as posted….but, he was there….happy to see Sandy and Shylo…..but Toyota was ecstatic to see me…..knowing that my kidneys were probably healed…..but more on that next time….I’ll share about our welcome at Instep……almost felt like home…..Lord help us!!!!
So, leaving home 5 days ago and losing contact with the known world, I have not had the inclination or energy to produce archive able material. Having previously set the standard so high, that I now fear that I may not be able to amaze you with my wisdom, knowledge and grasp of human nature…..or be able to construct such dribble as in prior ramblings.
Oct 16th arriving at the airport, there was Victor….yes, that Victor (ask one of the two that have followed my blog from the beginning [Sandy or me]). Now I like Victor, but I’m really not much for man hugs in public. I may be the only person in history who their baggage handler has ran thru throngs of people just to hug. “going back to Africa?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm. “yes” I replied, “I left something over there and I need to go find it.” “must be important if you need to travel so far” he responds. “seems to be…..can’t live without it…..my heart.” I say, still wondering what happened to me.
Then all of a sudden, it was the next day for us and the same day for you, and Sandy and I were carefully unfolding our legs and arms so as not to break anything before departing into the Amsterdam morning. I still believe that our luggage has more room than we do, and so may ask next time to trade places with it as we travel internationally. It was here that we found that Shylo’s luggage was not sent thru to Nairobi and that it was scheduled to spend an extra day in Holland….once again prompting me to ponder switching with the luggage. But my favorite wife managed to use her beguiling ways to get the luggage on our plane. Oh, Shylo is a cute little twerp that managed to attach herself to us. 18 yrs old, from Pasco, WA and notably the granddaughter of the chairman of the board of Rehema Instep Ministries…..not that that had anything to do with pressuring us to take her….but I’m sure you understand.
8 hrs into the next leg of the journey, on the Dutch airline KLM, one of the flight attendants announced that they had found a hearing aid in a lavatory and said that the owner could claim it. Now don’t hold me to this, but I believe that mostly people that can’t hear wear hearing aids….so, if that’s the case, announcing over the intercom system might not have the desired affect…..think about it…..hey..I may be getting some of the pizzazz back……
Ok, at Nairobi International Airport, (I try to say with a straight face), we managed to get thru immigration soon after the other 430 people did, and so were able to continue our ‘slowest line choice’ record. The 6 or 7 of you that have faithfully endured this blog will be surprised, as I was, that our luggage, including Shylos’ made it undamaged, and that the customs agent looked at the Rehema tag and just waved us thru….I thought I was in a dream…..but wait, there is more….our ride to get to our hotel was actually there….probably because he had fallen asleep….and gets paid by the hour. So, although he wasn’t the best taxi driver in Nairobi, he did know where Marble Arch was….which is good as he works there.
Because it was our early afternoon, and it was about midnight in Kenya, we enjoyed our horizontal 6 hrs looking at the ceiling before heading back to the airport… you see we had to be there before 8 am to check in for our 10 o’clock flight to Kitale….. I was relieved to know that TIA is alive and well and that I hadn’t imagined how Africa is…..our 10 am flight would be leaving right on time….at 3:30.….which wasn’t exactly true.. Oh we did board the plane at 3:30, but due to something, like maybe the pilot hadn’t arrived yet, we didn’t actually take off until about 4. But lucky for us, Jeff lives in Africa, and had no illusion the flight would be as posted….but, he was there….happy to see Sandy and Shylo…..but Toyota was ecstatic to see me…..knowing that my kidneys were probably healed…..but more on that next time….I’ll share about our welcome at Instep……almost felt like home…..Lord help us!!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Installment 38
Installment 38
“What time does the 1:00 flight leave for Nairobi? I asked. “It will be leaving at exactly 3:00” Notaclue, the airline airstrip operator answers. “But it is after 3:00 now” I say. “Yes, it will be leaving Lodwar (another town) at 3:00 on the dot” Notaclue says with a straight face. “OK, then, what time will it be leaving here for Nairobi” I press. “The schedule says it will leave at 1:00 sharp” he says. “So, what time should I be at the airstrip?” I wonder out loud. “Don’t be coming any later than 4:00” he replies. So, at 4:00 Jeff drops me off at the strip and I begin to wait. A little bit later I get a call from Jeff; “The flight is delayed until 6” he informs, “I will come get you and we can eat at English Lady’s, which isn’t English Lady’s any more.” He comes, and we drive towards El’s, (about 15 minutes away). About 10 minutes in, we get a call from Carla, who is at EL’s saying that some other confused passengers just got a call from their travel agent informing them that the plane was at the strip and they needed to get there fast. “Aha.” says Jeff, “we can beat them back to the strip.” Going like 60, Jeff delivered me back to the strip, with my elevated adrenaline from going like 60, around, thru and everything but over….(and maybe that too), bicycles, piki pikis, and donkey carts…..just in the nick of time to not see the airplane….which ‘is coming’, and is ‘already there’. By this time, Jeff is speaking Swahili of some sort. And I am praying for his soul. Now you may have caught me in some exaggeration in the past, but this time it’s all true….including doing the ‘leave and return’ thing twice. Shortening an otherwise boring story, I finally said my last goodbye to Jeff (who seemed relieved) at 5:00, because the airplane ‘is on it’s way’. Oddly enough, and I know you won’t actually believe this, but almost immediately thereafter, the plane came at 7:00. Lucky for me, I had an 8 ½ hour layover at Nairobi, which had been modified to about 1 ½ hrs, so I didn’t have to wait so long…. So began my transition back to the 21st century, and my journey home….and because the flight from Nairobi, for some strange reason, started in Africa, and therefore TIA applied, we were held in Amsterdam for about 45 minutes while they rechecked our passports…..before we were allowed off the plane. And after only 9 hours in the air in conditions that they won’t allow chickens to endure, the mood, as you can imagine, was quite joyous, with many versions of Swahili being shared.
Now, about my time in Africa. If you haven’t been there, well, you haven’t been there. I started the journey, really, shortly after we got home from our October trip to Africa. Having enjoyed the ‘food’ and ‘roads’ so much, I told Sandy that I just had to get back before my body completely healed. January 31, I was back consulting with Victor and on my way. The rest you know….and some of it is true, but I’m not even sure what parts. It started off with a hard 1st night in Kenya, but progressively got worse….just kidding. Traveling alone was different, and other than being alone with 400 other people, I seemed to take it ok emotionally, even with the problems that I encountered. Once at Instep, I suddenly remembered that the place is over-run with kids, and had a wee bit of buyers remorse….and had to re-hone my evasion skills. But all that is old news. When I got there, there was some things going on with the staff, which at the time added some stress, but worked itself out and has rebuilt a strong base for the future. Being the only ‘visitor’ at the Home for the whole time, J & C felt obligated to give over all the emotional stress to me, so they could continue their idyllic life of self indulgence. So, let’s recap a few of the notable things that the past 2 ½ month have presented, and you have been able to live vicariously through my incredible words.
The Building Project:
This was much more taxing on my psyche than I had anticipated. Having worked in the construction industry for almost 40 years, I kinda thought that I could handle a couple of buildings. But then TIA infiltrated and I soon came to the realization that maybe no building could ever be built in Kenya. Just getting a decent contract with Jackson, who has no license, no insurance, no bond, but fortunately also has no assets that we could use as leverage. And then there were the suppliers….yeah, remember….’the materials are coming in fact they are already there’……tomorrow. This could have driven me nuts, had I not already crossed that line. Over and over, we had promises of delivery, only to be disappointed…..me, not Jeff….he somehow knew what would happen…..he is amazing. The rain was coming and “I” had a schedule to meet. I really had a hard time with that, but looking back, God had His timing and somehow, enough materials arrived and we made the timeline that had been established….and I was able to leave feeling that “I” had been incredibly amazing. Fortunately for all of us, God provided Jackson and he out performed all our expectations, getting 2 buildings thru stage 1 in the time he said it would take for 1.…another miracle, me thinks. So, I leave knowing that some progress has been made, and I wish that I could take some credit, but I was waaaay out of my league,,,,, only thru the Lord‘s grace and mercy was anything accomplished. The clinic even has some walls, both exterior and interior started….pretty cool….sometime I might share some pictures of the progression.
While the stress was high during the construction, it was nothing to the situation with Mama Manu. I got really emotionally involved….much more than I would have thought….being a Marine and all. It still holds me hostage to emotion when I think of that woman giving her last bit of food and her life for her baby. This is a strong memory…and coupled with the hospital, morgue, and burial,,,where since it’s planting time, I’m sure that they have plowed her grave…. it has been a real life changer for me.
And then there was Dorcas. Such a sweet little thing. Never asked to be born, but was brought into a nasty world. If you had met her, you would have been amazed at her tenacity. You’d have loved her too. When you come to Instep, you can see where she has a permanent place….also in our hearts….if you want, I will show you how long she was…..I have the string. Out of that whole thing, her mother was reunited with her family and we hear that she is doing well.
We buried 2 while I was there…with much more personal involvement than anything I have seen in the US. Life and death are much more hands on. Like English Lady said, “You know you are alive here”
So, for me, in a culture that is not push-push like in the west, I found that the adjustment to being “alive” has been hard….really good, but hard…really hard. I have been wondering how all this will affect my ‘living’ from now on. I still don’t feel ‘called’, but I don’t know if I can ever really feel at home anywhere now. I miss and really want to get home, but I already miss and want to get back to the 15th century. Maybe, like a lot of the teachings I have had from the Lord, if I wait, it will fade, and I won’t have to confront my convictions…..you all know what I mean….don’t you? All this sounds negative, but it really isn’t…..it’s part of that ‘life’ that Christ has called us to. You remember…..we live here, but our heart needs to be with Him…we don‘t belong, but we are called to demonstrate His life to whom ever we meet…..torn…
Things I won’t miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, did I mention the roads?
Things I will miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, the people whom I’ve come to love…especially the staff, the kids….yes, the kids, the warm mornings, the sounds, the smells,,,,well some anyway, the connection with ‘life and death’. Life that is different and by some standards, not so good, but it is real life. And, mostly, Carla…..Jeff,,,,not so much…well, maybe some.
I’m still not sure why I went this time. The ploy was for the buildings, and that saw some progress, but because life is more than buildings, I hope that there was a better reason for me to be there. Someday, Jesus might share with me the real purpose for me and Africa this time. It’s a dangerous place for a person to visit….if you let it, it will confront your motivations….and that might be harder than being cooked by pygmies. By the way, where did the pygmies get those big iron pots? I know that the most encouraging times were those spent with adults, talking about how Jesus really sees us, and how much we need Him and His grace….it always seemed to go to the same place….’do we obey Him because we should, or because we love Him and want to please Him. Seems basic, doesn’t it,,,,but it’s the same argument that WE all have everyday…..isn’t it.
I can’t figure that place out, mostly because of the people. There is something deep that is going on….more than just poverty and lack of knowledge. At first, I began to think that maybe these people are just stupid and living this way is the result. After getting to know many of them, I have come to the conclusion that intelligence is not the problem….it is for me, but not for them. I met some of the smartest people there. They have the ability to solve some complex problems, but somehow can’t create solutions to the real problems facing their society. Give them a piece of pipe, an inner tube, some wire, sticks and string, and they can fix almost anything. (just wait til they find duct tape) But, work on the deep issues,,,,not happening, even tho they mostly know where the problems are. Nope, it’s got to be spiritual…it’s not intellectual, which leads me back to a main principle of this blog…“the hope is in the children“. The one thing I know, I love those people….and I hate those people….and I hate to hate those people. I know, it doesn’t make sense, does it. Just so you know, I’d give my life for those people. Good grief…this is giving me the creeps.
The other day, and this pertains to the last paragraph, I caught one of the older kids with a piece of pipe with fittings on it. Now we have spent hours talking about honesty and integrity. Me: “where did you get that pipe?” Busted Kid: ….silence. Me: “is it yours?” BK: ….silence. Me: “do you have permission to have it?” BK: “I just picked it” (read stole…earlier blog) Me: “explain ’picked it’” BK: ….silence. Me: “OK, since you like that pipe (3’ long), I think you should keep it for awhile, so until tomorrow, you can keep it with you…..at all times……when you are doing chores, eating, going to the bathroom, and yes, you can even sleep with it” BK: “awww, I don’t like it that much.” Me, (thinking) ‘you probably won’t by tomorrow’. “enjoy your pipe”. Next day about 11:00.am: Me: “Hey, BK, can I have the pipe?” BK: “please, please, please, I will never ‘pick’ again.” Me: “OK, love you!!”….thinking to myself, if he does, I’ll bet it’s smaller. So this opened up a whole new opportunity to talk with all the older ones again about how Jesus wants us to treat others……hopefully, one day it will click and they will be able to pass along the wisdom…..not mine,,,God’s.
Before I quit, a few words about Peter. He was a trained ‘Riffraff’ guard and worked at English Lady’s….before my time. He lives out near the home and made the commute everyday or stay in town away from his family. Anyway, Jeff and EL got to talking and came up with the thought that Peter wouldn’t have to commute so far if he worked at Instep…..see how smart Jeff and EL are when they get their heads together.. (also how caring and giving EL is) So, he came to be with the Instep staff and stands at the entrance to the property watching over us. As a side note, I had to sneak over the fence for about a week, until Carla explained to Peter that I was really just one of the kids that had a physical deformity. Peter stands about 5’6” and weighs about 55kgs….120lbs….and has ‘good eyes’, and a gentle and kind spirit I’ll explain the good eyes thing in a moment, if I remember. Peter speaks a form of English that no-one has ever heard before, and can do it without opening or moving his lips….but his Swahili is to die for! One day, a bad man came to the gate and I was watching from a ways away, and was a bit concerned. But I swear that I saw Peter grow to about 6’5, 240lbs right in front of me, and sent that guy away. That’s when I realized that he is the right man for the job. It might be hard to understand, but there are people that want to do harm and damage to those who live inside Instep….it’s hard for me anyway….but they lurk out there, both day and night. Night we have 2 security guards patrolling. I like Peter and just wanted to share how God uses people to accomplish His purposes….sometimes just to keep some safe… Oh, the ‘good eyes’? When you come to visit Instep, you will see many black people, that seem to live in the area. I have observed that the ratio of black to white in that area is pretty high, unlike in Anacortes. You will notice that some of the Kenyans have eyes that just might give you the shivers….not kidding here….especially the older ones. Now we know that the eyes are the window to the soul, and so checking out the eyes is a good thing. Peter has ‘good eyes’…as do all the staff at Instep. He has demonstrated his loyalty in a couple of ways that I can’t share here, but there is no doubt that he is willing to lay down his life for his friends….sound like something that you’ve heard or read somewhere??? Anyway, I like Peter.
Finally, I want to give you some advice….I know, kinda like a typewriter giving a computer advice, but humor me. When you come to Africa, to Instep,,,,and I hope you will, a couple of things you might want to know. 1. There is a ‘romance’ to Africa, and you will feel it when you arrive. But, after a short time, you will wonder where it went….it’s called culture shock. Hang in there, the romance is still there, but you will see it differently than you expected. 2. Don’t come to help change the people….come to show what Jesus looks like in the flesh…..love and let Jesus do the changing. And last, when you come, please understand that Jeff and Carla have been on the ground for a long time and have developed an understanding of how it works in Africa. Please, please don’t try to understand how it works…..for a long time, at least til ‘you get it‘….and don’t try to tell them how to do what they do….because, it’s not the world you and I know, and it takes awhile to be ‘assimilated’. Ask them questions and share insights, and most of all love and encourage them….even Jeff.
So, that’s that. I’ve really missed my best friend. And now that I am reunited with her, I’m all better….well, almost. Overall, I’m worse for having done the last 2 ½ months. The “it’s all about me” factor has been called into question, and this time with a vengeance. But a good thing is that somehow, Sandy has entered into the same struggle and now we are becoming assimilated….it’s true in our lives…..resistance IS futile. I think we have tasted some of the real life that E.L. spoke of, and now the washing machine (installment 31) doesn’t seem quite as important.
This, much to your relief, is probably the last blog from Safarislim for awhile. I’m pretty much out of material, and really don’t have the energy to make up anymore stories….even if they are true. But, if you need a new installment……it is on it’s way….in fact it is already there…..
