Joseph, Me, Faridah... I just love them! :)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
A Crazy Miracle (after the trip)....
It was really hard adjusting back. I felt like I left a huge part of my heart in Kitale. I became so attached to these kids, and I've missed them more and more every day. I have stayed in touch with a friend I met in Kitale, Kevin, and I told him how I wanted to sponsor Faridah to go to a good school because I just love her and I saw so much potential in her, so he talked to her mom for me (he's good friends with her family).... and now I'm going to sponsor her to go to the best school Kitale! Over the past couple weeks Kevin has updated me about Faridah and how she's doing and has helped me set up her sponsorship. I would constantly find myself thinking about Joseph (the little boy I became close to at camp) and just wishing that I knew how he was, where he was, who he was with.. I had no idea if he was a street kid or not, but I've prayed every day that he's safe and healthy. Kevin has been telling me a lot about Faridah's family (she lives with her mother and 3 siblings.. her dad died 3 years ago from the violence during the elction time. Kevin used to be very close with their dad, so he stayed in touch with the family and helps them out a lot), and he often mentioned her brother named Joseph who I thought was much older than her. Every time he'd bring up her brother, I'd miss my little Joseph even more. My heart broke for him more and more every day. Today (this journal was written March 1) I asked Kevin how old Faridah's brother Joseph is. He said he didn't know but they were the same height. My heart skipped a beat. I said, "Hey Kevin look at my profile picture, is that Joseph??" Well.... guess what? Joseph, Faridah's brother, is MY Joseph! The little boy I love and miss and care so much about! I was so happy beyond words when I found out! So, now both Faridah and Joseph will be going to the top school in Kitale.. :) Now that I look back at the pictures, I could see that both Faridah and Joseph shared clothes, and that's why he was always wearing pink! Ahhh, God works in amazing ways, and I'm just so thankful to be able to stay in touch with these two kids and take care of them. They're so beautiful, and I know God has such great plans for both of their futures. I'm so happy to be a part of these kids lives, and I can't wait to see them again when I go back! Kevin's going to be giving me updates on the kids, so check out my other blog every now and then to hear how the kids are doing and watch them grow! jenahsbeautifulblessings.blogspot.com
February 14, 2011
On Saturday, we left Kitale early to head back to Nairobi. We stopped at the Equator along the way, and shockingly it was cold there! We also stopped at Lake Nakuru where we went on a couple safaris. We saw a bunch of animals.. baboons (or buffoons, as Haley likes to call them ;)), water buck (or water butt, as Marissa like to call them ;) hahahaha), zebras, giraffes, cape buffalo, flamingos, prairie dogs, antelopes, rhines, and lions! We stayed the night at the resort, and left on Sunday to head to a place where we shopped for souvenirs and spent the rest of the afternoon. Then Sunday evening, we left to Nairobi airport. Right now we're on a plane to Minnesota. So much has happened this week, and I'm just in awe. I met so many people that touched my heart and I heard so many stories that broke my heart. I've just really been reflecting on this trip on the way home and I can't even come up with a sentence that would describe it perfectly. I'm really sad to be going home, but I'm excited to tell everyone about it. I won't ever forget all the beautiful people I met here. I've grown so much stronger in my faith through this trip; I feel so much closer to God. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity, and I'm so thankful for all of the amazing people that supported me on this trip.
I can't wait until the day I'm back in Kitale, Kenya again.
I hate goodbyes! :( This is Moses, our van driver. He is such a great guy!
I can't wait until the day I'm back in Kitale, Kenya again.
February 11, 2011
Yesterday, we visited Sister Freda's. She is such an amazing woman of God, and I just admire her so much. She has a clinic, pre-school, girls high school (new), and a nursing college! She is like the Mother Theresa of Kenya! We played with the pre-school kids, hung out with the high school kids, and toured the hospital I met this adorable little girl in the pre-school there named Tabitha. She was the cutest thing ever, and I just didn't want to ever let her go! She filled my heart with joy, and her laughter was contagious. I just wanted to take her home! :) After Sister Freda's we went to a women's prison. We worshiped with the prisoners (and guards), and a few girls shared their stories/favorite passages. Woman in prison that had children were allowed to keep their kids with them until the age of 4, but once they turn 4 they either get sent to an orphanage or with relatives. It was sad seeing innocent children in prison :( We didn't hear the prisoners stories, but we found out that someone can go to prison for a crime as small as stealing someone's chicken or food. Despite their circumstances, the women still praised and worshiped God!
