Jim and Susie are about to leave tomorrow morning... Next week I'm already booked up. Paul and I are going to Bomani for a youth camp. I will pick him up in Mtwapa (sp?) and we'll go there together. Hmm... I still don't know my way around here. Still have to learn to drive on the other side of the street. Well, this will be interesting being here 'alone' so to speak. It will be good for me. I am usually most effective and learn the most when I'm pushed into a situation and under pressure. Really... it sounds weird, but true. I will miss Jim and Susie dearly. I sure hope they make it back into the states safely and Jim makes it to his surgery on time.
Today I am going to church with Lisa. She is going to pick me up at 10:15. This is Jim's last Sunday to preach and will be the first sermon I have watched since I came here. Each Sunday I greet people and help with the kids. This Sunday I decided to enjoy the service. However, I will have to leave for a little bit because the kids need to learn their hand motions to the songs. The children’s music teacher and I teach them each Saturday and on Sundays. Next Sunday the kids will perform in front of the church. Yay! That will be fun.
I love you all and miss you!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 24 ~ Sooo fun!
I woke up feeling refreshed and excited to spend another day in Kenya. Victor (the family dog) and I went for a nice jog on the beach. Then, I did some studies and went for a swim. After the swim we went to lunch to celebrate Jim and Susie’s friend’s birthday. Right after lunch, Lisa and I went to get out nails done!
Lisa has a friend named Joy that just opened a business. She does reflexology, pedicures and manicures. We decided to support her new business and get pedicures. She does great work! Her shop is very cute. I intend to go back while I’m here.
After the pedicures, we went to see a movie called The Proposal. The movie was a hilarious! This was my first time in a Kenyan theatre. Before the movie they play their national anthem and everyone stands up for it. I highly recommend seeing that movie if you have not already…
Lisa has a friend named Joy that just opened a business. She does reflexology, pedicures and manicures. We decided to support her new business and get pedicures. She does great work! Her shop is very cute. I intend to go back while I’m here.
After the pedicures, we went to see a movie called The Proposal. The movie was a hilarious! This was my first time in a Kenyan theatre. Before the movie they play their national anthem and everyone stands up for it. I highly recommend seeing that movie if you have not already…
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Back from Camp Day 24
Jim Susie and I are back from Camp Lukenya. While I was at camp, they went to Nairobi for a doctor appointment. Jim found out some good news and bad news. The good news is his cancer has not grown. That’s wonderful!!! The bad news is he needs surgery due to post-operative scar tissue around his bladder and urethra. This could get very serious if he is not operated on right away. The doctor suggested that he go back to the states within a week or two to go through the surgery, unless he gets the surgery done in Nairobi. The surgery would be much safer to have done in the states. Right now they are gathering more information from doctors and are in the planning stages of getting the surgery scheduled. Please keep this in your prayers.
Camp Lukenya was great. There were 80-90 teenagers there. The teens came from school groups and church groups. The camp is set up with cabins and bunk beds in the cabins. Camp Lukenya had counselors for the teens, games, homemade food, church and devotional time. I helped out as a counselor during my time there.
The teens and counselors were split up equally to create two teams. Some games were active outdoor games, other games were indoors. There was a hike scheduled for everyone to climb a mountain. The teens loved that! From what I hear there was an amazing scene on top of the mountain. I went up part of the mountain; however, one of the girls was not feeling very well due to a medical issue. We climbed back down and waited for the group. She was such a sweet girl. I’m thankful for the time we spent together.
Once the group returned, we found out the bus that drove us there was broken down. The group started to walk back to the camp grounds. Since there were so many girls in the group, each counselor took a small group of girls to watch over as we crossed the road. My group of girls was walking next to me as we chatted and sang songs. Two of the girls started to argue. Their names are Mercy and Lillian. I could not tell what they were saying because most of this particular conversation was in Swahili.
