Behind the Scenes Heroes

          You know, our trip to Africa would not have been possible without the help and prayers of so many others.  Friends and family supported us financially and through prayer.  We were humbled by the outpouring of support!  Matt and I honestly believe that we were only able to go to Africa because these "behind the scenes" heroes stepped up, followed God's lead, and walked into this adventure with us.  Saying thank you simply feels inadequate, but for those of you who gave in any way, shape, or form, please know that you blessed us.  You encouraged us.  You made this trip a reality for us.  We've prayed over all of you, and we continue to ask that God bless you for your support!  Thank you.
          And I have a special, heart felt thank you for my Mom and Dad.  As you know, Matt and I went to Africa without our two daughters.  Leading up to the trip, I had moments of anxiety over this, but I trusted God.  He called us to Africa, and I knew He'd take care of our family back at home.  One of the ways He orchestrated this care was through my parents.  They stepped up in a major way and offered to fly to Arizona to take care of Audrey and Claire (and our two dogs).  Mom flew out first and spent a week and a half as their sole care taker!  She was a rock star by every account.  Not only did she care for the girls, but she took them on outings and just had fun with them!  My Dad was able to fly out and join Mom for the "final push" before we returned.  He was a welcome pair of hands for my Mom, and the girls were thrilled to have Pa to play with!  (I heard there was a lot of wrestling, swimming, and piggy back riding).  Mom and Dad even stayed five days AFTER Matt and I returned, so we could rest up and get over our jet lag.  So, my parents are also heroes in this story.  Knowing my daughters were in loving hands allowed me to focus on God's work for me in Kenya without worrying about Audrey and Claire.  What a blessing!  Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!!

Safari! July 16, 17, 18

          Early Saturday morning, we left the guest house in Nairobi and traveled five hours south to the Serengeti Plains of Kenya.  We were staying on the Masai Mara Preserve for a short safari.  Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday, and a sunrise drive Monday morning... breathing in the beauty of Africa.
          The drive was amazing, too.  We rode in a safari van with six other friends of ours.  Along the journey, we stopped in the Great Rift Valley (which stretches from Israel to Mozambique).  We explored the curio shops and ate local snacks.  We were "off road" for the last two hours of the trip, bouncing over dirt roads.  Our eyes were wide, and we'd occasionally squeal with delight as we started spotting wildlife roaming the fields -- zebra, gazelle, and three giraffes!  We passed Masai tribal villages and saw their brush enclosures for their livestock (built tall to keep out lions, hyenas, and other predators).  The Masai were out herding their livestock, wearing their red tribal robes and ornate necklaces.  The entire scene stretched out before me took my breath away.  Every thing was SO different from the poverty and filth we'd been in for the past week.  Down in southern Kenya, it was spacious.  The air was clean.  I am immediately thankful that God has given us the opportunity to experience two very different Africas.
          We arrived at our lodge - the Mara Leisure Camp - and were assigned rooms.  Matt and I were lead down a meandering path to a very large tent.  Yes.  A tent.  This tent, however, was unlike any I've ever seen.  It was built on a solid foundation with wood floors.  We had a bed and a large bathroom, but the walls were canvas.  Power was run by a generator at specific hours of the day.  I felt like I'd walked in to a dream!  Our tent door was a zipper, and our tent faced the game preserve.  THIS was my kind of camping!  Of course, we were definitely in the heart of wild Africa. Three women in our group saw a Black Mamba (very poisonous snake) hanging outside of their tent on the way to their room.  The Masai who walked them to their room went back to get his machete, but the snake slithered away before he could return!
          The Safari experience itself was simply beyond words.  We rode in safari vans, and the roof would pop up so we could stand and see out as we drove.  We saw animals living their life on the Mara, and we were fortunate enough to get a peek at a sliver of their lives.  On our safari, we saw lions, hyenas, cheetahs, a leopard (which is a very rare sighting, apparently), zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeests, crocodiles, water buffalo, ostriches, gazelles and other African deer, monkeys, baboons, and birds.  It was incredible!  We watched the sun set over the African plains and experienced a sunrise the day we left.  We ate lunch down by the hippo pools and walked along the Mara River (with an armed ranger!).  We got to learn about and observe a few Masai warrior tribal dances (Matt actually got to join in and learn the impressive Lion Dance).
          For me, the safari was a chance to experience the gloriousness of God's creation AND a chance to process the work we'd done the week prior.  I prayed, journaled, and discussed my experiences with my teammates.  The short safari was such a great way to wrap up our adventure in Africa.
          On Monday, after our sunset safari ride, we packed and loaded up the vans to begin our journey back to Nairobi.  A 50 hour trek lay before us.  Our drive to Nairobi, our flight to London, an eight hour layover, and our flight to Phoenix.  My mind reeled as I realized that our trip was coming to an end.  It had gone so quickly.  And yet my life will never be the same...

