gone.to.africa

A Hard Decision

2009-11-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Life seems to be full of decisions. Lately, I have been working on wedding plans, tutoring kids after school, and hanging out with my host family. This may or may not come as a surprise, but I am doing these things from Cleveland, Ohio.

I know... I am suppose to be in Kenya. And I was, as you can tell from my posts, but plans have changed. After Josh tore his ACL and MCL at a soccer game in September, he returned home for surgery. I made the decision to pack up early and follow him in order to support him through his time in rehab. I am happy to report that it was a successful surgery and his knee is healing as expected. Josh wants to go back to playing professionally so this is an answer to prayers. Leaving Kenya was hard, but I don't regret the decision I made. My heart will forever be in two places, Africa and the states. One day, I hope to return. I think of the people I left behind everyday.

The above pictures are from a birthday trip to New York.

Little Working Hands

2009-09-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was in Mitumba slums on a field assignment. The road to get into this area is quite rough and very dusty, leaving a thick layer of dirt on the car. I pulled up to the school site, and as always, was greeted by welcoming children dressed in uniform. We exchanged greetings and hand shakes, and then I went inside for a scheduled meeting.

Three hours had passed, and I returned to the car only to find the same children standing there. They had something to show me. So with a proudness about them, they ran over to take my hand and lead me in the direction of the car. To my bewilderment, it was “clean” from the windows down, all except for finger smudges and smears. They had wiped away the dirt as far as they could reach standing on their toes. I was so blessed by this act of kindness. These children had nothing of material possession to give, yet they found a way to offer something of value. With tears in my eyes, I gave them all a hug and drove away.

A Diamond Ring

2009-09-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

That's right I'm engaged! Josh asked me to marry him on the 5th of September and I said "YES"! He had planned out the whole day... starting with a bouquet of flowers and ending in calls home to the fam.

Our first event of the day was to join the kids at New Life Home, an orphanage that I have grown fond of. And Josh knows how much I have been missing the classroom this year. After some quality time with the kids, we grabbed lunch from the Art Cafe (a favorite place of ours), a bottle of wine, and headed for an afternoon in the park. We then changed into our evening attire and went for a drive. I had no idea at this point what was in store, but I soon found out.

A romantic dinner for two. I was taken back by the setting. An old stone house transformed into a beautiful Italian restaurant, hidden in a very lush area of Nairobi. There were lit lanterns hanging from the trees, huge bouquets of my favorite colored flowers, pre-ordered food and drinks, soft music playing in the background, and matching pieces of fabric and more lanterns that led the way to our table. I should also add that there was a monkey in the trees, and a Masaai (tribal) man who walked by. I'm guessing Josh didn't plan that part, but I wouldn't be surprised.

After dinner, he asked me to dance with him. Two songs in, and words that I will treasure the rest of my life, Josh got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I know without a doubt that Josh is a perfect match for me and I thank God for bringing me half way across the world to meet him.

Our final destination to the evening, an Irish Pub where I hung out with Josh the first day we met. To my surprise, a group of our mutual friends were waiting there to help us celebrate. A great day in all.

NCS Football

2009-09-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Nairobi City Stars is a professional football (soccer) team Josh has played for the last year. Two weeks back, during a game against the FC Leopards, Josh tore his ACL. A painful thing to watch from the stands, more or less to actually have happen to you. After coming to terms with the reality of the situation, a trip to the doc, and a couple of calls home, Josh cut his season short and returned to the states for surgery. Some time at the end of September he should undergo the operation and begin months of physical therapy.

While I'm not as crazy about Kenya when Josh isn't here, I have taken on another task to keep myself busy. The photographer for NCS has returned home to the UK, leaving an availability for someone to take his place. I gladly stepped in. One, because it got me closer to the field, and two, because I love the challenge of capturing that moment. You can look at some other photos online and stay updated with Josh's team by visiting... http://www.nairobicitystars.com/

Movie Moment

2009-09-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I spend a lot of time working in the office these days with the exception of one or two field assignments per week. This particular day, I was in a slum called Kuwinda (Coo-in-da). Our organization supports a feeding program in this area, as well as individual child sponsorships.

I was sitting in the home of a pastor, on a table that appeared it would fall apart at any moment. In the process of conducting a meeting, it was almost as if time slowed down so that I could take in the depth of that moment. I was waiting for an orchestra to start playing soft music in the background, just like in a movie. But instead I heard the pastor speaking heartfelt words towards the children laughing and playing right outside the door. Which is kind of like music, right? My eyes were drawn to the rickety structure that was above my head, also the photographs which hung on the wall. I could tell this man had been through much in his life.

The cold, damp air didn’t bother me so, because I was holding tight to a hot cup of tea. We summed up our business meeting with a hand shake and left this man with our blessing. This was one of those moments that I just knew I was in the right place at the right time. I thank God for the opportunity to return to Kenya and help these students.

Back in Africa

2009-07-31T01:06:00.000-07:00

Two days of traveling and a lengthy layover in Amsterdam means that I have arrived safely once again to the flat, dusty plains of western Kenya. After a six week visit to the states, I begin my second term here. For those of you who don't already know, I am not returning as an international teacher this year, but as a Children's Director for an organization called Christian Mission Aid. I originally became familiar with this organization through community outreach projects at West Nairobi School. My responsibilities involve more hands-on opportunities with children in the slums, which I am very excited about. This includes construction projects, feeding programs, environmental health issues, and assistance to poverty stricken schools.

This was my first time to travel through Amsterdam, so of course I had to stop and see the sites. I also made sure to visit the museum, housing the paintings of one of my favorite artists, Vincent Van Gogh. I think I am in love with Europe.

I was picked up from the airport at 6am. by this blond hair, blue eyed guy, whom I was missing very much at this point. After hanging out with Josh for the day, we headed to Westlands where my new residence is at the Germo household (see picture). This family has been here over 10 years working as missionaries to the Muslim population in Northern Africa. I met them through WNS. Dan and Nancy's middle child, Cailin, was one of my 3rd grade students. They are a fun family, always lots of laughter.

It was great to catch up with those of you whom I got to see this summer. Thanks for making time in your schedule and reminding me that I haven't lost complete touch with life at home.

Home Sweet Home

2009-06-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

I'm back home in Cali! It has been 3 weeks on the go, catching up with family and friends, eating American food, getting use to driving on the right side of the road again, and traveling from place to place. My dad, mom, and sis met me at the airport in San Fran, where we spent some time together before heading to Oakhurst. The first week home was quite an adjustment.

Followed by a welcome home party...
thank you to everyone who came.

Oregon state is where I spent my second week at home. The reason being, while in Africa, I met an amazing guy. His name is Josh and we have been dating the last three months. Josh plays professional soccer through an organization called Ambassadors in Sports. So many wonderful things I could say about him but for now I'll leave it at that. During this week, we did the "meet the family thing". I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and the opportunity to get to know the Westermann family.

