This last week was a nice microcosm of my African experiences. I had to deal with disapointments (my knee injury and not being able to play soccer, go on walks, etc...), had adventures (like meeting a man who works at the hospital while going to pick up Karen's finished engagement ring, who then took me to the hospital, took me past any lines, gave me an x-ray and read it all for free. "I just wanted to say thank you for coming all this way to help out country"- his stated reason why), and some really enjoyable times of relationship.
Of note, I've gotten to explain the gospel in a natural and meaningful way twice in the last week. Both happened at the Boy's Ranch and flowed from what we were already discussing in Bible study. They weren't planned, and extended our conversations further than any of us had anticipated when we began. The first night, one guy, Beya (18) understood in a very personal way the reality that a day of accounting is actually going to come. It was a holy moment, actually, one which I've rarely been a part of.
I've also continued to enjoy the Bible study at the orphanage, and the children there seem to be getting into it a bit more. This Friday, they all had their assigned verse memorized! I'm so proud of them, especially that they've begun to work harder on it, rather than just letting it slide. I've continued telling stories to illustrate the truths in the verses we study, and they've continued to enjoy them!
I also got to have a skype conversation with John Kameru, my dear friend and colleague at AMCC! He was in high spirits, and enjoyed telling me about their first mango order (which brought in a $90 profit over two weeks, and also allowed him to stay at AMCC!), the accomplishments of the children at AMCC (many 3 of whom are ranked 1st in their glass, 2 are 2nd). One child at AMCC (Joseph) has been ranked 8th in his grade out of the 40 surrounding schools, and another girl (Teresia) won a poetry reading contest and will be going on a trip to Mombasa (the 2nd largest city in Kenya, 8 hours away, on the ocean) paid for by her school!
Nick is also wrapping up his time at AMCC, and leaves on the 31st- just a few days away!
Please pray for:
- God to move through the Bible studies that Karen and I are doing here.
- Grace in transition for the Walkers, Karen, myself, and Nick as we're all leaving Africa in the next month.
- Provision for AMCC, and for profits to increase from their sustainability project.
- Wisdom and presence for Karen and I as we transition, not only culturally, but relationally.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. They are appreciated!
Love,
Mark
P.S. No one has responded to me about paying for my Zambian visa, so don't feel shy if you want to! ;-)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Nick's latest post
Another site seen daily here in Kimata. These women are carrying napia grass to feed their cows at home.Speaking of home, Nancy's back! Upon her return, she brought with her various types of food including maize, avocadoes, potatoes, tarrow root and beans! These were donated by her family. I asked her what the best thing about going home was.
She said that fixing her parents kitchen, which was days away from being totally destroyed, gave her great joy. The kitchen, by the way, was made from mud and sticks. Though the new one isn't permanent either, it is a great improvement from what they had been using. Maggs and I were very happy to have her back after two weeks.
About Maggs, SHE"S GONE! All of us here at AMCC were sad to see her go, though no one as much as me. She gave a speach to the kids before she left and they all hugged her to the point of collapse. 
However, before she could depart, we welcomed Barbara and Chris who had just flown in from Holland. Barbara is the missions director from Grace World Outreach. Chris is her cousin who leads a college-aged ministry in Arkansas.
As soon as they got to AMCC we put 'em straight to work pickin beans! (Not really; John and Nancy are way to hospitable/Kenyan to do that. I was the one who had to initiate the bean-pickin.)
It was a bitter sweet couple of days. I was excited to see a mentor of mine (Barb) but sad to see Maggs go. Of course the kids gave Barbara and Chris and even Maggs and I a warm welcome when we arrived. It was a huge hug-fest! 
When they wrap their arms around you, they don't let go until you pry em off or you're on the ground.
Mark's parents sent us a package! Thanks guys! The spices were much appreciated! It's amazing how a few spices can change a meal entirely. They also sent some good books for the kids to read and some biblical and educational decks of cards.In other news, Paulo, the youngest got chicken pocks! Or small pocks, I'm not sure. Anyway we're countin on all the kids getting them in the next couple of weeks.
This will be kind of a bummer deal but I guess they all gotta go through it sometime. Please pray that the Lord would bring quick healing and finances for the medical bills.Finances! We have delivered our first mango order! We got a profit of 10,000Ksh which will help AMCC not to be in such great debt. Because the system is a bit different than avocado harvesting, we'll have to wait a week before we get the check. We didn't make as much as anticipated but we've got about 6 and a half months to figure out how to increase profits.
Bloom church in Denver sent AMCC a couple of letters, which were super encouraging to the kids. In response, the kids will have the oportunity to draw or write something back the Bloom this Sunday. THANKS BLOOM! You guys rock!Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Dislocation Station
Bad News: I dislocated my knee yesterday while playing soccer. Thankfully (or not, only time will tell) it was not the same knee that I dislocated two years ago.
Thus far it seems to not be of the same caliber that my first one was (I don't feel any chips of my knee cap floating around), but since it only happened yesterday I don't yet know how badly it messed up my ligaments, tendons, etc...
This is fairly deflating for me, especially as I consider trying to return to the US, find a job, and marry the woman of my dreams. Depending on how bad it is, my recovery time could be a year (or more) and that would dramatically change the number and kind of jobs that I can work.
I appreciate your prayer for healing, and trust in God's plan and provision. I'm not really worried, but I have begun grieving the things I won't be able to do because of this injury.
I also appreciate you joining me in thanks to God, that it wasn't anything worse, that it happened to me and not one of the boy's at the Ranch (whose access to medical help is much smaller than mine), and that God knew about this and will work it for me good- even Karen's!
My greatest thanks to you. May you sense the reality of the nearness of our God.
I spoke too soon!
Does anyone remember like 2 months ago when I said that I had received all of the funds I needed for my trip? I was totally telling the truth... for my knowledge at the time.
Note: I had the address on this blog posted incorrectly yesterday. The zip code for HOB read "23588". It is now correct as "32588"
However, I was forced to buy a $200 Zambian work visa three weeks ago (scroll down to read more about that frustrating experience). This cost was unforeseen by me and the agency whom I am working under here, and therefore was not in the amount that I had been trying to reach.
Soooooo, if you were thinking about contributing some money toward my trip but decided not to because I reach my goal, then consider your desires met! You can still make out a check to: Heart of the Bride Ministries, attach a sticky note to the check that says "For Mark Dawson" and send it all to:
Heart of the Bride Ministries
PO Box 786
Niceville, FL 32588
Thanks so much. I'll update again if/when this need is met.
Note: I had the address on this blog posted incorrectly yesterday. The zip code for HOB read "23588". It is now correct as "32588"
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
It's not a dream anymore!
I’m getting married to the woman of my dreams!!!
Last Thursday night I asked Karen Hartman to marry me and she said yes! I’m ridiculously happy about this and am thankful to God for her. She is the only woman in the world that I would want to live with or spend the rest of my life with, and I am praying that I’ll learn to be a good husband to her.
We don’t yet know when we’ll get married, but we’re thinking it'll happen sometime in the future.
Here are some pictures!
Isn't she beautiful?!?!
I love my life! On top of getting engaged this last week, I’ve just had an absolutely wonderful time here lately. I live at the Boy’s Ranch, and I get really enjoy it! The boys are fairly well disciplined, and I’ve tricked them all into thinking that I’m cool, and we get along great. We play Frisbee, and one-on-one soccer, and tell stories together. I pray with them, and do Bible studies with them, and just talk to them. They tell me about their lives on the streets, and where they came from, and what they’d like to do, and it’s just really great to do!
Most of them also speak less-than-perfect Engrish (as it’s pronounced), and I share a number funny thoughts just with myself and God. The boys really enjoy hearing me talk about how “Kah-len is so byoo-tee-fool”. They get a kick out of it, and I enjoy the subject matter, so it’s a nice fit. They also spend lots of time asking me about America. Half of what I tell them is just made up (and they know I’m joking), but I also try to be intentional about portraying to them that America is NOT heaven-on-earth and that the physical amenities that people there have do not translate into fulfillment or happiness. They are surprised to hear that Americans commit suicide, or that they aren’t happy when they have a nice car or house. The problem isn’t that Americans have high standards, it’s just that their hearts do: physical things can never satisfy our spiritual longings, and it is the spiritual longings that really drive most of our actions (the need for acceptance, forgiveness, community, purpose, and love).
It’s so fun to talk to these boys about this stuff, and then I realize that soon I’ll be entering back into the culture which has ensnared me in the past. It’s a sobering thought to realize that when I go back I make a very complex trade with life here. I am able to get the ice cream I love, and play the sports which are fun to me, and be gainfully employed, and walk around safely at night, but the pressures of lust, materialism, and pride in my own accomplishments will also be felt much more (especially since in America I’ve done what’s cool to young people these days: volunteering in a poor nation). I’ll trade the laid-back relationships for more intentional tasks, and I’m excited and reluctant to make this transition. Most of all I will miss the people here, and in Kenya as well (whom I already miss, but somehow I will more when I’m in the US).
You can pray for me, and my fiancé Karen about these things.
As for AMCC:
- Nick got malaria!!! Please pray for his recovery and health, and that God would use this for his good, his gf’s good, and also the good of AMCC.
- Pray for physical provision for AMCC: food, rent, pay for the employees, and for us to be able to hire new employees since Nick will be leaving in less than a month!
- The children at AMCC to know God and His love, and to love one another.
- The kids at AMCC to work diligently at school, and to be healthy.
- Unity for all staff at AMCC, for us to balance our personal lives well with involvement at AMCC.
Post from Nick's blog last week
monday, july 6, 2009
Friends! First I'd like to appologize for not updating my blog in about 3 weeks. A few things have happened which have kept me from doing so.
I've had some blogging complications that you will be recieving an e-mail about. The other reason is because for about 4 days Maggs and I went to climb Mt. Kenya! This was truly a blessing because we didn't think we would have a chance to do it.
Not much has changed here lately, except that Maggie and I have had a few days where we are the only two running the entire place. Thanks to the $100 that Grace World Outreach gave a couple weeks ago, Nancy has ceased the opportunity to go home for a break and bless her family with the money. This has been a long time coming. The last time she was able to go home was about 7 months ago. The Pastor is still working hard on the avocadoes and can spend some nights away from AMCC leaving Maggs and I to pick up the slack. Recently AMCC was blessed with avocadoes from some of our neighbors whose original avocado harvesters didn't show up. The children had a good time helping to collect them because the farms were so close.