Friday, July 15th

          Friday was our last day working in the Mathare Valley slums.  We arrived at Kosovo, and a small group of us immediately walked through the slums to the Pangani school.  We were delivering a suitcase full of dresses that were made and donated by a few women in our church.  We took the dresses, the pattern to make the dresses, and some additional fabric to the women's sewing class at the Pangani school.  The dresses were handed out to the children of the women in the class, and their faces were priceless.  Their moms helped find a dress that would fit them, and then the girls all wanted their pictures taken in their new dresses.

          After walking back to Kosovo, we immediately began playing soccer!  The final day's special event was a soccer tournament between several of Missions of Hope's schools.  The kids were thrilled that we (the white Americans) had a team in the tournament.  We were not so sure.  Our team had a few high school students, a few of us who used to play quite a bit (although it's been 10 years since I've played in a real game), and a lot of competitive adults who had barely (or never) played soccer.  We all agreed that the goal was to have fun and enjoy playing with the kids.  Our coach was our bus driver, Philip, whose goal was to win at all costs!  We tied the first game (playing 4th and 5th graders) and were exhausted.  Our second game started after a twenty minute break.  Just before we started the second game, Philip walked up to me and my friend Jenny, pointed at us and said, "You and You. You start.  You STRIKE!"  Yes, coach!  So, Jenny and I started the game.  We won our second game and feared that we might have to play a third time.  My legs weren't ready for a third game.  Thankfully, we were finished.  We got to watch the 8th grade Joska team play one of the high school teams in the championship game.  It was a good game, since Joska's team has two or three youth national team players on their team!

          While we were watching the game, a group of kids came and sat near and around us.  They played with our hair, touched the guys' arm hair, and watched us.  Some of the little girls started drawing pictures in the dirt.  Matt joined them.  I sat and watched as Matt and six little girls drew pictures in the dirt.  Then he sang them a Maori war chant that he learned when he played rugby.  He had sang it for them on our last day at games and it was an instant hit.  It was such a sweet moment, just sitting in the dirt with the kids watching a soccer game.  In Kenya!!

          The day ended with a very touching closing celebration.  We listened to several short thank you speeches and then watched presentations by the students -- a play they wrote for us, several tribal songs, and a few stories.  My heart was heavy as we said our goodbyes to the students and our new friends that work for Missions of Hope.  So many children came up, took my hand, and said, "When will you come back?" or "Please don't forget me."  There was so much hope and expectation in their little eyes.  So much longing in their hugs.  When we walked up the hill toward our bus for the last time, I actually felt a little empty.  We'd spent such a short time here, and yet part of my heart would stay in Mathare with those children and their families.  

Nairobi Driving is Insane!

