Silence is Golden

We are a culture of constant noise. A person once said "if you want to know how much people value your opinion, wait until a person directly asks for it. The length of your silence is your answer". Since experimenting with this concept myself, and sitting through many conversations with my mouth closed, I have learned the immense value found in being the listener as opposed to the talker.

For one thing, it takes the pressure off. If you aren't fighting with the person across from you to get a word in on the conversation, you relinquish the responsibility to keep it going. You can rest your mind (and even let it wander to happier places) when you aren't consumed with deciding what you want to chip in next and anxiously awaiting the opening to do so. It's also great for information gathering. You can learn a lot more about a person than they originally intended to tell you as they scramble to fulfill their responsibility and keep the words flowing in the empty space between you. Thus, the more comfortable you become with silence, the more likely you are to also become the bearer of many interesting secrets and stories concerning the people around you. If you've ever walked away from a conversation and wondered "Why did I tell them that?", chances are you were in the company of a well practiced master of the art.

At the same time, listening has an endearing effect with those around you. They begin to see your comments and opinions as more wise and important, mainly because (like fine diamonds) there are a limited number of them and they take some time to dig out. Whether or not you have actually put more time or consideration into them, it will appear that you have. You're silence in the midst of boisterous discussions will be assumed to be one full of contemplation and consideration. All with minimal effort on your part.

Best of all, as time goes on you will come to realize that as your skill at listening improves so does your general knowledge! Many of the people you likely encounter on a daily basis have skills, knowledge, and experience in areas unlike your own, and if you're a skilled listener you can pick up a few things. An elderly gentleman once taught me the proper way to bake a giant yam (making sure it is evenly and thoroughly done). I don't like yams, but if I marry someone who does and we're lucky enough to find giant ones, now I will know how to prepare them. I also learned, from my dear grandmother, how to make someone pass out by applying pressure to a certain spot on their neck. She used the technique primarily for entertainment on dates (which is a complete and separate story worth listening to), but I would imagine the same technique could be applied in a safety situation. Thus, if I am ever bored or endangered to an extreme degree, I know one method for addressing it. And finally, after a long conversation with a missionary in Sub-Saharan Africa, I came to learn that there are actually women in this world that can pee standing up. That's right...Look out men, pretty soon we'll discover a way to make you carry the babies.

Safety, entertainment, baking tips, cultural anomalies...just a few of the rewards that listening has to offer.

Civic Duty and the changing seasons

It was a beautiful fall day. I began (too) early with a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood to the tunes of last year's Christmas mix....don't judge, the stores already are adorning their aisles with mini evergreens. Once i returned to the wonderful warmth of the house, I hurried to get ready and get to the poles at opening time. I must admit that I was disappointed when I arrived and opened the "Vote Here" door to find at least 25 people who beat me in the "I'm going to be the first to do my civic duty and avoid the crowds" game, but thankfully the line moved quickly. After completing the ballot and stopping to grab the "I Voted" sticker that would sparkle with pride on my sweater the duration of the day, I wogged (that's a combo of walking and jogging) back to my car and blasted the heat. I made it back home in time to enjoy breakfast and a partial episode of Saved By The Bell...kids these days don't know the awesomely cheesy after-school-specials that syndication has stolen from them...before bundling into the car and heading to my latest and greatest temp assignment.
I am blessed to have work, and actually really enjoy meeting new people all the time...it's refreshing and liberating, and often affords the time needed to finish all the books I have delved partially into over the past few months. I can't say I am a fan of Business Casual, but unless I want to work as a youth minister or construction worker I figure I'll have to eventually learn to love the attire (although I have always had a knack for directing traffic and setting up orange cones in near perfect lines). At least I have one more year of freedom in that regard. I will travel the world looking more like an Eddie Bauer bum than anything business related.
Though I have a lot of funds yet to be raised, and expensive gear I may need to sell a few organs to buy, I'm taking it one day at a time and trusting in the God who's taken me this far. OK, fine, I also indulge in the occasional 7-11 Pumpkin Spice knock-off in moments of stress...it's strictly seasonal and Oh So perfect in the crisp weather.
I have already made some great strides; completing the necessary vaccinations, purchasing international insurance, securing a 6 month supply of malaria medication, and raising almost half of the funds thanks to many loving and generous family members and friends. My life can feel crazy, but is TRULY blessed:)

