Today Jarred and I had the pleasure of visiting the CARE for AIDS organization based in Limuru, Kenya. First we heard a general overview of the organization from our friend Duncan. They are currently running 14 different church-based clinics across Kenya for people who are HIV/AIDS positive. At each church, there are two counselors and 80 clients who build relationships with one another during a 9 month course. Throughout the 9 months, clients meet weekly with both a medical counselor and a spiritual counselor. They also have group sessions, home visits, and empowerment seminars where they are taught skills to make money for their families.
Most of the clients begin the program quite depressed, feeling as though they have no hope and will probably die tomorrow. However, the CARE for AIDS centers help them realize their full potential and helps to improve not only the quality of their lives, but also that of their children.
After learning about the program, we were able to sit in on a group session in the morning and go on several home visits in the afternoon where we prayed with each client. It was so touching to be invited into each home and hear the stories of struggle and triumph. We met both people who had completed the program, thriving with their new found hope, and those who were just starting the program, feeling very dejected. Seeing an entire range of clients gave us a true feel for how large of an impact the organization is having. God is blessing their ministry tremendously and Jarred and I were overjoyed to experience their work first hand.
So now, after a very busy and wonderful week, it's already time to return home. Before heading to the airport tomorrow we're stopping by an elephant orphanage and giraffe center...giving Jarred a mini-safari! We can't wait to share more with you all as soon as we're home!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Beautiful Deaf Children of Kenya
Hi everyone!!
Jarred and I spent the past two days visiting the school for the deaf in Machakos, Kenya. It was absolutely AMAZING!! The children were so, so beautiful. Just thinking about how much I love them moves me to tears. I instantly felt a special connection to them the moment we arrived because of my sweet nephew. We are so thankful to report that God made it very easy for me to communicate with them using my sign language skills from college. Although the children are now working on learning Kenyan Sign Language, they've traditionally used ASL at their school, so they were able to understand everything I was saying. They were also very willing to teach Jarred and our good friend Boaz several signs as well. No words were even needed for Jarred to share his love of American football with the kids! He had them throwing spirals in no time, even though none of them had ever seen a football! It was so cool. Many of the students there were orphans, some were children the school found wandering the streets with no way to communicate with anyone. However the school took them in and now they are doing very well. All of the kids were very loving towards one another, like a big family. So heartwarming and yet heartbreaking at the same time, especially to see the few who also had some other disabilities. The school is boarding, so they live together most of the year. I'm so incredibly thankful God gave us the opportunity to meet them and be even a tiny, tiny part of their lives. And I can't wait to show you pictures and videos!!
Staying in Machakos was also great because we were able to spend a lot of quality time with our friend Boaz. He's an incredible man with a very special story and God has used his life to impact me forever. Having Jarred get to know him was such a dream come true.
Thank you so much for your prayers. Keep them coming. We'll be home before long but we're getting quite tired. Pray that our energy will keep up for a few more days!! Tomorrow we're off to volunteer with the CARE for AIDS organization. Can't wait!
Jarred and I spent the past two days visiting the school for the deaf in Machakos, Kenya. It was absolutely AMAZING!! The children were so, so beautiful. Just thinking about how much I love them moves me to tears. I instantly felt a special connection to them the moment we arrived because of my sweet nephew. We are so thankful to report that God made it very easy for me to communicate with them using my sign language skills from college. Although the children are now working on learning Kenyan Sign Language, they've traditionally used ASL at their school, so they were able to understand everything I was saying. They were also very willing to teach Jarred and our good friend Boaz several signs as well. No words were even needed for Jarred to share his love of American football with the kids! He had them throwing spirals in no time, even though none of them had ever seen a football! It was so cool. Many of the students there were orphans, some were children the school found wandering the streets with no way to communicate with anyone. However the school took them in and now they are doing very well. All of the kids were very loving towards one another, like a big family. So heartwarming and yet heartbreaking at the same time, especially to see the few who also had some other disabilities. The school is boarding, so they live together most of the year. I'm so incredibly thankful God gave us the opportunity to meet them and be even a tiny, tiny part of their lives. And I can't wait to show you pictures and videos!!
Staying in Machakos was also great because we were able to spend a lot of quality time with our friend Boaz. He's an incredible man with a very special story and God has used his life to impact me forever. Having Jarred get to know him was such a dream come true.
