tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66881015174278102292024-02-19T20:58:46.860-08:00Ray of Hope Mission TeamGlide's Mission to Kenya -- To serve as agents of God's love with the Glide Family, to support and provide wellness and unconditional love, as we cultivate relationships in Kenya to help those in need with basic resources to improve the quality of their lives. To be receptive to learning more about ourselves and others through this cross-cultural experience.Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-87821739696281881362014-03-13T06:18:00.000-07:002014-03-13T06:18:55.116-07:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: Greetings to Glide Church from Evelyn and HendrikaLittle Ray of Hope staff, Teacher Evelyn and Community Health Worker Hendrika send greetings to GLIDE.<br />
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-32501664713109696592014-03-12T13:18:00.001-07:002014-03-12T13:18:55.894-07:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: Empowerment!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3at5LHbDXgwZm-lLKYwhWs0MkKilsJuYgYDawKuhnS61UIlK8oFZLvPD_cMOT4IMUmhe9bCouEujDeHdg_84TP8m0NQPVWON6hsAfrNIILHUh5g7tfA8xqvKNb48yv-SmzNWn0R1xee4/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3at5LHbDXgwZm-lLKYwhWs0MkKilsJuYgYDawKuhnS61UIlK8oFZLvPD_cMOT4IMUmhe9bCouEujDeHdg_84TP8m0NQPVWON6hsAfrNIILHUh5g7tfA8xqvKNb48yv-SmzNWn0R1xee4/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti with the workshop participants</td></tr>
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Kirsti:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Today was a day for me to dig in and work hard. Part of the
work I am doing in Nairobi is with two small non-profits, eMentor and Youth
Banner. Both programs support entrepreneur’s by giving them training and
mentoring to start their own businesses. The work I am doing this week is with
individuals who have gone through training programs, and have been out running
their own businesses for a period of time. The workshops I am leading focus on
how they can build a solid foundation for their businesses and how to grow
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3lGkP3yxVrFznSOiiPB1q-j0BmApjnzOfpdgp_ghhSd82TnZeVnnfz4CVMs8kqM357RTpzG-S5JW79a-VNhQzmfgugZOxChjbtAUkTi4m0St-b5cJY_qE_7A7RRI90jLI31FMmGU9QQ/s1600/DSC03486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3lGkP3yxVrFznSOiiPB1q-j0BmApjnzOfpdgp_ghhSd82TnZeVnnfz4CVMs8kqM357RTpzG-S5JW79a-VNhQzmfgugZOxChjbtAUkTi4m0St-b5cJY_qE_7A7RRI90jLI31FMmGU9QQ/s1600/DSC03486.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti teaching skills to empower!</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Cambria;">
We had everything from rice and potato farmers, to caterers, clothing
merchants, tailors, graphic designers and hawkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a lot of the work that I would
normally do with clients – defined their core values, their SWOT analysis, what
their brand promise is and how they will measure their success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent time practicing their “pitch”,
developing their messaging and putting together their execution plan. A lot of
work for one day, but so valuable.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">So, what did I learn,~ you ask. Very simply that the gifts I
have been given to do this work, need to continue to be given. Plain and
simple. The last two days of being immersed in the school system gave me a
strong foundation to work from in offering examples and suggestions. The
ability to tell stories from local organizations made all the difference. I’m
grateful to the schools we visited earlier this week, who shared their visions
with me. As well, I am grateful for the amazing women I continue to meet, who
are building their communities, one step at a time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
Karen:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQGQhuu1kp7qz7kmNOROigx8XAVf1Kd2TGKLeMXAq8S_ElMSB5rwB9dMtkRE9p80GQJ0Uk3Hl4NSdSZiMRkjfIekTim4_k9IozDNe2xXqE6gKPheBZw4zl9y78AlSQVKdbOsKDmhyfBA/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQGQhuu1kp7qz7kmNOROigx8XAVf1Kd2TGKLeMXAq8S_ElMSB5rwB9dMtkRE9p80GQJ0Uk3Hl4NSdSZiMRkjfIekTim4_k9IozDNe2xXqE6gKPheBZw4zl9y78AlSQVKdbOsKDmhyfBA/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hendrika and Evelyn teaching Karen how to correctly use<br />
a toilet</td></tr>
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Coming to Kenya will either put you in a faith crisis tailspin or make God more real than you ever thought possible. And sometimes you experience both within hours of each other. <br />
<br />
Today I heard stories of corruption and greed that cause so many to suffer. I saw hungry and sick adults and children. From the safety of a car, I saw people sitting on garbage heaps, hawkers accosting passers-by, and shanty-town after shanty-town. I saw gorgeous deluxe housing shadowing the tin shacks of people living in a 12 by 12 room with entire huge families. I saw a sink drain with no connecting pipe once it passed through a wall, so the dirty water just fell to the floor of the next room. <br />
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How can people have so little when there is so much wealth in the world? Where is God in the midst of this injustice and suffering?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwMuxT5NfL_557mF8XAxe-kO4EatkemxmEO0lN_p8bC0TMNsnp9pYTcuA5eHDDQ1Lll9kcaK6bed5p4aBGWmaSXpV2tZyoGlJcFB5yutwkh2OKus5kGwEzNQhAjNpkxvncNZoOE7nGow/s1600/DSC03467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwMuxT5NfL_557mF8XAxe-kO4EatkemxmEO0lN_p8bC0TMNsnp9pYTcuA5eHDDQ1Lll9kcaK6bed5p4aBGWmaSXpV2tZyoGlJcFB5yutwkh2OKus5kGwEzNQhAjNpkxvncNZoOE7nGow/s1600/DSC03467.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One acquires quads of steel when using <br />
the toilet here</td></tr>
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And then I see the resilience of the people. People who are doing so much with so little! People with dreams deeper and wider than mine. People who live in the midst of suffering every day and meet it with joy. People whose hearts keep opening up to others in need, to share what little they have with no sense of scarcity. <br />
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And it is there, right there in the laughter of these resilient people, that I see God. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UnrZeSEeEm6cLOyc_XGanLP7TwM2klrXxpduMpSpqof1VZlpWJsB6d6jTKx0zEkKm5uzF0YDKIi1BY3UxfdHolEkuJ2ZSgn7cAxA9GRDJYi4jerTM5IVV3R01EHP4zRK67i3pxzLi4o/s1600/DSC03503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UnrZeSEeEm6cLOyc_XGanLP7TwM2klrXxpduMpSpqof1VZlpWJsB6d6jTKx0zEkKm5uzF0YDKIi1BY3UxfdHolEkuJ2ZSgn7cAxA9GRDJYi4jerTM5IVV3R01EHP4zRK67i3pxzLi4o/s1600/DSC03503.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's always great to connect with folks from home: Kirsti and Karen had dinner with Glide member Josh Biddle, and San Franciscan Mike McCaffrey and his girlfriend Sara Quinn. Mike works for MicroSave and has set up and institution to do research and training on the use of cell phones for financial services and Sara works the International Potato association which promotes sustainable agriculture<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></td></tr>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-89718872211467988082014-03-11T11:40:00.001-07:002014-03-11T11:54:51.596-07:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: Upcountry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tjb0lCE314axYTvmnKkvSqkAKLiEk1GdFFszXBuOiWBdJ5Vt-uCpCVKCK_Y1JCLeuppD2IrSP-qF2tJOkapDplUnubaUw5t3VQPBnhyphenhyphena5DXpAYHvmcaQA6UZs8NK-YaZi0Gdl6O5bBg/s1600/DSC03464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tjb0lCE314axYTvmnKkvSqkAKLiEk1GdFFszXBuOiWBdJ5Vt-uCpCVKCK_Y1JCLeuppD2IrSP-qF2tJOkapDplUnubaUw5t3VQPBnhyphenhyphena5DXpAYHvmcaQA6UZs8NK-YaZi0Gdl6O5bBg/s1600/DSC03464.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Karen:<br />
<br />
Today, we arrived at the Learning Center to pick up Alfred. Even though we had a long day's drive ahead of us, tea and mandazi (doesn't every culture eat some version of fried dough?) were waiting for us when we arrived. So we sat with our Ray of Hope friends while children arrived to the Little Ray of Hope. Once we finished, we were on the road!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHnNTv5r_zcWGnIcmDl6TaAVLJuMyw0GHAUn2A9YDyJ9NMIjb3vtbqWoO3JFGWZOVNDSVmjTulknSyMgLFWpEh7FPQ5CUuBf99AsauBgmNoM4y3sNvWgn0KQssyNLFS4bhMKJNsDS4zE/s1600/DSC03463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHnNTv5r_zcWGnIcmDl6TaAVLJuMyw0GHAUn2A9YDyJ9NMIjb3vtbqWoO3JFGWZOVNDSVmjTulknSyMgLFWpEh7FPQ5CUuBf99AsauBgmNoM4y3sNvWgn0KQssyNLFS4bhMKJNsDS4zE/s1600/DSC03463.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students posing for Classy Martin, who taught them <br />
how to hula on our last trip!</td></tr>
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We stopped at two public schools in the local area first, seeing Ray of Hope students in their new schools. I really enjoyed seeing the variation in all the schools we visited. Unlike in the US, the public schools are very good quality. While they are still simple in comparison to US standards, they strive to give a well-rounded education, even with their limited supplies.<br />
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After visiting the local schools, we headed up county to check on one more student--Sharon--who is at a (public) girls boarding school. It was a two hour drive, and as we left the city behind, the scenery grew more green and lush. The air smelled clean and fresh (except when a diesel-fueled vehicle passed us).<br />
<br />
We turned into the school and waited to meet with Sharon. The school is in the shadow of Mt. Kenya, which was covered by clouds. It was lunch time and we saw students smiling, laughing, running. Cows and chickens roamed amongst the students on the playground. A shipment of food supplies arrived and several of the girls ran to help unload the food. There was a sense of safety here that most girls never can feel when they are in Kwangware.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v_nH5R1yo12A7D-K3kjGe03KvA0k-FC4S-SREfWPbJDTg8UQCTyYVVcGnqq7dzzJAPT2QyLuhl623LF79bIDCIPl_zb0FYniMyfDgayTsth48BH-AWkiE2SbGv2psjgZpJLcSiHahHY/s1600/DSC03468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v_nH5R1yo12A7D-K3kjGe03KvA0k-FC4S-SREfWPbJDTg8UQCTyYVVcGnqq7dzzJAPT2QyLuhl623LF79bIDCIPl_zb0FYniMyfDgayTsth48BH-AWkiE2SbGv2psjgZpJLcSiHahHY/s1600/DSC03468.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen with a student at the Girl's boarding school</td></tr>
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We spoke with the headmistress, and I was struck by how disciplined life is at the school: rise early, do chores, lessons, more chores, more lessons, homework time, dinner, more homework time. Sunday is the only day this schedule eases a bit: church in the morning, homework, and then "entertainment". The headmistress said that for the last two weeks the girls have been watching the film "The 10 Commandments". Entertainment has a very different meaning in Kenya!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixpjwkScfdGnvwo48XRMdg-j_N0HJ81Icbb3PUoIZIVnQMXMp8nlYyuC4BtQUUCpoA18z-qnICBWBU1tUNk7E6Bw7Kjyt3ezSMTySIVgPB35ksp5tsPVYC21DL4JphqXTRVKoA0EOh6I/s1600/DSC03471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixpjwkScfdGnvwo48XRMdg-j_N0HJ81Icbb3PUoIZIVnQMXMp8nlYyuC4BtQUUCpoA18z-qnICBWBU1tUNk7E6Bw7Kjyt3ezSMTySIVgPB35ksp5tsPVYC21DL4JphqXTRVKoA0EOh6I/s1600/DSC03471.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred with his grandmother</td></tr>
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Alfred mentioned that his family was lived nearby. We asked if he could take us there. It was so much fun watching him get more and more excited the closer we came to his family home. Back into the country we went, the dirt road barely wide enough for our vehicle. Four generations live on this coffee farm, their tiny cement homes clustered together. As we arrived, they began to gather to greet us, with smiles and hugs. It is so amazing that when there is love, language barriers disappear--love has its own language that goes directly to the heart.<br />
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Kirsti:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Once again, I am struck by what Community really means. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6UOARhTUmYaOhy3bAw-Au2zGuFoDrsKHkvxlKNw7_04WUcIZBujQXOoVbsWMO-YuTfYdgmVOeU4pFMVpY4bmulSV6urPK6E9fFbH5UTITr1OblFxRhT8PdPTMc6f0XapUGHJBOUMBK8/s1600/alfred.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6UOARhTUmYaOhy3bAw-Au2zGuFoDrsKHkvxlKNw7_04WUcIZBujQXOoVbsWMO-YuTfYdgmVOeU4pFMVpY4bmulSV6urPK6E9fFbH5UTITr1OblFxRhT8PdPTMc6f0XapUGHJBOUMBK8/s1600/alfred.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred's family</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">One of my favorite things about singing with the Glide
Ensemble, are the times when we are working on a song, and everyone is sitting
on the risers, as close as we can because there are so many of us. We come in
every color, shape and size. And yet we sit, close enough that you can’t help
but touch someone on either side, and more if you are lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s those few moments when I look around,
and am so grateful for the community that I am a part of. A community of people
who love and support each other, and who are not afraid to be physically close
together.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">In Kenya, I am so conscientious of how many people there are
here, and how closely they live together. Children at the Ray of Hope school
sit so close that there is no open space on the tables they learn at. On the
busses and public taxi’s, people are nearly sitting on each other’s laps. It
can be uncomfortable ~ we Westerner’s are used to “having our space”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, I think we miss out on something.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuiqTR60aXk986PAFW5F3qlhwRklSIIZy7HMnbGNIf2Y4uVTEbSbisQtrn4YGm7AVqM7n3Pp9LuMQGu0o9B6lBR93a5LLG7TN2aFuEi7vdygrvMBXTTk7dpNsm3AbvxT6vMIYb9GfThQ/s1600/mama.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuiqTR60aXk986PAFW5F3qlhwRklSIIZy7HMnbGNIf2Y4uVTEbSbisQtrn4YGm7AVqM7n3Pp9LuMQGu0o9B6lBR93a5LLG7TN2aFuEi7vdygrvMBXTTk7dpNsm3AbvxT6vMIYb9GfThQ/s1600/mama.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred, Kirsti and Grandma</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Today we had the pleasure of visiting our friend Alfred
Gatimu’s family in a small farming town called Karatina. Alfred’s family has a
large piece of land that they farm on. There are 8 small buildings on the land,
where the family all lives together. We were lucky enough to meet many of his
family members, who welcomed us with open arms, and asked that we come back and
stay with them the next time we are here.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The gift that I received today was unconditional love from
people I just met. And while we are not a culture of living closely together,
there is a lot I can do just to continue to give that love. So, my friend
Dominique, be prepared for a big hug when I get home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-59048105239958719042014-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:002014-03-11T12:32:43.240-07:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: School Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf14IZO80Qe-qizhVzGVH_xMsfn5DNqW_WrVUfR1xoiEHbGIyLQr07Nbd0qiz3UBwnJTmPolV6dKKehozcDdmcfaEHlZ6A7JeGI2oiptQqTHpMLmroyma9pJf0Pc6JPSOHefN-cS9cCk/s1600/DSC03423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf14IZO80Qe-qizhVzGVH_xMsfn5DNqW_WrVUfR1xoiEHbGIyLQr07Nbd0qiz3UBwnJTmPolV6dKKehozcDdmcfaEHlZ6A7JeGI2oiptQqTHpMLmroyma9pJf0Pc6JPSOHefN-cS9cCk/s1600/DSC03423.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a>Kirsti:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">The first time I traveled to Kenya, I was taught (in an
oh-so-loving way) that it was important to not force my Western standards on a
country whose culture is quite different than mine. The lesson has been a
difficult one to learn, and today I found myself really questioning my own
assumptions of how “things should be.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh, Teacher Alfred, Kirsti with three students</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">We visited five schools today, where children that formerly
went to the Ray of Hope Learning Center, now attend. We saw a public school
that looked and felt like it could be the twin to Ray of Hope. The classrooms
were made of tin, and the rooms were filled with children as young as 2. The
facilities themselves were minimal, but the children were working hard. We
could hear the teachers with their styles that are still the model brought by
the British. Lots of repetition and very strong, stern voices.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">We visited the Kawangware Primary School, which is a public
school, in the heart of Kawangware. The school is run by Milliam Kelonye, who
proved to be not only a strong advocate for education, but also a strategist,
financial officer, counselor and chief advocate for 1500 students, 23 teachers,
and many, many families. The first thing I noticed when we walked into her
office is that there is a large poster with the schools core values on it, a
very specific “report card” to measure the success of the school, and a large
SWOT analysis that had been done for the school. I was in heaven! A school with
a plan! And a headmistress who clearly cared about her students and could speak
of our 9 children from Ray of Hope by name. We also had a chance to visit with
the Ray of Hope kids, all of whom seemed happy and thriving in the environment.
It was an amazing testimony, again, to the vision and persistence of a woman
who is determined to make the best of a hard situation, and bring the highest
standard of education to the lives of the children in her school.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Today's lunch at the Little Ray of Hope was a Glide team favorite: Green Grams</em></td></tr>
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Karen:<br />
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Today, Kirsti, Josh and I travelled throughout <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen, Teacher Alfred, Teacher Evelyn, and Josh</td></tr>
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Kwangware to visit Ray of Hope students in their new schools. These students' academic journey began at Ray of Hope--a place where orphans and other vulnerable children found safety, love and family. It was where they learned how to sit at a desk, hold a pencil, and begin to discover the world beyond the slum. Once a child had a financial sponsor, the student moved to a formal school.<br />
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It was very moving to see these students: we at Glide first met them five years ago--now many are young men and women! They were proud to be met at their school and tell us what they liked (or didn't like!) about their school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children at the Little Ray of Hope</td></tr>
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The Ray of Hope staff worked hard to place the students in schools near their homes. Still, every morning at 6am, the students come to Ray of Hope for breakfast (most would not have had anything to eat since lunch the previous day). Once they downed their porridge, off the students go, walking to their schools. Many return to Ray of Hope after school for tutoring and other guidance.<br />
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Evelyn, Alfred, Hendrika, and Agneta have created a family for children. This family helps children who would otherwise be without the emotional and physical support to continue going to school. One of the schools we visited had 1500 students. The headmistress shared with us the struggles of providing education for children in the slums. Malnourishment, abandonment, HIV/AIDS, abuse and a lack of funds to adequately staff a school are all issues that impact a child's education. She told us that more than half of the children who live in the slum are not in any school--with no family support or financial resources, the children are left alone in the streets. Many turn to drugs.<br />
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Sure enough, as we left the school, we passed literally dozens of young boys with bottles and bags to their faces, sniffing glue. Stumbling, faces contorted, they called out to us, some banging on the car as we drove by. This is my fourth trip to Kenya, and I have seen so many heart-wrenching things, but seeing all these young boys high in the street right outside the school yard was devastating.<br />
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-26520914364342628592014-03-09T11:54:00.000-07:002014-03-09T11:54:43.098-07:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: Sabbath ConversationsKaren:<br />
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Even Mission Teams go to church! This year, we attended the Kwangware Methodist Church, which is not a United Methodist Church (like Glide) but is part of the Methodist Church Kenya, which was once a part of the British Methodist Church. We had visited this church the first time we came to Kenya in 2009. We made it in time for the Youth Service. When the preacher began, I was a little nervous about his stated sermon topic, but was surprised to hear his interpretation of "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." It was about the radical turning to and living into God's realm. At one point he said, "Faith is not democratic." Hmmm, where is he going with this? "Faith is not democratic because in a democracy majority rules, which means there are always losers. In the Kingdom of God, all are equals." <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street scene in Kwangware</td></tr>
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We were joined by former Ray of Hope teammate Josh Biddle (see yesterday's blog for more info) and had a long lunch at a Chinese restaurant. We made it back to the Methodist Guest House in time for tea (a ritual that remains post-British colonization). The three of us talked for hours. There is so much we don't understand about Kenyan culture. Having time with Josh, who has been living here since October, helped somewhat, but even he says that there is still so much to learn. <br />
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This is why we are here. There have been changes to the Ray of Hope organization around structure, funding, and staff. The impact of these changes are striking. Before we bring another group here, we are trying to learn from our Kenyan friends how we can best support them as they care for the most vulnerable ones in their community. Tomorrow, we will be out in the community visiting schools where the older children are now attending. It will be another day of listening and learning!<br />
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Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as well as the staff and children at Ray of Hope!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwangware</td></tr>
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Kirsti:<br />
<br />
This morning, we were fortunate enough to attend the Methodist Church of
Kawangware. And when we arrived, they were singing “Our God is an Awesome God”.
I couldn’t help but think that the world is so enormous - and yet, here I was
9,072 miles away, singing a song that we sing at Glide. I am reminded again,
that my community is made up of people around the globe who I care for and love.
What a gift I have been given.<br />
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-44433704943275448582014-03-08T12:40:00.000-08:002014-03-08T12:48:07.047-08:00RAY OF HOPE 2014: Back with Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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KIRSTI:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youngest class with their morning porridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">They say it takes a village. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Today, we spent the day in what could be considered a small
village. Four small classrooms with nearly 100 children crammed inside of them.
And teaching them are two teachers who have done an amazing job of not only
teaching the basics for school, but the basics of life.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Evelyn Waneloba and Alfred Gatimu are two remarkable
teachers in this tiny learning center in the heart of Kawangware, Kenya.
Kawangware is the second largest slum outside of Nairobi, home to over 400,000
people. In this small learning center called Ray of Hope and Little Ray of
Hope, Evelyn and Alfred and a small group of others, make sure the children are
clothed and fed each day before they go to school. The older group of children,
all go to public schools during the day, and get their breakfast and tutoring
at the Ray of Hope. The Little Ray of Hope is home to over 50 children from
ages 2 – 7 who are being taught the basics before they can go to public school.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti with Gabriel, whose birth she attended<br />
the last time we were here</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">The true story here, however, is Evelyn’s story. She is a
single parent, who has adopted (brought home) 4 children, in addition to her
own at home. She lives in a modest home in Kawangware and is not only raising
her own children, but making a living teaching others during the day. When the
funding changed for the Ray of Hope, there wasn’t a spot for Evelyn to continue
in a paying job. In the midst of going to college and getting her teaching
credential, Evelyn decided to open her own “Little Ray of Hope” and brought
young children in to the learning center. But she made one minor change.
