It is almost two weeks since our Lovely daughters left Kenya,It is unbelievable that time went so fast that girls are nolonger with us in Kenya.We miss you big.My children have been asking me when you guys are coming back and what I can tell them is that you will be back sometimes when the Lord makes it possible.You just connected with them.
I want to say that my family and I were greatly honoured to host you for a period of close to 3 months,our children,family,friends,church members and all the places you went,you connected so well and that was a prove that you are people who love christ.I want you to know that we love you and are proud of you. We miss you and how we wish we lived in the next door. Thanks Steve for the wise selection you gave us the Best for Africa this time.
Words,tears and feeling will always not express our sincere feeling and appreciation but want you to know that we have always thought you and have continued to tell many people about you and your Love for God.Our earnest prayer is that you will continue to be dangerous for Jesus in your own home tuff.Your impact will continue to be felt all over the places you went to.Visiting our small town in Mwingi was something to us as family and also for the entire community,not to mention the bed and breakfast with the stars and not scared of snakes and bugs.
Few days before the Youth Centre closed for August holidays I had the opportunity to ask the children what they think about and you,their words were few that 'they miss you and how they wished America was a stone throw they would be right with you.We will all continue to pray that the Lord will avail to you another opportunity to come back to the country of your friends.
I also want to apprecaite and salute the two weeks team under the Leadership of Steve and Tama Watson for coming over and working with our church and affiliate ministries,you did an excellent Job, the people you lead to christ are attending church and growing in the Lord.
Thank you for the great sacrifice to see souls saved and the kingdom advancing.
Please continue to pray that we will continue to be good disciplers of these new converts.
Our Youths were very much encouraged ,their passion for evangelism has grown deeper and they are getting dangerous for Jesus.
Our church this week and next week is getting ready for Kamuwongo church plant mission and are requesting that you be in much prayers.We plan to take up to 30 people and know the Lord will provide and use them greatly.This Saturday I drive to Kamuwongo to contact a wedding and drive back to Nairobi after the wedding.
Finally we wish all well with you families,If you ever get sometime come back and see us.I will look forward to hopefully see you before the end of the year.Stay in the fight for christ and know that your labour in the Lord is not in Vain.
You are loved and missed by us all,we pray that you will continue to stay in touch.
Love yo,all
Melissa,Jeff,Joe,Jane and sir Euti
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Note From Each of the Girls Continued
Wow...I don't even know how to put into words everything I have experienced while I have been here in Kenya. From teaching in the schools, playing with the children, door-to-door evangelism, and storying cloths; to safaris and sleeping under the stars, every experience has been AMAZING. You can truly see God's majesty in the simplest forms. Through a person coming to know Christ, a child's smile, or just sitting around a fire, in literally the middle of nowhere spending time with friends, both new and old. On the safari, God's creativity and humor could definitely be seen through the zebras, giraffes, elephants, and countless other unique creatures. The African sky is truly indescribable. The sunsets and sunrises both unimaginably beautiful, especially on the Masai Mara. We had the opportunity to sleep under the stars last Saturday night. The stars where more numerous than I have ever seen, and shooting stars went across the sky quite frequently. I have definitely been blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the majority of the summer in this amazing place, surrounded by amazing and encouraging people who truly live their lives to glorify God. It has been an amazing six weeks that has been filled with many experiences I will never forget.
-Rachel Haddon
My Misses:
Falling asleep on the couch with Melissa in my arms, Jeff's infamous yes's and no's with the raising of his eyebrows, Euti's laugh and "we'll talk about that later" quotes, Joe kicking me underneath the table during dinner and blaming Joab, Mama Christine's servants heart in EVERYTHING she does AND her sense of humor offering Rachel banana's knowing good and well she's allergic, monkey's, camels, and rhinos crossing the roads, teasing Deb about Bosco, sleeping under mosquito nets, WHEATABIX, walking into the classroom and having the children stand and greet, the children at the youth center in general, "How are you?!" sung in unison, Nakumatt, playing cards with the children in our apartment, a samosa and a cold coke, Jeff's drawings where he sign's them To: Chrisstin Judas - Love: Jeff Judas, Josaphine's Hiiiii, chicken in the dryer, the rooster who crows every 8.22 seconds, the Karina ENTIRE family: Jennifer, Bob, Shero, Kamau, Prince, Susan, Antony, and their oldest endearing celebrity daughter- Rena, Stephanie eating granola bars in church, speaking spanglish, PHILLIIIIPPPP!!! (thats for you Steph), all the teachers at the Youth Center, my teacher Eunice who wasn't just a colleague, but has become a dear friend, little Alvin coming to the apartment and asking where all the whites are, Saul's love for the Lord that was truly inspiring, ALL of the people of Baptist Chapel that know how to do worship right, African skies, and last but not least.....
Kenyans.
The adults. The youth. The children.
Every.
Single.
One of Them.
As we're coming to the end of our stay here, I don't know how to express my gratitude of the hospitality these people have shown us. I am forever grateful for them for they showed a generosity far beyond anything I could ever fathom. They showed who Jesus really was. They were the epitome of 2 Corninthians 8: 2-5...
"Out of the severe trial, there overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded for us with the privilege of sharing in their service to the saints. And they did not do as they expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."
God has blessed me and changed me. I'm not the same... and I'm thankful for that. I challenge everyone that has come across this blog and read what we've written to take the time to serve others. Missions in your home town, missions to another state, or missions to another country. Jesus is calling you. Will you answer Him? Where is he telling you to go?
Will you be dangerous for the Kingdom?
Will you be Tireless?
Fearless?
Relentless?
We pray that you will...
Your life will be changed because of it.
Love in Christ,
Chrissy
(aka: Christine in kiswahili)
-Rachel Haddon
My Misses:
Falling asleep on the couch with Melissa in my arms, Jeff's infamous yes's and no's with the raising of his eyebrows, Euti's laugh and "we'll talk about that later" quotes, Joe kicking me underneath the table during dinner and blaming Joab, Mama Christine's servants heart in EVERYTHING she does AND her sense of humor offering Rachel banana's knowing good and well she's allergic, monkey's, camels, and rhinos crossing the roads, teasing Deb about Bosco, sleeping under mosquito nets, WHEATABIX, walking into the classroom and having the children stand and greet, the children at the youth center in general, "How are you?!" sung in unison, Nakumatt, playing cards with the children in our apartment, a samosa and a cold coke, Jeff's drawings where he sign's them To: Chrisstin Judas - Love: Jeff Judas, Josaphine's Hiiiii, chicken in the dryer, the rooster who crows every 8.22 seconds, the Karina ENTIRE family: Jennifer, Bob, Shero, Kamau, Prince, Susan, Antony, and their oldest endearing celebrity daughter- Rena, Stephanie eating granola bars in church, speaking spanglish, PHILLIIIIPPPP!!! (thats for you Steph), all the teachers at the Youth Center, my teacher Eunice who wasn't just a colleague, but has become a dear friend, little Alvin coming to the apartment and asking where all the whites are, Saul's love for the Lord that was truly inspiring, ALL of the people of Baptist Chapel that know how to do worship right, African skies, and last but not least.....
Kenyans.
The adults. The youth. The children.
Every.
Single.
One of Them.
As we're coming to the end of our stay here, I don't know how to express my gratitude of the hospitality these people have shown us. I am forever grateful for them for they showed a generosity far beyond anything I could ever fathom. They showed who Jesus really was. They were the epitome of 2 Corninthians 8: 2-5...
"Out of the severe trial, there overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded for us with the privilege of sharing in their service to the saints. And they did not do as they expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."
God has blessed me and changed me. I'm not the same... and I'm thankful for that. I challenge everyone that has come across this blog and read what we've written to take the time to serve others. Missions in your home town, missions to another state, or missions to another country. Jesus is calling you. Will you answer Him? Where is he telling you to go?
Will you be dangerous for the Kingdom?
Will you be Tireless?
Fearless?
Relentless?
We pray that you will...
Your life will be changed because of it.
Love in Christ,
Chrissy
(aka: Christine in kiswahili)
Monday, July 23, 2007
A Note From Each of the Girls...
The pictures above are of Baptist Chapel, where we attend church and where Euti is the pastor; a view of one of the local slums, Koragosho, where we worked at the Youth Center; an African sunset from our safari
From Britain:
Well, our days are winding down here in Kenya. It's Monday night, and we're leaving next Wednesday. My heart is a bit torn as our departure is creeping in on us...I have loved it here these last 2 months. I've experienced so much here...from seeing and working in the slums, to living in an apartment with some of my close friends, trying many different foods (some good, some bad!), going to 2 African weddings (which last ALL day), seeing some of God's incredible creations like zebras and giraffes and African sunsets, and making so many new friends in Christ. The people of Kenya have encouraged me so much in my faith just by seeing their passion and love for our God....they have no inhibitions and worship greatly even though some of them have little. As I have sat in the chairs of a few different churches here, one with dirt floors and mud walls, I couldn't help but take note of the heart of worship that happens each week. In Kamuwongo, where Euti is from, people walk for miles to come to church on Sunday. There's no electricity, no cushiony chairs, no sound system or microphones, no computers or powerpoints, etc. But there is more glory and praise and honor that is lifted up to God than I have experienced anywhere in America. We have so many distractions and complain about petty things: mispelled words on the screen, the music being too loud, the music being too quiet, the preaching being too long or too short, etc. How foolish we must be to let these things take away from our worship to God! I've realized my need to worship God unashamedly and without distractions. I hope and pray God will use this experience here to shape and mold me to be more like Jesus, and I hope that you will be encouraged by the many pictures and stories you all will see and hear when we return. Can't wait to see you all!!!!!!!
