Last day in Nakuru

Today was our last day in Nakuru.  As the wonderful Chris Tomlin song, God of this City, goes:

"For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this City"

Some of us in the group have been here for a month.  Some of us in the group for a week.  

We have met so many people.  We have probably changed a few lives, but truly all of our lives have been changed.  For more evidence of this check out the blogs of my son Harrison, and our friend Hannah.  (My daughter Hayley journals the old fashioned way, and her journals are beautiful, I'm sorry you can't see them.)

We may never know the impact we have had, or the seeds we have planted.  I am always struck by my trips to Kenya.  I think I am coming here to work with children and to make an impact on Kenya, but in a lot of ways, I think God uses me more on the hearts of my friends and family back home.  Each time I go, someone unexpected contacts me and wants to talk about Kenya.  I love that!  Maybe the "unexpected contact" will be the one to truly accomplish God's plan in this country and I was the stepping stone. I love that idea!  I love talking to people back home, hearing their hearts just because I posted some photos on Facebook and wrote a blog about our adventure.  Please don't stop doing that!

Today was a great day!  We celebrated our time here with the children, and said our "til next times".  We laughed, sang songs, and ate popcorn!

I think the thing I am the most pleased with about this trip is the shape the Virginia Home is in.  It has come SO far in two and a half years, and all we did was try to raise money for food!  (you can donate to the food fund, it costs about $1500/mo for food, but ANY amount would help...just contact me and I will give you more information!)  The "trickle down" affect has been amazing! Food makes for happy, healthy, focused kids.  Focused kids make good grades.  Good grades spark the interest of the community, inquiring about their children going there.  Their children going there means more money (in the way of school fees).  More money means they can pay the teachers.  Payed teachers are more qualified.  You see where this is going???  It'll be amazing to see what happens in the next two and a half years, but we do have to keep feeding them!

So, I think that's a wrap, "til next time" my friends!  Kwaheri!

Ok guys...now really.

I heard this morning that some friends of mine back home (ahem...Willis family) and possibly some others who were planning on making a trip to Kenya in the next couple of years have reconsidered, or flat out decided against the idea after reading about our adventures in this blog.

Really?

I am amazed that more of you don't realize I can be a drama queen!  Actually, everything I've shared in this blog is true, and although some of it was terrifying, there's no reason to blame Kenya!  (Well, the driver who got malaria was kind of a Kenya problem, but tourists take preventative medicine for that) Honestly, this trip has been different, more challenging than trips in the past, but what can you expect when I have been here 7 times!  And we have learned A LOT through the challenges and trials.  I highly recommend a family trip to Kenya!  Anyone and everyone should come!

Today we visited His Cherished Ones Baby Orphanage.  I was totally out of my comfort zone:

But these two were not:

Primarily we went to HCO to speak with the director, Trena Ivy.  I feel that her "Mzungu" (white person) run organization is one of the most successful I've seen in Nakuru and we wanted our son, Harrison, to have a chance to speak with her.  She was a wealth of wisdom and inspiration to Harrison, but one thing she said, directed to me, that struck me, was this: "I've been following your posts and your blog on FB and after seeing all of the trials you have faced on this trip and you still find the light, you are IN IT! Whatever it is, you are in it!  You are meant to be here and you know that so you are in it."  She went on to say that if God wanted to use me over here, he certainly wouldn't fill my first trip with such big trials or I'd never have come back (there are minor Kenyan frustrations with every trip, but that's just Kenya, folks...). She said that she hadn't set out to run a baby orphanage, her original focus was much different, but she "followed the bread crumbs" and God led her to where she was today.  

Why do I keep coming back to Kenya?  It may be as simple as learning about this country that my child wants to minister in.  It may be something more complex, but I will keep coming back. And I will continue to find joy in the small things over here.  I will have faith.  

Why should you come to Kenya?  To learn about this different culture, to help you understand a life you've never known, and to step out of your comfort zone (and of course the safari, ha, ha!).  You will see a better side to yourself.  One that wants to care for people and show compassion and love.  You will challenge yourself to have faith.  And, you will be changed.  Whether you make 1 trip or 7...you will be changed.  As for my friends with younger kids, you will be amazed by your children.  To watch them run and play with kids who are different from them, to see that in some ways all kids are the same, it's truly overwhelming.

So, yes...all of that stuff did happen to us, but in hindsight, I'm thankful for the lessons we learned.  (*UPDATE: Apparently the only thing going on with our current driver's health is the malaria. They adjusted his meds today, so we are hoping for a speedy recovery!  And our first driver called us today to explain his story. We think it is possible he wants to be our driver again, but we do not know...certainly not on this trip.)

And please people...enjoy the entertainment of my stories, but don't let them put you in panic mode!  I'd hate to have to start writing boring blog posts just to keep everyone calm...

Have a GREAT night and Lala salama!

Update...

So, last night our driver came in and said the doctor said it was malaria.  He gave him medicine for that and told him he wanted to look at his kidneys and liver on Monday.  Everyone felt better, except for me...from everything I have read and people who I have known, it did not sound like the symptoms for malaria.  Now, in my research I did hear of people who had reoccurring bouts with malaria because it wasn't cured the first time, so maybe that was the case with him, and maybe why his symptoms were a bit different.

