Africa Day 7

Day 7

Tuesday December 17, 2012

I woke with the roosters and began packing.  I did not have much to pack though.  I gave away most of my clothes to the children in Victorious Children’s Home.  Vicki had asked for the book I was reading on the Beattitudes, it wasn’t even mine, but I gave it to her.  Sorry Barry & Linda Smith!  I figured you would not mind J  I also left her my torch to read by when the power goes out.  I had given my Bible away on Sunday to Bishop Juma.  His Bible was shredded and falling apart.  You could tell it was well used. I left my towel for the kids to use. I gave all the granola bars & popcorn I had brought for back up food to the boys, I left all my lotion, shampoo and body oil for the girls.  So, packing did not take very long.  Clair cam in to make my bed and I gave her a small back of trash that consisted mostly of packaging form thing I had brought as gifts like lotion sets.  She said she would take it to compost.  However, I think the children went through the compost because when I went outside I saw them playing with a box that the lotions had came in.  You see the top of the box was clear plastic and the rest of the box was cardboard.  The boys decided it would be great for catching ants and bugs and observing them.  I had to laugh.  They were having so much fun with my trash.  LOL

I spent some time hanging out with the children and reading this morning.  Carol, who works in the kitchen, brought me a plate of fresh fruit to eat “to give me strength for my journey” she said.  Everyone else was eating fried intestines.  There was no way I could eat that.  Vicki said “God has not given you the grace to eat intestines yet.” After my fruit, I wanted something salty so I had some potato chips.  The saltiness of the chips made me crave a coke.  So Acadius and another boy escorted me down the dusty path to the store. We passed a school and the owners let me go on a school tour.  I was so excited!  I asked all kinds of questions.  I found out that for one child to go to school for one year it is $530. The school I toured was a private school but here in Kenya you still pay tuition for government schools as well.  I was curious about costs because I know that one of the ladies who works in the kitchen has been saving all her money in hopes to send her two boys to school. 

 The children were giving me letters to take to sponsors in the US all day today.  So I would walk through the house and then need to return to my room to pack a letter.  As I was walking through the kitchen I stopped to drink my coke and talk to Carol. Carol is little Brittany’s mother.  Carol works in the kitchen for VCH.  She asked if I would please take Brittany with me to live.  It was so heartbreaking.  She loves her little girl so much that she would give her away in hopes of a better future.  I told her I would take her but I am afraid I would be thrown in jail if I took her.  After that sobering moment, I had to return to my room to pray. 

The time came for me to depart and the tears were many.

Africa Day 6

Day 6

Monday December 16, 2012

I had a very productive day.  I bought veggies & a goat to put in the freezer.  I got a small thrill out of buying a goat.  However, I asked that they butcher it after I leave.  They kill it and cut it up by themselves.  That was not a party I wanted to attend. I tried to show Martha how to use the food saver and had an electrical malfunction complete with sparks.  No worries we still accomplished the job.  I purchase more internet time from safaricom so I can get on facebook tonight. I went to the bank, only to have my card captured by the atm.  I had to go into the bank and the guy at the bank refused to give me my card back.  He said it was held by order of my bank.  I told them I was coming but apparently, it did not matter.  The card was captured for fraud.  I called the bank and the fixed the issue but I still could not get my card back from Barclays.  Praise the Lord I had brought most of my money in cash and still had some left.

After that ordeal I returned home to rest and I found a mouse in my room.  I had heard noises all week and was concerned it could be a mouse but then I was told that the big boys take turns walking the property at night for extra security so I thought maybe I was hearing them.  I now know that my first thought was confirmed.  At least Clair tucks me in at night with my mosquito net so I am safeJ

It rained tonight… a hard African rain sure cooled things off.  I finally met up with Pastor Wambua this afternoon.  We discussed plans for next years trip and the ministry he would have me do at his church.  He wanted to see me earlier in this trip; it had not worked out due to his busy schedule.  We caught up on what was happening at each other’s church and how our families were doing and how out children were growing.  After our meeting Vicki, Acadius and I ate at sheiway and visited briefly with my good friend Milcar.  There were sporadic power outages the entire time we dined. When we returned home we found out that the power was also out at VCH.  I am so glad I packed a flashlight!  It was been both handy and amusing.  The children love my flashlight.  They call it a torch.  The all wanted to have a turn to hold it.  They use candles when the power goes out.  My torch was quite the novelty.

This is the last night I will share my room with a mouse (or a mouse family… who knows).   The children were supposed to do a presentation of song and dance for me tonight but I was not sure if that would happen if the power didn’t come back on soon.  Eventually the power did come back on… so let the presentations begin!

