two weeks in

Wow so its been awhile since I have written. More so in experience than in actual time passing. I have been here for nearly two weeks now. I am just going to put into list form what I have been up to in the last week: hanging out at Limuru Children’s Centre a LOT. I painted a gate (all pretty and cutesy) for a new baby center opening as a part of LCC. I went to a Care for Aids center and helped with the body empowerment section (as I assured them I did not have any medical background-they wanted me to act as the health consultant-that’s dangerous haha) therefore I handed out rations on food with my friend Maureen. I taught the girls at the center how to knit and we have been knitting up a storm to take to an elderly home that we are going to on Saturday. I really want to help the kids understand that they are capable of making a difference. And that they have each been uniquely and wonderfully designed by the God of the universe with gifts, talents and capabilities that can be used to help, serve and build his kingdom. Thus anytime I do an activity with them it will have that goal in mind-not just a fun activity to fill the time. We also planned an activity day for Sunday (yesterday) during which we invited the kids at a nearby children’s home to come over to LCC and the older girls organized and facilitated a number of activities and games for the kids (being leaders). Everyone had a BLAST. I went to church in Nairobi (where I learned that the G-spot is a myth-just so that you all know-stop your searching hahhahahaa true story we got the sex talk) and had to take a mitatu (public taxi bus) back which can be rather unpredictable and therefore was like an hour and a half late. Patrick (the director of the center) was worried because I wasn’t there and feared it would not happen but I was confident that the older girls would step up to the plate and go on with the plan regardless of my attendence. And sure enough they did great! When I got there I was overjoyed to see all these little warrior faces smiling up at me (we did face painting-African style) and bubbles and chalk everywhere. And there were my four girls (the older ones) right in the middle orchestrating the whole thing!! I guess I should explain-one of the things I am really focusing on is pouring into these four older girls-Grace, Elizabeth, Caroline and Diana. They are a few years older than the rest of the kiddos and this often results in a bad attitude and a desire to separate themselves from the younger ones. I really want to see them take ownership of the center and of their position as leaders to be an example in faith, life, love, and purity (think 1 Tim 4:12). I am doing a once a week bible study with them and that’s the verse we discussed last week. They spent the night at my house (everyone else was out of town so we had the house to ourselves) and we had a slumber party like you wouldn’t be believe! Haha think nail polish, bible study, activity day planning, tea, dance party and a movie. It was great. I really don’t want to be overwhelming or constantly badgering them but rather I want to grow in relationship with them as they become more and more comfortable around me and in their own skin. Our slumber party was a remarkable step in that direction. They were so excited yesterday to tell me about the activity day and what they had done!! Also in the last week we made a newspaper (to help the kids with their writing, expressing themselves, discovering their interests and taking ownership of the center). I went to Kibera (one of the slums outside of Nairobi) with Lydia, Maureen and Reagan (three Kenyan students) where we did a benefit walk and a bible lesson with some kiddos at a place called the Blue House where the average teacher to student ration (as reported by one of the teachers/pastor) is 400 to one. (not a typo). Needless to say they were very happy to see us and invited us back (lets be honest-it was more than an invitation-more like a plea) so I think I am going to start going there on Friday mornings to teach-what I don’t know but teach nonetheless. Wednesday I helped out at a feeding program and loathed myself for being white. The humility and semi-bows I received from some of the widows made me embarrassed and ashamed of my excess and privilege. I understand that there may not be a better way to get lots of food to lots of people but a food line is just so rigid and puts such a distance between the hander-outer and the receiver. I am brainstorming a more relational manner of distribution. Which reminds me-if any of you want to join me prayer for the gift of tongues please feel free. I am trying to learn Swahili and its just a slow process and the gift of tongues would be really helpful right about nowJ sounds facetious but I am serious.
I have hung out with the moms at the center a bunch as well. Hahaha they are so fun, and very eager to teach me Swahili. I will sit with them sometimes and shred carrots or cut scumewiki and just chat about kids and life and gossip. It’s too funny.
I think that’s about it for the last week and a half. Lots of meetings and connecting and figuring out and brainstorming and playing and holding kiddos (one in particular her name is Leah and shes about 4. She goes to the preschool at the center and is a hoot and a half. She will fake cry if I am holding someone else and just stand there with her arms up straining making noises until I pay her attention. She has big ears and a huge smile though she’s smaller than most of the rest. One day I was walking through the village back to the center from the Care for Aids clinic and I saw Leah on her way home from school-she doesn’t live at the center- and she just started sprinting as soon as she saw me and jumped into my arms. It was a good moment. )
I have also had some sweet sweet moments with the Lord, listening to Misty Edwards and just being overwhelmed with the love of my lover. He really is good.
All in all its been a remarkable week though I definitely miss everyone at home earnestly. I kind of wish my life (aka the people in it) could just all transfer over here- that I think would be bliss-heaven on earth. God has been faithful to provide friends such as Maureen and Lydia as well at the people at the house. He has given me creativity and opportunities to serve and connect. Its really been great. I miss you all-PLEASE don’t hesitate to send me detailed updates of your lives…I mean it it would be a tremendous blessing to me! Mungu Akubariki (God bless you) Tu Tu a nana (see you later)
shalom

habari

so i made it safe and sound to Kenya. no snags in travelling just the usual delirium that accompanies those drastic pressure changes and ridiculous time changes. :) the house i am staying at is amazing. i feel very spoiled-i mean i took a hot shower today! yesterday i took the morning slow to recover from the jet lag and then played at the children's center all afternoon. I am just kind of taking it slow figuring out what exactly my role might look like here. I am going to do some mural paintings at a new baby home they are just starting, accompany the home social worker on some house visits and do some bean sprouts activities with teh older kids in the afternoons after they get home from school. Right now I am trying my very best to be. I am not a good be-er. I am trying to bring glory to God, love intentionally and radically with Christ's heart and power in the very small and slow moments. I was really nervous about being ridiculously lonely and overwhelmed feeling like the first summer but that has not happened at all. my house is full of incredible people giving their lives away and i think i will find great community in them. thats all for now...so much love from my heart to yours!

24 hours till lift off...

OK ok so i figured out how to work the blog world and this will be where I post my deep, meaningful and insightful thoughts and reflections on my experiences over the next three months:) The Lord has given me such an incredible opportunity to go to Kenya and Uganda for the next few months!! I head out tomorrow at 3:10 pm. I will arrive the following evening in Nairobi. I keep you posted as things get crazy....
ps it is very strange to write here.
shalom