Well friends & blog-followers...this is likely the last.
Amazing but true, I sit at the Nairobi airport reflecting on 'lasts'. I had my last Stoney (it's soda), my last Ooh La La yogurt (eh Heidi!), I came from an internet cafe and enjoyed my (hopefully) last power outage :)...yes, lost that email, while I let the mozzies have a last feed on my legs. I hopefully had my last 'charge-you-more-because-you-are-a-muzungu (white)' encounter - I didn't cry over that last.
Many lasts, so many good things, what a blessed time.
I give God thanks for allowing me to be the one honored to come for these 7 weeks. I thank you all for your love & support and cheer. I am so blessed to build relationship with my friends in Kenya.
I am really overwhelmed.
So, here I come (!), for those of you who are at home. I look forward to catch-up time. For those I leave behind...I pray I see you soon.
I love u all!
Asante sana.
-Kami
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
1 Week Remaining
Hello friends
My last week lies ahead of me in this incredible country.
I really have only a few things to write. It is this current space I remember well, where reflection dominates over words. Excitement is still there, inside, but the head and heart are full.
Last night I arrived back in Nairobi from 16 days in Mombasa. It was the most intense time of my 7-weeks so far, busy-wise, but delightful. I spent a bit of time with Anderson Baya's family (1yr old boy awaiting surgery). We still journey through health, doctors and prep for surgery... now from a distance (me). It is our hope that the family can move closer to Mary's school (St. Timothy Academy) and that all 5 of their school-aged children be enrolled. Currently, this beautiful woman, Mary, has allowed 2 of the Baya children into her school at her expense. These kids still walk 10 km to get to school. That is too great a distance for the little ones. I hope sponsorship happens and we can help move the family close to the school - sooner than later.
The next proposed date for Anderson's surgery is early May. Maybe this time the doctor won't have a seminar on surgery day (!).
Much of my Mombasa time was filled with quality time with friends I met last year. Relationships are blessings. The value of friendship is more apparent to me when I realize it was kept alive over time & distance. It amazes me really. So I extended my time in Mombasa to be together with those I grew incredibly fond of and who eagerly awaited my visit.
I became a roadie, titled "manager", for a band/duo my friend plays in at hotels & restaurants in Mombasa (my evening job). I love their music and, wow, there is incredible talent here!! Canada, why aren't we importing these musicians (they are asking!)?!
I am getting better at matatu-ing (at least in my head)...They still try to charge me more because I was born pale, yet I can argue a bit better now about that and do the right knock on the roof when my stage (stop) is approaching. The locals are happy to help me out. I just wish I spoke fluent swahilli.
Among my friend-visits, I saw my fellow Albertan friend, Janelle Kooiker, who is in her 3rd year working at YWAM (Youth With A Mission - Mombasa). I believe Canada has lost her to Kenya...I hear it happens (and I know why). We had a good visit together, shared some "muzungu" stories.
The heat was still as intense in Mombasa as last year. UN-believable! I was only in the ocean 4x (believe it or not) in my 16 days, and it is still hotter than warm bathtub water. When I hold my tea mug (elbows rested on the table like a proper lady) in the morning, arms bent, sweat runs like a river from my elbow creases onto the table. True! I know you wanted to know that. That is the reality of Mombasa humidity & heat. Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about!
The REAL sweat-test happened when I was about to fly to Nairobi last night. The plane had an engine malfunction along with an 'air flow' issue. All 100+ people were trapped on the tarmack in a 'can' (resembling a plane) for... a long time. We were absolutely SOAKED with sweat, it ran down our faces, off our toes, as we sat very very still. Again, AMAZING. I have experienced nothing like it in my life. They finally 'disembarked' us all to get some air. I couldn't help but laugh when I looked at everyone -it was as if we were all trapped in a sauna! We re-embarked (is that a word?) and 1.5 hours after we were to scheduled to depart...we were off, yet not so fresh :). I feel bad for those who had international connecting flights. Actually, I feel bad for the people who had to sit next to them! Adventures in Kenya.