Instead of being dependent upon the funding from an outside source, she
gathered the resources of the community, and asked families to pay what they
could, for their children to go to school. While sometimes the pay comes in the
form of money, other times it comes as food, or clothing, or whatever a family
has to give to help with the cost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Evelyn (left) and community worker<br />
Hendrika (left) with student Brian</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Evelyn is the true story of success here. She went from
being an employee of a foreign sponsored non-profit to a strong role model in
the community, finding a way to make her business work for all that are
involved. Yes, it takes a village. And sometimes, it just takes a strong will
to move forward and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love to make it
work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></o:p><br />
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<u><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span class="title"></span></span></u><br />
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KAREN:<br />
<br />
Today we arrived at the Little Ray of Hope in Kwangware. This is where Glide teams have come for the last three trips. The agenda for this trip, however, is much different. Instead of providing programming, we are here to listen and learn. There have been many changes in the program since we were last here, and we want to understand the changes better, so we can best support the amazing work that is being done here.<br />
<br />
When we arrived at the learning center, we were greeted by four of my heroes: teachers Alfred and Evelyn, community health worker Hendrika, and cook Agneta. These four have committed their lives for caring for vulnerable children: orphans and those who are HIV+. When a child loses a parent, or the parent abandons the child, these four think nothing of welcoming the child into one of their (already overcrowded) homes. Every additional child means a greater strain on their already meager resources, but that does not deter them one bit. Their understanding of family and community is far wider and deeper than anything I have ever seen anywhere else. Resources are meant to be shared, not hoarded or stored up. We at Glide say, "If someone is hungry, you feed them." Here at the Learning Center, if a child is hungry, an adult will make do with less to make sure the child has some food. Imagine a world where we all made that kind of commitment to each other!<br />
<br />
The children welcomed us with song, as they always do. There were so many new young children! Most of them do not yet speak English, so we had fun communicating beyond words. We played together and then in the afternoon, Kirsti led them in a craft. She had brought plain t-shirts for the children to customize as their own, using magic markers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EBEyL5vKCXortUwII4MY2GuhnDegjSjftF_rtO7DcY1df8eNLtTwnhAtMlw-SByxSmoZSTFEGzy8MoAayevNzKCbFcZvZl76kjOmQ2xTifU8D2Q2U960yAOxPP2HKObJ9V096WQ-_00/s1600/DSC03411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EBEyL5vKCXortUwII4MY2GuhnDegjSjftF_rtO7DcY1df8eNLtTwnhAtMlw-SByxSmoZSTFEGzy8MoAayevNzKCbFcZvZl76kjOmQ2xTifU8D2Q2U960yAOxPP2HKObJ9V096WQ-_00/s1600/DSC03411.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our newest Glide enthusiast!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After leaving the learning center, we went to a hotel to have dinner with a new Ray of Hope representative from the States, to learn more about the changes to the program. As we were eating, GLIDE member Josh Biddle strolled in! Josh was on our first Ray of Hope trip and fell in love with the people of Kenya. He is here on a Fulbright Scholarship as part of his medical training (he is studying to be a doctor at UCSF). He came here last fall and will return to the states in June.<br />
<br />
It was great to see him and hear of all he is learning here. He will stay down here while we in Nairobi, so look forward to having more time with him.<br />
<br />Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-23145200145315579392014-03-07T11:43:00.001-08:002014-03-07T11:44:21.537-08:00RAY OF HOPE TRIP 2014: Jambo, Kenya!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H5VBEQsF6aPr1MoIAT7BUTn1ZJp_3sIP8QxMRTFYuY_FqHnFiKfXcHvXmyk1BIa7pQFvcNagiw_-lgVNsI_5N76UPdDN5uiPX7scqYZo7SyD73PgFNAMAQIqdVVaLy_X1sLUB1jVnSw/s1600/kenyabound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H5VBEQsF6aPr1MoIAT7BUTn1ZJp_3sIP8QxMRTFYuY_FqHnFiKfXcHvXmyk1BIa7pQFvcNagiw_-lgVNsI_5N76UPdDN5uiPX7scqYZo7SyD73PgFNAMAQIqdVVaLy_X1sLUB1jVnSw/s1600/kenyabound.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 Ray of Hope Team: Kirsti Tcherkoyan <br />
and Pastor Karen Oliveto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, after two days of travel, we have arrived safe and sound at the <a href="http://www.methodistguesthouse.org/">Methodist Guest House</a>. This year our flight itinerary had an 18 hour layover in Zurich. We both felt it was actually a good thing to break up the trip: having the longer layover gave us time to get exercise in the sun and also deal with jet lag. <br />
<br />
Our flight to Nairobi arrived at around 7:30pm. We didn't leave the airport until nearly 9pm because one of our bags did not arrive. As previous teams know, each team member limits personal items to just carry on luggage, so that we can check two bags each containing supplies for Ray of Hope (each bag weighing 50 pounds!). So the missing bag contains supplies, which hopefully will arrive to the Guest House tomorrow.<br />
<br />
We received a warm welcome from the reception clerk, Timothy, who remembered us from previous Glide trips. The entire staff here are very helpful and friendly. They had us in our rooms in no time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7teQFqcXKAO7wesjG_ubn8XVaO-POIJElvNq5aWjpX8UbsiVNLMzDTHDHe6lMo_28VTBUpt1m_22MmiLL_eNIeEYv4IdbXFLEir687JY2lF5OISFQRC3HUJQh_9FHoizhKMaT72UxwS0/s1600/guesthouseroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7teQFqcXKAO7wesjG_ubn8XVaO-POIJElvNq5aWjpX8UbsiVNLMzDTHDHe6lMo_28VTBUpt1m_22MmiLL_eNIeEYv4IdbXFLEir687JY2lF5OISFQRC3HUJQh_9FHoizhKMaT72UxwS0/s1600/guesthouseroom.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A room at the Methodist Guest House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tomorrow, we will be going to <a href="http://littlerayofhopeschool.wordpress.com/">Little Ray of Hope</a> to be reunited with our Kenyan friends! And joining us on Saturday or Sunday will be Glide member and former Ray of Hope teammate Josh Biddle, who is in Kenya for part of his medical training!Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-70781620853749332422012-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:002012-08-30T10:09:03.912-07:00Day Eight: A Day of Worship<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Craig:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="normalchar">As we were saying goodbye</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>at the Learning Center yesterday, Evelyn the head teacher
made a statement that they had little to give. We had each received
some beautiful gifts from Evelyn and the Ray of Hope team; we were also given
warm, delicious meals each day prepared from scratch over a charcoal fire on
the balcony; we learned many lessons about how we might live our lives
differently, as well as lessons about ourselves and our attitudes; we
experienced effusive love at every turn. Our blog is full of examples of
what we have received from our Ray of Hope friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s difficult to say that we could offer
anything close to what was given us if the tables were turned and we were the
hosts in San Francisco. This all comes back full circle to
the question we asked ourselves at the start: “<span class="normalchar"><i>How can we make a positive, lasting impact?</i></span>”
Of course we can offer material possessions and money- the uniforms
have not been replaced in some time and they are frayed and tattered; the
concrete floors have large craters in them; pay raises have not been given in
some time. Ray of Hope is like most other non-profits:
they struggle to make ends meet. Their website shows what our gifts
will do:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://mail.glide.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=0cdc4b958c9541f4bcc190d03549cdf3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.rayofhopeinternational.org%2f" target="_blank"><span class="hyperlinkchar"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.rayofhopeinternational.org/</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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More importantly, we can continue our work to
build a long term relationship with Ray of Hope that will yield many lasting
benefits. We can help guide the organization’s future with
our support: for example, what is the vision for next steps in the
computer lab? We can tell Ray of Hope’s story-
more sponsorships (about US$550 per year) are needed for the children
ready to go to public schools. We see some of the children
turning into men and women- for those who will not get into college, how can we
help them learn a trade?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="normalchar">The Ray of Hope model
works-</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>projects are guided by the aspirations and self-identified
needs of the communities served, and with just a few exceptions Ray of Hope
employees live in the communities served.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg338IpiagBh1V6TrjeRSVDAYwUS16cvNu8fzdOVgwICyPOSUEc5tKshhcliwWoOZFW7caec4c3m5-i3-NpV9zaRd8_ZQzcd2ZrEFAhgikUJkTQq-g3M5XfxzvHUGl6Gw1z3hpdZTD8kv4/s1600/DSC00829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg338IpiagBh1V6TrjeRSVDAYwUS16cvNu8fzdOVgwICyPOSUEc5tKshhcliwWoOZFW7caec4c3m5-i3-NpV9zaRd8_ZQzcd2ZrEFAhgikUJkTQq-g3M5XfxzvHUGl6Gw1z3hpdZTD8kv4/s320/DSC00829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Angela viewing the inside of a classroom<br />
at Dr. BT Cooper School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It’s difficult to believe that we could give the
people of Ray of Hope as much as they have given us. If you had
just two pieces of bread left, would you give one piece to a
visitor? If you had just $1 left in your wallet, would you give it
to someone who needed it even more? These are the lessons we saw
first-hand in Kawangware; truly practicing these lessons is how we can make a
lasting difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="line-height: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Angela:</span></b></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">TO GOD BE THE GLORY</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Today we worshiped at another UMChurch in Nairobi, which was
a distance from the guest house, it gave us an opportunity to see another
section of Nairobi, It is a church that has been established for some time. It
was a sizable physica</span></span>l structure ,
given Kenyan standards, that has several worship opportunities during the week
for adults and children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rev. Karen preached the sermon of
the morning, with Pastor Freda translating. It was a pleasure to watch them
work together spiritually to give the message, "It is Well With My
Soul."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After service we walked to the school that the church
sponsors for children who are orphaned in the neighborhood. Their
enrollment is 132, classes will start on 4 September for the Fall
semester. The teachers are not paid a standard teacher's salary. The
school teaches from pre-school to high school. Most of the children who attend
the school live with their relatives or guardians. The church is currently
renting the structure where the school is housed, they are hoping to raise the
funds needed to purchase the property.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we returned from the tour of the school, a sign of
traditional Kenyan hospitality, we were served a delicious meal. Another
example of people who have so little willing to graciously share what they have
with strangers. The generosity that has been shown to us has been overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The pastor and members of the Praise Team, were given CDs
of the Glide Ensemble as a token of our appreciation of their hospitality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The members were very welcoming, and were very
accommodating in answering our questions as we walked to and from the
school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been a blessing to be a part of this team, everyone
brought their best self to this trip, and gave their all to the children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was received warmly by the team, for that I am grateful.
Now there's a bond between us that shall bind our hearts forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Miscellaneous Facts I've Learned or
Observed of Kenya</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">-Because the electricity is so expensive and unreliable there
are phone charging shacks, where y</span></span>ou
pay 10 \= (the symbol for shillings) to charge your phone. The majority of
Kenyans have cell phones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-The majority of Kenyan men I
observed to be clean shaven, I saw a few goatees but no full beards.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-At the Crocodile Park, non-Kenyan
citizens paid more than Kenyan citizens. I was told that I looked too American,
to "pass" for a Kenyan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Kenyans work a six-day work week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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- Lotto and Scratchers have come to
Kenya, and there are several Casinos in Nairobi.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Their presidents are elected for a
five year term, and can serve two consecutive terms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
-There are 40-45 tribes in Kenya.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-For weddings the bridal cars are
decorated with fresh flowers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD81rYICg_9hizqdXkOun484VymTSljDPSxsFktSPfjXaaC9sVb8Ff35IjaY7SgxrE8U6cM_Ar2iWHkFb92eWYfzmb3AR5WQGegfeLrEmaC3mgBca6_8i6lW3R8heowVzu6q_6tVB-mYc/s1600/DSC00825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD81rYICg_9hizqdXkOun484VymTSljDPSxsFktSPfjXaaC9sVb8Ff35IjaY7SgxrE8U6cM_Ar2iWHkFb92eWYfzmb3AR5WQGegfeLrEmaC3mgBca6_8i6lW3R8heowVzu6q_6tVB-mYc/s320/DSC00825.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following worship, a group photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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-Addiction to glue has become a
problem, initially it is sniffed to take away the hunger pangs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kirsti:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is Community?</span><br />
<br />
I learned a long
time ago as I was raising my family, that family is not necessarily defined by
blood. Family is whoever you consider to be your family. But when it comes to
community, I have always had a strong sense that I want to give my time,
efforts and gifts to the community I live within. It's not hard to see the
needs of people all around me.<br />
<br />
This week has
changed my definition of community. I now have friends that I care for deeply,
that are a part of my community. They are geographically far away, and yet,
they are still a part of my community. Their needs are as real and as important
as the needs of the people in my geographic community.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
The question now
is, how will I continue to serve them?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Karen:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY2PZXfD9SMmU1xMemPLjC6At2NqKNZFZA5mFtFaZFm8sJ2tWa0X1NUly4g1lyoZXDQRDB7ocn08lfLsqLpoTEphuTd3PYZO0vJ7ZsDKiMhSU3BnciS3IXFOAkjVVAkLDkrYF1NEW6T8/s1600/DSC00827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY2PZXfD9SMmU1xMemPLjC6At2NqKNZFZA5mFtFaZFm8sJ2tWa0X1NUly4g1lyoZXDQRDB7ocn08lfLsqLpoTEphuTd3PYZO0vJ7ZsDKiMhSU3BnciS3IXFOAkjVVAkLDkrYF1NEW6T8/s320/DSC00827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dr. B.T. Cooper school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today we
worshipped at the Kayole United Methodist Church. It is the first United
Methodist Church in Nairobi (1996). The worship was spirited—almost like
contemporary Pentecostal. I had been invited to preach the sermon, and as I was
preaching it was being translated by a clergy sister, which was a wonderful
experience of sermon-sharing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Following
worship, our hosts gave us a tour of a school they run. It was a small compound
with a gravelly courtyard. Classes—with rough floors and tin roofs, were on the
perimeters of the courtyard, as were several (pit) bathrooms. The school mainly
serves orphan children, and once again I have been so moved by witnessing the
depth of our new friends’ commitment to serve the most vulnerable in their
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Please
keep Robin in your prayers. She stayed in bed all day and is running a high
fever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Classy:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I sit here and write about today. Listening to the rain became
so painful when it use to feel to relaxing. Thinking of the children who live
in small homes that sleep on the floor. With holes in their roofs and rain
easing in under the door. I feel so sad knowing that they are suffering right
now. I pray that they remain safe from thieves, who use the rain as a
distraction to make their way into the homes. Every time I listen to the rain, it will remind me of the children we served this week. It will remind me to
never forget what our mission at Glide is. To serve the marginalized. To feed
the hungry, to cloth the sick, and always show unconditional love and
acceptance. Let me not forget that no matter what, I can always help, even if its a simple payer. God, thank you for everyone we have encounter this week. We ask
the you keep us all safe. We ask that you feed our souls with your
presence. Cloth us with your arms and heal us with your word. Amen</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Half a world away, the Temple at Burning Man is getting prepped to burn.
The Temple burns every Sunday before Labor Day, and rather than it being
the party of all parties (like Saturday night's celebratory burning of The
Man when 50,000 people gather in a circle 50-people deep to watch fire dancers
perform and the wooden effigy burn). The Temple, on the other hand, is more a
quiet place of reflection. It's beautiful and silent in all its enormity,
and it serves as a sanctuary that evokes reflection. It's cathartic.
It's intense. It's a quiet, yet spiritual safe-place that serves as
time for pause, release and going deep. Real deep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offering a token of our appreciation to our hostess</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">While friends from all over the world are winding down after a week full
of dust storms, interactive art, community, spiritual awakenings, intense
emotional revelations, art-car hopping, radical inclusivity, radical
self-reliance all while having moment after moment - - - while leaving no trace
they were ever there in the first place, I sit at the Guest House our last night
before we depart for our retreat tomorrow and am beyond grateful I was exposed
to Burning Man 5 years ago. I would not be on this journey today if it
weren't for the experiences I gained on the Playa in 2008, 2009 & 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This week, just like the transformative weeks that unfolded in Black Rock
City, Nevada (the home of Burning Man), our team came together for one heck of
a pilgrimage. We experienced dusty conditions. Food was sparse at
times, but love was abundant. We made art. We were self-reliant, yet,
also taken care of by each other. We're even leaving Ray of Hope with no trace,
or any burden of trash, per Kirsti's spot-on suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We depart for our retreat tomorrow, where we will all be able to begin
our own decompression and self-reflection. However, before the mind can go
there, I listen to the rain outside and can't help but wonder how this weather
is affecting our new friends in the slums as their homes are being soaked.
Our new friends in Kwangware - and beyond - will be in our thoughts with
the different seasons, with every bite of food, with every privilege granted,
every breath taken and every fire burned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Kwame:</b><br />
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Today we bring the body of our time here in Nairobi to a
close. We visited our second church
during our stay, and the hospitality was once again warm and
accommodating. This church was in a part
of Nairobi we hadn’t visited before. The area hosted a different level of
living, more affluent then Kawangware, but still a slum. It was something to see the disparity in
lifestyles in such small vicinity. Brand
new large single-family homes on one side, slums on the other, all separated by
a twelve foot wall. It looks like the
have-not’s are in the process of being pushed out. All that said, it was good to experience
another side of Nairobi.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Knowing our time here in Nairobi was coming to an end, I
noticed something today. I realized that
in this short time that I had grown to become acclimated to Nairobi life. I wasn’t so on guard at every moment as I
once was. Traveling on the Matatu’s
didn’t seem to be as much of a death defying rollercoaster ride. And crossing
the street today, a group of us signaled to each other and just crossed, amidst
the speeding cars. When in days before it had been a well-choreographed group
production, looking like a group of Americans I’m sure. This past week has shown me that over time we
learn to survive, whatever the situation wherever it may be. I am proud to have been reminded of this in
Nairobi visiting Ray of Hope <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Karen and Pastor Frida were sermon partners today</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glide team enjoying a wonderful meal, provided by the Kayole congregation</td></tr>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-54127849264238447142012-08-25T12:14:00.002-07:002012-08-25T12:16:13.649-07:00Day Seven: Play Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWL7eOIrqY9RDn_kV28J8GZiRn6xTBfbcFDhca-w7yQLyhyXXWvFtvApVk_-mmrAm0aVKPXB8oZDfm9gDke-Wj7DX_NJE4RHcXRXJCj-7pKLlDhGtuAj81PLJiVXNVRW3ZzqpgyeUQZU/s1600/DSC00628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWL7eOIrqY9RDn_kV28J8GZiRn6xTBfbcFDhca-w7yQLyhyXXWvFtvApVk_-mmrAm0aVKPXB8oZDfm9gDke-Wj7DX_NJE4RHcXRXJCj-7pKLlDhGtuAj81PLJiVXNVRW3ZzqpgyeUQZU/s640/DSC00628.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnetta the cook couldn't join us last night, so we gifted with with a GLIDE apron this morning!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kirsti:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomies Angela and Kirsti</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't get enough of the singing around me. The children at the Ray of Hope school, at church on Sunday, even here at the guest house where we are staying. People sing with such joy. Families in the park, kids on the bus. It is a language that has no boundaries.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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I recorded the kids on the bus singing today. Clap clap stomp, clap clap clap stomp. When one song ended, another started. They sang in Swahili and English. Everything from If You're Happy And You Know It, to hymns that now sound familiar.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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The music fills my soul. It is the end of a great day, with some amazing kids, playing in the park, and singing on the bus.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Craig:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig talking with Evelyn</td></tr>
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<span class="normalchar">Today we had
a chance to play outside. The Learning Center does not have any
open space or grass, so the children do not get any regular exercise while in
school. After a trip to a local animal park, we spent
the afternoon at a very large city park n</span>ear
downtown Nairobi. Soccer balls, basketballs, jump ropes and
hula hoops were flying around everywhere. The shrieks of laughter,
cheering, racing, singing and dancing said it all- it was great to take
time out from the day to day worries of life and just play.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our
goodbyes were expressed by hugs with each child, and we promised we would be back again soon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ominous sign at the crocodile park: No Pets Allowed and <br />
management will not be responsible for lost children!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela and Kirsti and a baby crocodile</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Christina:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Day after day, the spirit of generosity rings true at Ray of Hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina and the children</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If some food remains after all of the children and staff are served
lunch, a few (not all) of the children may get seconds. Nothing goes to
waste - and more importantly - those that don't get seconds never complain.
The same was true playing games or doing creative projects. No one
snickered or sneered if someone received more furry balls or pipe cleaners than
the person sitting next to them. This is going to sound cliche, but when
one child is happy, the other children are happy for them. Truly.
And it's genuine. There is no bitterness or animosity. No
greed or entitlement. Just love. Having spent 6 days straight with
the children, relationships and trust were formed, and each of their respective
personalities had the chance to shine. Some kiddos had sass. Some were
shy. Some loved attention. And others, without many different
material items than the rest of their peers except, perhaps, an item or two,
had a fun flare or distinct style - however, one thing is true: these children
look out for one another and love each other deeply. Alfred teaches all
of the children, primarily the boys that come in, to be role models for each
other - regardless who is older in age. A moving story Hendrika shared today
was learning about Richard's transition to Ray of Hope recently. Again,
he came homeless with barely any clothes on his back. One of the girls
(if memory serves, it was one of the Sharons) was the first to give him
an extra shirt because she had two. And quickly thereafter, Richard had a pair
of socks, a pair of shoes and a sweater. All of these items were
immediately gifted to Richard within 2 days by the children without prompting.
They wanted him to have what they have. As Alfred explained, this
is simply their nature. This is how they show love. They are kind.
And they are selfless. And they are generous. May we all be
inspired to be as giving - and loving - and compassionate as these individuals.