          Yes, we are wearing masks. On the bus. In Nairobi, Africa.  If you think about it for a few minutes, you'll probably be able to guess why.  The truth is, air quality in Nairobi is not so nice.  We spent at least an hour an a half every day riding in a bus to and from the slums of the city.  As you'll see in the pictures below, traffic was crazy.  There are no emissions standards in Kenya, so the exhaust from all of the diesel vehicles could get a bit overwhelming.  After three or four days of breathing in pollution, the masks brought a bit of relief.  We didn't wear these all of the time.  But when we were stuck in traffic and the fumes started burning our lungs, the masks did seem to help.
          As for driving in the city, I have never experienced anything like Nairobi.  Our bus driver, Philip, was quite incredible.  Every morning and every afternoon, he had the responsibility of driving 38 white people on a bus through the busy streets of Nairobi.  We were quite an anomaly.  The driving itself was dangerous, too.  Most roads have no lane lines.  Traffic drives where room exists, so in some areas, the cars spread out, forming four or five loose lanes of traffic.  When oncoming vehicles drive toward that traffic, vehicles merge back to one or two lanes.  For some reason, road construction debris and rubble is simply left on the side of the road, creating huge piles of dirt (and some very large ditches).  Pedestrians are everywhere, darting in front of vehicles, climbing over debris mountains, and trying to squeeze around buses and vans.  And no, it is NOT a pedestrian friendly city.  I watched two or three men a day come close to being squished between vehicles.  In the cars, nose position is everything. Our bus would often just get in a nose in order to turn or change lanes.  It was like watching a big game of chicken unfold before our eyes.   During our first few rides, people were constantly inhaling or even screaming as it seemed we would wreck at any moment.  I saw vehicles bump each other all the time (and yes, our bus got "nudged" a few times).  At the end of the day, I was always thankful that Philip was driving. I don't think any one in our group would've done well in that city!

Sometimes words are never enough...

          As our work week ended, all of us struggled to put words to our emotions.  I think in many ways, I'm still searching for words, praying for words, that could possibly convey all I experienced in Nairobi.  When it was all said and done, we (our team) were with these kids for five short days.  What did we do in those five days?  Yes, we played games with them.  We taught them bible stories and worship songs.  We made crafts and painted faces.  Our medical team treated illnesses.  But those were not our biggest accomplishments.  For a few short days, we poured God's love into these precious lives.  With every game, every hug, every high five, every face painted, we showed the kids that God loves them.  He sent us from America to whisper these words with every step we took: "God loves you.  There is Hope in Jesus."  And now I can only pray that His love and His hope resonates deep in their hearts... that they will never forget the depth of His love for them.

Such joy! I love this picture...

This little angel was playing at the school every day and always wanted hugs.  

Her mom worked in the school's kitchen.

Worship and Bible, Crafts, and Snacks! (VBS July 11-14th)

          Matt and I were having so much fun playing out on the games field, but we also wanted to see what the rest of our VBS team was doing in the school.  So, on Wednesday, two of our teammates subbed for us so we could sneak a peak at the rest of our team.  I must say that our team rocked!  I was so impressed with each room.  Inside of the school, our teammates were running three different stations.  The worship and bible team sang songs with the kids then told them a bible story.  The crafts team had different craft projects related to the day's theme.  Snacks was so much more than biscuits and tea.  In the snacks station, kids colored, got their face painted, and got balloon hats.  On our quick tour of the other stations, we snapped just a few pictures so that each of you could see what the other stations looked like.  Personally, I was blessed by each of our teammates.  Every one in our group worked so hard to bring joy to each of the kids at the school!

Games, Days 3 & 4 (July 13th and 14th)