Today I visited a little girl in Nairobi Hospital named Betty. She is 5 years old. I met her grandmother last year and knew her story. Betty was born with a tumor in her head/face. Doctors did not want to operate until she was in her adolescence, but decided to last week to perform the $10,000+ surgery because the tumor was threatening to push out her right eye. Poor little tyke! It was a 10.5 hr surgery at the best hospital/teaching facility in Kenya (two of her doctors are teachers at the facility, graduates from Harvard). They aren't certain if the eye is 'saved' or functioning 100%, but are hopeful. They also do not know if the tumor will keep growing. We pray it doesn’t.
Betty wanted to 'go outside' so we left the room walked outside a bit. She seemed in good spirits, but they say she has been in a lot of pain. The parents are...absolutely exhausted. There were no smiles to be seen in that hospital room today. Actually, there were tears. Betty's mother is in school, writing exams this week, trying to be with her daughter and do her work. The father stays at the hospital and isn't eating. I can say they are completely spent. It has been a hard week for the whole family.
Tomorrow doctors decide if Betty can go home (already) or if she remains at the hospital under observation a few more days. Prayers, again, are coveted. Full surgery cost has not been paid, yet we know Who has everything in control.
Tomorrow I hopefully head back to Mukeu (village). I want to take my (Kenyan) family there to Nakuru National Park on Saturday. I am excited. Many of them have never been far outside of the village and haven't seen the wildlife that their country is famous for. It will be fun. Hopefully the rain stays away. It has been blessing the earth here a lot lately.
Well, that is what I know right now. What else I know is that this girl needs to find a pillow and lie motionless for a few hours and greet another morning when most of you are putting your day to bed.
Thanks for listening to my tales.
God is good.
All the time.
Be blessed.
-Kami
My last week lies ahead of me in this incredible country.
I really have only a few things to write. It is this current space I remember well, where reflection dominates over words. Excitement is still there, inside, but the head and heart are full.
Last night I arrived back in Nairobi from 16 days in Mombasa. It was the most intense time of my 7-weeks so far, busy-wise, but delightful. I spent a bit of time with Anderson Baya's family (1yr old boy awaiting surgery). We still journey through health, doctors and prep for surgery... now from a distance (me). It is our hope that the family can move closer to Mary's school (St. Timothy Academy) and that all 5 of their school-aged children be enrolled. Currently, this beautiful woman, Mary, has allowed 2 of the Baya children into her school at her expense. These kids still walk 10 km to get to school. That is too great a distance for the little ones. I hope sponsorship happens and we can help move the family close to the school - sooner than later.
The next proposed date for Anderson's surgery is early May. Maybe this time the doctor won't have a seminar on surgery day (!).
Much of my Mombasa time was filled with quality time with friends I met last year. Relationships are blessings. The value of friendship is more apparent to me when I realize it was kept alive over time & distance. It amazes me really. So I extended my time in Mombasa to be together with those I grew incredibly fond of and who eagerly awaited my visit.
I became a roadie, titled "manager", for a band/duo my friend plays in at hotels & restaurants in Mombasa (my evening job). I love their music and, wow, there is incredible talent here!! Canada, why aren't we importing these musicians (they are asking!)?!
I am getting better at matatu-ing (at least in my head)...They still try to charge me more because I was born pale, yet I can argue a bit better now about that and do the right knock on the roof when my stage (stop) is approaching. The locals are happy to help me out. I just wish I spoke fluent swahilli.
Among my friend-visits, I saw my fellow Albertan friend, Janelle Kooiker, who is in her 3rd year working at YWAM (Youth With A Mission - Mombasa). I believe Canada has lost her to Kenya...I hear it happens (and I know why). We had a good visit together, shared some "muzungu" stories.
The heat was still as intense in Mombasa as last year. UN-believable! I was only in the ocean 4x (believe it or not) in my 16 days, and it is still hotter than warm bathtub water. When I hold my tea mug (elbows rested on the table like a proper lady) in the morning, arms bent, sweat runs like a river from my elbow creases onto the table. True! I know you wanted to know that. That is the reality of Mombasa humidity & heat. Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about!