World Race Training Camp...WOW

To start off with a gross understatement, Training camp was AMAZING! We worshiped, shared stories, played games, worshiped, ate meals reflective of many of the cultures we'll visit, worshiped, went hiking/ camping and prepared meals for all 48 members of our squad (the U Squad...."U Know!"), participated in team building exercises and lessons, worshiped, danced, and prepared our hearts and minds for this incredible journey we are all embarking on as one huge 48 member family:) Within the squad we were divided into teams of 5-7. I will be the group leader for a five person team. My team consists of me and four amazing, vibrant, strong women who will constitute my sisters/family for the 2011 year. Alison, Rachel, Kim, Katy, and I had time at the end of the week to spend in ministry together and to hang out and get to know one another. I cannot adequately express how thoroughly excited I am to have these girls by my side for the World Race and look forward to the life changing experiences and challenges we will conquer together. We will go boldly into this world and awaken the eternity that is stirring within the hearts of all men.

Fall...Why, hello there

I have never really been a 'fan' of fall. I love summer...the heat, popsicles, beaches, vacations, community events, outdoor grilling, tan skin, warm evenings, skirts, sandals, sunglasses, etc. But then Starbucks came along and rocked my world with "pumpkin spice"....I've never even liked pumpkin pie (and I dearly love the pie family), so this one took me by surprise. When all manner of coffee shops and book stores followed suit and created their own (and generally more affordable) versions of the pumpkin spice flavor phenomenon, my feelings toward the fall season were irrevocably and eternally altered. What once appeared to me as "spring's ugly cousin" now carries an allure and distinction that is quite attractive. I've checked it out...and I like what I see. Pair a tall glass of this with a cranberry bliss bar and you'll have me trading in a night on the town for a quite evening in..that's right, it's that good. Sure, it's not as universal as 'vanilla' or 'mocha', but against the backdrop of crisp air and football season it stands out of the crowd. Thank you for giving me a reason to perk up as I replace my sandals with boots and dig my scarves out of the closet...do that thing you do so well Mr. Spice, and sprinkle the days with deliciousness.

One of Those Days

Today my mind is fighting my attempts at sanity, and it has been an amusing day to view my thoughts and actions in hindsight.
It started when I arrived to my temp job and the front door was locked. I stood there for a good few minutes as though I could stare the lock into submission and the door would obligingly open itself. When this didn't happen I headed back to my car, called one of the people I work with (who informed me that if no one showed up they would be arriving in 20), and then tried to decide what to do in the mean time. I considered driving down the street to the post office box to send some letters, or heading to the gas station for an energy drink, and in the process got distracted by an oatmeal bar I found in my glove box. As I munched away a co-worker arrived and saved the day...and the remainder of my oatmeal bar.
At lunch I headed to the court house to find a date for Friday...oh how I wish I wasn't joking. I really went to get a form for adding pages to your passport. It took me longer than is excusable to figure out the maze that leads you to the metal detector machine, during which i actually got PASSED by a swift old lady and a kind-faced Hispanic family.
I made it up to the correct floor, got the form, and headed back to the ground floor where I exited the wrong door and found myself boxed in by security gates and a building on each side. About this time I was thinking "what kind of cruel genius architect drew up this place?". Thankfully two officers were there and kindly pointed out the clearly marked exit that had stared me in the face as I exited the elevator...I'm pretty sure they wanted to drug test me on the spot, but even in heels I'm quick and scurried away before they made a move.
The afternoon has proven uneventful, but it is amazing how a multi-line phone can out smart you...making you question the wisdom of your investment in a college education and our culture's continual push for "smart technology". With smarts comes sass, and I prefer to think I have the upper-hand in that relationship.