Thank you so much for your prayers. Keep them coming. We'll be home before long but we're getting quite tired. Pray that our energy will keep up for a few more days!! Tomorrow we're off to volunteer with the CARE for AIDS organization. Can't wait!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Youth Centre in Korogocho
WHEW! What a day! If you ever wondered if teaching was just as hard around the world as it is in the US...the answer is definitely yes! The kids at the Youth Center in Korogocho completely wore us out today! We visited grades 1-8, making bracelets and singing songs. I'm going to be completely hoarse by the end of the week, but boy do I love singing with gusto!! I feel far more free to sing loud and clear for all to hear in Kenya...as if the language barrier keeps the kids from knowing whether or not I can actually sing! Something inside me knows they can tell I'm no pop star, but I'd rather pretend and live it up diva style!! We also spent a significant amount of time playing with the kids and all of their new play equipment. Thank you Frontier Academy!! The kids loved their new jump ropes, soccer balls, ribbon dancers, and American footballs. There will be plenty of pictures and video to come when we get home, but we forgot a USB cord, so you'll have to wait!
I also had the wonderful pleasure of introducing Jarred to my special friend, Boaz. Boaz and I met 4 and 1/2 years ago on my first trip to Kenya. Since then we've kept in touch, and it was so awesome to have Jarred and him meet face to face. Boaz is currently studying to be a doctor here in Kenya and ultimately wants to specialize in oncology. He has such a heart for others and truly enjoys all he's learning. It's such a joy to spend time with him! Jarred's also been introduced to many other familiar faces from my first trip, the ever smiling Joab, the soccer superstar Saul, and my former interpreter Isaac, just to name a few.
Overall we're having a great trip so far and will continue to keep you updated! Pray for our strength and energy to get through each day. And thank you for your kind words and messages!! We can't wait to share more with you when we get back to the states.
I also had the wonderful pleasure of introducing Jarred to my special friend, Boaz. Boaz and I met 4 and 1/2 years ago on my first trip to Kenya. Since then we've kept in touch, and it was so awesome to have Jarred and him meet face to face. Boaz is currently studying to be a doctor here in Kenya and ultimately wants to specialize in oncology. He has such a heart for others and truly enjoys all he's learning. It's such a joy to spend time with him! Jarred's also been introduced to many other familiar faces from my first trip, the ever smiling Joab, the soccer superstar Saul, and my former interpreter Isaac, just to name a few.
Overall we're having a great trip so far and will continue to keep you updated! Pray for our strength and energy to get through each day. And thank you for your kind words and messages!! We can't wait to share more with you when we get back to the states.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Safe and Sound in Kenya...Barely!!
Well, we made it!! And boy are we glad we did! Although our flights were totally smooth and landed safely, I can't say the journey was drama free. In fact...it was horrifying!!! Midway across the Atlantic, I had a Home Alone moment. All of the sudden, just like the mom from Home Alone, I sat straight up in my seat and felt my stomach sink as low as it could go!! I gasp for breath and turned to Jarred...
I realized that we 100% did not have the immunization documentation we needed to enter Kenya. The doctor had given us a little yellow card that he said we MUST have to cross the border with proof of our Yellow Fever shots...and I had totally forgotten to pack them. In fact, they didn't even cross my mind once leading up to the trip. Daily I thought of things we needed to pack and for weeks I added to our suitcases...but not once did I think of those cards. Needless to say I almost had a heart attack, and I'm positive that it was the most humiliating moment of my life. All I kept thinking was how all these people helped support our trip, all these people donated money and items for the kids in Kenya and now I totally ruined it! We weren't even going to be allowed in the country!!
The next 4 hours of flight time to Amsterdam were pretty miserable. We were supposed to be sleeping to help our bodies adjust to the time change, but we spent all 4 hours desperately trying to make contact with my family. We tried to send out emails and texts from the little tvs on the back of each plane seat. We begged 3 different flight attendants for any comforting word that we wouldn't be rejected from the country, but none of them were sure about the policy. One sweet, sweet attendant actually went and talked to the pilots. She got them to send out some message to an operator to call my mom and have her try and convince our doctors to go to their offices in the middle of the night to find and fax our paper work...to who knows where!? It was an absolute mess!! And I was completely horrified and humbled. Jarred and I made plans to stay in Amsterdam for a few days if we had to while the little Yellow Cards were rushed mailed across the Atlantic to us. It was complete DISASTER mode. I truly cannot express how awful it feels to be on a plane with no access to the outside world, knowing that you forgot one of the 3 things you need upon arrival. All we could do was sit there and pray that somehow the policy had changed...somehow we wouldn't need them.