I spoke with our friend, Julius, who took the driver to the hospital in the first place.  He said he did not think malaria was all that was wrong with him.  He thinks there could be ongoing health issues which were the problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  I guess we'll know more tomorrow after he gets some other tests run, but I just feel he is unwell.  My family tells me I'm going to have to "back off and let it go" and to "have faith", but I certainly don't want to be foolish and put anyone in danger....not my family, our friend Hannah, and CERTAINLY not the driver himself.  

We finished rather early today, so I'm hopeful our driver takes advantage of some much needed rest!

I have a sore throat, but I'm pretty sure it's because of the rainy cooler weather.  Walt got eaten up by mosquitos last night (he said as long as he was around, I had nothing "mosquito wise" to be worried about), but all and all we are fine.  No, we are GREAT!  I still question what, if anything, God is trying to tell me by this trip. Since I'm coming back in November, I guess I still have one more trip to find out if He's saying something to me.  For now, I'm just praying for a safe and productive rest of the trip.

Oh my...

First of all, I decided to stay in Kenya with my husband, daughter, son, and their friend.  My husband arrived on Monday night and said, "I do not like us being apart, I'd like you to stay with us."  He gave the option to my youngest son, but Hudson had some commitments and decided to go ahead home.  He should be landing in Dallas in a couple of hours.

This morning (Saturday), we left Nairobi around 9:30 bound for Nakuru.  It's over a 2 hour drive and was going fairly smooth.  About 40 minutes outside of Nakuru, we saw several baboons running down the side of the road.  Our driver pulled over to the side of the road and I thought he was giving us an opportunity to take some photos (even though we hadn't asked).  He started getting out of the van and he said, "I'm just going to stretch my legs."  He stepped down and stayed very still, looking at the oncoming traffic and then back at me (I was sitting right behind him in the van).  When he looked at me I got very anxious.  I could tell something was very wrong.  I said to my husband, "Walt, get out and go around and help him!!"  I followed Walt, and my son Harrison followed me.  When we got around the van and the driver looked at me, I could tell he had no clue who I was...he was looking extremely dazed and confused.  Mind you, we are trying to keep out of the lane of oncoming traffic.  Walt and Harrison both put his arms around their necks, and I pried his hands off of the van door.  They carried/helped him (although he was not able to walk) to the side of the grass and layed him down.

As my daughter so aptly put it, Kenya may be a dangerous place, but when something goes wrong there are 17 people that immediately come to help.  Different van drivers were pulling over on the other side of the road and running across the street to lend a hand.  One van was filled with Asian tourists, who did not seem to speak English, but they had a vast array of medicines they brought over.  We gave him some of our water and watched for baboons, which can be scary and aggressive towards humans.  The Asians had to pantomime how to use the medicines which included some smelling salt type of thing and a vile of something.  People were all huddled around him, they took off his shirt to cool him down, doused him with water and fanned him as he lay there.  After several minutes, he sat up and said he felt better.  All of the good samaritans said he'd be okay and went back to their vans.  He sat there for a few more minutes and said he was ready to go...I looked at my husband with an "ain't no way in heck he's getting back behind the wheel" look and my husband said, "He'll be fine, he said he felt better and only he knows how he feels."  I stood there in disbelief.  The ONLY thing that gave me comfort was that he did have good enough sense to know when he needed to pull over. I said a prayer and put my children back in the van.  We were in the middle of nowhere and I didn't know what else to do...so I trusted my husband.

 

He got back in the van and off we went!  We asked him several times how he was feeling, and each time we could tell by his responses that he was okay and alert.  I watched the lines on the road to make sure he wasn't swerving at all and it was the longest 40 minutes of my life (or at least that I can remember lately).  I knew if we could get to Nakuru we would be okay because our Kenyan friend Julius would be with us from then on.  Julius did convince Jonathon (the driver) to go visit the doctor this evening to make sure it was an isolated incident and he could finish the job (we got the sense it was high blood pressure and NOT his heart).

I am telling you, I have been to Kenya SEVEN times and have never had even half of these issues.  What is the good Lord trying to tell me?

This afternoon we did get to go to the Virginia Home and I watched my family and friend enjoy themselves, singing and dancing.  My friend who works at the Virginia Home, Rosemary, asked me if I was tired because I was quiet in comparison.  I told her, "I'm just a mom."  Moms worry.  We don't mean to, we just do.  I was worried about Hudson and his traveling companion, Cambry, having safe travels today.  I was worried about our driver and his health.  I know it's out of my control, but I think it's just what a mom does. 

I told Walt that I wondered if maybe I wasn't supposed to be in Kenya anymore.  He told me that maybe I was being challenged to overcome some obstacles and not be distracted.  I'll think on these things, but first and foremost I'll keep our driver and his health in my prayers.  And, I'll probably continue to worry.

Wow. I can only say wow.