From Jessica:
Well the trip to the bush went amazing! It was quite an interesting journey.... 3 1/2 hour drive just to get there and we had 9 people in Euti's car on the way there and 10 on the way home ... just use your imagination! As soon as we arrived we headed straight to the wedding. It was very different from what we would expect out of a wedding in America and like Brita said.... definately a lot longer! After the wedding we drove out to Euti's mothers house where we stayed the night. It was amazing out there... more of what you picture Africa to be like. Very simple lifestye and no city lights. That night Euti's brothers killed/cooked a goat for us to eat for supper and we also got to sleep under the stars that night! I think that had to be one of my favorite moments from this trip... I just love to look up at the stars... I think its an amazing reminder not only of how small I am but how big God is and how no matter where in the world I am He is always looking out for me and He definately has such bigger plans than I could ever imagine. This journey so far has made me realize more and more at what an amazing God we serve and how it is such a blessing to just be a part of His plan. The people here have truely blessed my heart with their amazing spirits and they have been such a great example of undignified worship! The past few weeks have completely flown by and I know that I am going to miss the people that I have met but it is a great feeling knowing that we are leaving this area into some amazing hands! I can see that God has great plans for Kenya, Nairobi, and especially for the people of Baptist Chapel! They are so outward focused and ready to serve and I can't wait to see what God has in store for them!
well.. its getting late but just check back tomorrow to hear from Christine, Rachel, and Euti!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Home Sweet Home!
Hey Everybody! Sorry it's been so long since you have heard from us but we have been so busy with the 2week team! They have a blogspot that highlights everything that went on during their time here so you can all check that out on the northside website. It's http://www.northsidebapt.com/ and you should be able to find a link on there somewhere.. just look for Mission Kenya!
Well, as for me (Powell), Chrissy, Brita and Rachel... we have moved back to Lucky Summer in the appartment under Euti. We have absolutely loved our time here.... we miss having all of the other mzungu's (white people) here with us but it has been great to feel like a part of the Wambua family. Every afternoon we play with the kids and Moma Joe (or Moma Christine), Josephine and Grace fix supper. It's just like we are a part of the family! We even colored pictures last night with the kids... Melissa and I drew a picture of the whole Wambua family, which included me, christine, britain, rachel and we even squeezed stepha in there! It truely feels like our home away from home here!
Since the 2week team has left we have been working at an orphanage during the day. Its an orphanage called Good Hope that currently has 50 children ranging from kindergarden to 8th grade. They have a director who is 'over' the orphanage but the two ladies who truely run the show are Moma Nancy and Aunti Emelda! They are two of the most awesome ladies I have ever met. They have such a love for the children there and truely give them a feeling of what it is like to have a family. They know each child by name, exactly what bed is their's and so much more! The children at this orphanage are very special however... they are true orphans in a way because none of them have a mother or father that is living but they do still have other relatives that are still around and that they still have contact with. They have all come there because their relatives cannot afford or are not able to care for them but the children do go to visit them once a year and they must go back with their relatives after they have finished the 8th grade. Moma Nancy has made it her job to make sure that the children are able to care for themselves and not be a burdon on their relatives. She, along with the few volunteers, have truely done an amazing job with the children! They are so sweet and well-behaved and so loving! When I look at them they are so happy and joyful but it almost brings tears to my eyes just knowing that they are missing out on having parents to run home to and have them all to themselves and it worries me knowing that they will leave the orphanage just after grade 8 and who knows what kind of situation they will be entering but i know God is definately using Moma Nancy and the others to prepare them for life and for their jouney ahead! The three pictures above are from our last day at the orphanage... but we hope to see them maybe one more time before we leave kenya!
Tomorrow we are headed out to the Bush! Euti's hometown! The 2week team made visit out there... even slept under the stars! But we are headed out there for a wedding on satuday ... church on sunday... and then back to lucky summer on monday! It should be an interesting journey but i hope we get to sleep under the stars again!!! Maybe Euti will even have a bed built outside for him again! Well, we will let you know how it all goes and we will see you in 2 weeks!
~Powell
Friday, July 13, 2007
These Currents Pull Us Across the Border...
i'm sitting here listening to the decembrists and one song in particular that BRINGS ME BACK in full force to my life in nairobi. not only for the fact that i listened to this cd a good bit while i was there, but also for the words that the decembrists sing. they are hopeful and sad at the same time, desiring peace-security-a better life, but those people the song talks about haven't seen it yet. if i close my eyes while i'm listening to this song, i'm there again, standing on kenyan soil and under those same breath-taking clouds. whew how i want to be back. i've been home a week and a half now, but every day here i am thinking almost all day about what my friends and family in kenya are doing. we're 7 hours apart, but that doesn't stop euticauls from calling me and checking up on me to see how i'm doing being back...he wants to know do my parents think i lost weight (he must be joking because he knows how much food he gave me to try to fatten me up, as if i needed to be fattened up)...he wants to know how is it seeing my family and friends again...do i remember that i have to bake brittany a fun-fetti cake (not cupcakes) when the girls get back in august. i miss him and his family immensely.
okay so initial adjustment after being back in the states, for those of you who are curious: i automatically spit out any water from the tap that i might accidentally swallow when i'm finished brushing my teeth because i'm used to doing it. driving on the right side of the road threw me for a real loop and i feel like i just got a brand new car (it's definitely NOT brand new i assure you). i surely am enjoying the heck outta some sweets. the south carolina heat and humidity are about to kill me. i have a love for my family and friends that i never felt quite as strong as i do now. but overall it feels like, and this is the best way i know to describe it, like i'm on vacation because the roads are so smooth, there are trash cans, things are kept up, there is wealth and everything is so NICE-looking. i've never had eyes to see things like this before, and never REALLY imagined it was possible. when your eyes become so accustomed to waking up to a different world every day (because africa is a different world), you see your own world from a completely different angle. we are rich beyond belief. it's such an odd thing to talk about becoming "used to" the slums and the extreme poverty that i saw on a daily basis, if anyone can become "used to" it--i became i guess somewhat accustomed to it without ever desiring to become calloused to it. i want for the people of koragosho (the slum where i worked) SO MUCH BETTER than what they know.
you know when i want to talk about kenya it's exciting and frustrating at the same time. i'm so excited to talk, i can share stories and conversations and things i learned from my time there. but then at the same time it's hard to express in words a lot of what i know and more than that--there's just a lot that i DON'T KNOW. i know that god is sovereign and that he has a kingdom that has not yet come where there won't be any poverty, or murder, or suffering, or sickness. i also know that in the midst of hardship and suffering there is beauty because god is there in the slums, too, and he moves and blesses and surprises and amazes. the people i met are some of the most beautiful, eager to serve people i have ever met in my life. in my journals the best way that i could find to summarize my time and my experience in africa was that "it's tough but it is beautiful." last night when i should have been sleeping i was awake flipping through kelly's book with pictures and little short write-ups from africa. i stared at those pictures, lost my breath--i had a feeling i can't explain somewhere between homesickness and helplessness. homesick for no place that exists, and i felt helpless because now here i am, on my comfortable couch back home safe and sound while back in kenya remain my good good friends and what is supposed to happen next? people i came to know and love will think about me here and wonder what it's like for me and for all of us in america. was kenya just a field trip for me, because i hope not. going back to the idea of what i learned and how much i still don't know, i think in the days and months to come i will still be sorting out what i saw and what i learned. i choose to trust that god used me in nairobi and for the amount of time that i was there, and that things will not always make sense to me but they are what they are and god is who he is. there is sin and disappointment in africa and there is love and beauty in africa the same as there are here in the united states. we are two different worlds but yet very much the same human race.
so here i sit. currently i am in clemson taking a language immersion program for spanish and so everyday i am speaking spanish and really am loving it. i can't wait for the team to get home from nairobi so i can see pictures and hear stories and be connected back to my kenyan home. oh my goodness i don't know what to do with all the feelings i have about those wonderful africans but at the moment i will just ask for your prayers for them. euticauls oversees the ministry of the youth center, where i taught class 2 every day, and they are run by donation. pray that they would be provided for and continue to expand and touch lives. they just finished building a dining hall (right now the kids eat their lunch outside) and so that is exciting. and then please pray for those precious boys and girls that make up the youth center...pray against abuse and pray for sufficient food and clothes and a place to cover their head and love from parents and freedom from sickness and disease. pray that they would continue to learn and advance in their studies--even though i am not there brilliantly teaching them any longer and everyone knows i will one day win a teacher-of-the-year award (that is a joke because before this trip i had never taught a day in my life). i'm going to talk to euticauls about organizing things like paper, pencils, chalk, even backpacks, and BOOKS. they don't have any books to read. i'm sure you could help if you wanted to.
i loved this verse while i was in kenya: "for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the lord." i saw his glory in africa and i see it here. there has to be a problem or two with the way the wealth of the world is distributed: there's for sure something wrong when we are living in exceptional wealth and they have barely enough food to eat. but god's glory cannot be hidden, in either place. i'm wrestling and coming to terms with the fact that i'll never be able to single-handedly combat the darkness in the world, the sin and injustice and pain. but i can deal with my own sin and then love like i'm supposed to love. i'm not very good at it, but i do it anyway.