The REAL sweat-test happened when I was about to fly to Nairobi last night. The plane had an engine malfunction along with an 'air flow' issue. All 100+ people were trapped on the tarmack in a 'can' (resembling a plane) for... a long time. We were absolutely SOAKED with sweat, it ran down our faces, off our toes, as we sat very very still. Again, AMAZING. I have experienced nothing like it in my life. They finally 'disembarked' us all to get some air. I couldn't help but laugh when I looked at everyone -it was as if we were all trapped in a sauna! We re-embarked (is that a word?) and 1.5 hours after we were to scheduled to depart...we were off, yet not so fresh :). I feel bad for those who had international connecting flights. Actually, I feel bad for the people who had to sit next to them! Adventures in Kenya.
Today I visited a little girl in Nairobi Hospital named Betty. She is 5 years old. I met her grandmother last year and knew her story. Betty was born with a tumor in her head/face. Doctors did not want to operate until she was in her adolescence, but decided to last week to perform the $10,000+ surgery because the tumor was threatening to push out her right eye. Poor little tyke! It was a 10.5 hr surgery at the best hospital/teaching facility in Kenya (two of her doctors are teachers at the facility, graduates from Harvard). They aren't certain if the eye is 'saved' or functioning 100%, but are hopeful. They also do not know if the tumor will keep growing. We pray it doesn’t.
Betty wanted to 'go outside' so we left the room walked outside a bit. She seemed in good spirits, but they say she has been in a lot of pain. The parents are...absolutely exhausted. There were no smiles to be seen in that hospital room today. Actually, there were tears. Betty's mother is in school, writing exams this week, trying to be with her daughter and do her work. The father stays at the hospital and isn't eating. I can say they are completely spent. It has been a hard week for the whole family.
Tomorrow doctors decide if Betty can go home (already) or if she remains at the hospital under observation a few more days. Prayers, again, are coveted. Full surgery cost has not been paid, yet we know Who has everything in control.
Tomorrow I hopefully head back to Mukeu (village). I want to take my (Kenyan) family there to Nakuru National Park on Saturday. I am excited. Many of them have never been far outside of the village and haven't seen the wildlife that their country is famous for. It will be fun. Hopefully the rain stays away. It has been blessing the earth here a lot lately.
Well, that is what I know right now. What else I know is that this girl needs to find a pillow and lie motionless for a few hours and greet another morning when most of you are putting your day to bed.
Thanks for listening to my tales.
God is good.
All the time.
Be blessed.
-Kami
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Daily Adventures & Heartbeats
Hi Friends!
I write from the humid & hot coast of Kenya, water bottle at my side, trying to keep fluids IN … they leak out so quickly.
I flew into Mombasa on Monday morning after quite a journey to the Nairobi airport. John Kibarita was to pick me up from Mukeu & take me to the airport Monday morning. What we forgot to account for was pouring rain the night before. This means there is no possible way a car can make it down the road leading to our farm.
I came home Sunday evening from Haraka (neighboring village) with Mike…in the rain…and dark (I know, I know, why did I wait so long to come home?), the motorbike tipped us off in a rut and we ended up walking the rest of the way home. That was when I knew we needed a plan B in order for me to catch my 10am flight from Nairobi the next morning.
Plan B was: park the car in Mukeu at the Pastor’s house, hike to it in the morning so that we could travel out on a better road.
John (and friend John) arrived at 2am Monday morning, cold & wet from the walk from Mukeu to the farm. We had a 2 hour “nap”, arose at 5am, loaded my 25kg backpack (full of liquid supplement for baby Anderson in Mombasa) onto friend John (bless his big heart! …and back muscles), slipped into gumboots and headed off in the dark. Important note: during the night my stomach decided to disown me and forced me to make a plan C for how to find the nearest bush on route.
We reached the vehicle (much to John’s sweaty delight) only to find that ….it failed to start. The alternator, uniting in opposition with my system, said “No way”. What to do? Long story short…eventually, 45 minutes later, the car DID miraculously start, we were on our way. Morning-rush-hour traffic in Nairobi had me praying. Faithful to incredible effort, commitment and driving mastery, John got me through the airport doors in time and I was off to Mombasa at 10am!
Mt. Kilimanjaro greeted me ‘good morning’ from the plane and Mombasa greeted me with rain, 30 degrees and a beautiful woman named Mary Wambui. My weary, achy body was carried by taxi to Mary’s home and a long rest ensued after tea.
