The Plans

Many of you have heard the phrase TIA at least from me if not from somewhere else. It simply means, ‘this is Africa.’ Usually it’s in the context of something going wrong, or at least not according to plan. Admittedly it isn’t the most politically correct statement but sometimes it has some truth behind it.
Lately, trying to kick off some programs here in the Valley I’ve been faced with TIA in a lot of ways. Mostly though it’s in the slowness of things. I had hoped to open the workshop in time to ship jewelry to US to sell by Christmas. Now it seems we’ll be lucky to open before New Year. But we will open. In fact I am on my way right now to meet with the lady I hope will do most of the training for the women. Here’s the plan:
• We will hold an open training of one week for any women interested in learning the craft of jewelry making. They will come from 8am till 1pm releasing them in time to do their work at home and cook lunch for the children.

• After one week 10 women who show promise, punctuality and need will be selected to work part time for a salary. It will be small to start but will assist the women greatly. The trainer will stay on for the rest of the month to assist the women in perfecting the trade.

• When a stock has been completed I will ship the jewelry to various people or shops in the US for sell. The money made will then go to slowly expanding the workshop to more women as well as increasing the salaries of those working.

• Through it all I will choose women who can be trained to run the business on their own, so that I can quickly transition out of management and the workshop can be run by the local community.
Then there is the question of the girl’s camp. The camp should take place in December, which is coming up quick. I was hoping I would have some help from outside coming but that will have to wait till next year due to the rush. However, if at all possible I want to start the camp this year. There is no reason to wait when its something the girls need so desperately. I have partnered with a woman I admire and love very much and a pastor I respect. We will work together to perform two camps this year. The first will be from Dec 7-11 in Kapsowar, a town of Marakwet but in the highlands. Then we will move into the valley and hold a second camp. The date is not set yet but I assume it will be the next week. The cost of each camp is approximately $700, which for over 100 girls is not bad at all. I will provide what I can through your support other support will be fundraised or provided by the local hospital of Kapsowar.
I should have started teaching at the girls high school two weeks ago, however on the day I was supposed to start I was quite sick and the next day I left for town. The girls recently went on strike with several complaints, one of which was the lack of an English teacher. I will finish the term with them as a high school English teacher… should be interesting. This is a great way to get to know the girls and to be able to invest in their lives.
There are many ideas floating about possibilities for the valley project. There are also a lot of details to work out and barriers to get around. Be patient with me as I also try to be patient and allow God’s timing to determine the steps we as a ministry take.

oh yeah, don’t forget to pray!

A Month of Town

In a few minutes i’ll be on my way back to the Valley. AFTER THREE WEEKS IN TOWN!  Now most of you know I have little fondness for town so being here for 3 weeks is in itself a challenge.  But along the way God teaches us our lessons yeah?

I came to town to renew my visa, thinking I would have to travel to nairobi to do so. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the office in Eldoret is now doing this work, so I just had to wait till the last day on my visa to renew. (no need to waste days!)

Soon after coming to town however I started experiencing some stomach problems… which have lasted most of the three weeks and caused some disruption to the schedule.  After having some tests run I found out… nothing.   so I’m going on the faith that its… nothing.

Then there was the question of Mwangi.  He just turned 12 and we had to celebrate his birthday…12… all of you who are parents can feel free to send me your condolences because the struggle of caring for a 12 year old boy is much more of a chore for me that having to cook 3 meals a day over a stone fireplace and maintain my daily village chores.  Mwangi and I have gone rounds this vacation and I’ve come face to face with my own fault of spoiling him, my own immaturity in dealing with his spoiled-ness and my own frustration at wondering how i ended up with a kid in the first place.  Oh what God teaches us… I’ve never loved my parents more.  And I’ve never loved Mwangi more (except maybe the dayI found him.)as is proven by the tears shed due to his threatening to go back to the streets.  Pray for mwangi… and for my care of him.. we both need it.

Now its back to the valley to paint, transplant seedlings, extend the garden, build chicken houses and deal with some ugly church disputes.  My favorite of course being that starting soon I’ll be meeting with and sharing with and teaching a school full of high school girls and maybe even extend that reach to a local boys school as well.  EXCELLENT!

I should be back in about a month… if you don’t hear from me before then, don’t panic… unless you wanna come get me yourself! 😉

grace and peace.

Counting Costs

Here’s a look at some of the costs we’re looking at in the near future, luckily most of the labor is free so the costs are materials only.

Replacing roofing tin: $925
Water pipes: $125
Paint:$150
Car:$2500-$4000
Furniture: $500

As they say here in Kenya everything will be done ‘pole pole’ which means slowly. The process is half the reward right?