Africa Day 5

-->

Day 5

Sunday, December 15, 2012

Sunday mornings begin at 3 am apparently.  I was waked by the beautiful singing of the children in the main room that is outside my bedroom.  I got up and joined them for about 30 mins of songs and prayer. As soon as it was over everyone went back to bed for a couple of hours.  We woke up again dressed and showered to have church.  I knew I was preaching at the VCH church today and I did.  But towards the end of my sermon, Ms. Vicki told me to make the end short because the Reverend Juma was waiting on us.  Acadius joined us for the church circuit.  Acadius is a bright young man.  He is a teen at VCH and is always helping me.  He is good with electronics and is always taking pictures and filming events for me.  Today he insisted that I not carry a thing.  He carried my backpack everywhere today.  He is always singing praises to the Lord.

At the moment we were rushed out the door, that is when I found out I was also preaching at a church in the bush.  We drove for 45 minutes on very rough dirt roads.  On the way I found out I was not only preaching at one church but at two churches.  I asked Ms. Vicki how that could be as I was to speak at the first church at 11 am.  She said, “Oh, It is okay sister.  Church will start when you get there.”  We arrived in the small village of Bushawli.  It was a small bush church.  They were so very kind.    I spoke and then we quickly left to get to the next church. I can’t remember the village name.  There I not only preached but was told I would be the one to pray over the Reverend Joseph and commission him.  That in itself was a huge honor!  After I finished preaching and the invitation was given several people came forward to accept Christ and many other came for me to lay hands on them and pray for them.  It was so very powerful.  I can not even believe God would chose me to have such a powerful impact on that village.  I was humbled beyond belief as I prayed over so many people.  Reverend Juma who is over the entire district said he would like for me to go to three more churches today but we informed him I had planned to meet with Pastor Wambua .  Then we were requested to stay and eat lunch.  I did not want to be rude so we said we would stay for 10 mins.   Ten minutes turned into twenty minutes and Ms. Vicki had to call Pastor Wambua to tell him we would be late.  He told her he had meetings out of town so we plan to meet with him tomorrow or Tuesday before I leave.  This freed us up to visit a bit longer.  I was asked to pray over a man who had just received some money to use for the Lord.   After that prayer we headed out to come back to Victorious Children’s Home to rest for about 15 minutes.  My good friend Milcar’s Uncle, the proprietor of Shieywe, invited us to dinner.  We were to arrive between 5-6 pm.  Since it was 5pm when we returned from the preaching circuit we did not have much time.  I love Milcar and her Uncle has the sweetest spirit.   

Vicki & I took Clair, one of the junior high girls, with us to Milcar’s house.   Clair is a sweet and loving girl with a servant’s heart.  Every night Clair would Secure the mosquito netting around my bed and every morning Clair would come into my room to twist up my mosquito net and make my bed.  She spoiled me.  But this morning when she had come in I had my bed made and I managed to properly twist and tie my mosquito net up on the ceiling.  So when she came in she said “Oh!” and grabbed her face and the replied “ Melinda you have done a good work!  You are a good learner.”  It was a funny sight to see her surprise.   I am so glad she was able to join us for this special dinner.  I think she had a wonderful time.  I know I had a wonderful time!  It was so great to see Milcar and her uncle; I call him papa.   We had a delicious dinner  (By the way I did eat goat tonight!  I could not tell papa no.) and then I gave them the presents I had brought for them from home.  A lotion set for Milcar and a Christmas music cd for papa. They were so happy.  Papa put the cd in to listen to right away. 

We did not leave until late.  It was hard to leave such sweet friends.  When we returned home everyone was served cake.  The cake we were all to full to eat the night before.  Since my time here is drawing to and end, I had to sit down and make a large to do list for tomorrow.  This will insure I get everything done on my last full day in Kakamega.

Africa Day 4

-->

Day 4

Saturday, December 15, 2012

I slept wonderfully last night!  I think I have finally adjusted to the time change.  I woke up early to read and study myBible.  Apparently, I am preachingon Sunday.  LOL  All was well until Barbara turned onthe TV and we saw on Cnn about the tragic school shooting in Connecticut. It was so sad.  Some of thechildren were in the room with us and it was so quiet as we watched.  It was night time in America as we werejust waking.  All the childrengathered together and we had a time of prayer for the loved ones of thechildren and adults who were killed and for the shooters family.  It was so very sad.  The children have such hearts ofcompassion. 