Mary runs St.Timothy school (a day and boarding school) in Mtwapa for all ages. It currently has 150 children with capacity for 500.
I was told that 2 siblings of baby Anderson (the little baby I met last year in Mombasa, born without anus) went to Mary’s school. While I was visiting the school that afternoon with Mary, Santa Baya, mother of Anderson, came in with the little boy in tow. How exciting it was to meet again! I will never forget Santa’s smile, hand slap and shriek of excitement when she realized who the white girl sitting in the office was. I was equally delighted.
Little Anderson is a sweet little guy! Tiny, but a busy boy. I spent part of the afternoon together with them and then walked Santa and her 3 children to the road to catch a matatu home.
Currently the eldest Baya daughter, Mapenzi (14), and son, Sammie (12), attend St. Timothy school (at the expense of the school). They walk roughly 10 km (1-way!) to and from school each day. This is nearly 3 hours each way (and we complain about our commutes to work!!). ALSO: children must be at school class at 7am or they are turned away.
With this family weighing heavily on my heart, my hope and plan is to do some budget calculations & determine what can be done to help this family with 6 children ease their burden of survival and help establish consistent employment for a hopeful future. Your prayers are coveted! :)
Anderson was scheduled for assessment for his second surgery yesterday (he has been waiting for the 2nd ‘connect-the-plumbing-tubes’ surgery since November, but because he was underweight, surgery could not proceed when the specialist has been in Mombasa). If he checked out ok, surgery was to ensue that day.
I prayed fervently that surgery would go ahead.
Mary & I met with the Baya family at the hospital (including my friend, Tembo, cousin of Santa who introduced me to Anderson last year!) to wait for Anderson’s assessment.
The verdict was that the doctor was in a seminar that day and therefore unavailable to see the boy. What a frustrating surprise for me (!), but not for my friends (they take it so well). Anderson had diarrhea that day :(, was weighed and did not gain weight since his last visit, still 8kg (he just turned 1yr).
The hospital told us that doctor would call the family (re: possible surgery & conditions – after evaluating his assessment). A powdered supplement was prescribed for him along with the supplements I brought (and - he hates the taste! I watched his face when he first tried. Ah man!). He was tired that day, but had been off food since 3am. Poor little gaffer! What a road to travel. But the family takes it 1 day at a time!
And so …this brings you up to speed with where I am at and involved in this tenth of March. I am daily taught patience – in all things. I keep realizing that my ways and time-line is not necessarily God’s. And that is ok. So I focus on today, the tasks at hand and hope to handle well what ‘isn’t’ when I was set for something I thought ‘would be’.
A happy break yesterday: Tembo took me out on his boat in the afternoon and I jumped into the sea!…a treat indeed.
This morning I did my laundry (I was told Africans don’t believe that whites know how to wash clothes by hand…so I may surprise some when they see my clothes on the line. I guess we also don’t do dishes by hand and only eat canned food …??).
As I was washing, a little Brahman heifer calf walked up and took a drink out of one of the pails! I loved it. Made me laugh.
Mary has a cow to milk, but her worker just laughed when I offer to help him milk. I fear my hands are becoming ‘soft’ already.
Although I am in a very different world and I am not always understood…I still love it. I am incredibly blessed.
Thank you again for all your support, in so many ways.
-Kami
I write from the humid & hot coast of Kenya, water bottle at my side, trying to keep fluids IN … they leak out so quickly.
I flew into Mombasa on Monday morning after quite a journey to the Nairobi airport. John Kibarita was to pick me up from Mukeu & take me to the airport Monday morning. What we forgot to account for was pouring rain the night before. This means there is no possible way a car can make it down the road leading to our farm.
I came home Sunday evening from Haraka (neighboring village) with Mike…in the rain…and dark (I know, I know, why did I wait so long to come home?), the motorbike tipped us off in a rut and we ended up walking the rest of the way home. That was when I knew we needed a plan B in order for me to catch my 10am flight from Nairobi the next morning.
Plan B was: park the car in Mukeu at the Pastor’s house, hike to it in the morning so that we could travel out on a better road.