And while I'm 20 years their senior, *they* have been *my* teachers this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angela:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">IT IS WELL</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Today was the last day with the children, the week went
faster than expected. The children were not given a meal before we left
today, because in the past they were so excited about the trip, they got sick.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQbaDN7M4j7Q17ZEwCzqSpu-SmEAEfiVjEqpzDVi_UzzsTFu6Eirhl23EzflOYfzsMpEg8WcamlPJeFfVXYzPQTMuPEC8msogVkSQkI4UdXZMKwog185yOlrF0Oq73erzvLoMx62_iJE/s1600/DSC00781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQbaDN7M4j7Q17ZEwCzqSpu-SmEAEfiVjEqpzDVi_UzzsTFu6Eirhl23EzflOYfzsMpEg8WcamlPJeFfVXYzPQTMuPEC8msogVkSQkI4UdXZMKwog185yOlrF0Oq73erzvLoMx62_iJE/s320/DSC00781.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela ensuring that teacher Evelyn can see the<br />
children dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The Crocodile
Park was our first stop, and it was a new experience for everyone. The
crocodiles were plentiful. I have never touched a crocodile before, but our
guide picked up a baby crocodile and allowed us to touch it. The adults were
just as excited as the children.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I was impressed
with</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">the number of older kids who on their own
brought their small journals with them today, and were taking notes as the
guide spoke. We also got an opportunity to touch and hold turtles.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The ostrich and
giraffe were an interesting combination of animals to see in the same
fenced-area together. In an open field, without any restraints were several
beautiful horses, who were not bothered by the presence of the children.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">After a short
visit to the Crocodile Park, we went to a park that was large enough for the
kids to run free, play ball, jump rope, play basketball and be kids. Seeing the
kids unabashed joy while running, reminded me of the small spaces that they
spend most of their time in, home and school. The yard as school, is a
courtyard of an apartment complex; where at times games are interrupted by a
car either coming in or going out of the courtyard. But today they could
run,run, and run. The kids singed on the bus, one of the songs that Classy
taught them, and religious praise songs, to and from the Ray of Hope.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Back at Ray of
Hope, we lined up to receive goodbye hugs from the kids. The kids, gave great
hugs, and said thank you repeatedly. Kids who less than a week ago were total
strangers, today were a part of my extended family. I did not feel sad, it felt
as if I was saying goodbye to a relative that I expected to see in the near
future.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">One of the
hardest things for me during the week, was looking at the Ray of Hope
neighborhood kids, who would stand in the gate, or on the stairs looking at our
kids, wanting to play or go to class. Every day the same kids would gather, and
you knew that these kids were not getting, nor probably would ever get an
education.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I am physically
tired from activities of the week, but it is well with my soul!</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Robin:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi564-Z0N04fI-5uVO_zeLs4j0ZSHqTCcvu_Vb4-TTJWqHbPt_f2E5I0DUDoVg8pvbqbVc3W1YfvcGmBrpDH2EK2mWRlmG6C5QBgZMttsKDLiWltl5iTv0sGJPvES6MYI3j8ZYqmoxrf24/s1600/DSC00703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi564-Z0N04fI-5uVO_zeLs4j0ZSHqTCcvu_Vb4-TTJWqHbPt_f2E5I0DUDoVg8pvbqbVc3W1YfvcGmBrpDH2EK2mWRlmG6C5QBgZMttsKDLiWltl5iTv0sGJPvES6MYI3j8ZYqmoxrf24/s320/DSC00703.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin playing with a hula hoop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is
always our favorite day, when we go on an outing with the teachers and students
of Ray of Hope. We had a great time at Nairobi Mamba Village, where everyone
got to touch a baby crocodile (with big teeth!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then, on
to the park, there the children (and all of us) get to play. After an afternoon of play and eating chicken
and chips (French fries) we were presented with gifts. This is one of the
hardest parts of the trip for me, because they have so little, and yet they
give each of us a gift in front of the children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am
aware that the children probably don’t receive a Christmas or birthday gift,
yet we are given so much from Kenyan friends. My hope is to remember this generosity and do likewise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF59tJAhoaSN4g5AQ1sLQUdIg8WfqkKCDSmpZYTWz3dqtVSMkpJKxJJh7oivlUynfXHTTXrVE-AmSo2PK02euExL7RWjg3ImDkpjgE869Nb8YCRA0lXU1cdB3Bld8U_NUj1qISfSk1a0/s1600/DSC00803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF59tJAhoaSN4g5AQ1sLQUdIg8WfqkKCDSmpZYTWz3dqtVSMkpJKxJJh7oivlUynfXHTTXrVE-AmSo2PK02euExL7RWjg3ImDkpjgE869Nb8YCRA0lXU1cdB3Bld8U_NUj1qISfSk1a0/s320/DSC00803.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin, Angeline, and Hendrika doing the Macarena</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Classy:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today was a bittersweet. We had a wonderful day with all the
children and staff. We took them to the African zoo and the park where for the
first time this week they got to run wild.... It was good to play with them for
hours none stop. The day went by pretty fast. At the end of the day we said our
goodbye to the kids and staff. We all lined up and each kids and staff gave us
a hug and said thank you...I told them I would see them again and they smiled.
All and all, I am blessed and looking forward to next year!!!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y7Iv8nLnwPg70Na3gFtq0S-1edzRxHy01Vm08MzRnz-n7GaJgqXELJLKleMgDRA0wqQqw1fNNiduu7yW3N_829LsODKga2pJxG8JRZfu8Bjt4puuP8yweQ1GSq1VKH3j7YgVZS6mpB8/s1600/DSC00782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y7Iv8nLnwPg70Na3gFtq0S-1edzRxHy01Vm08MzRnz-n7GaJgqXELJLKleMgDRA0wqQqw1fNNiduu7yW3N_829LsODKga2pJxG8JRZfu8Bjt4puuP8yweQ1GSq1VKH3j7YgVZS6mpB8/s640/DSC00782.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classy and the children dancing for Evelyn, was out sick all week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMaq10BomwGdy_-i8Tzc5FDTWjrppzbKW_SvcNBMP7bd6zI_RXkAv8JmebHGrDQqJCLYDkzJMJ4ynFZTQK5iAmlxc_Qk2MQZSNTxwLJh6h_29xP3RAtvrrgiXFWclKOsugnqNr_1w4Ac/s1600/DSC00783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMaq10BomwGdy_-i8Tzc5FDTWjrppzbKW_SvcNBMP7bd6zI_RXkAv8JmebHGrDQqJCLYDkzJMJ4ynFZTQK5iAmlxc_Qk2MQZSNTxwLJh6h_29xP3RAtvrrgiXFWclKOsugnqNr_1w4Ac/s640/DSC00783.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evelyn watching "her children" dance.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD12LQRaRssO5qJEe-RU9L81SVbqzJINm2HO2ZsCn-Iz4sEI6W2L1gcKjzn6YiIlNbRumihrc6mk6pWFpLViIuEUdrBzg9Q9JV0ZhId3OR841unsKnWirNYaMS_KgtlEO4U2hazkpI70E/s1600/DSC00738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD12LQRaRssO5qJEe-RU9L81SVbqzJINm2HO2ZsCn-Iz4sEI6W2L1gcKjzn6YiIlNbRumihrc6mk6pWFpLViIuEUdrBzg9Q9JV0ZhId3OR841unsKnWirNYaMS_KgtlEO4U2hazkpI70E/s640/DSC00738.JPG" width="640" /></a><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Karen:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Words cannot describe what it is like to see these children, who
live in such tiny cramped quarters and then spend hours in a school room that
is equally cramped, run wild through the park, playing soccer, jumping rope,
hula hooping, and even (thanks to Kwame) playing basketball. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is like seeing a spirit run free, unfettered. There is joy.
There is laughter. There is blessedness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you, children and staff of Ray of Hope, for opening your
lives, your community, your heart to us. We have been touched and changed by
you!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrbXPMmbpQ61f9QSnnIaRFUsunoohgJ5l_9Dnn4ZmfSmSsFi0mQrzrfvZXIDXst8cYzdJWC3h-OgKgx3ysZQm-On1U3Rdu2o8DAR9DUDzIhQzWt1U4tfu4vclPBsKLzNLmLAM6kxJbtE/s1600/DSC00771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrbXPMmbpQ61f9QSnnIaRFUsunoohgJ5l_9Dnn4ZmfSmSsFi0mQrzrfvZXIDXst8cYzdJWC3h-OgKgx3ysZQm-On1U3Rdu2o8DAR9DUDzIhQzWt1U4tfu4vclPBsKLzNLmLAM6kxJbtE/s320/DSC00771.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen being dressed by the Ray of Hope staff</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYImYt8rFP-ZakuPBM9iq061gQnLGv3oXurnLV0IbMA75NyKf6SK3eQjVWAx27YF4rYTRW9g6GK4I5glaotWLWm1bSk6mx-3z8MheBUmU9cY_pzQ4BwfVH8NOUubCg6MwvWDsuXNcDxj4/s1600/DSC00729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYImYt8rFP-ZakuPBM9iq061gQnLGv3oXurnLV0IbMA75NyKf6SK3eQjVWAx27YF4rYTRW9g6GK4I5glaotWLWm1bSk6mx-3z8MheBUmU9cY_pzQ4BwfVH8NOUubCg6MwvWDsuXNcDxj4/s320/DSC00729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnetta taking on Kwame in soccer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz-0kOtmihe6EoIjAivLEiC-ysab7TCyoC3OSuhXNuGdbdVIkGZQMlpdae1JqmnvPJD7pYLcjBc_YuUSaulVlB93o-tJH4BuFUXqykE6UxfWl2MNnmB7eIsd7D9O0EgBTPKWqxHi-OuM/s1600/DSC00744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz-0kOtmihe6EoIjAivLEiC-ysab7TCyoC3OSuhXNuGdbdVIkGZQMlpdae1JqmnvPJD7pYLcjBc_YuUSaulVlB93o-tJH4BuFUXqykE6UxfWl2MNnmB7eIsd7D9O0EgBTPKWqxHi-OuM/s640/DSC00744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our Ray of Hope friends</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLXL73wZ4L-R68qOUHEXAzXvHxbFL8BQXQi6B51iqYBwzWtypWx25vM9LRrfz_1tavhOOGWW8MaOvAMP-ExDATNHnvhmJvndvfPerlTeHQLvJ_0ULrFnYgLu-h_4z27Rld3WC_eWyKPM/s1600/DSC00751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLXL73wZ4L-R68qOUHEXAzXvHxbFL8BQXQi6B51iqYBwzWtypWx25vM9LRrfz_1tavhOOGWW8MaOvAMP-ExDATNHnvhmJvndvfPerlTeHQLvJ_0ULrFnYgLu-h_4z27Rld3WC_eWyKPM/s400/DSC00751.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame and a new friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6XYIa-zbKnTzVbIy2J_TfGF3L3RsKtMNoeAfPXZNehcGGNfuYnD0nzcSjCovcR-EPch-XkpQRLTldnl9HoZ8zKeFHH2YdNhaAR_BKOaMyO8ewQs-Ta_MMOoJwllBIIG7SxAivC4h_7M/s1600/DSC00822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6XYIa-zbKnTzVbIy2J_TfGF3L3RsKtMNoeAfPXZNehcGGNfuYnD0nzcSjCovcR-EPch-XkpQRLTldnl9HoZ8zKeFHH2YdNhaAR_BKOaMyO8ewQs-Ta_MMOoJwllBIIG7SxAivC4h_7M/s640/DSC00822.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tired but happy team!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-8030381817355631942012-08-24T13:22:00.000-07:002012-08-24T13:22:33.196-07:00Day Six: Surprised by Joy<br />
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<b>Craig:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdOhKmSzveE_WBT0YgsGOl1QNvqhKjiEzqu6V_53fGwSbM3grY6GpFHjFX5jgrUqAS4m-SuSddq4mgsj4nTafRVQ-gtvrcbRgj_ODphp9Qys6biGcCJMyAVDEa6zxrc37OPA-mRnN6bE/s1600/DSC00424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdOhKmSzveE_WBT0YgsGOl1QNvqhKjiEzqu6V_53fGwSbM3grY6GpFHjFX5jgrUqAS4m-SuSddq4mgsj4nTafRVQ-gtvrcbRgj_ODphp9Qys6biGcCJMyAVDEa6zxrc37OPA-mRnN6bE/s320/DSC00424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig walking with Ray of Hope children<br />through Kawangware</td></tr>
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The porridge had been served, a cup
sitting before each hungry child in the younger class of 5-8 year
olds. The adults had left the room. The children had
been alone for a moment and as I rounded the corner there sat the children,
hands folded, eyes tightly shut, reciting a prayer of thanks in
unison. Once the prayer was completed, no one touched their
food. They waited patiently for permission to begin. Some had
more in their cups than others but there were no comparisons and no
complaining- just a concern that everyone had a cup in hand before beginning to
eat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No
matter the urgency, when greeting someone for the day it is impolite to launch
into a discussion about the business at hand without first taking the time to
ask about the individual and his family. It’s surprising how often we do
not do this in the U.S.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ1z8PJlwVFWbMcCJEQFD96mBmTmi7A-EGZQetoFC5_mBjcn8RQAhlVfN24NuL5nOFKHmd8hyphenhyphenknhwBB_14sXFyLrPvtlbi4_ISGu8ZhJmTUUJbiW0wS5CXJ6nKv5gzschDeDPOPIEeAE/s1600/DSC00498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ1z8PJlwVFWbMcCJEQFD96mBmTmi7A-EGZQetoFC5_mBjcn8RQAhlVfN24NuL5nOFKHmd8hyphenhyphenknhwBB_14sXFyLrPvtlbi4_ISGu8ZhJmTUUJbiW0wS5CXJ6nKv5gzschDeDPOPIEeAE/s320/DSC00498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and a budding symphony conductor</td></tr>
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On
our way to the hospital the other day we saw a bus on the side of the
road. The driver was on the ground beneath the bus, the passengers with
raised voices crowded nearby. Our taxi driver chuckled and said, “there
seems to be a drama unfolding”. Apparently the bus had broken down
and the driver was trying to avoid refunding the passengers their
fares. Women were shouting for the driver to come out from underneath
the bus, hitting him with their packages and trying to pull him out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>A</b></span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">ngela:</b></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">JOY</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">After our morning ritual of camp songs, all of the kids and
our group went to the homes of several of the kids. The children were so
proud to show us where they lived. It was heart-warming to see how some
families are not together because of blood,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">but because of
love. Some kids are living with classmates' family or other relatives, because
they were being mistreated or unwanted by their relatives.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p122oacf3lBp_GdWBDtM-Nc78ZPvEvZqSTBp1H-Uw3kTitqVXwqHx1r3O7DAyacxW7Hx8NDRdM0feBJE9o_Q9ulvU0ztEkm4Q7YkGnV9-VkbD7A7QRSKBaOc3Gj6y4_8fECRxp1Hq7U/s1600/DSC00409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p122oacf3lBp_GdWBDtM-Nc78ZPvEvZqSTBp1H-Uw3kTitqVXwqHx1r3O7DAyacxW7Hx8NDRdM0feBJE9o_Q9ulvU0ztEkm4Q7YkGnV9-VkbD7A7QRSKBaOc3Gj6y4_8fECRxp1Hq7U/s320/DSC00409.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela working on backpacks</td></tr>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I was surprised at the distance some of the kids walk to get
to the Ray of Hope. One home we visited brought us to a lush green valley,
where corn, cabbage and other vegetables were grown. It appeared to be a farm
that was community operated. I believe it took us all by surprise because it is
so different from the hard-stoned dirt that we've been walking on for the last
few days.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Much to Evelyn's (Head teacher, who has been sick) surprise
we all went to her home, which gave the children an opportunity to see her and
give her a hug. Evelyn was so happy to see the kids, and got hugs from all of
them.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsvvxBn0sUBbAL-MDGt7ZYjCKdOIt5ZmD2WJtKjbdqOQ9IVAFYUSPO4HOTfoJ78TamwdyrkF78nK-WYvAAcBQIQmgM6CNgbMPUFezxjPcej3j4TG0cUkb3gjRyW3NbQnXW_BQ0F0B0VM/s1600/DSC00434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsvvxBn0sUBbAL-MDGt7ZYjCKdOIt5ZmD2WJtKjbdqOQ9IVAFYUSPO4HOTfoJ78TamwdyrkF78nK-WYvAAcBQIQmgM6CNgbMPUFezxjPcej3j4TG0cUkb3gjRyW3NbQnXW_BQ0F0B0VM/s320/DSC00434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame and Angela walking in Kawangware</td></tr>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Today, we were to wrap up all of the activities of the week,
and give the kids their backpacks. The first surprise was the project that the
kids had been working on with Christina and Kwame. All week they had been
decorating this square, that they were told not to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">decorate the
middle. Today they received the square with reflective plastic in the center of
their decorated frame. It was heart-warming to see their reactions, because
most of them do not have mirrors at home.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Then there was the distribution of the backpacks. I reviewed
the journals that the kids wrote in my class and attempted to give them a
backpack in their favorite color. Inside the backpack was their journal,
pencils, erasers (they call them rubbers-British term), a blank journal,
coloring books, crayons, and a Warriors t-shirt. The joy that those kids
expressed, almost brought me to tears. They were so appreciative and expressed
their appreciation with hugs and repeated thank yous. One boy was so
overwhelmed by the Warrior's t-shirt that he began kissing it.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">To wrap up Classy's class was the Afro-Hawaiian song and
dance, complete with hand-made hula skirts, and leis. There were two versions
of the Hawaiian song. The first version was the Hawaiian, and then there was
the African-Hawaiian version. It truly was a sight to behold, it was followed
with the Macarena, and then the cha cha slide, all in hula skirts and leis.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Today, was the day that made all of the work, planning, and
personal expense seem like a mild inconvenience given the joy that was on the faces
of the kids.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kirsti:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp0Zcue0XSYO5KkYzjCo14dJzJeqSoqco0w5G8wC5OH9UwzvJylKYoROInK8jAFsEaAzlmks9ikJfaN3ht-BPRnnYhuAB72k2_hMGlfVxyW03OejzGwvDfB_Vy29_FlY_oKhNYUkmS7w/s1600/DSC00525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp0Zcue0XSYO5KkYzjCo14dJzJeqSoqco0w5G8wC5OH9UwzvJylKYoROInK8jAFsEaAzlmks9ikJfaN3ht-BPRnnYhuAB72k2_hMGlfVxyW03OejzGwvDfB_Vy29_FlY_oKhNYUkmS7w/s320/DSC00525.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti with Teacher Alfred, who is wearing a shirt that<br /> former Ray of Hope team member Josh Biddle gave him. <br />Now if we can only replace that Cardinal's hat!</td></tr>
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There is an old Kenyan saying that if you wake up to the sound of
birds calling, you will have much to sing out about all day.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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I woke to the call
of birds this morning, and there has been so much to sing out about all day.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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As we walked
through Kawangware today, we heard the usual "how are you" as we
passed the children on the street. There is such a difference between our
cultures. We don't ask strangers how they are. In fact, we hardly say hello.
But here, in the heart of a slum in Kenya, the children ask, "how are
you"? Of course I don't expect that they really understand the
social implications of what they are asking.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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But when the do
ask, it's generally with a smile on their faces. They don't seem to notice, the
way I do, the litter in the streets, the goats roaming around or the chickens
picking through the trash. How are you? Many of the children at the Ray of Hope
school will tell you they are fine. They were proud to take us to their homes
today. They are proud to introduce us to their families. They are happy to be
walking with their class and their visitors, through their town.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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How are you? I am
grateful to have learned so much from so many this week. My heart is full. I
have so much to sing out about.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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How are you?<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pQ2M6HZFncWKn9yirvMgkC-rwWgOm8YBYYDpynPq_JMiHIGAkX92EjsTNyT3oD_yaHpW8mTsosgqgb6ucl9KnGJP3GUvetXvYXzQ5fc8iOILVDVmGKZpqnVRO-Ys13TF1-7LMAllaWg/s1600/DSC00576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pQ2M6HZFncWKn9yirvMgkC-rwWgOm8YBYYDpynPq_JMiHIGAkX92EjsTNyT3oD_yaHpW8mTsosgqgb6ucl9KnGJP3GUvetXvYXzQ5fc8iOILVDVmGKZpqnVRO-Ys13TF1-7LMAllaWg/s320/DSC00576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti with Boyce and his daughter</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Robin:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLZrBtWCzIyYYZiIK54Wmu9GYhtgm1MlJWvJgvG4goW5XJXvn-4yDYqp__Q2rZtNYFSIj6IbH5XS5sfF1p_cs33KbD24iaV1GdbM2d2yQDGcPb0SDJZ_ZrbnaduaU8qLuyLtm3IlDuyc/s1600/DSC00444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLZrBtWCzIyYYZiIK54Wmu9GYhtgm1MlJWvJgvG4goW5XJXvn-4yDYqp__Q2rZtNYFSIj6IbH5XS5sfF1p_cs33KbD24iaV1GdbM2d2yQDGcPb0SDJZ_ZrbnaduaU8qLuyLtm3IlDuyc/s320/DSC00444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin with Evelyn in her home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uFMD3OwdHzSqf_FMeI905-is5RmdSDwFUYWaCQ_8gTm9nxkWncm7vPZ8Mkc7sg0P_-iP1C3iWggW5WWQQ9l9Eevw5xLdjuA8B7Pv5s8WBoNdL4Tlp7shaUcQ3UboiBwzf0eG6LGNP6M/s1600/DSC00435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uFMD3OwdHzSqf_FMeI905-is5RmdSDwFUYWaCQ_8gTm9nxkWncm7vPZ8Mkc7sg0P_-iP1C3iWggW5WWQQ9l9Eevw5xLdjuA8B7Pv5s8WBoNdL4Tlp7shaUcQ3UboiBwzf0eG6LGNP6M/s320/DSC00435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Robin with Ray of Hope friends</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today we walked for miles in Kawangware to visit the homes of many
of the Ray of Hope children. It is
always shocking to see this level of poverty but the children are so happy that
we come to visit them at their homes.
Two of the boys lived with their grandfather who has severe malaria and
can rarely work. Teacher Evelyn worries about what will happen to them when
their grandfather passes away. Juma, one of the boys, told me that he and his
brother do the cooking, and they can make anything, though there is rarely
food. I feel so inadequate and wonder
what I can do. Karen and I sponsor two children to go to school and we hope
each of the children will have a better future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Karen:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It has
been a very full day as it was our last day in the classroom with the children.
This is usually the day that challenges me the most, because my North American
understanding of time and work kick in big time: what have we accomplished?
What do we need to finish before we leave? Hurry, hurry, hurry, time is running
out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What my
Kenyan friends remind me is that doing is not as important as being. There will
always be unfinished projects, things that should have been done, items on the “to-do”
list that await completion. But the bigger question is: have I taken the time
to talk with someone, listen to the stories of their life, deepened the
relationship I share with them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8EJbFBGhWzKSDsuM4TzdnhCKmhWzETJSNy1TF5_haG_QG6LzuV4lRPSJX2MSycteqaGn9AJocejJDLNJt9X0iGsjnmQJZGQrrw-iVAHY1yt_sccxmkxGfhIAI5SI6ju4m-EvnFdMfQ/s1600/DSC00605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8EJbFBGhWzKSDsuM4TzdnhCKmhWzETJSNy1TF5_haG_QG6LzuV4lRPSJX2MSycteqaGn9AJocejJDLNJt9X0iGsjnmQJZGQrrw-iVAHY1yt_sccxmkxGfhIAI5SI6ju4m-EvnFdMfQ/s320/DSC00605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glide and Ray of Hope enjoying a festive dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6-ZIAd1PPpXT6BsAeewVXJBmwZjqwQQPl2-LBluGcHQXwh70Mv3tUOpu4ot2ZZO7lVXrxY32jw8iiStjOOA1-jukjduME8UTMBpqyoAQFIfzOtf-3Alb9vO82rYHufOCB0KVqepsMZ4/s1600/DSC00414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6-ZIAd1PPpXT6BsAeewVXJBmwZjqwQQPl2-LBluGcHQXwh70Mv3tUOpu4ot2ZZO7lVXrxY32jw8iiStjOOA1-jukjduME8UTMBpqyoAQFIfzOtf-3Alb9vO82rYHufOCB0KVqepsMZ4/s320/DSC00414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today,
we deepened our relationships with our Kenyan friends by walking with the children
around Kawangware and visiting several of their homes. Children would come up
beside me as we walked and shyly take my hand. And soon they would point to
their home, to a friend, to an aunt walking by. They were so proud to share
their lives with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
evening, we invited the Ray of Hope staff to dinner. We gave them gifts from
Glide and they gave us gifts from Kenya. We danced together, told stories, and
laughed hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was a
blessed day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Classy:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLu66_Bakgaz8F_iEBBvkR37FqIosyljyyYYsxIMKW5ZcmEjGT24JYT-T2v1gXj-fjGIV6YJJyxAS2Rl6f5ffmq3OL-A-vYcchp0qNUgAgrIwAPSdI-r7j8mCbgMLdP6HVPGv54v7dQg/s1600/DSC00411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLu66_Bakgaz8F_iEBBvkR37FqIosyljyyYYsxIMKW5ZcmEjGT24JYT-T2v1gXj-fjGIV6YJJyxAS2Rl6f5ffmq3OL-A-vYcchp0qNUgAgrIwAPSdI-r7j8mCbgMLdP6HVPGv54v7dQg/s320/DSC00411.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classy enjoying manazi with tea</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today was another full day. We wrapped up our curriculum with the
kids. We brought them down at the end of the day where we did our performance.