Abundant giving

Thanks to some overwhelmingly generous grandparents, fund raising for The World Race has begun with a BANG. In addition to all else they have given to me, they have recently become the first two fabulous people to financially support my upcoming trip. I could not adequately verbalize my appreciation to them...seriously, I tried and sounded like I was attempting to speak a foreign language for which I had only received an introductory course...I only hope to show them over the next few months how much their love, encouragement, and continual support means to me.

There are so many family members and dear friends who have given so much to me in so many ways over these past few years that I wish there was a way to let them into my head to see and feel firsthand how much it has affected me. All I can say is thank you, if it weren't for the strength, love, truth, prayer, and challenges you've given me I would not be able to pursue my dreams.

In the mean time...

Today I am writing from the receptionist desk at a local law firm. Hooray for my first temporary job assignment!! It is a scary transition as I regroup and resettle back in OKC after my time in Kenya and my recent visits to OH, AR, and GA, and try to gear up for 11 months abroad...but I'm taking it one day at a time.
My biggest fear is forgetting an important detail for my upcoming mission trip, or not raising enough money to go... but I try to remind myself that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair...it occupies your time but gets you nowhere....Ok, to be honest I don't really say it in those words in my head, but that sounds more eloquent than what actually goes on in the dark recesses of my brain.
For now I am focusing on finding enough work to pay the bills for the months of Sept. to Jan., and enjoying the sunshine out the window. There is also a homeless man down the way that has provided some entertainment.

Oh, the Places We'll Go!

It has been nice to be back on American soil and enjoy the comforts of this great nation. The past few weeks have been filled with friends, family, and fun, and have lent some good reflective moments as well. As I look to the future, I find myself staring at many blank pages, but the immediate future is in the first stages of being written.

In January 2011 I will be participating in the World Race, an 11 month mission experience that will be visiting 11 countries for a month each and joining with the efforts of established ministries in each location. I feel God's hand tugging mine in this direction and feel drawn to this specific trip for a few reasons. The first few countries on this trip are heavily Muslim and hot spots for child sex trafficking. I cannot eloquently explain why, but I really want to learn how ministry is done in these circumstances and what approaches are used to help (especially) women and children.
We will also be visiting 3 countries in Africa and doing a lot of work with HIV/ AIDS education, care, prevention, etc. An area in which I have a little more exposure and am excited to broaden my knowledge.
The last leg of our trip will be spent in numerous eastern european countries; many areas where faith seems to have gone dormant. I am excited to see the ways ministries in this region are working to infuse life and passion back into the idea of religion and Christianity.
I am excited to embark on this next chapter of my life, but struggling to wrap my mind around all the preparations and fundraising I need to do in the meantime. My mantra is quickly evolving into "One day at a time, just one day at a time".

What a Journey!

Last night we arrived back in the United States after over 24 hours of traveling. Our final days were spent finishing up the last of our projects in each department and saying goodbye to the wonderful people we have met and worked alongside in Nairobi.
Saturday night we had dinner with the founder of Missions of Hope International, Mary Kamau. After we finished our stew and chapati, we each went around and talked about our expectations coming into the trip...how they differed from reality, ways those expectations were exceeded or not met, and what we've learned through it all.
For me, I felt somewhat prepared for many of the basic expectations because I have been to Kenya, Nairobi, and Missions of Hope before. The surprises, difficulties, and victories were found in carrying out our tasks in the Business Development Services (BDS) department. For example, aspects I thought would be simple, such as filling out the form with an individual, proved to be much more time consuming and difficult than I had anticipated. However, collecting the completed forms and writing the two-paragraph profiles took less time.