Here at AMCC, and all of Kenya along with most parts of Africa, children are caned more often than those in the states. They seemed a bit more disciplined that most kids in the U.S. as well. It's very different for me culturally but I've become a little more used to it. I found that the children don't seem to feel oppressed or threatened by caning, however, Maggs and I have been instiuting some other ways of discipline. Here you can see David sitting on top of Jerald with their arms around each other. This was the consequence for their hitting each other. After a while sitting there, I asked them if they were brothers and if they loved each other. They both responded postively to each inquiry.
Njau the Butcher (pronounced "Jow") is a noteworthy person in our small sub-district. This man doesn't speak English but has a servant's heart that speaks louder than words. He owns this small butchery in Mukarara, a village that lies about 3 kilometers away from Kimata. When we have the money, we buy meat from him. He's always been faithful in allowing us to charge our cell-phones and any other electronical device for free. He plays a huge role in supporting AMCC in this way. He's also been super helpful for me to practice Swahili with.
Recently the rains have been scarce, forcing the children to hike to a nearby river to draw water. This is a picture of the kids hiking back up the side of hill with jugs full of water. None of them are fat. 
The next picture is of a technique that John and Nancy use to get the children's attention when telling them something very important. You can see Nancy grabbing her ears as she tells the children to do the same. I know it looks a bit militaristic but don't worry, the kids are all laughing at this point.
This is another noteworthy person in Thika Town. Her name is Sho-sho (grandma) Victoria. She has a small shop in Thika where she sells a variety of fruits and veggies for a living. She loves the Lord and has always been an encouragement to Mark and I and helpful in supporting AMCC.
This man is Samual Mwangi. He deals with coffee in the area and has brought by a sample for us to ship to some friends in the U.S. The coffee that is bought in our region is going for about 25 shillings. The same coffee in the U.S. is being bought by 1200 shillings. Of course there should be a price gap from the famer to the consumer, but not a gap of 50 times the selling price. AMCC hopes to be able to buy the coffee from the farmers at a greater price than the Kenyan buyers. We're hoping this will give Kenyan farmers a hand in getting out of the cycle of poverty while helping AMCC pay the bills.
The last picture is of the four staff members walking to a celebration one Sunday afternoon. A lady that is a cousin of John was healed and the church she is a part of decided to celebrate by meeting at her house and eating together. I wish we did more things like this. The people here seem to have a cool spirit of thanksgiving. It was a great time hangin out with people who were so appreciative of the Lord.
The only other news is that we should be getting a mango order sometime next week. Please be praying that we can actually get the order and that all goes well with the new business venture. Nancy should have a few more days off befor her return. Also, pray that the Lord would give Maggs and I wisdom in how to love and discipline the children here while the Pastor and Nancy are out.
Mungu Akubariki!
Friends! First I'd like to appologize for not updating my blog in about 3 weeks. A few things have happened which have kept me from doing so.
I've had some blogging complications that you will be recieving an e-mail about. The other reason is because for about 4 days Maggs and I went to climb Mt. Kenya! This was truly a blessing because we didn't think we would have a chance to do it.
Not much has changed here lately, except that Maggie and I have had a few days where we are the only two running the entire place. Thanks to the $100 that Grace World Outreach gave a couple weeks ago, Nancy has ceased the opportunity to go home for a break and bless her family with the money. This has been a long time coming. The last time she was able to go home was about 7 months ago. The Pastor is still working hard on the avocadoes and can spend some nights away from AMCC leaving Maggs and I to pick up the slack. Recently AMCC was blessed with avocadoes from some of our neighbors whose original avocado harvesters didn't show up. The children had a good time helping to collect them because the farms were so close.
Here at AMCC, and all of Kenya along with most parts of Africa, children are caned more often than those in the states. They seemed a bit more disciplined that most kids in the U.S. as well. It's very different for me culturally but I've become a little more used to it. I found that the children don't seem to feel oppressed or threatened by caning, however, Maggs and I have been instiuting some other ways of discipline. Here you can see David sitting on top of Jerald with their arms around each other. This was the consequence for their hitting each other. After a while sitting there, I asked them if they were brothers and if they loved each other. They both responded postively to each inquiry.
Njau the Butcher (pronounced "Jow") is a noteworthy person in our small sub-district. This man doesn't speak English but has a servant's heart that speaks louder than words. He owns this small butchery in Mukarara, a village that lies about 3 kilometers away from Kimata. When we have the money, we buy meat from him. He's always been faithful in allowing us to charge our cell-phones and any other electronical device for free. He plays a huge role in supporting AMCC in this way. He's also been super helpful for me to practice Swahili with.
Recently the rains have been scarce, forcing the children to hike to a nearby river to draw water. This is a picture of the kids hiking back up the side of hill with jugs full of water. None of them are fat.
The next picture is of a technique that John and Nancy use to get the children's attention when telling them something very important. You can see Nancy grabbing her ears as she tells the children to do the same. I know it looks a bit militaristic but don't worry, the kids are all laughing at this point.
This is another noteworthy person in Thika Town. Her name is Sho-sho (grandma) Victoria. She has a small shop in Thika where she sells a variety of fruits and veggies for a living. She loves the Lord and has always been an encouragement to Mark and I and helpful in supporting AMCC.
This man is Samual Mwangi. He deals with coffee in the area and has brought by a sample for us to ship to some friends in the U.S. The coffee that is bought in our region is going for about 25 shillings. The same coffee in the U.S. is being bought by 1200 shillings. Of course there should be a price gap from the famer to the consumer, but not a gap of 50 times the selling price. AMCC hopes to be able to buy the coffee from the farmers at a greater price than the Kenyan buyers. We're hoping this will give Kenyan farmers a hand in getting out of the cycle of poverty while helping AMCC pay the bills.
The last picture is of the four staff members walking to a celebration one Sunday afternoon. A lady that is a cousin of John was healed and the church she is a part of decided to celebrate by meeting at her house and eating together. I wish we did more things like this. The people here seem to have a cool spirit of thanksgiving. It was a great time hangin out with people who were so appreciative of the Lord.
The only other news is that we should be getting a mango order sometime next week. Please be praying that we can actually get the order and that all goes well with the new business venture. Nancy should have a few more days off befor her return. Also, pray that the Lord would give Maggs and I wisdom in how to love and discipline the children here while the Pastor and Nancy are out.
Mungu Akubariki!
I've had some blogging complications that you will be recieving an e-mail about. The other reason is because for about 4 days Maggs and I went to climb Mt. Kenya! This was truly a blessing because we didn't think we would have a chance to do it.
Not much has changed here lately, except that Maggie and I have had a few days where we are the only two running the entire place. Thanks to the $100 that Grace World Outreach gave a couple weeks ago, Nancy has ceased the opportunity to go home for a break and bless her family with the money. This has been a long time coming. The last time she was able to go home was about 7 months ago. The Pastor is still working hard on the avocadoes and can spend some nights away from AMCC leaving Maggs and I to pick up the slack. Recently AMCC was blessed with avocadoes from some of our neighbors whose original avocado harvesters didn't show up. The children had a good time helping to collect them because the farms were so close.
Here at AMCC, and all of Kenya along with most parts of Africa, children are caned more often than those in the states. They seemed a bit more disciplined that most kids in the U.S. as well. It's very different for me culturally but I've become a little more used to it. I found that the children don't seem to feel oppressed or threatened by caning, however, Maggs and I have been instiuting some other ways of discipline. Here you can see David sitting on top of Jerald with their arms around each other. This was the consequence for their hitting each other. After a while sitting there, I asked them if they were brothers and if they loved each other. They both responded postively to each inquiry.
Njau the Butcher (pronounced "Jow") is a noteworthy person in our small sub-district. This man doesn't speak English but has a servant's heart that speaks louder than words. He owns this small butchery in Mukarara, a village that lies about 3 kilometers away from Kimata. When we have the money, we buy meat from him. He's always been faithful in allowing us to charge our cell-phones and any other electronical device for free. He plays a huge role in supporting AMCC in this way. He's also been super helpful for me to practice Swahili with.
Recently the rains have been scarce, forcing the children to hike to a nearby river to draw water. This is a picture of the kids hiking back up the side of hill with jugs full of water. None of them are fat. 
The next picture is of a technique that John and Nancy use to get the children's attention when telling them something very important. You can see Nancy grabbing her ears as she tells the children to do the same. I know it looks a bit militaristic but don't worry, the kids are all laughing at this point.
This is another noteworthy person in Thika Town. Her name is Sho-sho (grandma) Victoria. She has a small shop in Thika where she sells a variety of fruits and veggies for a living. She loves the Lord and has always been an encouragement to Mark and I and helpful in supporting AMCC.
This man is Samual Mwangi. He deals with coffee in the area and has brought by a sample for us to ship to some friends in the U.S. The coffee that is bought in our region is going for about 25 shillings. The same coffee in the U.S. is being bought by 1200 shillings. Of course there should be a price gap from the famer to the consumer, but not a gap of 50 times the selling price. AMCC hopes to be able to buy the coffee from the farmers at a greater price than the Kenyan buyers. We're hoping this will give Kenyan farmers a hand in getting out of the cycle of poverty while helping AMCC pay the bills.
The last picture is of the four staff members walking to a celebration one Sunday afternoon. A lady that is a cousin of John was healed and the church she is a part of decided to celebrate by meeting at her house and eating together. I wish we did more things like this. The people here seem to have a cool spirit of thanksgiving. It was a great time hangin out with people who were so appreciative of the Lord.The only other news is that we should be getting a mango order sometime next week. Please be praying that we can actually get the order and that all goes well with the new business venture. Nancy should have a few more days off befor her return. Also, pray that the Lord would give Maggs and I wisdom in how to love and discipline the children here while the Pastor and Nancy are out.
Mungu Akubariki!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Frustrambia!
Ahhhhh!!!
Yesterday I had by far the most frustrating "Africa" like day of my trip. Which is actually amazing and pretty nice, considering I've been here over 4 months now! It's really not that big of a deal, but since my expectations were so different then it felt a lot worse (plus I had a hot date to get to!).
Basically, I had to renew (or extend?) my Zambian visa yesterday, since it marked exactly 30 days from when I entered the country on June 3rd. I went to the immigration office early and got there just as the employees were walking in (note: I rode in the cab of a flat-bed truck that was delivering security guards to their various locations. You might think that this isn't a very secure thing for such a company to do, but in their defense, the likelihood of finding an umusungu who would try to take advantage of them here is ridiculously low).