Today was our workday at Oasis. We painted roofs, fixed up some class rooms, and just cleaned up the place. Some kids that we met at camp were there, so it was good to get to see them again! My sweet Faridah and Joseph were there, so I was really happy! It was so hard to say goodbye though.. it was so hard holding back the tears!
After that, we walked the streets of Kitale. It really opened all of our eyes. We all hear about street kids and kids that sniff glue, but to see it in person.. is just an indescribable experience. I just wanted to take the kids off the streets, take the glue from them, and just hug them. My heart was aching for them. We saw a girl that was about 10 years old and pregnant.. sniffing glue. They sniff the glue because it takes away their hunger, pain, coldness, and it makes them forget about their sad lives. I was just overwhelmed with sadness for all of these people. I just wanted to cry.
Tonight, the Mercy Kids came over and we were able to hear some of their amazing testimonies! We also had a dance party with them which was so fun! The kids are around our age, and are a group of kids that have stuck together on the streets for years until they were brought into a home.. they were abused and treated horribly here and were extremely ill. They were found by Steve Rutenbar (He's the owner of the compound we're staying in. He is loved by absolutely everyone here in Kitale) and taken to Purpose Driven Academy where they have been cared for, loved on, and educated.... they have been through so many hardships in their lives, but they're some of the happiest, joyful, grateful, most beautiful people I've ever met. They're faith and love for God is so strong, it's so beautiful. They're such inspiring people, and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet them and hear their stories!
kids at Oasis singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQgqBV8IBc & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W35IsXcAROM
Today was our workday at Oasis. We painted roofs, fixed up some class rooms, and just cleaned up the place. Some kids that we met at camp were there, so it was good to get to see them again! My sweet Faridah and Joseph were there, so I was really happy! It was so hard to say goodbye though.. it was so hard holding back the tears!
After that, we walked the streets of Kitale. It really opened all of our eyes. We all hear about street kids and kids that sniff glue, but to see it in person.. is just an indescribable experience. I just wanted to take the kids off the streets, take the glue from them, and just hug them. My heart was aching for them. We saw a girl that was about 10 years old and pregnant.. sniffing glue. They sniff the glue because it takes away their hunger, pain, coldness, and it makes them forget about their sad lives. I was just overwhelmed with sadness for all of these people. I just wanted to cry.
Tonight, the Mercy Kids came over and we were able to hear some of their amazing testimonies! We also had a dance party with them which was so fun! The kids are around our age, and are a group of kids that have stuck together on the streets for years until they were brought into a home.. they were abused and treated horribly here and were extremely ill. They were found by Steve Rutenbar (He's the owner of the compound we're staying in. He is loved by absolutely everyone here in Kitale) and taken to Purpose Driven Academy where they have been cared for, loved on, and educated.... they have been through so many hardships in their lives, but they're some of the happiest, joyful, grateful, most beautiful people I've ever met. They're faith and love for God is so strong, it's so beautiful. They're such inspiring people, and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet them and hear their stories!
my adorable Tabitha!
is she adorable or what?! :)
the classrooms at Oasis....
sweet Joseph!
Faridah! :)
kids at Oasis singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQgqBV8IBc & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W35IsXcAROM
February 9, 2011
Today was our last day of camp, and also the day my group was teaching. There's 6 of us in our van.. Haley (our leader), Marissa, Taylor, Skyler, Kimmy, and me. I really love everyone in my group, they're so great!! Anyways, I was so nervous about presenting, but it went well. I was David and Pastor Josh was Goliath.. it was funny! Josh is so hilarious and the kids really got a kick out of his great acting skills :P After a our little skit, a couple girls in my group gave their testimonies, then we did our craft which was decorating a headband. The kids loved it! After that, a few girls and I bathed the kids. They were so excited to get washed. It was so sad to see their huge tummy's (from malnutrition). We also had a slip-n-slide type thing for the kids.. they had SO much fun!! It was so cute to watch them be a kid. Many of them have so many responsibilities (fetch water, clean, take care of younger siblings, etc), even the really young kids, so it was so great just to see them have fun and be care-free. :) It was so hard saying goodbye to the kids at Oasis. We all grew to love them so much. They're truly amazing, beautiful kids that will always be in my heart.
After camp, we went to Gilgal High School. The students danced for us, gave us a tour of their classrooms and dorm-rooms. Gilgal is a great school that helps educate kids that either don't have parents or have parents that can't support them. I met a beautiful girl named Snidah. She asked me "to please never forget her." I promised her I wouldn't. :)
Alright, so are you ready for one of the saddest stories ever? :/ Mmkay, so wherever we go Haley and I would open the windows in the van and say "Jambo" or "Habari" (or other greetings that our van driver, Moses, taught us) to the people that are walking and they all get so excited and wave back, especially the kids. They are all so friendly! Anyways, on the way to dinner tonight, I was saying Jambo to people on the street, and an old guy on the bike just stared at me (I think he was surprised to see a white person) for a couple seconds then.... BOOM! He crashed into another bike, fell onto the ground, and all his stuff spilled out. He looked up at me, from the ground, and just looked so sad. I don't think I've ever felt so bad. New rule: no waving at bikers.