John (and friend John) arrived at 2am Monday morning, cold & wet from the walk from Mukeu to the farm. We had a 2 hour “nap”, arose at 5am, loaded my 25kg backpack (full of liquid supplement for baby Anderson in Mombasa) onto friend John (bless his big heart! …and back muscles), slipped into gumboots and headed off in the dark. Important note: during the night my stomach decided to disown me and forced me to make a plan C for how to find the nearest bush on route.
We reached the vehicle (much to John’s sweaty delight) only to find that ….it failed to start. The alternator, uniting in opposition with my system, said “No way”. What to do? Long story short…eventually, 45 minutes later, the car DID miraculously start, we were on our way. Morning-rush-hour traffic in Nairobi had me praying. Faithful to incredible effort, commitment and driving mastery, John got me through the airport doors in time and I was off to Mombasa at 10am!
Mt. Kilimanjaro greeted me ‘good morning’ from the plane and Mombasa greeted me with rain, 30 degrees and a beautiful woman named Mary Wambui. My weary, achy body was carried by taxi to Mary’s home and a long rest ensued after tea.
Mary runs St.Timothy school (a day and boarding school) in Mtwapa for all ages. It currently has 150 children with capacity for 500.
I was told that 2 siblings of baby Anderson (the little baby I met last year in Mombasa, born without anus) went to Mary’s school. While I was visiting the school that afternoon with Mary, Santa Baya, mother of Anderson, came in with the little boy in tow. How exciting it was to meet again! I will never forget Santa’s smile, hand slap and shriek of excitement when she realized who the white girl sitting in the office was. I was equally delighted.
Little Anderson is a sweet little guy! Tiny, but a busy boy. I spent part of the afternoon together with them and then walked Santa and her 3 children to the road to catch a matatu home.
Currently the eldest Baya daughter, Mapenzi (14), and son, Sammie (12), attend St. Timothy school (at the expense of the school). They walk roughly 10 km (1-way!) to and from school each day. This is nearly 3 hours each way (and we complain about our commutes to work!!). ALSO: children must be at school class at 7am or they are turned away.
With this family weighing heavily on my heart, my hope and plan is to do some budget calculations & determine what can be done to help this family with 6 children ease their burden of survival and help establish consistent employment for a hopeful future. Your prayers are coveted! :)
Anderson was scheduled for assessment for his second surgery yesterday (he has been waiting for the 2nd ‘connect-the-plumbing-tubes’ surgery since November, but because he was underweight, surgery could not proceed when the specialist has been in Mombasa). If he checked out ok, surgery was to ensue that day.
I prayed fervently that surgery would go ahead.
Mary & I met with the Baya family at the hospital (including my friend, Tembo, cousin of Santa who introduced me to Anderson last year!) to wait for Anderson’s assessment.
The verdict was that the doctor was in a seminar that day and therefore unavailable to see the boy. What a frustrating surprise for me (!), but not for my friends (they take it so well). Anderson had diarrhea that day :(, was weighed and did not gain weight since his last visit, still 8kg (he just turned 1yr).
The hospital told us that doctor would call the family (re: possible surgery & conditions – after evaluating his assessment). A powdered supplement was prescribed for him along with the supplements I brought (and - he hates the taste! I watched his face when he first tried. Ah man!). He was tired that day, but had been off food since 3am. Poor little gaffer! What a road to travel. But the family takes it 1 day at a time!
And so …this brings you up to speed with where I am at and involved in this tenth of March. I am daily taught patience – in all things. I keep realizing that my ways and time-line is not necessarily God’s. And that is ok. So I focus on today, the tasks at hand and hope to handle well what ‘isn’t’ when I was set for something I thought ‘would be’.
A happy break yesterday: Tembo took me out on his boat in the afternoon and I jumped into the sea!…a treat indeed.
This morning I did my laundry (I was told Africans don’t believe that whites know how to wash clothes by hand…so I may surprise some when they see my clothes on the line. I guess we also don’t do dishes by hand and only eat canned food …??).
As I was washing, a little Brahman heifer calf walked up and took a drink out of one of the pails! I loved it. Made me laugh.
Mary has a cow to milk, but her worker just laughed when I offer to help him milk. I fear my hands are becoming ‘soft’ already.
Although I am in a very different world and I am not always understood…I still love it. I am incredibly blessed.