The end of August I also hope to take the trip to nairobi to buy supplies for the womens iniciative. Hopefull we can send some awesome jewely and gifts to the US for sale in time for the Chrstmas rush which would provide the funds to kickstart the womens pograms!

The Daily Routine in Kerio, if you’re white

6:30 greet the sun beaming through the windows

7:00 Hear the rooster tell you to get outta bed

-Fight with the bathroom door that doesn’t open easily

-fetch water from the stream

-put small water to boil for tea and large water to boil for drinking

-put boiled water in stream to cool

7:30- Have quiet time while drinking tea

8:30- Mop the house

9- Get the beans ready for boiling (separating stones, dirt, bad beans, etc) start to boil

10- Wash clothes and hang to dry

11- Do other work necessary for the day

— options are painting, planting, picking fruit, cleaning, killing critters, sanding, meeting with elders, etc

12:30- prepare rice to eat with beans and fruit

2- return to various work

4- visit with neighbors

6-prepare supper before too dark

9- Bed

About the Car

Most of you have already figured out that we had a problem with the vehicle, and on our first trip to the Valley! 😦  Many of you have commented that you wished to have more details of said adventure.  Here they are.

Myself and two friends started out towards the valley (about 7 hours with no problems) around 10am.  We didn’t get far before we met our first obstacle.  The back window fell down into the door and refused to come up.  Due to the extreme amounts of dust, rain and supplies we had no choice but to call someone to come and look at it.  Unfortunately their repairs lasted until after 3.  If you do the math that puts us driving in the dark at some point.  I was scared, ready to turn back and start the next day, but my naive companions insisted we could make it.  Giving into peer pressure we continued on.

Things went fairly well for a few hours.  But it didn’t take us long to notice that these roads were NOT friendly, nor our car very high off the ground.  We drove as carefully and slowly as possible over the hills and rivers and knife like stones. But then, a few hours into the ‘off-road’ section of the trip the car started to make a noise as if it had a tree limb stuck in the wheel or something of that sort. I looked under in and around the car and found nothing.  We were in the middle of no where so we opted to continue, praying that God would help us on in way.

The car started having more serious problems.  You know when a 4×4 can’t climb a hill in 1st or 2nd there is probably a problem.  But i know the oil and water were ok and the gauge was fine so I was completely at a loss.  The car ended up stalling on a hill and we proceeded to roll into a ditch as we tried to restart.

We tried to get ourselves out, but I know even before we hit said ditch that if we got into it we wouldn’t get out.  (by this time it was completely dark by the way).  We waited for around an hour untill some local men who heard the noise came and spent more than another hour pushing and pulling and lifting the car out of the ditch.  My faith in our arriving to liter had more than dwindled at this point and the car was even struggling just to start.

We managed to get a few kilometers ahead before the car gave out completely again, this time in the middle of what is occasionally a river.  Luckily there wasn’t much water at the moment but I knew I didn’t want to rish leaving it there.  the car refused to start over and over and I felt like my ‘persistent widow’ pleas were not being heard.  Finally I jumped into the driver seat, told the guys ‘lets go’ turned the key and rejoiced as the car started.

Unfortunately it didn’t get us far, but I was just pleased to be away from the river.  We decided that we would sleep where we were and pray for a better tomorrow.

Sleeping in an overfilled freelander is not the most comfortable but we managed to get a few hours before the people began passing on their way to bathe in the river.

In the morning the car wouldn’t start and the front right tire was completely flat.  We got a jump start from a passing vehicle but then had no way to fill the tire.  Steve was sent by the headmaster of a nearby school to retrieve a hand pump while Esther and I were given chai and asked every sort of question you can imagine.

It was nearly noon before we managed to get going again but we thought maybe this stretch we could make it.  The car died only twice more before reaching a village where I actually know people.  I realized at some point that it was overheating and the water was disappearing faster than we could put it in.  Then we realized that the water was leaking.  We made it within 3 kilometers of home before the car finally gave up for good.  I walked the remainder of the way while Steve and some men who wanted to pass pulled the car out of the river and off of the road.  I brought back the elders of the church who called a mechanic and as many men as he could find to push the car the remainder of the trip to the mechanics compound.

In the compound the mechanic found that a screw at some point had been left loose, that had in turn allowed another part to come loose after hitting a stone (or 50) which allowed the piston to puncture the engine block.

The car remains parked in the mechanic’s compound unsure of his fate.

a look at the roads, and this is one of the good stretches

the punctured tire. We also found the spare was leaking and no good!

the kids watching us struggle to repair the car. They were beaten for not going to class on time.

even in the bush every man is a mechanic

the kids think they found the problem

the kids were right, that's the problem.

Driving in Kenya!