euticauls, if you're reading this...
i'm used to the right "shift" key on your keyboard being broken, and so now i'm having to re-train myself to type with the left and right instead of just the left. tell jeff that i nod by raising my eyebrows now and squeeze him real hard for me!
hope.
stepha
okay so initial adjustment after being back in the states, for those of you who are curious: i automatically spit out any water from the tap that i might accidentally swallow when i'm finished brushing my teeth because i'm used to doing it. driving on the right side of the road threw me for a real loop and i feel like i just got a brand new car (it's definitely NOT brand new i assure you). i surely am enjoying the heck outta some sweets. the south carolina heat and humidity are about to kill me. i have a love for my family and friends that i never felt quite as strong as i do now. but overall it feels like, and this is the best way i know to describe it, like i'm on vacation because the roads are so smooth, there are trash cans, things are kept up, there is wealth and everything is so NICE-looking. i've never had eyes to see things like this before, and never REALLY imagined it was possible. when your eyes become so accustomed to waking up to a different world every day (because africa is a different world), you see your own world from a completely different angle. we are rich beyond belief. it's such an odd thing to talk about becoming "used to" the slums and the extreme poverty that i saw on a daily basis, if anyone can become "used to" it--i became i guess somewhat accustomed to it without ever desiring to become calloused to it. i want for the people of koragosho (the slum where i worked) SO MUCH BETTER than what they know.
you know when i want to talk about kenya it's exciting and frustrating at the same time. i'm so excited to talk, i can share stories and conversations and things i learned from my time there. but then at the same time it's hard to express in words a lot of what i know and more than that--there's just a lot that i DON'T KNOW. i know that god is sovereign and that he has a kingdom that has not yet come where there won't be any poverty, or murder, or suffering, or sickness. i also know that in the midst of hardship and suffering there is beauty because god is there in the slums, too, and he moves and blesses and surprises and amazes. the people i met are some of the most beautiful, eager to serve people i have ever met in my life. in my journals the best way that i could find to summarize my time and my experience in africa was that "it's tough but it is beautiful." last night when i should have been sleeping i was awake flipping through kelly's book with pictures and little short write-ups from africa. i stared at those pictures, lost my breath--i had a feeling i can't explain somewhere between homesickness and helplessness. homesick for no place that exists, and i felt helpless because now here i am, on my comfortable couch back home safe and sound while back in kenya remain my good good friends and what is supposed to happen next? people i came to know and love will think about me here and wonder what it's like for me and for all of us in america. was kenya just a field trip for me, because i hope not. going back to the idea of what i learned and how much i still don't know, i think in the days and months to come i will still be sorting out what i saw and what i learned. i choose to trust that god used me in nairobi and for the amount of time that i was there, and that things will not always make sense to me but they are what they are and god is who he is. there is sin and disappointment in africa and there is love and beauty in africa the same as there are here in the united states. we are two different worlds but yet very much the same human race.
so here i sit. currently i am in clemson taking a language immersion program for spanish and so everyday i am speaking spanish and really am loving it. i can't wait for the team to get home from nairobi so i can see pictures and hear stories and be connected back to my kenyan home. oh my goodness i don't know what to do with all the feelings i have about those wonderful africans but at the moment i will just ask for your prayers for them. euticauls oversees the ministry of the youth center, where i taught class 2 every day, and they are run by donation. pray that they would be provided for and continue to expand and touch lives. they just finished building a dining hall (right now the kids eat their lunch outside) and so that is exciting. and then please pray for those precious boys and girls that make up the youth center...pray against abuse and pray for sufficient food and clothes and a place to cover their head and love from parents and freedom from sickness and disease. pray that they would continue to learn and advance in their studies--even though i am not there brilliantly teaching them any longer and everyone knows i will one day win a teacher-of-the-year award (that is a joke because before this trip i had never taught a day in my life). i'm going to talk to euticauls about organizing things like paper, pencils, chalk, even backpacks, and BOOKS. they don't have any books to read. i'm sure you could help if you wanted to.
i loved this verse while i was in kenya: "for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the lord." i saw his glory in africa and i see it here. there has to be a problem or two with the way the wealth of the world is distributed: there's for sure something wrong when we are living in exceptional wealth and they have barely enough food to eat. but god's glory cannot be hidden, in either place. i'm wrestling and coming to terms with the fact that i'll never be able to single-handedly combat the darkness in the world, the sin and injustice and pain. but i can deal with my own sin and then love like i'm supposed to love. i'm not very good at it, but i do it anyway.
euticauls, if you're reading this...
i'm used to the right "shift" key on your keyboard being broken, and so now i'm having to re-train myself to type with the left and right instead of just the left. tell jeff that i nod by raising my eyebrows now and squeeze him real hard for me!
hope.
stepha
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Savia Bells and Machakos
Hey everyone! Thanks for being so patient, we've been quite busy lately! This past week (June 11-14) Stephanie and Brittany went to a primary school (grade 6-8) called, Savia Bells and I visited a school for the deaf in Machakos which is a 2 hour drive from Nairobi.
The girls described the school as one of the most poverty stricken schools (outside of the youth center) they've worked at. The playground area was extremely small and it consisted of a sewage strip that ran down the middle of the yard. The classrooms consisted of paper thin dividers with holes to which Brittany on occasion would peek through to make faces at Stephanie while she taught in the adjacent room. The walls between each class were built only 3/4 the way up, so you had to raise your voice so the students could hear you while you talked over the other teachers neighboring your classroom. They both had weak voices when I returned Thursday! Despite the difficult "teaching" enviornment, they taught various subjects- one being CRE (Christian Religious Education), to which they were able to add their own testimonies, and through this, a couple of children came to know Christ!
As for me, I had the opportunity to work at the Machakos School for the Deaf. This boarding school is home to approximatly 200 youth ranging ages 4-20. My first experience with the children began Tuesday at their morning assembly where 5 students would conduct worship by leading their fellow classmates through the signs of an assortment of songs. Words can NOT describe the beauty of these children signing to a song such as, "There is no God like our God" - some hummed, some closed their eyes, and some just rocked back and forth. It brought tears to my eyes each morning I watched them! My day consisted of observing various classes in different grade levels. At the end of each class I was able to share a little bit about myself - when they found out I was a special education major and that I had an interest in working with students who were deaf, they begged for me to stay there. If it wasn't for my sister getting married in August - I would have signed a contract right then and there! When Thursday came, I did not want to leave. If I hadn't had prior obligations to work in Nairobi, I would have finished up my time in Machokos!
After our fun filled adventures at the schools, we concluded our week by spending the weekend at our friend Jennifers home. Her lovely daughter Rina, took us out "American" style: We did some shopping at the infamous Masaii Market where we bargained our tails off and got a couple of steals. We ate at a resturant Sunday after church that had everything from salads, to hamburgers, to breakfast items. This satisfying lunch was followed by the movie, Next, starring Nicholas Cage. In between these outtings, there was a lot of rest and relaxation. Stephanie came down with the flu on Friday and did as much as her body would allow. She finally went to the doctor today (Tuesday) and got some medicine for this bug so she could be prepared for Steve and the girls arrival tomorrow (Wednesday).
It's hard to believe that we're already half way through the summer! Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers!
Can't wait to see you North Side...can you believe its less than 10 days that you arrive in NAIROBI, KENYA?! Get ready to have your life changed!!!!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
there's a first time for everything...
Well, it's Brittany here! Or Brita...or here in Kenya, I'm called "Britain." It's Sunday night right now and we are wrapping up the birthday party for one of Pastor Euticauls' sons, Jeff, who turned 8 yesterday. I tried to figure out what to write about for this first blog of mine, so I thought I would talk about some of my "firsts" that I've had since I've been here:
First day of school: Chrissy, Stephanie, and I taught at Lucky Shamir Junior School on Wednesday and Friday, and went to this HUGE competition of dancing, singing, poetry, and instruments on Thursday. It was so crazy because you just kind of get thrown into the lesson at wherever the teacher left off! No preparation at all! It's all pretty simple though and all of the kids speak English as well as Swahili. The kids absolutely LOVE us and I'm pretty sure I got harassed and stalked in the schoolyard by the "baby class" which are 3 and 4 year olds! It was quite funny. I taught class 2 and class 3 (2nd grade and 3rd grade). The kids here are so respectful, standing up and greeting you as you enter the class, and being so attentive and eager to learn and hear what you have to say...from experience, I can say that most American kids are the complete opposite! Some things that I took notice of in the schools are that all of the kids have small notebooks of paper wrapped in newspaper as a cover but share ragged textbooks, 1 for every 3 or 4 kids. They all share pencils, rulers, erasers, razor blades (yes, they use razorblades to sharpen their pencils), and share a small table as a desk with each row packed to the max. It's such a stark contrast from American schools where we each have our own space/desk, our own box of pencils, erasers, crayons, etc., our own notebooks with paper that we'll throw away if we mess up ONE word, etc. It has made me see how much we take for granted so many small things in America. I had some really fun times with the kids teaching them how to play hangman and duck, duck, goose and making kites from newspaper, string, and sticks. Tomorrow, Steph and I will start at a new school for the week while Chrissy (known as Christine here) will travel to a deaf school out of town for the week.
