CARE for AIDS

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!  

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!

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.

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

 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!

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

There's a lot to be nervous about, so we're letting Phillipians 4:6-7 speak to us this week! "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you for your prayers!

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!

Returning to the Dark Side

We are inside a month until our trip to Africa...whoop whoop...and thus I've begun the last minute preparations. Suitcases are already being packed, and we are pumped!! If you've been friends with me long enough to remember my first trip to Africa, you may remember something was a little different about me...

You got it! I was rocking a deep brunette look for the first time in my life. My sister thought it might be a good idea since standing out in a foreign country isn't always the best thing for an American to do, and there aren't exactly a ton of blondes bopping around Kenya. So I abandoned my traditional southern blonde and went over to the dark side. While I quickly transitioned back to blonde upon my return to the states, I've enjoyed looking back on my brown hair from time to time. I'm not going to lie, brunettes do have a lot of fun too!! Or maybe the fun was in being in such an amazing place...but who's to say? The big question now is...what about this time? Do I dare going dark again???

Oh I dare...

Welcome back you brunette locks of intrigue...welcome back.

Boanerages Deaf Initiative - Uganda

Hi Friends!

Last night Jarred and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting a very special Ugandan named Joel. He is the director of two schools for the deaf in Uganda and has a beautiful heart for helping those who cannot speak up for themselves. Joel has been in the US speaking to various groups and participating in a Deaf Expo out in California. It was such a blessing to hear from him about all the work he's doing. It was also heartbreaking to hear some of his stories...

His heart for the deaf was originally born out of tragedy. Joel had a deaf brother who was burned to death by members of their community who didn't understand him. Since that time he's dedicated his life to serving those who are misunderstood and taken advantage of. He tells the story of a little boy he met in his travels around Uganda. When Joel asked the parents of the child what his name was, they stared at each other with blank expressions. They'd never bothered to name the boy. But later, when Joel asked the name of their family dog, the parents replied its name in unison. Deaf children are thought of so poorly in Uganda that many are not even given names. If that doesn't break your heart, I don't know what does. The boy has since been named by Joel and is now learning sign language at school where he is loved and supported. There are hundreds more children with stories just like his. 

Joel also told me about a wonderful girl from Nebraska who followed God's call to leave her comfort zone here in the US and travel around the world to volunteer at his school. Before her visit, the community in Uganda around the school had never understood why Joel would care for the little "cursed" children. Many Ugandans think deafness is contagious and would rather stay far away from the kids. However, mzungus, aka foreigners, are widely respected in the community. When the girl from Nebraska came to play and interact with the children, the community watched with wide eyes. They started making connections that if this girl whom they respected wasn't afraid to interact with the deaf kids, maybe they shouldn't be either. Even Joel's own mother who had never visited his school said, "did that girl come all the way from America just to see your school? If she did, maybe I should too!" His mother now does all that she can to help the students and has even proudly handed out certificates those who've graduated. An entire community has begun to change its opinion of deafness just because one girl from America volunteered her time to hug and love on a few children who needed love the most.

If you'd like to learn more about helping the Boanerages Deaf Initiative, please let me know. There are many needs, but Joel trusts that the Lord will raise up the support the school needs. Currently his school in Kampala has 40 children and just 1 teacher. Although Joel has worked hard to train more teachers, he is not able to pay them, so they leave. Just over $3 a day or $100 a month would pay for a teacher to be able to live comfortably and have the freedom not to worry about food or shelter. For $1 a day you could feed a hungry child. And by a visit, you could help change an entire community. Prayerfully consider if there is something you'd like to do to help.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFaOYpIa7c

My heart is already in Kenya

Over the past few weeks, as Jarred and I have begun raising support for our Feb. trip to Kenya, I've been constantly scouring the Internet to read more about deaf orphanages and schools. Each new article or website I come across encourages me and leaves me heartbroken at the same time. I'm thrilled when I read about the people who are working hard to give these children the love, education, and support they need. But in the same sentence I usually read more about the neglect and abuse that hundreds of thousands of other kids with disabilities are going through without the resources available to help them. Precious children without the ability to communicate who are being locked in their homes, raped, and tied to trees left for wild animals. My mind can't even wrap around the horrible injustices these children are experiencing. I want to hold each one of them, rock them back and forth, and tell them about how Jesus made them special, and he cares for them even when the whole world is against them. February can't come soon enough...

"Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

-Psalm 82: 3-4

One of the many articles I've read: http://this.org/blog/2009/10/19/kenya-deaf-school/

Art Raffle for Africa

As a way of raising money for our upcoming mission trip to Kenya, Jarred and I are happy to announce an "Art Raffle for Africa." In the coming months we'll be raffling off this gorgeous, handmade stained glass flower mosaic. It's encased in an antique window frame and would be the perfect addition to any screen porch or bay window. It's valued at over $300 and was created by local South Carolina artist Kathy Dublin. Kathy went with me on my first trip to Kenya back in 2007 and is going back herself this fall.