“What time does the 1:00 flight leave for Nairobi? I asked. “It will be leaving at exactly 3:00” Notaclue, the airline airstrip operator answers. “But it is after 3:00 now” I say. “Yes, it will be leaving Lodwar (another town) at 3:00 on the dot” Notaclue says with a straight face. “OK, then, what time will it be leaving here for Nairobi” I press. “The schedule says it will leave at 1:00 sharp” he says. “So, what time should I be at the airstrip?” I wonder out loud. “Don’t be coming any later than 4:00” he replies. So, at 4:00 Jeff drops me off at the strip and I begin to wait. A little bit later I get a call from Jeff; “The flight is delayed until 6” he informs, “I will come get you and we can eat at English Lady’s, which isn’t English Lady’s any more.” He comes, and we drive towards El’s, (about 15 minutes away). About 10 minutes in, we get a call from Carla, who is at EL’s saying that some other confused passengers just got a call from their travel agent informing them that the plane was at the strip and they needed to get there fast. “Aha.” says Jeff, “we can beat them back to the strip.” Going like 60, Jeff delivered me back to the strip, with my elevated adrenaline from going like 60, around, thru and everything but over….(and maybe that too), bicycles, piki pikis, and donkey carts…..just in the nick of time to not see the airplane….which ‘is coming’, and is ‘already there’. By this time, Jeff is speaking Swahili of some sort. And I am praying for his soul. Now you may have caught me in some exaggeration in the past, but this time it’s all true….including doing the ‘leave and return’ thing twice. Shortening an otherwise boring story, I finally said my last goodbye to Jeff (who seemed relieved) at 5:00, because the airplane ‘is on it’s way’. Oddly enough, and I know you won’t actually believe this, but almost immediately thereafter, the plane came at 7:00. Lucky for me, I had an 8 ½ hour layover at Nairobi, which had been modified to about 1 ½ hrs, so I didn’t have to wait so long…. So began my transition back to the 21st century, and my journey home….and because the flight from Nairobi, for some strange reason, started in Africa, and therefore TIA applied, we were held in Amsterdam for about 45 minutes while they rechecked our passports…..before we were allowed off the plane. And after only 9 hours in the air in conditions that they won’t allow chickens to endure, the mood, as you can imagine, was quite joyous, with many versions of Swahili being shared.
Now, about my time in Africa. If you haven’t been there, well, you haven’t been there. I started the journey, really, shortly after we got home from our October trip to Africa. Having enjoyed the ‘food’ and ‘roads’ so much, I told Sandy that I just had to get back before my body completely healed. January 31, I was back consulting with Victor and on my way. The rest you know….and some of it is true, but I’m not even sure what parts. It started off with a hard 1st night in Kenya, but progressively got worse….just kidding. Traveling alone was different, and other than being alone with 400 other people, I seemed to take it ok emotionally, even with the problems that I encountered. Once at Instep, I suddenly remembered that the place is over-run with kids, and had a wee bit of buyers remorse….and had to re-hone my evasion skills. But all that is old news. When I got there, there was some things going on with the staff, which at the time added some stress, but worked itself out and has rebuilt a strong base for the future. Being the only ‘visitor’ at the Home for the whole time, J & C felt obligated to give over all the emotional stress to me, so they could continue their idyllic life of self indulgence. So, let’s recap a few of the notable things that the past 2 ½ month have presented, and you have been able to live vicariously through my incredible words.
The Building Project:
This was much more taxing on my psyche than I had anticipated. Having worked in the construction industry for almost 40 years, I kinda thought that I could handle a couple of buildings. But then TIA infiltrated and I soon came to the realization that maybe no building could ever be built in Kenya. Just getting a decent contract with Jackson, who has no license, no insurance, no bond, but fortunately also has no assets that we could use as leverage. And then there were the suppliers….yeah, remember….’the materials are coming in fact they are already there’……tomorrow. This could have driven me nuts, had I not already crossed that line. Over and over, we had promises of delivery, only to be disappointed…..me, not Jeff….he somehow knew what would happen…..he is amazing. The rain was coming and “I” had a schedule to meet. I really had a hard time with that, but looking back, God had His timing and somehow, enough materials arrived and we made the timeline that had been established….and I was able to leave feeling that “I” had been incredibly amazing. Fortunately for all of us, God provided Jackson and he out performed all our expectations, getting 2 buildings thru stage 1 in the time he said it would take for 1.…another miracle, me thinks. So, I leave knowing that some progress has been made, and I wish that I could take some credit, but I was waaaay out of my league,,,,, only thru the Lord‘s grace and mercy was anything accomplished. The clinic even has some walls, both exterior and interior started….pretty cool….sometime I might share some pictures of the progression.
While the stress was high during the construction, it was nothing to the situation with Mama Manu. I got really emotionally involved….much more than I would have thought….being a Marine and all. It still holds me hostage to emotion when I think of that woman giving her last bit of food and her life for her baby. This is a strong memory…and coupled with the hospital, morgue, and burial,,,where since it’s planting time, I’m sure that they have plowed her grave…. it has been a real life changer for me.
And then there was Dorcas. Such a sweet little thing. Never asked to be born, but was brought into a nasty world. If you had met her, you would have been amazed at her tenacity. You’d have loved her too. When you come to Instep, you can see where she has a permanent place….also in our hearts….if you want, I will show you how long she was…..I have the string. Out of that whole thing, her mother was reunited with her family and we hear that she is doing well.
We buried 2 while I was there…with much more personal involvement than anything I have seen in the US. Life and death are much more hands on. Like English Lady said, “You know you are alive here”
So, for me, in a culture that is not push-push like in the west, I found that the adjustment to being “alive” has been hard….really good, but hard…really hard. I have been wondering how all this will affect my ‘living’ from now on. I still don’t feel ‘called’, but I don’t know if I can ever really feel at home anywhere now. I miss and really want to get home, but I already miss and want to get back to the 15th century. Maybe, like a lot of the teachings I have had from the Lord, if I wait, it will fade, and I won’t have to confront my convictions…..you all know what I mean….don’t you? All this sounds negative, but it really isn’t…..it’s part of that ‘life’ that Christ has called us to. You remember…..we live here, but our heart needs to be with Him…we don‘t belong, but we are called to demonstrate His life to whom ever we meet…..torn…
Things I won’t miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, did I mention the roads?
Things I will miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, the people whom I’ve come to love…especially the staff, the kids….yes, the kids, the warm mornings, the sounds, the smells,,,,well some anyway, the connection with ‘life and death’. Life that is different and by some standards, not so good, but it is real life. And, mostly, Carla…..Jeff,,,,not so much…well, maybe some.
I’m still not sure why I went this time. The ploy was for the buildings, and that saw some progress, but because life is more than buildings, I hope that there was a better reason for me to be there. Someday, Jesus might share with me the real purpose for me and Africa this time. It’s a dangerous place for a person to visit….if you let it, it will confront your motivations….and that might be harder than being cooked by pygmies. By the way, where did the pygmies get those big iron pots? I know that the most encouraging times were those spent with adults, talking about how Jesus really sees us, and how much we need Him and His grace….it always seemed to go to the same place….’do we obey Him because we should, or because we love Him and want to please Him. Seems basic, doesn’t it,,,,but it’s the same argument that WE all have everyday…..isn’t it.
I can’t figure that place out, mostly because of the people. There is something deep that is going on….more than just poverty and lack of knowledge. At first, I began to think that maybe these people are just stupid and living this way is the result. After getting to know many of them, I have come to the conclusion that intelligence is not the problem….it is for me, but not for them. I met some of the smartest people there. They have the ability to solve some complex problems, but somehow can’t create solutions to the real problems facing their society. Give them a piece of pipe, an inner tube, some wire, sticks and string, and they can fix almost anything. (just wait til they find duct tape) But, work on the deep issues,,,,not happening, even tho they mostly know where the problems are. Nope, it’s got to be spiritual…it’s not intellectual, which leads me back to a main principle of this blog…“the hope is in the children“. The one thing I know, I love those people….and I hate those people….and I hate to hate those people. I know, it doesn’t make sense, does it. Just so you know, I’d give my life for those people. Good grief…this is giving me the creeps.
The other day, and this pertains to the last paragraph, I caught one of the older kids with a piece of pipe with fittings on it. Now we have spent hours talking about honesty and integrity. Me: “where did you get that pipe?” Busted Kid: ….silence. Me: “is it yours?” BK: ….silence. Me: “do you have permission to have it?” BK: “I just picked it” (read stole…earlier blog) Me: “explain ’picked it’” BK: ….silence. Me: “OK, since you like that pipe (3’ long), I think you should keep it for awhile, so until tomorrow, you can keep it with you…..at all times……when you are doing chores, eating, going to the bathroom, and yes, you can even sleep with it” BK: “awww, I don’t like it that much.” Me, (thinking) ‘you probably won’t by tomorrow’. “enjoy your pipe”. Next day about 11:00.am: Me: “Hey, BK, can I have the pipe?” BK: “please, please, please, I will never ‘pick’ again.” Me: “OK, love you!!”….thinking to myself, if he does, I’ll bet it’s smaller. So this opened up a whole new opportunity to talk with all the older ones again about how Jesus wants us to treat others……hopefully, one day it will click and they will be able to pass along the wisdom…..not mine,,,God’s.
Before I quit, a few words about Peter. He was a trained ‘Riffraff’ guard and worked at English Lady’s….before my time. He lives out near the home and made the commute everyday or stay in town away from his family. Anyway, Jeff and EL got to talking and came up with the thought that Peter wouldn’t have to commute so far if he worked at Instep…..see how smart Jeff and EL are when they get their heads together.. (also how caring and giving EL is) So, he came to be with the Instep staff and stands at the entrance to the property watching over us. As a side note, I had to sneak over the fence for about a week, until Carla explained to Peter that I was really just one of the kids that had a physical deformity. Peter stands about 5’6” and weighs about 55kgs….120lbs….and has ‘good eyes’, and a gentle and kind spirit I’ll explain the good eyes thing in a moment, if I remember. Peter speaks a form of English that no-one has ever heard before, and can do it without opening or moving his lips….but his Swahili is to die for! One day, a bad man came to the gate and I was watching from a ways away, and was a bit concerned. But I swear that I saw Peter grow to about 6’5, 240lbs right in front of me, and sent that guy away. That’s when I realized that he is the right man for the job. It might be hard to understand, but there are people that want to do harm and damage to those who live inside Instep….it’s hard for me anyway….but they lurk out there, both day and night. Night we have 2 security guards patrolling. I like Peter and just wanted to share how God uses people to accomplish His purposes….sometimes just to keep some safe… Oh, the ‘good eyes’? When you come to visit Instep, you will see many black people, that seem to live in the area. I have observed that the ratio of black to white in that area is pretty high, unlike in Anacortes. You will notice that some of the Kenyans have eyes that just might give you the shivers….not kidding here….especially the older ones. Now we know that the eyes are the window to the soul, and so checking out the eyes is a good thing. Peter has ‘good eyes’…as do all the staff at Instep. He has demonstrated his loyalty in a couple of ways that I can’t share here, but there is no doubt that he is willing to lay down his life for his friends….sound like something that you’ve heard or read somewhere??? Anyway, I like Peter.
Finally, I want to give you some advice….I know, kinda like a typewriter giving a computer advice, but humor me. When you come to Africa, to Instep,,,,and I hope you will, a couple of things you might want to know. 1. There is a ‘romance’ to Africa, and you will feel it when you arrive. But, after a short time, you will wonder where it went….it’s called culture shock. Hang in there, the romance is still there, but you will see it differently than you expected. 2. Don’t come to help change the people….come to show what Jesus looks like in the flesh…..love and let Jesus do the changing. And last, when you come, please understand that Jeff and Carla have been on the ground for a long time and have developed an understanding of how it works in Africa. Please, please don’t try to understand how it works…..for a long time, at least til ‘you get it‘….and don’t try to tell them how to do what they do….because, it’s not the world you and I know, and it takes awhile to be ‘assimilated’. Ask them questions and share insights, and most of all love and encourage them….even Jeff.
So, that’s that. I’ve really missed my best friend. And now that I am reunited with her, I’m all better….well, almost. Overall, I’m worse for having done the last 2 ½ months. The “it’s all about me” factor has been called into question, and this time with a vengeance. But a good thing is that somehow, Sandy has entered into the same struggle and now we are becoming assimilated….it’s true in our lives…..resistance IS futile. I think we have tasted some of the real life that E.L. spoke of, and now the washing machine (installment 31) doesn’t seem quite as important.
This, much to your relief, is probably the last blog from Safarislim for awhile. I’m pretty much out of material, and really don’t have the energy to make up anymore stories….even if they are true. But, if you need a new installment……it is on it’s way….in fact it is already there…..
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Installment 37
Installment 37
6:45 pm April 7, 2011. 2, count ‘em 2 foundations in and backfilled….and 2 almost 2000 sqft concrete slabs in and curing. It’s been a long haul, but God has been merciful and allowed us to get all the main groundwork done before the hard rains start. The rainy season should be well on it’s way by now, but only enough water has fallen to get the maize started, while keeping the ground, and ‘roads’ solid enough to get materials delivered on site. I don’t know what you think, but I KNOW that it is another one of His little miraculous touches. I am so thankful to Him for giving us this blessing of hard ground….it probably should be added to the “Stations of the Cross”…or some other religious celebration. This has been a challenge for me, coming from a western culture, with western ideas, and a western clock and calendar….none of which have a whole lot of bearing here. I have run a few projects at home…some small, some big. There, you get plans, funding, land, order materials, hire subcontractors, get inspections, hold mostly to a timeline, and finish the project. Here, “maybe tomorrow”….”I am coming” “it will be there on time”…..they don’t tell you whose time they are talking about….”I was just calling you” “if you need it, it is coming”…of course I needed it yesterday…..this is how things operate. So, I’ve been here since before my hair turned this grey, and I still struggle with the concept of TIA. I still think that if I need something, I find a supplier and it comes….right??? I don’t know how many times I heard “we are on our way”. I think what they mean is that they are on there way to ignoring me or driving me insane…..insaner. Jeff has been here long enough that he has come to believe that this is the way things are done in Africa. I, like every other mzungu, knew that it would be different when I just explained how I wanted things done. What I said; “ When we make a deal, I need you to fulfill your obligation in a timely manner”. What they heard; “I have lots of money and want to ‘help you out’.” What they say; “I am understanding you perfectly, you say you want to live long enough to see this project finished, and I am already delivering”. What really happens; “Maybe tomorrow!” So, I am learning, and Jeff is snickering. But in the meantime, we have gotten two buildings started, and I only have a small ulcer……I‘m going to need and internal medicine man when I get home... That being said, it’s a tough learning curve, and I’m still a long ways from getting ‘it’. Next time I come to Africa to build something, just shoot me…please.
Like all really good experienced contractors, I have put into place a system of cost overruns and so have almost depleted the funds on hand for both buildings. Staying right on budget might work somewhere, but not with the US government and not in Kenya. So, that being said, we are slowing way down until we get a handle on just where we are financially. For the last 4 weeks, we have had around 40 to 50 construction workers on site 6 days a week, in order to get the buildings to a point where they can be continued even during the rainy season. But we will consult with Fundi tomorrow and see how we canl proceed at a much slower pace that will keep in line with how God provides funding to continue. When Sandy and I came last October, there were 82 Babu hunters here and now, even with losing one precious one, we have 94...all sleeping in 5 not so big rooms….it’s possible that we could use a little more room here….like maybe a dorm….yeah that’s it, a dorm…now why didn’t I think of that….we even have Marryme and STGI coming on staff soon to be house parents…..it’ll be fun to see how God provides for finishing the two buildings….maybe He will use YOU to part of one of His miracles.
So, Pinkerton….yes the one in Octobers blogs stopped by today and we walked around the property and up to the clinic site. “What are you going to be doing for water up here?” he asked. “We are thinking of running a pipe from the tanks 300 meters away and either building a water tower, or burying some tanks and using solar power to pump it” I answered. “Hmmm,” he said, “why not another borehole?” “Cost” I said, “that and I hadn’t thought of doing it that way”. He mused a minute, saying; “a clinic, and maybe two school buildings up here….you could use a borehole”. Then he looked at me and just started praying, asking God to provide another borehole. I mean, I’m thinking, “how many miracles can one childrens’ home stand?” As Pinkerton finishes, he says don’t be surprised when it happens. I thought about just saying “yes Ron, now just go about your missionary-ing” but after reading my Oct blog, I might just wait a bit.