First meal in Africa: A bit similar to Brazil, I must say...rice, beans, vegetables, fruit, and meat. That's pretty much every meal. It's real good though...when we have a nice cold Coke, it tops it off!
First African wedding: Holy Cow! You haven't lived until you've sat through an all day wedding! The wedding was supposed to start at 10am so that's when we got dropped off. Pastor Euti didn't get there until like 12:30pm and he arrived with the wedding party! So here, they live off of "African time" which means if something starts at 10, it won't start until 11:30 or 12! So the wedding didn't officially start until like 1 or 1:15 and we finally left at 5:30pm! People we breaking out the newspapers and cd players during the wedding! It's much more like a church service though, with dancing, singing, shouting, etc. Not formal at all!
First Sunday in Africa: This morning we went to church at like 8:15 and Chrissy, Steph, and I taught the youth sunday school class. Then we went to the young adult sunday school class taught by our friend Joab, then went to the service which lasted from 10:30 until almost 2:00! It was definately different but awesome to be a part of worshiping God with another people group.
First week's highlights and funniest moments:
- "How do you feed it in space?" - this was what a British mother said in the DC airport before the flight to London...she was referring to how to feed her baby on the airplane!
- Teaching the kids at the apartment some card games like Go Fish and Spoons.
- Joe, Euti's oldest son, escorts us to school sometimes......and he's only 9! It's crazy that they won't let us walk anywhere by ourselves but they'll let us walk with a 9 year old as an escort!
- As most of you know, I don't like eggs...well, I had to eat them TWICE one day this week...I can definately stomach it, but it sure isn't my preference!
- Got to experience the "matatos" which are the public transportation vans/buses. We got on one the other day and it was like the ghetto club on wheels! It had a tv in it with rap videos and the loudest speakers ever! It was so funny we had to video it...hopefully you'll get to see it one day!
- First experience with Wheatabix....CHRISSY'S FAVORITE CEREAL! Chrissy told me that it's so disgusting, you just have to love it...so I had it at the bed and breakfast we stayed at the other night and it's everything I could've ever hoped for....it's this chunk of wheat cereal that once you add milk, it soaks it all up and instantly becomes like frosted mini wheats that's been sitting in the milk for 30 mintues....and of course it didn't have frosting. Chrissy and I will be sure to bring some back for you to try!
- Seeing a carful of young mzungu guys (white guys) as they pulled up beside us. Chrissy called it to our attention, and we all began freaking out...Steph so eloquently waved her hand out the window as if to give a "mating call." You can tell that the two of them have been out of the country for a month!
- We found a baby frog in our living room last night after my first rain in Africa!
- Today after church, as we were leaving, I asked Chrissy and Steph if we could go to Zaxby's for lunch and it was just pure torture to us to crave it and not get to go! So we started naming stuff we missed/wanted like Santa Fe, a salad with ranch dressing, some PICKLES (no, I have not had any since I've been here....I'm dying inside!), Chickfila, etc.
The pictures up top are of the beloved Wheatabix cereal, Euti's kids and some neighborhood kids hanging out with us in the apartment, and my 2nd grade class at Lucky Shamir.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and for keeping up to date with what is going on on this side of the world! We are looking forward to what God will continue to do through us here so please keep us all in your prayers! Check back soon for more updates! We love you all!
~Britain :)
Friday, May 25, 2007
Ode to Euti
When we met Euticauls he greeted us with hugs.
We bombarded him with questions to which he just shrugged.
We met his sweet family: Joe, Jeff, Melissa, and Jane
Their meals are better than American food, so we cannot complain.
They feed us beans, rice, ugali, spinach, chippaties, and cat...
OK, maybe not cat - but gives me a good laugh when I tell Steph that!
They won't let us walk and are making us plump,
so when we get back to the States the saying will be true...
that white girls can't jump!
He's made our stay here warm, welcoming, and then some-
Buying us beds, mosquito nets, a persian rug, and water by ton!
He's 10% water, and 90% Fanta
He loves coke too, so we'll take him to the museum in Atlanta!
That's only if he'll come to the States with us sometime-
He's been before and his passports too full but there's no harm in tryin'!
He looks out for us just like he's our dad,
That's one reason why we think he's totally rad!
He has a brother Phillip, and they're BFF's
When we ask a dumb question he tries not to laugh.
We decided to do laundry and then set the date,
When we asked him to join, he said sarcastically,
"Sure it will be a party... and then we'll have some cake."
We've been laughing and laughing till our stomachs ache,
He has become affectionatly known as Euti the Great!
We love you Euti!
Love,
Stephanie and Chrissy
Road Trip to Uganda
Hey everyone! Thanks for all your prayers for our safe travel and for our time spent in Uganda - it was quite an experience and we're excited to tell you all about it!
We were there from Thursday till Tuesday and in that short time, we fell in love with Uganda, the children, the people, other volunteers, and it made for one teary goodbye!!
The orphange is run by Ugandan women, called "Mama's", as well as volunteers that are referred to as "Aunties." The Mama's are there full time, and the Aunties are scheduled from 8am-5...sometimes 7pm. There are 60 children, ages newborn-5. There were 4 HIV positive children and 2 with full blown AIDS. These children have been either neglected, have parents that are in jail, parents that have been murdered, or have parents too poor to take care of them. Most of the days we were there all day, however, we had the opportunity to have "dates" with our children which consisted of spending half the day having one on one quality time with a child taking them into town or out to breakfast. In the evenings we would hang out with other volunteers, go into the market where we bartered for some pretty cool things, or talked to the native Ugandans.
Here is a typical run down of what a day consisted of:
Aunties assisted in helping the children with breakfast, changing diapers, bathing them, getting them dressed, play time, changing diapers, cleaning up spills, throw-up, taking them on walks, changing diapers, calming a crying baby, putting them down for naps, feeding dinner, and did we mention changing diapers? We had our work cut out for us - we came back with spit-up, throw-up, grass stains, and poop - baby poop and bird poop...we'll get into details later on that last one! :)
We got quite attached to several of the children....
It was heartbreaking to hear some of the older children talk with such excitement about their familes in America, but know that it would still be quite some time until they would see their familes. The court system is very manipulative in that it waits to make a ruling until enough time has passed that a family is willing to pay them money as a bribe to speed things along. There is a current case in which the family has been waiting 2 years for their child.
Stephanie fell in love with a boy named Victor who told her he loved her. She and Victor went on a double date with Chrissy and Junior and shared some juice and a pancake. At first he was very shy and timid, but after he got some food in him he was giggling and hugging Stephanie -obviously so happy to be with her. On the way home--and this is the kicker--he saw a dog and got scared and started crying a little bit. Stephanie picked him up and they kept walking. After a minute or so he said "auntie?" She answered him to which he responded with three words that sealed the deal that she was in love: "I love you." Victor is pretty quiet, he is about 3 or 4 years old (she still didn't quite figure this out from questioning him), and he is gentle and kind. After the one-on-one, whenever Victor saw Stephanie around the orphanage, he ran to her- never wanting to leave her! They were surely BFF's (best friends forever).
Chrissy fell in love with the 3 J's: Junior, Jimmy, and Jeremiah. Junior and Jimmy were both toddlers and Jr had the privilege of going on a date with Chrissy. They went to a restaurant by the name of Aussies that's run by an Austrailian woman where Jr. gorged on a big waffle with lots of syrup, and a bottle of Fanta. Jimmy was the flirt of the 3 J's and always greeted Chrissy with big hugs and flowers to place in her hair. Jeremiah was a 3 year old baby who is placed with the 1 year olds. Jeremiah has a disability that has not been labeled due to lack of medical resources. He was literally dropped 15 feet in a latrine pit (an outhouse) and no one knows for how long he had been there until he was found. The orphanage has had him ever since. He can't speak, walk, let alone stand alone. He hums and offers the biggest smile that just makes you melt and be thankful that you've even had the chance to know such a beautiful sweet boy.
Please look at the website for Amani Baby Cottage if you have time. We were encouraged to be a part, even if it was for just a few days, of such a neat ministry as this one. One night while we were there, the entire group of volunteers went out to dinner and we got the chance to hear Sue Ann (the orphanage's nurse) talk about how she came to Amani which is an inspiring story in and of itself--she basically sold everything she owned and left her home in the states after a mission trip brought her to Jinja and opened her eyes to the need for medical care that Amani had at the time. The founder of Amani is a lady in her young 30's, with 2 adopted Ugandan girls, and she came to dinner that night as well. The heart behind this place is huge and we know that the staff is closely following the Lord.
Some Highlights of Uganda:
(In no particular order)
1. Boda Boda: When we arrived to our bus stop Thursday morning, we needed to take a taxi to the orphanage. Or so we thought.... We had one thrill of a ride traveling by a Boda Boda which is equivalent to a mo-ped and/or dirt bike to get to our final destination. Euticauls had his own bike with driver, Stephanie and I had our own bike with driver, and then another boda boda carried our luggage. We have the whole thing on video - crazy fun!!
2. Who says we can't go to Africa and do all work but no play? Well, we played. We played all day on the NILE FREAKIN RIVER!!! Yes that's right, we went white water rafting, survived grade 5 rapids...well almost did so gracefully--because we flipped a lot! We quickly became known as the swim team of the group. We even got up enough courage at the end to raft the grade 6 rapid called the Bad Place. The scenery of the Nile was breath-taking--there were long breaks in between some of the rapids to work on our tans and eat fresh pineapple. Chrissy, however, failed to apply the necessary amount of chapstick required in this kind of African heat and ended up with a 3rd degree lip sunburn. Okay, I don't know if it was 3rd degree or not, but it was bad enough to make the kids ask what was wrong with her the next day at the orphanage.