London

2009-06-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

A quick stop in London to see the main attractions. My layover was 48 hours this time, so I thought why not take advantage of being in a beautiful city. I did the tourist thing and bought a day pass for the big red open top bus tour. You were allowed to get off anywhere you wanted, walk around and then pick up the next bus coming through. I saw glimpses of it all... Big Ben, Parliament, the London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abby, etc. I loved being amongst the incredible history and breathtaking architecture. Some day I hope to see more of Europe.

I was thankful not to be completely on my own while in London. I joined up with the Bussell family from WNS, for a changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and a stroll through the park.

Schools Out for Summer

2009-06-01T23:49:00.000-07:00

Texts books, papers, and pencils are packed and put away. Everyone said their goodbyes and now we head home to the states. On June 3rd (that's tomorrow!) I begin my journey, taking a two day stop in London. I'm anxious and excited, nervous and sad. It's been almost a year since I've seen the familiar faces of family and friends. But while I've been gone I've built new relationships that are just as hard to leave behind. I guess that is life though. We treasure things as long as God allows them to be in our lives. Woohoo... summer vacation!

A memory that I will always take with me. This cheer was started by our fabulous athletic director, Peter Kim, and its catchy tune eventually caught on. Pictured: 6th grade on the last day of school

A Week at Camp

2009-05-05T02:15:00.001-07:00

As I previously mentioned, thanks to the families at West Nairobi School and those of you at home, we sponsored 166 kids to go to camp. These slum students spent a week in paradise... three meals a day, warm beds to sleep in, a bible to study from, fun activities to take part in, and teachers who loved on them.

Myself, and a group of WNS High School students, spent 3 days at camp. We were given the responsibility of presenting bible lessons and games in hopes to interact with the campers. We also ate lunch there. To my surprise, the food was quite good. Lots of seasoned potatoes, vegetables, and soups.

I spoke with the camp director (Pastor Shadrack) at the end of the week. He proudly informed me that over 30 campers had accepted Christ. In my opinion, all of our hard work was summed up in that moment. The following are a couple of videos to show you the joyous faces I got to see throughout the week.

Minor Details

2009-05-05T02:15:00.000-07:00

Funny story... This weekend I came upon some microwavable kettle corn at Nakumatt, our local super market. A rare treat to find something like this on the shelf. Knowledgeable of the fact that I don't have a microwave at home, I still made the purchase. The plan being to worry about how to pop the corn at a later point in time. I think my excitement proceeded me.

A solution to this problem came with the restaurant next door to Nakumatt. I kindly asked the gentleman behind the bar if I could use their microwave. It appeared that he understood, so I handed him the box and went back to a conversation I was previously in. 45 seconds later I decided we should only pop two of the three bags in the box. So, I turned to the guy behind the bar one more time to relay this message. He then stopped the microwave and pulled out (to my surprise) the entire unopened box of popcorn. I didn't know whether to laugh or to feel stupid that I assumed this man would know the procedure of microwavable popcorn. I salvaged what was left from the gooey plastic and asked if I could come behind the counter to do it myself. Pole sana!

Neighbor to Kenya

2009-04-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

Spring break I spent in Uganda visiting Kristen Fry, a friend from back home, and rafting the Nile River. GOOD TIMES!

I arrived Saturday, on an early flight, excited to explore more parts of Africa . Kristen organized our time so that I could see some of Uganda's main attractions and cities... Entebbe, Kampala (the capital), Lake Victoria, the market place, and taxi park.

Kristen currently works with African Inland Missions, providing resources for local street kids. Right up my alley. I had the opportunity to meet her co-workers at Dwelling Place and the kids they look after. We brought them 6 stalks of sugar cane and played all day.

Means of transport in Uganda's crazy traffic: take a taxi or a boda-boda. My personal preference is the second one, what we know to be a motorcycle. Inexpensive and fun!

Tuesday, I worked my way through 12 rapids down the Nile River. I cannot describe to you how breathtaking this experience was. I went with a group of teachers from school (Eric, Becca, Jonathan, and Kate) and together we paddled through the bends and curves of the Nile. Our guide, Juma, was hilarious. I promise I spent half the day laughing. The rapids ranged anywhere from a class one to class five. We were a strong group but about 55 percent of the time our boat flipped. The best thing though is that everything is on video.

Results Are In

2009-04-13T02:15:00.000-07:00

Both community development fundraisers have come to an end. In the "donation of slightly used shoes" project we reached our goal of 150 pairs, and then exceeded it in abundance. The shoes were delivered by 10 WNS students to kids in Sinai slum on March 20th. We spent time walking through the slum, interacting with kidos, and sharing about God's love. I am proud of my students, that they had open hearts to work hands on with the less fortunate in our surrounding area.

And... thanks to several of you at home, we are sending 166 Mitumba slum children to VBS (Vacation Bible School) at the end of April. Our original goal was to receive 200 sponsorships, but what we achieved is fabulous. To send one child it was roughly 25 dollars, meaning that we raised over 4,ooo dollars all together. Once we get back from Spring break, WNS high school students will start to prepare lessons/activities to share over the week long camp. I also want to thank our partner organization, Christian Mission Aid, in helping our projects to be successful.

Tossed About

2009-04-11T03:14:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked, "Do I feel safe in Africa?" My response to that question is definitely yes, but there has been a few instances recently where I would answer the contrary. As a whole we are instructed to use common sense in not staying out past dark, always letting someone know where you are at, and not walking alone on the streets.

Two weeks ago I attended a national soccer game, Kenya vs. Tunisia, at our local Coco Cola Stadium. This was a big game! If you don't already know this, soccer is HUGE in Africa. Over 30,000 people showed up for the event.

Just to get into the stadium was quite an ordeal. Unorganized chaos is what I would call it. We observed for a while the mob pushing through the gates and realized there was no other way to get in but to push through ourselves. So, in we went while tucking away the few possessions we brought to the game. Uncomfortably being pushed around and pick pocked we made it to the front of the mob. My friend Josh thankfully made it through but I on the other hand did not. The gates were closed and for a few minutes I was left to fend for my own. I endured the moment coming out with only a few bruises on the other end.

After making it through the first gate there was still one more to go. We joined up with other friends, and found a line to stand in as we ravaged through our remaining personal items. Despite our efforts to hide things, jewelry, josh's wallet, our tickets, money had still been taken. Then, a downpour of rain came. Our nice line that we were in ran for cover, and back to a crowded mob again. As we got closer to the door we were required to hand over tickets. In the meantime, we come across new tickets to replace the ones we lost, but others in the crowd had not. These people were chased off by armed police, almost trampling us several times. A crazy day I tell you. We did make it in to see the game, and enjoyed watching our team win the match 3-1 and the fans overwhelmingly show their enthusiasm.