Thank you again for all your support, in so many ways.
-Kami
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Marching On
I can’t believe it’s already March! How time passes effortlessly.
I thought 7 weeks was going to be a long time in Kenya, but with a pressing daily agenda, I will be scrambling to get ‘it all done’ (what’s new Kami?)
I am still doing great and am thankful for the opportunities in front of me. I love those that have passed as well.
Most recently I have overwhelming amazement at how God has uniquely made us & His world. From crazy-loud, long-billed birds to different types of grass (I thought ‘grass was grass’), big trees that grow taller than our 70 yr-old spruce in only 4 years, sticky, red, fertile soil (and I thought the best soil was black. Prejudiced!), …to beautiful, dark, perfect skin and velcro hair that simply ‘holds’, eyes that shine; & light up with a smile (how do you explain eyes that shine?), words that roll off of tongues that I can’t repeat because I don’t know how a mouth even does that (!), feet that don’t wear out or ache without arch support, contented children who have ‘nothing to do’, but pass the time and are happy… so many little things that brighten my day and give me perspective, reminding me that again, as always, God is creative and all He makes is beautiful.
There is a little piece of mourning in me though. I am sad to have missed the OT, gold medal, Olympic hockey final on Sunday night (for me). Crosby forever a superstar. Everyone was so nervous about the young Canadian team picks. I’m proud of our boys! There’s a pride in Canadian winter now – eh?!
Since I last wrote, I continued work with World Agroforestry Center. Goat registration for our model farm in Mukeu was on the agenda and turned into a labour-consuming process. I spent time in Nairobi and Nakuru with Esther Kamau & Moses Nadathe (World Agroforestry). Esther & Moses will take me to Eldoret March 19th-21st to teach farmers & see another area of farm production (plants & animals).
Follow-up on farms in Mukeu still awaits completion. Esther and Moses will come to Mukeu toward the end of the month to give seed harvesting training for farmers producing Tree Lucerne.
Next week I leave for Mombasa and meet “Baby Anderson” who awaits a 2nd surgery. This little 1.5 yr old is underweight, the 8th child to a [job-less] family and needs a $3,000 surgery for ‘plumbing’ he was born without. If anyone wants to help fund the surgery or family’s needs, CWI will send your donations through (cwi.org)…yes this is a plea if you feel a heart-tug. I anticipate a very needy family on the other end and…I need wisdom in knowing how to help them. I have purchased supplements for the little boy from Nairobi in hopes that it will initiate improved health/weight. He has 2 kg to put on before he is considered for surgery. Foremost in my mind is not only temporary help, but something long-term. Thanks for praying!
I worked together last week with CWI reps to enroll 6 children into private school in Mukeu. The single mom was thankful, the kids are delighted. They thank me, but really, the thanks goes out to you back home. When you think that your money may not go far, you should ask the lives they change!
I met a young man last week who is in veterinary school in Nairobi, supported through donation, a son of a displaced family…brilliant, smart, hardworking…so thrilled to be taking a 2 year intense University program (compact from a 4 year degree) . He lives & breathes schoolwork & exams for 2 years…thrilled beyond belief to have this opportunity. He travelled 2 hours to ‘stop by’ the farm where I live to meet me for an evening, then turn around and head back to school for more work and exams. Lindsey, Julie & Rebecca met him last year. I was just the text-message-deliverer/go-between in Canada that he never met. The gratefulness and warmth that the people here exuberate… is another one of those significant things that impact me – way, deep down.
On farm-life side of things…
I am now milking 3 cows /day (30 litres), love it. I hope my daily forearm workouts will help me in triathlon training :). I have become the meaning of my Kikuyu name “Mukami” (given by my family here): ‘A lady who milks cows’.
I have become a surrogate mother to a dairy calf, who I have fondly called “The Monster”. She is entirely cute with lots of character and provides Mikey & I with daily laughs. She has yet to reach her goal of sucking off my pant-leg or swallowing my whole hand, but she sure tries! I am looking for a suitcase big enough for her to bring her back to Canada. I’m pretty sure we don’t have any exactly like her back home.
I haven’t killed the rooster …yet. This morning was a test He developed a new sound and ceaselessly belted it out from 4-6 am . I like to think I am growing patience in the early morning hours.
