"How are you?"

"How are you?"; "What are you?"; "Why are you?"; "Who are you?"; "Where are you?" . . . these are the phrases that we hear daily from the local children (they get their question words mixed up). These are accompanied by pointing, waving, and intermitent shouts of "Mzungu, mzungu!" (the Swahili word used for white people, which essentially means "one who goes around in circles").

Being in Gachie, we have many, many children as compared to Misiri. They are not nearly as well behaved, and we've been able to utilize many new Swahili words such as "be nice," "don't touch each other," "be quiet," "sit," "stay,"--ooh, this is starting to sound like canine behavior school. Anyhow, this week has been much more of a challenge. We're exhausted, and many of us have been, are, or (hopefully not) soon could be, sick. (Not badly, just enough to wear you down.) We've just been going non-stop. We really need prayer for stamina: emotional, physical, spiritual, grammatical. . . .

On a lighter note. Micah, Kelsey, and I have really become accustomed to the Kenyan way of life: Kenyan time (meaning, time doesn't matter), Tea time (twice a day, strictly at 10 and 4--all other things stop), and just going with the flow--nothing really bothers us anymore: it'll work out. I really this about Kenya.

I'll leave you with one story. This is from our first day in the airport. We show up and Micah gets his visa first. Dr. Shaw tells him to go down and find Linus, "A big, very black many with a belly." So he does, introduces himself, and gets his luggage. I come down, Micah points, "There's Linus." I introduce myself. Same thing with Kelsey. Dr. Shaw comes down, Micah points, "There's Linus." "That's not Linus." Awesome. And faux Linus never corrected us (although he didn't look very happy to see us or to hear that Dr. Shaw was just upstairs). Good times. . . .

Well, I'm off to a party. Thank you again for all your prayers!

Kwa heri!

Back again.

Wow! It's been forever since I've blogged. (I have only once or twice had a chance to be on the computer long enough to read a few of my emails this week.) I'm so sorry. Plus, I just realized that it's not so much the program, but the computer that isn't allowing me to blog. So--as would be my luck--only the computers you pay to use allow this site. Oh well.

So, it seems the last post was after the funeral. Hmm. . .what has happened in the last week? Well, to start, the sun came out (quite exciting!). We've done quite a few house visits to the clients. I was able to help a woman start a business selling coal, she has already been selling for a few days. I did find out some very, very disturbing news. There are 2 children at Miracle House that I have come to love very much. Last week Dr. Shaw informed me that they are most probably HIV positive, but they have yet to be tested. This was the first time I cried here. Please pray that they are not, and that they will be able to be tested very soon (they need to get on ARV's if they are positive). But there is much difficulty when dealing with HIV in Africa, it has such a negative stigma. So, one must be very careful as not to divulge the status to the public, or they will be permanently "marked." Please, please pray for these children.

On a lighter note. On Friday I was able to spend half the day with the kids at Miracle. I really love those children. I got there fairly early and they were still working on their math. I sat down with a few of the kids to check their work (as the teacher advised) and realized they had every single one wrong--and the former day's work as well. So, I spent about 30 minutes teaching (it's quite difficult teaching math without knowing hardly any Swahili) Dennis and George how to subtract. I was afraid they would soon lose interest, but they stayed with me--even after all the others had taken their porridge. And finally, they both got it. You could just see their eyes shining! It was probably the most validating thing I've done this whole time. So encouraging.

Our Amazing "Mungu" (God)

-Somehow this didn't get posted, and I didn't realize it until now-

So, yesterday (Tuesday) we went a funeral. It was quite an experience. Dr. Shaw preached a short sermon, but the funeral all-in-all was quite a process. It was all outside and it was misty raining (we haven't seen the sun since. . .Thursday, I think). After the first part of funeral we all sort of paraded (as many sang in Kikuyu--the main tribe in this area) over to the actual burying. (There were four funerals/burials yesterday, so Kevin made a joke: "first come first buried," maybe not tasteful, but funny.) Anyhow, when they were doing the actual burying (Micah, Kevin, and Humphrey all got to take part in that) the widow was standing right in front of Dr. Shaw and I. Dr. Shaw, "Have you consoled the widow?"
"Uh. . .no?"
*insistent Dr. Shaw stare*
"I really don't have anything to say."
*insistent Dr. Shaw stare*
"What would I say?"
*insistent Dr. Shaw stare*
"Ok, then."
*off to "console the widow"*
(Kevin will translate.)
I went to her, and the words just flowed. I didn't say much, just talked for a bit (it helps when things are translated, gives you time to think). (I don't know her at all, we've never met.) But God really provided the words--this is a RARE occasion, I never feel I have the words to say, no matter how I beg God to give them to me. I was (and still am) SO excited! It was probably my biggest fear, being asked to "counsel" and not knowing much more to do than smile. God is so good.