Since I've been in Kenya my phone has been stolen twice. Once at school, and the other while my roommate, Julie and I, were driving down a heavily populated street in town. Taken right from my hands. Having to replace my phone and numbers was quite a hassle. I am not sad over the fact that something was taken from me though, instead my heart is burdened for the individuals who justify stealing something from someone who looks like they have more. If these individuals would have asked I would have gladly helped them, but unfortunately they did not. I recognize that there is a survival mentality here, which I don't completely understand myself because I have not been faced with it. I do believe though that there are other ways to provide for your family without stealing. I pray for these individuals and their desire to do the right thing.

Update on Protests

2009-03-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

Despite recent protests and riots, school has run a regular schedule, with the exception of extra curricular activities. Additional police on the streets and an occasional email from the US embassy are really the only remnants from the events that took place almost two weeks ago. Life seems to be back to norm here in the city.

The following are some snapshots from the "Daily Nation" (our local newspaper). The front page shows where we drove through on our way to Dagoretti, the day of my last post. Never seems to be a dull moment here in Africa. I thank God for his protection over us.

Mungiki Protests

2009-03-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Last January (2008), riots broke out here in Nairobi in response to tribal differences in the presidential election. Ever since it has been fairly quiet, that is until today.

Nairobi and Central Province commuters were left stranded on their way to work this morning. The Mungiki tribe, who runs most of the matatu transport within the city, suddenly announced protest to two men being beaten and then burned alive. Police say the two men were suspected to be harassing motorists and traders passing through the town of Naivasha (roughly an hour away). As a result, riots broke out in several locations.

Meanwhile, before we were aware of the happenings, myself and the eighth grade class, traveled to Dagoretti Childrens' Home, just like any other Thursday. But today was different. On the bus ride over, we came upon the remains of a recent riot. This photo doesn't capture what I would like it to, but I didn't want to get caught taking it. Burning tires, police officials, and army trucks flooded the streets. We thankfully only had to stop once to talk with an official. Other than that, there was no difficulty passing through the town, though it looked like we had just missed out on most of the excitement.

After school, everyone left immediately, following each other home. There is a possibility of no school tomorrow, depending on what the US embassy has to say. I will keep you updated.

We had a great time with the kiddos today. My favorite moments were watching these Junior High boys fold and iron laundry, and also feed the little ones at meal time. They are all so macho until you hand over a baby, and then it is hard to pry them away when it is time to go.

Working for Shoes

2009-02-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

The following are two new community development projects I am working on this semester. These events include our entire school in attempts to reach out to those around us in need.

Project one: Supply 150 Sinai slum students with a pair of "gently used" shoes. Each WNS participant will be given a sketch of a Sinai student's footprint. The participant's job will be to find a pair of shoes to match that specific footprint. At the end of March, we will personally deliver what we have collected.

Project two: Sponsor 200 Mitumba slum students to attend a vacation bible school over Easter break. These kiddos will have one week with a warm bed to sleep in, three meals a day, a place to bathe, an opportunity to learn about God and participate in fun activities away from their harsh daily reality. Our high school students will be responsible to run parts of the camp, interacting with campers over the week of April 21-24. The cost is roughly 25 dollars per child.

We are working alongside "Christian Mission Aid" and "Feed the Children" to support these slums. Please pray for success in these two projects and all those involved. See article entitled "this Easter" at http://www.cmaid.org/

Can you say... COLD!

2009-02-15T22:06:00.000-08:00

As part of my job, I coach elementary intramural sports after school. Currently we are in the middle of swim season. We offer two classes, beginning and advanced. Each class has 20 students and 4 instructors, including myself. The kids have been showing huge improvements over the last four weeks. It has been fun to watch.

This is a picture of the pool we practice in twice a week. Its location is down the street from our school, at a place called St. Christopher's. We bus our students over. The pool itself is very nice but the water, in my opinion, is freezing. I think there are some blue lipped children walking around that would agree with me too. Kenya has beautiful weather, not what I expected before coming here. So, outside temperatures never quite get hot enough to warm the pool.

On a daily basis, I work with a team of high school coaches. Hanging out with these guys is often the highlight of my day. Being the only girl, I have had to learn to fend for my own, but I think they would tell you I have pulled my fair share of the weight. When I was offered the job of coordinating after school sports I didn't really feel qualified, but it is something I have learned to enjoy. Despite the fact that it has given me the opportunity to try something new, it has also opened the door to connect with students outside the classroom. Having the support of other coaches has made it easy to ask questions through soccer, kickball, swimming, roller hockey, and soon to come, basketball. The different coaches often attend each others games and interact outside of school. I am more than blessed to be a part of this team.

Lesson in Swahili

2009-02-14T00:07:00.000-08:00

Swahili is written in the Roman alphabet and the letters are pronounced more or less as in English, apart from these vowel sounds and a few consonant blends.
a as in far
e between the 'e' in bed and in cafe
i as in Lima
o as in orange
u as in flute

Numbers zero through ten... sifuri , moja, mbili, tatu, nne,
tano, sita, saba, nane, tisa, kumi
yes - ndiyo
no - hapana
ok - sawa
hello - habari
good morning - habari za asubuhi
good evening - habari za jioni
goodbye - kwaheri
see you - tutaonane
thank you - asante / no thank you - la asante
How are you? -hujambo?
I'm fine - sijambo
How much is it? - ni bei gani?
sorry - samahani
please - tafadhali
nice to meet you - nimefurahi kukutana nawe
What do you do for work? - unafanya kazi gani?
I am a teacher, and you? - mimi ni mwalimu, na wewe je?
happy birthday - furaha kwa siku ya kuzaliwa
What is your name? - unitwa nani?
Hello, anyone in? - hodi

Carnivore

2009-01-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

More meat than I could ever eat. Carnivore is the name of a local restaurant that serves a variety of exotic meats, such as ostrich and crocodile, in the setting of a tropical forest. This is a must see place when you visit Kenya. The meal starts with a bowl of hot fried cornbread and leads into a dinner salad with brown bread and butter. Oh so good! Then comes the main entrée… nothing but meat. A scolding hot iron plate was put before us without a single thing on it. Before I could blink there was meat on a skewer coming at me from the right and from the left. If I said “yes” the waiter would take his machete and slice off a piece of whatever it happened to be. In fact, this whole process didn’t stop until we “surrendered the flag.” On our table was a white flag that was only to be put down when all twenty people at out table were full. I did my best to stay up with the best of them, but I think I surrendered way before the flag was actually taken down. To add to the grandeur of the evening, when all was said and done, NICS picked up the tab, so our meal was not an expense taken from our own pocket. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and those that I went to dinner with.