Yesterday was my final morning in Nakuru and at the Virginia Home.  I was blown away.  When we arrived, we were greeted by the usual smiling faces, and lots of kids still wearing their "pipecleaner creations".  In the middle of the crowd I see these two cuties:

In case you forgot, this is Suzanne and Eunice.  I couldn't believe it!  They were already one of the crowd.  My heart was two sizes too big for my chest.  The girls of the Virginia Home had not only accepted them, but shared their clothes and shoes with them!  When I left them the night before I was a little worried.  I just so wanted them to be okay with everything.  I knew they were anxious.  I continued taking photos of the kids (I told them that whoever made fun stuff with their pipecleaners would get a photo today):

And then I heard someone say "Candee, Candee, take a my PICKcha!"  So I turned around to take this photo:

I started to take the photo, then I put the camera down and stared in disbelief...it was Joseph!  The boys had accepted him too!  My heart grew even more if that was possible!

This is what the trip was all about.  Getting to this moment.  Seeing happy faces both old and new.  Everyone was smiling and laughing and looked SO healthy and happy!!  We went upstairs and sang songs together, and then much to my surprise again, both Suzanne and Joseph got up in front of the entire room and sang songs by themselves!  The class responded well, helping them along and cheering loudly as they finished!  It was awesome!

Was I sad leaving the Virginia Home (as I always am)?  No.  I felt joy.  I felt peace.  I had a happy heart.  

Last full day in Nakuru...

Well, I'm a little sad as today was my last full day in Nakuru.  It has been an eventful trip to say the least (I will still be in Kenya for another week, but will be in Nairobi resting up for our safari!).  There have been many curve balls thrown at us and while I have wanted to let y'all know what's going on, I did not want to sound whiny or negative.  There were times when I got kind of down, but this was a great trip!

I realized that Satan was really at work on this trip.  I found that surprising as I have never thought of myself as someone "spiritually" important enough for Satan to give a second look.  And frankly, I'm still not, but for some reason God has really wanted to work through me/us in Kenya and specifically at the Virginia Home.  

I go back to that first trip we took to the Virginia Home in March 2011.  It was in terrible shape.  Children who were all but forgotten, they weren't eating everyday and they was no spark in their eyes.

This was Ann and Carol, March 2011

This is Carol today with one of the ACO interns, Amie Akers

This is Ann on her way home from school.  She's in Form 1 now.

Whenever I wonder if there have been any changes, successes, or progress since that first visit, I just compare the before and after photos.  Look how HEALTHY these two girls look!  Their DAILY eating is directly related to the success they have had in school.  They are able to focus, and they are getting better marks!  This has sparked interest from families who have heard that the Virginia Home is producing good marks, so they enroll their children in the school, pay the school fees and the Director now has some money to pay teachers (since ACO is paying for the kids' food) so things just keep getting better and better!

And the kids are HAPPY!  I thought this as I looked around the room today, watching them sing praise songs and interacting with one another.  They are happy.  The unthinkable happened today.  Never in a million years would I have thought that we would RECOMMEND the Virginia Home as a positive place for the kids to come, live, and go to school.  But that's what we did!  Remember I told you about the "Plan B" taking us to the Remand Home?  Well, one of the children at the Remand Home had no parents, they could not find any family for him to live with, so they were looking for a children's home.  Both my son Harrison and I thought of the Virginia Home so Joseph could get back into school and have a place to call home.  The Remand Home asked us if we could get two sisters, Suzanne and Eunice, into the Virginia Home as well.  We spoke with the director, he immediately agreed (he's actually a pretty good guy, I was wrong about him in the beginning), we purchased them beds, bedding and uniforms, and today we had the privilege of taking all three of them to the Virginia Home!

The girls especially weren't thrilled at first with the idea...their first preference I'm sure would be to go home to their mother, but they had many friends at the Remand Home and they felt safe there.  We explained to them that if they didn't go to this children's home they would have to find another one to go to because they couldn't stay at the Remand Home indefinitely.  They warmed up to the idea, they were just anxious...they are such beautiful girls and as I told Harrison, this is the right thing for them.  They need to be back in school.  He was worried because when asked where they were going by one of their peers, Suzanne said, "Mzungu" (which means "white person"). I think they will do just fine and can't WAIT to see them when I come back in November.

Eunice, the younger sister

Suzanne, the older sister

Now the boy, Joseph, was a bit of a different story.  He knew he had no family left and wanted so badly to go back to school.  While I know he was probably a little nervous, I think he was excited at the same time!

Joseph, the boy with the GREAT smile

I count this trip a success.  I was able to see how far we have come with the Virginia Home and how far we still have to go.  Our friend from the Remand Home, Gi Tonga (he's a child advocate so to speak), commented upon leaving the kids tonight, "I really like the kids here!  They are SO active and happy! I will definitely be coming back to this place."  Never in a million years would I have thought that would come out of someone's mouth regarding the Virginia Home.  Wow.  

Plan A All along?

Those of you who are following our adventure, have come to know this has not been the smoothest trip ever.  You've seen the bumps along the way, felt my frustration that we were meeting up with too many obstacles, and even read about the day we had to go to Plan B.

Well, we have indeed reached a turning point, and things have become SO clear as to what the intent of this trip is all about.  I have now realized that our Plan B seems to have been God's Plan A all along...

