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!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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!!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
New Financial Statement
Hello! Thanks so much to everyone who has been following my trip and praying for what God is doing here. Thanks also to people who have given money to support what I'm doing here. The last time I posted my need it was $1510. Now, I need only $185 to be at full support for the rest of my trip. Wow! Praise God.
To send money do the following:
1. Make out a check to Heart of the Bride Ministries.
2. Don't put my name on the check. Attach a sticky-note that says "For Mark Dawson"
3. Mail it to:
Heart of the Bride Ministries
P.O. Box 786
Niceville, FL 32588
4. Pray that it gets there. :-)
To send money do the following:
1. Make out a check to Heart of the Bride Ministries.
2. Don't put my name on the check. Attach a sticky-note that says "For Mark Dawson"
3. Mail it to:
Heart of the Bride Ministries
P.O. Box 786
Niceville, FL 32588
4. Pray that it gets there. :-)
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