As soon as we landed in Amsterdam we rushed to the airport's medical clinic. There they told us they "thought" the shots were now optional for Kenya and that we probably didn't need the documentation. While it was somewhat comforting, we still had to board our second flight to Kenya without knowing for sure whether or not we'd be let in. Not the greatest feeling in the world!! But we continued to pray for a miracle.
When our flight arrived, we waited in line to buy our visas and show our passports, terrified. However, the mood suddenly lightened when both Jarred and I realized a funny coincidence. Just last week we watched the "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy gets stuck at the Italy/France border because she forgot her "passa-port." We both laughed. When I was little I told my mom I wanted to be just like Lucy...and what do you know...I really am!! Haha
A few minutes later it was our turn and Praise the Lord!!! Me and my Latin Beau were not turned away! Kenya welcomed us with open arms. The Yellow Fever shots are no longer required for entry to Kenya, only recommended. Hallelujah!! We are now safe and sound!
This morning we were able to go to church and worship our great God with the beautiful people here. It was a blessing and an honor to be a part of their congregation. Tomorrow we're off to our first school and we absolutely can not wait! All of the little children we met today were so precious! As soon as they saw us they stuck out their little hands to say hello. We just wanted to pick up every one of them and spin them around. So cute!!
Well that's all for now! Dinner time! We'll keep you guys updated! And THANK YOU for your prayers. We realize more than ever that we are completely incompetent on our own and rely solely on the provisions of the Lord Most High! Bye Bye for now!
I realized that we 100% did not have the immunization documentation we needed to enter Kenya. The doctor had given us a little yellow card that he said we MUST have to cross the border with proof of our Yellow Fever shots...and I had totally forgotten to pack them. In fact, they didn't even cross my mind once leading up to the trip. Daily I thought of things we needed to pack and for weeks I added to our suitcases...but not once did I think of those cards. Needless to say I almost had a heart attack, and I'm positive that it was the most humiliating moment of my life. All I kept thinking was how all these people helped support our trip, all these people donated money and items for the kids in Kenya and now I totally ruined it! We weren't even going to be allowed in the country!!
The next 4 hours of flight time to Amsterdam were pretty miserable. We were supposed to be sleeping to help our bodies adjust to the time change, but we spent all 4 hours desperately trying to make contact with my family. We tried to send out emails and texts from the little tvs on the back of each plane seat. We begged 3 different flight attendants for any comforting word that we wouldn't be rejected from the country, but none of them were sure about the policy. One sweet, sweet attendant actually went and talked to the pilots. She got them to send out some message to an operator to call my mom and have her try and convince our doctors to go to their offices in the middle of the night to find and fax our paper work...to who knows where!? It was an absolute mess!! And I was completely horrified and humbled. Jarred and I made plans to stay in Amsterdam for a few days if we had to while the little Yellow Cards were rushed mailed across the Atlantic to us. It was complete DISASTER mode. I truly cannot express how awful it feels to be on a plane with no access to the outside world, knowing that you forgot one of the 3 things you need upon arrival. All we could do was sit there and pray that somehow the policy had changed...somehow we wouldn't need them.
As soon as we landed in Amsterdam we rushed to the airport's medical clinic. There they told us they "thought" the shots were now optional for Kenya and that we probably didn't need the documentation. While it was somewhat comforting, we still had to board our second flight to Kenya without knowing for sure whether or not we'd be let in. Not the greatest feeling in the world!! But we continued to pray for a miracle.
When our flight arrived, we waited in line to buy our visas and show our passports, terrified. However, the mood suddenly lightened when both Jarred and I realized a funny coincidence. Just last week we watched the "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy gets stuck at the Italy/France border because she forgot her "passa-port." We both laughed. When I was little I told my mom I wanted to be just like Lucy...and what do you know...I really am!! Haha
After the "Home Alone" face...I made this Lucy face!!
A few minutes later it was our turn and Praise the Lord!!! Me and my Latin Beau were not turned away! Kenya welcomed us with open arms. The Yellow Fever shots are no longer required for entry to Kenya, only recommended. Hallelujah!! We are now safe and sound!