Yesterday, at the Remand Home, Harrison was talking to this young fellow about why he was still there.  It was Harrison's understanding that the boy was to leave a week ago for home.  The boy, Joseph, told Harrison that they tried to find family for him to go with, but there wasn't any, so they were looking for a children's home for him.  As Harrison was telling me this story, I said, "What about the Virginia Home?"  Harrison said he was wondering about that too.  So we had Julius, our ACO staff member, talk with the director of the Remand Home.  Gu Tonga (?), the director, said that would be GREAT if there was room and could we also inquire about a pair of sisters going (at least temporarily) to the Virginia Home while their mother was in jail for abandoning them.  We spoke to the director of the Virginia Home and he said "of course".  So...we will help them with beds/bedding and uniforms and they could be there as early as Friday, but probably next Monday.  (you know it would never work that fast in the US!)  

Had we not gone to Plan B, visiting the Remand Home in the first place, we would never have hooked these kids up with the Virginia Home.  They do not have "school" at the Remand Home, and these children REALLY want to get back into school and continue their education.  They will be in school at the Virginia Home.  We are also hoping that others may follow when necessary.  We feel SO incredibly happy about this!  Maybe this is just what God had in mind all along!  (for awhile I was beginning to wonder...ha, ha!)

**UPDATE: Now for an update on the situation where our driver was beaten.  I have had a lot of family and friends contact me and tell me they were afraid I was not safe.  I still don't have all of the pieces to the story, but it will suffice to say, MY BOYS AND I ARE SAFE.  We are in no danger.  This man was someplace he should not have been, most likely doing something he should not have been doing. He did not deserve what happened to him, but the security guards had a reason to believe he was a threat.  We are at home by 5 pm and do not leave and go hang out in the town.  There are other things that I do not want to mention publicly...but please know we are not in danger.  I believe he is still in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.  He's up and walking, talking, and taking care of himself.  I wish him the best!

Reality Check

I am reminded today that Kenya can be a dangerous place, and that people can be mean and ugly.  **MOM, DO NOT WORRY, I AM FINE AND I AM IN A VERY VERY SAFE PLACE ALWAYS WHILE I AM HERE.**

This morning we got up and got dressed for church.  Our driver was to pick us up at 10.  By 10:45 he still had not arrived.  Julius, our coordinator, felt like he should go check on our driver as he said this was not like him to be late and not answer his phone.  I reminded Julius that our driver was 2 hours late one day last year, so yes, it can be like him.  All the same, Julius wanted to go to the motel in town and check on him.  He called us from the motel and said that our driver was attacked by thugs last night.  He said he was just laying on the ground and his leg was swollen when he got to him.  That's really all of the information I could glean from the phone call because Julius was trying to say he would find us other transportation for the day and he would get our driver in a taxi to the hospital.  I told him to take care of the driver first, and once he got him to the hospital to call me back and we would go from there.  

**MOM, DO NOT WORRY!  I AM FINE AND I AM IN A VERY VERY SAFE PLACE ALWAYS WHILE I AM HERE.**  You have to understand, our driver was staying in town, in a seedy place.  We tried to get him to stay in the guest house where we are staying so he would be safe and on time.  He did not feel comfortable doing so.  Nakuru is a safe place as long as you take precautions.  I would not walk the streets alone at night, I stay in a house with a gate around it and a security guard, etc. etc.  It's perfectly safe in the day time.  And, honestly, I don't know at this point if it was just a random attack or if perhaps he had words with someone while dining or at a bar?  I just don't have all of the information.  But there is no reason to suspect any of us would meet with a similar fate.

The moral of the story, other than **MOM, DO NOT WORRY! I AM FINE AND I AM IN A VERY VERY SAFE PLACE ALWAYS WHILE I AM HERE.** is that you do have to be aware of your surroundings ANYWHERE and you do have to take precautions.  I feel bad that I suspected the driver had just overslept again, and I do hope he is okay.  I will be interested to know more information.

For now, my boys have taken motorbike taxis to town with our caretaker, Trini, to purchase a Kenya phone (we feel like this is an important precaution for us to have a phone) and to explore a bit.  I'll hopefully meet up with them for a late lunch.  We will not be able to go to the Virginia Home or the Remand Home today.  I am not sure what tomorrow and the rest of the week will bring.  

You know as well as I do, this could have happened anywhere in the world.  You can never predict this sort of thing, the best you can do is use good judgment wherever you are.

UPDATE** While we still don't have all of the pieces in place, our driver was not beaten by thugs...he was beaten by security guards because he was asleep in his van and they thought he was a thief.  The police actually made the security guards stop beating him and they all left him on the road to sort it out and make his way (whatever that means).  Yes, that brings up a lot more questions (we've been asking them all afternoon), but the bottom line is this: **MOM, DO NOT WORRY!  I AM FINE AND I AM IN A VERY VERY SAFE PLACE ALWAYS WHILE I AM HERE.**

We will have a new driver for the rest of our stay here in Kenya.  I do wish Charles the best.  And Mom, hopefully you haven't had a heart attack while reading this.  I truly am fine and very safe.  Kenya is a lovely place!

Shhhh!

The house is quiet, shhhhh!  It's only me and the caretaker here.  My boys have gone to the nearby town of Egerton to do campus ministry with the ACO interns (all 20 of them) who are in Nakuru for the weekend doing mission work.  Today they joined us at the Virginia Home for an all out party!

The interns had a great time (I think).  They were welcomed by the children with singing and dancing...and tonight my boys are hanging with them.  It's good for them to get to hang out with some other kids and it's good for me to have some quiet time.  