When I turned 15 and it was time to start driving my wonderful father was willing to sacrifice his beautiful F150 to my cause. It wasn’t untill several days of frustrated tears and one embarrassing lift from the mail-man that we all realized, that just wasn’t going to work out.  I had officially failed at driving a manual transmission.  So the truck was, sadly, traded away for an automatic.  I have clung to my handy ‘gear and go’ automatic preference ever since.  (apart from one small encounter with car theft during a Young Life activity senior year, no worries it was my brothers car that took the brunt of my inexperience)

Now, however, things have taken a turn… for better or for worse I’ve been paired with Noma.

(side note-> in Swahili Noma has 2 meanings. Cool and Difficult.  There is a reason for the name.)

Noma is a ’99 Freelander purchased through the generous donations of True North Church.  He is, unfortunately, in the sad possession of a manual transmission. The best way to learn to drive Noma? I decided, as it was my only option, to drive him across Kenya.  Six hours across vallies, planes, mtns and truck stops.  After only two major freak out/panic attacks, Noma and I were safe in Eldoret.

Then came the 10 foot hurdle, town.  Oh I hate town enough when I’m on foot, but put me in a stubborn piece of equipment like Noma and it has become reason enough for avoid a 5 mile radius of the place!  Cars driving in innumerable directions, people crossing at varied speeds with their eyes anywhere but on the vehicles approaching, big trucks cutting in and out with horns screaming at you… all in a town the size of 6 city blocks.  No thanks Noma, I’m done!

Honestly, I’m still learning. I’m also still trying to avoid town.  But I am so grateful for the car.  He’s almost completely packed up for tomorrow’s trek into the valley and I just can’t wait to get there (meaning- could I skip the part that involves driving those crazy roads and river crossings?)!!

**The car underwent $1000 of repairs immediately after its purchase.  It has new breaks and some other important parts that were apparently missing or damaged.  There are still repairs to be done over time but I’m confident that for the time being He’s road worthy.  Thank you all for helping make the purchase and the repairs possible!

Meet Noma

Some Fun

As most of you know I have taken guardianship of a boy named Mwangi.  He’s a clever, sweet 10-ish year old boy that I found living on the street last year.  Since then he’s been in boarding school and has really progressed.  We even talk in English half the time now!  God truly put this boy in my life and he has brought plenty of joy to it.  I also get to spend some quality time with Steve’s 4 nieces and nephews who live in the house with us.  The week I arrived we took them all to ‘Poa Place’ for a day of fun (and sunburns for the white chic!).  Here are some pictures!

All the kids: Mwangi, Rueben, John, Rael and Meli in front.

the boys

Meli and the slide

It didn't take them long to get kicked off of this one.

Mwangi trying to swim.

Water

After my trip last week to the valley I have a whole new appreciation for the power of water.  I mean, we all know about floods carrying away cars and houses, we know about katrina and the tsunami etc etc… water can definitely bring destruction.  But the power i see in water is the power of holding an incredibly fragile balance between life and death, beauty and destruction, prosperity and devastation.

While I was gone to the US, rainy season began in the valley.  This in itself was a true motive for praise as 2009 held nearly no rains at all.  Rivers had long disappeared, crops were few and weak, and the people were suffering.  Now with the arrival of the rains came joy and hope and above all, food!

But the rains came hard and fast and consistently flowing from the highlands down into the valley.  Now the rains carried with them cholera, destroyed bridges and impassible roadways which blocked the market for the food crops that were finally growing.

Eventually the cholera has been battered down to only a few persistent cases and people were still pleased with the effects of the rains, if nothing else there would be food.

Then one morning at around 5 am, a river which many had written off as gone forever after many years of being totally dry came back.  A river that ran through some of the dryest land in the valley and provided extended crop areas, closer water retrieval and water points for animals. But this water brought with it an entire mountain.  The landslide completely detroyed 163 house houses, killing 15 people and send 8 to the hosptial with critical injuries.  This river will provide life for the year for many people and their livestock, but for many years to come it will provide dark and painful memories of a morning when life changed forever.

I ask the people of the valley how they describe or percieve this mix of joy and pain that has me no less than frustrated and confused and this is their answer:’ Some are still calling the rains a miracle, life has come back to the valley this season and we must be grateful but the word that most comes to mind is shangaa, we are in wonder’

I guess that is where I will stay on the subject for a while as well… I am in wonder.

where the mtn started coming down

The land that was covered... it used to look like the picture below

just outside the landslide's reach

the rise in the ground has made the mangos easier to reach. We hope the roads will allow the trucks in to buy these fruits from the people who lost their homes.

Grace and Work

(Note, on June 7th and 8th I am updating this blog several times and seperating the entries by subject.  This because last week was jam packed and to try and make one big entry would be miserable for both me and whoever attempts to read. So read them all, read the ones that look interesting, look at the pictures… however you choose-be blessed!)