3. On the last day, the director gathered everyone together in the yard for a staff meeting. Most of us had kids in our arms at the time...it was a big group of people sitting around the director in the grass...when all of a sudden, we heard some oohs and ahhs. It was at that moment that I (Chrissy) realized, as people pointed and looked around, that a bird had flown over and pooped on Ruthie's (one of the volunteer coordinators) head and on Stephanie's leg. I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face as I struggled to laugh due to my cracked, sunburned lips. Both pictures of our horrifiying incidents are posted for your viewing pleasure/laughter.
4. We got to do some American things such as watch Friends and play a couple rounds of Spades at night with the volunteers. Yes, Chrissy the Expert, taught me how to play Spades and I've become addicted! Think I may have to start my own Fest Group!!!
5. Nutella. (If you don't know what it is, go to the grocery store and get some because you're missing out on the greatest goodness we have ever tasted. We put it away in 2 or 3 days.
6. On the way back as we were going through the border of Uganda and Kenya, Euticauls wanted to purchase some pineapples before getting back on the bus. While standing there, we were approached by a skinny, Shaquille O'Neal Ugandan man. He began trying to sell us some things. Not really understanding what he was trying to say (we did manage to pick up a couple of words such as fanta, coke, and gold) and this one sentence, "If you are trying to run away from somebody, all you need is this..." At this moment he whips out some sort of knife, bigger than a pocket knife and big enough to make Stephanie jump 10 feet in the air. We both stared at each other and then back at the creepy man as he continued to ramble. As soon as he left we laughed hysterically over what had just happened and quickly found our father, Euti.
We were there from Thursday till Tuesday and in that short time, we fell in love with Uganda, the children, the people, other volunteers, and it made for one teary goodbye!!
The orphange is run by Ugandan women, called "Mama's", as well as volunteers that are referred to as "Aunties." The Mama's are there full time, and the Aunties are scheduled from 8am-5...sometimes 7pm. There are 60 children, ages newborn-5. There were 4 HIV positive children and 2 with full blown AIDS. These children have been either neglected, have parents that are in jail, parents that have been murdered, or have parents too poor to take care of them. Most of the days we were there all day, however, we had the opportunity to have "dates" with our children which consisted of spending half the day having one on one quality time with a child taking them into town or out to breakfast. In the evenings we would hang out with other volunteers, go into the market where we bartered for some pretty cool things, or talked to the native Ugandans.
Here is a typical run down of what a day consisted of:
Aunties assisted in helping the children with breakfast, changing diapers, bathing them, getting them dressed, play time, changing diapers, cleaning up spills, throw-up, taking them on walks, changing diapers, calming a crying baby, putting them down for naps, feeding dinner, and did we mention changing diapers? We had our work cut out for us - we came back with spit-up, throw-up, grass stains, and poop - baby poop and bird poop...we'll get into details later on that last one! :)
We got quite attached to several of the children....
It was heartbreaking to hear some of the older children talk with such excitement about their familes in America, but know that it would still be quite some time until they would see their familes. The court system is very manipulative in that it waits to make a ruling until enough time has passed that a family is willing to pay them money as a bribe to speed things along. There is a current case in which the family has been waiting 2 years for their child.
Stephanie fell in love with a boy named Victor who told her he loved her. She and Victor went on a double date with Chrissy and Junior and shared some juice and a pancake. At first he was very shy and timid, but after he got some food in him he was giggling and hugging Stephanie -obviously so happy to be with her. On the way home--and this is the kicker--he saw a dog and got scared and started crying a little bit. Stephanie picked him up and they kept walking. After a minute or so he said "auntie?" She answered him to which he responded with three words that sealed the deal that she was in love: "I love you." Victor is pretty quiet, he is about 3 or 4 years old (she still didn't quite figure this out from questioning him), and he is gentle and kind. After the one-on-one, whenever Victor saw Stephanie around the orphanage, he ran to her- never wanting to leave her! They were surely BFF's (best friends forever).
Chrissy fell in love with the 3 J's: Junior, Jimmy, and Jeremiah. Junior and Jimmy were both toddlers and Jr had the privilege of going on a date with Chrissy. They went to a restaurant by the name of Aussies that's run by an Austrailian woman where Jr. gorged on a big waffle with lots of syrup, and a bottle of Fanta. Jimmy was the flirt of the 3 J's and always greeted Chrissy with big hugs and flowers to place in her hair. Jeremiah was a 3 year old baby who is placed with the 1 year olds. Jeremiah has a disability that has not been labeled due to lack of medical resources. He was literally dropped 15 feet in a latrine pit (an outhouse) and no one knows for how long he had been there until he was found. The orphanage has had him ever since. He can't speak, walk, let alone stand alone. He hums and offers the biggest smile that just makes you melt and be thankful that you've even had the chance to know such a beautiful sweet boy.
Please look at the website for Amani Baby Cottage if you have time. We were encouraged to be a part, even if it was for just a few days, of such a neat ministry as this one. One night while we were there, the entire group of volunteers went out to dinner and we got the chance to hear Sue Ann (the orphanage's nurse) talk about how she came to Amani which is an inspiring story in and of itself--she basically sold everything she owned and left her home in the states after a mission trip brought her to Jinja and opened her eyes to the need for medical care that Amani had at the time. The founder of Amani is a lady in her young 30's, with 2 adopted Ugandan girls, and she came to dinner that night as well. The heart behind this place is huge and we know that the staff is closely following the Lord.
Some Highlights of Uganda:
(In no particular order)
1. Boda Boda: When we arrived to our bus stop Thursday morning, we needed to take a taxi to the orphanage. Or so we thought.... We had one thrill of a ride traveling by a Boda Boda which is equivalent to a mo-ped and/or dirt bike to get to our final destination. Euticauls had his own bike with driver, Stephanie and I had our own bike with driver, and then another boda boda carried our luggage. We have the whole thing on video - crazy fun!!
2. Who says we can't go to Africa and do all work but no play? Well, we played. We played all day on the NILE FREAKIN RIVER!!! Yes that's right, we went white water rafting, survived grade 5 rapids...well almost did so gracefully--because we flipped a lot! We quickly became known as the swim team of the group. We even got up enough courage at the end to raft the grade 6 rapid called the Bad Place. The scenery of the Nile was breath-taking--there were long breaks in between some of the rapids to work on our tans and eat fresh pineapple. Chrissy, however, failed to apply the necessary amount of chapstick required in this kind of African heat and ended up with a 3rd degree lip sunburn. Okay, I don't know if it was 3rd degree or not, but it was bad enough to make the kids ask what was wrong with her the next day at the orphanage.
3. On the last day, the director gathered everyone together in the yard for a staff meeting. Most of us had kids in our arms at the time...it was a big group of people sitting around the director in the grass...when all of a sudden, we heard some oohs and ahhs. It was at that moment that I (Chrissy) realized, as people pointed and looked around, that a bird had flown over and pooped on Ruthie's (one of the volunteer coordinators) head and on Stephanie's leg. I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face as I struggled to laugh due to my cracked, sunburned lips. Both pictures of our horrifiying incidents are posted for your viewing pleasure/laughter.
4. We got to do some American things such as watch Friends and play a couple rounds of Spades at night with the volunteers. Yes, Chrissy the Expert, taught me how to play Spades and I've become addicted! Think I may have to start my own Fest Group!!!
5. Nutella. (If you don't know what it is, go to the grocery store and get some because you're missing out on the greatest goodness we have ever tasted. We put it away in 2 or 3 days.
6. On the way back as we were going through the border of Uganda and Kenya, Euticauls wanted to purchase some pineapples before getting back on the bus. While standing there, we were approached by a skinny, Shaquille O'Neal Ugandan man. He began trying to sell us some things. Not really understanding what he was trying to say (we did manage to pick up a couple of words such as fanta, coke, and gold) and this one sentence, "If you are trying to run away from somebody, all you need is this..." At this moment he whips out some sort of knife, bigger than a pocket knife and big enough to make Stephanie jump 10 feet in the air. We both stared at each other and then back at the creepy man as he continued to ramble. As soon as he left we laughed hysterically over what had just happened and quickly found our father, Euti.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
a week in africa.
alright guys, i know you are all just dying to hear from me this time--chrissy has finally given up the keyboard.
today marks one week that we have been in kenya now and we want to bring you up-to-date on the things that have taken place since the last post.
