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.
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