Shortly afterward I was told my luggage was here.  Yeah!!!  We went downtown to the carrier and got my bag and then wentto Simon’s computer place.  Therewe scanned all the documents needed to file a claim with Kenya airways becausethe entire side of my luggage was busted. It was great to see Simon. He was so surprised.  I amhoping to see his wife Carol before I leave as well.  Next, we stopped by the fruit stand to pick up some melons,mangos, pineapple & some other fruit I did not recognize.  Then we headed home. 

I was so excited to have my bag!  I handed out the Miss Pattycake DVD’s and Elisa Comer’sChristmas Cd.  Before long everyonewas enjoying fruit and dancing to Elisa’s Christmas Cd.  It definitely felt like Christmas.  The children were anxious to watch MissPattycake.  So after the fruit wasconsumed everyone piled into the living area to watch Miss Pattycake.  I began to shower and get dressed in MYclean clothes.  Yippee! It is the little things in lifethat make me happy.

We spent the whole day in the Kakamega rainforest.  The children had such a greattime.  We had a picnic with peanutbutter & jelly sandwiches, chips & juice. Then we had a guide take usthrough the rainforest.  Thechildren loved the monkeys, the safari ants that attack and the Sand papertrees.  Although, I was a bitworried to learn that the python, cobra and Leopard all live in the rainforstas well.  Our guide insured us wewould not encounter them because they were nocturnal.  Not so sure about that one!  I have lots of great pictures. But since it takes an hour toupload just one picture.  I willhave to wait until I return home to share pictures.  When we got home we had Chapati. We were going to also havecake but we were way too full.  Itwas a very fun day for all.  

Picnic Time

6 loaves of bread, 5 bags of chips, peanut butter & Jelly = Lunch

Can you spot the Monkey in the tree?

Tea Plantation on the edge of the rainforest

Looking out over the grasslands from the top of the watch tower

Chapati & green grams

The kiddos eating Chapati

Africa Day 3

Day 3

Friday, December 14, 2012

I did not sleep well last night.  I lay in bed awake most of the night. It was good though, I was able to spend lots of time in prayer, reading my Bible & I finished the book I had started.  I heard the big boys get up to got to the field to work.  Shortly afterward my door crept open and the next thing I knew Ashley was in my bed.  I read the last chapter of my book to her.  It was a very productive day.  Vicki, Barbara, Ivy, Ashley, Sophy & I shopped for Victorious Children’s Home.  Our list consisted of books, paper, pens, games, soccer balls, rice, beans, oil, flour, popcorn, backpacks, shoes, Dolls, a dvd player, a freezer and a stove.

Yeah God!  After all the shopping, I was hungry so we went to shieywe to eat.  It was a special treat and best of all I was able to visit with my dear friend Milcar.  I love her!  She is a dear, sweet lady.  I was also able to see her Uncle as well.  He is a good man with a heart of gold.

As you can imagine there was much excitement when we returned to VCH!  The children were so excited and praising God for his provision.  I spent the remainder of the evening sharing pictures and music with the children and playing games.  The joy of the Lord abounds in this place.  Then I was privileged to rock a sweet little baby to sleep. A perfect ending to a great day!

Boys with their new ball

Praise with her barbie and other items

Add caption

They were all very excited!

The outside kitchen

The inside kitchen

new stove

new freezer

Journey to Africa: Holland

The journey to Africa: Holland

I flew from TRI to ATL and then to Amsterdam.  I had been worried about my layover inAmsterdam because I did not speak Dutch and I did not know much about Amsterdam.  Thankfully, God gave me a very sweetman to sit beside on the plane who was actually from Harlem, a suburb of Amsterdam. Harlem is where the Corrie tenBoom house stands.  He was aretired flight attendant and his wife was currently working as a flightattendant.  He pulled out the“Holland Herald” and proceeded to tell me everything about Holland.  He said since I had a long layover Ishould get out of the airport and take a canal tour; so I did.  I bought a train ticket to centralstation and waited on my train. Then I heard the trains were not running by order of the firebrigade.  I decided that was not agood sign.  So I bought a busticket to central station and then had to get off that bus and catch the metroto get to central station.  (Sidenote: I forgot pot was legal in Holland and boy was I surpised at the smells inthe bus station.  No worries, I didn’tinhale.  LOL) Finally I made it andhad a wonderful tour of the canal. I was able to see Central station, lots of fabulous boat houses,buildings from the 15^th century,  an opera house, the Anne Frank house, The Jewish historicalmuseum, Magere Brug, The flower market, Madame Tussads, The royal palace, TheNemo science museum and the Van gogh café before I had to head back to catch mynext flight.  I wish I could haveseen the Ruks museum where the Rembrandt paintings are and the Van GoghMuseum.  I love Van Gogh!  Who knew Amsterdam would be so muchfun!   I think I would like to spend a week there.  