We had all the teacher, the clinic staff, and the cook come down and join us.
We made outfits for them and they were so happy to be part of the celebration.
It was a wonderful thing to see all the staff and kids dance to the Cha Cha and
the macarena. All in all today was a good day....good night sleep, here I
come!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Christina:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over the course of 2.5 hours, with
the entire RoH Team, while accompanied by almost 50 students, we all took a
walk through the village and visited the homes of a few students - Bravin &
Sharon's, Oliver & Electine's, Richard, Faith & Treza's and Jack &
Juma's. What a privilege to have almost 50 tour guides through Kwangware!
I spent a lot of time with Oliver, Kevin, Richard & Bravin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9YcVAvSW_mbf_PtbsLsUshxmAtSNEkIZdddImKAj5wP-uEwclwoXKe-R5t9Jj0ezxu-oBlDCB0hzAfeXfd8N5WluO5x3tI7XOmT-LN96WPOZ-Y59OE78NT2yJ6f28-QY-BzqhyphenhyphenMk9N0/s1600/DSC00490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9YcVAvSW_mbf_PtbsLsUshxmAtSNEkIZdddImKAj5wP-uEwclwoXKe-R5t9Jj0ezxu-oBlDCB0hzAfeXfd8N5WluO5x3tI7XOmT-LN96WPOZ-Y59OE78NT2yJ6f28-QY-BzqhyphenhyphenMk9N0/s320/DSC00490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina handing out reflection projects</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I didn't realize Oliver lived with
Electine (their moms are sisters), or that many of the other children were
related. Oliver wants to be a lawyer and has a dog named Pinkey, who was
bartered for manual labor. He is exceptionally inquisitive, a clear
communicator, outgoing, proud to be a brother to two siblings, loves doing
somersaults and football, tells good stories about the hyena and the hare, and
loves to be photographed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also got to spend QT with Kevin, a
very quiet, gentle soul - who doesn't speak much English. Because of the
language barrier, the challenge of the week was how to show him love in other
ways besides using words. So after a handful of days with helping make his hula
skirt, gifting him an orange ring made of pipe cleaners made by Joy Bet, and
always scooting next to him on his stool when chatting with other kiddos on
that side of the room - a bond had been established and this walk was icing on
the cake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Richard was a new buddy made today,
who is very quiet and shy, who asked (with Oliver chiming in) if I knew Naima. Naima
was originally intending to come back to Ray of Hope for her second visit, but
regrettably had to back out, which is how the opportunity presented itself to
me... <b>Naima</b> - both Richard &
Oliver have exceptionally fond memories of your time together, they reminisced
about your killer breakdance skills and remember songs you would sing with
them. You left quite an impression! You are missed here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueeu1CeHfuQ6qRY6eemLhjSMNEtLQCW0SfeJoJ04AQT-EZVAvOdUD2D1Ib7epPrDX7HxbTFiz3mvUc-zIUsbCav5nunZiTKDbtRNQpUIag5bCKENfWkoIIVTX60Lx3Qh3Ga_5_empzfQ/s1600/DSC00488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueeu1CeHfuQ6qRY6eemLhjSMNEtLQCW0SfeJoJ04AQT-EZVAvOdUD2D1Ib7epPrDX7HxbTFiz3mvUc-zIUsbCav5nunZiTKDbtRNQpUIag5bCKENfWkoIIVTX60Lx3Qh3Ga_5_empzfQ/s320/DSC00488.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children looking at their reflection</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last,
Bravin (pronounced "bra-veen" with a rolled "r") was the
3rd new friend made on this excursion. This little guy, probably around 7ish,
is advanced academically - so even though he's a little peanut, he's in class
with the taller, stronger, older guys. He warmed up to me today and it
unexpectedly melted my heart. Like Oliver, he's also a great story teller
(ironically, another hyena and the hair story - but a different one), he lives
near a farm and explained all of the veggies that are grown (cabbage, corn and
an unfamiliar sounding green). He also learned many words in Ukrainian,
including "cabbage" (his favorite), "cat" and how to
pronounce "Christina" with the same rolled "r", which took
about 20 minutes to master. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">These kiddos were SO.
DARN. PROUD. to show us their homes. It was beautiful, actually! We
walked a long time together, it was super hot, and a new perspective about this
land was formed. They were little rockstars - walking around knowing all
of their neighbors and friends - and it was neat to experience Kwangware
through their eyes for a brief blip. Between Oliver, Kevin, Richard &
Bravin, I've never held hands with children for so long - and it was brilliant.
What a day. My soul is happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N-WuGHRAYBeytpPRy8tH26wrnBTHn2r8TfuoQ43hqheaS8MFdtW11n0DNX9CyDG5HMBk3KuwE3ADENJlkCZe4iRvU3QN2btzHBK8IYDllHqFMO1g-UQt2tWkp0DeJw7YV72mq8Thje8/s1600/DSC00523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N-WuGHRAYBeytpPRy8tH26wrnBTHn2r8TfuoQ43hqheaS8MFdtW11n0DNX9CyDG5HMBk3KuwE3ADENJlkCZe4iRvU3QN2btzHBK8IYDllHqFMO1g-UQt2tWkp0DeJw7YV72mq8Thje8/s320/DSC00523.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame ready to greet our guests for dinner</td></tr>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-420814449851200572012-08-23T12:39:00.000-07:002012-08-24T12:40:11.062-07:00Day Five: Mixed Emotions<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Kwame:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUY1_wA917BKcSAtZ12VShVIvR497u01TNrYi2Kdh-X1Lnf81Q2sSuQlE-ov0jLo3yUWFCu__MA1Pk9qCitXELsXAi0LM1hZYffTuFyZJee9gecYXsfzo8otPOcueBM7yQ0HS8KiuvwFo/s1600/DSC00376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUY1_wA917BKcSAtZ12VShVIvR497u01TNrYi2Kdh-X1Lnf81Q2sSuQlE-ov0jLo3yUWFCu__MA1Pk9qCitXELsXAi0LM1hZYffTuFyZJee9gecYXsfzo8otPOcueBM7yQ0HS8KiuvwFo/s320/DSC00376.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame with one of the class projects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Day four
at Ray of Hope was an incredibly eye opening one. Six of us from the Glide team were escorted
by the staff person I discussed in yesterday’s blog through the Kawangware slums,
where we visited the homes of three of the clients she looks after. The level of poverty was shocking. What I saw will not soon leave my
memory. The experience was one I been
waiting to have but the words to properly express my feelings have yet to come
me. I am speechless now, but the words
will come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Classy:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R91QPOu7dDCIOTUJNphHyKDFMASgvvuDOwGZY64ZnV0fKZcfrompybV0lZjzzbdjtyh0BWxEcOAzuQ2cTZjP1IpFAfIWsdDKHexmle9fYkU7awmfpjYRfrsrTIA8gjCicpBQjplqp7E/s1600/DSC00387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R91QPOu7dDCIOTUJNphHyKDFMASgvvuDOwGZY64ZnV0fKZcfrompybV0lZjzzbdjtyh0BWxEcOAzuQ2cTZjP1IpFAfIWsdDKHexmle9fYkU7awmfpjYRfrsrTIA8gjCicpBQjplqp7E/s320/DSC00387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classy and Hendricka caring for a sick child</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
For me,
today was an emotional day. Started my morning off hearing the sad news of a
good man, Tyler. It really set the mood for my entire day. I don't mean in
terms of feeling sad and not being in the mood for seeing more sad things
today. Instead, I focused on how precious life is and we must take advantage of
everything GOD has given to us, and not take advantage of the families and
friends and total strangers who can help us when we need it the most. We must
always remember that no matter what, things do get better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Visiting the families today really
felt good. I've always heard stories and photo being shown, but it really opens
you up to a whole new level of poverty and what people face every day. It also
made me respect them that much more. With little they have, they are the most
grateful. We should all be grateful. Rest in peace to Tyler Shaw and all the
lost souls all over the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Robin:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT8qSyvO4KhqmiSAGrRi_k_MuXDhrsGVu4UGuYHQQVEhBTq2izUcHXAiB4zOpKPoxL7SrSbOuE7rtpZ1uvuMHXyKcqZ3KgMKB0dPeyAgm4LFavlYYf__PpBYHoDEvjFyGJc2erbsz8jU/s1600/DSC00204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT8qSyvO4KhqmiSAGrRi_k_MuXDhrsGVu4UGuYHQQVEhBTq2izUcHXAiB4zOpKPoxL7SrSbOuE7rtpZ1uvuMHXyKcqZ3KgMKB0dPeyAgm4LFavlYYf__PpBYHoDEvjFyGJc2erbsz8jU/s320/DSC00204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin and Craig outside Ray of Hope waiting <br />
for a matatu to take them downtown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am at
Nairobi Hospital with Evelyn for her follow up appointment and my heart
overflows with gratitude for Evelyn’s improvement, and to be on a team with
such amazing, talented people. I am
constantly in awe of their gifts, their openness and their capacity to
love. I am grateful to Craig, our team
leader, for bringing us “The Carnival of the Animals” which is exposing the
children to symphony music, different animals, and geography. Craig is willing to strut like a lion (his
elephant looks remarkably like a lion, too).
And I am very grateful to Craig for accompanying Evelyn and me to the
hospital. I am grateful to Karen for keeping
us centered, and for her amazing ability to do magic, songs and games with the
children at any moment. I am grateful to
Angela for bringing journaling to the children, for helping out anywhere she
can and for keeping me humble. I am
grateful for Kirsti whose eyes have sparkled and whose smile has been contagious
all week. She has brought creative
crafts that the children have loved and has also helped out in the clinic. I am grateful to Kwame for his laughter, his
easy ability to connect with everyone, and for saving my life twice so far
(from moving vehicles). I am grateful
for Christina’s passion and vision to help children feel good about themselves and
for keeping us on schedule. I am
grateful for Classy’s sheer joy of dancing with the children and for making me
laugh often. I am also grateful for my
Glide family, wthout whom we would not be here. And for all those who have
supported us, given supplies and donations.
We carry each of you in our hearts as we work in Kawangware. Asante Sana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Karen:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today
Hendrika took us out with her into the community to visit the people under her
care as a community health care worker. She is a remarkable woman, providing advocacy, support and community for people who are suffering and have
often been shunned for their HIV status. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
first home was Josephine’s. Like others in Kawangware, it was a small tin room
with a small window and door. The six of us who made this trip with Hendrika
felt a little claustrophobic, yet this is the type of home where often many
adults and children live in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Josephine
was HIV positive and also had TB which had progressed to a point that she could
no longer use her legs and her back could no longer support her. It was
difficult to sit with her, seeing her face contort with pain and watching tears
slowly run down her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hendrika
softly spoke about the woman’s health history and her prognosis, all the time
gently stroking Josephine’s foot. Another woman sat behind Josephine, providing
support for her spine that could no longer hold her upright. Watching the way the women cared for her was a profound testimony to the power of community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As I sat
there, I realized what a humbling experience ministry is. We are invited into
people’s lives, often at the point of their greatest pain and suffering. To sit
with someone when they are most vulnerable, when there is no easy fix for what
they are facing, is hard, yet it is precisely into this place that God sends
us. Because if we weren’t there, to be a witness not only to the pain but to
the peace and strength that God offers, who would be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><i>Christ has no body but yours,</i></span></div>
<i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">No hands, no feet on earth but yours,</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Yours are the eyes with which he looks</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Compassion on this world,</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Yours are the eyes, you are his body.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Christ has no body now but yours</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">St. Teresa of Avila</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Craig: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="normalchar">I was thinking about t</span>he selfless giving of some people here when a homeless child
unexpectedly enters into their lives. Their homes are bursting at
the seams, food is stretched thin, and yet here appears another child who has
no place to go. Queries to find homes for these orphans are
often in vain, and sometimes there are no options.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
How incredibly frustrating it must be to slowly
realize that your vision and dreams for the future- a trip home, replacement of
worn out clothing, a special celebration for one of your children-
probably aren’t going to play out as you hoped because another child needs a
home and God’s plan looks to be that that home is yours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
To the person considering taking on another
child, taking this step might feel like a huge sacrifice, one that most people
will never appreciate or even consider. There could be a lot of
resentment of the situation. Why me?!? When do I get MY
turn? It would be so much easier to take an easier path and
let someone else worry about the issue at hand. Being
forced to make an impossible decision like this must be so difficult!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5cjXs8rdyqsmWmLDC95MOJRvXa7zSWLy0baliBcaOEcTWpmj_S05JDm2qy-zhOgHELqbNMgw6vyKRGOcEX3Tx-37egfxfThCfnMGTFKiRAWYL4k8NOXjG6pxeJWZmA-RXZA7ZdISlQc/s1600/DSC00089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5cjXs8rdyqsmWmLDC95MOJRvXa7zSWLy0baliBcaOEcTWpmj_S05JDm2qy-zhOgHELqbNMgw6vyKRGOcEX3Tx-37egfxfThCfnMGTFKiRAWYL4k8NOXjG6pxeJWZmA-RXZA7ZdISlQc/s320/DSC00089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Angela and Christina listening to Steven, who<br />
makes prosthetic limbs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I started thinking that there are parallels to
the parable of the prodigal son. One man stayed home to meet his
family obligations and in the end the family fortunes went toward his
brother. We often toil, working unrecognized, and then we are asked to
sacrifice even more for the good of others. Things don’t work out
as planned or hoped for. The situation just doesn’t seem fair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
But there is a much greater plan, and the payoff
will be in ways we cannot imagine. Life hands us situations
that require large doses of selflessness for the betterment of
others. Time and again we are hearing stories here in
Kawangware of people whose incredible faith has allowed them to keep strong,
keep going, and make enormous sacrifices for others, confident that things will
somehow work themselves out. What an inspirational lesson for us all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Angela:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">VISITATION OR INTRUSION</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="body00201" style="background: white; margin: 0in;">
<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">
</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">Today we did not
spend the entire day with the children. After the morning round of camp songs,
we (6 + Hendricka and Angeline) were off to accompany Hendricka as she
conducted her home visits. The walk took us deeper into the slum close to Ray
of Hope, even walking through a garbage dump.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">We were able to
visit with three of Hendricka's clients: Josephine, Joseph and Helen ( 7 years
old). All were HIV+ with complications of TB, and some having negative
reactions to some of the medication that was prescribed. Josephine was in too
much pain to even sit up in her bed, without leaning back on someone for
support. The spinal surgery that she needs, she cannot afford, the landlord
wants to evict her, and her mother has recently been hospitalized and she is
unable to visit her mother, because she is unable to stand on her own.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">All of the homes
were in tin roofed and walled structures, that were the size of a SRO in San
Francisco. Like a SRO there was no inside bathroom. There was no running water,
electricity, and each home housed several people. During our visit there were
eight of us (six of whom were strangers) attempting to fit in this very small
space with an individual, that in Josephine's case was in constant pain.</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">We offered pray at
each visit, and said that we would continue to hold them in our prayers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">These visits were
troublesome to me, and I felt that it was an intrusion and stole some of the
personal dignity of the individual being visited. I'm still troubled by the
visits and I am attempting to work out the 'dis-ease' that I am feeling about
the visits.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">We also started to
load the backpacks that we brought for the kids, with a Warrior's</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">t-shirt, pencils,
erasers, coloring books, crayons, a small journal book. Tomorrow we will add
the items that they made this week. We placed in the supply closet the supplies
that Evelyn requested that can be used for the Fall semester.</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white;">The trip downtown on
the bus, during rush hour, was like running an obstacle course. We paired up,
and discussed the bus number to take if we became separated. We did not lose
anyone, and we managed to get on an empty bus, so we could seat together. The
buses have posted signs that we found interesting, and today we got to
experience one of the prohibited acts on the bus. The signs say: "NO PREACHING,
NO SMOKING, NO HAWKING." This was our first experience where the toll
taker allowed two men onto the bus, one was selling socks, and the other was
selling candy. When the toll taker saw a policeman in the area, she hid the
'Hawker'. We assumed that she was getting a pair of socks and a candy bar out
of the deal. We encouraged Pastor Karen to start 'preaching', since the rules
were so loosely enforced, but she declined our invitation to preach on the bus
(now that's a visual).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
</span><br /></span><br /></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal;">Kirsti:</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqLOaA-dVHgWS-9uUU2yFrYx7sArVEPN69VtdHhPgAVlSwcDbxXgxrLYZrB4ive04LmNb-taXYQYFZJfjFSUtfbFUp4utMNLyJoer6wcjXnPqmKVKEia1b3ME7VvvQm89f25kP8NR224/s1600/photo+(24).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqLOaA-dVHgWS-9uUU2yFrYx7sArVEPN69VtdHhPgAVlSwcDbxXgxrLYZrB4ive04LmNb-taXYQYFZJfjFSUtfbFUp4utMNLyJoer6wcjXnPqmKVKEia1b3ME7VvvQm89f25kP8NR224/s1600/photo+(24).JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly and Gabriel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHAPZ47eJyyYOTlXap376ZghkUEgCEUo5RoIfy77QQbjlSATkY1eceGAaErKrZ1GR_6SjNh54pwNTJ4Z4OEELvw6NjN6A36QgF2yOI-AdA8XElbeFZmLqBhZJqfqX5H3xJFBeYT0Ldlc/s1600/DSC00338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHAPZ47eJyyYOTlXap376ZghkUEgCEUo5RoIfy77QQbjlSATkY1eceGAaErKrZ1GR_6SjNh54pwNTJ4Z4OEELvw6NjN6A36QgF2yOI-AdA8XElbeFZmLqBhZJqfqX5H3xJFBeYT0Ldlc/s320/DSC00338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti helping a child make a personalized tee shirt<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background-color: white;">There is so much to be thankful for. At 9:45 this morning, baby Gabriel took his first breath on his own. His mother Lilly, did a great job in spite of being frightened and alone. Lilly is 20 years old and has been coming to the Ray of Hope clinic sporadically during her pregnancy. She lives with her older brother but doesn't have any experience with babies. Her mother died when she was young and she has no sisters.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br />
After labor, Lilly was moved into a room to rest. I got to spend much of the morning and some of the afternoon with her and Gabriel. It's funny how going through labor with someone gives you such a strong bond with them. By the time we had to say goodbye, we were both in tears and promised to keep in touch.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
Gabriel and Lilly have a life ahead of them that I cannot imagine. I am grateful to have shared such an important moment with both of them.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Christina:</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN4YINjBCl6TyrXDcdtAOhMArDoe11K9e1kCJ2m3rLEXjevHZVlFbqcAvhe9IokBAJj-s0NtFdgVRnivnBNaGO2yHtPFH33tXtnaCVK7Z6BjGx_upgK1EQoYedtBRjfv-gfGKPcX8bL4/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN4YINjBCl6TyrXDcdtAOhMArDoe11K9e1kCJ2m3rLEXjevHZVlFbqcAvhe9IokBAJj-s0NtFdgVRnivnBNaGO2yHtPFH33tXtnaCVK7Z6BjGx_upgK1EQoYedtBRjfv-gfGKPcX8bL4/s320/DSC00380.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina getting ready to play<br />
a game with the children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow. Today was deep. Before the 7a hour even rolled around, Classy
(my roommate) received very heavy news about a friend she, Pastor Karen and
many others within the GLIDE community unexpectedly lost. Sincere condolences
to the entire community who lost a dear friend, mentor or loved one.<br />
<br />
Before 10a, now at
Ray of Hope, we learned the story of one of Alfred's students. This boy
immediately stood out to me in an impressive way since Day One. Always helpful
with cleanups after projects, kind, sweet eyes, softer spoken, and one heck of
a dancer (which is actually an understatement) - this kiddo has great style
with his Superman embellished belt, coupled with the way he wears his socks and
kicks with purpose, and has a certain joie de vie that is truly endearing.
However, he comes with a very dark, scary past. His father passed away leaving
his mom a widow, and he was the only son among a few other sisters. In due
time, his mom went on to have 5 more children with another partner, who
immediately demonstrated pure hatred towards this boy - even threatening to
kill this boy's mom if she ever brought her son home again. This lovely
boy was ultimately found homeless by Hendrika - sleeping underneath the
table at street vendor near the ROH Learning Center. He was so dirty, and so
drenched with filth and stench, that no one wanted to come near him.
Hendrika, after learning more about his situation by visiting his mother,
brought him up to the Learning Center at Ray of Hope to give him a freezing
sponge bath (their running water comes through a garden hose). However, Hendrika
intuition enabled her to deal with the situation uniquely - by also taking two
of this boy's step sisters at Ray of Hope - and now fast forward, due to the
relationship Henrika created with the boy's step father, he is now accepted by
this man, and safely living at home and off the streets. THIS is the kind of
magic that Evelyn & Alfred (both teachers), along with Hendrika (case worker) do on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
However, before the
Noon hour even took place, the heaviness continued with trips to the respective
homes of Josephine, Jaqueline,
Joseph & Helen, all HIV+ patients in Henrika's Support Group. HIV is
detrimental because it is a gateway to other life-threatening diseases, and
most of the individuals we saw today also have TB. Josephine's story will be
shared another day; however, we had a peek into tiny, little Helen's life...<br />
<br />
Helen does not
attend Ray of Hope at the young age of 7 - instead, Helen is a patient of
Henrika's. Helen has HIV. Both of Helen's parents died, leaving her
behind with her little brother (age 3 or 4) and her older sister (age 20).