So I went to the Valley alone this trip.  Usually I go with someone and have plans on who to stay with and who will cook for me etc etc.  This week i was determined to show myself (what i really ended up showing.. or was saved from showing was my rear!).  I packed my peanut butter (THANKS MOM!) and my hammock and headed down to clean the whole place inside and out by myself and show the people that this young single white chick know how to handle herself!  Thankfully I wasn’t given the opportunity to try.

My friend Mildred informed the elders of my plans and when I arrived in Liter they were already hard at work.  There were burn piles around the compound and several men I didn’t recognize working on the outside.  After they welcomed my warmly they asked if my plan was still to clean the inside of the two main buildings on the compound. I agreed and they let me go off to work.  (note that these buildings have been empty for YEARS! and in some places were quite frightening)  After about an hour of clearing cob-webs and killing spiders I was already thinking, ‘Lord, will I really be able to do this work and prove that I’m worthy of this position in the comunity?’ About that time, my answer arrived.  27 11th graderd rocked up to my house with rags and buckets and started in on the house.  Within only a couple hours the entire house was sparkling from cieling to floor and the girls were gathered around me at the table sharing stories and asking questions.

The girls taking over in the sitting room!

That evening as i was contemplating my yummy peanut butter and where to put up my hammock, i was informed that I would not need the “food” that i had packed in (kenyans arent so sure that a sandwich counts a food).  They escorted me to my neighbors house.  Mama Lina is 60 years old and has been praying for someone to move into the compound for years now.  She had already made a bed for me and was preparing tea.  I stayed with her during the week and was never lonely, hungry or in need of anything… I am very much looking forward to the future with this lady next door.

mama lina and i during chai break

The next day it was the mens turn to help again… they were impressed by my iniciative, and a little overwhelmed by my insitance on working even when they asked to take over for me! haha.  the girls eventually came back and we finished the second buiding, inspite of its even worse condition than the first and a long black visitor (black mamba.. check those things out!)

the men doing some clean up

(sorry I tried to flip it but it’s being stubborn and time is running out!)

Overall, I’m not sure I accomplished my goal of proving my self reliance this week but this is what i learned.  I came to the Valley with an organization named Pamoja Life, and the vision of seeing the US, Myself and Valley churches grow a community TOGETHER.  Yet, somehow, I managed to convince myself that I didn’t need to together part.  God has proven me wrong and through grace and truth set me straight once more… he even gave me a gift to keep me company when I would rather not be alone.

Meet Ami, She followed me home (literally) and now she's my snuggle-buddy!

The Roads

(Note, on June 7th I am updating this blog several times and seperating the entries by subject.  This because last week was jam packed and to try and make one big entry would be miserable for both me and whoever attempts to read. So read them all, read the ones that look interesting, look at the pictures… however you choose-be blessed!)

Praise the Lord for the work that is being done to repair the roads into Kerio Valley!  The roads have never been good and as quoted in the lonely planet guide book “you need a heavy duty 4×4 in the dry season and an amphibious tank during the rains.”  Maybe you have to endure the trip once to understand how true those words are!  Usually I leave from Eldoret around 11pm and arrive in Tot (about 45 mins from my actual village) around 6:30.  Its almost completely off of paved roads and never  EVER any fun.  There is a road between the town of Kapsowar (the nearest hospital) and Tot that used to take about an hour off the trip.. at least until the rains destroyed it and it was completely impassable.

So imagine my surprise and joy when I heard that the Kapsowar road was now passable. Not only that but i arrived in Tot in LESS THAN 5 HOURS! Now that is crazy joy right there!

Unfortunately the joyous motive has been temporarily put on hold as the 5 hour trip arriving turned into a rather unhappy 13.5 hour treck on the way back, apparently our public transport missed the memo about the necessity of being an amphibious tank!  We were stuck in the mud 4 times for varried amounts of time (extended by the lack of patience in the driver).  I must add that this impatient driver nearly flattened myself and companions by attempting to unstick himself in our direction without warning.  Later as we were finally around 30 minutes from pavement we ran out of fuel.  We then spend the next 4 hours simply waiting for the driver to WALK to the nearest purchase point and return.  The wee little incident that nearly broke me in my extreme sleep deprivation and sheer exhaustion from the week and the trip was when, upon enterring the town next to Eldoret, the police stopped our driver for an un road-safe vehicle.  It was confiscated and we were stranded to wait for other transport.

So i say, after much sleep and recoperation, praise God for the work that is being done on the roads to Kerio Valley… and may the work CONTINUE!  (I also add that i have not stopped rejoicing in the hope that my next visit to the valley will be in my own vehicle, fully equipped for the mud- with an extra fuel tank in back! … of course that’s assuming this equipping doesn’t end up costing me more than i can afford when the mechanic finishes with the car!)