Lillian stayed by my side as Mercy drifted off in the back after there dispute. I was concerned about Mercy because it seemed as if her feelings were hurt by something Lillian said. I went up to Mercy, held her hand and asked her if she was okay. She started to cry. The argument hurt her feelings. Mercy and I found a spot to sit once we came back to the camp. She poured her heart out. However, it was not about the argument, it was about her family life. She was crying and in a lot of pain due to her difficult situation. We hugged for a long time as I tried to comfort her dear heart.
Many of the girls there have come from a very rough background. The camp was good for them to learn about God and how He can help them through their problems. Honestly, I have no idea how they make it through without God. In addition to their problems, they have a lot of pressure to do well in school. They have to take a test to get into high school. If they do not pass, they can't get into high school. Some of the girls get so much pressure from their family to pass, they end up in a deep depression.
My time at camp was not only spent with wonderful teens, but also with the amazingly trained counselors. They are very good at their jobs. The counselors are trained to help these girls and they do a spectacular job helping and teaching the girls. One girl I met in particular is named Courtney. She is from the Birmingham in the states! YAY! We will be in touch. Courtney and I connected right away. We exchanged stories and had a great time getting to know each other. I am so thankful to have met her. She is a gem. Courtney has one of those personalities that shine from a million miles away. I’m excited to continue a friendship with her!
Camp Lukenya was great. There were 80-90 teenagers there. The teens came from school groups and church groups. The camp is set up with cabins and bunk beds in the cabins. Camp Lukenya had counselors for the teens, games, homemade food, church and devotional time. I helped out as a counselor during my time there.
The teens and counselors were split up equally to create two teams. Some games were active outdoor games, other games were indoors. There was a hike scheduled for everyone to climb a mountain. The teens loved that! From what I hear there was an amazing scene on top of the mountain. I went up part of the mountain; however, one of the girls was not feeling very well due to a medical issue. We climbed back down and waited for the group. She was such a sweet girl. I’m thankful for the time we spent together.
Once the group returned, we found out the bus that drove us there was broken down. The group started to walk back to the camp grounds. Since there were so many girls in the group, each counselor took a small group of girls to watch over as we crossed the road. My group of girls was walking next to me as we chatted and sang songs. Two of the girls started to argue. Their names are Mercy and Lillian. I could not tell what they were saying because most of this particular conversation was in Swahili.
Lillian stayed by my side as Mercy drifted off in the back after there dispute. I was concerned about Mercy because it seemed as if her feelings were hurt by something Lillian said. I went up to Mercy, held her hand and asked her if she was okay. She started to cry. The argument hurt her feelings. Mercy and I found a spot to sit once we came back to the camp. She poured her heart out. However, it was not about the argument, it was about her family life. She was crying and in a lot of pain due to her difficult situation. We hugged for a long time as I tried to comfort her dear heart.
Many of the girls there have come from a very rough background. The camp was good for them to learn about God and how He can help them through their problems. Honestly, I have no idea how they make it through without God. In addition to their problems, they have a lot of pressure to do well in school. They have to take a test to get into high school. If they do not pass, they can't get into high school. Some of the girls get so much pressure from their family to pass, they end up in a deep depression.
My time at camp was not only spent with wonderful teens, but also with the amazingly trained counselors. They are very good at their jobs. The counselors are trained to help these girls and they do a spectacular job helping and teaching the girls. One girl I met in particular is named Courtney. She is from the Birmingham in the states! YAY! We will be in touch. Courtney and I connected right away. We exchanged stories and had a great time getting to know each other. I am so thankful to have met her. She is a gem. Courtney has one of those personalities that shine from a million miles away. I’m excited to continue a friendship with her!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 19
Is it really day 19? Wow! That’s awesome! This morning I went to Crossroads church. I wiped down chairs, greeted guests, taught children hand motions to songs, and helped out during Sunday school. It was a lot of fun. Now, I am going to take a swim.
Tomorrow I will be heading out to Youth camp in Nairobi. I’ll be out of touch for about a week. Please pray for safety and for the youth to learn good lessons.
Thanks!
Tomorrow I will be heading out to Youth camp in Nairobi. I’ll be out of touch for about a week. Please pray for safety and for the youth to learn good lessons.
Thanks!
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