I have also learned the joy of cutting napia grass. For those north Americans who know canary seed straw well and the barbs that love to join your flesh, it’s worse! The barbs don’t come out of your clothes either! We have regular laughs at the white girl who sometimes learns the hard way. Now I am armed with gloves, my impenetrable rain jacket and ‘penga’ (machete :)) when chopping the hairy stuff. All so that the cows can continuously eat and I can continuously milk…circle of life or something.
Mike & I have another round of de-worming to do before we pass the torch on to the farmers. There is high demand for our service (we are trying to devise a way this can become our business…so far the free work and supply doesn’t seem promising in that regard). We don’t travel low-profile to local farms with syringe and med bottle in hand & a tribe of dark children following the white Canadian.
Species treated encompass cattle, goats, sheep, donkey (1 so far) and even a cat. Did I mention I am fond of project diversity?
There is not much else to expand on, only a few notes to mention that it rains here every, much different from the desperate wish for a single droplet last year. Gumboots were a worthy investment. I feel like I am in a rainforest. As I typed that line I heard drops just start on the roof. Hosea 6:3 is my new favorite verse and I think of it whenever the rains start: ‘So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.”
We have no complaints when it comes to rain. It is beautifully green now and the sheep no longer cry (Heidi will be happy!). Rain produces smiles. There are smiles in my head when I am on the back of a fiki-fiki (motorbike), the driver comes to a muddy rut that could engulf a small gravel truck. As he maneuvers through the paste and narrow, semi-flat portion that barely fits his wheel, his cell phone rings and - he answers it ! …through it we go (whoooaaa!) and remarkably remain upright! He told me I should bring a video camera today. I have a camera that might just work.
My last note of this blog: I was ‘baptized an African’ yesterday (with smiles from “waitee’s”) because I showed up for an appointment 40 minutes late. They were so proud! Now you know why I love this place!
Blessings to you all, dear friends! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers. My health has been fantastic…I had a couple days this week where I felt as if I swallowed a boulder. But, really who doesn’t swallow the odd boulder now and then? I feel I am ‘covered’. You bless me. Thank you.
-Kami
I thought 7 weeks was going to be a long time in Kenya, but with a pressing daily agenda, I will be scrambling to get ‘it all done’ (what’s new Kami?)
I am still doing great and am thankful for the opportunities in front of me. I love those that have passed as well.
Most recently I have overwhelming amazement at how God has uniquely made us & His world. From crazy-loud, long-billed birds to different types of grass (I thought ‘grass was grass’), big trees that grow taller than our 70 yr-old spruce in only 4 years, sticky, red, fertile soil (and I thought the best soil was black. Prejudiced!), …to beautiful, dark, perfect skin and velcro hair that simply ‘holds’, eyes that shine; & light up with a smile (how do you explain eyes that shine?), words that roll off of tongues that I can’t repeat because I don’t know how a mouth even does that (!), feet that don’t wear out or ache without arch support, contented children who have ‘nothing to do’, but pass the time and are happy… so many little things that brighten my day and give me perspective, reminding me that again, as always, God is creative and all He makes is beautiful.
There is a little piece of mourning in me though. I am sad to have missed the OT, gold medal, Olympic hockey final on Sunday night (for me). Crosby forever a superstar. Everyone was so nervous about the young Canadian team picks. I’m proud of our boys! There’s a pride in Canadian winter now – eh?!
Since I last wrote, I continued work with World Agroforestry Center. Goat registration for our model farm in Mukeu was on the agenda and turned into a labour-consuming process. I spent time in Nairobi and Nakuru with Esther Kamau & Moses Nadathe (World Agroforestry). Esther & Moses will take me to Eldoret March 19th-21st to teach farmers & see another area of farm production (plants & animals).
Follow-up on farms in Mukeu still awaits completion. Esther and Moses will come to Mukeu toward the end of the month to give seed harvesting training for farmers producing Tree Lucerne.