Anyway, I feel like a great weight has been removed, and I feel better. All this time I have been in this argument with myself…’just relax, and see how God works this out’…..’yeah, easy for you to say, I’ve been called here to get these projects going’…..’no, you’ve been called to obey God’……‘yeah, I know, but I am important and God needs me’…….‘yeah right, like He can’t do this without you’…….and so this is how it goes inside my head every day…..good thing, I guess, otherwise it would be empty…..my head, that is.
I think next time I’ll talk about some kids…….have I told you how much I appreciate J & C lately?
6:45 pm April 7, 2011. 2, count ‘em 2 foundations in and backfilled….and 2 almost 2000 sqft concrete slabs in and curing. It’s been a long haul, but God has been merciful and allowed us to get all the main groundwork done before the hard rains start. The rainy season should be well on it’s way by now, but only enough water has fallen to get the maize started, while keeping the ground, and ‘roads’ solid enough to get materials delivered on site. I don’t know what you think, but I KNOW that it is another one of His little miraculous touches. I am so thankful to Him for giving us this blessing of hard ground….it probably should be added to the “Stations of the Cross”…or some other religious celebration. This has been a challenge for me, coming from a western culture, with western ideas, and a western clock and calendar….none of which have a whole lot of bearing here. I have run a few projects at home…some small, some big. There, you get plans, funding, land, order materials, hire subcontractors, get inspections, hold mostly to a timeline, and finish the project. Here, “maybe tomorrow”….”I am coming” “it will be there on time”…..they don’t tell you whose time they are talking about….”I was just calling you” “if you need it, it is coming”…of course I needed it yesterday…..this is how things operate. So, I’ve been here since before my hair turned this grey, and I still struggle with the concept of TIA. I still think that if I need something, I find a supplier and it comes….right??? I don’t know how many times I heard “we are on our way”. I think what they mean is that they are on there way to ignoring me or driving me insane…..insaner. Jeff has been here long enough that he has come to believe that this is the way things are done in Africa. I, like every other mzungu, knew that it would be different when I just explained how I wanted things done. What I said; “ When we make a deal, I need you to fulfill your obligation in a timely manner”. What they heard; “I have lots of money and want to ‘help you out’.” What they say; “I am understanding you perfectly, you say you want to live long enough to see this project finished, and I am already delivering”. What really happens; “Maybe tomorrow!” So, I am learning, and Jeff is snickering. But in the meantime, we have gotten two buildings started, and I only have a small ulcer……I‘m going to need and internal medicine man when I get home... That being said, it’s a tough learning curve, and I’m still a long ways from getting ‘it’. Next time I come to Africa to build something, just shoot me…please.
Like all really good experienced contractors, I have put into place a system of cost overruns and so have almost depleted the funds on hand for both buildings. Staying right on budget might work somewhere, but not with the US government and not in Kenya. So, that being said, we are slowing way down until we get a handle on just where we are financially. For the last 4 weeks, we have had around 40 to 50 construction workers on site 6 days a week, in order to get the buildings to a point where they can be continued even during the rainy season. But we will consult with Fundi tomorrow and see how we canl proceed at a much slower pace that will keep in line with how God provides funding to continue. When Sandy and I came last October, there were 82 Babu hunters here and now, even with losing one precious one, we have 94...all sleeping in 5 not so big rooms….it’s possible that we could use a little more room here….like maybe a dorm….yeah that’s it, a dorm…now why didn’t I think of that….we even have Marryme and STGI coming on staff soon to be house parents…..it’ll be fun to see how God provides for finishing the two buildings….maybe He will use YOU to part of one of His miracles.
So, Pinkerton….yes the one in Octobers blogs stopped by today and we walked around the property and up to the clinic site. “What are you going to be doing for water up here?” he asked. “We are thinking of running a pipe from the tanks 300 meters away and either building a water tower, or burying some tanks and using solar power to pump it” I answered. “Hmmm,” he said, “why not another borehole?” “Cost” I said, “that and I hadn’t thought of doing it that way”. He mused a minute, saying; “a clinic, and maybe two school buildings up here….you could use a borehole”. Then he looked at me and just started praying, asking God to provide another borehole. I mean, I’m thinking, “how many miracles can one childrens’ home stand?” As Pinkerton finishes, he says don’t be surprised when it happens. I thought about just saying “yes Ron, now just go about your missionary-ing” but after reading my Oct blog, I might just wait a bit.
Anyway, I feel like a great weight has been removed, and I feel better. All this time I have been in this argument with myself…’just relax, and see how God works this out’…..’yeah, easy for you to say, I’ve been called here to get these projects going’…..’no, you’ve been called to obey God’……‘yeah, I know, but I am important and God needs me’…….‘yeah right, like He can’t do this without you’…….and so this is how it goes inside my head every day…..good thing, I guess, otherwise it would be empty…..my head, that is.
I think next time I’ll talk about some kids…….have I told you how much I appreciate J & C lately?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Installment 36
Installment 36
I was out wandering around the two building projects today, with my clipboard and aire of superiority ……just out of Jembe reach when my phone rang. It was Fundi, and he alerted me to the fact that we had a visitor on site. “He has come with a complaint” Fundi said. “I don’t remember anything about a complaint in you initial bid documents.” I replied. “Make sure it is a quality complaint, and not one of those second rate Chinese ones that are prevalent in Kenya, before you accept it.” “We have not ordered one” he returns, but this one seems to be sawa (OK), but maybe you should be coming and seeing for yourself. So, always taking advantage of doing ’boss stuff’ I went over to the job shack and introduced myself. “Habari asubui, my name is Terry and this is my project, I hope you are impressed.” “I want to talk to you about a problem.” he begins. “Oh, a problem huh. In the case, I am just a visitor…..it’s that Jeff guy that you need to talk to…..how do you like his project?” I wisely responded. “My name is Rich Indian Person and I have been supplying your rocks, ballast (read ‘gravel’…..you’d think he’d know that only ships have ballast) and sand.” he continued. “If this is a problem, why do you do it?” I countered. “Supplying materials is not the problem, your roads are.” RIP says. “We are not owning any roads,” pipes in Fundi, “they belong to the District.” And I chimed in; “To my recent knowledge, there are no roads in Kenya.” “But your roads are destroying my lorries.” he insists. Suddenly it hit me, this guy wanted to complain about the roads. “It might come as a surprise to you, but you are so ‘yesterday’, I have been complaining about the ‘roads’ here for months.” I chided. “So will you be fixing them?” RIP asks. (Ah, now you are going to like this….I really was able to use my new found Kenyan ways.) “Yes, I will be fixing them tomorrow, in fact the repair team is on its way…in fact they are already there.” “Checkmate” he concedes, “turn about is fair play.” Imagine, a supplier of materials that consistently loads 10 ton trucks with 15 tons of material and then drives down the …dare I say it….roads, beating them to a pulp, complaining about the poor condition of the roads.
The guy across the ‘road’ has been encroaching for the last couple of years. It is platted as a 10 meter (about 33’) wide road. Now since the ‘road’ is basically ‘the field’ that hasn’t been plowed, neighbor is slowly trying to correct that, and has the ‘road’ down to around 4 meters. After all, you can’t have too much ugali, which as you remember is mostly maize, which will grow on the ‘road’. So now, Jeff has gone to the officials to get them to reinstate the whole pothole generating area. After all, you can’t have too many potholes….besides, they can be revenue generators….the price of lead is up.
Speaking of revenue…..yeah you knew it would come eventually….me being a ‘missionary’ and all…..we have 94 kids here….needing sponsorship……2 building projects to take care of the 94, maybe going to 400, that could use some help. And remember too, that pretty close to 100% actually gets to the kids…mostly in Kleenex, but in other things too. Almost no administrative overhead….not that I haven’t tried to get on payroll. You can’t do better than to ‘take care of the widows and orphans’….both of which are cared for here. rehemaministries.com
Sandy says that I am down to 1 week. I personally haven’t noticed….or have I?? I wouldn’t have noticed, except that a lot of the people here are continually offering to help me to pack…….every since I came. I can’t wait to get home, but I really don’t want to leave….how does that work. This place sucks…………your heart.
I was out wandering around the two building projects today, with my clipboard and aire of superiority ……just out of Jembe reach when my phone rang. It was Fundi, and he alerted me to the fact that we had a visitor on site. “He has come with a complaint” Fundi said. “I don’t remember anything about a complaint in you initial bid documents.” I replied. “Make sure it is a quality complaint, and not one of those second rate Chinese ones that are prevalent in Kenya, before you accept it.” “We have not ordered one” he returns, but this one seems to be sawa (OK), but maybe you should be coming and seeing for yourself. So, always taking advantage of doing ’boss stuff’ I went over to the job shack and introduced myself. “Habari asubui, my name is Terry and this is my project, I hope you are impressed.” “I want to talk to you about a problem.” he begins. “Oh, a problem huh. In the case, I am just a visitor…..it’s that Jeff guy that you need to talk to…..how do you like his project?” I wisely responded. “My name is Rich Indian Person and I have been supplying your rocks, ballast (read ‘gravel’…..you’d think he’d know that only ships have ballast) and sand.” he continued. “If this is a problem, why do you do it?” I countered. “Supplying materials is not the problem, your roads are.” RIP says. “We are not owning any roads,” pipes in Fundi, “they belong to the District.” And I chimed in; “To my recent knowledge, there are no roads in Kenya.” “But your roads are destroying my lorries.” he insists. Suddenly it hit me, this guy wanted to complain about the roads. “It might come as a surprise to you, but you are so ‘yesterday’, I have been complaining about the ‘roads’ here for months.” I chided. “So will you be fixing them?” RIP asks. (Ah, now you are going to like this….I really was able to use my new found Kenyan ways.) “Yes, I will be fixing them tomorrow, in fact the repair team is on its way…in fact they are already there.” “Checkmate” he concedes, “turn about is fair play.” Imagine, a supplier of materials that consistently loads 10 ton trucks with 15 tons of material and then drives down the …dare I say it….roads, beating them to a pulp, complaining about the poor condition of the roads.
The guy across the ‘road’ has been encroaching for the last couple of years. It is platted as a 10 meter (about 33’) wide road. Now since the ‘road’ is basically ‘the field’ that hasn’t been plowed, neighbor is slowly trying to correct that, and has the ‘road’ down to around 4 meters. After all, you can’t have too much ugali, which as you remember is mostly maize, which will grow on the ‘road’. So now, Jeff has gone to the officials to get them to reinstate the whole pothole generating area. After all, you can’t have too many potholes….besides, they can be revenue generators….the price of lead is up.
Speaking of revenue…..yeah you knew it would come eventually….me being a ‘missionary’ and all…..we have 94 kids here….needing sponsorship……2 building projects to take care of the 94, maybe going to 400, that could use some help. And remember too, that pretty close to 100% actually gets to the kids…mostly in Kleenex, but in other things too. Almost no administrative overhead….not that I haven’t tried to get on payroll. You can’t do better than to ‘take care of the widows and orphans’….both of which are cared for here. rehemaministries.com
Sandy says that I am down to 1 week. I personally haven’t noticed….or have I?? I wouldn’t have noticed, except that a lot of the people here are continually offering to help me to pack…….every since I came. I can’t wait to get home, but I really don’t want to leave….how does that work. This place sucks…………your heart.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Installment 35
Installment 35
Dorcas was a fighter. Born into a world where sometimes kids are just thrown away, to a mother that didn’t really understand how to care for a baby. Her first year was lived in poverty, in a small community that barely has electricity, no plumbing or modern conveniences. Unknown to the world, or even to some around her. Malnourished, lacking medical care, struggling for life. Almost 13 months of mostly neglect. But God had a plan. Observed by Freida, one of the aunties here, who became very concerned for Dorcas’s welfare. Through a series of mini-miracles, which I think I told you about, Mama Dorcas has been reunited with her family, and Dorcas spent her last days in the loving arms of Mama Carla. Many of the last days in the hospital getting care and fighting to recover. In the end, there was just too much against her and Jesus kindly took her home, but not before she experience true love and care here. She might have ended her days in the environment that she was saved from, but for the concern of 1 person and the commitment of a few more that wanted to show her that she was a life worth fighting for. It might not have been for long, but that little one was loved, and she will be missed.
Today, J and C commissions a ‘Post Mortum’…an autopsy, to find out just what happened. She would seem to get better and then get critical…get better…..then critical. The Dr determined that she had massive fluid in her abdomen and around her heart with blood clots in her heart, and that she had serious TB. All of which was just too overwhelming for her little body. Even if caught a couple of months ago the chances were not good that she could fight it. So, she is all better now, and we are the ones hurting….but it’s OK, we’ll see her again.
Jeff handed me a piece of string last night and said, “this is how long Dorcas is, would you mind making a casket for her?” A piece of string….representing a someone whom I’d become attached to….I think I’ll keep it. So that’s what I did today in between the other things that I have to do. I sure am thankful for the table saw that was given to us…so thanks to Frontier Building Supply. Tomorrow, we will honor little Dorca’s life and give her a permanent place in the little cemetery here on the property…hopefully she will be the last. On last thing, the Dr said he learned something with Dorcas, and from now on he will check out baby’s heart when the demonstrate some of the symptoms that she exhibited….that a good thing…thanks Dorie.
OK, so on with some more stuff. Amongst other things today, I had a brand new experience. I got behind the wheel of the van, and took a couple of the women here to go to Sabanga….the little village where Dorcas came from, to get maize. We need maize to make ugali, and we sure wouldn’t want to be without that…..would we. Driving out of the compound, I immediately began my quest for the ‘road’….which is quite illusive. Here, I had to continually remind myself that we drive on the wrong side of the ‘road’…which is fine, except that off the main ‘road’ the side ‘roads’ are only about 10 feet wide, and a lot of that is taken up by cows, which are difficult to see when only the tops of their head show above the potholes…and they tend to bellow a lot if you drive on them. But I managed to keep the damage to the cows….and to us to a minimum, and made it to the main ‘road’ which evidently now has archeological digs going on along with the lead weight mining operations. I asked one of the men why they were digging and he said, “We have suspected that at one time there was a paved road here and we are trying to substantiate the information.” I wished them well, while quietly doubting their sources. Making it to Sabanga, having to only stop for one blood transfusion, I came to the conclusion that even without a college education, I am almost as good as Jeff at hitting most of the potholes. Entering the village and stopping somewhere in the 15th century, the women asked me to stay in the van while they went to bargain for maize….”they charge more for putting up with wazungu” Peris reminded me. So while they were on the ‘search and negotiate’ mission, I spend about 20 minutes talking to a young Kenyan man about honesty and ethics, something that I have found is seriously lacking here. ‘The Kenyan people do have a problem with those things” he said. “How about you, do you have a problem with those things?” I probed. “No, no, no,” he emphasized, “I only ‘pick’ things (see previous blog), I would never steal things”. “So,” I continued, “if I got out and ‘picked’ your piki piki, (motorcycle) it would not be stealing?” “Oh yes, it would be stealing from me.” he said. “but you said you don’t steal.” I followed up. “No, no, no. I only ‘pick’” he replied. And so the conversation continued….but there seemed to be a disconnect in logic….in him too. Since I have been here, I have had many such talks and am still amazed at the responses I get. My hope is in the children. Anyway, the women came back and I drove down the line of shacks until I got to the maize provider of choice. We loaded 180 kgs of maize and headed home, on the wrong side of the ‘road’. Peris says that as soon as I learn to drive, she will go with me again.