God really taught me about his faithfulness this summer. I really learned that nothing is too small or insignificant, or too vast and overwhelming for God to handle. He is waiting and wanting to help you through the struggles and trials, you just have to ask Him and allow Him to do so. So often I'll catch myself trying to fix all my troubles, struggles, and short-comings on my own...with my own strength, discipline, and hard work....when it is much healthier and effective, and much less exhausting, to ask God for his help in the first place. He is much more capable than I, and knows infinitely more than I ever will.

Whether it's the crippling day-to-day toil to survive that is witnessed in Mathare Valley slums, or overcoming our own insecurities to reach people and place other's needs above our own, He is anxiously waiting for us to relinquish control so that He can transform our lives and communities in ways we never thought possible. The Gospel is alive and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, and coursing through the veins of Christ's body of believers all around the globe.

Odds and Ends

Yesterday and today the Business Department was lucky enough to get help from most of the 16 interns, and with all the help we have actually completed the task of writing personal profiles for each and every micro-business owner that Missions of Hope Int. (MoHI) works with!!!!! Now we are just taking care of the odds and ends....adding their pictures and stapling a copy of their national ID card to each form...and then we will begin uploading all of them onto the new system.
It is SUCH a great feeling to have accomplished more than I had thought possible, and for everyone to lend a helping hand in these last few days. As our time dwindles down it gives me peace to know the hardest parts are complete and all we have left are the finishing touches.

Don't Blink

We have reached our final work week here in Nairobi and I am thrilled to say we have completed much more of our project than I thought possible! We have collected new and complete profiles from every micro-business owner in each group that MoHI has (close to 700 people total) and are typing with a fury to creat 2 paragraph summary profiles for each person to eventually go on the CMFi website.
Though I am excited at the progress we've made and the sight of the finish line, I am very sad our time in Kenya is almost at an end. We have spent these last two weeks eating dinner with many of the staff we spend our days with and preparing ourselves mentally to say "good bye", but I know Friday (our last work day) will be a tearful event.
One thing I am sure of is the continued growth and success of this organization. The founder, Mary Kamau, recently spoke at the Christian Missionary Convention in the U.S.A., and the principles and love that began this beacon of hope to those in the slums continue to touch and transform an ever-increasing number of lives. I have been so blessed to get to witness and lend a hand to such an amazing group of people.

Simple and Selfless

I began typing up profiles of the micro-business owners this morning (in the library...the one place in this area that ensures low volume and minimal dust:) and I simply had to share this woman's story:

Loise Njoroge is a 67 year old widow living in the area known as Huruma in the Mathare Valley slum. She works as a landlord, an investment she started with just ksh 100 ($1.25) given to her by family. Loise is hoping to receive a loan so she can invest in more plots to rent out.

As she ages it becomes more and more difficult for Loise to care for her own needs along with the grandchildren she is providing for while her son struggles with unemployment. She has suffered with diabetes for a long time; and covering the costs of medication, day-to-day living, and the needs of her grand children is a constant struggle. More than anything, Loise’s goal is to be able to afford the school fees for her grand children to receive a good education to the highest levels. Even though she must toil in her old age, when most people in my home country are able to relax and slow down, her hope is found in being able to make life better for others.

This woman who has worked hard all her years just to survive is still caring for people during a time in her life when she should be the one being cared for.

I find it humbling that when asked what her personal goals were, or what she wished for, her answer was simple and selfless...to be able to pay for her grand children's education. She is just one example of the many ways in which I am constantly reminded how blessed my life has been and how much I have to be thankful for.

Hello July !

I must start by saying Happy Birthday to you America! You don't look a day over 40...those botox injections and pilates classes sure are working out for ya. Go paint the town red, white, and blue :)

After celebrating America's independence with taco salad, cake, and fireworks that are illegal in the land of my forefathers, we went to sleep and awoke to re-enter the land of Swahili, pick pockets, and cross cultural miscommunication.