Church Life

2009-01-25T02:38:00.000-08:00

My goal, when I first arrived here in July, was to visit a few different churches and then quickly find a community to call home. I have to admit this was a frustrating process. Basically, what it came down to, I was only able to visit places I could get transportation to and from. I'd like to say that I was patient though, in holding out for the right fit. A church home where I could be fed biblical truth, and at the same time, feel like I could give back to the congregation. After two and half months of searching, I came across a place called Mamlaka Hill. A church that is fairly traditional to something you might find in the states, but has what I like to call an "African flare" to it. The worship at Mamlaka is outstanding. Lots of energy and talented voices. Some songs are sung in English and others in Swahili (the mother language). I feel like this was an important part of choosing a church, being that it is one of the main ways, I personally, relate to God. Another aspect to be considered, in this decision, was that I needed to be challenged though the sermons. Other churches I had visited were fairly basic (at least in my opinion), or I had a difficult time understanding the pastor through his thick African accent. Either way I had been struggling to find a fit.

The community at Mamlaka Hill is open hearted. Right away I felt welcome, even though I had to stand up with a mic and introduce myself to the congregation. I proudly announced that I was a Kenyan resident, which locals love to hear. Any time I take interest in their culture, they make it well known that they approve. I have grown to love the people here and some of the ways in which they live life. While in Africa, I am determined to experience as much of the culture that I can, not live in a sheltered bubble. Some Sundays, I still struggle to find transportion, so I visit the children's orphange down the street from where I live. I am usually greeted with three or four leg hugs and one or two "please hold me". Last Sunday, I walked into the infant room only to find they were short one staff member. With 16 babies needing to be changed and fed, I was able to be of some assistance. It was nice to feel needed, plus I was blessed to be surrounded by all those precious and innocent faces.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, OH MY!

2009-01-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I really only saw a lion out of those three, but I thought it was an appropriate title for this piece. I have just returned home from my first safari to the Masai Mara. This was a vacation like none other that I have experienced thus far. A group of us from school (Kate, Jonathan, Julie, Lynn, myself, and the Bussell family), went on three different game drives over a three day period. Hours and hours of looking for wild creatures. The Mara was absolutely beautiful, quiet, and peaceful.

Our safari guide wasn't afraid to get up close and personal with any and all of the animals we came across. Most creatures could care less, with the exception of this elephant. After charging at us a couple of times, we decided it was best to leave him alone.

I posted this picture of hippos for Chris. I've been here six months and this is my first time to see many of these things. One of my favorite sightings was these four lions, eating a giraffe. Our safari guide said this was an unusual find and that these guys were on day two of this one course meal.

Our late evenings were spent back at the hotel, taking advantage of the food buffet, sitting around the fireplace, listening to the chirping of crickets outside, and drinking hot tea. The restaurant we ate in was an open area, with the exception of a grass and bamboo covering. Our dinner table viewed the nearby river where crocodiles stirred about.

On day two of our safari, we visited a Masai village. I learned that this is the largest of the 42 tribal groups in Kenya. Our people were warmly welcomed with a traditional dance by the young warriors of this tribe. We spent the afternoon finding out the way in which they live life... how they construct their homes with branches and cow dung, how they build fires and hunt wild game, and why they drink a mix of cow blood and milk on special occasions. While I was fascinated by the their very different ways of life, I decided that I would not do well living in the bush.

A list of the things I saw in the Mara:

vervet monkey, stork, guinea foul, giraffe, topi, warthog, hartebeest, elephant, eland, lion, cheetah with cubs, crowned crane, plower, wildebeest, zebra, toad, cape buffalo, baboon/albino, impala, jackal, mongoose, hyena, turkey vulture, toni eagle, gazelle, hippo, ostrich, crocodile, goat, cow, monitor lizard, bat, secretary bird, water buck

A Busy Christmas Break

2009-01-04T04:42:00.000-08:00

I recently completed what I would call a challenging, yet successful semester. On December 19^th, West Nairobi School, began its three week holiday. I am thankful for a time of rest and an opportunity to see more of Africa. The following are some of the things I’ve been up to…..

·An all staff luncheon

·I have been volunteering at an orphanage down the street from where I live, called New Life Childrens' Home. They take in infants from the ages of 0 to 3. A percentage of them are infected by HIV/ AIDS.

The Elephant Park

·Shopping at Village Market

·Christmas Eve we went to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant, and then invited some people over to watch “The Grinch” on a projector we borrowed from school. We don’t have a TV, so it was a treat not to watch this movie on my laptop.

·Christmas day consisted of house hopping. We joined the Gibson family for brunch and the Germo family for dinner. It was a blessing to be in a "homey" atmosphere for a days time.

·Camping in Hell’s Gate was a definite highlight. We spent 3 days exploring this national park and all its creatures, through hikes and a bit of rock climbing.

The Nairobi National Museum

·We brought in the New Year with a game night that lasted until 11, and then headed over to a local hot spot/restaurant called Carnivore. We watched a spectacular fireworks show and danced throughout the night until we were completely exhausted.

·Masai Mara is a village I am headed to this week. There, I will take part in a three day safari.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

Despite the fact that I will not be home this year to help you celebrate this holiday season, I am wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. I pray that your time off from work or school is a restful occasion for both you and your families. For those of you who are traveling, I pray that you make it to and from your destination safely. In my desperate attempt to make December, the hot season here, feel like the holidays back home, I have been listening to Christmas songs and watching Christmas movies like crazy. It was Charlie Brown this morning that reminded me, whether I am here or there, the one true reason for Christmas does not change.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Amen. Mark 2:10b - 11

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!

Kikuyu Tribal Wedding

2008-12-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

My first attendance at a traditional African wedding was fairly eventful. I can't say that I knew the bride and groom prior to going, but that won't surprise some of you at home. At least those of you who know how many weddings I've been to over the years. This one was altogether different though. I fit right in, don't you think?

The wedding was suppose to start at 10 am, but considering Africa time, it didn't actually begin until 12:30 pm. We had to pass the time somehow, so I began looking through a local newspaper. I came across the advertisement section and here is what I found... (click on image to the left)

I think I meet the qualifications, going to give him a call on Monday. Smile.

I traveled to the wedding with a family from our school, who actually knew the bride and groom. Being that they have lived in Africa a few years now, they were able to inform me of the process in purchasing a bride. The engagement period for a couple, about to get married, is significantly long. Basically, it lasts until the groom's family can pay the dowry. Grace, the bride pictured here, was supposedly purchased with 90 goats. How they come up with this number, I have no idea.

The morning of the wedding, it is tradition for the women in the groom's family to go and collect the bride and bring her to the church. At this point, she can no longer return to her own family. There is a lot of singing, chanting, and drum playing involved in this process. Culturally, everything on this day is meant to make the bride feel welcome into her new family. The service and reception were fairly typical to something you would see and experience in the states.