All the while, the two buildings have been coming along. Fundi is doing great and we are almost ready to pour the ground floor slabs. I think we are ahead of schedule, and maybe getting close to the end of the dorm funds….just saying…
Dorcas was a fighter. Born into a world where sometimes kids are just thrown away, to a mother that didn’t really understand how to care for a baby. Her first year was lived in poverty, in a small community that barely has electricity, no plumbing or modern conveniences. Unknown to the world, or even to some around her. Malnourished, lacking medical care, struggling for life. Almost 13 months of mostly neglect. But God had a plan. Observed by Freida, one of the aunties here, who became very concerned for Dorcas’s welfare. Through a series of mini-miracles, which I think I told you about, Mama Dorcas has been reunited with her family, and Dorcas spent her last days in the loving arms of Mama Carla. Many of the last days in the hospital getting care and fighting to recover. In the end, there was just too much against her and Jesus kindly took her home, but not before she experience true love and care here. She might have ended her days in the environment that she was saved from, but for the concern of 1 person and the commitment of a few more that wanted to show her that she was a life worth fighting for. It might not have been for long, but that little one was loved, and she will be missed.
Today, J and C commissions a ‘Post Mortum’…an autopsy, to find out just what happened. She would seem to get better and then get critical…get better…..then critical. The Dr determined that she had massive fluid in her abdomen and around her heart with blood clots in her heart, and that she had serious TB. All of which was just too overwhelming for her little body. Even if caught a couple of months ago the chances were not good that she could fight it. So, she is all better now, and we are the ones hurting….but it’s OK, we’ll see her again.
Jeff handed me a piece of string last night and said, “this is how long Dorcas is, would you mind making a casket for her?” A piece of string….representing a someone whom I’d become attached to….I think I’ll keep it. So that’s what I did today in between the other things that I have to do. I sure am thankful for the table saw that was given to us…so thanks to Frontier Building Supply. Tomorrow, we will honor little Dorca’s life and give her a permanent place in the little cemetery here on the property…hopefully she will be the last. On last thing, the Dr said he learned something with Dorcas, and from now on he will check out baby’s heart when the demonstrate some of the symptoms that she exhibited….that a good thing…thanks Dorie.
OK, so on with some more stuff. Amongst other things today, I had a brand new experience. I got behind the wheel of the van, and took a couple of the women here to go to Sabanga….the little village where Dorcas came from, to get maize. We need maize to make ugali, and we sure wouldn’t want to be without that…..would we. Driving out of the compound, I immediately began my quest for the ‘road’….which is quite illusive. Here, I had to continually remind myself that we drive on the wrong side of the ‘road’…which is fine, except that off the main ‘road’ the side ‘roads’ are only about 10 feet wide, and a lot of that is taken up by cows, which are difficult to see when only the tops of their head show above the potholes…and they tend to bellow a lot if you drive on them. But I managed to keep the damage to the cows….and to us to a minimum, and made it to the main ‘road’ which evidently now has archeological digs going on along with the lead weight mining operations. I asked one of the men why they were digging and he said, “We have suspected that at one time there was a paved road here and we are trying to substantiate the information.” I wished them well, while quietly doubting their sources. Making it to Sabanga, having to only stop for one blood transfusion, I came to the conclusion that even without a college education, I am almost as good as Jeff at hitting most of the potholes. Entering the village and stopping somewhere in the 15th century, the women asked me to stay in the van while they went to bargain for maize….”they charge more for putting up with wazungu” Peris reminded me. So while they were on the ‘search and negotiate’ mission, I spend about 20 minutes talking to a young Kenyan man about honesty and ethics, something that I have found is seriously lacking here. ‘The Kenyan people do have a problem with those things” he said. “How about you, do you have a problem with those things?” I probed. “No, no, no,” he emphasized, “I only ‘pick’ things (see previous blog), I would never steal things”. “So,” I continued, “if I got out and ‘picked’ your piki piki, (motorcycle) it would not be stealing?” “Oh yes, it would be stealing from me.” he said. “but you said you don’t steal.” I followed up. “No, no, no. I only ‘pick’” he replied. And so the conversation continued….but there seemed to be a disconnect in logic….in him too. Since I have been here, I have had many such talks and am still amazed at the responses I get. My hope is in the children. Anyway, the women came back and I drove down the line of shacks until I got to the maize provider of choice. We loaded 180 kgs of maize and headed home, on the wrong side of the ‘road’. Peris says that as soon as I learn to drive, she will go with me again.
All the while, the two buildings have been coming along. Fundi is doing great and we are almost ready to pour the ground floor slabs. I think we are ahead of schedule, and maybe getting close to the end of the dorm funds….just saying…
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Installment 35
We lost our little Dorcas today. It was an honor to know her. There is great sadness here.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Installment 34
Installment 34
Let’s talk about today…..but first I must answer a question I posed at the end of 33. Who will fill my shoes??.. Are you aware that if you leave your shoes outside in a Kenya rain that…..well, now I know who, or maybe what will fill my shoes….good thing they are Crocs.
This morning, after getting Fundi lined out, I was thrilled to find out that Jeff wanted me to go to town to get some water pipe and a few other essentials for the building project. I needed to go and get the pipe that is going to come last Friday…“in fact it has already been delivered”…which might be true, but not here. So Eliud and I headed for town, and darned if Eliud isn’t just as good at hitting potholes as Jeff is. I asked Eliud why he hit so many. “This ‘road’ scares me so much that I drive with my eyes closed and just feel my way to town” he said. “I ‘feel’ my way to town also” I replied. Once in Kitale, Eliud and I went to the hospital and picked up some TB medicine that is given free there. Standing in a 6’x12’ room, a desk at the end Eliud was arguing with the “lady” about why we needed the medicine. “You use too much of this medicine” she says. “We have 93 children and some need the medicine” E counters, “Do you want them to die?” “OK, you win, take some and leave…besides, I get paid by the amount I give out.” she responds. So we left and headed to look for water pipe. Now you may not know it, but Kitale has about 10 ‘hardware’ stores, and I soon found out how they continued to stay in business. All of them are owned by 2nd and 3rd generations of Indians….no, not the casino types, but the Junglebook type. By now, I have learned a few Swahili words, and I know some English, but my Indi is pretty much non existent, so I was glad to have E with me to interpret every 3rd word, as the shop owners all spoke SwaIndiLish. All the shops responded the same,,,”We need some water pipe” I would say. “Are you wanting the good stuff or the cheap stuff?” they asked. “What is the difference?” I would ask. “The cheap stuff keeps us in business because it has to be replaced often.” was the response. “How about the good stuff?” was my next question. “We don’t carry it…because we are liking staying in business.” And so, shop after shop we continued our quest, until we finally found one shop that had mistakenly stocked some good stuff. “You must be new here” the owner said, “and a foreigner, but I am thanking you for saving my shop. So a little later, I left with the last of the good stuff in Kitale. Meanwhile, E had to leave and so not wanting to leave me alone in public, Jeff came in and we went to see Carla and Dorcas at the good hospital. Dorcas has been doing really well and I hardly recognized her, but the Dr wanted to keep her until the blood infection subsided. So, you know me, I can’t keep my hand off of babies, so I was holding her and trying to feed her something. That all went well until she looked up at me and puked just short of 5 gallons of ‘you don’t want to know’ stuff all over me. Of course, it couldn’t just stay on my shirt…..it headed south and made a fine deposit just about where everyone would look to see if I had made it to the bathroom in time. Lucky for me, I am a mzungu and the locals pretty much think I do strange things on purpose….so was able to proudly exit the hospital with minimal stares. I know that your concern is for me, but you must not forget about Dorcas. She is still under observation, and will probably not come home tomorrow….or for that matter neither will Carla…..dang!
It was time to head back and so we headed off down the ‘road’. About 1/3 of the way there, Jeff’s phone rang and he was told that # 94 was waiting at the ‘courthouse’ for us to come and pick up. “This is fun” I said, “at home we have to wait 9 months for a baby, and here you just wait for a phone call.” Back we went, as if we didn’t spend enough time destroying our kidneys. Lucky for us, the paperwork was all done and baby Alvin was just about ready for transfer……well, remember, TIA, and so it only took about an hour. Alvin is about 6 months old and seems quite healthy. I personally know that he can pull about 26 atmospheres vacuum on my finger while chewing on it. It reminds me once again why I won't nurse a baby..that and another reason……so he seems to be pretty well adjusted and is spending his first night in training to be a Babu hunter. I’m sure that you will hear more about him as I learn the facts. All I know is, for a guy that came to Africa to NOT do babies, I sure DO a lot of babies.
Good things happened with the building projects, but that’s for later.
Let’s talk about today…..but first I must answer a question I posed at the end of 33. Who will fill my shoes??.. Are you aware that if you leave your shoes outside in a Kenya rain that…..well, now I know who, or maybe what will fill my shoes….good thing they are Crocs.
This morning, after getting Fundi lined out, I was thrilled to find out that Jeff wanted me to go to town to get some water pipe and a few other essentials for the building project. I needed to go and get the pipe that is going to come last Friday…“in fact it has already been delivered”…which might be true, but not here. So Eliud and I headed for town, and darned if Eliud isn’t just as good at hitting potholes as Jeff is. I asked Eliud why he hit so many. “This ‘road’ scares me so much that I drive with my eyes closed and just feel my way to town” he said. “I ‘feel’ my way to town also” I replied. Once in Kitale, Eliud and I went to the hospital and picked up some TB medicine that is given free there. Standing in a 6’x12’ room, a desk at the end Eliud was arguing with the “lady” about why we needed the medicine. “You use too much of this medicine” she says. “We have 93 children and some need the medicine” E counters, “Do you want them to die?” “OK, you win, take some and leave…besides, I get paid by the amount I give out.” she responds. So we left and headed to look for water pipe. Now you may not know it, but Kitale has about 10 ‘hardware’ stores, and I soon found out how they continued to stay in business. All of them are owned by 2nd and 3rd generations of Indians….no, not the casino types, but the Junglebook type. By now, I have learned a few Swahili words, and I know some English, but my Indi is pretty much non existent, so I was glad to have E with me to interpret every 3rd word, as the shop owners all spoke SwaIndiLish. All the shops responded the same,,,”We need some water pipe” I would say. “Are you wanting the good stuff or the cheap stuff?” they asked. “What is the difference?” I would ask. “The cheap stuff keeps us in business because it has to be replaced often.” was the response. “How about the good stuff?” was my next question. “We don’t carry it…because we are liking staying in business.” And so, shop after shop we continued our quest, until we finally found one shop that had mistakenly stocked some good stuff. “You must be new here” the owner said, “and a foreigner, but I am thanking you for saving my shop. So a little later, I left with the last of the good stuff in Kitale. Meanwhile, E had to leave and so not wanting to leave me alone in public, Jeff came in and we went to see Carla and Dorcas at the good hospital. Dorcas has been doing really well and I hardly recognized her, but the Dr wanted to keep her until the blood infection subsided. So, you know me, I can’t keep my hand off of babies, so I was holding her and trying to feed her something. That all went well until she looked up at me and puked just short of 5 gallons of ‘you don’t want to know’ stuff all over me. Of course, it couldn’t just stay on my shirt…..it headed south and made a fine deposit just about where everyone would look to see if I had made it to the bathroom in time. Lucky for me, I am a mzungu and the locals pretty much think I do strange things on purpose….so was able to proudly exit the hospital with minimal stares. I know that your concern is for me, but you must not forget about Dorcas. She is still under observation, and will probably not come home tomorrow….or for that matter neither will Carla…..dang!
It was time to head back and so we headed off down the ‘road’. About 1/3 of the way there, Jeff’s phone rang and he was told that # 94 was waiting at the ‘courthouse’ for us to come and pick up. “This is fun” I said, “at home we have to wait 9 months for a baby, and here you just wait for a phone call.” Back we went, as if we didn’t spend enough time destroying our kidneys. Lucky for us, the paperwork was all done and baby Alvin was just about ready for transfer……well, remember, TIA, and so it only took about an hour. Alvin is about 6 months old and seems quite healthy. I personally know that he can pull about 26 atmospheres vacuum on my finger while chewing on it. It reminds me once again why I won't nurse a baby..that and another reason……so he seems to be pretty well adjusted and is spending his first night in training to be a Babu hunter. I’m sure that you will hear more about him as I learn the facts. All I know is, for a guy that came to Africa to NOT do babies, I sure DO a lot of babies.
Good things happened with the building projects, but that’s for later.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Installment 33
Installment 33
And so it began, much like every day in the tropics. Sun quietly sneaking across the horizon, birds singing, the smell of bacon and eggs cooking and the coffee, hot and ready…..the gentle hum not far from my room, beginning to grow…..Then I became aware that the gentle humming was the kids beginning to awake and the bacon, eggs and coffee……I wish!!… So, like every day at Instep, the hum started to crescendo into a cacophony of unabated shrieks, screams, laughter and some crying….just like usual….and that was just me anticipating the great horde awakening. Imagine what the kids sound like…. Arising, I realized that I have come to grips with the old guy in my bathroom. Every morning he glares at me from the mirror and insinuates that someday I might look a lot like him….when I’m older, of course. With a fine hearty breakfast….not in me, but somewhere in my memory, I headed out for the storehouse where Fundi and his workers come and get their morning instructions and tools…..and pray together. Takes me somewhere around an hour to get in sync with the Fundi and the day’s schedule, and then I am free to sneak around the property avoiding the kids…..well almost anyway. For the last almost week, Carla has had the audacity to leave me alone with Jeff and has been luxuriating at the hospital with Dorca….who is doing better and will probably come home on Wed….we should talk about Dorcas some more… But J is learning,,,or maybe getting to know me well enough that he can only take so much ‘Babu’, and makes some lame excuse about the kids needing food and medicine. So, by about 9 or 10, he is in his old nemesis Toyota and heading for supplies and stuff that 100+ people need at the compound…..or so he says. Like I said, though, he does leave me the keys and a clipboard.
A couple of days ago, Sarah (3 yrs old, and the one that was dropped 20’ down an outdoor toilet at birth) became a bit lethargic and so Jeff and I took her to the Dr. Nothing serious…just malaria, which could be serious if not treated. I still amazes me how it’s crazy around here, but it all stops when one kid is sick….reminds me of Jesus talking about going after the one lost sheep. Anyway, you’d think that with all the snotlockers running around, it would be easy to miss one with problems…..doesn’t seen to happen though…..somehow this place stays intent on caring for the kids. There doesn’t seem to be enough time to take care of all the logistical stuff here, but there is always time to care for the kids…..you should come and see.
We are slowly getting materials on site…God being kind in holding the rains to a minimum. Once the dam breaks and the rains come in earnest….love that term…the ground will saturate within a couple of days and we won’t be able to get the trucks in…mostly because loaded, they won’t float. I am getting pretty confident that fundi will have both building out of the ground…well, not ‘out’ of the ground, but up to ground level with the slabs poured…or ‘cast’, as they say, so the work can continue even around the rains. If you have time, add us to your prayer list … two things,,,materials to get on site, and $$$’s to finish the dorm….looks like we might be getting # 94 this week……oh yeah, and pray for J & C…I can’t imagine that they can run this place without me….and I am scheduled to leave on the 12th……who will fill my shoes….I keep the kids busy playing hide and seek….
And so it began, much like every day in the tropics. Sun quietly sneaking across the horizon, birds singing, the smell of bacon and eggs cooking and the coffee, hot and ready…..the gentle hum not far from my room, beginning to grow…..Then I became aware that the gentle humming was the kids beginning to awake and the bacon, eggs and coffee……I wish!!… So, like every day at Instep, the hum started to crescendo into a cacophony of unabated shrieks, screams, laughter and some crying….just like usual….and that was just me anticipating the great horde awakening. Imagine what the kids sound like…. Arising, I realized that I have come to grips with the old guy in my bathroom. Every morning he glares at me from the mirror and insinuates that someday I might look a lot like him….when I’m older, of course. With a fine hearty breakfast….not in me, but somewhere in my memory, I headed out for the storehouse where Fundi and his workers come and get their morning instructions and tools…..and pray together. Takes me somewhere around an hour to get in sync with the Fundi and the day’s schedule, and then I am free to sneak around the property avoiding the kids…..well almost anyway. For the last almost week, Carla has had the audacity to leave me alone with Jeff and has been luxuriating at the hospital with Dorca….who is doing better and will probably come home on Wed….we should talk about Dorcas some more… But J is learning,,,or maybe getting to know me well enough that he can only take so much ‘Babu’, and makes some lame excuse about the kids needing food and medicine. So, by about 9 or 10, he is in his old nemesis Toyota and heading for supplies and stuff that 100+ people need at the compound…..or so he says. Like I said, though, he does leave me the keys and a clipboard.