Forcing the sister to provide for the family (with payments in bread slices),
she leaves early every morning to go fishing and ultimately sell the fish,
returning around sundown. This little girl - who I would have guessed was
4 years old herself - is left alone all day long to tend to and watch over her
little brother who runs around the slums playing, exploring with other
children. Helen, with poor vision and bad hearing (a side effect from HIV drugs that never went away) is a blessing. A precious little soul, with the
responsibility of the world, on her tiny un-knowing shoulders. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
Today, my soul is
heavy. I've never had so many individuals in my thoughts and prayers -
it's an entire community - with some names I will never-ever forget.
Tonight, I will be sending them love, light and healing energy. Tomorrow,
I keep them in my thoughts, while continuing to send love, light and healing
energy... and next week... I will continue to keep them in my thoughts.
And next month... they will still be in the same exact place. Endless
thoughts. Endless energy. Endless healing lights. Please keep
them in your thoughts and prayers, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-11784277681416237842012-08-22T12:52:00.001-07:002012-08-22T12:54:21.922-07:00Day Four: Not Just Surviving <b>Kwame:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGiHPRe1iYY93Ws2-ZMpb48DL3QqlqGqUyKAmM46k98YWPTtMTvmoFFepXx7Ue9SdBpwMkb0Wdl7XccLUNQ1hulvKImfzXHvopDTq88XJ5bWJZOR9XJzSZRlY7-UdYpXQqBbqiTzbXSM/s1600/DSC00318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGiHPRe1iYY93Ws2-ZMpb48DL3QqlqGqUyKAmM46k98YWPTtMTvmoFFepXx7Ue9SdBpwMkb0Wdl7XccLUNQ1hulvKImfzXHvopDTq88XJ5bWJZOR9XJzSZRlY7-UdYpXQqBbqiTzbXSM/s320/DSC00318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame with teacher Alfred</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we got to meet some of the Ray of Hope’s women’s
group. One of the staff members, who
heads this group, told us of her back story which led to the formation of the
group. I heard in her story the actions
of someone who, seemed to be, completely selfless in her caring for others, at
the same time, urging them to care for themselves. It was this theme that set
my thoughts for the day in motion, back to this later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once the teatime
discussion with that staff member was through, we were escorted into a small
room where 10 or so were waiting for us.
After a short introduction the group performed songs for us, the last of
which we were invited to dance. The
songs were I would best describe as real authentic. I enjoyed it all very much, and then we sold
souvenirs. That short experience
reminded me of my mother. I thought to myself how much she would enjoy all of
this and how I wished she was here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My thoughts for the
rest of the day seemed to be focused on the fact that, all that I was seeing,
learning and experiencing, I would never be able to forget! What seems to mean
so little to us, means so much more to the people I am meeting here. What can I do to help? Where do I begin? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Kirsti:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">I spent most of the day working in the clinic today. We saw everything from typhoid to malaria. There was a mother getting ready to give birth, and a mother with 3 children under the age of 2, talking with us about family planning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px;">I spent a lot of time with Mary, a 7 year old with an advanced case of malaria. I went through two rounds of seizures with her, a painful injection in her back, and she still had a smile for me when she woke up from a nap. A few of the other children I saw were afraid of me because they had never met a white person before.</span><br style="font-size: 16px;" /><br style="font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px;">I am reminded of how much I take my good health and healthcare for granted. The "maternity ward" here is a very old metal bed with a small table covered with a baby blanket, next to it. The mother who was there, was alone, and just waiting. I'm sure that by the time that I am writing this now, she has given birth and gone home. The medical team here does an amazing job of taking care of everyone - and graciously told me how much they appreciated the extra set of hands today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">It was a good day today. Full of hope and healing. We are all tired, but </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">fulfilled with the opportunity to be able to have done so much.</span></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOY9D2KCbnTrm5Zw7Aaa2-Gg1LxzgX-AnY-781XCTjrPt5gffFv26N0CBwyV-6ugtKqzUsETvJ86_1svckA8h0jilK4aDawebXJ9HngRsQ__SGbY56JtB7VGiJ9fzfVNyXGR2EVkjXao/s1600/DSC00322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOY9D2KCbnTrm5Zw7Aaa2-Gg1LxzgX-AnY-781XCTjrPt5gffFv26N0CBwyV-6ugtKqzUsETvJ86_1svckA8h0jilK4aDawebXJ9HngRsQ__SGbY56JtB7VGiJ9fzfVNyXGR2EVkjXao/s320/DSC00322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsti and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Craig:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="Normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Normal__Char">Eac</span>h day we hear the stories of students at the Learning Center and of the families served by Ray of Hope’s Community Health Worker, Henricka. Many children are orphaned or have a single parent who is sick with HIV/AIDS, often too weak to look for work. The safety net for these families is<span class="Normal__Char" style="text-decoration: underline;"> tenuous</span> at best; if parents die a relative may step forward to care for the children but often these guardians then become sick and die as well. There are many children in Kawangware whose current living situations, as dire as they are, hang by a thread with the potential to get even worse. What becomes of these children when there are no close relatives left or their guardians disappear? We’ve met some incredible single parents who have taken in more and more children, stretching what little they have to provide a safe and loving home for children who would otherwise be living on the streets.</span></div>
<div class="Normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ray of Hope serves many children in these situations. Teachers Evelyn and Alfred and many others on the Ray of Hope team are like parents to the 50+ students and Learning Center alumni. In lives often swirling with great uncertainty, there is a safe place full of love for the children to come to. After school hours the teachers sometimes get knocks on their doors in the middle of the night, young children, their students, looking for a safe place to escape to from a difficult situation at home.</span></div>
<div class="Normal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The tireless, unselfish efforts of the Ray of Hope team truly provide rays of hope for many.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<b>Angela:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="Body_00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Today we
met with the Ray of Hope Women's Support Group. These are women who are HIV+,
that come together to provide emotional and financial support to each other.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ0fcsADj32Eg-9yb5tVtwi3b7wCCCW7DL_AixZMd-X-MQvmrH_WPQxslTsz0FhZtLRn0x3FTB-gHDTfGL5CgT5-hObLU1vuiQb14QjgCKBCdgPvf8vWIlw5dN4UVW4IPd0RnSxqQQP0/s1600/DSC00235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ0fcsADj32Eg-9yb5tVtwi3b7wCCCW7DL_AixZMd-X-MQvmrH_WPQxslTsz0FhZtLRn0x3FTB-gHDTfGL5CgT5-hObLU1vuiQb14QjgCKBCdgPvf8vWIlw5dN4UVW4IPd0RnSxqQQP0/s320/DSC00235.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela with her class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Before we met with the women, Hendrika, who leads the
support group, discussed how the group started, in 2004. She started counseling
with five women, which at one point grew to 1000 women. Most of her counseling
was done in the home of the women, who needed someone to care for them. By care
I mean the basic necessities, food, water, caring for their children,
getting their medication for them.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Being HIV+ the women were often abandon and or beaten by
their husbands and family members, leaving them alone to fight this unknown
disease and take care of their children. Hendrika would bring the women
food, clean the women's homes and themselves if needed. She is responsible for
some of the children receiving an education at Ray of Hope school. She would
bring children whose parents had died from AIDS, and or who might themselves be
HIV+ to the Ray of Hope for an education.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Hendrika makes all of her visits on foot, through the
slums of Nairobi. She talks about a time where being HIV+ could get a person
evicted from their housing, so if someone saw her going to a home, the
assumption was that person had AIDS.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMbcFCmrXaB7bSozBoyOFQlPOUuB2Xezb647TdU8q63erIr4pRlZ4neHKkU6QKSCefBbjQR2TIYjv94O97LHJgIM4xa7MdrN5mPYRD4Id5RXEKdWIvKLcuABn-k9yFXFDJnhSwrG-8OQ/s1600/DSC00323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMbcFCmrXaB7bSozBoyOFQlPOUuB2Xezb647TdU8q63erIr4pRlZ4neHKkU6QKSCefBbjQR2TIYjv94O97LHJgIM4xa7MdrN5mPYRD4Id5RXEKdWIvKLcuABn-k9yFXFDJnhSwrG-8OQ/s320/DSC00323.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hendrika</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Hendrika attempts to focus her counseling on pregnant
women, so that the child can be born HIV-, and the mother can also get
treatment. She also focuses on young women who see no other way to support
themselves than to sell their bodies. They tell Hendrika, "that she may
give them one or two meals, but what will they eat after that meal is
gone." At the very least she encourages them to use condoms.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">The group of women at the Ray of Hope meet every Wednesday,
each woman donates 10 shillings (1.00 US = 81 shillings). They place the
money in and bank, and some of the money they use to purchase materials that
the women need to make their crafts. The women sell the crafts to support
themselves and their families. The women had a display of items for us to
purchase.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="body00201char">Hendrika does all of her counseling work, while being the
mother of seven girls.<span style="font-size: 17.77777862548828px;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 12pt;">Hendrika's energy and commitment to the women is
boundless.</span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="body00201char"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The children continue to be a joy, as I struggle to
remember their names. Of course the kids with the outgoing, and
unique personalities stand out, but I make an effort to draw out the quieter
kids, especially the girls. The kids really love arts and craft activities.</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="body00201char"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GcQKHmXLa4s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Karen: </b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today, we
met with members of the women’s HIV support group. Hendrika started this group in 2004, when
HIV/AIDS carried much stigma as well as a death sentence. At one time, the
group numbered 1000 women. While the stigma has lessened somewhat and drugs
have made HIV/AIDS manageable, there is still a need for education and support.
Additionally, through microfinancing, the women of the support group have
created income-generating business projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP4Q1mVQ2D8CYR5BAw1HoLYZaLbp1vAa-yqu9OkH332C7Xi6Lz5yEUCGKMrY3oD1IQec2KFJ-wOIvYpguQVJDN7Mcvo1zLD2vVchG4wo781PckNopyc-1YZ2Qf7fjYIJMeFB1V10-q5M/s1600/DSC00280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP4Q1mVQ2D8CYR5BAw1HoLYZaLbp1vAa-yqu9OkH332C7Xi6Lz5yEUCGKMrY3oD1IQec2KFJ-wOIvYpguQVJDN7Mcvo1zLD2vVchG4wo781PckNopyc-1YZ2Qf7fjYIJMeFB1V10-q5M/s320/DSC00280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen helping with some of the arts and crafts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hendrika
spoke to us briefly before we met the women. She said something so profound
that hours later I am still reflecting on her words’ power. She said that one
of the biggest things she does is help women accept their HIV status. As she
said, “If you have accepted yourself, you will have life. If you don’t accept
yourself, you will die.” Accepting one’s HIV status puts one on a course to
doing something about it, which can manage the disease and ensure a future. But
to run from it, to deny it, will only hasten death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There is
a truth here that runs beyond one’s HIV status, however.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If you accept yourself, you will
have life. If you don’t accept yourself, you will die.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Robin:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Craig and I took Evelyn (one of the two teachers at Ray of Hope) to the emergency room yesterday for what turned out to be a serious infection in her foot. Thank you all for your prayers, she is much better today. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj451cHsf0lNE7IA3Q4EPu7CgMcRiwW3VK-nsAle_n_iXubSOBSDOFeclds8NdAuM6DnQH6sOYNDP5Zw8p39vF2F8jgRyya8aENsyMg7LBx2Z8oaDIxMXnHXwtwBr0I7ApLTflsC03YKNU/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj451cHsf0lNE7IA3Q4EPu7CgMcRiwW3VK-nsAle_n_iXubSOBSDOFeclds8NdAuM6DnQH6sOYNDP5Zw8p39vF2F8jgRyya8aENsyMg7LBx2Z8oaDIxMXnHXwtwBr0I7ApLTflsC03YKNU/s320/DSC00243.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin prepping for class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">While we were at the hospital, the doctor told her how serious the infection was and gave her IV antibiotics. As we waited (for many, many hours), I thought, "What if something happened to her? Who would teach and love and care for these children?" Evelyn is their teacher but she is so much more. She has her own four children to raise by herself (her husband passed away from TB many years ago) and has taken in (and by this I mean added to her family) an orphan boy who is HIV positive (and who has been very ill this past year), a baby boy whose mother didn't want him (he is now three), and her niece when the child's mother abandoned her. Evelyn is also available to all the children of Ray of Hope any time of the day or night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Craig and I walked to her home to check on her. We were accompanied by three boys from Ray of Hope. One of the boys told me that when his grandfather (who is raising the boy and his brother following the death of their mother) was very sick, Evelyn came by every day to take care of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Evelyn's home has two small rooms, no plumbing or water, yet she so generously gives what she has. I thank God that Evelyn is better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Classy:</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classy and a friend working on journals</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My day was pretty good. We got to the school around 8:15 and we were just as excited from the previous days. My class began working on their hula skirts and lei's. Each class room got to make either a lei or a skirt. They didn't care which one. They were just so happy to be making them. They couldnt wait to finish. Some even made more of what they had. We sung the Hawain song while making them and still, they weren't tired of the song. I am excited about tomorrow when we will put both groups together for the first time and sing the song with their lei's and hula skirts while dancing to it... I must say that I was really tired today. I didn't think I would be able to be as energetic as I was the previous days but that all changed when we got to the school and saw the smiles on their faces. Today was a good day!!!</span>
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<b>Christina:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDThkIOe-80S1qSmhlXiIFvipnxCEIavznIUID5pYi2GXGs1nqrVtnohm4sXZMssahw-leugtabn4ppKbBwhZzraMN5-H5YyPIfUlWrTgjTNoLf8irFigKJOHml0Juu2DmseJ0FHF9fjk/s1600/DSC00281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDThkIOe-80S1qSmhlXiIFvipnxCEIavznIUID5pYi2GXGs1nqrVtnohm4sXZMssahw-leugtabn4ppKbBwhZzraMN5-H5YyPIfUlWrTgjTNoLf8irFigKJOHml0Juu2DmseJ0FHF9fjk/s320/DSC00281.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My soul is humming. We had the honor of meeting 10 people from Henrika's Support Group today. Echoing sentiments from yesterday's blog: Hendrika is ONE heck of a woman. A visionary. A helper. A life saver. A motivator. An angel. Since 2006, Hendrika started counseling and supporting women who were diagnosed with HIV. To date, she has had over 1,000 patients, and currently has 30 individuals who have a newfound acceptance for living with HIV, and therefore, are choosing to live over dying - because she believes, if you do not accept who you are, you *are* dying. When diagnosed with HIV, a person's immunity drops drastically, making them successible to TB and many other serious diseases. Therefore, HIV is essentially a gateway to other life-threatening illnesses, and without education - or even acceptance of HIV in the first place - most of these women are looking at a more life threatening diagnosis' down the road. The detail Hendrika went in to around the identification of need, care, support, treatment and education around what she does is so detailed, and I would love to elaborate further on a future blog, but am going to honor my body and get a good night's rest as tomorrow is going to be another long, intense day. So more to come on this experience soon...</span>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-73882274596205618042012-08-21T11:44:00.001-07:002012-08-21T11:51:43.726-07:00Day Three: The Lessons Continue<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Karen:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evelyn, the head teacher</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am
continually amazed by the Ray of Hope staff. They are tremendously committed
individuals who do so much with so little. They have taken an honest look at
their community, rolled up their sleeves, and seem tireless as they respond to
crippling poverty and debilitating disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today, I
spent time with Evelyn, the head teacher. Evelyn has a true heart for children.
Besides her own children, she regularly takes in abandoned and orphaned
children, or those whose parents can no longer care for them. In addition, she
cares for all the children at Ray of Hope as her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I asked
her how she does it all. Her husband died several years ago, and she does all
this as a single woman. She shrugged. “God provides.” She is a deeply faithful
woman. “No matter how little money I receive, I always immediately give 10% of
it to God. And God has never disappointed me. When I have held back from giving
to God, it seems like nothing goes right. But when I give to God, even the hard
times are not as hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I teach
my children that even when it seems like we have so little to eat, there is
always enough to give to someone else. When we give, even so little, we get so
much more back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen leading singing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I have
never seen as much generosity as I have here in Kenya, because here people give
what little they have, rather than what they don’t want or what they have
left-over. I once visited a woman with HIV stir her little pot of porridge—it
was the only food she had in her house—and when another HIV+ woman came into
her home, who hadn’t eaten in two days, she dipped into the pot and gave the
woman a cupful of porridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our
Kenyan friends teach us so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Classy:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today was another great day. The kids were wonderful and full of
energy. With the help of Angela, we taught hula from Hawaii. We started with
the younger kids in Evelyn’s class. We first taught them the words, then the
hand and hip motions. They picked it up so fast and loved it. Next, we did the
older kids in Alfred's class. I was in a little doubt about teaching them (specifically
the older boys) about hula. I felt that they wouldn't think it was cool or too
girl. We again taught the words and then the movement. As we were doing the
chorus, I noticed two of the older boys beat banging on the book shelf to the
song. I thought "hmm that would make it so much cooler." I stopped
the song and told them we were going to make this very slow song a more fun
song. So I had them repeat a hand and feet beat for the chorus/ breakdown part.
I notice that they couldn't get the beat I was doing. I kept thinking. "It
so simple." Stomp stomp clap...stomp stomp clap. I again stopped them and
realize that they don't clap on the 2's and 4's but instead on the 1's and 3's.
"DUH" I thought to myself. I then asked 4 of the older boys to
one at a time come in with a beat. They picked it up so fast. Then I asked one
of the boys whose name is Richard, to make a beat that we all do at the end of
the song-for the breakdown part. We put the whole song together. We started off
very slow while doing the hula. Then once the breakdown began we cut the music,
sped up the song, and only had voices and the beat.... Clap clap stomp....clap
clap stomp. It was soooooo fun. We had a little extra time before lunch so we
decided to make beats and have people come up and dance</span><br />
.. Each row of kids
(3kids) did one hand beat on the table. Then the next row came in, them the
next row. We had 8 rows and bout time the last row was finished, it sounded so
good. You could hear each row AND their beats. All different, all unique and
fun to dance to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we wrapped up the day, we sat in one room quietly and the kids
were in their classrooms. As we were cutting out flowers for our lei's, all of
a sudden the kids started singing the song over and over and over and over and
over again. I taught them Pearly Shells at 11:00 and here it was 4:00 and they
were singing it still!!!!!. I felt so proud like I've accomplished something.
It was so good to hear them. I could listen to them all day. My heart is so
happy!!!!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>Kirsti:</b></div>
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I don't believe I will ever see again a group of teen-aged African children singing and dancing to a traditional Hawaiian song. Taught by classy, and choreographed by the kids, the second video is the African version of the Hawaiian classic.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Angela:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">TEAM WORK</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhaT7pugyR8eLaULV-fqH8tOd6BLUu3hZ5k-ojLuBemEYXAWdk6f6h5lgkJIdDAH4EoTrjWEMBN6ygL6hS_hqwkzgjCiWFCf0833iTK3q90V_bzU3bLmLZ4QJRcUQBbKDEe7gc_JjTsI/s1600/DSC00206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhaT7pugyR8eLaULV-fqH8tOd6BLUu3hZ5k-ojLuBemEYXAWdk6f6h5lgkJIdDAH4EoTrjWEMBN6ygL6hS_hqwkzgjCiWFCf0833iTK3q90V_bzU3bLmLZ4QJRcUQBbKDEe7gc_JjTsI/s320/DSC00206.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela teaching her journaling class</td></tr>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Today was a great example of team work.
Each member had his/her classes to lead, but made themselves available to give
assistance to whoever needed it, at times without being asked to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The kids and the team were just as excited
to see each other today, as they were yesterday. The individual personalities
of the kids are starting to become apparent, as we all struggle to remember
their names.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I was surprised at how few girls are in
both of the classes, Evelyn stated that a few of them have gone to high school.
The girls are very shy in class and barely speak above a whisper, so I'm doing
my best to encourage them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">There isn't an age limit in Kenyan
schools, one of the boys is 18, and hoping to pass his tests to enter high
school. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The school had no running water today, so
water had to be purchased and brought in, which was delivered by a large wooden
wheel barrel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Dance class today, was very cross
cultural. Classy taught the kids a Hawaiian song, complete with the hand
motions; but somehow</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">an African beat
slipped in! The song also gave me an opportunity to give a geography lesson,
because the kids did not know where Hawaii was located.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I left tired today, but fulfilled, that we
are bringing the kids different experiences, that they appear to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">appreciate.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b>Kwame:</b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ymerNM7NjTqfRsXiNP-m6gv5TGkQFuxXHJbnXfeeLydJ5wXqRv3iAXybOHBG9Yi98Y4mYMEGGWn4jRcOhyphenhyphenvCE-SuLdwX1Pr5DL7kDIW-S2FH_YjU6w_OEUKRKXosAdHQaiA3KYFZV6M/s1600/DSC00185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ymerNM7NjTqfRsXiNP-m6gv5TGkQFuxXHJbnXfeeLydJ5wXqRv3iAXybOHBG9Yi98Y4mYMEGGWn4jRcOhyphenhyphenvCE-SuLdwX1Pr5DL7kDIW-S2FH_YjU6w_OEUKRKXosAdHQaiA3KYFZV6M/s320/DSC00185.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwame leading a game with the children</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Day two
at Ray of Hope saw us as a whole community, (children, staff and our Glide
team) come closer together. It seemed to
be that we where all starting to hit a comfortable stride. The staff was at ease and very supportive. To be frank they are all so warm and kind its
incredible. It’s a pleasure to work with
such open-minded and positive people.
The children are becoming closer to us also. They are no longer as shy and we are starting
to see there personalities came to the surface. It was also nice to hear them calling us by
name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today I got play with one of my
classes outside. The enthusiastic,
loving and sharing way they play together was an inspiration to me and loads of
fun. Our Glide team has got the right
stuff! We started our preparation all
those months ago, with talk of supporting our teammates and working together,
going the extra mile. Now we are in the
moment, and all are following through.
It’s an awesome thing to be a part of.
Rock on, R.O.H. team 2012!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Christina:</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina with Alfred, one of the teachers</td></tr>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was really nice to connect with Evelyn, Alfred, Henrika, and even
Agnetta today - although there was a language barrier with Agnetta. These
individuals are some of the most gracious and most giving individuals I have
ever met. They have devoted their lives to serving these children -
sacrificing in ways I could not even conceptualize - and providing them with a
better life - filled with unconditional love. Evelyn, a sister to 25 other
women and 18 brothers (polygamy is common here - her father has seven wives, I believe),
exudes soft warmth and love through every interaction. She is strong, giving,
generous, gracious, devotes a significant portion of her earnings to her
church, while sacrificing her own comfort for the children, as well as her
GLIDE visiting family. Henrika sacrificed attending a close friends funeral in
the community to be present at RoH to ensure we were taken care of and served.