Since I'd only been in Zambia for 37 days in 2009 and my visa was good for 90 days in a calendar year I was expecting them to simply stamp it, extend my visa to August 3rd, and then I'd go to the orphanage for the Bible studies I was going to do there.
WRONG.
Turns out that I made a serious blunder (or no one told me about it!) in telling the immigration office that I was here to work at a home for street boys. That's WORK, and it requires a work visa. A $200 work visa.
!!!!
For the sake of my own sanity I will spare many of the details of the rest of the day. Here's what's important:
1. I was given an incomplete list of what I would need to bring with me, so when I came back later in the day I had to leave again.
2. I waited alone with two other people for 2 hours in the lobby, until 5 minutes before the office closed. Then the employee called all of us in, sat us down, then continued to work on our stuff right in front of us. I'm confused why he didn't do them one at a time to allow the other parties to leave earlier (i.e. 1.5 hours and 1 hour earlier!).
3. The Lebanese woman waiting with me was also misinformed about what she was to bring, even though she's lived here for 7 years, and was very upset that they didn't tell her key information. I was just happy that a non-Westerner was also upset.
4. I eventually got my visa, 15 minutes after close.
I wanted to verbally wound the guy, and it's good that my ride arrived just as stuff was finishing. I just left and tried to de-tox before I took out my aggression on an unworthy party.
Saver of the day: I still got to go on a hot date with Karen! Woohoo!!! It was even sweeter because of the difficulties of the day.
So if anyone wants to contribute a portion of that un-planned for $200, write me an email or just follow the instructions posted on my blog in March and April.
Also news: I am returning to the US on August 21st! I'll be flying into Denver at 11:45 and beginning a two-month stint of traveling... all in a country whose language and culture I (mostly) know. I'm very happy to do so, even though transportation in the US is generally much more expensive than here. For now, though, I am quite content to be here in Zambia!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Another week, a new schedule.
My life here in Zambia is really pretty different than in Kenya. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm even in Africa at all, but then something unexpected will happen and I'll be reminded of my place. This week that thing was the decision for the boys whom I am supposed to be discipling to be let go from the program they're in right now. WHAT?
I don't know all of the history of stuff, but this week it was decided that their misbehavior has become too much, even obstinate and intentional. Therefore, the staff here (mostly Zambian) have decided that Chishala, Kellys, and Felix are all going to leave the Boy's Ranch and be on their own- in the next 2-3 days!
Lots of factors I'm sure went into this decision, but I'm sure that a strong one was not wanting the younger boys to follow bad examples and receive bad influence. Last Friday was took in two new boys to the Ranch, Ernest (10) and Frank (11). They both look like they're about 5, in fact lots of the boys here look much younger than their actual age (a 19 year old who looks 12, an 18 year old who looks 13, 14 year old who looks 7). The day after they came, Saturday, two boys ran away from the Boy's ranch. Mana Mwape (19), and Chanda (12) just slipped out between the wire fencing in plain daylight. We're all confused about how they did it without being noticed because there were people well scattered through out our 4 acres. Either way, they left, and we mourned for Chanda especially. It seems that Mana has been to lots of centers for street children, and he does the same thing at every one: incite younger boys to run away with him. Thankfully only one went with him, although another (Kainda) would have gone had he not been called back for a conversation with one of our staff. I saw Chanda in town the next day and he refused to come back, but yesterday he said he was ready to come back. The staff seem unanimous that Mana fed him a bunch of lies and that he was manipulated into leaving. It blows my mind that a child would want to leave this place: they get 3 good meals a day, a warm bed to sleep in with a roof over their heads, friends who understand what they've been through, and adults who will be consistent and loving with them.
The boys that I've talked with have said that they never went hungry, though. Often they actually had a place to rent and would sleep there at night (rent can be as low as $8 per month). They told me that they could earn as much as $20-$50 a day, and on the streets they could spend it howevver they wanted: burgers, steak, glue to sniff, cigarettes, weed, alcohol, prositutes, whatever they wanted. They couldn't buy love with it though, and I think that is the differece between this program and other gov't run/sponsored ones around. Apparently they all have terrible retention rates (most kids run away after 1 or 2 months), but here we've had the same kids for over a year, and they're really different! They are loved, and that is becaus the people who work there know God and have been loved by Him. It's amazing to see it really work.
So my relationships will change now, but my schedule wasn't really finalized anyway so it won't be that big of a disruption. I've finally got stuff all programmed out, though, and this week I'll get to really dig in! I'm especially excited to finish the story that I started at the orphanage yesterday. It's a tale illustrating the truth found in 2 Timothy 3:16 "All of scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness". I tell stories a lot more when I'm teaching in Africa, and it's so fun to make em up right there on the spot, analogiues too. My fav so far: Many men get married just so they can have sex. That's like someone buying a car so that they can have a radio. They'll get a radio, yeah, but there's a whole bunch of other stuff along with it. A car is a big responsibility, and you can do wonderful things with it, or cause incredible pain and suffering.
Karen is still my favorite girl in the world. My goodness, I'm so blessed to be with her.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Glad to start!
Well I'm at the beginning (or end) of a week here, depending on whose calendar you're looking at, and I feel a bit more rested and at peace now than I did a week ago. Main reason: I've mostly started the things I came here to do!
I spent my first two weeks just trying to understand the schedules, circumstances, and environments that I'll be working in here. Now that's I've got my feet under me a bit more I've begun, and I'm enjoying it!
I did my first Bible study with the kids at the orphanage on Friday, and it was really fun! There were about 8 kids ages 10-12 and they were 1:15 later than I thought they'd be home (though probably not their fault, in fact it was mostly Miss Communication's fault) so they had to eat lunch while I was teaching, but they were paying attention and seemed to enjoy it. There were two teachers from the orphanage who stayed in the room while I did it and they helped and encouraged the kids to speak up and not be shy with me "You can't fear him" they'd say in their sweet Northern-Rhodesian accents. :-)
I've also led my second Bible study for unmarried men aged 14-30 at the local church, and it's cool. Today there was just one guy for the first five minutes, then we found Shad, one of Karen's students (16) and eventually two of the guys from the church band came along. We talked about how God made sex good, and I tried to convince one of them that being made in God's image does not mean that God physically looks like us. I enjoyed it, and even though we didn't get through what I had planned for today, I was cool with it because I've got like 8 weeks to go- so we can just do it next week!
At the Boy's Ranch I finally figured out a plan for what to do with Chishala, Kellys, and Felix. I've finished my book on counseling for drug addiction (which, although it was written for professional counselors, was still quite interesting) and am ready to start a Bible study with them specifically designed for people with "life controlling problems". We're going to do that all together, and with no interpreter! They were pretty stoked about that, I think because then they won't have to worry about their leaders being there keeping an eye on them. On top of that I'll be meeting with them individually to talk about a whole host of things: business ideas, where they'll live when they leave, what they're struggling with right now, how to stay off the streets, what kind of a life they want to live, who is God to them, what team are they rooting for in the Confederations Cup, etc...
The goal of my interaction with these guys is to prepare them for when they leave, so I'm trying to let that guide me as I'm here. Ex: I'm wanting these guys to have a regular prayer life, so we're going to pray together 3 times a week. When none of them showed up the first day, I told each of them individually that I wasn't offended that they weren't there. That prayer time is not for me, I said, but for you. I know that I'm offering them some cool stuff, but I can't make them do it. They can take it or leave it, but I'm certain that if they do it they will benefit and if they don't they'll reap the consequences. I know that there won't be someone forcing them to pray, or plan ahead for their business, or whatever when they're gone, so I'm trying to get them used to becoming their own accountability. It's very freeing for me to know that it's not my responsibility to change them!
In other news, Karen's Uncle George and cousin Bryce have come and will be here till next weekend. AND BRYCE IS HILARIOUS!!! He and I are completely on the same page with our sarcasm and jokes, and it's just refreshing my socks off (it would be like if Desi came, but in the body of an unmarried 22-year old University of Arizona Wildcat). Uncle George is also pretty chill and fun to talk to, and I'm really enjoying my time with each of them.
Did you know that Emeralds and other such precious stones are fairly cheap in Zambia? I was unaware. Anyone want anything (not a diamond, please, as here they are almost certainly conflict-related)? Just let me know and I'll try to find it, quote you a price, and I can take it back for you!
I also harvested sweet potatoes this week, which was pretty cool.
My girlfriend is amazing.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
This is the latest blog post from Nick!
Kenyans can carry just about anything on the back of a bycicle. This guy's got talents I only hope to achieve one day.
John and I got to see Micah and Betsy again! They invited us to a 1010 Project meeting. It was a networking event and allowed me to see a bunch of white people like me and for John to connect with some other Kenyans running orphanages.
Micah also introduced us to Adam, the Executive Director of 10:10 Project who's 26 years old and also to the Kenyan Director, Fred who is involved with three other NGO's here in Kenya. One of the coolest things about the 10:10 Project is that their strategy and methodology for helping struggling organizations is very similar to what Mark and I are doing with AMCC. They're big fans of not just giving money for expendable needs, but rather to start income-generating projects.
It turns out that Fred and John are actually old preachin buddies! They used to live in the same town and preach alongside each other. Fred and Adam invited us back to Fred's house where we talked about how we can partner! This was very exciting stuff. We're hoping to recieve a grant from 10:10 for the chicken project to help with some of the funding in September. Currently the biggest grant that 10:10 has given is around $7,000. For our project, we're going to need about $15,000 overall, so we're hoping and praying that 10:10 can help us with about half the cost. There's no gauruntee though.
John's still hard at work with the avacodo business. Here's a pic of him with his game-face on. The business is getting more and more competitive as the season is comming to a close in about 6 weeks. We're having to go further and further to load the truck. We've reached the Mungiki territory in one direction, which means really bad news. They're like the Organized Kenyan Gang. They charge outsiders fees for any type of work. When people refuse, cars and farms are set on fire and occasionally people are murdered. So we're gonna have to fill our truck elsewhere.
Yesterday was a visiting day for the parents. It was a great time for the kids to get to see their parents or grandparents (those that have them). Most of the guardians brought fruit or greens or soap or some other necessity. It was quite a blessing to get to eat ugali and kales rather than getheri (maize and beans) last night. Even this morning they all got to take chai (tea with milk and sugar) because one parent brought milk. What a treat for the kids. John and Nancy also sat down with each guardian and discussed issues with their children and how they were doing at AMCC and in school.