chrissy told you about our first full day at the youth center on friday, and so by now we have had two more full days there. i absolutely LOVE. THESE. CHILDREN. you're going to have to take my word for it when i say that they adore us. it's true, they do. and they would love you too because they are simply not used to seeing white people, or muzungu's as we are commonly called. i thought the newness of our being there would fade but no, during our breaks when we play in the yard they ALL want to touch us: our hair, our skin, our face. they get our attention by saying "how are YOU" (especially the younger ones who don't know much more english than that) or "teacha!" and then just smile shyly and truly we are many times surrounded and almost knocked over or dragged down by these kids. my class is class 2 (2nd grade) and i am so excited to finally know all of their names. today i taught a lesson on the difference between to, too, and two...and a lesson on trusting god...and really whatever ann tells me to teach on the spot. it's crazy. i've had the chance to plan one lesson because i knew it ahead of time (on germs and properly preparing foods). tomorrow i'm going to bring a book to read and usually at the end of the day i teach them a game. hangman today was a HIT. chrissy is doing well and teaching all sorts of things like good leadership or science lessons. they are responding very well, but we both agree that there are times when we struggle to explain it as clearly as possible simply because of the language barrier--they do know english but there are times when we are glad to have a kenyan teacher in the room with us to clarify something they are not completely understanding. the staff at the youth center is wonderful. these teachers are getting paid not even a salary--it is so small you could only call it an allowance, euticauls told us. the youth center pays the teachers what they can, but they are running basically on donations and what someone might give for that month. most of these kids have lost one or both parents to hiv/aids, and their families would not be able to afford to send them to school if it were not for this ministry.
right now euticauls is still driving us to the school in the mornings, but soon we will walk because it is not far from our apartment. we look forward to being able to walk there soon. we walked home from church on sunday and i loved it because i felt like i was a member of the neighborhood for the first time. we saw a HUGE pig in the middle of the road walking and chrissy and i thought it was so funny, we took videos of it with our cameras. jane, euticauls' wife, must have thought we were crazy to be so entertained by a pig.
saturday morning we moved from the bed and breakfast we had been staying at, to our brand new home! an apartment right downstairs from the one that euticauls and his family live in. we were blown away by all that they had done for us with this: jane had put up curtains on the windows, there was a big persian rug in the living room...they really are doing so much for us to make us feel right at home here. we love them. the apartment is big for just two people so we spend most of our evenings upstairs with the family and eat our meals with them. saturday we spent the day moving in, getting set up, and getting to know euticauls' three kids and their neighborhood friends. these kids...oh my goodness...wonderful. joe, jeff, and melissa are 9, 7, and 6, and there are several other kids who we have gotten to know. we taught them every game we could think of outside in the little courtyard of our apartment. i've played a lot of jackpot lately. joe can't get enough of my ipod and his favorite song is none other than...yes...justin timberlake.
okay, so the weekend for us looked like a lot of hanging out and fellowshipping with the family. getting settled in. meeting the church body on sunday morning. whew, that is a story in itself! we went to sunday school and church--and so were at the church from 8:30a to 2:00p. i don't want to make this post too long, so i won't go into great depths about that but i was so eager to see the church and was blessed by the warmth with which each person greeted me.
sometimes i stop and think that this must be a dream. not only because i can't believe i'm here...that's not really what i mean...but i can't believe what an entirely different world this is. the slum is like nothing i've ever seen. i still can't wrap my mind around the extent of the poverty i see and the new things i am seeing, hearing, smelling, touching. suddenly the $100 worth of school supplies that chrissy packed make a world of difference. we are thrilled to know how far these pencils, paper, crayons, pencil sharpeners will go at the youth center. i am kicking myself now for not bringing more books with me. children's books or adult books, because the teachers have been passing around a few of the books for pleasure reading that chrissy and i brought along. the children get behind in copying the work from the blackboard because they have to stop and sharpen their pencils with a small razor blade. yesterday i noticed quenter, one of my students, writing with almost JUST the lead of the pencil between her little fingernails. everyone knows how much need there is in africa--and i have a million thoughts running through my head constantly as the problem-solving side of me comes out and i think about solving this on a broad scale...the root causes of why things are this way here. sometimes i just don't understand. but on a very real note, i am here now and i can help, and that is exciting. please keep praying for us.
today marks one week that we have been in kenya now and we want to bring you up-to-date on the things that have taken place since the last post.
chrissy told you about our first full day at the youth center on friday, and so by now we have had two more full days there. i absolutely LOVE. THESE. CHILDREN. you're going to have to take my word for it when i say that they adore us. it's true, they do. and they would love you too because they are simply not used to seeing white people, or muzungu's as we are commonly called. i thought the newness of our being there would fade but no, during our breaks when we play in the yard they ALL want to touch us: our hair, our skin, our face. they get our attention by saying "how are YOU" (especially the younger ones who don't know much more english than that) or "teacha!" and then just smile shyly and truly we are many times surrounded and almost knocked over or dragged down by these kids. my class is class 2 (2nd grade) and i am so excited to finally know all of their names. today i taught a lesson on the difference between to, too, and two...and a lesson on trusting god...and really whatever ann tells me to teach on the spot. it's crazy. i've had the chance to plan one lesson because i knew it ahead of time (on germs and properly preparing foods). tomorrow i'm going to bring a book to read and usually at the end of the day i teach them a game. hangman today was a HIT. chrissy is doing well and teaching all sorts of things like good leadership or science lessons. they are responding very well, but we both agree that there are times when we struggle to explain it as clearly as possible simply because of the language barrier--they do know english but there are times when we are glad to have a kenyan teacher in the room with us to clarify something they are not completely understanding. the staff at the youth center is wonderful. these teachers are getting paid not even a salary--it is so small you could only call it an allowance, euticauls told us. the youth center pays the teachers what they can, but they are running basically on donations and what someone might give for that month. most of these kids have lost one or both parents to hiv/aids, and their families would not be able to afford to send them to school if it were not for this ministry.
right now euticauls is still driving us to the school in the mornings, but soon we will walk because it is not far from our apartment. we look forward to being able to walk there soon. we walked home from church on sunday and i loved it because i felt like i was a member of the neighborhood for the first time. we saw a HUGE pig in the middle of the road walking and chrissy and i thought it was so funny, we took videos of it with our cameras. jane, euticauls' wife, must have thought we were crazy to be so entertained by a pig.
saturday morning we moved from the bed and breakfast we had been staying at, to our brand new home! an apartment right downstairs from the one that euticauls and his family live in. we were blown away by all that they had done for us with this: jane had put up curtains on the windows, there was a big persian rug in the living room...they really are doing so much for us to make us feel right at home here. we love them. the apartment is big for just two people so we spend most of our evenings upstairs with the family and eat our meals with them. saturday we spent the day moving in, getting set up, and getting to know euticauls' three kids and their neighborhood friends. these kids...oh my goodness...wonderful. joe, jeff, and melissa are 9, 7, and 6, and there are several other kids who we have gotten to know. we taught them every game we could think of outside in the little courtyard of our apartment. i've played a lot of jackpot lately. joe can't get enough of my ipod and his favorite song is none other than...yes...justin timberlake.
okay, so the weekend for us looked like a lot of hanging out and fellowshipping with the family. getting settled in. meeting the church body on sunday morning. whew, that is a story in itself! we went to sunday school and church--and so were at the church from 8:30a to 2:00p. i don't want to make this post too long, so i won't go into great depths about that but i was so eager to see the church and was blessed by the warmth with which each person greeted me.
sometimes i stop and think that this must be a dream. not only because i can't believe i'm here...that's not really what i mean...but i can't believe what an entirely different world this is. the slum is like nothing i've ever seen. i still can't wrap my mind around the extent of the poverty i see and the new things i am seeing, hearing, smelling, touching. suddenly the $100 worth of school supplies that chrissy packed make a world of difference. we are thrilled to know how far these pencils, paper, crayons, pencil sharpeners will go at the youth center. i am kicking myself now for not bringing more books with me. children's books or adult books, because the teachers have been passing around a few of the books for pleasure reading that chrissy and i brought along. the children get behind in copying the work from the blackboard because they have to stop and sharpen their pencils with a small razor blade. yesterday i noticed quenter, one of my students, writing with almost JUST the lead of the pencil between her little fingernails. everyone knows how much need there is in africa--and i have a million thoughts running through my head constantly as the problem-solving side of me comes out and i think about solving this on a broad scale...the root causes of why things are this way here. sometimes i just don't understand. but on a very real note, i am here now and i can help, and that is exciting. please keep praying for us.
tonight euticauls, chrissy, and i are taking a bus through the night to jinja, uganda. while euticauls goes to a meetings/conferences and handles his business there, chrissy and i will spend 4 or 5 nights at an orphanage there called amani baby cottage. at this point we don't know too much of what to expect but we can't wait to be there. you can pray that we would have safe travel and that all the plans would work out smoothly for this week. we'll be back in nairobi next tuesday night and from then on out will continue with our work at the youth center. we will be back in touch soon! we love you all tremendously and want to reiterate once again how encouraging you are with your comments, emails, facebook messages! keep them coming! we are continually blessed by your prayers.
so much love.
stephanie
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Friday = First FULL Day!!!!
May 11th... Today was our first full day in the schools!
Stephanie taught a couple of lessons on division, singular versus plural, and a bible lesson on trusting and obeying. She also led the students in a game of 7-up and she said they caught on fairly well and seemed to enjoy it.
My 3rd grade class received a chapter reading of "Charlotte's Web." I'm really having to scaffold them for many of the words and do a chapter summary once we're finished. I think it's a little above their grade level, but nonetheless, I think they're enjoying a read aloud. We also did a lesson on opposites, and a science lesson on water. We concluded with a couple rounds of hangmen which they thoroughly enjoyed. When I divided up the teams Boys versus Girls it was a huge hit. The girls loved parading around the room when they won - BOTH games.
After school ended at 4pm, we sat down with one of the assisstants at the school who made out a list of common phrases and words in Swahili. Just when I thought I was finished with school I'm given homework!!