She has helped me translate for many of the small children, and you can
see they love her. Alfred is one man - among many, many women (bless his
heart!) - who most of the children must look up to as a father figure. He is
kind, soft-spoken, gentle in his words, and graceful in his actions. Most
of these children do not have fathers, and those that do, may not have it easy.
He provides that stability. That love. That man they can look up to who
consistently guides them through their adolescence. And last, Agnetta - wow,
Agnetta - who provides the only nourishment most of these children receive -
feeds over 50 mouths a day. And EVERYTHING is from scratch. Each morning,
beans, veggies or greens are sprawled out for preparation. The pots are huge.
The meals are hot. One or two ladels of porridge for the younger
ones, two ladels of porridge for the older ones... Followed by either a hot
rice or bean dish. Today, beans and hominy were prepared with love. The
children do not have water, and they have three ingredients in small rations
the entire day. And it is this quiet, lovely spirit who gives the children the
gift of food. Water is not available. But one thing is certain:
radient smiles are abundant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>NOTE: Robin and Craig took Evelyn to the emergency room this afternoon. At the writing of this blog nearly six hours later, they were still there waiting for test results. Please keep Evelyn in your prayers. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Below is a sample from Craig, Robin, and Kirsti's class session:</b></span></div>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-61380736914427394032012-08-20T12:33:00.000-07:002014-03-01T16:21:54.168-08:00Day Two: Ray of Hope Homecoming<br />
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<b>Angela:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Day of Anticipation<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela and Kwame helping serve the<br />
children lunch</td></tr>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">Well after months of preparation, meetings, making lists,
fundraising, today we meet the children. There is excitement among the team
members, some because they will see old friends again, and children they have
seen grow over the years; and others like myself, we are excited to see the
smiling faces of the Ray of Hope children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">Much to our surprise, the driver was able to take us and the
sixteen bags of supplies in one trip. The Ray of Hope is a short drive from the
Methodist guest house, which was an asset at the end of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">We were first introduced to Florence, who gave us the history
and tour of the clinic. Of course I was Florence's favorite, because her
granddaughter's name is Angela, ( a fact that I created). It is beyond amazing
the work and care that is given in the clinic, when it is so understaffed, and
under-resourced. Patients come in desperate, with </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">life-threatening conditions, unable to pay, but never
rejected for non-payment.</span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">We were told that three babies had been delivered the day
before (Sunday) in the clinic, but much to my surprise, the mothers nor the
babies were in the clinic on Monday. On average the women remain in the
hospital 2-4 hours only after giving birth. We also learned that the reason why
Kenyan women do not scream during childbirth, it is believed that the baby
will die, if the mother screams. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">Most of the mother's giving birth are HIV+, but if a mother
breast-feeds her baby exclusively for a year, the baby will be HIV-; what</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">While we were in the clinic, the children came downstairs,
and recited a poem to us, that expressed their gratitude for our visit, and the
poem included each of our names. The poem, their singing and their smiles,
nearly brought me to tears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">The two classrooms are small and crowded, with no individual
desks or chairs. The children are very respectful, asking permission to go to
the bathroom, which is a hole in the floor. They are given two meals each day,
unfortunately for some of the children,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">when they leave
on Friday, lunch will be their last meal until Monday's breakfast.</span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">The children recite a prayer before eating, and if you can
envision this, all will wait until everyone is served before they will start to
eat. The oldest student is 18 years of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">age. There was
one boy who was 12, and had never been to school, he was beaten by his father
who is an alcoholic. He arrived at the Ray of Hope, without even knowing how to
hold a pencil at the age of twelve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">My class assignment was Journaling. So I explained that it
was their personal storybook, where they could write about their feelings,
family, friends, favorite things, and draw pictures. Today we focused on
personalizing the journals with their names and whatever drawings, decorations
they wanted on the front and back covers. The artistic talent of the kids was
great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">All day long we had two classes going at the same time, it
was exhilarating to hear the laughter and joy coming from the two classes,
which made the day of anticipation, more than I could have possibly imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="body00201char"><span style="background-color: white;">THANKS BE TO GOD. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence giving a tour of the clinic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Classy:</b></span><br />
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Today was the first day of teaching at the ray of hope school. We were greeted by the ray of hope staff and a few of the kids. I taught the macarena to two classes that had 24 kids each. Each classroom was the size was 10 by12 . Though I thought to myself' wow how can they learn in such a tight space? How can they even move? The classroom was so tiny yet their love of learning was so strong that it didn't matter if they were squished together all day long. It didn't matter that they played, ate and learned all in the same small space with not one of them ever complaining. Quietly they waited to be fed. As we served each child, they gave us a sincere' thank you.' it was truly amazing.<br />
<br />
I was overjoyed to see how they embraced me with their hand claps everytime we entered the room. Everytime I walked out and walked back in, they clapped and cheered. Today's dance was the Macarena. They had a blast and wanted more. Each child got to show me their favorite dance, and I then found myself wanting more. We were thirsty for each others teachings and happiness that we could not get enough. Seeing these kids and looking at what the they see and witness everyday is amazing. We learned the stories about each child, some who were beat by their fathers and kids who go all weekend without food and kids who are HIV positive and yet, they manage to be happy all the time. They always manage to rejoiced and keep a genuine smile on their face. It makes me so proud to share this experience with them. We danced ,laughed and played games all day and this is only the beginning!!!<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Classy leads dance class</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Kirsti:</b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But Miss Scarlet…I don’t know
nothin’ about birthin’ no babies<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After we
finished our tour of the clinic and school this morning, I went back downstairs
to help out in the clinic. There were three babies delivered there yesterday
and as it turned out, another since we had been there earlier this morning. Baby and mom were doing fine, and would be
ready to go home in 3-4 hours. The staff was very carefully monitoring them
both as the mother had tested positive for HIV and hepatitis. I also learned
this morning that an HIV+ mother can improve her child’s opportunity to be HIV-
if she breast feeds the child for a year (while she is getting treatment) and
does not feed the child anything other than breast milk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
clinic has very limited offerings, but they do so much with what they have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The rest
of my morning was spent meeting a young pregnant mother and assisting with her
charts and exam, holding the hand of my new friend Beatrice while she had a
procedure done, and meeting with a very young and scared mother who needed
treatment for an infection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
clinic offers services for everyone who needs them. And for the mother who had
her baby this morning, she will pay maybe $20 to help offset the cost of her
lunch, a taxi to take her home, and the wages for the clinic staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
services provided are amazing for the needs of a community that are never-ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Robin:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Laughter
and joy are the words that describe today! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin working on her maraca</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We have
waited so long to see our good friends again at Ray of Hope! After greeting
each friend with tears of joy, and hearing the children sing to us, we started
our prepared curriculum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Classy
taught dance, and hearing the older class laugh loudly, I had to see what was
going on. Classy was laughing and dancing and the kids were laughing and
dancing with joy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Craig,
Kirsti and I introduced the children to symphony music through “Carnival of the
Animals” (a symphony written by Saint-Saens in which each movement depicts an
animal). Kirsti, using her whole body,
did rhythm motions with the kids that got faster and faster until we ended
laughing the kind of laughter that makes your stomach hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
children colored maracas and used them to dance to the music. It was a special,
wonderful day of laughter and joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig teaching</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Craig:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="normalchar"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is good to be back with our Ray of Hope family! August is
a school vacation month, but the kids have come back this week for</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">our enrichment
curriculum full of dance, music, and arts and crafts. The
classrooms are extra full, as the 25+ kids who have graduated from the Ray of
Hope Learning Center into the public schools are joining us for the week as
well. Robin, Kirsti, and I are organizing our week around the
symphony “Carnival of the Animals”, with focuses in music, animals, geography
and arts and crafts. The class exploded with smiles when we brought
out a variety of percussion instruments. Everyone received a
wooden maraca to decorate, and we ended the afternoon dancing and playing all
of our instruments in a loud and energetic accompaniment of a video showing a
percussion band on Venice Beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Christina:</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina helping the students</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today was special in so many ways. Finally meeting the staff and
children at Ray of Hope was powerful and seeing the fruits of our teams labors
come to fruition after months of planning individual curriculums was cool
because the children were so stoked to be dancing, making symphony instruments
or decorating the covers of their new life journals.</span><br />
<br />
My personal project
this year is called the Reflection Project. Words can be similar to a living
organism - capable of growing, changing, spreading and influencing the world in
so many ways, directly and indirectly, through others. Words boast
self-belief, self-confidence and self-esteem. The reason why words have the
power to affect others so much is related to personal identity. Words are
very powerful. If we hear words that are affirming, reinforcing of who we are
and desire to be, we are likely to accept them as an accurate description of
who we are, which then increases our motivation to fulfill and enhance that
description even more.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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Every day, each
student will pick a name out of a hat and deliver a compliment or affirmation.
By the end of the week, each child will have delivered 5 complements to their
peers, and in turn, will have received 5 in return. The children will also be
making an arts and crafts project that will "come alive" over the
course of the week. Plain white frames will ultimately burst with color using
pipe cleaners, buttons, glitter, and feathers. And on the very last day, they
will be gifted a mirror to put behind their frames. The message here is
to confirm how wonderful the children felt when they were receiving those daily
complements and affirmations - but to communicate that there may be a span of
time when they do not receive a complement or affirmation - but not to be
discouraged. Because all they simply need to do is take a look in the mirror,
see their powerful reflections for themselves, and remember the greatness,
strength and beauty that they already know lies within them.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b>Kwame:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today we
arrived to the Ray of Hope School and clinic.
We finally got to meet the staff and students. After unpacking all the wonderful gifts and
donations given by the Glide community and friends, we were given a tour of the
R.O.H facility. Just before the tour
ended the staff had the team sit for a presentation in our honor, welcoming
us. The children walked into the room,
totally quiet, in formation, eyes glaring, focused in our direction. The teacher gave a signal and the group
began. What came next, no one could have
ever prepared me for. The children, in
perfect unison, began to welcome our group, in perfect English, stating our
names individually, and thanking us for not abandoning them and continuing to
come back. Then they ended with the most beautiful song, before the
end of which, kids from the group leaped out of formation, pulled us out of our
seats to dance with them until the song was finished. It was by far, one of the most beautiful
moments of my life. I was stunned and
shell-shocked by it all. It took all the strength within me to not burst
into tears. I will never forget the way
that moment made me fill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Working
with the children, teachers, and my teammates today has been an immense honor. I can’t wait for tomorrow to come. My soul is
good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxX_eoei-0MOUXWTaKNrOIkBt5HSMS_edVuQ1_YsAHaa1gcMypLw_-4P-9M87vkkvViVdg--s7GXspIIdJJgw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The Welcome Poem</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Karen:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was great to return to Ray of Hope. This is Glide’s third trip back and it has been great to develop and deepen relationships with the Ray of Hope staff and students. Hugs were in abundance today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">All the staff at Ray of Hope—whether in the clinic or learning center—are incredibly dedicated to the people they serve, particularly the children. The staff regularly take into their homes children who have been orphaned or abused. They go the extra mile and then some to make sure those they serve are safe and cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Evelyn, one of the teachers, talked about how many of the children are HIV+, or orphaned, or living with violence or abuse. Many, when they are not in school, go hungry. As a result, they come to Ray of Hope with many behavioral issues. One boy used to beat her whenever he came to school. “We just kept loving him, and now he is a changed boy,” she told us. “It is all about love here. We know that by loving people, they become transformed. This is what God promises us. This is why we make sure the children who come to Ray of Hope know they are loved.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I think this is why we have found such a great partnership with Ray of Hope, for this is what we know to be true at Glide as well. When we love, really love another, meet them where they are with the power of love, transformation happens. And it is not just the person who is loved who changes. The person reaching out in love changes as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our Kenyan friends are teaching and loving us well. And we have no doubt that when our time is done here, we will be changed, too.</span></div>
Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-59212096867237578482012-08-19T12:54:00.003-07:002012-08-19T12:56:58.462-07:00Day One: This is the Day the Lord Has Made<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirsti:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Sundays at Glide, I love it when we open the windows, knowing that all of the neighborhood can be part of the music we all sing together. It was no different in the small chapel in the heart of a slum in Nairobi today. Except that the windows today were crowded with smiling faces of local children peering in. The music was just as heartfelt and touching as anything we sing at Glide. What a gift today has been.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-dQ1txuu298UpLeV0tNEqkEGjrcRpeP8Sz-08UCtZxgeBxqkJ6gf774MfhV68CFEBE6Dr807eYQi7AiCcaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Music from the Huruma Tent of Prayer UMC</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kwame:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was born my mother gave me an African name. So from my earliest experiences, Africa has
been, both consciously and unconsciously, a part of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been a long time dream of mine to be on a trip such
as this, working with a team such as this one.
From the time that this mission became known to me and I applied, to the
point when I was so graciously chosen to be a part of the Ray of Hope team, I’d been
so excited by the thought of what’s to come, my feet hasn't touched the
ground. Through the months of
preparation and the outcry of support and well wishing, to the moment the time
came to embark on this journey, my feet never touched the ground. Taking the longest……………flight of my life,
arriving to Nairobi, Kenya and today traveling through the city to visit a
shantytown to congregate with a group of Kenyan and Zimbabweans, my feet have
yet to touch the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so grateful to be a part of this good group, on this trip
to spread good to the deserving. I know that when my feet finally touch the ground,
I will be a better man. Welcome to my journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Robin:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today we </span>traveled<span style="font-family: inherit;"> through Nairobi (by bus and matatu) to worship with the Huruma Tent of Prayer United Methodist Church. I've noticed that various slums in Nairobi have a few things in common: dirt roads, few cars, and streets lined with stalls selling things from cooked corn on the cob to used clothes. They are full of activity, full of people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's sermon was partly about Psalm 30, "You turn my mourning into dancing." This was a hopeful message in the midst of so much that seemed so hopeless: I saw lives turned into dancing, people smiling, full of joy, praising.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Classy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, Sunday, the Ray of Hope team got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime church experience. We were awoken with singing. They welcomed us with love and grace. I knew they were happy to have us with them in their presence and I was truly honored to be a part of their worship. You could see God through their eyes, their handshakes, their hugs and kisses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One woman said to me, "Welcome home, my sister. So glad you are here." I felt that connection that I was present and finally at home. During part of the worship, a little girl came and sat on my lap. She held my hand and laid on my chest. We definitely had a connection, as did all the kids I played high-five with after church. What a beautiful day to worship and enjoy each other!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Angela:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Body_00201__Char">After a full night's rest, (after 20-22 hours of traveling) I was ready to experience Nairobi. Today is Sunday, so off to church we go. The District Superintendent, his wife (who is also a pastor) and the Youth pastor </span><span class="Body_00201__Char">came to the Methodist Guest House to escort us to the church. The church was located in a slum (their term) in the city of Nairobi.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Body_00201__Char">It was challenging to get a bus or a matatoo (small van-privately owned) to accommodate 10 adults, so we waited on the side</span><span class="Body_00201__Char"> of the road, enjoying the Indy 500 driving skills.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQWNmwgWfe97wKINvsFoslZR1ENnfSumGrJqueW_vdtxEWDQflKqaVgKaxdFix-XTy_IrMCSm-Rg_K5qyzrs6kZAGru8QrqnNl5IIzUTAHfDzOCQi53GyJcM75HbhvQdpgYdXDrZM_sY/s1600/photo+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQWNmwgWfe97wKINvsFoslZR1ENnfSumGrJqueW_vdtxEWDQflKqaVgKaxdFix-XTy_IrMCSm-Rg_K5qyzrs6kZAGru8QrqnNl5IIzUTAHfDzOCQi53GyJcM75HbhvQdpgYdXDrZM_sY/s320/photo+(22).JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The sermon was given in both English and Swahili. <br />The Huruma pastor translated for Rev. Lloyd Nyarota (right)</span></td></tr>
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<span class="body00201char">We needed
to take two buses and walk a distance to get to the church.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char">The church was a tin roofed structure, with plastic seats.
When we arrived (late) the service had begun,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="body00201char">with beautiful songs of praise.
Members immediately got up to give us their seats. The service was
spirit-filled, and a sermon of encouragement was given to this small
congregation to remain faithful to God, because he will turn their sorrow into
dancing.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="body00201" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="body00201char">The sermon was given by Rev. Lloyd Nyarota from the General
Board of Church and Society, who was in Nairobi for the Annual Conference of
the East African Central Conferences. Communion was also served, because the DS
was present, with two other visiting DSs from Zimbabwe and a visiting District
Lay Leader.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="body00201char">We were then blessed with their hospitality, as they served
us a meal. The members did not eat, only the guests, the pastor and his
wife. I was overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of the meal. It is
obvious that the members are not rich in material things, but rich in
hospitality, love of God, and showing their love in tangible ways.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">It was out of their lack that they gave generously,
when we often, with our wealth and abundance, find excuses not to give. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Body_00201__Char"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Karen:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Body_00201__Char"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Today we attended the Huruma United Methodist Church, in what our hosts described as a "middle-class slum". The streets were jammed with buses and matatus, and the noise of honking horns, loud engines, and blaring music greeted us as we stepped out of our bus at the edge of the slum. We then turned into a small alley and suddenly, there was silence. It was such a stark contrast to the </span><span style="line-height: normal;">hubbub just a few feet away.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtOaqtnTlWh1eoGG6lclyEwpJMVdY65vFZpNoPwvEARcYqGMIC65TJ0gnjsomCq7GY2cO22nH3P7srUO6ga5sTbefRcvbJ_uaQMgkSECTlG4pDuhpPx9147AJOsEVZhOk0UJgw1Q5ZDg/s1600/DSC00040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtOaqtnTlWh1eoGG6lclyEwpJMVdY65vFZpNoPwvEARcYqGMIC65TJ0gnjsomCq7GY2cO22nH3P7srUO6ga5sTbefRcvbJ_uaQMgkSECTlG4pDuhpPx9147AJOsEVZhOk0UJgw1Q5ZDg/s320/DSC00040.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everybody on board? Riding a matatu is definitely and "experience"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We walked the rest of the way to the church and as we journeyed into the heart of the slum the streets came alive with people walking and talking, merchants selling their wares at the side of the road, and voices singing heartfelt music from the tiny churches we passed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were warmly welcomed to church. We were immediately led to seats and within no time were swept up in the singing and praying and preaching. Since the East Africa Annual Conference of The United Methodist just finished meeting in Nairobi, there were several other guests present. When it was time to serve communion, six of us were there to assist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I served communion, the bread they used was not very porous, so when I dipped it into the cup to then offer it to </span>worshipers<span style="font-size: small;">, the juice ran down my fingers and hand. By the end of communion, my hand was a sticky mess. As I tried to wash it off, I was too late. The juice had stained my hand (and continues to, nine hours later). One look at my hand and you could tell I've given communion that morning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been pondering this stain ever since. We get stained and marked all the time. Sometimes by others. Often by what we do to ourselves. Looking around the church, I could see the marks of hunger, sickness, violence. I could also see the marks of love, compassion, and faithfulness. What I was reminded of today is that the ones who bear the scars of difficult and trying times are often the ones who shine the brightest light of love and generosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Funny. Isn't this what communion is all about, ultimately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I will wear this stain as long as it lasts. May it remind me of that there is nothing that can stop love's power from shining through us.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Standing at the front of the Huruma United Methodist Church with our new friends</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristina:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine a lengthy and narrow rectangle shaped structure - 1,200 square feet large would be an over-generous guesstimation of its footprint... No wider than six stackable plastic chairs wide - with raw earth ground and stone under your feet - with the exception of a small patch of linoleum the size of a coffee table area rug underneath the preacher... Wooden branch beams no thicker than five inches in circumference with flat riveted sheet metal up above serving as a roof to keep the rain out - sheet metal walls covered with purple tapestry from floor to roof - and smack in the center of one Kawangware's 12 'middle-class' slums - - bursting (BURSTING!) with smiling faces, greeting us with the most arms-open welcoming imaginable.<br /><br />A beautiful reflection was realizing that it doesn't matter if you're in the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, GLIDE on Taylor and Ellis in San Francisco, Notre Dame in Paris or the UMC Hurmura Tent of Prayers where the Ray of Hope Team visited today - every. single. sanctuary - whether it's a structure, or, if your own personal sanctuary is not a physical place, but within your own heart - each and every place of worship is beautiful, special and sacred in its own unique way.