So it's been a while . . .

I've been having a bit (quite a bit) of difficulty trying to get a blog in. Some new system on the site or something.

Anyhow, I've been walking from Kiambethu Farm (where Kelsey, Dr. Mosteller, and I are staying) to Brackenhurst in the mornings to get a bit more time on the computer. The last 4 days--I believe--have been rainy/misty/foggy. So the road is quite wet. I walk through the chai tea fields and everything is extremely green, and with the fog hanging so low and close, it's like i'm walking though the moors in Scotland or somewhere. It's really beautiful--and don't worry, I've taken pictures (but it's the kind of thing that doesn't really fit in a camera lense, if you know what I mean).

As far as the missions experience, yesterday was the first day that I was really tired. "I just want to go sit in front of the fire and not really be here" tired. I was absolutely FREEZING yesterday, and with all the mud and mist, I'm not gonna lie, quite miserable. But I've worn three shirts today so all should be well.

On Saturday we had many, many kids come to Imani and we broke them up into 5 groups (originally supposed to be three) and I taught my group about Esther (and actually had an Esther in my group--it's a very popular name). They had never before heard the story. I don't really know how successful the teaching was--all five groups were in the same room, learning, and I had very young ones. But when we were done, we made crowns, and they seemed to really enjoy that. (By the way, if any of you have any ideas concerning crafts that go with Bible stories, please let me know. We have a decent amount of supplies, but we're running out of ideas--basically I need Cindy Trammell.)--Our greatest craft triumph was the puppets, too bad we can't do that again. . . .

We were able to worship with Imani Baptist on Sunday. It was an absolutely awesome experience. The special music was . . . dancing! That's right, dancing Baptists. Not to mention all the other dancing and wooping going on. It was just great. Micah and I were talking and he's decided we should just pick up that whole congregation and take them with us to the states so they can show us how its done.

I also got to learn how to cook a bit. Mareen, Millie, and Robinson (people from Imani and Miracle House) taught me how to cook ugali (corn meal and water, a bit like firmer grits) and chapati (basically a tortilla, except they use oil and it's a bit cruchy on the outside). We've also got to eat Ndazi (basically a firmer sopapilla) and samosa (a pastry with meat or vegitable inside). Mainly we eat rice and lentils or beans, though.

Today we have a funeral to go to; Dr. Shaw is doing the preaching. Hopefully we'll get to go to Miracle House for a bit; we haven't seen the kids much since Thursday. Well, now that the blog is working again, hopefully I'll be able to be more consistent. Until later. . . .

Sorry. . .

Hey guys, so I've been having practically no time to blog. I'm so sorry. Hopefully I'll be able to sometime soon (maybe today). Talk you to soon (hopefully).

God is good.

Please be praying for our team. The guys have been evangelizing every day--three people came to the Lord just today!! Linus says that the African people are more likely to listen to Americans than to their own kind, interestingly enough. So, when American's evangelize, more come to Christ. I think that has been the case--even though everyone thinks Micah is African (specifically from the Kikuyu tribe).

Today was a great day--exhausting, but great. We spent all morning with the children and drew pictures for about an hour and a half (I know, rediculous attention spans, it's awesome). I think I drew like a hundred giraffes.