Unfortunately, ....or fortunately..., one of the older girls told her mom she wouldn't let her leave without her coming along. Rosemary was saying that she didn't like it at AMCC. Her mom, who makes about a dollar a day, will have a hard time supporting Rosemary. Most likely she won't be able to go to school and will have to go for casual labor picking coffee or tea. Her mom asked her to tell the plain truth of what the problem was in from of John and Nancy. But Rosemary wouldn't say anything. Then her mom told her that she knows Rosemary is lieing about something because she wouldn't verbalize the problem in front of John and Nancy. So why would she leave?? I dunno know exactly. What I do know is that other kids have fought and screamed and cried to stay there instead of going back with their parents. My personal opinion is that Rosemary doesn't like being told what to do, i.e. pull water, saying "excuse me" before talking to her superiors, helping to clean her room with the other girls, etc... She is a bit older so maybe she thinks she can have a better life elsewhere. I hope she doesn't become uneducated and/or pregnant! I pray that the Lord would go with her and grow her in Him.
Oh, I almost forgot! The Big News from last time! So there's a lady who lives down the road, Mrs. Wesley, who has recently been widowed. Her late husband would often frequent AMCC on Sundays and teach the kids about the Lord. The Wesley's daughter, Dorithy, lives in London and is very involved with her church there. She's heard much about AMCC and has known
John since she was a child.
She's really pushing to get her church involved and recently a lady has expressed interest in raising $20,000 for AMCC to buy land! I dunno how serious this woman is but I'm praying that the Lord would put it in her heart to do so. Having no land of their own is one of the primary problems that AMCC has currently. So please join with us in praying over this situation!
The last piece of Big News is that Maggie will be here tomorrow! I'm so excited I can't sit still. May the Lord be glorified in our time together here! Please pray that we would remember to seek first the Kingdom of God and that He would use us to encourage one another in our walks with Him. I'm praising God because He has given us this opportunity to serve Him alongside one another. Whoo hoo!
posted by nick at 2:39 am 0 comments
The lovely Teacher Nancy. I know most of you girls are jealouse you can't make your hair look like this on a daily basis. We call this "bush hair", as in "Some of those in Africa live 'in the bush'".
John's still workin on the avacodo business. We've made a 12,000Ksh profit so far! We're still waiting to collect the 5 grand that one of the workers ran off with, but the police are on the trail and we're still prayin. Nonetheless, John was actually able to pay the rent for AMCC this month!!!! Bwana asufiwe! (Praise God) He's also paid for medical bills for two of the kids and for Nancy to get one of her teeth pulled (ouch!) So AMCC is on their way! We even hoping to be able to collect money from various doners for more trucks and workers. John's feeling confident that AMCC can make some money for the future. He's also promised to put enough of the money into a "Deposit Only Account" so next year in May, they'll be able to do start right up again! This project is cemi-self-sustaining, because it only last for about 10 weeks. We're hoping we can go through the end of the year with the profits we'll make.
The Assistant Chief stopped by to give the kids a word of wisdom. Fortunately his office is next door to us, which allows AMCC to be a bit safer. I'm really thankful that John's got such a good relationship with him. This night he actually talked to the kids about sex! Talk about a surprise! I didn't know they talked about such things. Honestly though, he talked to the girls about not believing the lies of older boys. The week before, a freshman girl had dropped out of school, slept with a young man who told her that he owned what was actually his grandfather's estate, and had become pregnant. Now she's gonna have rough life and repeat the cycle of madness of her parents. He also encouraged the boys to stay in school and reminded them that there was a time for everything. He made sure they knew that school and marriage were for two different times.
John is becoming quite the barber. The first night he started, he shaved two and half kids' heads with the battery charged clippers before it went dead. The next night he shaved, he made it through 3 and a half, and this morning he did 5 kids! What a pro! These clippers are awesome by the way! Thank you guys sooo much for sending them! So far we're gonna save like 400Ksh! (haha, or rather not spend the 400Ksh we don't have)
Micah and Betsy came to K-ville (Kimata)! I can't tell you how pumped I was to invite them in to AMCC, not to mention John and Nancy. You know, Micah is the one who developed the AMCC official website. I haven't posted it yet cause it needs to be updated... I'm wanna wait to Micah has a chance to do so. We had a blast together even though it was for less than 36 hours. They are here working for the 1010 Project, who give small business grants to struggling Kenyan Christian organizations. So if you know of any, tell Micah and Betsy about it.;) It was truly a blessing to see some other Americans around who are dear to my heart! Thanks guys!
One last thing before I go. John was asked to be on the Red Cross committee for the Kadara region, which includes where AMCC is. So wherever Red Cross has potential to be involved, John is one of those on the chief decision-making team. Here's a picture a couple of those who were in charge during their training day. They took a 5-day training and crammed it into one! That's heavy stuff! I'm just glad to know that now John knows CPR.
There's some other really awesome things that God's got brewin for AMCC that have to do with some churches in another part of the world. BUT, unfortuntately I'm out of time today. So till then... Cheerio! ;)
John's still workin on the avacodo business. We've made a 12,000Ksh profit so far! We're still waiting to collect the 5 grand that one of the workers ran off with, but the police are on the trail and we're still prayin. Nonetheless, John was actually able to pay the rent for AMCC this month!!!! Bwana asufiwe! (Praise God) He's also paid for medical bills for two of the kids and for Nancy to get one of her teeth pulled (ouch!) So AMCC is on their way! We even hoping to be able to collect money from various doners for more trucks and workers. John's feeling confident that AMCC can make some money for the future. He's also promised to put enough of the money into a "Deposit Only Account" so next year in May, they'll be able to do start right up again! This project is cemi-self-sustaining, because it only last for about 10 weeks. We're hoping we can go through the end of the year with the profits we'll make.
The Assistant Chief stopped by to give the kids a word of wisdom. Fortunately his office is next door to us, which allows AMCC to be a bit safer. I'm really thankful that John's got such a good relationship with him. This night he actually talked to the kids about sex! Talk about a surprise! I didn't know they talked about such things. Honestly though, he talked to the girls about not believing the lies of older boys. The week before, a freshman girl had dropped out of school, slept with a young man who told her that he owned what was actually his grandfather's estate, and had become pregnant. Now she's gonna have rough life and repeat the cycle of madness of her parents. He also encouraged the boys to stay in school and reminded them that there was a time for everything. He made sure they knew that school and marriage were for two different times.
John is becoming quite the barber. The first night he started, he shaved two and half kids' heads with the battery charged clippers before it went dead. The next night he shaved, he made it through 3 and a half, and this morning he did 5 kids! What a pro! These clippers are awesome by the way! Thank you guys sooo much for sending them! So far we're gonna save like 400Ksh! (haha, or rather not spend the 400Ksh we don't have)
Micah and Betsy came to K-ville (Kimata)! I can't tell you how pumped I was to invite them in to AMCC, not to mention John and Nancy. You know, Micah is the one who developed the AMCC official website. I haven't posted it yet cause it needs to be updated... I'm wanna wait to Micah has a chance to do so. We had a blast together even though it was for less than 36 hours. They are here working for the 1010 Project, who give small business grants to struggling Kenyan Christian organizations. So if you know of any, tell Micah and Betsy about it.;) It was truly a blessing to see some other Americans around who are dear to my heart! Thanks guys!
One last thing before I go. John was asked to be on the Red Cross committee for the Kadara region, which includes where AMCC is. So wherever Red Cross has potential to be involved, John is one of those on the chief decision-making team. Here's a picture a couple of those who were in charge during their training day. They took a 5-day training and crammed it into one! That's heavy stuff! I'm just glad to know that now John knows CPR.
There's some other really awesome things that God's got brewin for AMCC that have to do with some churches in another part of the world. BUT, unfortuntately I'm out of time today. So till then... Cheerio! ;)
Beginning of Zambia!
My first week in Zambia has come and gone and I must say that I’m glad to be here and I have a full time ahead of me. I live at the Nehemiah Boy’s Ranch, a home for former street boys run by the Sarah Rose Children’s Foundation, a Zambian non-profit strongly connected with the local church here, Church on the Rock. I sleep in the dorm with the boys, on the bottom bunk underneath Matthews, a middle schooler who has a chain and likes to wear sunglasses.
Most of the kids at the boy’s ranch seem like normal kids, and I’m frequently surprised when I hear pieces of their stories. You honestly wouldn’t know that they used to live on the streets just by seeing them or even talking with them at school or something. But oh man, their stories. One boy, who came to the Ranch last June, told me that he’d spent the five years leading up to his time here drunk. He’s 20 years old.
Its pretty peaceful there, and I don’t mind that. I go to bed by 9:30 most nights, and get to spend the early mornings by myself while the boys work on the garden beds that each of them are tending. Tomatoes, spinach, Chinese cabbage, whatever it is that they’re growing they get to sell and keep the profits, and I think that’s great! It helps them learn responsibility and money management, as well as providing a helpful ethic of work to be built into them. This is one of the main things that the boy’s need help with, learning to do honest work for a fair wage.
There is a “chapel” every morning, with a different leader at the Ranch doing a short (20 min?) time of teaching. Right now we’re going through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and it’s cool to hear the different perspectives that the Zambian Christians bring to these passages. At night I do the “devotion”, which is just me commenting on the passage from chapel. It’s pretty chill, and done through translation, and I enjoy having a time of being able to speak to all the boys,
Different boys have different schedules, but most of them are supposed to have a half day of school. However, the teachers in the gov’t schools here in Zambia have been on strike for the last 3 weeks, so the kids are just hanging out at the Ranch (Ironically, the students in Zambia have recently organized strikes against the teachers, who are themselves striking against their low pay from the gov’t… and justifiably so. Zambian Ministers of Parliament get paid more than American Senators!).
My time thus far has been a mixture of being at the Boy’s Ranch and hanging out at the Walker’s, which is also where Karen Hartman lives (she’s my girlfriend). I’ve been trying to learn the schedule and routine at the Ranch so I can get a good idea of when to be there and when I should go to do other things. I’ve struggled some with feeling guilty about hanging out with Karen, and would appreciate prayer for wisdom to know when that is okay. I don’t want to be the lame boyfriend who shrugs off his responsibilities to hang out with his girlfriend, but I know that spending time with Karen is important to having a healthy relationship. It’s also compounded by the pressure of us not having lived in the same place for more than 3.5 years.