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Craig:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Normal__Char">This year’s Glide team is full of leaders, with every member stepping up to drive a key part of our preparation</span> and trip: fund-raising, treasury, collecting and purchasing supplies (800 lbs!), curriculum development for the week, and obtaining visas, insurance and background checks. What a great team!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We’re all excited about our first day at Ray of Hope tomorrow, contemplating how we can make a positive and lasting difference. This is a topic we have discussed and prayed about quite a bit. The long term relationships we are building are important and noticeable. Many organizations and groups come to Africa once and don’t return. I think the Glide team pleasantly surprised many here when we returned the first time. And here we are again. Friendships and trust have grown, as has a spirit of collaboration. We see evidence of our past work, including a computer lab we set up in December, 2010 that is still thriving..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What we do in our time here is very important, but telling the Ray of Hope story now and when we return home is just as key. Little by little awareness grows, more people ask questions and want to be involved, and new sponsors for the children step forward. Each sponsorship means one more child gets to go to school and become part of an incredible family; sponsorships also provides medical care and two meals a day, and an education that translates into better opportunity for success in adulthood.</span></div>
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Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-89701337553645424682012-08-17T03:58:00.001-07:002012-08-17T03:58:36.693-07:00Getting Ready for the Journey--Ray of Hope 2012On Thursday night, the 2012 Ray of Hope team left for Nairobi, Kenya, to work at the Ray of Hope Learning Center in Nairobi, Kenya. The team is taking a night flight to Washington, DC. From DC the team will fly to Nairobi via Ethiopia. The team will arrive in Nairobi Saturday afternoon.<br />
<br />
This trip is the result of many months of planning, organizing, and fund raising. We are grateful to the GLIDE community, our family, and friends who have helped make this trip possible through financial gifts, supply donations, support, and prayers. We couldn't do this without you and we carry you with us as we go!<br />
<br />
We have joked with one another that the biggest challenge has been packing. To bring the maximum amount of supplies we can, each team member commits to limiting their personal items (two weeks of clothing, toiletries, and other items) to just a carry on so that our checked baggage can be filled with supplies. As a result, we are bringing 800 pounds of supplies to the Ray of Hope Learning Center.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team members being warmly welcomed aboard by Virgin America: Pastor Karen Oliveto, Classy Martin, team leader Craig Wood, Kwame Evans, intern Angela Brown, Kirsti Tcherkoyan, Christina Severson, Robin Ridenour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray of Hope team alum member Travis Woodard helps send us off!</td></tr>
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<br />Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-26465372827429661482010-12-15T05:28:00.001-08:002010-12-15T05:28:24.219-08:00Day 10: TIme for RetreatOn Tuesday, the team travelled to Samburu Game Reserve for a two day retreat to rest, debrief, evaluate, and prepare for Sunday's Celebration. More when we return to Nairobi tomorrow!Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-77707839479311300372010-12-13T11:37:00.000-08:002010-12-13T11:37:16.927-08:00Day 9: More teaching, learning, and growingNaima:<br />
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<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I came to Africa I expected to step off the plane and begin to cry my eyes out. But after 28 hours of travel, a new time zone, little sleep, and all sorts of new scents tears weren’t high on my list. I think it took a few days for me to begin to really settle in here and realize that I was really in Kenya! As my team has seen over the last couple of days, I am a HUGE softy. The first few days I think I had a wall up and I’m sure one is still up but a few days ago it started to crumble. I walked into the classroom of the younger kids at Ray of Hope and they asked me to teach them a song. I in turn asked them to teach me a song; which they were more than happy to do. As they were singing Robin came in with the Flip video camera and recorded them. When the song was finished she turned the camera around and let them watch themselves singing. The kids are so excited by technology that seeing them in awe was not surprising, but as the video played the kids began to sing along with themselves. I don’t know exactly what it was about this moment but my eyes welled up and I had to run out of the room before the kids saw my tears. I have said this before and I will say it again, they are so in awe of the things we take the most for granted. I can take a video on my cell and send it to a friend without the slightest of thought. I was so touched watching them watch themselves and hearing them sing along with themselves that I was literally brought to tears. This moment really opened the flood gates. After that first good cry it seemed that everything and anything could good me started and I don’t think I’m done! And to be honest that is exactly what I expected when I decided to come on this trip. But being a softy is who I am and I’ll being worried when the tears stop falling! </div><br />
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<br />
Benita (a late Day 8 addition):<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We returned to Riruta for church this morning and were greeted as old friends. It felt like the perfect “spiritual book ends” to our work week.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The deep faith expressed/celebrated by the members of the women’s chorus through song is something to behold. And the children’s choir is beyond precious. </div><br />
Pastor John and his wife Anne head, from what I understand, one of maybe three churches in the entire country that practice inclusivity for all sexual orientations. This puts them at tremendous risk since an individual that is of “sexual minority” as it is called here, can be jailed or even worse. They are courageous beyond measure. And I am so encouraged by their example to stand strong against intolerance, and to continue to speak up for the equal rights of others. <br />
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Kelli: <br />
<br />
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I have been marinating…in what is still so familiar 11 years later. To be taken off guard by the things that I had become so comfortable with when I was last here, but had forgotten, is a continuous delight. And to be reunited with a culture and a people who occupy such a meaningful place in my soul is truly indescribable. With that being said, I’ve realized that it’s been an impossibility to absorb things as fast as they’ve come our way, and I have been experiencing a bit of emotional delay. Every day, I feel as though my heart and head race to keep up with my physical body, and every day, they are behind. I say this because I’ve struggled night after night to bring our experience to life on the page; to choose the right words so that thousands of miles away you can hear the laughter and the song, revel in a newborn baby’s first cry and feel the immense love that surrounds us.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the technology here is not quite what it is at home and we’ve been unable to upload flip videos—a medium I am much more comfortable with—that I’ve recorded. Thus, my heart, head and body are in the process of reuniting, and as pen meets paper, I hope you will allow me to revisit special moments in time over the past week in my up and coming entries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNl5xwxJ_ALJK9ThTPQ4_gR20RrmFEo-WM4U353gdcURXhvKii6b1IM2qfOkC0s8ldwOUCL_kbaoVa4DWQdiRVAQBscaNGI6UwHWjs8TAWMH-ysyhDcA3Wc6QXkLl4ZWOmhP3BaNGw0/s1600/P1020857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNl5xwxJ_ALJK9ThTPQ4_gR20RrmFEo-WM4U353gdcURXhvKii6b1IM2qfOkC0s8ldwOUCL_kbaoVa4DWQdiRVAQBscaNGI6UwHWjs8TAWMH-ysyhDcA3Wc6QXkLl4ZWOmhP3BaNGw0/s320/P1020857.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing porridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>“There’s no where you can be, that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”<br />
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I have been marinating…<br />
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Karen:<br />
<br />
Today we returned to Riruta United Methodist Church, to see the Children of Africa Hope Mission. Nearly one hundred and fifty students--from pre-school age to grade four--receive instruction, food, and care. The teachers and support staff are incredibly committed, willing to take great risks on behalf of the children's well-being. With little resources and a relatively small facility, they provide an anchor of love and care in the midst of poverty and disease.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We spent time in the classrooms (which had no electricity and were terribly crowded--one small room was divided into four classrooms. It was not easy working on ABC's with my class while Craig was teaching math to his class and Robin was having her class read aloud!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We helped feed the children porridge mid-morning and then the school held an assembly for us and parents of the students. Each class recited bible verses and poetry and sang songs. The joy on their faces was contagious!</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-08Sz_gv-iJNbHTQgpqhCQD2tY_yqhU6u9hUaa2zSupeiUdBsRAw5lCKNHodMz2lMc3Z7Rxb3aVeojtu_gVtQaHu8u_oUwSXctxVmLwkRoqAsuxxJMw3WMKe9RTXA3HDCuoQQA_UkhY/s1600/P1020850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-08Sz_gv-iJNbHTQgpqhCQD2tY_yqhU6u9hUaa2zSupeiUdBsRAw5lCKNHodMz2lMc3Z7Rxb3aVeojtu_gVtQaHu8u_oUwSXctxVmLwkRoqAsuxxJMw3WMKe9RTXA3HDCuoQQA_UkhY/s320/P1020850.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin telling a story</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then helped serve lunch: a large pot of ugali (a starchy dough-like glob) and greens, with two cubes of meat per child, plus a mango for dessert. Kelli prepared the bowls with ugali, Benita and Katie put greens on top of the ugali, Craig and Naima put the meat cubes in each bowl, and Robin and I handed out the bowls to the children. It was nerve-wracking, trying to figure out how much food to put in each bowl. Knowing that this would be the children's last meal before porridge at school tomorrow, we wanted to give them as much food as possible, but we didn't want to run out and some children go without food. But like the story of the loaves and fishes, there was enough for all. It was so moving watching the children finish their bowl of ugali and greens and then bite into their mangos, eating the skin along with the fruit, savoring each sweet, juicy bite. Their faces showed such delight in something we often take for granted.</div>Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-53743524787339454162010-12-12T11:32:00.000-08:002010-12-12T11:32:32.351-08:00Day 8: Worship and RestRobin:<br />
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What I have been struck by all week is that rarely I remember it is Christmas time. There are almost no Christmas decorations and one has to look hard to find one. Where we have seen a sign of Christmas has been the shopping center where ex-pats and tourists shop. It has been so refreshing to not be bombarded by the commercialism and overabundance found at home. <br />
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I asked some of the children what they do for Christmas. They said some go to church and everyone who has enough money has chicken to eat then they walk around. I’m so grateful to be reminded that Jesus came under similar circumstances of poverty and simplicity. I pray there will be food to eat for everyone this Christmas and everyday.<br />
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Craig:<br />
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Exams were over and the school term was completed in Kenya prior to our arrival. Kids here typically have December, April and August off. Ray of Hope follows the same schedule as the Kenya school system, but they usually stay open an extra two weeks during these vacation times so that kids can play catch up, enjoy some “enrichment” activities, and have a place to go and food to eat. Once Ray of Hope kids attain a certain academic level AND have a sponsor, they can move into the public school at Kileleshwa. Ray of Hope provides them with daily transportation to and from school several miles away, and their doors are open to Kileleshwa students during vacations and after school for further tutoring and loving care.<br />
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There are at least eight students who are now ready to move to Kileleshwa in January, but they are without sponsors. Public education requires fees for uniforms, food, books, transportation, and other items. We were told that 8th grade exam results in Kenya chart the course of the student’s occupation and livelihood, determining which students will be eligible for which occupations. If the Ray of Hope students do not receive sponsorships by the beginning of the school term in January, they must remain at Ray of Hope for another year, making their future that much shakier.<br />
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Karen:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMtIPLxK9F1MZlxSYpD09c9xbjrsfZ3ZcNjKK88qWWIeJVIFq9voA63pLEh_N-ZJp0OfYZEAf4OlHyCI54qxRDpHL2GuKo4RMT63e76R_k_w-XOPy8LH0R3Vfg95GIIMYeAJILuD5_xs/s1600/P1020414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMtIPLxK9F1MZlxSYpD09c9xbjrsfZ3ZcNjKK88qWWIeJVIFq9voA63pLEh_N-ZJp0OfYZEAf4OlHyCI54qxRDpHL2GuKo4RMT63e76R_k_w-XOPy8LH0R3Vfg95GIIMYeAJILuD5_xs/s320/P1020414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Riruta friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We worshipped again with our friends at Riruta United Methodist Church. Their faith in a God who will sustain them even in the midst of poverty and disease is inspiring. It was humbling to be invited to preach for a second week. The thing I enjoyed most about the preaching moment was sharing it with Rev. John Makokha, Riruta's pastor. I would say something in English, and then he would translate what I said in Swahili. There was a rhythm that began to take shape as we spoke back and forth. In it, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, communicating between the lines we spoke aloud.Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-32075871105657542412010-12-11T12:24:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:05:27.601-08:00Day 7: Saying Good-ByeKelli:<br />
<br />
Today we said our goodbyes to our ray of Hope family, or “see you later,” as Eddie back home at Glide likes to say. And though heavy hearted by what felt like a premature farewell, it did indeed feel much more like a “see you later” than a good-bye.<br />
When it was time for the kids to be on their way, they all piled on the bus and squished their little noses up against the glass, or stretched their hands out one of the many windows for one last squeeze. Right before they pulled away, I yelled, “We love you!” and one of the boys I had become close with looked at me wide-eyed and asked, “Even us?” Overwhelmed--unbeknownst to him—the poignancy of his question, my voice cracked and I answered, “Yes, even you. Especially you.”<br />
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<br />
Benita:<br />
Today was our last day with the children of ROH. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye. But I’m so grateful our last day together was filled with so much fun and laughter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXynouKLFij71LXvS7icWMkrjFjVPiKgoTa-5PrTBweHCXeIBLPkMMZT1hkYBrYrMdiGAMHxLsfl48KiAqyOL8-A4b8GSFPI-zHYUgUKYeHKn2MEvN2icb4giimBN0Ket80JuE5dl_sg/s1600/P1020796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXynouKLFij71LXvS7icWMkrjFjVPiKgoTa-5PrTBweHCXeIBLPkMMZT1hkYBrYrMdiGAMHxLsfl48KiAqyOL8-A4b8GSFPI-zHYUgUKYeHKn2MEvN2icb4giimBN0Ket80JuE5dl_sg/s320/P1020796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glide Team wearing the wonderful gifts given to us by the RoH staff</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We took a bus to the Kenya Animal Orphanage- the monkey cages were a big hit. And ended with a picnic in the park that included lots of games. There isn’t anywhere for these children to play where they live. That includes the Learning Center where we taught for the last week- although, we did a good job transforming the small dirt lot in front of the building into a playground these last few days- I hope this is something that will continue. <br />
As tears of sadness fill my eyes, raindrops fall from the sky. And I fear for the safety of the children, staff and their families. It has been explained to us that since they all live in house made of sheet metal, the rain is very noisy. And this is when burglars and rapists use machetes to cut into people’s houses and take them by surprise- I will never think of the rain the same way again.<br />
<br />
Craig:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RPeYzj-ppjU8NZNdffDh5z2bdRgAASuycdaDnrZFxqHpcyXCPne4NSR1QnOYA3ULljeSSWstYZyaUrduC2gQcEigd0JUFoxx030lhYoun9rX7DDtlIicAKh5sWJ4YSyz9iEQdKKHuX0/s1600/P1020768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RPeYzj-ppjU8NZNdffDh5z2bdRgAASuycdaDnrZFxqHpcyXCPne4NSR1QnOYA3ULljeSSWstYZyaUrduC2gQcEigd0JUFoxx030lhYoun9rX7DDtlIicAKh5sWJ4YSyz9iEQdKKHuX0/s320/P1020768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After today’s trip to the animal orphanage and safari walk we went to a park near the downtown Nairobi skyscrapers where there were large fields of green grass to picnic and play on. First up: fried chicken and chips, the first meal for many of the kids since lunch the day before. The kids all pitched in (without being asked) to carry the food and sodas from the bus. We were seated on a hillside and food was passed out to all of the kids; it sat on their laps unopened and everyone waited patiently until all had food and grace was said. No one had to instruct the children to wait; this was all automatic. Several times when I saw someone given some extra food or soda, it was shared with others.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUH7lNLTgQcJGctEsFXn7K4EtphqR581GiDAzv0y4_MlBHQd0_Lxdi1u9T-hgKRx9e9Igm0teEe7AaJVLKZXjnPveqoOXEbkS5jIwTjimPcX7idqoUlGC8G2Bvyq2bMyPywRqu5W9MxM/s1600/P1020729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUH7lNLTgQcJGctEsFXn7K4EtphqR581GiDAzv0y4_MlBHQd0_Lxdi1u9T-hgKRx9e9Igm0teEe7AaJVLKZXjnPveqoOXEbkS5jIwTjimPcX7idqoUlGC8G2Bvyq2bMyPywRqu5W9MxM/s320/P1020729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After lunch there was time for football, running races, hula hoops and other games. Ray of Hope does not have an outside play area, so the open space was a treat. Fifty three kids quickly spread out to do their thing. At one point, Robin pointed out one of the Ray of Hope boys taking the time to kick a soccer ball gently back and forth with an interested toddler who was picnicking with his mom nearby. After a while one of the boys came up and asked me to kick a soccer ball back and forth- this quickly turned into three of us and soon after four, then five. As we played, the care and consideration of these children became very clear. Anyone who wanted to play were included. An older boy would kick to a younger girl. One of the athletic boys helped up one who was younger and shy, brushed him off and helped him get started again. The ball was kicked over a barbed wire fence- a man with MS walking by quickly jumped over the fence to retrieve the ball for us, and the kids then included him in our football game. An older teenage boy hanging in the park who probably didn’t have a ball to play with lingered close by, and one of the Ray of Hope boys kicked the ball to him, allowing him to jump into the game. This happened two or three times while we were playing. Everything and everyone just clicked and we all had a great time- young and old, male and female, athletic and disabled, black and white. <br />
<br />
The manners and love demonstrated by the children of the Ray of Hope Learning Center are a clear sign of the promise these kids hold, and that they are on the right path. Most have lost one or both parents, many must deal with HIV in their families, and some have been found living on their own in the streets. Ray of Hope has taken them in, giving them medical care, food, and the opportunity to go to school, learn how to be good citizens and one day transition into the formal Kenya school system. The fact that these kids are so well behaved and so loving is a tribute to the love of their families and guardians, and the two teachers at Ray of Hope who clearly love and treat the 50+ kids in their classrooms (and their sponsored “graduates” at Kileleshwa) as their own. The Ray of Hope family are people who have very little materially but so much spiritually, being willing to share what they have, to watch out for each other, and invite visitors and strangers into their homes with honor and joy.<br />
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<br />
Karen:<br />
<br />
<br />
It is dark and it is raining outside my window.<br />
<br />
Before coming to Kenya, I enjoyed a good hard rain at night. Listening to the downpour from the comfort of my bed, I would feel warm and secure and drift off into a deep and blessed sleep.<br />
<br />
Now, it is hard to enjoy a night’s rainfall. When we returned to Ray of Hope every morning after a rainfall, we would hear stories of what had happened the night before: the children would be traumatized as thieves entered their home the night before.<br />
<br />
Rainfall is a dangerous thing in Kawangware. The rain hits the tin roofs, masking all other sounds. As a family sleeps in their one room home, thieves cut through their tin walls, the sound covered by the drum beats of rain above their heads. Children are threatened, women raped, any valuables taken away.<br />
<br />
Hendrika, the community health worker, shared with me the stories of thieves and the danger they pose to women and children in the community. She said that when it rains she sleeps with a knife and a long sword nearby, so that if anyone breaks in, she could at least defend herself and her children.<br />
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I will never listen to the rain the same way ever again.<br />
<br />
Niama: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZspx_AwE1mSgkb_r2oAkLi6ymx8IAH3Xkg3k6uagvF8oZc1sgrZrDytqax1TuwM6pwNmKkTitVb3x4hTEW-hSltqBzlOUFU_Qc-sHC3SrgqWSPcTyA13xHMx0wIUiwMU6wsNfOv6Mt1I/s1600/P1020793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZspx_AwE1mSgkb_r2oAkLi6ymx8IAH3Xkg3k6uagvF8oZc1sgrZrDytqax1TuwM6pwNmKkTitVb3x4hTEW-hSltqBzlOUFU_Qc-sHC3SrgqWSPcTyA13xHMx0wIUiwMU6wsNfOv6Mt1I/s320/P1020793.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Bittersweet….days like today are the reason that this word was created. We had such a blast playing with the kids and eating their favorite lunch of chicken and chips. Every moment of today was exciting. From eagles snatching chicken out of Karen, Benita, and Katie’s hands to a camel walking through the park, to racing the boys across the park. I feel so comfortable here that not once today did I feel like I was halfway around the world. I felt like I was with MY kids on a class fieldtrip in MY city; when it finally hit me that we were not going to see our Ray of Hope family again until the next trip. As soon as the thought came into my mind the tears started streaming down my face. I was eventually forced to go play with the kids so I would forget about my sadness. And play we did! The kids wanted to race, dance, jump rope, play frisbee, and literally jump through hoops! I felt like a kid again! There was so much laughter so many smiling faces and so much love we were all bursting at the seams. …until we had to say goodbye. I walked back to the bus with the two boys I spent most of my day with Sammy on one side and Richard on the other. I could feel the sadness begin to fall over us. As we walked a group of boys started to ask me for a specific date that I would come back. And it just broke my heart not to be able to give them one. I wanted to yell TOMORROW! But in reality I know that it will be at least a year before I see these amazing faces and hear their amazing stories. As sad as I am and as many tears as I cried I would never ask for a different experience. The children are so precious and so thankful for the smallest of things that my life has forever been changed. There is absolutely no monetary value that can be put on an experience like the one that I have had here. I honestly feel like I have met some of these kids before and all it tells me is that I will meet them again. I <3 Ray of Hope! <br />
<br />
Katie:<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just a half hour ago, our team bid a tearful farewell to the children, teachers, and various staff members of Ray of Hope - but not before spending a lifetime-memorable day with them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We took the children to an animal orphanage, which is much like a zoo, except all the animals were rescued, rather than purchased to fulfill the vision for an exhibit. We continued on to the park where we took the children last year. This time, we played soccer ("football" in Africa) with the children, rather than "Kill the Lion," which we played last year. The children had a wonderful time, and at one point, I was in a passing circle with my two sponsor children, unable to imagine how I could feel more blessed. It was a challenge to avoid passing the ball only to the two of them, but I think I came out fine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The seven-year-old boy who taught me Kiswahili words on Wednesday stuck tightly to my side all day today. I found the gesture both touching and heartbreaking; I learned yesterday that, as I'd already suspected by his fixed attention on me all week, he does not have a mother. Not only did this child seek me out all day, but each time I stood beside him and draped my arm around him - my hand landing halfway down his torso - he reached up to clutch it, as if anchoring it, so I would not remove my arm from around his shoulder.</div><br />
When the field trip bus dropped us off at our guest house a half hour ago, the children filed off the bus and lined up along the side of the road, so they could form a receiving line to hug us goodbye. I thought I'd be able to hug them all without much immediate pain, as I tend to be a delayed process griever. But about two hugs in, I began heaving wrenching sobs into the child in my arms, and then all those who followed. When I embraced Hendricka, Agnetta, Alfred, and Evelyn at the end, I became even more despondent.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The time flew by too fast. Deep attachment in only a week seems unlikely, but the love and joy these kids hold in their little bodies is magical. Plus, I endured this goodbye last year, so I know the worst is not yet over. What lies ahead is a lingering, permeating grief, which won't be marked by the tears I shed today, but with memories of the children and the Ray of Hope staff tapping at my bones in every moment. The people of this little school in Kawangware reside in me, on a cellular level. Goodbye in these circumstances is too confounding to comprehend: I can't leave them ... and yet, I just have.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Robin: </div><br />
<br />
We ended our week with the Ray of Hope Learning Center children by taking them to the Wild Animal Orphanage and park, where we all played and played. It broke my heart to watch the children run and play because they only have a grassy park to play at once a year. During the year they sit in their cramped classrooms all day learning lessons and catching up to their grade levels so that when they have a sponsor they can go to public school. They need sponsors to pay the fees for school and uniforms, which their families cannot afford. Many of the children have lost their parents, some to HIV/AIDS, and live with relatives or others who take them in.<br />
<br />
Karen and I decided we would sponsor two children, and found out which two children were next in line to attend public school. We were able to tell them that they would be able to start school in January. We were all so happy, even though we wish we could sponsor them all. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We all said tearful goodbyes and look forward to the next visit.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Karen:</div><br />
<br />