          On Wednesday and Thursday morning, our games team worked with the older kids from the school. Most of our students were ages 7 to 9 (1st through 3rd graders).  By now, our group has a much better handle on the flow of game transition.  On top of that, these older students have two to three years of english under their belts, so most of them understand us without the need of a translator.  We had a blast.  I was afraid that I'd feel tired, since we were at the end of our work week, but God just kept pouring out energy.  And I was happy to use it!
          Each session, we divided the kids into three circles. Ryan, our recent high school grad, would take a small group of students to the end of the field to play soccer, and the remaining games team members would take a circle of kids.  The older kids LOVED relay races, so we usually did two or three relay races a session.  My two favorite relays were the dizzy, dizzy relay (kids ran to a plastic bat, put the bat on their forehead and spun around three times, then ran back to tag the next runner) and a jump rope relay ("skipping").  The kids LOVED skipping rope, and turning it into a relay was a riot.  The teams would cheer for their teammates as they attempted to jump rope to the turn around point and back.  I also taught several groups the Hokey-Pokey, which was a riot.  I think they got more of a kick out of watching me do the silly song and dance than they did learning it!
          My favorite moments of games days three and four occurred on our last day.  We brought out about a dozen bubble sticks that our team brought with us to Kenya.  The last five minutes of each session, we'd grab a bubble stick and blow bubbles for the kids.  They LOVED it.  Most of them had never seen bubbles before.  In fact, we always handed their teachers a bubble stick, too, and three of the teachers had never seen bubbles before!  Light flooded the kids' eyes.  They chased, jumped after, and threw things at the bubbles to try to pop them.  In fact, one time, the kids started picking up nasty pieces of trash to throw at the bubbles.  I was blowing bubbles and trying not to get knocked over (kids accidentally jumped in to me more than once).  Suddenly, a nasty piece of plastic hit me right in the face!!  One of the kids had thrown it up at a bubble and it soared back down INTO MY FACE!  I managed not to freak out, but it was pretty gross. I tried not to think about what was on that piece of plastic.  The bubbles were such a huge hit with the kids.
          So, on Thursday afternoon, we wrapped up our last session of games for the VBS.  I felt a bit empty as we carried the suitcases back to the school for the last time.  I loved game time. I loved being outside with the kids, just playing with them. I loved that I got hugs and high fives at the end of each session (once the kids almost hugged me to the ground).  Joy and laughter filled my mornings, and it was such a place of happiness.  I was a bit sad as I walked off the game field for the last time.  I knew I was really going to miss my time playing with the kids of Kosovo school.

The Medical Clinic (July 11th-14th)

          While Matt and I were playing with kids during VBS and visiting homes in the afternoon, a very talented group of medical professionals (and a few volunteers of varying backgrounds) ran a medical clinic in the basement of the Kosovo school.  All of the students of Kosovo (nearly 900 children) were given a well-check by the clinic, which included de-worming medicine.  Additionally, the clinic saw 689 patients from the community.  On Wednesday afternoon, I had the chance to peek in to the clinic while it was operating.  I was amazed.  There was a make-shift waiting area outside the clinic where paperwork was filled out.  Upon entering the clinic, volunteers would weigh the patients and take their vitals then sit them in an interior waiting room.  The team had created make-shift privacy curtains, or rooms, to utilize while seeing patients, so when a room opened the patient was moved into a room.  The patient was then examined by the medical staff (translators were used when necessary).  Before the end of the exam, the staff member prayed over and for each individual patient.  The patient was then taken to the make-shift pharmacy and given whatever medications were needed.
          In the evenings, our team would gather in its entirety to share stories and blessings from the day. I was always honored to listen to the medical teams' stories.  They worked so hard and touched so many lives.  I loved that they focused on both physical and spiritual healing as they worked with their patients, too.  We had such a talented team of medical staff with us on this trip!

 The waiting area outside of the clinic

 Dr. Haar reviewing patient information

 The clinic (interior waiting on the left, patient rooms on the right, pharmacy on the right in the back)

 Kristine filling out patient forms as patients enter the interior waiting room

 Kelly checking vitals of a young patient

 Dr. Haar and Kittie in the pharmacy

Patients are thankful for the free medical clinic

Bring the Light (Afternoons, July 11th - 14th)