On Saturdays and Sundays I’m free, so I’m not sure yet what those will look like. This week I went to a nearby town to visit one of Karen’s Zambian friends and get to know more about her life there. Two of the leaders at the Ranch (who are themselves former street boys and are a fantastic testimony to the fact that kids CAN successfully come off of the streets) play on a local men’s soccer team, so I’ll probably go to their home games most Sundays. It’s cool to watch, and makes me miss the cartilage in my right knee.
That’s all for now! Please pray for Kellys (19), Chishala (23), and Felix (20). They are going to be leaving the Ranch soon after I leave and my main responsibility is trying to help them get ready to live outside of the Ranch. They’ve still got relapse problems from their days on the streets, even though they’ve been at the Ranch for over a year now, and we’re not sure right now if they won’t go back to the streets when they’re on their own.
Please also continue to pray for AMCC! I’ll post Nick’s most recent post just above this one. The avocado business has officially begun and it is bringing in about $75 a week of profit! PRAISE GOD! The needs there are much more than $75 a week, though, so they’re still in financial straits, plus the fact that avocado season ends at the end of July, so after that they’ll again be without income. Oh God, help AMCC!
Most of the kids at the boy’s ranch seem like normal kids, and I’m frequently surprised when I hear pieces of their stories. You honestly wouldn’t know that they used to live on the streets just by seeing them or even talking with them at school or something. But oh man, their stories. One boy, who came to the Ranch last June, told me that he’d spent the five years leading up to his time here drunk. He’s 20 years old.
Its pretty peaceful there, and I don’t mind that. I go to bed by 9:30 most nights, and get to spend the early mornings by myself while the boys work on the garden beds that each of them are tending. Tomatoes, spinach, Chinese cabbage, whatever it is that they’re growing they get to sell and keep the profits, and I think that’s great! It helps them learn responsibility and money management, as well as providing a helpful ethic of work to be built into them. This is one of the main things that the boy’s need help with, learning to do honest work for a fair wage.
There is a “chapel” every morning, with a different leader at the Ranch doing a short (20 min?) time of teaching. Right now we’re going through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and it’s cool to hear the different perspectives that the Zambian Christians bring to these passages. At night I do the “devotion”, which is just me commenting on the passage from chapel. It’s pretty chill, and done through translation, and I enjoy having a time of being able to speak to all the boys,
Different boys have different schedules, but most of them are supposed to have a half day of school. However, the teachers in the gov’t schools here in Zambia have been on strike for the last 3 weeks, so the kids are just hanging out at the Ranch (Ironically, the students in Zambia have recently organized strikes against the teachers, who are themselves striking against their low pay from the gov’t… and justifiably so. Zambian Ministers of Parliament get paid more than American Senators!).
My time thus far has been a mixture of being at the Boy’s Ranch and hanging out at the Walker’s, which is also where Karen Hartman lives (she’s my girlfriend). I’ve been trying to learn the schedule and routine at the Ranch so I can get a good idea of when to be there and when I should go to do other things. I’ve struggled some with feeling guilty about hanging out with Karen, and would appreciate prayer for wisdom to know when that is okay. I don’t want to be the lame boyfriend who shrugs off his responsibilities to hang out with his girlfriend, but I know that spending time with Karen is important to having a healthy relationship. It’s also compounded by the pressure of us not having lived in the same place for more than 3.5 years.
On Saturdays and Sundays I’m free, so I’m not sure yet what those will look like. This week I went to a nearby town to visit one of Karen’s Zambian friends and get to know more about her life there. Two of the leaders at the Ranch (who are themselves former street boys and are a fantastic testimony to the fact that kids CAN successfully come off of the streets) play on a local men’s soccer team, so I’ll probably go to their home games most Sundays. It’s cool to watch, and makes me miss the cartilage in my right knee.
That’s all for now! Please pray for Kellys (19), Chishala (23), and Felix (20). They are going to be leaving the Ranch soon after I leave and my main responsibility is trying to help them get ready to live outside of the Ranch. They’ve still got relapse problems from their days on the streets, even though they’ve been at the Ranch for over a year now, and we’re not sure right now if they won’t go back to the streets when they’re on their own.
Please also continue to pray for AMCC! I’ll post Nick’s most recent post just above this one. The avocado business has officially begun and it is bringing in about $75 a week of profit! PRAISE GOD! The needs there are much more than $75 a week, though, so they’re still in financial straits, plus the fact that avocado season ends at the end of July, so after that they’ll again be without income. Oh God, help AMCC!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Rwanda & AMCC goodbyes
Blog, oh wow, do I have stories! I’ll try to go chronologically from my last post:
I left AMCC on Sunday, May 24th and boarded a bus that night that was bound for the Tanzanian town of Kahama. This trip took about 18 hours and was mostly uneventful, save that I got to see Baobab trees for my first time in Africa!
I told the staff on the bus that I was headed to Rwanda and they advised me about what to do and where to go after I alighted in Kahama. This dusty town was bigger than I expected it to be, but they still weren’t used to interacting with mzungus like me (they told me that I couldn’t go to the Rwandan border until tomorrow bc the bus didn’t leave until then, and it took my 5 minutes to explain that I didn’t mind taking the tightly packed matatu that left in 30 minutes). This 4 hour drive was mostly flat and boring (reminded me of my home in Texas) but the end had two exciting points:
- Big rolling hills
- -A small-scale, grassroots run gold mine.
I didn’t know it was a goldmine at first, but the small town of tarps and loose wooden structures corralled my curiosity and I asked my fellow passengers what this was. It was in the middle of a bunch of wilderness, and had it’s own counterpart make-shift town about 2 kilometers away from where they actually did the digging and panning. Neat b/c Tanzania has a lot of gold mine, but most of that money probably goes overseas or goes into gov’t pockets. I don’t know why this mine is open and going, but I thought it was neat. And I didn’t see any guns or shady stuff.
That night I slept in a $4 motel that my matatu drivers arranged for me, and got up the next morning to get to the border. There was some mutual confusion and I ended up getting a refund from my matatu and gave that to a motorcycle/scooter driver and he took me the 15 miles to the border- SO FUN! This part of Tanzania is beautiful, and the Rwandan border was just gorgeous! Cascading hills, a gushing flood-fueled waterfall, and stark and steep cliffs. This was the Rwanda I had heard about, and it exceeded my expectations in physical beauty. Basically the whole country is hilly, like BIG hills (reminded me of the hills around the Bay area, huge, tall, but with flat, rice-filled valleys between them). For having murdered 1/8th of it’s population 15 years ago the country looked pretty good. Honestly, the standard of living seemed higher than all of the other African nations that I have visited (especially in the rural areas). The main reason that I can find for this is that Rwanda’s current gov’t since the genocide hasn’t been incredibly corrupt! The MP’s (Senators, functionally) actually spend the money they are allotted on their constituencies and helpful development projects, instead of paying their friends to do nonexistent jobs, or just outright pocketing the money. I’m so thankful to see this happening! Especially in light of the recent UK M.P. scandals, this is encouraging to me.
When I got to Kigali, the capitol city, I set out to find an ATM so that I could get myself some Rwandan Francs… but I couldn’t find any. None.
Turns out, after talking with a few locals and a few non, that there is no such thing as an international ATM in Rwanda. Wow. This was the first country I’ve ever been to that hasn’t had one. Fiji, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Uganda, Poland, Ukraine, England, Tanzania, Kenya, Germany, Zambia, they ALL have them. Turns out that Visa isn’t quite everywhere I need to be.
BUT the Lord still rescued me. I already wrote this story, but it’s the “right-place-at-the-right-time”-ness of it was, I believe, inspired and directed by my Dad. I happened to be in the only building in all of Rwanda where someone can get USD$ from their Visa card, and met two other young American guys who had gone there to do JUST THAT. I was just passing through the lobby and had given up looking in this place when I saw these dudes and gave them a nod. Then I honestly felt an urge that said “Ask them what to do”. They told me, and I was shocked. It turned out to be incredibly easy from then (I used my visa to get US $, then took that $ to an exchange place and got Rwandan Francs for it). They also told me where to find the hotel that I had been planning on staying in (and which no Rwandan had heard of when I asked them).
I loved Rwanda. I wasn’t feel like I was an alien from another planet, and I also found the best chapati and chai that I’ve had so far! PLUS, I could stay out at night without fear of being mugged/destroyed!!! I didn’t realize it, but I love being able to walk around at night and having my days functionally end at 6 has been hard for me.
I met my compassion bro, he was cool and chill. Knew English really well, and wants to be a lawyer. Considering Rwanda’s history I think that’s great and encouraged him to continue on in it. He’s in his last year of high school now.
I also visited the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. Very good memorial about a very evil thing. It was also a museum on genocides in general, and had exhibits on the Holocaust, Pol Pot in Cambodia, the Germans in Angola (early 1900’s, I’d never heard of this), Armenians in early 1900’s (3 million killed by Ottoman gov’t in Turkey), Kosovo/Serbia/Bosnia. Pretty sobering to realize that they have effected people everywhere no matter their religion, race, or economic status. My visit to the actual “Hotel Rwanda” (real name: Hotel de Milles Collines) was non-eventful. It’s still a functioning 4-star hotel and I found no recognition of what happened there during the Genocide. Turns out the one used in the movie is in South Africa, this one was surprisingly small, and makes the 1,000 people saved there seem even more impressive.
Then I left Rwanda! I got to the border at night, crossed after the sun went down, and then slept in a little motel about 200 yds from the port of entry. The next morning I got up, took another motorcycle back to the closest real city from the border, and began my laborious journey back. Laborious because when I arrived in Kahama at 12:30 that day I was told that the bus to Nairobi leaves at 5:30… am. So I had to wait there all day, get another hotel, and leave the next morning. Not only that, but this bus arrived in Nairobi at 10:50 PM, so I had to get a hotel once again when I got there because Nairobi is too dangerous to move around at that time of night (Kenya in general, actually. There’s no public transport at that time).
I got up on Sunday morning, exactly one week after I had left, and went back to AMCC. Almost on schedule, something had gone wrong there, so I ended up meeting Nick at the hospital instead of at AMCC. Onesmus, the toughest boy there, had gotten sick again, and was having trouble breathing. This was his…. 6th episode like this in the last two weeks? We’ve taken him to the hospital 3-4 times and it’s still happening. PRETTY frustrating. Especially when the hospital doesn’t tell us what’s wrong with him b/c it’s just not done that way in this culture.