This morning we were able to go to church and worship our great God with the beautiful people here. It was a blessing and an honor to be a part of their congregation. Tomorrow we're off to our first school and we absolutely can not wait! All of the little children we met today were so precious! As soon as they saw us they stuck out their little hands to say hello. We just wanted to pick up every one of them and spin them around. So cute!!
Well that's all for now! Dinner time! We'll keep you guys updated! And THANK YOU for your prayers. We realize more than ever that we are completely incompetent on our own and rely solely on the provisions of the Lord Most High! Bye Bye for now!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Africa Trip Prayer List
Hi Friends! If anyone out there is willing, we'd love for you to join us in praying for our trip to Kenya. Below I've compiled a list of some specific things you could pray for if you need ideas. We are humbled, honored and thankful that God's called us to go on this trip! We can't wait to see what He has in store! We are also thankful that God's blessed us with wonderful friends and family who've supported us in this journey. Keep watch of the blog next week during our trip for updates. Again, THANK YOU!! Prayers are MUCH appreciated!
- Pray that God would be glorified in every area of our journey and through all of our interactions
- Pray that God would break down any language barriers whether they be Swahili or Sign Language with the Deaf (Hooray for a smile being the same in any language!)
- Pray that Satan would not be able to distract us from the purpose of our trip, which is to share God's love with everyone we meet
- Pray that we will have boldness when sharing the Gospel and that God will give us His words to speak Good News
- Pray that Jarred and I would be open to all that we can learn from the beautiful people in Kenya
- Pray that God will give me insight and wisdom as to the aspects of teaching I can share with the teachers there to improve their classrooms
- Pray for safe travels to and from Kenya, as well as driving throughout the country (Kenyan roads can be a little scary!)
- Pray that our luggage would not be lost and that all of the school supplies we've brought will be in good condition to give to our two schools
- Pray that God would give us strength, energy and good health while we're there (no traveler's diarrhea!! ewww gross!)
- Pray that we'll have no trouble adjusting to the 8 hour time change both going and coming back
- Pray that God will give Jarred and I a shared vision for how we can continue to support the ongoing ministries of the Youth Center, CAREforAIDs, and the deaf in Africa for years to come
Thank you for your prayers!
WeGiveBooks.org
Attention Teachers, Parents, or anybody who cares about supporting Public Education in America: A while back my sister told me about a great website where kids can read books online, and then donate a book for charity...just as a result of reading their book. Well, that website has upped the ante a little bit more! On the We Give Books website, you can now donate books to YOUR public school of choice! First you'll want to register for free and select which school you'd like to donate to in your personal settings. Then read a great book, and at the end simply choose to "Give a Book." It's so easy and perfect for giving back to your local school! Watch the video below or visit their website for more info! Hooray!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Art Raffle Winner!
Happy Valentine's Day and Congratulations to...drum roll please...Karen Baumgarner!! Your name was drawn this morning for the gorgeous stained glass mosaic window. Thank YOU and everyone else for supporting our trip. We are SOOO ready!!! Please be praying for us in the coming week and check this blog for updates while we're in Africa!
*Note: A video was taken this morning of the actual drawing, but immediately following the filming, the camera battery died. Of course. So if you need video proof, I can upload it once a fresh battery is charged!
*Note: A video was taken this morning of the actual drawing, but immediately following the filming, the camera battery died. Of course. So if you need video proof, I can upload it once a fresh battery is charged!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
New Product Alert!
Jarred and I came across a new product in the grocery store last week. Krusteaz has created a One Step muffin mix. All you do is add 2/3 cup of water to the container...shake...and pour into your muffin cups. It takes all of 60 seconds and there's NO cleanup. No washing a spoon and mixing bowl/slash/let's be real/ no leaving them in the sink to be cleaned by your loving husband! Being that these new One Step mixes were on sale and so ridiculously easy, we decided to give them a try. We've used Krusteaz's regular muffin mixes in the past and always enjoy them, but something this easy couldn't actually be good, right?!?! WRONG! They were DELICIOUS! The easiest and greatest muffin mix ever!! We are soo buying them again!
If you're an "all natural, organic" elitist, then no, you probably won't like them. But if you regularly do muffin mixes from the store, I highly recommend! Enjoy!
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