A Kenyan meal, served at the wedding reception.

To learn more about the Kikuyu tribe check out... http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/kikuyu.htm

Feed the Children

2008-12-21T01:59:00.000-08:00

Dagoretti is a childrens home, located on the south end of Nairobi city limits. It is an organization, funded by "Feed the Children," which exists to provide housing and schooling for low income families and abandoned children from the ages of 0 - 16 years old. For more information about this project you may visit ... http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=abc_programs_kenya

My fourth grade class, 4 staff members, and myself were blessed with the opportunity to work with Dagoretti children this last Thursday, December 18th. We spent an afternoon creating some Chritmas art, reading books, and playing a little b-ball and soccer with those who will spend their holidays away from family.

It is my goal, serving as Community Development Coordinator at WNS, that students, such as those that came with me this last week, will open their eyes to an outward giving perspective. That they recognize what kind of a difference they can make, by giving up a few short hours and investing in the lives of those who are less fortunate. I was very proud of my students for the way they interacted with these precious kidos.

Please be praying for the Dagoretti Children's Center and our future interactions with this organization. When we return from Christmas break, I will hopefully be taking various WNS classes to visit Dagoretti 3 times a month.

What does one eat in Africa?

2008-12-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

Nipe orodha ya vyakula? May I please have the menu?

samosas, chapatti (tortillas), Kenya stew, all kinds of different fish, chips(fries), lots of fruits and veggies, rice, chicken or beef tacos, pizza, salsa, soup and crackers, salad, eggs and toast, ughali, sukumawiki (cooked cabbage), goat, beans, mokimo (green mashed potatoes)...

There is a wide variety of cultural places to eat out, including my favorite Chinese restaurant, Four You. The key is to choose wisely, so that you don't spend the evening over the toilet.

Cooking is a time consuming process here. Everything is made by scratch. All fruits and vegetables are washed prior to eating, in a safe chemical we buy at the chemist or drug store. We soak everything for about 2o minutes and then slice and dice. Typically groceries are purchased from a local grocery store or a duka on the side of the street. Food is also expensive.

It is recommended that every six months you de-worm yourself. The process is fairly simple. You take two tablets with some (filtered) water, and supposedly this cleans out any unwanted intruders. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to think of how many worms I DID have in me.

Turkey Day

2008-12-13T02:02:00.000-08:00

This holiday was filled with lots of friends and fabulous food. After working a half day (because they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here), I went home, prepared my part of the Thanksgiving meal (salad with the fixings) and headed over to the Bussell's residence. This is a family from school, but they are actually from California as well. We played a few games with everyone that was there, and then went around the room taking turns to say what we were thankful for this last year. It was hard to think of just one. Dinner was next. We all gobbled down what you might call close to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, there was turkey, which is hard to come by here. Along with stuffing, a green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, and a homemade pumpkin pie. While it was all very good, I have to admit, it didn’t come close in comparison to my mom’s cooking. Later that night at home, I got to talk with the fam. We use a Skype webcam to talk which makes our calls a bit more personal. It made my day to see their faces and catch up with what things are going on at home. I miss you guys!

The following day (Friday), we also had off from school. So, we took the opportunity to travel to a place about 45 minutes out of the city, called Paradise Lost. This was a beautiful recreational area where we went on a few hikes, ventured in some caves, swung from some overhanging vines, went for a boat ride, and had a picnic lunch.

Mitumba Slums

2008-11-22T01:26:00.000-08:00

This last month, I have been working together with an organization called Christian Mission Aid, on a community outreach fundraiser. Our goal was to collect 150 food buckets, from West Nairobi families, to feed the less fortunate in Mitumba Slums (see earlier blog). Each bucket contained basic food items such as… rice, beans, flour, salt, maize meal, etc. Since local Kenyan schools are out of session for the entire month of December, this means the children are not provided the two meals a day they normally receive at school. One bucket is equipped to feed one child’s family for a week during this Christmas break.

I am happy to report, that we exceeded our goal by six. I was so excited, and so were our students to find out the final results. My faith was put to the test though, when a week prior we were only at 30 buckets. I can honestly say, at that point, my optimism had turned to disappointment. I was sure this was a project that God had placed in my hands, and I didn’t understand why there weren’t more buckets coming in. Never underestimate our heavenly father, a lesson I am learning here in Africa, over and over.

Thursday, November 20^th, I took the eleventh grade class and a few staff members into Mitumba to deliver these buckets. When we arrived, after one set back of getting the bus stuck in the mud, we were welcomed by many open arms. The students had prepared a presentation for us with singing, awards, and words of appreciation. We were loved on, that is for sure. It is hard to put into words how my heart was blessed by this event. I think I could speak for us all. Later we played games with these 270 students. Who knew a tire had more than one use?

Mombassa

2008-11-15T00:20:00.000-08:00

I have finally set eyes on the Indian Ocean. It all started with an eight hour bus ride on a Friday night. We arrived the following morning at 6, took a matatu to our hotel, in hopes to shower and rest a bit. We arrived only to find that our reservation had been lost. So we gladly wasted time by finding a place to eat breakfast and going for a walk along the shore line, waiting for the hotel manager to come into work.

The view was spectacular. Just like the Pacific, there was fine white sand (minus the dried out seaweed), blueish-green ocean water, unique tropical plants, and the smell of fresh salty water. It wasn’t long before my shoes were off and my feet were in the soft sand. I approached the water, preparing myself for a shocking cold. To my surprise, it was a pleasant temperature.

The manager eventually showed up and found a place for us to stay down the street. It wasn’t quite as nice as our original location, but still a site to see. Because of the last minute changes, all eight of us teachers crammed into a two bedroom place, where we fixed our own meals, played some competitive card games, and rested from the long journey the night before. Most of our time was spent around the pool, sipping on coconuts and enjoying the slow pace of our weekend.

The location even included our very own family of monkeys. These guys were an active bunch, swinging from tree to tree, only stopping for a bite to eat. I finally had to leave them alone when they started to use me as a tree.

I would have to say, there were two highlights from this trip. The first was a camel ride down the beach and the second, an exploration through the deep waters, with a snorkeling mask. I saw some fascinating creatures. I only wish I could have captured them all on camera. Sunday night we started our journey back home. Another 8 hours on the bus and no sleep. Thankfully, Monday was a holiday, so I slept the day away. It was a fabulous weekend.

Pictured: Jen, Brenton, Jonathan, Kate, Joel, Steven, Becca, Amy

A National Holiday

2008-11-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Today, in light of the US presidential election and Obama's win, Kibaki (Kenya's president) has declared tomorrow a national holiday. I am left a bit confused as to why we are recognizing a US event, other than the fact that Obamas father's roots are tied to Kenya. If it means the day off, I won't argue though. It is amazing how many Kenyans are up to date on American politics, even the kids. I walked into the Kindergarten class this morning to... Obama won the prize, Obama won the prize. They sure do love this man. I have learned not to say much when I'm asked my opinion, through encountering some pretty heated debates. What will the next four years hold? We shall see.