The week got off to a rough start for me. I felt nauseated, feverish, and ached all over. After trying (and failing) to sleep it off, I was driven to the clinic where I received a rainbow of antibiotics. Thankfully I slept a few hours more and when I woke up my fever was gone and my head had stopped pounding.

The rest of the week was spent typing up profiles for many of the micro-business owners I have been interacting with over the past month and a half. It is a tedious task to type for hours on end, but knowing the possible impact it will have on the future of their business and livelihood is a great refresher and motivator.

Progress feels slow, but it is steady, and I have to keep reminding my American mind that "efficiency" is a relative term. Time is soaring by, as it always does, and I cannot believe it is winding down so quickly. I am committed to soaking up every last bit of it that is remaining :)

Why they do it

On Friday, after attending 3 loan group meetings and talking with two groups of women who are thinking about forming new loan groups, we headed out to do a business assessment. Most of the people live in the Mathare Valley, but the woman we were visiting today lived on the outskirts of town...and what felt like a two day matatu ride.
We arrived to our dusty destination; a very small town with cows roaming the street, and met up with Sarah. Sarah and her husband own and run a scrap metal business and from the looks of her home (which was quite humble but had more than one room) business is doing well. As we sat and chatted, eating the goat stew and rice she prepared for our visit, Sarah shared with us that her husband found out the day before that he has cancer.
The loan officer I'm teamed with, Virginiah, explained as Sarah left to get drinks, that being diagnosed with cancer here in Nairobi is a (quickly approaching) death sentence. People in their financial situation don't really have a chance to try to fight it.
I didn't know what to say...this woman had found out less than 24 hours prior to our visit that her loved one and provider has very little time left on this earth, and she will be left to pick up the pieces once that short time evaporates. I wished for the millionth time since arriving here that I could fix the problem this delicate woman was facing. However, the one way I know we can help her is the exact reason we stopped by, to assess the needs of her business and provide her a loan that will help it grow when she needs those resources and stability the most.
We stayed as long as we could and listened...even though I couldn't understand much...and I prayed for Sarah, her husband, and her family. She thanked us for coming and hugged us before we headed back.

Steady Progress

This week has flown by! It's already Thursday and I find myself wondering where the time went. We disseminated hundreds of profile sheets this week to micro-business owners in multiple loan groups, and next week we will collect all of those that have yet to return them. At each meeting we briefly explained the purpose of the forms (to create online profiles so people in the U.S. can choose to loan money to a micro-business owner in Mathare) and attempted to answer any questions. It is a time consuming task because many of the people struggle to read/write/ understand English, and my Swahili is infantile:)
Next week when we collect all the completed profiles, the other two interns and I will work as fast as possible to complete profiles for them all. We will also begin traveling around to each individual's business in order to get pictures to use on the profiles as well. There is a mountain of work to be done, but we're excited at our progress and fired up to continue!!

Weekend Getaway - Joska

This weekend was a great moment that refreshed our spirits and touched our hearts. We drove to the secondary school that MoHI started around five years ago. Joska is a little over an hour outside of Nairobi and what seems a galaxy away from the exhaust, trash, and business of the city.
Upon our arrival we ate a quick lunch and went out to the field to meet and play with the ~600 kids that attend school there (mainly grades 4-8). Some of us played soccer, others jumped rope, and a few learned new versions of Red Rover....I introduced a few kids to ultimate Frisbee:)
Though I instantly made 5 friends, the concept did not translate well, so I gave in and jumped rope until I could jump no more.
Later on I had the three girls holding my hands (Milicent, Christine, and Anne) walk me around their play area as they taught me new Swahili words and showed me some of their favorite dance moves. After a break for dinner at 7pm, we waited for the children to finish their devotion time and go to their dorms for the night so we could start our bonfire.
We had brought the makings for smores and didn't want to start them if we didn't have enough to share......we didn't wait long enough:) As soon as kids saw the fire starting we had a crowd of around 100 on our laps, braiding our hair, playing with our cameras, and asking us questions about our lives in America. It was SO much fun...I had two girls squished on my chair with me and one sitting on a rock next to me laying her head on my lap. We all sang, joked, and danced until 10pm and when the children were scooted off to bed we enjoyed smores under a star-filled sky.
The next morning we attended church at the chapel on the schools' campus and ate lunch with a team of teachers from Oregon. We then rested for a little while and said our goodbyes. I was deeply touched when Milicent and Christine came to find me, presented me with drawings and notes they made for me, and latched onto me. I sat with them, held their hands, and hugged them until we had to board the van and almost lost my composure when Milicent's eyes filled with tears. I know I will get to see these two beautiful girls once more before I leave, but at that moment I just wanted to stay and hold them until they fell into a restful sleep.
It is not always easy to see how you are helping or what God's purpose is, but moments like this weekend are precious glimpses of eternity I think He gives us in order to sustain us through the routine and the rough spots.