Tomorrow I'm going to give my "mom speech" to the kiddos we are sponsoring to go to secondary school.  You know the one:  "You must keep a certain GPA or you will go on probation.  If you do not bring your grades up to that GPA in the next term, we will no longer sponsor you."  It's the same speech I have given to my own children, so I have no problem saying it, and I feel a certain responsibility to those of you who have chosen to sponsor them.  No one wants to feel their money is going to waste, and I'm not going to ask someone for their money just to keep these children in "daycare".  Ya get my drift?  So hopefully the talk goes well.  I've given several of them the head's up and their reactions were mixed.

I also have a couple of children on my mind currently.  They are children who have pretty much been discarded by their parents and yet, they are bright and funny and I really believe they have a future with a little help from us!  I'd love to invest in these children and see where it goes:  Ann, Mary, Kevin, and Brighton.  I am praying for guidance on what I should do about these children.  I really want to help give them hope and a future.  I'll try to take photos of them in the next day or so, and post them.  All except Mary.  She is at the Remand Home where photos are not allowed.

Ann is the first girl we met at the Virginia Home.  She is the reason we came back a second time.  I have known her for over two years.  She has grown into a beautiful hard headed young woman.  Her transformation is amazing.  When I wonder if we have made strides in our work with the Virginia Home, She used to want to be a dentist.  I'll have to ask her tomorrow if that's still the case.

I did get to Skype with my hubby for 40 minutes and my daughter popped in to say hello as well.  For some reason they couldn't see me, but I could see them and it was nice!  I'm now in a blackout and mosquitos are attacking me...so much for my quiet time!  

I am blessed and it was another amazing day, even with it's challenges which are called "life".  Ha!  Have a good night!

Shout Out to Roy Battle

I wanted to give a shout out to my stepfather, Roy Battle.  He married my mother 34 years ago and has been a wonderful role model, example and second father to me for every one of those 34 years.  

I think we sometimes take blessings for granted.  While I have been in Kenya, I have talked with a lot of people and have heard way too many stories about mothers marrying men who HATE their children, so the mothers abandon their children for their new husbands.  I mean ABANDON.  The children are sent to "auntie's" who don't feed them for several days, or told to go find somewhere else to live.  These children are very young, even as young as 5 years old.  Can you imagine this?  There is a boy at the Virginia Home who has been severely depressed because his mother sent him there because her new husband hates him and wants nothing to do with him.  He doesn't go home for holidays or school breaks.  His mother rarely comes to see him because she doesn't have money for "transport".  Every time I see Brighton standing by himself in the corner of the yard my heart breaks.  I want to run straight to my own stepfather, Roy, and thank him again and again.

Today we visited a government operated "Streetboys' Rehabilitation Home" and while it was a perfect example of what NOT to do, I couldn't help feeling so sad for the boys there.  Many of the boys became "streetboys" because their parents (many of them stepparents) kicked them out of the house because they didn't want anything to do with them.  When you look into their faces, you see they are just kids.  Kids who deserve better.  Kids who seem rather barbaric because they have had no guidance in their lives.  I just don't understand this.  My children are far from perfect (as am I) but I could never look at them and tell them I have no use for them and they just need to leave.  Roy would have never looked at my mother and said, "I hate your daughter, I do not want her around.  Make her leave.  I will not feed her or clothe her."  But this happens all the time in Kenya.  I know it happens in America too, but I doubt it is as common as it seems to be in Kenya.

Hug your parents, hug your children and you better know I am grateful for Roy Battle in my life!

It's Not a Bust, It's a Blessing

I'm not gonna lie, I was worried about this trip to Kenya.  I have been here 7 times, Harrison 5 times, and Hudson 4 times.  For some reason, when we got here this time things were NOT clicking for us...at all!  I told you of my frustrations on the first day we were here, the boys and I have been quite cross with each other, and we just weren't feeling effective at the Virginia Home.  Until today.

We had a GREAT day today!  We went to the Virginia Home and as usual, our Bible Study lesson wasn't working, the DIFFICULT DIFFICULT teacher there was....well, being difficult and we just weren't feeling a connection with the kids.  We spent the afternoon at the Remand Home and instantly bonded even more with those kids.  We played games, gave them a snack and Harrison gave them a small devotion/talk.  (here's where the "great part" comes in...) We arrived back at the house for our usual afternoon tea, and my family had the BEST conversation with our Kenyan staff member and driver about our focus for this trip.  The conversation continued between the boys and me after the other had left.

As I have mentioned, my son Harrison wants to work with the Glue Boys/Street Kids after college.  He really wanted to use this trip to get his feet wet, so to speak.  We are looking for ideas to make that happen for him.  Stumbling upon the Remand Home is one of the things that has come as a result of this.  Tomorrow we are going to a home strictly focused on Glue Boys.  Friday morning we are going to a girls' home for a brief time to offer them a word of encouragement.  But the GREAT part is that we are actually connecting with each other about how we should connect with and be effective for the people of Kenya.  