After camp, we went to Gilgal High School. The students danced for us, gave us a tour of their classrooms and dorm-rooms. Gilgal is a great school that helps educate kids that either don't have parents or have parents that can't support them. I met a beautiful girl named Snidah. She asked me "to please never forget her." I promised her I wouldn't. :)
Alright, so are you ready for one of the saddest stories ever? :/ Mmkay, so wherever we go Haley and I would open the windows in the van and say "Jambo" or "Habari" (or other greetings that our van driver, Moses, taught us) to the people that are walking and they all get so excited and wave back, especially the kids. They are all so friendly! Anyways, on the way to dinner tonight, I was saying Jambo to people on the street, and an old guy on the bike just stared at me (I think he was surprised to see a white person) for a couple seconds then.... BOOM! He crashed into another bike, fell onto the ground, and all his stuff spilled out. He looked up at me, from the ground, and just looked so sad. I don't think I've ever felt so bad. New rule: no waving at bikers.
me and my Faridah
making the headbands
me and zoie with lillian and alodi
slip n slide! :)
i just love Faridah!
my sweet friend, Snidah, whom I'll never forget! :)
February 8, 2011
Meeting Faith (I started sponsoring her through Compassion International on February 21, 2010) was definitely the happiest day of my life. I was crying hysterically at first when I saw her because she was just so beautiful. She was all giggles and smiles! We had so much fun together! I didn't think it was possible to love her more than I did, but I do. I didn't want to let her go! We played ball, colored, she showed me her school work (she's so smart!), and she showed me how she keeps all the letters I send her! She got so excited when I gave her the doll I bought her.. she was throwing it in the air and laughing and yelling with joy! It was the cutest thing ever! It was so hard to say goodbye. I won't ever forget today. <3
I felt a so bad though because Faridah kept wanting to be with me, but I was giving Faith most of my attention. She would just sit back to back with me on the floor and pick the grass while I was coloring with Faith. It was so cute though.. whenever a kid would come grab my hand, Faithie would pull me the other way. :P
Today, we also gave the kids at Oasis a "foot-washing". We washed the kids on our teams' feet and told them how Jesus did this for his disciples, and gave them a new pair of sandles. They were SO excited as some of them didn't even have shoes. It was a very humbling experience, and seeing the kids faces light up when they got their new shoes was a memory that I'll never forget.
After Oasis we went to Family Kitale Academy which is a school for nursery- year 8. We toured the classrooms and played with the kids. We played this game called "chase the mzungus (white people)" which the kids just loved! Imagine hundreds of African children chasing about 30 of us white people.. it lasted no longer than 20 seconds :P
Alright, well it's time for me to go to bed.. I'm so exhausted! It's been an amazing today, and I am just so blessed to have this opportunity to be here. Tomorrow's our last day of camp! I'm so sad!
I felt a so bad though because Faridah kept wanting to be with me, but I was giving Faith most of my attention. She would just sit back to back with me on the floor and pick the grass while I was coloring with Faith. It was so cute though.. whenever a kid would come grab my hand, Faithie would pull me the other way. :P
Today, we also gave the kids at Oasis a "foot-washing". We washed the kids on our teams' feet and told them how Jesus did this for his disciples, and gave them a new pair of sandles. They were SO excited as some of them didn't even have shoes. It was a very humbling experience, and seeing the kids faces light up when they got their new shoes was a memory that I'll never forget.
After Oasis we went to Family Kitale Academy which is a school for nursery- year 8. We toured the classrooms and played with the kids. We played this game called "chase the mzungus (white people)" which the kids just loved! Imagine hundreds of African children chasing about 30 of us white people.. it lasted no longer than 20 seconds :P
Alright, well it's time for me to go to bed.. I'm so exhausted! It's been an amazing today, and I am just so blessed to have this opportunity to be here. Tomorrow's our last day of camp! I'm so sad!
meeting Faith for the first time
Faridah was a little upset I had a "new friend" :(
playing soccer together!
i love my baby!
my beautiful Faith!
foot washing
playing at Kitale Family Academy!
They loved getting their pictures taken! :)
a video of my sponsored child Faith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCSxZbLuGw
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