A couple of days ago, Sarah (3 yrs old, and the one that was dropped 20’ down an outdoor toilet at birth) became a bit lethargic and so Jeff and I took her to the Dr. Nothing serious…just malaria, which could be serious if not treated. I still amazes me how it’s crazy around here, but it all stops when one kid is sick….reminds me of Jesus talking about going after the one lost sheep. Anyway, you’d think that with all the snotlockers running around, it would be easy to miss one with problems…..doesn’t seen to happen though…..somehow this place stays intent on caring for the kids. There doesn’t seem to be enough time to take care of all the logistical stuff here, but there is always time to care for the kids…..you should come and see.
We are slowly getting materials on site…God being kind in holding the rains to a minimum. Once the dam breaks and the rains come in earnest….love that term…the ground will saturate within a couple of days and we won’t be able to get the trucks in…mostly because loaded, they won’t float. I am getting pretty confident that fundi will have both building out of the ground…well, not ‘out’ of the ground, but up to ground level with the slabs poured…or ‘cast’, as they say, so the work can continue even around the rains. If you have time, add us to your prayer list … two things,,,materials to get on site, and $$$’s to finish the dorm….looks like we might be getting # 94 this week……oh yeah, and pray for J & C…I can’t imagine that they can run this place without me….and I am scheduled to leave on the 12th……who will fill my shoes….I keep the kids busy playing hide and seek….
Friday, March 25, 2011
Installment 32
Installment 32
By now, you know that my thoughts are not linear. This may be the worst that I have put down. I know, it can’t be true, you say, thinking that I have already reached the apex of incongruous thought. Don’t pass judgment until you finish this installment….that is if you have the stomach to take the challenge. It’s been a while since I shared my scrambled thoughts….mostly because it takes energy to lift the lid on my laptop. Now I am only saying this to get sympathy from you and to make you really feel sorry for me…and I can only hope it works..
As you also know, because God had a hard time finding a competent builder, He relented and called me here to get two buildings started. Back in the good ‘ol USA, building a couple of 1800 sqft buildings wouldn’t be too much of a challenge for a long time builder…..for me, yes, a builder, no. But here I am with about 32,000 lineal feet of lumber, 800 tons of sand, 100-100kg bags if cement, 20 tons of steel, and 30,000 lf of building stones either on the property or on the way….oh yeah, and about 30 men who speak little English, with sharp instruments, all looking at me. Now if I only knew how to build the ‘Kenyan way’. But I will rely on my old friend Ron Reagan’s advice; “I don’t have to know everything, I just have to surround myself with people who do.” Well, I have the ‘don’t know’ down pat….now if I can just find the ‘who do’. Fortunately, for me, God is merciful and has provided Jackson, who does know the ‘Kenyan way’….and for some reason speaks Swahili, even tho he is African and was born here. He has proven to be competent and has the work progressing quite well. I mostly stay out of Jemba striking distance and look important with my clipboard. The last couple of days we, well they, have been mixing and pouring cement into the trenches for the column bases, which I won’t explain to you, as I haven’t a clue myself…part of the ‘Kenyan way’ I hope. Because of a problem of getting water pipe, the men are carrying 5 gal buckets of water about 150 yards for the concrete mix….which is done by machine….if you call a spade and jemba machines. All done on the ground. Today we, well they, are mixing and pouring the ‘footings’, using 4000 lbs of cement and 5 million 5 gallon buckets of water. I asked one of the men how he liked carrying water in buckets. “It sure beats using a water pipe” he says…and if I hadn’t caught a glimpse of ‘Jeff’s look’ I might have missed that he was mocking me. “I’m trying my best to have a pipe here by the end of the project” I encouraged. “Oh, that will good” he says, “I always wanted to work on a project with a water pipe.” “I’ll do my best,” I continued, “but TIA so maybe I could find a picture of a pipe and let you see it” That seemed to help, as he was strangely smiling as he sloshed off.
Back to yesterday…at least that is where my thoughts are taking me…and now you. Just when the construction crew needed water to carry, the water line that feeds the buildings broke underground and we…well someone had to shut down the water supply from the storage…and then we..well someone had to dig up the line, which as it turns out is made of the highest quality soda straws on the market. Since this is the third break since I got here, we….well I decided that we….they needed to replace the line. So after another temporary ‘fix’, we….they got the water back on and the bucket guys were ecstatic…as you can imagine. Then two of our Shamba (field) guys started digging up the line with jembas as I watched with my clipboard….just out of reach. Jeff is working on getting some better grade…maybe European straws to replace the line.
Speaking of Jeff, I haven’t seen much of him. Carla is still in the hospital with Dorcas….can’t remember if I told you, Dori got a blood infection and so is back in town….Carla is enjoying the hospital environment with her. Anyway, every morning for the last three, Jeff has sprinted (read meandered) to Toyota, tossing me the keys to the kingdom and bumped off down the ‘road’, heading for town to take Carla supplies and to forage for ‘stuff’ for this place, including food. So, while I stress over getting building supplies before we…well they can’t get trucks into the site because of rain, Jeff has been fighting the battles with the suppliers…..you know the story….Jeff: “We really need the sand delivered before the rains softens the shamba” “Yes, I will help you, it is on it’s way, in fact it is already there.” pretend ‘supplier’ says. “And will it already be there by this afternoon or tomorrow?” Jeff probes. “I hope so, but TIA” says pretend supplier. “Ok, because we needed it yesterday.” Jeff continues. “Then we will have it there yesterday…in fact, the lorrie was there already.” PS says…..knowing that it is more important to tell us what we ‘want’ to hear than to tell us what is the actual truth….and it did sound like music to my ears…..This is Jeff’s life…no lie. All this to say, that we really don’t have a lot of the materials on site, but the lorries are on the way,,,,in fact they are here…..hopefully by tomorrow. Last night after dark, which would be after light for most of you, 2 lorries came on site. One did fine in the mud with not a whole lot of trouble, but the other kept getting stuck. He was setting there spinning his wheels and going nowhere. “Is there trouble?” I shouted over the screaming diesel. “No, the lorrie is running and it is in gear and the wheels are turning.” he hollered back. “But you are not going anywhere” I replied loudly. “It’s OK, I get paid by the kilometer” he says…..I’m getting pretty good at Jeff’s look.
Martin Luther: "This life therefore is not righteousness, but training in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified."
By now, you know that my thoughts are not linear. This may be the worst that I have put down. I know, it can’t be true, you say, thinking that I have already reached the apex of incongruous thought. Don’t pass judgment until you finish this installment….that is if you have the stomach to take the challenge. It’s been a while since I shared my scrambled thoughts….mostly because it takes energy to lift the lid on my laptop. Now I am only saying this to get sympathy from you and to make you really feel sorry for me…and I can only hope it works..
As you also know, because God had a hard time finding a competent builder, He relented and called me here to get two buildings started. Back in the good ‘ol USA, building a couple of 1800 sqft buildings wouldn’t be too much of a challenge for a long time builder…..for me, yes, a builder, no. But here I am with about 32,000 lineal feet of lumber, 800 tons of sand, 100-100kg bags if cement, 20 tons of steel, and 30,000 lf of building stones either on the property or on the way….oh yeah, and about 30 men who speak little English, with sharp instruments, all looking at me. Now if I only knew how to build the ‘Kenyan way’. But I will rely on my old friend Ron Reagan’s advice; “I don’t have to know everything, I just have to surround myself with people who do.” Well, I have the ‘don’t know’ down pat….now if I can just find the ‘who do’. Fortunately, for me, God is merciful and has provided Jackson, who does know the ‘Kenyan way’….and for some reason speaks Swahili, even tho he is African and was born here. He has proven to be competent and has the work progressing quite well. I mostly stay out of Jemba striking distance and look important with my clipboard. The last couple of days we, well they, have been mixing and pouring cement into the trenches for the column bases, which I won’t explain to you, as I haven’t a clue myself…part of the ‘Kenyan way’ I hope. Because of a problem of getting water pipe, the men are carrying 5 gal buckets of water about 150 yards for the concrete mix….which is done by machine….if you call a spade and jemba machines. All done on the ground. Today we, well they, are mixing and pouring the ‘footings’, using 4000 lbs of cement and 5 million 5 gallon buckets of water. I asked one of the men how he liked carrying water in buckets. “It sure beats using a water pipe” he says…and if I hadn’t caught a glimpse of ‘Jeff’s look’ I might have missed that he was mocking me. “I’m trying my best to have a pipe here by the end of the project” I encouraged. “Oh, that will good” he says, “I always wanted to work on a project with a water pipe.” “I’ll do my best,” I continued, “but TIA so maybe I could find a picture of a pipe and let you see it” That seemed to help, as he was strangely smiling as he sloshed off.
Back to yesterday…at least that is where my thoughts are taking me…and now you. Just when the construction crew needed water to carry, the water line that feeds the buildings broke underground and we…well someone had to shut down the water supply from the storage…and then we..well someone had to dig up the line, which as it turns out is made of the highest quality soda straws on the market. Since this is the third break since I got here, we….well I decided that we….they needed to replace the line. So after another temporary ‘fix’, we….they got the water back on and the bucket guys were ecstatic…as you can imagine. Then two of our Shamba (field) guys started digging up the line with jembas as I watched with my clipboard….just out of reach. Jeff is working on getting some better grade…maybe European straws to replace the line.
Speaking of Jeff, I haven’t seen much of him. Carla is still in the hospital with Dorcas….can’t remember if I told you, Dori got a blood infection and so is back in town….Carla is enjoying the hospital environment with her. Anyway, every morning for the last three, Jeff has sprinted (read meandered) to Toyota, tossing me the keys to the kingdom and bumped off down the ‘road’, heading for town to take Carla supplies and to forage for ‘stuff’ for this place, including food. So, while I stress over getting building supplies before we…well they can’t get trucks into the site because of rain, Jeff has been fighting the battles with the suppliers…..you know the story….Jeff: “We really need the sand delivered before the rains softens the shamba” “Yes, I will help you, it is on it’s way, in fact it is already there.” pretend ‘supplier’ says. “And will it already be there by this afternoon or tomorrow?” Jeff probes. “I hope so, but TIA” says pretend supplier. “Ok, because we needed it yesterday.” Jeff continues. “Then we will have it there yesterday…in fact, the lorrie was there already.” PS says…..knowing that it is more important to tell us what we ‘want’ to hear than to tell us what is the actual truth….and it did sound like music to my ears…..This is Jeff’s life…no lie. All this to say, that we really don’t have a lot of the materials on site, but the lorries are on the way,,,,in fact they are here…..hopefully by tomorrow. Last night after dark, which would be after light for most of you, 2 lorries came on site. One did fine in the mud with not a whole lot of trouble, but the other kept getting stuck. He was setting there spinning his wheels and going nowhere. “Is there trouble?” I shouted over the screaming diesel. “No, the lorrie is running and it is in gear and the wheels are turning.” he hollered back. “But you are not going anywhere” I replied loudly. “It’s OK, I get paid by the kilometer” he says…..I’m getting pretty good at Jeff’s look.
Martin Luther: "This life therefore is not righteousness, but training in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified."
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Installment 31
Installment 31
Well, she’s tougher than I thought. English Lady told me today that she is giving up her share of the Coffee Shop. It’s been bothering me ever since….being the compassionate type……just what am I going to call English Lady’s…this is really affecting me..and we all know that it is all about me. But, she has managed to put up with me for almost 2 months steady. She told me awhile back that she had seen worse, but today she recanted. “You Yanks are a tenacious lot” she said. “Now if you were French….. Anyway, today was her last official day in the harness, and we went in to see her….well, J & C anyway, me.. more to gloat. I have to give her this though, most women, save Sandy, start looking for a way to avoid me within a couple of weeks. Counting October, she almost has 3 months. “If you can hang on for 3 more weeks, I’ll be gone” I taunted. “Can’t do it. And besides, you might come back, and then were would I be.” she lamented. “Good point” I said. And so, thinking I have a conscience, she attempted to pass blame on to me for her decision to move on. More than one person has made that mistake. So, let me help you understand this woman…..ha ha ha….understand and woman in the same sentence…..I crack me up! English Lady has another name,,, imagine that. It is Theresa something or another…when you first meet her, she is introduced as Mrs Somethingoranother….later as your friendship grows, you can call her Theresa…and when you really grow close, ‘English Lady’. She is from some other country…I can’t recall at the minute. She says she has been involved with the law in that country. Jeff says she might be a lawyer, but I suspect that “involved” might be looked at in a different way. Why else would someone end up in this country? Anyway, she has travel most of the world and ended up in Africa, in Kenya, in Kitale. I mean, after seeing so much of the world, why wouldn’t you want to settle in the 15th century…I mean, really! She said something about settling in other places, but this was where her husband lives and she seems to have an affection for him. I don’t know much about her, so I will make up where I don’t have any facts, just like always. So, about 4 years ago, she and Mr Somethingoranother came here. After seeing all the tourist attractions….oh wait, their aren’t any…they started a business of some kind…she won’t tell me what or where. In the meantime E.L. agreed to help two other ladies start the Coffee Shop and teach them how to do business. Long story short, mission accomplished. Now it’s time for her to let go…..dang and I thought I had done my thing again.
Let me say this. I have met a lot of people over the years, and many of them have my respect. In the short time I have known E.L. she has moved right near the top. This is a funny place. It seems that people either give or they take….not much in the middle. E.L. is one of the givers. I’ve only heard a few stories, but I know there are many. She has helped so many, by meeting needs at the ‘hospital’, saving kids and women off the streets, and intervening to protect babies. She seems to thrive on pouring herself into the lives of others…most of whom she has never met before. Remember Mama Manu, the one who died recently…E.L. was there for her until the end. Not uncommon for her.
The other night Carla mentioned something E.L. said a couple of weeks ago. Someone said something about sometimes it’s hard here and ‘back home’ sounds good. E.L. said something to the effect that this is where life really is. “You know you are alive because you are either really up…like when Dorcas is saved, or really down, like when Mama Dorcas gives her life for her baby…no middle ground…up or down..you know you are alive.” “I couldn’t live where your life consisted of whether your washing machine worked or was broken. You know you are alive here.” So I have been thinking about that and I think she is right. This is life. Not always fun…maybe not very often, but there is no question that you are alive.
So, with that, I give you my respect and gratitude, English Lady….you make me want to be a better person.
Since I think I have only a few readers…ones who’s comprehension is pretty low, I’m sure that E.L. doesn’t read these masterpieces. But if for some reason she sees this (while wrapping garbage or something) I hope she understands that sometimes I stretch the truth…just a little. By the way, she isn’t going anywhere and will still show up at E.L’s, I mean, aahhh, what’s the place on Sundays and other days…especially after I leave.
It is said that you are either born in Africa or you are called to Africa….you just don’t come to live in Africa. I’ve met some really incredible people that have been called here…and a few that have been born here. Me, I wasn’t born here…and even though I am in my God’s debt….(for everything)….for bringing me here…. I have to say, that I don’t know about a ‘calling’ as of yet. Maybe I’m just a coward, or maybe hard of hearing, or maybe I haven’t been called. But I do know that I have met people who have given up life as they have known it to serve and help a needy people. I am inspired to live more for my God. Would you help keep me accountable to what I just said?