But Micah talked to Dr. Shaw, and next thing I know we're (Kelsey and I) are getting to go do house visits (Imani has a ministry called "shade" that helps people who are HIV positive in any way they can). We went to four houses, and the women we met were such amazing people. They literally live in closets with dirt floors, many of them. But their spirits are so positive, you go away feeling they just visited you. One woman we visited spoke English, and so we got to have a really good conversation with her and get to know her. We also got to meet her 2 cows (which were named dawn and dusk, basically, in Swahili) and her one 6 day old calf (which was still unnamed, but by the time we left had sufficiently been named . . . Jessica--that's right).

I just want to thank you for all your prayers, I can really feel God working. I wouldn't be here without ya'll, and you are keeping me going. Thank you.

One more thing . . .

This has been the most amazing thing yet:

I was really struggling with the idea of theodicy: (basically how God can be both loving and just, and why bad things happen to good people). I talked to Erik about it before I left and he said that maybe I'm more angry about these people plights than they are themselves. Maybe they're thankful where they are.

The orphan children sing this song, "Children of Miracle," about how thankful and blessed they are, and they really sing it: hands raised, eyes closed, it' amazing--always makes me cry. They are so thankful for what God has done in their lives, and they are poor orphan children with one pair of clothes. Wow, I have a lot to learn. Chew on that. . . .

It gets frustrating. . .

So, we have been doing work for three days now, and I finally feel like I'm really here--mind and body, if that makes sense. We've been working with about 15 orphan children in the slum, and I am really getting attached. They're wonderful kids and SO well behaved. Yesterday, we taught them about the good Samaritan and made puppets to act it out. They loved it. We spent so much time on the craft we didn't even get to act it out.

We have been working with Imani (Faith) Baptist Church. The pastor's name is Linus (he lives in Brackenhurst, which is the Baptist Conference Center--kind of like a little compound, this is where Wayland is). Linus and his brother Humphrey have been amazing. They take us everywhere and let us "tag along" with them in all their ministries (which are many). We are really getting to know them well.

We went to the Village Market to exchange our money. It is basically a rediculously fancy shopping center next to the American Embassy. It was culture shock--after only 3 days of being here. We came out of the slum and went straight there (only like 10-15 miles). That was difficult. It's hard to see such opulence only miles away from such poverty.

Wednesday was a difficult day. I am realizing that as a female I will not be allowed to do nearly as much as the guys (both African and American). The mindset here concerning females is very frustrating. (I could really use prayer here.)

Well, (it's Thursday now) I'm about to get ready to go. I have no idea what we're doing today (probably going back to Imani with the children). Until later. . . .

Day 2 (and part of one)

Jambo!

I've so acclimated to the time change, I'm normally up all night, so being nine hours ahead is perfect. Not to mention the last few days before I left I didn't sleep much, so I have had no difficulty sleeping at night. (Everyone else is really struggling, though--hopefully they'll get on schedule in the next few days.)

So, we went to Imani Baptist Church and helped counsel people with HIV. I actually only counseled one woman because most of them only spoke Swahili (of which I have learned some). I thought it would be really emotionally difficult, but I found that it really didn't bother me at all. They're just people, too.

Today we went back to the church and played with the orphan children from the slum area. They are so sweet and had entirely too much energy. By the end of the day we were all asleep on the ground and they were still jumping on top of us. We showed up (supposedly going to do house visits), and instead Kelsey and I were to teach the children. (Of course, we were not prepared.) So, because there was a boy named Gideon, we told that story. I was a hit, not really, but it all worked out really well. Praise God. So, now I'm going to prepare a lesson for tomorrow. . .just in case.

I love you all, and appreciate all your prayers (so much).

1st day(s)

So after multiple flights (3), and many, many hours (approx. 26?) in the air and in airports, we are here, in Kenya. The flights weren't bad, fairly uneventful. (I did get to see a woman try and eat a wet wipe, and I'm sad to say I didn't try to stop her.)

I think I'm adjusting to the time difference well, I'm normally up all night anyway. So, this'll be good for that whole insomnia thing. . . .

We (Kelsey, Dr. Mosteller, and I) are staying in a quaint (yet quite large) English-type cottage. I is situated on a chai tea plantation that is 4-5 generations old. The woman who owns it is a older British woman named Fiona. The gardens are amazing! EVERYTHING grows like crazy.

Well, that's about it for now. We're about to go exchange money, eat, and head over to start counseling the people with AIDS. Hitting the ground running!