Deciphering their stories

This week we have been working on writing profiles for the micro-business owners we talked with last week. I am quickly learning that some questions do not translate well from English to Swahili, and vice versa, but we're doing our best to decipher handwriting and decode some of the answers:)
Today I talked with Sarah, a mother of two running a water business. Her ultimate business goal is to make enough money to buy her own plant and become a large scale distributor.

Sarah became a widow in 2000 after her husband lost his battle with cerebral cancer. Her strength and determination to save enough money to pay for her children's education, despite the daily struggle to meet the most basic needs, is inspiring. Her hope lies in providing them a better life and opportunities than she ever experienced.

Down to Business

This week we have hit the ground running....as much as possible given the limits on technology...in the Business Development Services department. I accompanied Virginiah, one of the loan officers, to group meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday all the new clients (people who have recently become part of the loan program or are just starting their business) came together for some free business training classes that Missions of Hope offers.
One of our main goals in the BDS department this summer is to get every client's (about 700 total) profile and a picture of them with their business to create an online giving program on CMF's (Christian Missionary Fellowship) website. This would allow someone in the USA, or around the world, to go online, read micro-business owner's stories and infomation on their businesses, and (if they choose) to offer a loan to any client they choose...very similar to Kiva and some other organizations involved in micro-finance.
It has been difficult communicating with people since many of the people are uneducated and understand very little english....and my swahili is equivalent to around a 2 year old Kenyan child:)...but through the help of MoHI staff translators, we are moving in the right direction.
One of the questions we ask on the profile form is 1) what are your personal goals (for you, your children, family, etc.)?
Almost every single response is the same...To provide food and education for the person's children so that the children can live a better life. Another common response is to succeed in business so as to provide the money needed to help sick family members.
It seems no matter where you are in the world, or how much you have been blessed with, our hopes, desires, and measures of success lie on our ability to accomplish similar things.

I am SO honored and excited to get to be a part of the effort to help these people accomplish some of life's basic goals.

Zebulon

On Friday I accompanied Margaret in the CHE (Community Health Evangelism) department to Mabatini, an area in Mathare Valley in which MoHI opened a center and has begun community programs within the past year. We spent the morning walking in the rain through the muddy streets to visit the homes of multiple women who are a part of the HIV/AIDS support group for their area. The MoHI staff has had to work very hard to establish this ministry because even though about 50% of the people in the slums have HIV/AIDS, the stigma is so great it takes an immense amount of trust for someone to admit they are positive....let alone share it with others in a support group setting.
In the afternoon we 'took lunch' at the MoHI school and then went to visit Zebulon. Zebulon is a man who has been handicapped from birth with legs that are about half the length they should be and of no use to him. Zebulon and his wife use to live in a nicer area of the slum. He would use a donated wheelchair to go into downtown each day and sell candy while his wife walked to the rich area of town to do laundry for money. Then Zebulon was hit by a car (not terribly uncommon) and was in the hospital for a few months before returning to his humble home and being bed-ridden for 3 months.
Zebulon's wife continues to wash clothes for money and on days when he feels ok, Zebulon crawls to his door to sell small packages of peanuts to anyone who passes by. However, the thing that stood out to me the most about Zebulon was not his crippled legs, or the notable scars from the accident, it was the light that shines through his face. I knew before he told us that Zebulon was saved...the light of Christ shines through his every expression. Despite the fact that the only view he sees of this world, when he is able to crawl to it, is that of a vast slum; there is a hope and joy in his every word and expression that is unmistakably that of the hope found in Christ.