Next week I leave for Mombasa and meet “Baby Anderson” who awaits a 2nd surgery. This little 1.5 yr old is underweight, the 8th child to a [job-less] family and needs a $3,000 surgery for ‘plumbing’ he was born without. If anyone wants to help fund the surgery or family’s needs, CWI will send your donations through (cwi.org)…yes this is a plea if you feel a heart-tug. I anticipate a very needy family on the other end and…I need wisdom in knowing how to help them. I have purchased supplements for the little boy from Nairobi in hopes that it will initiate improved health/weight. He has 2 kg to put on before he is considered for surgery. Foremost in my mind is not only temporary help, but something long-term. Thanks for praying!
I worked together last week with CWI reps to enroll 6 children into private school in Mukeu. The single mom was thankful, the kids are delighted. They thank me, but really, the thanks goes out to you back home. When you think that your money may not go far, you should ask the lives they change!
I met a young man last week who is in veterinary school in Nairobi, supported through donation, a son of a displaced family…brilliant, smart, hardworking…so thrilled to be taking a 2 year intense University program (compact from a 4 year degree) . He lives & breathes schoolwork & exams for 2 years…thrilled beyond belief to have this opportunity. He travelled 2 hours to ‘stop by’ the farm where I live to meet me for an evening, then turn around and head back to school for more work and exams. Lindsey, Julie & Rebecca met him last year. I was just the text-message-deliverer/go-between in Canada that he never met. The gratefulness and warmth that the people here exuberate… is another one of those significant things that impact me – way, deep down.
On farm-life side of things…
I am now milking 3 cows /day (30 litres), love it. I hope my daily forearm workouts will help me in triathlon training :). I have become the meaning of my Kikuyu name “Mukami” (given by my family here): ‘A lady who milks cows’.
I have become a surrogate mother to a dairy calf, who I have fondly called “The Monster”. She is entirely cute with lots of character and provides Mikey & I with daily laughs. She has yet to reach her goal of sucking off my pant-leg or swallowing my whole hand, but she sure tries! I am looking for a suitcase big enough for her to bring her back to Canada. I’m pretty sure we don’t have any exactly like her back home.
I haven’t killed the rooster …yet. This morning was a test He developed a new sound and ceaselessly belted it out from 4-6 am . I like to think I am growing patience in the early morning hours.
I have also learned the joy of cutting napia grass. For those north Americans who know canary seed straw well and the barbs that love to join your flesh, it’s worse! The barbs don’t come out of your clothes either! We have regular laughs at the white girl who sometimes learns the hard way. Now I am armed with gloves, my impenetrable rain jacket and ‘penga’ (machete :)) when chopping the hairy stuff. All so that the cows can continuously eat and I can continuously milk…circle of life or something.
Mike & I have another round of de-worming to do before we pass the torch on to the farmers. There is high demand for our service (we are trying to devise a way this can become our business…so far the free work and supply doesn’t seem promising in that regard). We don’t travel low-profile to local farms with syringe and med bottle in hand & a tribe of dark children following the white Canadian.
Species treated encompass cattle, goats, sheep, donkey (1 so far) and even a cat. Did I mention I am fond of project diversity?
There is not much else to expand on, only a few notes to mention that it rains here every, much different from the desperate wish for a single droplet last year. Gumboots were a worthy investment. I feel like I am in a rainforest. As I typed that line I heard drops just start on the roof. Hosea 6:3 is my new favorite verse and I think of it whenever the rains start: ‘So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.”
We have no complaints when it comes to rain. It is beautifully green now and the sheep no longer cry (Heidi will be happy!). Rain produces smiles. There are smiles in my head when I am on the back of a fiki-fiki (motorbike), the driver comes to a muddy rut that could engulf a small gravel truck. As he maneuvers through the paste and narrow, semi-flat portion that barely fits his wheel, his cell phone rings and - he answers it ! …through it we go (whoooaaa!) and remarkably remain upright! He told me I should bring a video camera today. I have a camera that might just work.
My last note of this blog: I was ‘baptized an African’ yesterday (with smiles from “waitee’s”) because I showed up for an appointment 40 minutes late. They were so proud! Now you know why I love this place!
Blessings to you all, dear friends! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers. My health has been fantastic…I had a couple days this week where I felt as if I swallowed a boulder. But, really who doesn’t swallow the odd boulder now and then? I feel I am ‘covered’. You bless me. Thank you.
-Kami
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