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-11-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Another birthday has come and gone. But this one I spent in Africa (somebody pinch me). I turned 27 on a Thursday this year. It was a pretty ordinary work day, with soccer practice after school. A few exceptions to the norm though. I had dinner out with friends, a call from home, and a chocolate cake celebration with my third grade class. It was a hard day to be so far away from home, but thankfully, a busy one. Last week, I received in the “snail mail” my birthday presents. A sweater, movies, candy, and more movies. Thanks family, who I dearly love! I now have something to do late at night. The real b-day celebration happened the following weekend. Eight of us went to Mombasa, a city located on the African coast. Another lifetime goal I can check off. I have now seen three out of the four oceans. Thank you to all of you who sent cards. I appreciated them!

Computer Down

2008-10-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

I have some bad news. My computer has recently taken a turn for the worst. A couple of nights ago it fell off the dresser at home and now the screen is cracked. Big oops! My plan is to order a new one, but who knows when it will get here. I hope to send it with my administrator, coming at the end of November. Until then, I am using an external monitor at work, but don't have access at home or internet cafes. I apologize in advance if I am slow at writing back to emails or updating my blog. Please don't give up on me. Hopefully, it won't be long before I am up and running again.

One Day to the Next...

2008-10-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

It is funny how things here change so drastically from one day to the next. Today we are out electricity, stuck in traffic for hours, not able to go to the bank because they decided to close early, the mechanic has said no to yet another car we are trying to buy, a parent is irate, and tomorrow will be completely the opposite. The sun will be out, a letter will come in the mail, I'll have time to finish work, go out to dinner and laugh with friends, get a strong internet signal while at work, and go home to zero sightings of cockroaches and a warm shower. Whatever kind of day it is I am learning to make the choice to be content with my surroundings. I know that I am extremely blessed to be here in Africa and have every intention to make the most of it.

So what can I update you on? It has been a little while since I’ve checked in. Still no car, but we have been looking under the hood of quite a few lately. Needless to say this has been a frustrating process. I am grateful though to Joel and Jonathan (WNS teachers), who have been picking up Julie (my roommate) and I, each and every day to go into work. Even Saturdays, which are game days for elementary soccer. Pictured: Jen (salsa partner), me, Julie

I have conquered my goal of learning to drive here and feeling comfortable behind the wheel. It is not like home, where we have set traffic laws and people obey them for the most part. In Kenya, there are limited driving laws and they are certainly not followed or enforced. It is rare to find posted speed limits or street signs. People drive on the left side of the road, or wherever is most convenient. On a two lane road you will find a variation of busses, matatus (taxis), water trucks, people sections, cars, bicycles, walkers, men pulling carts, goats, herds of cows, and school kids. At any time there might be 2-5 lanes of moving traffic. Needless to say, it is essential to have two hands on the wheel at all times. Another challenge has been getting use to driving stick again. I think I’ve got the hang of it though.

A local Chinese restaurant called "Four You", has become a frequent favorite for those of us on the WNS staff. Last Friday night, a group of us, after a high school basketball game, sat through 1 ½ hours of stop and go traffic to eat at this favorite cuisine. While immersed in our dinner conversation the electricity goes out. Not a problem, the waiter just brings over a kerosene lamp. Well… while we thought this was a great idea it quickly turned into ciaos. So let me set the scene. We are sitting at a nice outside umbrella covered table, we have a Jiko (a small camp stove) nearby to keep us warm, great food, alternative light now to see our food, but not everyone agreed that it was light enough. So, Joel volunteered to start messing with the lantern, trying to turn it up. A few minuets later the lantern was engulfed in flames, people running in every direction. When the waiter realized what was going on, he came by and threw a towel over the lantern, then carried it away. Never a dull moment with this crowd. And when will I get over these minor things, like the electricity going out?

Mt. Longonot

2008-09-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Mt. Longonot National Park is located an hour and a half from where I live. On Sunday, we drove through kilometers of scenic countryside to climb the park’s main attraction, which happens to be a dormant volcano. I went with four other girls, three of which were making this climb for the second time. It really wasn’t that difficult of a hike, but when you factored in the direct sunlight, elevation, and loose dirt it definitely took a toll on everyone. The outside walls of the volcano were sparse with dry brush, rock, and sand. The view was spectacular, but there wasn’t much to look at on our way up. That is, until you reached the very top. It was like we had found a hidden treasure. Standing on the rim looking down inside the crater, there was nothing but lush, green landscape. We spent quite a bit of time at the top admiring God’s creation and sharing life stories.

So, I mentioned how dusty it was. Driving into the park, we had to take a dirt road for 4 kilometers. As we continued to drive, I became aware that it was getting difficult to see. At first, I thought the engine was producing smoke, but then I quickly realized, it was dust coming up through the floorboards and open air vents. Jen, our driver, was a trooper. There were times where it was hard to see the road. We made it to our destination safe though. We got out of the car, brushed ourselves off, and continued on. Part way through our climb, Jen looks over and says “Amy, you have something in your teeth." Sure enough, what do think it was? A thick layer of dirt. Grouse I know.

And I can’t forget… Have you ever had to wait for a herd of cattle to cross the street, or maybe a stray dog? Well me too, but what about a herd of zebras. I still can’t believe this story and I was there. While these zebras were crossing the main road, I was in such an ooh and awe state that I forgot I had a camera in hand. The occasion would have made for some great pics. Oh well, maybe next time.

Soccer in Session

2008-09-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Intramural soccer started Thursday. Lots of preparation, but the season is finally here. Paper work, charts, sign ups, phone calls, teams, coaches, trips to the store, equipment, field prep, and wow I am exhausted. Our first practice lasted for an hour after school. Forty- six students in all, first through sixth grade. I was impressed with how many kids signed up. Soccer, or should I say “Football”, is a very popular sport here. My goal during this first practice was to teach basic drills and avoid what I call the “bee hive” during our scrimmage. All students like flock around the ball. Positions are hard to maintain for younger players, so I found out. I can honestly say we all tried our best. Good times!

Immediately following practice, it was off to the activity bus for yet another adventure. Being the adult in charge, I felt responsible to make sure, on the first day that everyone got off at the right stops. So… I hopped on the bus and we set off for home. It brought back memories of my elementary bus days, the only difference being the roads. The paved roads here are not exactly what you would call level. Kids bounced around like crazy. They actually have to wear seat belts here, this being one of the reasons. The good news we didn’t loose anyone.