But we don't mind at all - we think it's a beautiful language and it gets us one step closer to being able to "better" communicate with the children.
Just for kicks...say this: Jina lako ni nani?
Don't you love the way it rolls off your tongue? By the way, you just asked: Did you fart? (That's for you Hannah ;) ) Just kidding... you asked, "What is your name?" Start practicing 2 week team!!
Statistics show that after 8 years of age your ability to retain another language decreases - let us be the first to tell you that these statistics are very accurate! It has taken us 3 days to learn, "Abariyako" (how are you) - if Euticauls had a nickel for each time we asked him, "How do you say, How are you?" He and his family would be vacationing in the Bahamas, driving a hummer and affording the gas to drive it.
After our first full day at the school, we headed back to Euticauls' home to relax a bit before we were taken back to our Jennifer's. We ate some papayas and logged online again and celebrated some more when we saw their were 5 more posts to the last blog. If you haven't caught on, we LOVE it when you guys posts or send us emails/facebook messages!
We ask that you continue to lift us up in your thoughts and prayers -specifically that we will be able to commit these basic fundamentals of Swahili to memory.
In His Grip,
Chrissy
PS: We prayed for those of you that did the Silent Auction today, we can't wait to hear how much money you guys raised for Romania and Africa!!! Can't wait to see you in just a couple of months!!
Stephanie taught a couple of lessons on division, singular versus plural, and a bible lesson on trusting and obeying. She also led the students in a game of 7-up and she said they caught on fairly well and seemed to enjoy it.
My 3rd grade class received a chapter reading of "Charlotte's Web." I'm really having to scaffold them for many of the words and do a chapter summary once we're finished. I think it's a little above their grade level, but nonetheless, I think they're enjoying a read aloud. We also did a lesson on opposites, and a science lesson on water. We concluded with a couple rounds of hangmen which they thoroughly enjoyed. When I divided up the teams Boys versus Girls it was a huge hit. The girls loved parading around the room when they won - BOTH games.
After school ended at 4pm, we sat down with one of the assisstants at the school who made out a list of common phrases and words in Swahili. Just when I thought I was finished with school I'm given homework!!
But we don't mind at all - we think it's a beautiful language and it gets us one step closer to being able to "better" communicate with the children.
Just for kicks...say this: Jina lako ni nani?
Don't you love the way it rolls off your tongue? By the way, you just asked: Did you fart? (That's for you Hannah ;) ) Just kidding... you asked, "What is your name?" Start practicing 2 week team!!
Statistics show that after 8 years of age your ability to retain another language decreases - let us be the first to tell you that these statistics are very accurate! It has taken us 3 days to learn, "Abariyako" (how are you) - if Euticauls had a nickel for each time we asked him, "How do you say, How are you?" He and his family would be vacationing in the Bahamas, driving a hummer and affording the gas to drive it.
After our first full day at the school, we headed back to Euticauls' home to relax a bit before we were taken back to our Jennifer's. We ate some papayas and logged online again and celebrated some more when we saw their were 5 more posts to the last blog. If you haven't caught on, we LOVE it when you guys posts or send us emails/facebook messages!
We ask that you continue to lift us up in your thoughts and prayers -specifically that we will be able to commit these basic fundamentals of Swahili to memory.
In His Grip,
Chrissy
PS: We prayed for those of you that did the Silent Auction today, we can't wait to hear how much money you guys raised for Romania and Africa!!! Can't wait to see you in just a couple of months!!
Thursday: Half Day in the School
We have officially made it through jet lag and are adjusting well to our new home: Nairobi, Kenya!
Our first official day was Thursday (May 10): Euticauls picked us up at 9:30 to take us to the Youth Center. Words can't express the conditions we rode through. At first, we were riding through a neighborhood filled with beautiful, extravagent houses (literally homes you may see on MTV Cribs) and within a blink of an eye, it went from wealth to poverty. What a contrast it was. The roads weren't paved, pot holes everywhere (I could picture my mom calling the highway department wanting them to come fill the pot holes), homes made of cut boards and mud, children unattended, adults in small shacks selling 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand clothes/belts/shoes, etc.
I asked Euticauls how they perceived Americans and he said they think we're rich. For a split moment, I wanted to protest, but I'm glad I held my tongue. Although I'd like to say I'm one poor college student who racked up some debt to make this trip possible, compared to these Kenyans - I have it made. And I do. We are extremely spoiled.
When we arrived at the Youth Center, the children began screaming, giggling, and singing- almost as if in unison, "How are you?! How are you?!" We immediatly lit up, anxious to step out of the car to love on the children. Once we got out, they swarmed around Stephanie and I wanting to touch every part of our body: our hands, arms, face, hair. I was filled with a joy I've never experienced wanting to cry and laugh at the same time - but had to hold it together in fear they would think I'm some luny from America!
After we were shown around the school, we were immediatly thrown into the classroom. Stephanie is working with a young lady by the name of Anne, in a 3rd grade class. They are getting along really well and although Stephanie reiterates on a daily basis, "I'm not teacher material, I'm a communication major!" She's doing a fine job because I can hear her in my classroom that neighbors hers!
That's right, I have my own classroom - at least for now!! The teacher is on maternity leave and they still haven't found someone to replace her, so I'm filling in for now. Just wondering Lander Professors: Can this count as my student teaching? I mean.... I'll be in the schools for a minimum of 100 days, and I'll forward you my lesson plans, lesson reflections, attendence log, video tape/reflection - not to mention I already have a cooperating teacher and advisor on stand by to sign the forms. Food for thought :)
The students are extremely well behaved. When we enter, they stand to greet us with a "Hello madam, how are you today?" The adult/teacher will respond and ask a series of questions until they are told to have a seat. The students thank the adult and they sit and wait for instruction. I really wanted to brush off this ritual, thinking I didn't need this form of welcoming when I entered, but I have to remind myself: This is their form of respect to an adult and/or teacher, and I need to embrace rather than dismiss this culture.
Our lessons that Stephanie and I taught went smoothly, however, we are both in agreement of how heartbreaking it is to see the lack of school material these children have. Their notepads are notebook paper binded by newspaper, pencils are used until they are almost touching the eraser, chalkboards are scuffed up, and the eraser for the chalkboard is a small sample size piece of carpet. (Katherine M., I can not thank you enough for all the school supplies you gave me to distribute - we are currently dividing up the crayons, and will have to divide up the notebooks/paper so it will be evenly distributed to the students - I promise to take lots of pictures so you can see what you did!!)
I was disgusted with myself when I thought of all the times I began taking notes in class and tore the sheet of paper out because I didn't like the way I wrote my name or how I began a sentence. These kids do NOT waste. They use up the ENTIRE sheet of paper...front and back.
They are well mannered, disciplined, hardworking, and do as they are told. They are truly every teachers ideal students.
12:30 the kids are dismissed for lunch. Usually the Youth Center provides them a meal, but they didn't have money to fund meals this past week so they are being sent home for lunch. The Youth Center is completely faith based and relies on support from ministries and anyone else that is led to give, to provide for the students.
It was only a half day for us on Thursday - We went to Euticuals home where Jane prepared a feast for us and even had the chance to log on the internet. Stephanie and I had a small celebration over our 4 comments we had posted from our last blog....
(**Luj you too mom - we are meditating hardcore - budders - Hear that?)
Euticauls took us back to the Bed and Breakfast where we washed up, had dinner, and spent the rest of the evening journaling outside on the patio, under the veranda.
(Friday: To be continued on the next blog.....)
Our first official day was Thursday (May 10): Euticauls picked us up at 9:30 to take us to the Youth Center. Words can't express the conditions we rode through. At first, we were riding through a neighborhood filled with beautiful, extravagent houses (literally homes you may see on MTV Cribs) and within a blink of an eye, it went from wealth to poverty. What a contrast it was. The roads weren't paved, pot holes everywhere (I could picture my mom calling the highway department wanting them to come fill the pot holes), homes made of cut boards and mud, children unattended, adults in small shacks selling 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand clothes/belts/shoes, etc.
I asked Euticauls how they perceived Americans and he said they think we're rich. For a split moment, I wanted to protest, but I'm glad I held my tongue. Although I'd like to say I'm one poor college student who racked up some debt to make this trip possible, compared to these Kenyans - I have it made. And I do. We are extremely spoiled.
When we arrived at the Youth Center, the children began screaming, giggling, and singing- almost as if in unison, "How are you?! How are you?!" We immediatly lit up, anxious to step out of the car to love on the children. Once we got out, they swarmed around Stephanie and I wanting to touch every part of our body: our hands, arms, face, hair. I was filled with a joy I've never experienced wanting to cry and laugh at the same time - but had to hold it together in fear they would think I'm some luny from America!
After we were shown around the school, we were immediatly thrown into the classroom. Stephanie is working with a young lady by the name of Anne, in a 3rd grade class. They are getting along really well and although Stephanie reiterates on a daily basis, "I'm not teacher material, I'm a communication major!" She's doing a fine job because I can hear her in my classroom that neighbors hers!