Well, she’s tougher than I thought. English Lady told me today that she is giving up her share of the Coffee Shop. It’s been bothering me ever since….being the compassionate type……just what am I going to call English Lady’s…this is really affecting me..and we all know that it is all about me. But, she has managed to put up with me for almost 2 months steady. She told me awhile back that she had seen worse, but today she recanted. “You Yanks are a tenacious lot” she said. “Now if you were French….. Anyway, today was her last official day in the harness, and we went in to see her….well, J & C anyway, me.. more to gloat. I have to give her this though, most women, save Sandy, start looking for a way to avoid me within a couple of weeks. Counting October, she almost has 3 months. “If you can hang on for 3 more weeks, I’ll be gone” I taunted. “Can’t do it. And besides, you might come back, and then were would I be.” she lamented. “Good point” I said. And so, thinking I have a conscience, she attempted to pass blame on to me for her decision to move on. More than one person has made that mistake. So, let me help you understand this woman…..ha ha ha….understand and woman in the same sentence…..I crack me up! English Lady has another name,,, imagine that. It is Theresa something or another…when you first meet her, she is introduced as Mrs Somethingoranother….later as your friendship grows, you can call her Theresa…and when you really grow close, ‘English Lady’. She is from some other country…I can’t recall at the minute. She says she has been involved with the law in that country. Jeff says she might be a lawyer, but I suspect that “involved” might be looked at in a different way. Why else would someone end up in this country? Anyway, she has travel most of the world and ended up in Africa, in Kenya, in Kitale. I mean, after seeing so much of the world, why wouldn’t you want to settle in the 15th century…I mean, really! She said something about settling in other places, but this was where her husband lives and she seems to have an affection for him. I don’t know much about her, so I will make up where I don’t have any facts, just like always. So, about 4 years ago, she and Mr Somethingoranother came here. After seeing all the tourist attractions….oh wait, their aren’t any…they started a business of some kind…she won’t tell me what or where. In the meantime E.L. agreed to help two other ladies start the Coffee Shop and teach them how to do business. Long story short, mission accomplished. Now it’s time for her to let go…..dang and I thought I had done my thing again.
Let me say this. I have met a lot of people over the years, and many of them have my respect. In the short time I have known E.L. she has moved right near the top. This is a funny place. It seems that people either give or they take….not much in the middle. E.L. is one of the givers. I’ve only heard a few stories, but I know there are many. She has helped so many, by meeting needs at the ‘hospital’, saving kids and women off the streets, and intervening to protect babies. She seems to thrive on pouring herself into the lives of others…most of whom she has never met before. Remember Mama Manu, the one who died recently…E.L. was there for her until the end. Not uncommon for her.
The other night Carla mentioned something E.L. said a couple of weeks ago. Someone said something about sometimes it’s hard here and ‘back home’ sounds good. E.L. said something to the effect that this is where life really is. “You know you are alive because you are either really up…like when Dorcas is saved, or really down, like when Mama Dorcas gives her life for her baby…no middle ground…up or down..you know you are alive.” “I couldn’t live where your life consisted of whether your washing machine worked or was broken. You know you are alive here.” So I have been thinking about that and I think she is right. This is life. Not always fun…maybe not very often, but there is no question that you are alive.
So, with that, I give you my respect and gratitude, English Lady….you make me want to be a better person.
Since I think I have only a few readers…ones who’s comprehension is pretty low, I’m sure that E.L. doesn’t read these masterpieces. But if for some reason she sees this (while wrapping garbage or something) I hope she understands that sometimes I stretch the truth…just a little. By the way, she isn’t going anywhere and will still show up at E.L’s, I mean, aahhh, what’s the place on Sundays and other days…especially after I leave.
It is said that you are either born in Africa or you are called to Africa….you just don’t come to live in Africa. I’ve met some really incredible people that have been called here…and a few that have been born here. Me, I wasn’t born here…and even though I am in my God’s debt….(for everything)….for bringing me here…. I have to say, that I don’t know about a ‘calling’ as of yet. Maybe I’m just a coward, or maybe hard of hearing, or maybe I haven’t been called. But I do know that I have met people who have given up life as they have known it to serve and help a needy people. I am inspired to live more for my God. Would you help keep me accountable to what I just said?
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Installment 30
Installment 30...the big 3 ‘O‘.
Just some random thoughts….like I ever have any other kind.. The older kids went nuts today after school…not uncommon, but it was a little more directed this time. It seems that there were panya loose in the firewood pile….this is a big deal for the kids. Up they went…all 10 of them, so excited. I just had to go and see for myself what this attraction was. “Wazup” I asked. “There are panya in the wood” Kelvin says, barely able to contain himself. “Oh, yeah, panya…now I understand why you are excited….what’s a panya?” I asked. “You know, ‘panya’….RATS” squeals Melissa with delight. Now beginning to understand the depth of the situation, I had a hard time containing my excitement…..Rats, live rats….boy oh boy. “What do you do with the panya?” I cautiously inquired, hoping it didn’t have anything to do with the ‘sausage’ they serve here. “We will kill them” Bafo chimes in. “And this is ‘fun’?” I say. “Yes, yes” I heard at least 10 times. “Come and help us, we will find them and kill them” Brian offers. “OK, I can see why you would get so excited….I think I just heard Jeff calling me, otherwise a team of wild horses couldn’t keep me away”. I responded bravely over my shoulder. And so off they went like a herd of cats, rolling logs and moving pieces….killing rats with sticks. Boy, wait ‘til I start this craze in America…..who needs WII. It helps that Jeff pays them 10 shillings per little carcass…about 12 cents.
Another thing I noticed today at dinner time was something that Dale brought up. “How do you stand having all those runny noses and grubby hands closing in on you?” he asked through the veranda window. “It’s all a matter of gitin’ er done…if Jeff won’t let me leave, maybe I can catch some deadly disease and die….one way or another I’m gitin out.” But I have noticed that when people first come, they have a God given survival instinct and are reticent to touch or be touched. After awhile, those little buggers wear you down and you begin to touch them, mostly by pushing them away. As more time passes, the kids seem to become more than snot distributors and they put some kind of spell on you and make you want to hug them. Maybe it’s a product of losing your will to live. Now once they have you there, the next big challenge is to walk through the veranda during dinner when they are having rice and beans. You probably remember your kids at dinner…accidentally, or not, dropping food on the floor. Now gird up your loins…whatever that means and imagine 91 of the worlds best food fighters trying to see how fast they can coat the floor with food product. Most visitors find it is safer to get up on the tables and walk towards a door. Old timers like me have even fondly taken to taking off our shoes and barefoot skim boarding around the room. There was a time that liked having clean feet, but with the mud and the food, I have all but given up. Lucky for me this place has a creative way of cleaning your feet. When you come here, Jeff hands you a stone like the ones you scrub grills with. “We have found that the only way to clean your feet is to treat them as if they didn’t have any feeling and sand them down with this 60 grit stone.” Jeff says with just a hint of a smile. He knows that this is all true and that visitors think he is crazy….which by the way is true. So, when you come, go to a surgeon and have all the nerves taken out of your feet….you’ll thank me. As long as you are at it, maybe having ALL your nerves removed….just sayin.
Dori and Carla are still in the hospital. Dori is doing better…and I’m sure that Carla is doing worse. I’m glad I wasn’t born a mother….. Hopefully they will come home tomorrow.
The building continued on except for the 2 hours it rained. Fundi says we are still on schedule….finished the lumber (timber) shed today, so it will cover the wood.
Just some random thoughts….like I ever have any other kind.. The older kids went nuts today after school…not uncommon, but it was a little more directed this time. It seems that there were panya loose in the firewood pile….this is a big deal for the kids. Up they went…all 10 of them, so excited. I just had to go and see for myself what this attraction was. “Wazup” I asked. “There are panya in the wood” Kelvin says, barely able to contain himself. “Oh, yeah, panya…now I understand why you are excited….what’s a panya?” I asked. “You know, ‘panya’….RATS” squeals Melissa with delight. Now beginning to understand the depth of the situation, I had a hard time containing my excitement…..Rats, live rats….boy oh boy. “What do you do with the panya?” I cautiously inquired, hoping it didn’t have anything to do with the ‘sausage’ they serve here. “We will kill them” Bafo chimes in. “And this is ‘fun’?” I say. “Yes, yes” I heard at least 10 times. “Come and help us, we will find them and kill them” Brian offers. “OK, I can see why you would get so excited….I think I just heard Jeff calling me, otherwise a team of wild horses couldn’t keep me away”. I responded bravely over my shoulder. And so off they went like a herd of cats, rolling logs and moving pieces….killing rats with sticks. Boy, wait ‘til I start this craze in America…..who needs WII. It helps that Jeff pays them 10 shillings per little carcass…about 12 cents.
Another thing I noticed today at dinner time was something that Dale brought up. “How do you stand having all those runny noses and grubby hands closing in on you?” he asked through the veranda window. “It’s all a matter of gitin’ er done…if Jeff won’t let me leave, maybe I can catch some deadly disease and die….one way or another I’m gitin out.” But I have noticed that when people first come, they have a God given survival instinct and are reticent to touch or be touched. After awhile, those little buggers wear you down and you begin to touch them, mostly by pushing them away. As more time passes, the kids seem to become more than snot distributors and they put some kind of spell on you and make you want to hug them. Maybe it’s a product of losing your will to live. Now once they have you there, the next big challenge is to walk through the veranda during dinner when they are having rice and beans. You probably remember your kids at dinner…accidentally, or not, dropping food on the floor. Now gird up your loins…whatever that means and imagine 91 of the worlds best food fighters trying to see how fast they can coat the floor with food product. Most visitors find it is safer to get up on the tables and walk towards a door. Old timers like me have even fondly taken to taking off our shoes and barefoot skim boarding around the room. There was a time that liked having clean feet, but with the mud and the food, I have all but given up. Lucky for me this place has a creative way of cleaning your feet. When you come here, Jeff hands you a stone like the ones you scrub grills with. “We have found that the only way to clean your feet is to treat them as if they didn’t have any feeling and sand them down with this 60 grit stone.” Jeff says with just a hint of a smile. He knows that this is all true and that visitors think he is crazy….which by the way is true. So, when you come, go to a surgeon and have all the nerves taken out of your feet….you’ll thank me. As long as you are at it, maybe having ALL your nerves removed….just sayin.
Dori and Carla are still in the hospital. Dori is doing better…and I’m sure that Carla is doing worse. I’m glad I wasn’t born a mother….. Hopefully they will come home tomorrow.
The building continued on except for the 2 hours it rained. Fundi says we are still on schedule….finished the lumber (timber) shed today, so it will cover the wood.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Installment 29
Installment 29
Not much tonight. The day was pretty uneventful, and I even had time to wash my underwear again….if I keep this up, I will wear them out washing them… It rained for 12 hours last night. Not heavy, just steady. I was a bit worried about the work today, but the rain stopped about 9 am and the excavators were back at it. Because we have had a minor delay getting materials, the crew has been able to almost finish the hole for the clinic and just about finish the one for the dorm. Along with that, they are building a temporary building to keep the lumber in so the sun does not destroy it…..I told you that we are closer to the sun…
So, while I am sweating getting behind, God seems to have actually got us ahead of schedule….how does He do it??? I got some minor maintenance completed around here and a couple of woodworking projects done. With over 20 construction workers, on 3 projects, another 15 or so employees, 91 kids, 3 dogs and a partridge in a pear tree, and Jeff and Carla gone, I’m lucky to get even a three hour nap in. But, things are getting done. Jeff has been in town most of the last two days, spending time with Carla and Dorcas at the hospital, and covering all the logistical needs of this small army. Carla is on her third night at the hospital, lovin’ on B D. Dorie, as Carla has taken to calling B D, is doing better and may get to come home tomorrow. By the way, I really exaggerated B D’s condition….I said she had typhoid…not so…bronchitis was the other one she had….I guess it doesn’t matter much, as she was as close to death as anyone I have seen as late….except for the ones at the morgue….they were closer….I hope. Anyway, thanks to you who have been praying…looks as if God has save this little one.
The highlight of my day other than waking up alive, was talking to 3 of the staff here. Every time I get a chance, I like to pick peoples brains here about ethics, morals, honesty…you know the basics of civilization. Like yesterday with the semi-blind welder and his helper…questions to help make them think. The culture is so screwed up here that it seems as if most of the people that I meet have a hard time with right and wrong. So, I like to tweak them a bit. With that in mind, I began a conversation with the 3 women, who along with most of the women I know, love me. My goal was to see where they stood on life’s real issues. It was fun for me and I’m sure it was one of the best things that ever happened to them…I should have given them my autograph. All three profess to be Christian and read the bible, so I approached it from that prospective. I found that they did know their bible, and much to my surprise, they kinda ignore the parts that give them trouble….JUST LIKE ME!! Anyway, I left them with a question: “Why do you think I came to Africa?” They started with all the pat answers and I shushed them. “Shush” I said. “Take some time and think about it…I’ll talk to you later. About 2 hrs later, Adelaide found me near the clinic site pretending to watch the crew. Interrupting my concentration (read nap) she said that she had been thinking about what I had asked. “It seemed easy to answer at first” she said, “but it is deeper than I thought…I will think some more and get back to you.” Is this cool or what??? I hope she comes up with a good answer….I can use one when I get home and people ask why I went….I hope it better than “for the ugali.”
Oh, I notice that I have 34 followers of the blog….I’m beginning to feel like the Pied Piper!
Not much tonight. The day was pretty uneventful, and I even had time to wash my underwear again….if I keep this up, I will wear them out washing them… It rained for 12 hours last night. Not heavy, just steady. I was a bit worried about the work today, but the rain stopped about 9 am and the excavators were back at it. Because we have had a minor delay getting materials, the crew has been able to almost finish the hole for the clinic and just about finish the one for the dorm. Along with that, they are building a temporary building to keep the lumber in so the sun does not destroy it…..I told you that we are closer to the sun…
So, while I am sweating getting behind, God seems to have actually got us ahead of schedule….how does He do it??? I got some minor maintenance completed around here and a couple of woodworking projects done. With over 20 construction workers, on 3 projects, another 15 or so employees, 91 kids, 3 dogs and a partridge in a pear tree, and Jeff and Carla gone, I’m lucky to get even a three hour nap in. But, things are getting done. Jeff has been in town most of the last two days, spending time with Carla and Dorcas at the hospital, and covering all the logistical needs of this small army. Carla is on her third night at the hospital, lovin’ on B D. Dorie, as Carla has taken to calling B D, is doing better and may get to come home tomorrow. By the way, I really exaggerated B D’s condition….I said she had typhoid…not so…bronchitis was the other one she had….I guess it doesn’t matter much, as she was as close to death as anyone I have seen as late….except for the ones at the morgue….they were closer….I hope. Anyway, thanks to you who have been praying…looks as if God has save this little one.
The highlight of my day other than waking up alive, was talking to 3 of the staff here. Every time I get a chance, I like to pick peoples brains here about ethics, morals, honesty…you know the basics of civilization. Like yesterday with the semi-blind welder and his helper…questions to help make them think. The culture is so screwed up here that it seems as if most of the people that I meet have a hard time with right and wrong. So, I like to tweak them a bit. With that in mind, I began a conversation with the 3 women, who along with most of the women I know, love me. My goal was to see where they stood on life’s real issues. It was fun for me and I’m sure it was one of the best things that ever happened to them…I should have given them my autograph. All three profess to be Christian and read the bible, so I approached it from that prospective. I found that they did know their bible, and much to my surprise, they kinda ignore the parts that give them trouble….JUST LIKE ME!! Anyway, I left them with a question: “Why do you think I came to Africa?” They started with all the pat answers and I shushed them. “Shush” I said. “Take some time and think about it…I’ll talk to you later. About 2 hrs later, Adelaide found me near the clinic site pretending to watch the crew. Interrupting my concentration (read nap) she said that she had been thinking about what I had asked. “It seemed easy to answer at first” she said, “but it is deeper than I thought…I will think some more and get back to you.” Is this cool or what??? I hope she comes up with a good answer….I can use one when I get home and people ask why I went….I hope it better than “for the ugali.”