Anyway, I got to talk to Nancy for a while, and then took another motorcycle/scooter thing (“motorbike” is what they call them here) to AMCC to say bye to the kids there. I walked in, they swarmed me and yelled and stuff and were happier than I’ve seen them be about me. That was nice, and also hard b/c right after that I told them I was leaving that day and they all became, no joke, downcast. They stopped talking, and looked down, and so I lied to them and told them that I wasn’t going to leave that day, and in fact I’d never leave again… Just kidding! For real, saying goodbye there was hard, and the kids were a lot more expressive than I thought they’d be given the culture. I’m glad that I’m planning on going back, though I don’t know exactly when it will be… hopefully by the end of next summer.
Pretty crazy to think that I probably won’t even be there for such a long time again, though. There were so many great kids there, and I became more attached to them than I thought I would. They’re smart, and sincere, and do dumb things and hit each other sometimes, and I’m going to miss them a lot. I’m incredibly thankful for AMCC, and that God let me spend time there. I believe that I DID accomplish my tasks there (build relationship with the staff, help out in physical and non-monetary ways) and I’m so thankful for that, but it is hard leaving there and knowing that their problems aren’t all better and life for them is still a roller coaster of provision and lack. I will continue to care about and love them, and I’m going to continue to live in the in between of the kingdom of God, having my heart in different places and loving things that hurt and not yet what I long for them to be.
I left AMCC on Sunday, May 24th and boarded a bus that night that was bound for the Tanzanian town of Kahama. This trip took about 18 hours and was mostly uneventful, save that I got to see Baobab trees for my first time in Africa!
I told the staff on the bus that I was headed to Rwanda and they advised me about what to do and where to go after I alighted in Kahama. This dusty town was bigger than I expected it to be, but they still weren’t used to interacting with mzungus like me (they told me that I couldn’t go to the Rwandan border until tomorrow bc the bus didn’t leave until then, and it took my 5 minutes to explain that I didn’t mind taking the tightly packed matatu that left in 30 minutes). This 4 hour drive was mostly flat and boring (reminded me of my home in Texas) but the end had two exciting points:
- Big rolling hills
- -A small-scale, grassroots run gold mine.
I didn’t know it was a goldmine at first, but the small town of tarps and loose wooden structures corralled my curiosity and I asked my fellow passengers what this was. It was in the middle of a bunch of wilderness, and had it’s own counterpart make-shift town about 2 kilometers away from where they actually did the digging and panning. Neat b/c Tanzania has a lot of gold mine, but most of that money probably goes overseas or goes into gov’t pockets. I don’t know why this mine is open and going, but I thought it was neat. And I didn’t see any guns or shady stuff.
That night I slept in a $4 motel that my matatu drivers arranged for me, and got up the next morning to get to the border. There was some mutual confusion and I ended up getting a refund from my matatu and gave that to a motorcycle/scooter driver and he took me the 15 miles to the border- SO FUN! This part of Tanzania is beautiful, and the Rwandan border was just gorgeous! Cascading hills, a gushing flood-fueled waterfall, and stark and steep cliffs. This was the Rwanda I had heard about, and it exceeded my expectations in physical beauty. Basically the whole country is hilly, like BIG hills (reminded me of the hills around the Bay area, huge, tall, but with flat, rice-filled valleys between them). For having murdered 1/8th of it’s population 15 years ago the country looked pretty good. Honestly, the standard of living seemed higher than all of the other African nations that I have visited (especially in the rural areas). The main reason that I can find for this is that Rwanda’s current gov’t since the genocide hasn’t been incredibly corrupt! The MP’s (Senators, functionally) actually spend the money they are allotted on their constituencies and helpful development projects, instead of paying their friends to do nonexistent jobs, or just outright pocketing the money. I’m so thankful to see this happening! Especially in light of the recent UK M.P. scandals, this is encouraging to me.
When I got to Kigali, the capitol city, I set out to find an ATM so that I could get myself some Rwandan Francs… but I couldn’t find any. None.
Turns out, after talking with a few locals and a few non, that there is no such thing as an international ATM in Rwanda. Wow. This was the first country I’ve ever been to that hasn’t had one. Fiji, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Uganda, Poland, Ukraine, England, Tanzania, Kenya, Germany, Zambia, they ALL have them. Turns out that Visa isn’t quite everywhere I need to be.
BUT the Lord still rescued me. I already wrote this story, but it’s the “right-place-at-the-right-time”-ness of it was, I believe, inspired and directed by my Dad. I happened to be in the only building in all of Rwanda where someone can get USD$ from their Visa card, and met two other young American guys who had gone there to do JUST THAT. I was just passing through the lobby and had given up looking in this place when I saw these dudes and gave them a nod. Then I honestly felt an urge that said “Ask them what to do”. They told me, and I was shocked. It turned out to be incredibly easy from then (I used my visa to get US $, then took that $ to an exchange place and got Rwandan Francs for it). They also told me where to find the hotel that I had been planning on staying in (and which no Rwandan had heard of when I asked them).
I loved Rwanda. I wasn’t feel like I was an alien from another planet, and I also found the best chapati and chai that I’ve had so far! PLUS, I could stay out at night without fear of being mugged/destroyed!!! I didn’t realize it, but I love being able to walk around at night and having my days functionally end at 6 has been hard for me.
I met my compassion bro, he was cool and chill. Knew English really well, and wants to be a lawyer. Considering Rwanda’s history I think that’s great and encouraged him to continue on in it. He’s in his last year of high school now.
I also visited the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. Very good memorial about a very evil thing. It was also a museum on genocides in general, and had exhibits on the Holocaust, Pol Pot in Cambodia, the Germans in Angola (early 1900’s, I’d never heard of this), Armenians in early 1900’s (3 million killed by Ottoman gov’t in Turkey), Kosovo/Serbia/Bosnia. Pretty sobering to realize that they have effected people everywhere no matter their religion, race, or economic status. My visit to the actual “Hotel Rwanda” (real name: Hotel de Milles Collines) was non-eventful. It’s still a functioning 4-star hotel and I found no recognition of what happened there during the Genocide. Turns out the one used in the movie is in South Africa, this one was surprisingly small, and makes the 1,000 people saved there seem even more impressive.
Then I left Rwanda! I got to the border at night, crossed after the sun went down, and then slept in a little motel about 200 yds from the port of entry. The next morning I got up, took another motorcycle back to the closest real city from the border, and began my laborious journey back. Laborious because when I arrived in Kahama at 12:30 that day I was told that the bus to Nairobi leaves at 5:30… am. So I had to wait there all day, get another hotel, and leave the next morning. Not only that, but this bus arrived in Nairobi at 10:50 PM, so I had to get a hotel once again when I got there because Nairobi is too dangerous to move around at that time of night (Kenya in general, actually. There’s no public transport at that time).
I got up on Sunday morning, exactly one week after I had left, and went back to AMCC. Almost on schedule, something had gone wrong there, so I ended up meeting Nick at the hospital instead of at AMCC. Onesmus, the toughest boy there, had gotten sick again, and was having trouble breathing. This was his…. 6th episode like this in the last two weeks? We’ve taken him to the hospital 3-4 times and it’s still happening. PRETTY frustrating. Especially when the hospital doesn’t tell us what’s wrong with him b/c it’s just not done that way in this culture.
Anyway, I got to talk to Nancy for a while, and then took another motorcycle/scooter thing (“motorbike” is what they call them here) to AMCC to say bye to the kids there. I walked in, they swarmed me and yelled and stuff and were happier than I’ve seen them be about me. That was nice, and also hard b/c right after that I told them I was leaving that day and they all became, no joke, downcast. They stopped talking, and looked down, and so I lied to them and told them that I wasn’t going to leave that day, and in fact I’d never leave again… Just kidding! For real, saying goodbye there was hard, and the kids were a lot more expressive than I thought they’d be given the culture. I’m glad that I’m planning on going back, though I don’t know exactly when it will be… hopefully by the end of next summer.
Pretty crazy to think that I probably won’t even be there for such a long time again, though. There were so many great kids there, and I became more attached to them than I thought I would. They’re smart, and sincere, and do dumb things and hit each other sometimes, and I’m going to miss them a lot. I’m incredibly thankful for AMCC, and that God let me spend time there. I believe that I DID accomplish my tasks there (build relationship with the staff, help out in physical and non-monetary ways) and I’m so thankful for that, but it is hard leaving there and knowing that their problems aren’t all better and life for them is still a roller coaster of provision and lack. I will continue to care about and love them, and I’m going to continue to live in the in between of the kingdom of God, having my heart in different places and loving things that hurt and not yet what I long for them to be.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Lately
Here's a quick run-down:
- John went home to visit is family. They need to be together a whole lot more often, but lack the finances for this to happen. I'm thankful they had this time and am praying for a salary for John so that he can do things like this and feel relief from the weight of providing for his family (which is much more culturally heavy here in Kenya)
- Avocado business will begin... in June. Honestly, kinda disappointing to me that it'll be so late. BUT, John was excited, so I figured I'd just let that go and get on board. If it works AMCC will be able to pay rent for itself, even buy food for the next few months! Also, John and Nancy will be able to have some salary and can then give all their money away to their families (which is what is culturally appropriate here, even though Nancy has no husband or children) and feel a bit less from the monumental pressure and scorn they feel for working a job as volunteers. It's just not done here in Kenya, and they've suffered a lot for it. Makes me angry, frankly.
- After 6 different, conflicting sources of information about the Tanzanian visa possibilities I just went there myself this morning. I found out that the only visa available to me as a US citizen costs $100. BUT, it is good for 6 months (should have been a year) and is multiple entry- meaning that I'm going to go to Rwanda through Tanzania! This is totally new territory for me and I'm stoked to see it! The BOTTOM of Lake Victoria, and it'll just be cool! My bus ticket only takes me 1/2 way into Tanzania, so from there I have to find a vehicle to take me the rest of the way into Rwanda- so fun! I'll probably end up sleeping in some little $3 hotel and sharpening my swahili (since Kenyans speak a dirty, almost pigeon version of it). I'll stay in Rwanda, visit THE HOTEL RWANDA and also meet my parent's compassion child, Cristophe!
After that I'll go back through Tanzania, spend one night in Kenya, say goodbye to AMCC, and then head on through Tanzania all the way down to Zambia! I might take a train from Dar es Salaam, or a bus the whole way. Not sure yet. Either way, it'll be an adventure! My girlfriend says that buses in TZ aren't so great and I might not want to go on adventures in them anymore after this trip... so we'll see what happens! I might even get to see the Indian Ocean, and, if the Lord really smiles upon me, I'll find some soursop!