          After a full morning of vacation bible school, our team ate lunch together at the school before going out into the community to meet with people in their homes (shacks).  Missions of Hope runs a program called "Bring the Light".  Short term missionaries go with a Kenyan CHE (community health evangelist) into a home to share the hope of Christ, encourage the family, and bring light into the home.  Literally.  Most of these homes have no electricity and little to no natural light.  If you remember from my earlier post, these structures are usually around 6 ft x 8 ft, made of tin, and dark.  So, Missions of Hope brings light to the community homes by cutting a small section out of the tin roof and covering it with a corrugated piece of plastic.  Light streams in.  No more floundering in the dark.  Light is so powerful.
          Think about it for a minute.  I KNOW I take light for granted.  I live in Phoenix, so the sun is usually shining brightly during the day.  And if, for some reason, natural light isn't giving me the light I need in my home, I flip a switch.  Light.  As soon as the sun goes down, I can turn on any number of lights in my house to create the exact amount of light I need.  I do it daily and give it so little thought.  And then God takes me into a place where light is a luxury.  A mother struggles to dress herself and her children because she cannot see.  She fumbles to prepare what little food she has because she cannot properly see.  And for those families whose children are fortunate enough to go to school, there is not enough light in their house for them to read their books or do their homework.  It's simply mind-boggling.
          So, on Monday afternoon, we are split into groups.  Matt and I go with two others from our team, one of the community health evangelists, and a fundi (a local casual laborer, who will do the actual construction).  We carry with us open hearts and the clear plexiglass.  I'm actually very nervous.  This is outside of my comfort zone.  I am not extroverted enough to feel comfortable going into a stranger's house and asking questions about their lives, their hurts, their losses... But, I trust in God, since He's the one walking me down this path.  I know that only He can speak through us anyway, giving us the words that will bring encouragement, or healing, or salvation, or whatever He has planned for the individuals we are to meet.  So, we lace up our boots and follow our guide through the narrow slum streets.
          The first home we are scheduled to visit is empty.  Apparently, the lady left to run errands.  So, our CHE (guide) begins knocking at doors asking if anyone wants light in their home.  A beautiful Kenyan named Susanne invites us in to her home.  We crowd around a table and sit on whatever we can find (it's hard to see where we are sitting).  Our CHE, Kevin, helps us navigate the introductions, translating for us since Susanne speaks very little english.  After learning about her family, we ask Susanne if she knows why we are visiting her.  She says she does not know, so we tells her we have come because of God's immense love for her.  Matt has the privilege of having a beautiful discussion with Susanne, sharing with her that Jesus gave His life for her and He wants to be her friend -- to lift her out of darkness and bring light into her heart.  Only Jesus can bring true hope into her life.  Susanne says she wants to be friends with Jesus!  In the blink of an eye, God opens her heart and she walks into His open arms.  It was beautiful.  As Matt and Susanne wrap up their discussion, our fundi begins to cut open the roof above.  As he removes the tin, sunlight streams down and lights the room!  Just as God illuminated Susanne's heart, He is now giving her a visual picture of that light as He brings light into her home.  Her face lights up, and we see a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Our fundi, James, removing tin and securing plexiglass.

         Each afternoon, we visited two or three households.  We met a Christian woman caring for her eight daughters by herself.  We prayed for her, asking God for His peace and wisdom, for success in her business (she sold vegetables by the road), and for protection for her daughters (as they are at extreme risk in the darkness of the slums).  We met a man caring for eight children, five of whom belonged to his brother-in-law.  His brother-in-law had been killed in political violence in Kenya five years before.  We met two pregnant women, fearful of the delivery of their unborn children because complications occur.  We met a young mother whose husband worked when he could to support their family but did not share her faith.  We met a young pregnant woman whose husband is a pastor.  After we prayed for her, she asked if she could share her wedding photos with me.  I was honored as she opened a box and pulled out her sacred treasures.  Each visit humbled me.  Unlike Americans who intentionally close themselves off to strangers, these Kenyans were welcoming, hospitable, and willing to share a small part of their lives with us.  They seemed genuinely encouraged by our visit -- that Americans would travel so far to visit.  Of course, we learned that the people of the slums refer to themselves as "the forgotten people".  But, God has not forgotten them.  And now, neither will I.  

          On our second afternoon out, we entered a home that was so dark, I actually had to help guide one of our team members to a seat.  With permission, Matt was able to film as our fundi cut open the roof and light flooded the room.  This clip is two minutes long, but it is well worth the wait to see the difference such a small amount of light can make.  At the end of the clip, you'll hear me encourage the young woman to always remember the light God pours into her life.  It's true for each of us, too. God is waiting to pour His light into our hearts, to shine in our darkest places and heal us there.  He calls for us, if we will only listen and respond.