Oh, I notice that I have 34 followers of the blog….I’m beginning to feel like the Pied Piper!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Installment 28
Installment 28
So, let’s start back a couple of days…about 7 pm. J & C and I were hiding out in the room set aside for visitors..and no, it’s not the bathroom. I have been able to show them some tricks about getting away from the kids. I have gotten to be a world class children avoider. The other day I heard some of them talking (from my hiding), “Where do you suppose that Babu is?” “I can’t even smell him anymore, so you think he is becoming one of us” (It was a great revelation when I quit using deet) But I digress. Carla was holding baby Dorcas as we were talking, and B D wasn’t doing well, in fact it turned serious in a matter of a couple of hours. Jeff said he’d go for the doctor and headed down the hall. Then B D stopped breathing and had to be prodded to start again. Time for Carla to go with Jeff, rather than wait for the doctor. Holding down the fort and praying and waiting was me, who doesn’t like babies. 45 minutes later Toyota showed up with our 3 and the doctor. B D was fluctuating between really bad, to sort of okay. Shadrack (Dr) was really worried about her fever…HIGH. He then tried for almost 20 minutes to insert an IV to get some drugs into her. Now if you take the time to look back in FB, I was able to post a picture of B D and you can see how small she is. Shadrack tried one hand and then the other, then the foot, and finally shave part of her head and tried for a vein there…none worked, but it did manage to bring tears to all the adults in attendance. Finally he gave her an injection….somehow he found enough muscle to get a needle in…that wasn’t as good, but was the only choice. She stabilized and J & C took her to there lair and like all good parent s, slept with B D between them. In the morning, her fever had eased, and she seemed to be better. About 9 am, her fever came back and seemed to be regressing. Back in Toyota and off to see Shadrack….Toyota has been to the clinic so many times, it probably doesn’t need a driver anymore. There, she wasn’t stabilizing, in fact Shadrack had to hold her almost upside down to keep her breathing.. so they made the decision to go to Kitale..baby inverted.. to an actual, real, quality pediatrician, who took her right in and gave her 3 injections immediately. A little better, but still having the fever, they opted for the hospital. Now, I know what you are thinking,,, because you have been diligent in absorbing every word from Safarislim…. Hospital…eeeegads…why not somewhere safe….my words exactly when Jeff called with an update. Turns out that they weren’t taking her to ’maybe we will help you’ hospital, but to another one that must be private. Much contrary to Kenyan upbringing, as soon as B D got thru the door, the staff quickly evaluated her and had an IV in within minutes. If I had been there, I would have asked if we were still in Kenya. Anyway, I know this is getting long, and my one typing finger is getting a blister, but let me finish this thought before I forget what I am saying….might be too late even now. They ran some tests on B D and came back with: Aggressive malaria (which Shadrack had indicated), Typhoid, TB, and pneumonia. Other than that, this 13 month old was in the picture of health….must be a Picasso. She began to do better and even after a while, the fever started down. Carla, like she has done many times before, spent the night with B D. Jeff and I went in to see them last night to take them clothes etc, and I was totally shocked to see that there were only 10 beds in the 12x12 room, and only 1 patient per bed….AND sheets and blankets. For an instant I was ready to check in myself.
That brings us to today. B D slept well and long and is doing much better…not clear yet, but better…and Carla is doing just fine. Why so much on this one incident, you ask. Well, this isn’t America and so these things can get out of hand quickly. Serious diseases are more prevalent in the tropics and remember, there is no 911, and we are miles, well kilometers from help, and then there are the “roads’. Hopefully you are getting some small idea of life here, but it’s impossible to tell how it really is….I am still amazed at how much in love J & C are with these kids…even the ones that have only been here a short time. So that is that, except that after waiting for some hours this morning I had to text Carla to find out how B D and her were doing….I was irritated until I remembered that ’I don’t do babies’.
Yesterday 2 men showed up out of nowhere with just what they were wearing. “sheaob kdie neeil liikeh aiinet” they said, assuming I had some idea of what they were saying. “Yes” I replied, not to be outdone, “
a2 +b2=c2.” I smiled, and they smiled….”You do not speak Swahili” one said….not to be one upped, I said “You don’t speak mathematics.” Just then, Eliud arrived and said that the men were here to fabricate and weld some new charcoal burners. “May I watch?” I asked, noting that they had no metal, tools, or welder. “Yes, as soon as you find us some metal, tools and welder” is what I heard. “Oh, pole sana”(very sorry) I said, impressing them with my grasp of their native tongue. As I set about rounding up OUR metal, OUR tools and OUR welder for them to do THEIR contracted work, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could use some Kenyan ways in my contracting business at home. I should pass that idea on to some of my competitors. Funny, if I need a “barbeque’ at home, I go to Giant Store and buy one. The only Giant Store I can find here is one called ’Gigamatt’. It has everything except barbeques. So that left us here with two guys and our tools. I sat down to watch these two primitive guys….I needed a little mocking time. They started hacking and chiseling and hammering and darned if they didn’t have an almost perfectly round short tube about the size of …mmmm a charcoal burner, I guess. By the end of the day, they had almost 3 burners done….all done in the dirt. It was pretty amazing. The only drawback seemed to be that the guy (Geoff) that was doing the welding didn’t use ANY eye protection….yet he said he could still see me around the black spots in the middle of his eyes. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s common here.
The men have the clinic foundation just about done, and they are started on dorm 1. We have run into a delay waiting for materials and so if you don’t mind, would you pray that God will either hold off the rain, send materials quickly, or the one I like the best; make the men work like crazy when the materials get here…just kidding, these guys work harder than most wazungus I know. I’ll see if I can post pictures when I can.
There is lots I don’t tell you…aren’t you glad…for a ‘laidback’ lifestyle, this sure is a ‘gofast’ place. So much of what shocked me earlier on is now becoming my way…I even caught myself chipping out some ugali with the intent to eat it….I’m being absorbed….I’ve GOT to get our of here…first babies, now ugali…pretty soon I’ll have a runny nose and be hanging on Jeff eeeeeeeesshhhh.
I talked to a mother and about 4 yr old on the ‘road’ outside the fence today and the mom asked if her snotlocker (my translation) could touch me. He hadn’t ever touched a mzungu. I watched as he cautiously felt my hand and arm. I could tell that he is a very smart boy, as when I asked if he also would like my autograph, he had the very early rendering of Jeff’s look.
So, let’s start back a couple of days…about 7 pm. J & C and I were hiding out in the room set aside for visitors..and no, it’s not the bathroom. I have been able to show them some tricks about getting away from the kids. I have gotten to be a world class children avoider. The other day I heard some of them talking (from my hiding), “Where do you suppose that Babu is?” “I can’t even smell him anymore, so you think he is becoming one of us” (It was a great revelation when I quit using deet) But I digress. Carla was holding baby Dorcas as we were talking, and B D wasn’t doing well, in fact it turned serious in a matter of a couple of hours. Jeff said he’d go for the doctor and headed down the hall. Then B D stopped breathing and had to be prodded to start again. Time for Carla to go with Jeff, rather than wait for the doctor. Holding down the fort and praying and waiting was me, who doesn’t like babies. 45 minutes later Toyota showed up with our 3 and the doctor. B D was fluctuating between really bad, to sort of okay. Shadrack (Dr) was really worried about her fever…HIGH. He then tried for almost 20 minutes to insert an IV to get some drugs into her. Now if you take the time to look back in FB, I was able to post a picture of B D and you can see how small she is. Shadrack tried one hand and then the other, then the foot, and finally shave part of her head and tried for a vein there…none worked, but it did manage to bring tears to all the adults in attendance. Finally he gave her an injection….somehow he found enough muscle to get a needle in…that wasn’t as good, but was the only choice. She stabilized and J & C took her to there lair and like all good parent s, slept with B D between them. In the morning, her fever had eased, and she seemed to be better. About 9 am, her fever came back and seemed to be regressing. Back in Toyota and off to see Shadrack….Toyota has been to the clinic so many times, it probably doesn’t need a driver anymore. There, she wasn’t stabilizing, in fact Shadrack had to hold her almost upside down to keep her breathing.. so they made the decision to go to Kitale..baby inverted.. to an actual, real, quality pediatrician, who took her right in and gave her 3 injections immediately. A little better, but still having the fever, they opted for the hospital. Now, I know what you are thinking,,, because you have been diligent in absorbing every word from Safarislim…. Hospital…eeeegads…why not somewhere safe….my words exactly when Jeff called with an update. Turns out that they weren’t taking her to ’maybe we will help you’ hospital, but to another one that must be private. Much contrary to Kenyan upbringing, as soon as B D got thru the door, the staff quickly evaluated her and had an IV in within minutes. If I had been there, I would have asked if we were still in Kenya. Anyway, I know this is getting long, and my one typing finger is getting a blister, but let me finish this thought before I forget what I am saying….might be too late even now. They ran some tests on B D and came back with: Aggressive malaria (which Shadrack had indicated), Typhoid, TB, and pneumonia. Other than that, this 13 month old was in the picture of health….must be a Picasso. She began to do better and even after a while, the fever started down. Carla, like she has done many times before, spent the night with B D. Jeff and I went in to see them last night to take them clothes etc, and I was totally shocked to see that there were only 10 beds in the 12x12 room, and only 1 patient per bed….AND sheets and blankets. For an instant I was ready to check in myself.
That brings us to today. B D slept well and long and is doing much better…not clear yet, but better…and Carla is doing just fine. Why so much on this one incident, you ask. Well, this isn’t America and so these things can get out of hand quickly. Serious diseases are more prevalent in the tropics and remember, there is no 911, and we are miles, well kilometers from help, and then there are the “roads’. Hopefully you are getting some small idea of life here, but it’s impossible to tell how it really is….I am still amazed at how much in love J & C are with these kids…even the ones that have only been here a short time. So that is that, except that after waiting for some hours this morning I had to text Carla to find out how B D and her were doing….I was irritated until I remembered that ’I don’t do babies’.
Yesterday 2 men showed up out of nowhere with just what they were wearing. “sheaob kdie neeil liikeh aiinet” they said, assuming I had some idea of what they were saying. “Yes” I replied, not to be outdone, “
a2 +b2=c2.” I smiled, and they smiled….”You do not speak Swahili” one said….not to be one upped, I said “You don’t speak mathematics.” Just then, Eliud arrived and said that the men were here to fabricate and weld some new charcoal burners. “May I watch?” I asked, noting that they had no metal, tools, or welder. “Yes, as soon as you find us some metal, tools and welder” is what I heard. “Oh, pole sana”(very sorry) I said, impressing them with my grasp of their native tongue. As I set about rounding up OUR metal, OUR tools and OUR welder for them to do THEIR contracted work, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could use some Kenyan ways in my contracting business at home. I should pass that idea on to some of my competitors. Funny, if I need a “barbeque’ at home, I go to Giant Store and buy one. The only Giant Store I can find here is one called ’Gigamatt’. It has everything except barbeques. So that left us here with two guys and our tools. I sat down to watch these two primitive guys….I needed a little mocking time. They started hacking and chiseling and hammering and darned if they didn’t have an almost perfectly round short tube about the size of …mmmm a charcoal burner, I guess. By the end of the day, they had almost 3 burners done….all done in the dirt. It was pretty amazing. The only drawback seemed to be that the guy (Geoff) that was doing the welding didn’t use ANY eye protection….yet he said he could still see me around the black spots in the middle of his eyes. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s common here.
The men have the clinic foundation just about done, and they are started on dorm 1. We have run into a delay waiting for materials and so if you don’t mind, would you pray that God will either hold off the rain, send materials quickly, or the one I like the best; make the men work like crazy when the materials get here…just kidding, these guys work harder than most wazungus I know. I’ll see if I can post pictures when I can.
There is lots I don’t tell you…aren’t you glad…for a ‘laidback’ lifestyle, this sure is a ‘gofast’ place. So much of what shocked me earlier on is now becoming my way…I even caught myself chipping out some ugali with the intent to eat it….I’m being absorbed….I’ve GOT to get our of here…first babies, now ugali…pretty soon I’ll have a runny nose and be hanging on Jeff eeeeeeeesshhhh.
I talked to a mother and about 4 yr old on the ‘road’ outside the fence today and the mom asked if her snotlocker (my translation) could touch me. He hadn’t ever touched a mzungu. I watched as he cautiously felt my hand and arm. I could tell that he is a very smart boy, as when I asked if he also would like my autograph, he had the very early rendering of Jeff’s look.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Installment 27
Installment 27
The day finally came! After 6 weeks of “we’re just about ready”, I was able to tell Jeff that we would be starting to clear the land for the clinic. “But I haven’t seen any pigs flying” says Jeff. I told him that aerodynamically speaking, pigs would have a difficult time flying. “Didn’t you say a couple weeks ago that you thought pigs would probably be flying before we actually started building?” he craftily chides me. “I think that was your comment.” I volleyed. “was not”….”was too”….”not”….”too”….”not”….”too” And without any adult supervision this went on for quite awhile…until we both slinked off, each thinking how immature the other was….and Jeff really is! Anyway, with the contract signed, the ‘Fundi’ (contractor) came yesterday and proclaimed that the excavation would start at 8:00 am. I mentioned that I hadn’t seen any heavy equipment recently and asked “diesel or gasoline?” “Ugali” said Fundi. Just then about 20 men came around the corner…still chewing on what I can only guess was ugali. Because of the high glue content, it is idea for manual laborers as they don’t have to stop for lunch….just keep chewing. Fundi told the men to act like they didn’t speak any English if I talked to them. Which is fine with me, because after reading some of my previous blogs, I’m not sure I speak English either. With that they set out. I mean really, “set out”. That’s what they call establishing the parameters of the building and excavation lines. They used the corners that Dale had set and started pulling strings. Soon, Fundi lined the men up and said “Enda.” I said “no, you mean ‘starta‘.” I didn’t see it, but somewhere in the contract it must have specified ‘Contractors’ use of ‘Jeff’s look’, because Fundi used it perfectly. Strangely, ‘enda’ in Swahili means ‘go’….which then he turned to me, pointed and said “ENDA”….and because the men all had shorthandled heavy hoes, I thought I’d give them some room to work. They call the hoes….not the ghetto slang type by the way, ‘jembas’. Might be jimba, but it is the primary digging instrument here. No picks and only a few shovels….they move dirt, grass, cow dung, and evidently any mzungu that happen to misunderstand ‘enda’. I’ll try to get a couple of pics up tomorrow when we go to English Lady’s. I can’t tell you how different the building techniques are here, without showing my total ignorance, so I won’t. But what would take one man and one machine a few hours to do, it took 20 men two days. Fundi says we are on schedule. So, the clinic site is ready for the many trenches that need to be dug…about 3 feet deep, and we also have dorm #1 site cleared and ready for ‘set out’. The rumor is that if I stay at least 50 meters from the site, we will be pouring cement footings by Thursday. There is a ton of detail yet to get organized, but I’ll get it, or my name isn’t Safarislim….oh wait??? Should be tons and tons of sand, rock, cement, and building stones here by the end of next week….I’m a little concerned about throwing the earth out of balance with all the weight here. And somehow, we have found a couple of outlets that have enough timber for us…I think God is at work again.
It took awhile, but Dorcas’s mom got back to her family and is hopefully safe. Turns out that a woman has been ‘renting’ her out to men and had hidden her…but she was rooted out and now has been returned to her family near Nairobi. Of course, nothing will happen to the woman….even though Mama Dorcas has mental problems. On a happy note, Riziki is doing really well and smiles quite abit…and Dorcas is still gaining weight, but still looks like a new born, but is becoming much more active. For now, the various diseases and stuff are at a minimum. With 93, there will always be some on medicine, but God has been gracious and the health here is good.
After the Gold Bond incident, I have been careful to move my Preparation H to another location….not being sure what it would do to my tongue.
The day finally came! After 6 weeks of “we’re just about ready”, I was able to tell Jeff that we would be starting to clear the land for the clinic. “But I haven’t seen any pigs flying” says Jeff. I told him that aerodynamically speaking, pigs would have a difficult time flying. “Didn’t you say a couple weeks ago that you thought pigs would probably be flying before we actually started building?” he craftily chides me. “I think that was your comment.” I volleyed. “was not”….”was too”….”not”….”too”….”not”….”too” And without any adult supervision this went on for quite awhile…until we both slinked off, each thinking how immature the other was….and Jeff really is! Anyway, with the contract signed, the ‘Fundi’ (contractor) came yesterday and proclaimed that the excavation would start at 8:00 am. I mentioned that I hadn’t seen any heavy equipment recently and asked “diesel or gasoline?” “Ugali” said Fundi. Just then about 20 men came around the corner…still chewing on what I can only guess was ugali. Because of the high glue content, it is idea for manual laborers as they don’t have to stop for lunch….just keep chewing. Fundi told the men to act like they didn’t speak any English if I talked to them. Which is fine with me, because after reading some of my previous blogs, I’m not sure I speak English either. With that they set out. I mean really, “set out”. That’s what they call establishing the parameters of the building and excavation lines. They used the corners that Dale had set and started pulling strings. Soon, Fundi lined the men up and said “Enda.” I said “no, you mean ‘starta‘.” I didn’t see it, but somewhere in the contract it must have specified ‘Contractors’ use of ‘Jeff’s look’, because Fundi used it perfectly. Strangely, ‘enda’ in Swahili means ‘go’….which then he turned to me, pointed and said “ENDA”….and because the men all had shorthandled heavy hoes, I thought I’d give them some room to work. They call the hoes….not the ghetto slang type by the way, ‘jembas’. Might be jimba, but it is the primary digging instrument here. No picks and only a few shovels….they move dirt, grass, cow dung, and evidently any mzungu that happen to misunderstand ‘enda’. I’ll try to get a couple of pics up tomorrow when we go to English Lady’s. I can’t tell you how different the building techniques are here, without showing my total ignorance, so I won’t. But what would take one man and one machine a few hours to do, it took 20 men two days. Fundi says we are on schedule. So, the clinic site is ready for the many trenches that need to be dug…about 3 feet deep, and we also have dorm #1 site cleared and ready for ‘set out’. The rumor is that if I stay at least 50 meters from the site, we will be pouring cement footings by Thursday. There is a ton of detail yet to get organized, but I’ll get it, or my name isn’t Safarislim….oh wait??? Should be tons and tons of sand, rock, cement, and building stones here by the end of next week….I’m a little concerned about throwing the earth out of balance with all the weight here. And somehow, we have found a couple of outlets that have enough timber for us…I think God is at work again.