Two days later we scored through our first games. In the end, I would call it a success, but I was holding my breath through the beginning. After fifteen minuets of warm-up, kids were ready to play, but I only had a little over half my players and two of my nine coaches. What to do? I grabbed parents from the sidelines, gave them a whistle, some rules, and off they went. I should have known better to factor in Kenyan time (show up later than planned). Despite our rough start, we all had a lot of fun. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Beautiful Smiles

2008-09-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

How do I make the most of life in Africa? If I am only here a short while, what kind of things should I be spending my time on? I have been praying, God how can you use me the most here? One answer to this question I found this Thursday. When offered this teaching position, I was also asked to head up a program called Community Development. Out of the blue, I got a phone call this week about a project in the slums. A woman by the name of Cindy, has asked our school to help out with 3 local slums. WNS will be putting together hygiene/ food buckets to take to students there, who then take them home to their families. This is one of the many ways we hope to bless them. We are also looking into hosting a fundraiser to stock their library shelves full of books. Right now they are completely empty.

One of these slums I got to visit. It is called Mitumba. There are an estimated 200 students who attend the school there, Kindergarten - 8^th grade. This is comparatively a smaller slum than most. Therefore, Mitumba does not have any large sponsors like Compassion International or World Vision. We will be working with Christian Mission Aid to help where we can.

It was an overwhelming rush of emotions upon our arrival. Excitement, devastation, burdensome, contentness, joyfulness, sadness, the list goes on. I was in awe to meet these kids, to see what life was like for them. Before Jonathan (another WNS teacher) and I could get out of the car, we had kids grabbing our hands and trying to get in as close as they could. I guess it didn’t matter who we were as long as we were there to love on them. It had rained earlier that day, so wearing rubber boots was a must. Mud and sewage made the ground hard to walk on.

People in Mitumba live in 8x10 shacks made from scraps of metal. The school walls were decorated with homemade charts and the floors consisted of dirt and mud. I met the pastor who also welcomed us with open arms. This man has a gigantic heart. He walked us around to each classroom, where we were greeted with beautiful smiles and a song the students sung. I am hoping to go back and teach on Thursday afternoons.

Lukenya

2008-09-09T03:11:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was our staff retreat and my first attempt to get out of the city. Everyone and their families were invited to come. We had a great time relaxing and getting to know one another. All it took was one bumpy bus ride to get there. I think I inhaled more dust than I ever have before. But it was worth it!

Lukenya, the beautiful place where we stayed, is a resort located roughly an hour outside the city of Nairobi. It is your typical vacation spot with a pool, basketball and volleyball courts, Kenyan food, conference rooms, free internet, filtered water, etc. All great things that I was thankful for! Landscaped in Acacia trees (full of thorns I learned), walks where you accumulated ticks, and water pressure of a trickling stream. I have to say, before this trip, I was really looking forward to a warm shower that I didn’t have to pay for. Well, I got that, about a gallons worth. That didn’t matter so much because the night sky made up for the not so great shower. The constellations in the southern hemisphere are quite a site. One of the other teachers and I spent over an hour trying to figure them all out. The first night we were there I went out in a jeep in search for some wild life. Here’s what I found…

zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and some unique birds. So fun! I think this has been my most adventurous thing yet. Sorry Chris, still no hippos.

Bitter Sweet

2008-08-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

This first month, I have been extremely challenged in a culture I am quickly learning about. There are things that I already love about Africa and others that frustrate me. I recognize, however, this is all part of the adventure. Let’s start with school. We are three weeks in, and I have not had one uneventful day. It is amazing to work in a place that people have traveled, literally half way around the world, to teach at. There is a common cause that drew us all to these children and that creates a strong bond. However, our resources are limited, which leads to lack of organization. I crave things to be in order, especially in a work setting. I have had to bite my tongue a few times to save myself from getting in trouble. For example, the school supplies ordered last year have yet to come in. There was a strike in Mombassa, therefore no supplies. We’re lucky at this point to find a pencil with an eraser. I have been lesson planning in pen, not exactly ideal.

Kindergarten... one of my favorite classes to teach. I'm trying to get them to participate in PE, but you would think it is story time.

I am in the process of developing school programs and there is no one around that knows how to answer my questions. The school site principal is on furlough until January, and the interim principal is just trying desperately to survive the basics. Jim you were right, teaching overseas is much different. I miss you Reagan crew! Another plus to our school is that our average class size is roughly 20 students, Kindergarten through 11th grade. That is a dream number in the states. Despite the fact, there is work to be done, we leave school everyday around 4:00 pm. That is not enough time to get things done, but that’s when our ride says its time to go. We need our own car. Please be praying for this to happen sooner rather than later.

My time at home is spent differently now. Instead of going for a walk, going out on the town, or watching TV at night (with the exception of a season of House, that someone let us borrow), I now read books, cook, write emails saved on my computer, or grocery shop. So frequently? Yes! That’s what happens when you don’t have preservatives in your food. You make lots of trips to the store. Often times it is unsafe to be out after dark (about 6:00 pm.), so we come up with things to do at home. On weekends though, I have started taking Salsa lessons, we go to internet cafes, to church on Sundays, and we also visit people’s homes.

I live in a two bedroom/ 1 bath apartment. If you want to take a hot shower, you get up two hours ahead of time to turn on the water heater. And even then, it only lasts 10- 15 min. So I’ve started taking showers at night and my roommate takes hers in the morning. This also helps with the flooding problem. The shower floor is set down an inch from the floor in the hallway. It has a small drain in the corner that can’t keep up with the water coming out the faucet. Therefore, water everywhere. If we are not careful it will over flow into my room. Thankfully, that has only happened twice. I’m not sure what the architect was thinking when he constructed this area of the house. We recently got a used washer. This is a blessing, even if we can only use it for its spin cycle. The machine will not hold water, but it does a great job ringing out our clothes, which means… things dry faster! Dad what do you think about a quick trip to do some handy work?

Homesick. I have to say, when I first got here I wasn’t that homesick. Not like the last time I left home for six months. It is slowly seeping in though. Usually my down times I wish I could make a trip home. I love you family and I wish you guys could be a part of living in Africa. People said this would be an experience of a life time and that it is. Next weekend our school staff is going on a retreat. I am excited to get outside Nairobi and see some other sites.

Finding Differences in a New Culture

2008-08-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

There are times where I don’t feel like I’m really here in Africa. For one reason, it’s cold! Who thought Africa would be cold, even though it is winter here. They also have a shopping center in the city where I live, called Nakumatt. It looks like a version of Walmart, minus a few American things. Within these four walls, I forget I am in a different country until I go to the register and I’m asked to pay 2,000 shillings. That sounds like a lot right? It looks like a lot! That is only about thirty dollars. And then sometimes… as my mind drifts into work mode here, it is interrupted by the electricity going out. I’m then quickly reminded that I am actually in Africa.
A good day, I have come to find out, consists of hot water, electricity, an internet connection, and a ride to work. We walk along the streets here and a majority of people are dressed better than myself. This is odd to me because a majority of people here live and work in places that are quite the contrary.