The boys were laughing about my Lifetime "girls' prison movie" analogy because they agreed: IT'S SO TRUE!  The characters played out just like you'd expect!  Visiting the Remand Home is definitely helping me to see things differently than I normally would.  I was telling my boys that I would normally think these are bad kids.  How can we hang out with them and be their friend?  We need to find some "good" kids to hang out with.  (Ok, that is a terrible attitude, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true)  But, you know what?  These kids are children first and foremost.  Delightful children.  They are warm and friendly and they truly want someone to love them.  As Harrison reminded me: "Mom, we don't know all they have seen and experienced to cause them to do these things.  We are not in a position to pass judgment, and everyone can change once they've seen and experienced other, more positive, things."  Wow.  That was from my 18-yr old son.

The good news is that the Virginia Home has grown in numbers immensely.  The bad news is that the Virginia Home has grown in numbers immensely.  This means it takes more than 3 people to go in and have an effect on them the way we have in the past.  So, we sat down as a family and talked about what to do and how to change our focus.  We came up with some great ideas.  I feel much more encouraged about the trip now.  I feel like today is going to be the turning point for us and I'm very excited to see what that looks like.

Plan B

Sunday afternoon we had planned on going to a soccer match and bring bread and milk for the street kids (aka "Glue boys").  My son Harrison wants to work with the Glue boys after college, so we are seeking out opportunities for interaction with them to make sure this is in fact what he does want to do.  

Apparently the Government came in recently and did a "sweep" of the Glue boys so there weren't really any to be found on the street. We were told about a place called Nakuru Children's Remand Home that might house some street kids.  It is a place that houses around 50 or so children who are in protective custody, awaiting their day in court.  Some of these children are accused of crimes and some of them have been the victim of crimes.  All are under 18 years of age.  We were able to sit down and talk with them and hear their stories.  We heard everything from rape (defilement as they call it), abandonment and murder.  One boy beat another boy to death with a stick after the boy attacked his sibling and then lashed out at the boy.  They are honestly the sweetest kids, who have seen way more life than they should have.  

In a sad, humorous kind of way, the girls that are currently in the home are like the characters from a Lifetime movie about a girls' prison!  There's definitely a ring leader, a not so bright bully who does everything for the ring leader, etc. etc.  Our hearts have grown in the past two days making room for each of these kids.

Since quite a few of them do not speak English, each one of us (Harrison, Hudson and myself) had one of our Kenyan friends as a translator.  I heard all of the girls' stories, and the boys listened to the stories of the boys in the home.  As Hudson said, "It was too intense to hear all those stories in one day."  We honestly could have spread them out over many days and just heard one or two stories each day to let us process.  But the children were SO eager to talk with us.

It is a Government owned establishment.  Today we brought them toothbrushes and toothpaste and it was cute to see them all go brush their teeth after we gave them a lesson on "how to".  I was watching one little girl and she kissed and hugged her toothbrush tight.  I do hope she finds a safe place for her toothbrush and I sense she gets bullied from time to time.  We are hopeful to take some photos when we go back tomorrow to play games with them, but we must get permission first.

This place was not even on our radar before Sunday, and it's amazing how our "Plan B" is evidently right where God wants us. 

So...

Ever since my friend asked me to describe our typical day in Kenya, I have been thinking.  I honestly felt like maybe I should "pad" my description to make it sound more interesting...I also had a long talk with one of my boys tonight.  He said he understands why his brother and I come to Kenya because we love it so much and his brother wants to live here one day, but he doesn't feel like he bonds with any of the kids or even with his family when he's here.  I have been thinking about this a lot as well.  

This has not started off as our "best trip ever".  We had that bad day when we first arrived, and we have been fighting amongst ourselves.  It's been an emotional week to say the least.

Today we sat.  For the active person who gets bored easily, today would have driven them crazy!  When people sign up for mission trips, they want to go, do, and have great stories to tell when they get home.  I just don't think that's what mission work is.  Today I wanted to "sell it" to my friend who asked what we do here.  I wanted it to seem exciting!  And it IS exciting, but it is also boring, frustrating, seemingly fruitless, and never ending.  Honestly, today we sat around for hours in the middle of the kids.  Sure we talked to them about things like "How do you say 12:15 in Swahili?" or "What do you call this big pot you cook in?", but as my youngest said, "Does it really matter if I am here to talk to them about that?  Can't they just talk and play amongst themselves and be just as happy?"  Sure they could be happy talking and playing amongst themselves (and they do), but honestly, I believe silly conversations like that have a far greater impact than we can imagine.  Not only do they impact the morale of the kids, they spur on conversations with the Director who makes all the decisions, they spur on conversations with people back home who can help.  We also glean ideas which can help, maybe just because of something someone said in passing.  Mission work takes time.  What happens on this trip may not seem like it was anything, but two years later we might just see the fruits of our labor.  So a boring trip, filled with sitting and doing seemingly nothing, may just be the most important trip yet.  It's impact could be far reaching.  

I write about this today because I have been doubting myself lately.  Doubting if I'm doing anything at all by being here.  Maybe the reason I'm here today is so that my son can gain exposure to the street kids he wants to work with today.  Maybe it's to spur on the interest of someone back home who has a great idea and they will go forth and do something great.  Maybe I'll never know why this trip was so important, but I think I need to keep reminding myself that it's all important because it's all from God.

So if you're looking for an adventure, you will certainly find one here in Kenya, but you may be surprised what it looks like.