Entries into the raffle are $10 each. For donations greater than $10, you'll be entered once for every multiple of 10. Twice for a $20 donation, 3 for $30, etc. The winner will be announced on Dec. 1st. There will also be 2nd and 3rd place prizes which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

100% of all money from raffle entries will go towards funding our trip. You'd like to enter, please email me at maryellen.callura@gmail.com, and I'll reply with our address. If you'd like to donate to our trip without entering the raffle, simply include that in your email to me. You can read more about what we'll be doing in Kenya on my previous post "A Smile is the Same in Any Language." Thank you so much for your support!

A Smile is the Same in Any Language

So the Calluras have huge news!!! And no, we're not having a baby!! But in our minds, it's something just as drastic! (Well, almost). We're going to Kenya! Not long term, but for just over a week in February. If you know us well at all, you probably know we're not the kind of people who want to travel the world to foreign countries everywhere. In fact, we'd be pretty content to spend the rest of our days safe and sound in the US where we speak the same language, understand the currency, and enjoy the food we grew up on. However, God has different plans for us, to fulfill His will for our lives outside of our comfort zones. To spread the Good News of the Gospel through our actions to the people of Kenya. Just as Jesus says in Luke, we believe the harvest there is plentiful, but the workers are few. So here we are, ready to work! We're still outlining the details, but it looks as if we have two wonderful opportunities.

#1: To work with Pastor Euticauls Wambua who heads the Youth at Risk Community Center in the Korogocho slum just outside of Nairobi. This slum is home to over 150,000 people in 1.5 square kilometers. In Swahili, the word "korogocho" literally means "crowded shoulder to shoulder." Not only is it crowded, but it's also located beside an active trash dump. Due to the lack of clean water, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure, the people of Korogocho tend to have very poor health. In 2008 the HIV rate was an estimated 14% of the population. Situated in the heart of the slum is the Youth at Risk Community Center, a school for over 300 Korogocho children. At school many of the students receive their only meal of the day. They also receive academic and Biblical instruction from loving teachers. Jarred and I will be working with Pastor Euticauls to meet any practical needs they may have at the school. We hope to take some supplies with us as we go. I am also hopeful that I can use my teacher training here in the US to better educate the teachers at the Youth Center. We'll be updating the blog with details as we figure out more specifics.

Picture I took on my first trip to Kenya of a kindergarten class at the Youth Center.

#2: Our second opportunity on the trip will be to work with a school for the deaf just outside of Nairobi. Pastor Euticauls has a connection to this school because two of his nieces are deaf. Our mission there will be to take the love of Jesus to a people group who are largely thought of as "cursed" and who are outcast from society, living in an isolated and silent world. God's been preparing me, specifically, for this mission for quite a long time. If you're reading this, you most likely know that Jarred and I have the most adorable and fantastic deaf nephew in all the world. Before he came along, God gave me the phenomenal experiences of taking American Sign Language at Clemson and experiencing the deaf community across the US through FCA Mission trips. And long before that I had an unbelievably amazing aunt who was a teacher of the deaf in South Carolina and who was making me sweatshirts with ASL hand signs when I was just a wee child. So it's clear to me that God has definitely had many plans for me to interact with and love the deaf in his name for a long, long time. While we don't know Kenyan Sign Language, we know that deaf people in developing countries like Kenya often lack not only the opportunity for education but for acceptance as well. Through our smiles, hugs, the use of an interpreter and perhaps a picture Bible, we hope the deaf Kenyans we have the honor of interacting with will see and understand that they have a loving Father and Creator who not only accepts them, but died for their sins so that they would never have to be separated from him.

Well, now you know a little bit about are upcoming journey. At the moment we are in a place somewhere between "Hooray for going to Kenya!" and "Oh my word this is slightly terrifying but exciting all at the same time!" To say that we don't feel adequate for this mission in an understatement. However, we trust that God always provides and will equip us with all that we need to serve him. This will be Jarred's first foreign mission trip, and we are excited about how our marriage will grow through this shared experience. I also can't wait to see how God works in Jarred's life as he get to experience the incredible love of Kenyans for the first time. It's going to be pretty awesome!!

We'd love for you to pray for us as we start putting together all the details and begin our fundraising campaign. And if you feel called, join us!! Seriously...we'd love to have you! We're going in February, which I know isn't the ideal time for most people, but if you can get out of work or school...holla back! And don't worry if you're nervous about the interactions with the deaf and don't have a background with sign language...they don't use American Sign Language anyway...and besides, a smile is the same in any language!!