I felt like I really stood out when I first got here. Which I think is reasonable thinking. People watched and stared, but over time I’ve come to realize that they do this with each other as well. The African culture, it moves at its own pace. They have time to watch the day as it literally rolls by. At the same time, I do have to mention that people here are very hard workers. It requires a lot of effort when you do everything by hand.

There is something here called a “people section.” It is a truck bed crammed, that might be an understatement, of men who are getting a ride to work. I’ve been told that most of them are construction workers. It is awkward and slightly humorous to get behind one of these vehicles. Often we run into this situation in the morning. They point, stare, and laugh at our car, full of six white girls. What do you do when you can’t pass them other than laugh at what they must be thinking? Between us and them it is a bit of a comedy.

First Day of School

2008-08-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

I am blessed! Thank you to all of you who are in some way reaching out, whether it is through prayer, email, blog responses, or financial aid. Tearful eyes come when I think about the support I have behind me. Each and every one of you plays a huge part in the mission I am here for. It has been a little over two weeks since I arrived, and so far things are off to a good start.

The first official day of school has come and gone. I survived! Not that I didn’t think I would. First impressions are important though. In my opinion, they set a tone for the remainder of the year. It was a half day. This helps to ease our way back from a long summer break.

My day started in a third grade classroom and ended in the fourth grade classroom. I have a unique position this year. I am responsible to teach language arts to two grade levels, as well as K-5 Elementary PE. After school, I coach intramural sports and run a program called Community Development. This is a bit of a stretch for me, or what you might say is out of my comfort zone.

Community Development is a program designed to get kids involved in their surroundings. Last year, students worked with a local orphanage. This year, I am hoping to do the same, and also extend our resources a little more. My current ideas include… working in the slums (severe poverty areas) with other disabled children, helping with an AIDS awareness program, and fundraising for long term goals (ex. play equipment).

Getting Settled In

2008-08-06T07:20:00.001-07:00

My access to the internet is through an internet cafe at the moment. Time online has been limited. Unfortunately, internet is on and off at school as well, so I (close your ears mom and dad) walked here today, by myself, so I could check my email. I implied that it isn't safe, but it is during the day. I'm learning my way around quickly.

Everyone is busy at work! I moved into my new apartment Tuesday. It is two bedrooms with one bath. Jennie, it’s not quite the place we had in the states. I miss our old place! I have one other person who lives with me, her name is Julie. This means I have a room to myself, something that wasn’t expected, but I am excited about. Julie and I are both new staff members so we have a lot to learn about being on our own, everything from how to sanitize and cook our food to how to pay the bills. There is no mail system locally, so we hand deliver everything. And since we are out a car that means a lot of walking. As a result, I’m thankful this will keep me in shape. We employ an askari (gate guard) for our compound and also house help (a maid). This is very common in Africa. Chores take a considerable amount of time because they are all done by hand, such as laundry, dishes, and cooking from scratch. The house help alleviates some of the daily stress since we are gone a good portion of the day. But it feels weird coming from a place that has slavery in our history. Although, that is not how it is perceived here.

The area we live in would be considered middle class, but at home we wouldn’t view it the same. Most would consider this a low income area. I feel conflicted in my heart because there has been times where I thought to myself… this place is old, and dirty, and I don’t own but a few things, but then I see on a daily basis people that are a lot less fortunate. I’ll admit that this is a struggle. God is good though, and we are taking this one day at a time. We have a place to call home now and that is an answer to prayer. No more living out of a suitcase!

Pictures of school. All week we have been setting up offices and classrooms. Full staff orientation starts Thursday(tomorrow). We finally get to meet the whole gang!

In the wild... real live giraffes. Saturday we took a trip to look at some wild life in Kenya. These long neck creatures were really friendly as long as you had food on you. Otherwise watch out for a nice head but. God's unique African creatures are all around, but birds and giraffes are the extent of what I have seen thus far.

Jambo (hello) from Africa

2008-07-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

At last, I have reached my final destination! Twenty-six hours of flying, 18 hours of layovers, 5 hours in the car, and 1 bus ride later, I am here. I don’t have any pics to post yet, but I am quickly acquiring them, so please stay tuned. West Nairobi new staff members (including myself) are currently staying in a guest house and working our way through orientation this week. Monday, 5 days from now, we will move into apartments.

A popular question has been… Is Nairobi what you expected? I would have to say both yes and no. There is more poverty than what I could have ever imagined, even in the more developed areas. There are parts of the city that are appealing to the eye and others that are not. The people are what everyone said they would be and more, both caring and welcoming. The school site, which we saw yesterday, is absolutely beautiful. I got to see my office that I will be sharing with our school athletic director, and the 3^rd and 4^th grade classrooms where I will be teaching. I can’t wait to start! August 12^th is our first day of school.

This week we are participating in the course “How to survive Africa 101”. We are learning where to buy supplies, how to drive (in craziness), what streets are safe to walk on, how to speak basic Swahili, etc. Later this week… whoops there goes the electricity. That’s happen twice today. More to come… miss you all!

Visit to Austria

2008-07-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

Two days and counting til arrival in Nairobi...

The last week, I have been staying with good friends, Dan and Regan, who are currently working with refugees in Austria. I have been following them around from place to place trying to learn the in and outs of a German speaking culture. Thursday we spent time with their team running a children's program and visiting with local families. It is a good thing I like tea! Overall, the weather hasn't been the greatest, but we finally caught a break in the rain yesterday. We took advantage of this by doing a little site seeing in Vienna, which turned out to be the highlight of my trip. These pictures show a few of the many places we went throughout the city. Vienna is a gorgous place! Today we are headed out again to do some walking around in Boden (where Dan and Regan live). We walk or ride the train every where because they don't have a car. It is great exercise!

Support Letter

2008-07-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge

All gifts to NICS for the ministry of Amy Polhemus are tax-deductible. Checks may be sent to NICS, P.O. Box 1260, Southaven, MS 38671. Indicate "Project #003119" on the memo line of the check. If you have any questions about NICS, please visit our website or call the Member Care Department at 1.800.887.6427.

Pre-Field Training

2008-07-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

I just returned home from a two week training in Southaven, Mississippi (15 min. from downtown Memphis, Tennessee). For the first time, I experienced Elvis country. Besides admiring the history of the South, I also attended classes everyday. The purpose of this training was to prepare overseas teachers for the individual culture they will enter. Can we say... information overload. I had no idea there was so much to prepare. However, I came out on the other end more knowledgeable about the mission field in Africa.

I met 6 of our current staff members at West Nairobi School. They are great!! While I don't look forward to saying goodbye to my home, I do look forward to connecting with these people again. I am thankful for the peace that God has given me during this time.