Typical Day

Someone asked me to describe a "typical day" in Kenya for us.  I thought about it and told him what we did, then I thought, "Oh my, that's not nearly enough!  He's gonna think we are crazy coming here and just sitting around..."

So, we wake up, eat breakfast (today I did go for a walk which turned into a mini hike), and we head out to the Virginia Home.  Once at the Virginia Home, we do a lot of sitting and waiting.  Honestly, anywhere you go in Kenya, you just sit and wait.  And Kenyans are used to that, so none of them seem to mind...anyway, we hang out with the kids, do Bible Studies, watch/help them prepare meals, and we just hang with them.  Today I combed a boy's hair, just because it looked fun and I had never combed a black person's hair.  We end up talking to a lot of  people in charge making sure that things are running smoothly when we are gone.  It's hard to explain it, unless you are here and actually SEE the faces of the children and hear their stories.  It's at that point you are hooked.  We have done "special service projects" while here, such as making sandwiches for everyone, taking some on field trips, getting them new uniforms and washing their feet.

We would like to do more.  We are looking into some new and interesting projects for the future.  I have been looking at some different projects in Kenya that ARE working and have been studying how they have found success. 

In the evenings, we have tea, upload photos (and update our blog), eat dinner and CRASH!  I don't know if it's jet lag or the emotions of the day, but we are tired at night.  Very tired.  So we are usually in bed by 9.

And of course...we always go on a safari.  We love our safaris.

A Brighter Day Indeed

Well, today was indeed brighter.  I read back over my post from last night and was almost embarrassed for sharing with you.  Reading it in the light of a new day, it sounds silly.  But, I do think it's important to know that things aren't always rosy on my trips to Kenya.  I think it's important to know that I'm not always this perfect picture of "giving" and "service"...sometimes I'm grumpy and often times I'm tired.  In spite of the "Kenyan way" of doing things, I do love it here.

We got to the Virginia Home around 10.  There were less kids today because it was a school holiday for some.  This afforded me the opportunity to speak with our driver, the school director and several others with whom I had miscommunications with on the previous day.  All was cleared up!  Not to say that everything is perfect, but communication was good!

We are teaching the children about The Whole Armor of God this week.  I thought it would be EASY!  Turns out, they've never heard of it, yikes!  We've got some props and some demonstrations, but finding the examples that they can understand may be challenging.

I connected with some old friends and saw many new faces.  That is one of the positives that has come from our food donations over the past two years.  The children are eating which is causing them to flourish in school (and in health).  Their scores are going UP UP UP!  The community has seen their progress and many more want their kids in that school.  The Director has been able to charge the new kids' families the normal school fees and since he is now having some income he is (wisely) choosing to pay his teachers, so the quality of the teaching is going UP as well!  That is the beginning of a success story, don't you think?

I am saddened by a couple of things though.  There was this boy who had come to Virginia in March 2012.  At first he would come to school during the day and go home in the evening.  He soon became a boarder and had a thirst for learning.  He LOVED talking with all of the Americans that came to visit.  He definitely had an impact on me, my son Harrison, my friend Kim and most recently a visitor named Katie from Arkansas.  Today my son Harrison saw him (Jeremiah) walking in town.  We inquired about him when we got to the Virginia Home and were told he was no longer in school there because he had been stealing the food and selling it.  So, the weekly food allotment we give the Virginia Home was not lasting a week.  After he was caught, the Director told him he could no longer be a boarder, but he could continue coming to the school during the day.  He chose not to.  They told me today he's probably stealing in the town too.  "Once a stealer, always a stealer"...I hate that.  I think people can change, and my prayer is that Jeremiah will change!  I do think the Director did the right thing, and as I told him today:  You may not know today, tomorrow or ever...but your discipline and grace may just have a huge impact on Jeremiah someday.

As we were heading out to lunch, the street was lined with people. Hundreds and hundreds of people, from babies all the way up to the very old.  We saw a police car at the other end of the street and were told it could be a theft, that is a common reaction to theft.  After lunch there were just as many people...we found out a woman just a couple of doors down from the Virginia Home had committed suicide.  We saw the sobbing husband.  It was heart breaking!  The even sadder part of the story is that it is the fourth suicide ON THE SAME STREET in two months!!  That street has something bad going on and needs to be blanketed in prayer!!

I did not move mountains today, heck I didn't even move mole hills.  But I can tell God is working in and around my boys and me and I can't wait to see what He will do!  A brighter day indeed!

It's a Hard Day's Night

I never really understood that song, and I'm not sure I totally still do but today was a HARD day and now we are into the night of this hard day.  This has undoubtedly been my HARDEST most awful day since I first came to Kenya in March of 2011.  It started off beautiful, as you know, but quickly went ugly.  

I was first asked "Where is the money for the Virginia Home's food?"  Ummm, no one gave me money? 

Next up, we've had some issues with our driver...he has developed this attitude over the past few visits...we pay him, yet he calls his own shots: shows up late, won't stay where we ask him to, etc.  Today he asked us for gas money and he may have asked for more money than the total gas that was pumped.  He is also bucking back against some of our requests.

Then, we were told by one of the people at the Virginia Home that some of the times we had planned on being there they were not available...what?!?!  They've known we were coming for HOW LONG?  At this point I'm stressed, so I "tussle" with one of my boys about something silly.