Africa Day 1 & 2

Africa

December 12, 2012

I arrived in Nairobi and was greeted by Barbara, Vicki’s daughter who is attending college in Nairobi.  The airline lost my luggage and I was told it would be delivered to Kakamega when it was located.  Barbara has facebook on her phone so I was able to update my status on facebook to let everyone know I arrived safely.  Barbara and I went to look for a dress in Nairobi.  It was so early and not many of the stores were open yet.  We did not have any luck finding a dress. I tried to call my friend Alanna who is in Nairobi and had no luck getting through to her.  We went back to the airport and I waited for my plane that would take me to Kisumu.  I was very tired and fell asleep waiting on the plane to come.  I met a young girl from Austaslia who was going to Kisumu to volunteer with an organization to help children in Africa.  I told her to please make sure I woke up to board the plane. I woke up long enough to board the plane and then I slept all the way to Kisumu.  When I arrived, Ms. Vicki, Ivy & Boy was there to greet me.  It is about and hour and a half drive to Kakamega from Kisumu.  It was 3:00 pm in Kissumu and 8 am in the US.  When we arrived in Kakamega we stopped at the Nakumatt (Kenya’s version of walmart).  I found a dress to wear and bought some bottled water.  We then went on to Victorious Children’s Home.  I was greeted by two rows of children singing my name and praising God for my arrival.  I was so honored to be welcomed in such a way. 

I showered and changed into my new dress and went to bed.  After a nap, I called home and was able to talk with Jamie and the girls.  I then visited with the children and Vicki.  Later we had dinner consisting of rice with goat meat, some greens, and little bananas.  Just for the record I did not eat the goat meat since I am a vegetarian.  I did eat goat last time I was here.  It is very tasty.  After dinner it was bed time J

December 13, 2012

I awoke to the sound of roosters crowing then drifted back to sleep. Later I heard all the boys leaving for the field.  Vicki is blessed with several older boys who help in the field where they have planted sugar cane.  They are growing sugar cane to sell to help pay for tuition for the children’s school.   No one had to wake them.  They just get up and happily tend the field when they are home on break from their school.

I took a walk around the property and then sat in the shade and watched the younger children play a game of “monkeys”.  Later, Boy drove Ms. Vicki & I to town.  They took me to the “farm” which is the field that they lease to grow sugar cane.  However, we were not able to go in town to purchase the freezer due to a riot at the University.  We had to turn around and come home.  I took a nap and hung out with the children.  I woke up with a phone call from Kenya Airways saying my bags were on the way to Kakamega but one of them was busted.  No worries.  I have one dress and that is all I really need. 

We had Ugali, pumpkin leaves and banana for dinner.  After dinner we had Thursday prayer time.  The children sang and prayed.  We would sing a song and them pray for a while.  Sing another song and pray again. It was a sweet, sweet time with the Lord.  Children’s hearts are so pure.  I love worshiping with them.  I learned that there are some people in town who are envious of Ms. Vicki and the orphanage and they would like to shut it down.  Ms. Vicki told them it was God’s orphanage and only he can shut it down.  The children here have so little and at the same time they have so much.  Joy abounds in this house.  Children would pass by my window today and I could hear them singing and praising the Lord as they went about their work.  The joy of the Lord overflows through them.

After prayer time I told some of the children a story.  We had a good time laughing.  Then the girls wanted to play school with me. Eleven of them came into my room.  I taught them some English and they taught me Swahili.  I am sure I will not remember any of the words in the morning but it was a fun time of fellowship.

The power was off and on most of the evening.  I asked Vicki about a generator, she said she had one but did not have fuel.  I told her we shall get fuel tomorrow!

 While talking with Boy, who has been our driver, I asked him what his favorite food was.  He said Chipotti  (I am sure I did not spell it correctly).  The kitchen ladies said it is made with white flour and oil.   I told him we shall get white flour and oil at the store tomorrow and everyone said it was Christmas.  Apparently, That is a very special treat for them.  Even the kitchen workers were excited about making it. 

The girls love to all pile in my room and “teach” me things.  We had a good time sharing stories and scripture with each other.  After everyone left, Sophy asked if she could stay a bit longer with me.  She needed to talk.  I found out that she has no shoes or Bible and would really like an encyclopedia.  I have added that to my list for tomorrow.  She was almost in tears asking me for those simple things.  I thank the Lord that he has sent me here this Christmas season to share his love and light to the children.  Many thanks to all who helped me get here.   Time to rest now.  I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.  Praying my bags will be here tomorrow!

I hope to upload some pictures tomorrow.  The internet is so slow here.