Siku Ngema (Good Day)

We started working at the Missions of Hope Int. Pangani Center on Monday and in these short two days have seen and experienced so much. I was with the social work department on Monday, so we visited 'homes' (tin shacks) in the slums to do follow-up visits on students that had been absent from school for a few days.
One child we visited was named Benjamin. He had been sick with a sore throat, as we confirmed upon entering the home. His mother's name is Mary and she sat and talked with us while her 3 small children stared poked at the mzungus (white people)...aka us...she nursed her new born while she told us briefly about her family.
The parents are both born again Christians. Mary's husband goes into town to find work and currently she stays with the new born. Currently they house 15 people in their 10x10 tin shack...I still can't comprehend how that many people could fit into the space, let alone sleep there.
Her three small children all attend the Pangani Center for school and she is thankful for the place where they receive a good education and two meals a day. When we asked her for any prayer requests before leaving she didn't even mention anything relating to their meager situation, her only request was that God bless MoHI so that they can continue to grow and invite more and more children from the slums into their schools.
I am once again reminded...these people may be without a lot of things, but they are never without hope...or the joy that overflows from it.

Karibu Kenya

After a long and complicated journey, we finally arrived in Nairobi. After going through customs, (which took me awhile because they liked what I had and wanted to charge me for bringing it) we stopped by the Ufungamano Center to drop off our things and freshen up before continuing. Then we drove to Missions of Hope International (MoHI), also called the Pangani center, which is located on the edge of the Mathare Valley slum.

We were introduced to the staff and even got to walk through 'village 1' in Mathare. Although I have been here before, the sights, smells, and volume of trash are shocking to the senses. We drew a croud of small children everywhere we walked. They would yell "Mzungu", which is the term for a white person, and run to us with arms open wide. One girl in our team even had a child lick her arm...you just never know what will happen on a day in Mathare.

About to take flight

In about one week I will be returning again to Nairobi, Kenya to work for two months with Missions of Hope International. I will be leading a group of 18 interns; all working in different areas of the organization, located in the Mathare Valley Slums (home to 100,000+ people and the 2nd largest slum in Nairobi).

As the time to return draws near, I find myself remembering more of of the sights, smells, and experiences that had previously evaded my thoughts.

My heart is swelling with expectation and excitement over what is about to transpire, and I look forward to sharing as much as I can express in written words and photographs with everyone who has helped me along this journey.

Rhythm and Soul

I was babysitting my 11 month old niece. I put in a King of Queens DVD (classic bit of americana in my humble, easily entertained opinion), and she started dancing around to the intro music

Side note: I use the term "dancing' loosely....the actual movement involved a slight bending of the knees and swaying left and right, close to, if not actually on, the beat of the song.

It is then that I had an epiphany...dancing is build in to our souls. This baby, who can't understand much beyond colors, hunger, and sleepiness, instinctively began moving at the sound of music. The Creator has weaved the desire to dance into our innermost being, and the spirit is anxious to bust a move.
So GO FOR IT!...shake what your mama gave ya, rock the white man's overbite, robot, break dance, pop, lock, and drop it, two-step, shoulder lean, and shimmy....move to whatever rhythm your soul desires....the good, the bad, and the ugly....we were born to do it:)

Hello World!

Hello great void....I am 25 and 'blogging' for the first time...I must have missed my generation's calling to be technically advanced...