The changes before me are going to be pretty drastic, I think, even though I'll still be working in Africa with youth who mostly don't have parents. The stresses of AMCC (no food, no rent, staff all tense b/c they don't get paid, no medical funds, etc...) will be gone, replaced with different ones (a boy who has lived on the streets and has a LOT of baggage from that, trying to explain the gospel and do discipleship cross-cultural, language, and generation, etc...) . BUT, I am SUPER HAPPY to be near my amazing girlfriend Karen Hartman! She and I haven't spent more than 3 weeks together in over 3 years, so the possibility of spending roughly 3 months in the same town is more than I can appreciate right now. It still feels like a dream, like I'm trying to not psych myself up too much in case I wake up to discover it's not real. OH BOY!!!
From then on out I'm going to be forwarding Nick's emails on to people who want them, and also posting his blogs on mine so people can stay up to date on AMCC. Transitioning my priorities and heart to Zambia will be an interesting thing. I guess I don't want to completely, nor do I need to: part of being a christian is straddling two worlds, and having my heart in places where my body isn't. This transition won't be silky-smooth, but I say bring it on!
- John went home to visit is family. They need to be together a whole lot more often, but lack the finances for this to happen. I'm thankful they had this time and am praying for a salary for John so that he can do things like this and feel relief from the weight of providing for his family (which is much more culturally heavy here in Kenya)
- Avocado business will begin... in June. Honestly, kinda disappointing to me that it'll be so late. BUT, John was excited, so I figured I'd just let that go and get on board. If it works AMCC will be able to pay rent for itself, even buy food for the next few months! Also, John and Nancy will be able to have some salary and can then give all their money away to their families (which is what is culturally appropriate here, even though Nancy has no husband or children) and feel a bit less from the monumental pressure and scorn they feel for working a job as volunteers. It's just not done here in Kenya, and they've suffered a lot for it. Makes me angry, frankly.
- After 6 different, conflicting sources of information about the Tanzanian visa possibilities I just went there myself this morning. I found out that the only visa available to me as a US citizen costs $100. BUT, it is good for 6 months (should have been a year) and is multiple entry- meaning that I'm going to go to Rwanda through Tanzania! This is totally new territory for me and I'm stoked to see it! The BOTTOM of Lake Victoria, and it'll just be cool! My bus ticket only takes me 1/2 way into Tanzania, so from there I have to find a vehicle to take me the rest of the way into Rwanda- so fun! I'll probably end up sleeping in some little $3 hotel and sharpening my swahili (since Kenyans speak a dirty, almost pigeon version of it). I'll stay in Rwanda, visit THE HOTEL RWANDA and also meet my parent's compassion child, Cristophe!
After that I'll go back through Tanzania, spend one night in Kenya, say goodbye to AMCC, and then head on through Tanzania all the way down to Zambia! I might take a train from Dar es Salaam, or a bus the whole way. Not sure yet. Either way, it'll be an adventure! My girlfriend says that buses in TZ aren't so great and I might not want to go on adventures in them anymore after this trip... so we'll see what happens! I might even get to see the Indian Ocean, and, if the Lord really smiles upon me, I'll find some soursop!
The changes before me are going to be pretty drastic, I think, even though I'll still be working in Africa with youth who mostly don't have parents. The stresses of AMCC (no food, no rent, staff all tense b/c they don't get paid, no medical funds, etc...) will be gone, replaced with different ones (a boy who has lived on the streets and has a LOT of baggage from that, trying to explain the gospel and do discipleship cross-cultural, language, and generation, etc...) . BUT, I am SUPER HAPPY to be near my amazing girlfriend Karen Hartman! She and I haven't spent more than 3 weeks together in over 3 years, so the possibility of spending roughly 3 months in the same town is more than I can appreciate right now. It still feels like a dream, like I'm trying to not psych myself up too much in case I wake up to discover it's not real. OH BOY!!!
From then on out I'm going to be forwarding Nick's emails on to people who want them, and also posting his blogs on mine so people can stay up to date on AMCC. Transitioning my priorities and heart to Zambia will be an interesting thing. I guess I don't want to completely, nor do I need to: part of being a christian is straddling two worlds, and having my heart in places where my body isn't. This transition won't be silky-smooth, but I say bring it on!
Friday, May 15, 2009
My best day yet!
Tuesday of this week was, without question, my best day here yet. It was just a wonderful day in every way!
After sleeping in a fair amount, I saw Nick and John off as they went to go visit the local Member of Parliament (similar to visiting a US Senator). Shortly before they left though, I was informed by Nancy that it might be a good idea for me to make some pancakes. I was hoping she would say "John Brown cookies" since this is what Karen and I called the pancakes we made up for the kids when she was here.
Anyway, I love cooking, so I was glad to! Why don't I make pancakes more often, you might be wondering. Well, we don't have the money for it. The reason I made them that morning was because it was a special day: Nancy was going to Mombasa!
For the last 6 weeks we've all been joking that Nancy wants to leave her job here at AMCC to go to Mombasa (the Hawaii-like tourist town in Kenya, on the beach, hot, beautiful). Ironically enough, she DID go to Mombasa, though sadly it was to attend the funeral of the mother of one of the children at AMCC. We couldn't let little Cynthia (2nd grade and sharp as a razor) go the 500 km on her own, and John's back won't allow him to do it, so Nancy was elected to go. And I made pancakes for them to take along on their bittersweet journey (note: both Nancy and John have never been to Mombasa).
After finishing those goodies (I put bananas in them, made them from scratch with my own sugar-infused recipe, and cooked them one at a time over a wood-fire It took 2 hours to make 15 pancakes!)I began to focus on the meal for dinner, which also goes for lunch the next day (we always make double portions to save on time/firewood). It was githeri! This is the most common thing that Nick and I eat at AMCC, because it is the cheapest: maize and beans. We also add in a few onions AND, thanks to people who sent care packages, we spice it up something wonderful every night! I've taught the kids how to use the spices, and now they just go on their own. It's a bit different every night, but always tasty (btw, we're out of spices. If someone wants to donate $ for me to buy spices for AMCC that would rock!)!
I put on the githeri, walked Nancy the first 30 yards down the road, and then began a momentous and pre-legendary time for me: I was ALONE at AMCC!
Nick and I have been joking about what we would do if we were ever alone, and I'll spare you all the details, but it sure was fun. Nick came back soon after I began my party and we reveled in the wonderful rain that fell (and filled up our tank so that we didn't have to go get water). I also listened to my ipod for the first time since arriving at AMCC, and it was AMAZING (mine loses battery fast, and a friend in Nairobi has had it for the last 5 weeks)!
Anyway, Nick left again just after lunch, and I continued enjoying my time alone. The kids began to trickle back in, each as their different grades got out, and eventually it was just me and the kids! We enjoyed one another until Nick got back, talked about the day, and eventually Nick came as well- both brought great news!
First, John said that the local gov't is going to give us enough maize to last us a whole month, and it's supposed to arrive today (Friday). Woohoo! Also, they said that they'll even give us some food next month, since they know that we don't have land and can't be growing any of our own. John's going to ask them to give to us for the next 3 months, and I hope they do.
Second, Nick brought back 4 packages that different people in the states had sent to him and they were AMAZING! They had lots of stuff in them, and cost a bundle to send, but I've never seen the kids so happy in my whole time here. After unpacking and showing them, we all danced and sang for at least an hour straight (longer than Nick and I wanted, since we were hungry and hadn't been without this stuff for quite as long... or ever). Notable for me, there was trail mix, rice crispy treats, and... BEEF JERKY! I have since decided that Black Peppered beef jerky is my favorite food in the world. I come almost to tears eating it.
Anyway, it was just a fantastically beautiful day, and as the kids were singing I just reflected (cause I was pooped) on the sense of the Kingdom of God and rest that I had, it was just beautiful and really cool to see many things coming together for the good of these children. Amen, and praise God alone, who has caused such wonderful things to happen.
After sleeping in a fair amount, I saw Nick and John off as they went to go visit the local Member of Parliament (similar to visiting a US Senator). Shortly before they left though, I was informed by Nancy that it might be a good idea for me to make some pancakes. I was hoping she would say "John Brown cookies" since this is what Karen and I called the pancakes we made up for the kids when she was here.
Anyway, I love cooking, so I was glad to! Why don't I make pancakes more often, you might be wondering. Well, we don't have the money for it. The reason I made them that morning was because it was a special day: Nancy was going to Mombasa!
For the last 6 weeks we've all been joking that Nancy wants to leave her job here at AMCC to go to Mombasa (the Hawaii-like tourist town in Kenya, on the beach, hot, beautiful). Ironically enough, she DID go to Mombasa, though sadly it was to attend the funeral of the mother of one of the children at AMCC. We couldn't let little Cynthia (2nd grade and sharp as a razor) go the 500 km on her own, and John's back won't allow him to do it, so Nancy was elected to go. And I made pancakes for them to take along on their bittersweet journey (note: both Nancy and John have never been to Mombasa).
After finishing those goodies (I put bananas in them, made them from scratch with my own sugar-infused recipe, and cooked them one at a time over a wood-fire It took 2 hours to make 15 pancakes!)I began to focus on the meal for dinner, which also goes for lunch the next day (we always make double portions to save on time/firewood). It was githeri! This is the most common thing that Nick and I eat at AMCC, because it is the cheapest: maize and beans. We also add in a few onions AND, thanks to people who sent care packages, we spice it up something wonderful every night! I've taught the kids how to use the spices, and now they just go on their own. It's a bit different every night, but always tasty (btw, we're out of spices. If someone wants to donate $ for me to buy spices for AMCC that would rock!)!
I put on the githeri, walked Nancy the first 30 yards down the road, and then began a momentous and pre-legendary time for me: I was ALONE at AMCC!
Nick and I have been joking about what we would do if we were ever alone, and I'll spare you all the details, but it sure was fun. Nick came back soon after I began my party and we reveled in the wonderful rain that fell (and filled up our tank so that we didn't have to go get water). I also listened to my ipod for the first time since arriving at AMCC, and it was AMAZING (mine loses battery fast, and a friend in Nairobi has had it for the last 5 weeks)!
Anyway, Nick left again just after lunch, and I continued enjoying my time alone. The kids began to trickle back in, each as their different grades got out, and eventually it was just me and the kids! We enjoyed one another until Nick got back, talked about the day, and eventually Nick came as well- both brought great news!