That's right, I have my own classroom - at least for now!! The teacher is on maternity leave and they still haven't found someone to replace her, so I'm filling in for now. Just wondering Lander Professors: Can this count as my student teaching? I mean.... I'll be in the schools for a minimum of 100 days, and I'll forward you my lesson plans, lesson reflections, attendence log, video tape/reflection - not to mention I already have a cooperating teacher and advisor on stand by to sign the forms. Food for thought :)
The students are extremely well behaved. When we enter, they stand to greet us with a "Hello madam, how are you today?" The adult/teacher will respond and ask a series of questions until they are told to have a seat. The students thank the adult and they sit and wait for instruction. I really wanted to brush off this ritual, thinking I didn't need this form of welcoming when I entered, but I have to remind myself: This is their form of respect to an adult and/or teacher, and I need to embrace rather than dismiss this culture.
Our lessons that Stephanie and I taught went smoothly, however, we are both in agreement of how heartbreaking it is to see the lack of school material these children have. Their notepads are notebook paper binded by newspaper, pencils are used until they are almost touching the eraser, chalkboards are scuffed up, and the eraser for the chalkboard is a small sample size piece of carpet. (Katherine M., I can not thank you enough for all the school supplies you gave me to distribute - we are currently dividing up the crayons, and will have to divide up the notebooks/paper so it will be evenly distributed to the students - I promise to take lots of pictures so you can see what you did!!)
I was disgusted with myself when I thought of all the times I began taking notes in class and tore the sheet of paper out because I didn't like the way I wrote my name or how I began a sentence. These kids do NOT waste. They use up the ENTIRE sheet of paper...front and back.
They are well mannered, disciplined, hardworking, and do as they are told. They are truly every teachers ideal students.
12:30 the kids are dismissed for lunch. Usually the Youth Center provides them a meal, but they didn't have money to fund meals this past week so they are being sent home for lunch. The Youth Center is completely faith based and relies on support from ministries and anyone else that is led to give, to provide for the students.
It was only a half day for us on Thursday - We went to Euticuals home where Jane prepared a feast for us and even had the chance to log on the internet. Stephanie and I had a small celebration over our 4 comments we had posted from our last blog....
(**Luj you too mom - we are meditating hardcore - budders - Hear that?)
Euticauls took us back to the Bed and Breakfast where we washed up, had dinner, and spent the rest of the evening journaling outside on the patio, under the veranda.
(Friday: To be continued on the next blog.....)
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Jambo, Rafiki
(Jambo Rafiki: Hello friends), we've made it! Euticauls greeted us at the main entrance of the airport with hugs for the both of us. We began our journey to our destination and it was a sight! Some paved roads, some dirt roads, people everywhere, children walking to school or adults on their way to work. We realized we were no longer in America when we passed through a toll booth where the guard had an AK-47 strapped to his back--it was like a scene taken from a movie or a documentary. We utilized this 45 minute ride to a bed and breakfast to ask Pastor Euticauls questions about Kenya, the people, while soaking in what will become our new beloved home for the next couple of months.
We are currently staying at a bed and breakfast. One of the first things we did after arriving here was take long-awaited showers (we had been on planes or in the airport for 2 days so trust us when we say we needed it). We ate breakfast, and are currently suffering from jet lag. We laid down to take a 30-minute power nap but instead slept through an alarm clock, and several knocks on our door throughout the hour by our host Jennifer. We woke up at 7pm (noon U.S. time) and just laughed at the fact that we had just slept our day away.
Our host Jennifer is a beautiful Kenyan woman who owns this bed and breakfast, guest-home type thing. So far we have enjoyed talking over breakfast, and then some more during dinner, when we finally woke up. We will be here until Saturday morning when we will move into the apartment that neighbors the apartment that Euticauls and his family live in.
So far this is what we've gathered: Euticauls' church, Lucky Summer Church, is planted on the edge of one of the largest slums here. They started a youth center a few years ago in the slum where 200 or so kids go to school and can stay after school to learn crafts or basic vocational skills like sewing or woodwork. Tomorrow (Thursday) he is picking us up in the morning and we will have our first day at the youth center. We'll be assisting the teachers in the classroom--we're starting out with 3rd and 4th grade, I think, but will soon get to experience all grade levels while we are.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers specifically for: safety and the cultivation of deep and meaningful relationships while we are here.
love to you all!
Chrissy & Stephanie
We are currently staying at a bed and breakfast. One of the first things we did after arriving here was take long-awaited showers (we had been on planes or in the airport for 2 days so trust us when we say we needed it). We ate breakfast, and are currently suffering from jet lag. We laid down to take a 30-minute power nap but instead slept through an alarm clock, and several knocks on our door throughout the hour by our host Jennifer. We woke up at 7pm (noon U.S. time) and just laughed at the fact that we had just slept our day away.
Our host Jennifer is a beautiful Kenyan woman who owns this bed and breakfast, guest-home type thing. So far we have enjoyed talking over breakfast, and then some more during dinner, when we finally woke up. We will be here until Saturday morning when we will move into the apartment that neighbors the apartment that Euticauls and his family live in.
So far this is what we've gathered: Euticauls' church, Lucky Summer Church, is planted on the edge of one of the largest slums here. They started a youth center a few years ago in the slum where 200 or so kids go to school and can stay after school to learn crafts or basic vocational skills like sewing or woodwork. Tomorrow (Thursday) he is picking us up in the morning and we will have our first day at the youth center. We'll be assisting the teachers in the classroom--we're starting out with 3rd and 4th grade, I think, but will soon get to experience all grade levels while we are.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers specifically for: safety and the cultivation of deep and meaningful relationships while we are here.
love to you all!
Chrissy & Stephanie
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Three more days.... but who's counting?!
Salutations! Welcome family and friends to our little website so we can keep you guys updated on our journey to Nairobi, Kenya! We'll keep you informed by posting journal entries and pictures throughout our stay! Thanks again for being so supportive of us in this trip!
How do I start these things? I guess I could start with how I feel three days prior to us leaving. A blend of emotions really - Excitement... Nervous.... Joyful..... Anxious..... and as I type these mixed feelings I noticed a poster that hangs to the left of my office desk. It's a picture Steve Watson took of an Acacias tree -a common tree found in Africa. If you've ever seen the movie, "The Lion King" theirs an acacias tree where Simba hangs out right before the stampede takes place and his father comes to rescue him.
The photo is beautiful... the sun's rays seep down through the clouds with the acacias tree right smack in the middle of the picture. As a promotion when we went through the series World Missions at the church, we enlarged this photo to a movie size poster and printed the statement, "Be less for Christ." Three words were posted below the tree in a smaller font reading:
Tireless. Fearless. Relentless.
It gave me chills. I've seen this poster a gazillion times and for the first time it gave me meaning. I'm about to travel to a world that is displayed on the news as one of the most poverty stricken countries in the world. Suffering is an understatement - AIDS, psychological scars from the wars, malnutrition, neglected children, pot-belly kids because of parasites, and the list goes on....
When I proposed the idea of spending the summer in Africa, I was asked this question:
Do you really think you can make a difference?
My answer was this....
YYYYAASSSSSHHHHHHH!!! (side note -for those of you that don't watch The Office, you're missing out on this term that is equivalent to "yes" in Michael's language).
We've all heard the story about the little boy walking down the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean. One by one he tosses them and a man comes up and says to him, "There must be thousands of starfish on this beach, it would be impossible for you to save them all, you can't possibly make a difference." The boy smiled as he picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the ocean. "I made a difference to that one," he replied.
With every smile, hug, new found friend, clothing handed to a child in need, medicine distributed from our medical team, and every utterance spoken of the name Jesus Christ, we have done one small thing to advance His kingdom. We will make a difference.
We will be...
Tireless.
Fearless.
Relentless.
Till next week -
Chrissy Johnston
How do I start these things? I guess I could start with how I feel three days prior to us leaving. A blend of emotions really - Excitement... Nervous.... Joyful..... Anxious..... and as I type these mixed feelings I noticed a poster that hangs to the left of my office desk. It's a picture Steve Watson took of an Acacias tree -a common tree found in Africa. If you've ever seen the movie, "The Lion King" theirs an acacias tree where Simba hangs out right before the stampede takes place and his father comes to rescue him.
The photo is beautiful... the sun's rays seep down through the clouds with the acacias tree right smack in the middle of the picture. As a promotion when we went through the series World Missions at the church, we enlarged this photo to a movie size poster and printed the statement, "Be less for Christ." Three words were posted below the tree in a smaller font reading:
Tireless. Fearless. Relentless.
It gave me chills. I've seen this poster a gazillion times and for the first time it gave me meaning. I'm about to travel to a world that is displayed on the news as one of the most poverty stricken countries in the world. Suffering is an understatement - AIDS, psychological scars from the wars, malnutrition, neglected children, pot-belly kids because of parasites, and the list goes on....
When I proposed the idea of spending the summer in Africa, I was asked this question:
Do you really think you can make a difference?
My answer was this....
YYYYAASSSSSHHHHHHH!!! (side note -for those of you that don't watch The Office, you're missing out on this term that is equivalent to "yes" in Michael's language).
We've all heard the story about the little boy walking down the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean. One by one he tosses them and a man comes up and says to him, "There must be thousands of starfish on this beach, it would be impossible for you to save them all, you can't possibly make a difference." The boy smiled as he picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the ocean. "I made a difference to that one," he replied.
With every smile, hug, new found friend, clothing handed to a child in need, medicine distributed from our medical team, and every utterance spoken of the name Jesus Christ, we have done one small thing to advance His kingdom. We will make a difference.
We will be...
Tireless.
Fearless.
Relentless.
Till next week -
Chrissy Johnston
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