We got to the house where we were staying after a very long day and our cook told us we'd have to eat out because he didn't have any money for food, then he gave me an "estimate" for food for the next month...it was quite high.  Our driver was not happy that his services would require him to work in the evening.

My internet modem is not working (just bought it today) so I'm using my son's and therefore can't upload photos which is my FAVORITE thing to do...

The icing on the cake came after our "dinner out" when I was given a bill for some things that I had already contributed on in the house where I am staying.

Let me tell you, after many many tears tonight, I am ready to come home.  I'm ready to have hope for South Dallas instead of Kenya.  But wait...God never said giving would be easy, right?  He never said things would be perfect for us, but we are called to help.  My son read me a scripture today, 1 Peter 5:10:  "In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus.  So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support and strengthen you and he will place you on a firm foundation. "  I sincerely hope so, because at this point, I am beaten down.  I am wondering why I am here.  Why didn't I just send money??  

Tomorrow is another day.  I am hopeful that my mind will be renewed.  We are talking about asserting ourselves more.  They can't hear God's message if we don't speak loudly enough.  (that is hard to do though, y'all)  I do love those children.  I do believe I am smart enough, and trust in God enough that I can figure this thing out.  I know many many people have suffered TREMENDOUSLY for trying to do the right things, and my "worst day ever" barely (if at all) makes it on their radar.  I'm just trying to keep it real, if it was all a perfect package, everyone would sign up and no one would have needs because we'd all know exactly how to help each other.

But it truly is a Hard Day's Night and I have to have faith that there IS a brighter tomorrow.   We want to make a difference while we are here in Kenya, we just need some direction and NO distractions (like inflated bills or the word "NO").

I think I'm going to bed now.

 

Good Morning, Kenya! You are beautiful!

That was my Facebook status this morning: Good Morning, Kenya!  You are beautiful!

But being in Kenya is not without it's challenges...our sleep schedule is off so we began waking up about 4:15, 5:48 and finally called truce with the time about 6:45 and got up.  Sam, our friend and the caretaker where we slept last night made us the BEST coffee and biscuits.  We greeted Kenya with so much admiration this morning! 

Then, it was time to shower and get ready for the day.  Showering is Kenya is ALWAYS a challenge.  (I know, I know...we don't really have it so rough comparatively and this blog should be more about ministering and changing lives, but I think this is funny and had to share) First of all, you have to turn on the hot water heater at the switch a good 40 minutes before showering.  When it's time to finally give it a go, I cannot find a washcloth anywhere!  I think to myself: I can make it without it today.  After all, I'm roughing it!  So, I go to turn on the hot water knob (the one with the big red label, right...red means hot!)  Well...after standing there and staring at the cold water running down for what seems like 5 minutes, I decide to try the other knob.  Immediately, this nice lukewarm temperature comes pouring out....I get in and realize that the water is filling up in the shower pan and is going to start running out the doors...yikes!  I see the stopper is in the drain, but I can't figure out how to get it out (or why it's even in there)!  Finally I push on it and it moves...but the water doesn't drain immediately.  Ok, ok, finally the water starts draining (the lukewarm water), and I commence showering.  Then I realize there's no place I can move to in the shower where the water isn't on my nose.  I mean it's a REALLY tiny shower.  So I finally tilt my head sideways while shampooing so I don't drown.  I feel like such an idiot "city girl"...I know I can do better at roughing it than that!!  My balance gets off from having my head sideways and my eyes closed and I fall against the shower doors which slide open and out I tumble!  (just glad the shower pan had drained before the doors slid open)

Hey, I'm not complaining!  I got a nice lukewarm shower and I'm clean.  It's just so humorous to me because I forget the challenges in Kenya (vs our ways of doing things) until I get back here.

I promise to keep this blog updated while I'm here and I promise to give you some stories of substance...I just thought this was funny!

#kenyashowerprobs 

Have a Happy 4th of July, America!! 

Food for Thought

It has been a long time since I have updated this blog.  It is with a heavy heart I do so today.  The children we look after at the Virginia Home in Nakuru, Kenya seem to have more needs than we alone can handle.  We have a crop of kids chomping at the bit to move on to high school, but we have had to put that program on hold for now, until we can better assess how much money it takes per child and assure that our money is not being misused.

As it stands now, FOOD has become the critical need first and foremost.  The food budget is in the red.  They can eat through March (but as you know, March ends on Easter Sunday).  I am devastated by this.  We take for granted that we (here at home) have food everyday.  For two years, these kids in Kenya have had food everyday.  And now it may not be a guarantee.  I feel like I have let these kids down by showing them full bellies for two years, and now taking that away.  

If you have seen my Africa photos on Facebook, read my stories on this blog, maybe felt a bit of tugging on your heart to give to these kids, would you consider doing so now?  I know there are SO many places in this big ol' world that need help, many of them right in our own backyard, but the Lord has put these children in our lives and on our hearts and I cannot stand the thought of them not eating.  

It takes about $1500 a month to feed the Virginia Home.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in helping, please have them contact me, Candee Holmes.  I would love to talk about these kids with whoever wants to listen!  These kids are amazing and I for one cannot wait to see what God has planned for them!

If you can't help right now, but have ideas on ways to provide for these children I would love to hear from you too!  Food for thought, ya know!