First, John said that the local gov't is going to give us enough maize to last us a whole month, and it's supposed to arrive today (Friday). Woohoo! Also, they said that they'll even give us some food next month, since they know that we don't have land and can't be growing any of our own. John's going to ask them to give to us for the next 3 months, and I hope they do.
Second, Nick brought back 4 packages that different people in the states had sent to him and they were AMAZING! They had lots of stuff in them, and cost a bundle to send, but I've never seen the kids so happy in my whole time here. After unpacking and showing them, we all danced and sang for at least an hour straight (longer than Nick and I wanted, since we were hungry and hadn't been without this stuff for quite as long... or ever). Notable for me, there was trail mix, rice crispy treats, and... BEEF JERKY! I have since decided that Black Peppered beef jerky is my favorite food in the world. I come almost to tears eating it.
Anyway, it was just a fantastically beautiful day, and as the kids were singing I just reflected (cause I was pooped) on the sense of the Kingdom of God and rest that I had, it was just beautiful and really cool to see many things coming together for the good of these children. Amen, and praise God alone, who has caused such wonderful things to happen.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mt. Kenya pics
There will soon be pics and maybe even some video from my Mt. Kenya trip on the blog of Robert Quiring. Just click on this link to go there. I wish you all could go, it was the most wonderful scenery I've ever experienced.
www.rtqblog.com
www.rtqblog.com
Back from the mtn.
I'm back from being on top of the world!
This statement actually holds two meanings for me. Not only did I ascend to the highest hikeable point on Mt. Kenya two days ago (with safe return), but I also got to spend a week with my incredible and amazing girlfriend, Karen Hartman (also with safe return).
Karen, myself, and Robert Quiring (a random Oklahoman whom Nick and I met our first day and have become friends with) took 3 days to go up and down Mt. Kenya, and my goodness it was worth it!
The trip was, by far, the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor adventure I've ever been a part of. The first night we slept in a cave and fell asleep to he sound of a waterfall rushing just 30 ft. away. After watching the sunrise from 5000 ft. above the plain to our East, we hiked to our 2nd camp (at 14,100 ft.) and slept inside of a built shelter- plenty warm, and plenty protected from the elements.
We woke up the next morning EARLY and began hiking at 2:45 a.m. to get to the summit of Pt. Lenana. The moon was out, silhouetting the jagged peaks of Mt. Kenya, and our hike began without a bit of foreshadowing for the weather to come. After the moon went down the stars came out even more, and the Milky Way was so bright it looked like a cloud was hanging in the sky. Then the real clouds came. It started misting on us, but as we went higher, the temperature dropped, so the mist turned to snow flurries, and the mud froze, and our hands got colder. (note: Robert had a migraine this entire time. Karen and I both thankfully never felt any effects from altitude sickness!). By the time we reached the top, the wind was blowing hard and my snot sickles had become a new facial feature. However, in the minute before we climbed up onto the actual top the clouds began to clear and the sun poked itself up above in the most overwhelming solar display I've ever seen. Pictures and my own descriptions won't do the view justice, suffice it to say that the view from the top, peaking down underneath the clouds which were swirling over and around us, was the most stunning and spectacular thing I've ever seen. The valley below us was at least 3000 ft down, and further in many places, and the main peak (ascendable only with 20 pitches of technical climbing) rose over 700 ft. above us. The canyon in between us was over 1000 ft. deep, and in between us lay the largest glacier on Mt. Kenya (which is shrinking rapidly, but definitely not that morning!).
In actuality, it was so cold, and the wind was blowing so hard, that it was difficult for us to really enjoy it. We spent less than 10 minutes on top, and then completed the 9 mile round-trip hike down to our campsite BEFORE breakfast. After eating crepes, sausage, french toast, and an omelette, we hiked 10 more miles down to the park gate, where we got into an incredibly impressive landrover and made our way down to Chogoria, the town which functioned as our beginning and endpoints.
Even without the beauty this trip still rocked because I got to spend wonderful time with my wonderful girlfriend, Karen Hartman.
I took her to the airport on time yesterday, though I contemplated trying to make her late on purpose so that she'd stay here a bit longer (just kidding!). Her week here went really fast, but it was just awesome. We had a lot of time to talk, and she got to see most of the places and meet most of the people that hold significance for me here. She even met the 3 closest members of gov't to AMCC (all of which were inside of matatus).
She and I made fajitas for AMCC, hiked a freakin huge mountain, had meals with many of those who support AMCC, and got to talk lots. It was fantastic. I miss her a whole lot, but am quite glad that I'm headed to go spend 3 whole months in the same physical location as her soon.
That's right, my time in Kenya is almost over. I'm leaving AMCC on May 24th. AHHH!!! From here I'm traveling by ground to Rwanda to meet the Compassion child that my parents have been sponsoring for so long. After that event (which will last all of 1 hour, I believe) I'll head back to Kenya for 1 day (all that's left on my visa!), say a final goodbye to AMCC (though not forever!), and then head through Tanzania to Zambia. I'm hoping to pass Kilimanjaro on the way, and scoff at how uncraggy and intimidating it is compared with Mt. Kenya. I'll spend a day or two in Dar es Salaam, and then head down to Zambia (probably by train). I'm planning on arriving in Zambia around the beginning of June, though what day I do is up in the air.
All of that being said, please pray for me to remain focused and present in these last 16 days. Along with that, please ask God to provide for AMCC (again). We were supposed to start an income-generating project (aka small business venture) this week but it hasn't begun due to circumstances outside of our control. We'll run out of food again soon (early next week), so please pray that the Lord would move. We'd really like this project to work because it might create a lot of income for us. We could buy our own food, pay rent, salaries, medical bills, etc... and that would just be fantastic.
Also, pray for John, Nancy, Nick, and myself. For unity, love, and faithfulness to what the Lord has called us to. It really is something that gets lost on the whim of a moment.
I also got a package today with a whole bunch of multi-vitamins, so the kids will begin getting nutrients that the've lacked for most of their lives! Praise God!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND PRAYING!!!
This statement actually holds two meanings for me. Not only did I ascend to the highest hikeable point on Mt. Kenya two days ago (with safe return), but I also got to spend a week with my incredible and amazing girlfriend, Karen Hartman (also with safe return).
Karen, myself, and Robert Quiring (a random Oklahoman whom Nick and I met our first day and have become friends with) took 3 days to go up and down Mt. Kenya, and my goodness it was worth it!
The trip was, by far, the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor adventure I've ever been a part of. The first night we slept in a cave and fell asleep to he sound of a waterfall rushing just 30 ft. away. After watching the sunrise from 5000 ft. above the plain to our East, we hiked to our 2nd camp (at 14,100 ft.) and slept inside of a built shelter- plenty warm, and plenty protected from the elements.
We woke up the next morning EARLY and began hiking at 2:45 a.m. to get to the summit of Pt. Lenana. The moon was out, silhouetting the jagged peaks of Mt. Kenya, and our hike began without a bit of foreshadowing for the weather to come. After the moon went down the stars came out even more, and the Milky Way was so bright it looked like a cloud was hanging in the sky. Then the real clouds came. It started misting on us, but as we went higher, the temperature dropped, so the mist turned to snow flurries, and the mud froze, and our hands got colder. (note: Robert had a migraine this entire time. Karen and I both thankfully never felt any effects from altitude sickness!). By the time we reached the top, the wind was blowing hard and my snot sickles had become a new facial feature. However, in the minute before we climbed up onto the actual top the clouds began to clear and the sun poked itself up above in the most overwhelming solar display I've ever seen. Pictures and my own descriptions won't do the view justice, suffice it to say that the view from the top, peaking down underneath the clouds which were swirling over and around us, was the most stunning and spectacular thing I've ever seen. The valley below us was at least 3000 ft down, and further in many places, and the main peak (ascendable only with 20 pitches of technical climbing) rose over 700 ft. above us. The canyon in between us was over 1000 ft. deep, and in between us lay the largest glacier on Mt. Kenya (which is shrinking rapidly, but definitely not that morning!).
In actuality, it was so cold, and the wind was blowing so hard, that it was difficult for us to really enjoy it. We spent less than 10 minutes on top, and then completed the 9 mile round-trip hike down to our campsite BEFORE breakfast. After eating crepes, sausage, french toast, and an omelette, we hiked 10 more miles down to the park gate, where we got into an incredibly impressive landrover and made our way down to Chogoria, the town which functioned as our beginning and endpoints.
Even without the beauty this trip still rocked because I got to spend wonderful time with my wonderful girlfriend, Karen Hartman.
I took her to the airport on time yesterday, though I contemplated trying to make her late on purpose so that she'd stay here a bit longer (just kidding!). Her week here went really fast, but it was just awesome. We had a lot of time to talk, and she got to see most of the places and meet most of the people that hold significance for me here. She even met the 3 closest members of gov't to AMCC (all of which were inside of matatus).
She and I made fajitas for AMCC, hiked a freakin huge mountain, had meals with many of those who support AMCC, and got to talk lots. It was fantastic. I miss her a whole lot, but am quite glad that I'm headed to go spend 3 whole months in the same physical location as her soon.
That's right, my time in Kenya is almost over. I'm leaving AMCC on May 24th. AHHH!!! From here I'm traveling by ground to Rwanda to meet the Compassion child that my parents have been sponsoring for so long. After that event (which will last all of 1 hour, I believe) I'll head back to Kenya for 1 day (all that's left on my visa!), say a final goodbye to AMCC (though not forever!), and then head through Tanzania to Zambia. I'm hoping to pass Kilimanjaro on the way, and scoff at how uncraggy and intimidating it is compared with Mt. Kenya. I'll spend a day or two in Dar es Salaam, and then head down to Zambia (probably by train). I'm planning on arriving in Zambia around the beginning of June, though what day I do is up in the air.
All of that being said, please pray for me to remain focused and present in these last 16 days. Along with that, please ask God to provide for AMCC (again). We were supposed to start an income-generating project (aka small business venture) this week but it hasn't begun due to circumstances outside of our control. We'll run out of food again soon (early next week), so please pray that the Lord would move. We'd really like this project to work because it might create a lot of income for us. We could buy our own food, pay rent, salaries, medical bills, etc... and that would just be fantastic.
Also, pray for John, Nancy, Nick, and myself. For unity, love, and faithfulness to what the Lord has called us to. It really is something that gets lost on the whim of a moment.
I also got a package today with a whole bunch of multi-vitamins, so the kids will begin getting nutrients that the've lacked for most of their lives! Praise God!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND PRAYING!!!
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