It took awhile, but Dorcas’s mom got back to her family and is hopefully safe. Turns out that a woman has been ‘renting’ her out to men and had hidden her…but she was rooted out and now has been returned to her family near Nairobi. Of course, nothing will happen to the woman….even though Mama Dorcas has mental problems. On a happy note, Riziki is doing really well and smiles quite abit…and Dorcas is still gaining weight, but still looks like a new born, but is becoming much more active. For now, the various diseases and stuff are at a minimum. With 93, there will always be some on medicine, but God has been gracious and the health here is good.
After the Gold Bond incident, I have been careful to move my Preparation H to another location….not being sure what it would do to my tongue.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Installment 26 try again
Installment 26
Africa has taught and is teaching me many lessons. First, never enter a ground war in southeast Asia. More recently, like this morning, I learned that it isn’t a good idea to put your Gold Bond medicated cream next to your toothpaste. I’ll let you fill in the blanks, but my teeth didn’t itch at all today.
This was a milestone day in that Instep signed a building contract with our local contractor. I’ve been working on it for over a month and really the deal has been in the works for over a year. We have a lot of things to work out yet, but we are moving….well not us, think how hard it would be for this mob to move..even using Kenya standards, it would take at least 4 vans to get everyone in. (8 passenger vans) If you have been here, you know what I’m saying. Tomorrow Jeff and I will begin the ordering process. We need to get the heavy materials on the ground here before the rain starts in earnest… well in Kenya anyway. Since they build with bricks and stone here, we are talking many many tons of material. Looks like everything is available except the lumber (timber). I’m afraid I’m alittle nervous about getting what we need…you might be praying.
An interesting thing happened today. I was cutting some plywood for the storage and had about 20 ¾ x¾ x 36 inch pieces left, which for some unknown reason I gave to the older kids…and then I ran away and watched. What do you think happened? Because these kids are all brought up the same, they naturally reacted to the sticks the same, right! Because boys and girls are the same and it’s just culture that make them different, this is a good test ground. Yep, the boys began using them as swords and the girls used them as horses and some put them together making a ‘house’. I just thought that was fun to watch. Kids are kids.
Our new little Dorcas went in to see a pediatrician today. She is the one that is 13 months old and is currently 8lb 4oz, up from 7 something a couple of weeks ago. She needs some medication and good food. The medication is no problem, but the food thing….. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to see how well the kids are taken care of here.
You know, the hope is that the kids here will have major heart change and make Kenya a better place. Tonight I came across two boys and a girl…10, 10 and 7 arguing and the girl crying. I put on my best interpretation of an authority figure and asked each to tell what happened….3 similar but different stories. So I got strict, and told them that after dinner I wanted to see them. Here they came, to me outside, heads down….they knew life was over as they knew it. Looking them in the eyes, I had each tell their version. The common theme had to do with one of them stealing a bead from another and then some hitting and accusations etc. I know they expected Babu to feed them to the pigs…if we had pigs. But I sat down with them and we talked about integrity honesty and putting others first. It was a classic teachable moment. I don’t know how much impact that one time will have, but it is part of an ongoing theme. You know, when you put your arms around a kid that expects you to hate him, and tell him you love him, it has an impact. Now you know that I don’t care for kids, so this is just a tale I made up to impress you with my great wisdom….
Looks like my best friend won’t be able to come. I guess you know how that affects me, but there is joy in both of us feeling that we are being obedient. But, if any of you just happens to be coming here shortly, I need a couple of prescriptions brought from home, as it looks as if I will be extending my stay for 3 more weeks longer than I had planned….to make sure the project get started well.
No stima tonight, and no generator. Eliud took it in to the shop where we bought it because it still is messed up. “We need it right away, because we don’t have stima most nights.” E tell the store manager. “We will take care of it right now. We have a truck going to Nairobi and will be able to get it repaired within a week. Would you like to wait?” So, it goes without saying that it dark here now….oh, I just said it, didn’t I.
Hey, would you pray for me, I really want to get this project going in a easy to manage way so that it can run as efficiently as possible. I need wisdom in getting all the correct accountability in place. Thanks. I’ll leave you with this; a cook came up to me tonight and asked if mosquitoes have teeth. “No way” I said. “They have 47 teeth” she says. I bet her 1 shilling…1.2 cents.. she is wrong. So your homework is to find out and get back to me…..I’ll split the winnings with you
Africa has taught and is teaching me many lessons. First, never enter a ground war in southeast Asia. More recently, like this morning, I learned that it isn’t a good idea to put your Gold Bond medicated cream next to your toothpaste. I’ll let you fill in the blanks, but my teeth didn’t itch at all today.
This was a milestone day in that Instep signed a building contract with our local contractor. I’ve been working on it for over a month and really the deal has been in the works for over a year. We have a lot of things to work out yet, but we are moving….well not us, think how hard it would be for this mob to move..even using Kenya standards, it would take at least 4 vans to get everyone in. (8 passenger vans) If you have been here, you know what I’m saying. Tomorrow Jeff and I will begin the ordering process. We need to get the heavy materials on the ground here before the rain starts in earnest… well in Kenya anyway. Since they build with bricks and stone here, we are talking many many tons of material. Looks like everything is available except the lumber (timber). I’m afraid I’m alittle nervous about getting what we need…you might be praying.
An interesting thing happened today. I was cutting some plywood for the storage and had about 20 ¾ x¾ x 36 inch pieces left, which for some unknown reason I gave to the older kids…and then I ran away and watched. What do you think happened? Because these kids are all brought up the same, they naturally reacted to the sticks the same, right! Because boys and girls are the same and it’s just culture that make them different, this is a good test ground. Yep, the boys began using them as swords and the girls used them as horses and some put them together making a ‘house’. I just thought that was fun to watch. Kids are kids.
Our new little Dorcas went in to see a pediatrician today. She is the one that is 13 months old and is currently 8lb 4oz, up from 7 something a couple of weeks ago. She needs some medication and good food. The medication is no problem, but the food thing….. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to see how well the kids are taken care of here.
You know, the hope is that the kids here will have major heart change and make Kenya a better place. Tonight I came across two boys and a girl…10, 10 and 7 arguing and the girl crying. I put on my best interpretation of an authority figure and asked each to tell what happened….3 similar but different stories. So I got strict, and told them that after dinner I wanted to see them. Here they came, to me outside, heads down….they knew life was over as they knew it. Looking them in the eyes, I had each tell their version. The common theme had to do with one of them stealing a bead from another and then some hitting and accusations etc. I know they expected Babu to feed them to the pigs…if we had pigs. But I sat down with them and we talked about integrity honesty and putting others first. It was a classic teachable moment. I don’t know how much impact that one time will have, but it is part of an ongoing theme. You know, when you put your arms around a kid that expects you to hate him, and tell him you love him, it has an impact. Now you know that I don’t care for kids, so this is just a tale I made up to impress you with my great wisdom….
Looks like my best friend won’t be able to come. I guess you know how that affects me, but there is joy in both of us feeling that we are being obedient. But, if any of you just happens to be coming here shortly, I need a couple of prescriptions brought from home, as it looks as if I will be extending my stay for 3 more weeks longer than I had planned….to make sure the project get started well.
No stima tonight, and no generator. Eliud took it in to the shop where we bought it because it still is messed up. “We need it right away, because we don’t have stima most nights.” E tell the store manager. “We will take care of it right now. We have a truck going to Nairobi and will be able to get it repaired within a week. Would you like to wait?” So, it goes without saying that it dark here now….oh, I just said it, didn’t I.
Hey, would you pray for me, I really want to get this project going in a easy to manage way so that it can run as efficiently as possible. I need wisdom in getting all the correct accountability in place. Thanks. I’ll leave you with this; a cook came up to me tonight and asked if mosquitoes have teeth. “No way” I said. “They have 47 teeth” she says. I bet her 1 shilling…1.2 cents.. she is wrong. So your homework is to find out and get back to me…..I’ll split the winnings with you
Installment 26
Installment 26
Africa has taught and is teaching me many lessons. First, never enter a ground war in southeast Asia. More recently, like this morning, I learned that it isn’t a good idea to put your Gold Bond medicated cream next to your toothpaste. I’ll let you fill in the blanks, but my teeth didn’t itch at all today.
This was a milestone day in that Instep signed a building contract with our local contractor. I’ve been working on it for over a month and really the deal has been in the works for over a year. We have a lot of things to work out yet, but we are moving….well not us, think how hard it would be for this mob to move..even using Kenya standards, it would take at least 4 vans to get everyone in. (8 passenger vans) If you have been here, you know what I’m saying. Tomorrow Jeff and I will begin the ordering process. We need to get the heavy materials on the ground here before the rain starts in earnest… well in Kenya anyway. Since they build with bricks and stone here, we are talking many many tons of material. Looks like everything is available except the lumber (timber). I’m afraid I’m alittle nervous about getting what we need…you might be praying.
An interesting thing happened today. I was cutting some plywood for the storage and had about 20 ¾ x¾ x 36 inch pieces left, which for some unknown reason I gave to the older kids…and then I ran away and watched. What do you think happened? Because these kids are all brought up the same, they naturally reacted to the sticks the same, right! Because boys and girls are the same and it’s just culture that make them different, this is a good test ground. Yep, the boys began using them as swords and the girls used them as horses and some put them together making a ‘house’. I just thought that was fun to watch. Kids are kids.
Our new little Dorcas went in to see a pediatrician today. She is the one that is 13 months old and is currently 8lb 4oz, up from 7 something a couple of weeks ago. She needs some medication and good food. The medication is no problem, but the food thing….. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to see how well the kids are taken care of here.
You know, the hope is that the kids here will have major heart change and make Kenya a better place. Tonight I came across two boys and a girl…10, 10 and 7 arguing and the girl crying. I put on my best interpretation of an authority figure and asked each to tell what happened….3 similar but different stories. So I got strict, and told them that after dinner I wanted to see them. Here they came, to me outside, heads down….they knew life was over as they knew it. Looking them in the eyes, I had each tell their version. The common theme had to do with one of them stealing a bead from another and then some hitting and accusations etc. I know they expected Babu to feed them to the pigs…if we had pigs. But I sat down with them and we talked about integrity honesty and putting others first. It was a classic teachable moment. I don’t know how much impact that one time will have, but it is part of an ongoing theme. You know, when you put your arms around a kid that expects you to hate him, and tell him you love him, it has an impact. Now you know that I don’t care for kids, so this is just a tale I made up to impress you with my great wisdom….
Looks like my best friend won’t be able to come. I guess you know how that affects me, but there is joy in both of us feeling that we are being obedient. But, if any of you just happens to be coming here shortly, I need a couple of prescriptions brought from home, as it looks as if I will be extending my stay for 3 more weeks longer than I had planned….to make sure the project get started well.
No stima tonight, and no generator. Eliud took it in to the shop where we bought it because it still is messed up. “We need it right away, because we don’t have stima most nights.” E tell the store manager. “We will take care of it right now. We have a truck going to Nairobi and will be able to get it repaired within a week. Would you like to wait?” So, it goes without saying that it dark here now….oh, I just said it, didn’t I.
Hey, would you pray for me, I really want to get this project going in a easy to manage way so that it can run as efficiently as possible. I need wisdom in getting all the correct accountability in place. Thanks. I’ll leave you with this; a cook came up to me tonight and asked if mosquitoes have teeth. “No way” I said. “They have 47 teeth” she says. I bet her 1 shilling…1.2 cents.. she is wrong. So your homework is to find out and get back to me…..I’ll split the winnings with you
Africa has taught and is teaching me many lessons. First, never enter a ground war in southeast Asia. More recently, like this morning, I learned that it isn’t a good idea to put your Gold Bond medicated cream next to your toothpaste. I’ll let you fill in the blanks, but my teeth didn’t itch at all today.
This was a milestone day in that Instep signed a building contract with our local contractor. I’ve been working on it for over a month and really the deal has been in the works for over a year. We have a lot of things to work out yet, but we are moving….well not us, think how hard it would be for this mob to move..even using Kenya standards, it would take at least 4 vans to get everyone in. (8 passenger vans) If you have been here, you know what I’m saying. Tomorrow Jeff and I will begin the ordering process. We need to get the heavy materials on the ground here before the rain starts in earnest… well in Kenya anyway. Since they build with bricks and stone here, we are talking many many tons of material. Looks like everything is available except the lumber (timber). I’m afraid I’m alittle nervous about getting what we need…you might be praying.
An interesting thing happened today. I was cutting some plywood for the storage and had about 20 ¾ x¾ x 36 inch pieces left, which for some unknown reason I gave to the older kids…and then I ran away and watched. What do you think happened? Because these kids are all brought up the same, they naturally reacted to the sticks the same, right! Because boys and girls are the same and it’s just culture that make them different, this is a good test ground. Yep, the boys began using them as swords and the girls used them as horses and some put them together making a ‘house’. I just thought that was fun to watch. Kids are kids.
Our new little Dorcas went in to see a pediatrician today. She is the one that is 13 months old and is currently 8lb 4oz, up from 7 something a couple of weeks ago. She needs some medication and good food. The medication is no problem, but the food thing….. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to see how well the kids are taken care of here.
You know, the hope is that the kids here will have major heart change and make Kenya a better place. Tonight I came across two boys and a girl…10, 10 and 7 arguing and the girl crying. I put on my best interpretation of an authority figure and asked each to tell what happened….3 similar but different stories. So I got strict, and told them that after dinner I wanted to see them. Here they came, to me outside, heads down….they knew life was over as they knew it. Looking them in the eyes, I had each tell their version. The common theme had to do with one of them stealing a bead from another and then some hitting and accusations etc. I know they expected Babu to feed them to the pigs…if we had pigs. But I sat down with them and we talked about integrity honesty and putting others first. It was a classic teachable moment. I don’t know how much impact that one time will have, but it is part of an ongoing theme. You know, when you put your arms around a kid that expects you to hate him, and tell him you love him, it has an impact. Now you know that I don’t care for kids, so this is just a tale I made up to impress you with my great wisdom….
Looks like my best friend won’t be able to come. I guess you know how that affects me, but there is joy in both of us feeling that we are being obedient. But, if any of you just happens to be coming here shortly, I need a couple of prescriptions brought from home, as it looks as if I will be extending my stay for 3 more weeks longer than I had planned….to make sure the project get started well.
No stima tonight, and no generator. Eliud took it in to the shop where we bought it because it still is messed up. “We need it right away, because we don’t have stima most nights.” E tell the store manager. “We will take care of it right now. We have a truck going to Nairobi and will be able to get it repaired within a week. Would you like to wait?” So, it goes without saying that it dark here now….oh, I just said it, didn’t I.
Hey, would you pray for me, I really want to get this project going in a easy to manage way so that it can run as efficiently as possible. I need wisdom in getting all the correct accountability in place. Thanks. I’ll leave you with this; a cook came up to me tonight and asked if mosquitoes have teeth. “No way” I said. “They have 47 teeth” she says. I bet her 1 shilling…1.2 cents.. she is wrong. So your homework is to find out and get back to me…..I’ll split the winnings with you
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)