We all—Ray of Hope staff, students, and the Glide team—went to a park in Nairobi for an afternoon of play. It was a beautiful sight seeing all the children playing football, hula hooping, throwing Frisbees and just having fun together on green grass and under shade trees (neither of which are easy to find in Kawangware). Prior to the start of playing, we all sat on the grass and had a picnic of fried chicken, chips (French fries) and a soda. For many of the children, their last meal was at school the day before, so they hadn’t eaten in 24 hours. Watching them eat was wrenching, as they chewed and licked everything that was edible. They crunched on chicken bones, sucked out the marrow, and picked everything clean. Not one bit of nutrition went uneaten. I think of how we in the US don’t think twice about how plentiful our food is, and how much we waste. <br />
<br />
I was eating my chicken when something was suddenly in front of my face and then, just as quickly, was gone. When I looked down at my hands to take another bite of chicken, my hands were empty! I couldn’t figure out where my piece of chicken had gone, when I realized everyone was laughing at me. A bird had swooped out of the sky and snatched the chicken from my hands before I even knew what had happened!<br />
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The birds did this to several of us from Glide before Robin took matters into her own hands and kept watch, scaring away any birds that came near. Here is a video of her keeping guard:<br />
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</div>Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-66713803811770195192010-12-10T11:27:00.000-08:002010-12-10T21:01:38.059-08:00Day 6: Singing, Computers, Dancing, Laughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Naima</div><br />
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It’s hard to believe that we have now been in Kenya for a full week. What’s even harder to believe is that we only have one more day with the amazing Ray of Hope community. The children at Ray of Hope look to their teacher Evelyn as a mother and their teacher Alfred as a father, many of them have only one or neither of their biological parents. And both Evelyn and Alfred look to the children as extensions of themselves. I think it was the day before yesterday when Evelyn told us that she will never leave Kawangware because her children must always know where they can find her. They are more than just teachers of these children they are true caregivers! We have been so blessed to have been allowed into their family. <br />
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Today we were told by our wonderful computer teacher, Ruben, that our blog is dull….so here is my attempt at livening it up! <br />
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Over the past week we have worked on several projects with the children, the biggest of which were “My Life” books. We took pictures of each child and printed them so that they could place this picture in the book. We also printed the pictures we took of the families we visited on home visits Wednesday. Giving the pictures to the children today was so amazing. They just LOVED being able to see themselves. And the children that got pictures of themselves and their families were even more thrilled. Time and time again I was moved to tears. It is purely remarkable the amount of happiness and joy they receive from the things we take the most for granted. When Benita made t-shirts with the kids yesterday for them to wear on the field trip tomorrow (to an animal orphanage!!!!!) they treated those t-shirts with the care and gentleness that we would treat silk. I am reminded over and over again how blessed I am and how much I have taken for granted in my life. This trip; and specifically the Ray of Hope family has forever changed my life. I will never forget the faces, the voices, the laughter, the song, and the friends this week has brought into my life. <br />
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Now for a few funny quotes of the week (we hope you find them as funny as we have)<br />
“You just referred to yourself in 3rd person…that was strange” Kelli<br />
“I’m a wildcat….raaarrrrrhhh” Robin<br />
“Was it a bag of poo-poo or pee-pee?” Ruben (asking about a child’s story)<br />
“He called it ‘mula’ he forgot the ‘pu’” Pastor Karen<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxRg5b-D6heG99rgklQGF0nfizRlwwHpA5kCODWnbgOrWKHn7Zsh6occgIqy_-kkCZETWCPptRYK902b0DLqQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craig:<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today was our last working day at Ray of Hope- it was fun, sad, and hectic, with an overriding feeling of joy. We needed to wrap up all of our projects, finish sorting through and organizing supplies, help each student finish his/her “It’s My Life” book with photos from the week, and complete the first computer training sessions for a total of 48 students. The day started and ended with song, with the beautiful voices of all of the students filling the courtyard just outside the Ray of Hope clinic. These kids can sing and dance! They all formed into a very tight group, the clapping began and energetic singing and dancing started, one song leading directly into the next without any direction from teachers- wow!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzie6opKzyGKCAklRHVjMa0XXTGhqhnig8tBaGDDCQLFRPwL8TtCKQPFZA-5fBebdxkzxu3Bkah94w60QWHE6y0vauR55DH-BhLbhSj8KHWm82hyp_DpEg7ABuFI70UKuT7Ncd5h2fjV4/s1600/P1020648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzie6opKzyGKCAklRHVjMa0XXTGhqhnig8tBaGDDCQLFRPwL8TtCKQPFZA-5fBebdxkzxu3Bkah94w60QWHE6y0vauR55DH-BhLbhSj8KHWm82hyp_DpEg7ABuFI70UKuT7Ncd5h2fjV4/s320/P1020648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some of the younger students were the last to visit the computer lab. They were oh so careful with the new computers, each attentive and very excited to dive in. Students here are extremely disciplined- when the instructor asks a question the responses are often prompt and in unison. A simple “good morning” will be responded to immediately by 25 voices saying good morning in perfect harmony. It was explained that computers are not in high use yet in business in Kenya, so imagine the thrill of the little ones, many who may have only seen computers from afar or in pictures. The Windows boot-up tune elicited giggles, and at the end of the lesson when the kids got to gently close the laptops and hear the lid snap closed, there were delighted grins on the faces of the youngest.<br />
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The staff at Ray of Hope never thought there would be computers for the students, and we were told that with the laptops the guardians and parents believe their kids will have a chance at success. We were also told that a computer lab will be seen as evidence that Ray of Hope is doing well, increasing the likelihood of funding and supplies for other parts of the organization, including food for distribution.<br />
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Finally, we heard of the joy of the women’s group that meets weekly at the Ray of Hope Community Center, and the Glide group’s $240 donation toward micro-finance efforts. Incredibly, this relatively small amount of money will help many women begin small businesses, including selling wares on the street. This will produce enough income to provide food to eat, often in tandem with ARVs to fight HIV, possibly saving lives.<br />
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We wrapped up our day discussing highlights of the week and areas for future focus with the Ray of Hope team. The Glide team is grateful for the opportunity to spend a week with the incredibly dedicated staff of the Ray of Hope organization in Kawangware. We learned a lot, both groups grew from the experience, and we hope there were a lot of very happy kids heading home at the end of the day. <br />
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Karen:<br />
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We had a full day of wrapping up classroom activities with the children. We then celebrated over dinner with our friends, the Ray of Hope staff.<br />
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We walked to the restaurant and sat underneath a large tent. We had a Kenyan meal of vegetables, chapati, hugali, and roasted meats (including goat!). Laughter was as plentiful as the food, as in a week's time we had become not only co-workers but family together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVp4yCLJq7ZVoaHLHLlYwov428kWXhLfCPJ6_Ldlw0lqm7eJTKCJ1ozk_pY4yCAOoB_GKMy-Zh6wd4pMFUbajab4zsZSroNzZadFPCz9QrSBkEYpMap4CKNxTpFyspgG5C7is8jqx7ks/s1600/ruben+kelli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVp4yCLJq7ZVoaHLHLlYwov428kWXhLfCPJ6_Ldlw0lqm7eJTKCJ1ozk_pY4yCAOoB_GKMy-Zh6wd4pMFUbajab4zsZSroNzZadFPCz9QrSBkEYpMap4CKNxTpFyspgG5C7is8jqx7ks/s320/ruben+kelli.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruben and Kelli dancing to Kenny Rogers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But the funniest part of the evening was after we finished eating, as we all danced to Kenny Rogers. Dancing in Kenya to Kenny Rogers is one thing I never thought I'd be doing!<br />
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Robin:<br />
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I worked part of the day in the computer lab. In a small cramped room, 15 children (3 to a computer) touched a computer for the first time. They entered the room with huge smiles and Ruben, a patient, thorough teacher, taught them how to open and turn on the computer, open the Paint program, draw and color, save the program with their names on it, and close down. We learned that computers in Kawangware are rare, and that this is a tremendous advantage for these children at Ray of Hope. Thank you, Craig, for making it possible!<br />
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It was pure joy to witness the children experience computers for the first time.<br />
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Kelli:<br />
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“If you don’t give them hope, you are killing them. You have to make them believe that they’re not dying, but instead that they’re living.”<br />
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These were the sentiments shared with me by Boice, the medical assistant at the clinic at the Ray of Hope, who in five short days has become an incredible friend and mentor to me. We were discussing HIV disclosure and counseling, and the challenges associated with the misinterpretation of how a positive result would effect one’s life; both here in Kenya and in the US. As it turns out, the perception of HIV and the epidemic in Kenya has begun to change. Thanks to education, personal connections with HIV positive friends and family members and family planning, the stigma that once manifested itself in the most tragic and deeply sorrowful of ways has faded, and the reality of an accepting and indiscriminate society is, for the first time, in sight. I never imagined that in my lifetime a fear and hatred as steadfast and ingrained could be so drastically transformed in such a brief amount of time and I am overwhelmed by hope. As Boice implied, and as I heard it, to give hope is to give life and that is why we’re here.<br />
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Benita:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXzZ6AtsuEUOX-R5qLsCREtCp6fUW8zq5h8AnWVakIHDk0L3aJunJEs6uiKljzqWMYEGQXR197zogGJ0JXWZFTBD92UfXun9fxVbZoCD_r6wxja1BlCi0aCs-oaXxPMjmgyWrBMX7Yn8/s1600/paper+bags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXzZ6AtsuEUOX-R5qLsCREtCp6fUW8zq5h8AnWVakIHDk0L3aJunJEs6uiKljzqWMYEGQXR197zogGJ0JXWZFTBD92UfXun9fxVbZoCD_r6wxja1BlCi0aCs-oaXxPMjmgyWrBMX7Yn8/s320/paper+bags.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benita, the children, and one of their crafts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today was our last day teaching at Ray of Hope. We still have a field trip with the children to look forward to tomorrow, but it was sad to know our work week has ended. Reflecting on the past five days experiences, there have been so many moments of joy and gratitude. Tuesday I lead a craft project to coincide with the theme of ‘It’s My Life’, which involved making face masks out of paper dinner plates. I came with so much anxiety about how well my curriculum would be received. I had no idea just how much<br />
it would mean to them.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday our group of seven, along with the Ray of Hope staff and all 50+ children went on a tour of the community, and visited the homes of some of our students. Each home was no larger than a tool<br />
shed and housed several people. There were no windows, let alone electricity or water. But the warmth and appreciation with which we were greeted was indescribably powerful. We were invited in with open arms and offered a place to sit and visit. Fabric hung from the walls to add insulation to what was nothing more than corrugated sheets of metal. And as I got up to leave the first home I saw the ONE thing<br />
hanging on the wall, there just above the bench where Lawrence slept, hung the face mask he made in my class.Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-21274264835698514822010-12-09T12:13:00.000-08:002010-12-18T11:21:15.547-08:00Day 5: Many PlacesKaren:<br />
<br />
Today the team was in many places: Barasa arranged for Katie to observe family court, Naima, Robin, Benita, and Kelli worked at Ray of Hope, and Craig and I went to the office of <a href="http://www.othersheep.org/Members_Makokha.html">Other Sheep Kenya</a> to lead a strategic planning workshop for the staff. <br />
<br />
Other Sheep Kenya (OSK) is one of the few pro-glbti faith-based organizations in Kenya. At the start of the workshop, we asked the staff to give us a history of the glbti movement in Kenya. It was fascinating to learn how new it is (within the last decade) and how homosexuality is still considered a criminal activity and can result in a 14 year prison sentence. Religious conservatives add to a repressive political climate for glbti persons. OSK seeks to promote social change through educational seminars. Additionally, they have partnered with another organization to create a safe house for glbti persons.<br />
<br />
Any start-up is difficult for an organization. Craig and I had a glimpse into how much more difficult it is in a place like Kenya, where poverty is rampant. We hope the work we did together will be helpful for OSK's future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyly103ABXPTHYF5utjv_i6Aera221UKjf_FjFwBBiqlvrstQDxdi6H6wY1lHJk5yAHIqvR1oweYcwiUPgp8_Yrdh4yXne-ZIwEkphOVRFzEIY9bCbWuVkTokLEcpErn7ORqa-Ei86RM/s1600/P1020487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyly103ABXPTHYF5utjv_i6Aera221UKjf_FjFwBBiqlvrstQDxdi6H6wY1lHJk5yAHIqvR1oweYcwiUPgp8_Yrdh4yXne-ZIwEkphOVRFzEIY9bCbWuVkTokLEcpErn7ORqa-Ei86RM/s320/P1020487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naima</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Benita:<br />
<br />
The Women's HIV Support Group came to Ray of Hope today and performed for us unbelievably joyful song and dance.<br />
<br />
Once again...moved to tears.<br />
<br />
Robin:<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa6lrnX8e0dbHqRH76mIgikFCjlVX0U7tJqp1eIE8-muXJsoRFfIOjFnp-piIrK6qB35K2GifyUC5-s7GRUm5M_QWUqGQVXd6-O-BbgZXAqA8jjYVlFs1bmylzrY7f1reMHh3bBw8a3k/s1600/P1020621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa6lrnX8e0dbHqRH76mIgikFCjlVX0U7tJqp1eIE8-muXJsoRFfIOjFnp-piIrK6qB35K2GifyUC5-s7GRUm5M_QWUqGQVXd6-O-BbgZXAqA8jjYVlFs1bmylzrY7f1reMHh3bBw8a3k/s320/P1020621.JPG" width="320" /></a>The children have been finishing up their "This is My Life" booklets and today's topic was on community. I asked the question, "What do you wish for?" Some of the responses included: food (they usually do not eat between 2pm and 10am the next day, when they arrive back at school), water (their families pay about $.25 for 5 gallons of water), education, reading, health care, free from fear, and trees. As one boy said, "I wish trees would be planted every time a tree is cut down." Kawangware is very barren.</div><br />
After visiting some of the children's homes yesterday, the responses made me cry as I had a glimpse into their lives.<br />
<br />
Craig:<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Karen and I spent the day working with Pastor John (Riruta Methodist Church and Other Sheep-Kenya) , his wife Anne and five of their team on strategic planning and goal setting. What an amazing group of people, committed to fighting for justice and equality for all in East Africa despite facing frequent threats and overwhelming bigotry. John and team are courageously fighting a situation probably even more difficult that that of the civil and gay rights movements of the 60’s and 70’s in the U.S., and they are but a few individuals battling government, church and society. It was an honor to spend the day with them and learn about their plans for the next few years.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoloT8Xlbj_uP2cw9HoYfKYvAogqI7ATPRosD0XJt3a3-P-5_W9_wss4JR1pQBXUIQAhJqSTIh5orQKcSqR_HWhzPuJ5_KwP-7yhZX7X-6R1rbuaLsEoZjnqYvnJX4BuXpn_oPUWPDRWM/s1600/P1020442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoloT8Xlbj_uP2cw9HoYfKYvAogqI7ATPRosD0XJt3a3-P-5_W9_wss4JR1pQBXUIQAhJqSTIh5orQKcSqR_HWhzPuJ5_KwP-7yhZX7X-6R1rbuaLsEoZjnqYvnJX4BuXpn_oPUWPDRWM/s320/P1020442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naima, Kelli, Benita, and Katie: Time for tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Katie:</div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;">I rode a bus into Nairobi this morning, to meet Barasa, whose niece Carol would take us to court. I met Carol, an attorney with the Kenyan Attorney General's office, last year. When Barasa learned I am a lawyer, he kindly offered to introduce us, and for Carol to show me to court, so I could observe a Kenyan court proceeding. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;">As it turned out, there was not time for the court visit last year, as my Glide team schedule was tight, and I spent enough time away from Ray of Hope work getting downtown to visit Carol's office. This year, it worked.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">I arrived downtown at 7:20. Though Carol did not expect me in her office until 8:45, the more seasoned Kenyan bus riders in our Glide team warned that I should take an early bus, just to play the timing safely. I was not to meet Barasa until 8:00, but I was happy to stand at our designated meeting spot for forty minutes, people-watching the downtown professional foot traffic. </div><div style="margin: 0px;">I was in this same area last year, when Barasa took me (and Robin, our team nurse, whose hospital visit we made before mine to the AG's office) to Carol's office. In my memory, there was racial diversity downtown, at least between Mzungus ("white people") and Kenyans. Not so, I learned this year. As I observed the bustling masses, I noted that I was the only Mzungu for forty minutes.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Not that it's a big deal here. In my understanding, tribal tensions are far more of a social issue in Kenya than black-white relations. As a Kenyan who had visited the United States once told me, HIV is to Kenya what racism is to the U.S. A native Kenyan who has spent his entire life living here, he confirmed my perception from my one (at the time) trip here, that Mzungus are welcome in Kenya. That's what I felt downtown this morning. I wouldn't say I blended in - people noticed my whiteness - but I was graciously received, in ways I am not in predominantly black neighborhoods back home.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">When Barasa stepped off his bus to meet me at 8:00, he asked, "How long have you been waiting?" When I told him it had been forty minutes, his eyes widened, and he replied, "Yah? I hope people have not been staring at you the whole time, saying, 'It is a Mzungu!'" I laughed, and we were off to Carol's office.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">We awaited Carol's 9:00 arrival - the meeting time changed last night, in a conversation between Carol and Barasa - and went upstairs to Carol's office. We discussed which court we would visit, and shortly, we were off to the Children's Court, where, in Kenya, all matters regarding children are heard, except those involving child custody and support incident to divorce. That is, whether the matter involves child protection, nonmarital child support, or juvenile delinquency, it is held in this court. As a family law attorney and child advocate, this was naturally where I wanted to go.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">We arrived at the Children's Court shortly after 9:00, and waited for the Court to call the calendar. After Carol and I had sat in the gallery and talked for quite a while, she asked an attorney, who was obviously waiting for his appearance, what was happening. He answered that all of today's matters would be heard in chambers (the judge's office, behind closed doors), because only maintenance (non-marital child support) issues would be heard today.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Upon learning this, we walked over to another court, where criminal proceedings are heard before the public. Carol chose this venue because, in Nairobi, many other types of cases are closed to the public. I was happy to witness a criminal proceeding. While it is not my area of practice, it interests me far more than general civil litigation.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">We arrived to one courtroom where the Court was on break. Carol popped into the courtroom to ask one of the attorneys how long they would break. He answered that it would be ten minutes. About 25 minutes later, the proceedings resumed. As we walked into the courtroom, I noted a few differences between a Nairobi courtroom and the ones I know in the Bay Area. Here in Nairobi:</div><div style="margin: 0px;">1. The judges wear wigs. Not the bouffants seen in history books and on period piece movie sets, but something sitting much closer to the head, with no side action. So, in other words, a curly white mullet. </div><div style="margin: 0px;">2. Judges take handwritten, word-for-word notes of the entire proceeding. There are no court reporters. This is, of course, a nightmare for the judges and a dream come true for the attorneys, who need not think quickly on their feet, since the judge is always telling them to slow down.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">3. Attorneys wear black robes - even fancier than those our judges wear - when appearing before the judge, whose robe is red.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">4. Anyone entering or leaving the courtroom while court is in session must bow before the Court. Literally: Stop walking, bow to the judge, and proceed into the courtroom or out the door.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">5. Most, or at least many, murder cases originate as land disputes. Land is a hotly, lethally contested commodity in Kenya.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Which brings me to the type of proceeding I saw. This was a murder trial, and the witness questioning that I observed was from the daughter of the woman whom the defendant had killed. She spoke a tribal language, so the court interpreter translated this into English, for the lawyers to understand, as both are from a different tribe than the witness and the interpreter are. The lawyers and judge spoke to one another mostly in English, but occasionally in Swahili.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">I was rapt throughout the part of the proceeding I observed, and deeply grateful to Barasa for making this experience happen.<br />
<br />
Kelli:<br />
<br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-53905825475578428912010-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:002011-02-16T00:28:26.597-08:00Day Four: Invitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Craig:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dya29ss5cRhVr4bvJKOhA7MyRmsbprlwasgpFRRRsdJDPqaSRxdph3aJaOyJhlVgDnCTVVEZRwZ5vUfpksjiA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Craig:</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vlu-GE0XrHBtxe7KV4W7WamIWt9U8PlmFrg9VFLuTCt_fZRpkdpFIqns0tLFkXWTS_EeJvr4r4Li1kg4Mr8tk_5nkJz39a099BvpT-iaR8P6Hl0xQEBDqI13UttMxUI7jmIcmXCBLqw/s1600/P1020656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vlu-GE0XrHBtxe7KV4W7WamIWt9U8PlmFrg9VFLuTCt_fZRpkdpFIqns0tLFkXWTS_EeJvr4r4Li1kg4Mr8tk_5nkJz39a099BvpT-iaR8P6Hl0xQEBDqI13UttMxUI7jmIcmXCBLqw/s200/P1020656.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The computers won’t be networked until later this week, but they are up and running so we decided to have the first groups of students try out their new computers. With the Glide team, Barasa, teachers Evelyn & Alfred, IT Administrator Ruben and Hendrika (Community Health Worker) in attendance, Pastor Karen said a blessing and then we invited in the first group of eight students. Only one had used a computer before, but all were eager and they picked up using the mouse pad on the computer immediately and they were quickly using the Windows Paint function to draw and fill shapes and lines. Ruben is an outstanding instructor, and he started off by impressing upon everyone how important it is to have clean hands (picture immediate looks of guilty faces!) , to not eat or drink in the computer lab, etc. He had everyone’s attention, and it was a tremendous joy to see the eagerness of the students. We’ll be setting up a plan for ongoing training and maintenance later this week. Who knows what might inspire the development of the next computer whiz?!?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Benita:</div><br />
It’s the end of our 3rd day teaching at Ray of Hope, and I’m so overcome with love and gratitude for the members of our volunteer group. We left San Francisco 5 days ago as team members, and I feel more deeply everyday that these people are family. <br />
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Naima:<br />
<br />
Today was an overwhelming day. I am processing it all now. I have sat here with this computer on my lap for at least an hour and have written two sentences. There is such similarity between the kids here and the kids that I work with at CW House. I mean these kids have so much less and have gone through so much more but their hearts are the same. I am falling deeper and deeper in love with each and every one of them. They are so sweet and so innocent but at times so grown up. This experience just reinforces that kids all over the world are the same. After walking through their neighborhoods and doing home visits I caught myself over and over again thinking to myself “what is going to happen to this child?” But Ray of Hope is doing all they can do to make sure that the children have education and at least some flicker of opportunity in this world. One major quote that I will always remember is our good friend Barasa saying “In Kenya a visitor is a blessing” We’ve felt that today and every day that we have been here. <br />
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Karen:<br />
<br />
<br />
Today the Ray of Hope staff invited us to go with them to the students’ homes for home visits. All the students, along with we from Glide, the Ray of Hope staff, and a group of teenage girls from an orphanage walked the streets and alleys of Kawangware. We had heavy rains throughout the night, so today the streets were extremely muddy, making our walk quite an obstacle course at times, jumping mud holes, crossing sewage ditches, and weaving in and out of herds of goats.<br />
<br />
Whenever we arrived at the door of a child’s home, the child stood beaming, waiting for us to arrive. As soon as we were all there, he or she invited us in to meet their parents or caregivers. Their homes were little more than 10 by 10 one room tin shacks, with plastic lining the walls and ceilings, none with running water or electricity. The students proudly showed us where they lived and I was reminded of how basic and essential it is to have a place to call home. Seeing the children’s faces as they opened their homes and gave us a glimpse of their world, I realized that it is not mansions or lots of things that make a home, but the love of others that creates it. <br />
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Robin:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Katie:</div><br />
We traipsed through Kawangware’s post-rain mud, which – this being one of Nairobi’s poorest slums – mixes with feces, both human and animal. We were off to visit the homes of a few Ray of Hope children. I was fortunate to enter the homes of my two sponsor children, with whom I have corresponded for the past 1.5 years, since my first and most recent visit here. I felt blessed to share with them the moments where they each showed me their dwellings, to pose for photos with them inside their homes, and to meet one child’s family members, who were inside. (The other child’s mother was out for the day, searching for food that the child and his brother could eat that night.)<br />
<br />
I held hands with several children, at various points throughout the walk. For a stretch, I walked with a boy who was all smiles and few words. As we walked by another student-teacher pair, we heard the child teaching the Glide volunteer some Swahili (“Kiswahili,” in Swahili) words. My wide-grinned, silent walking partner turned to me and asked, “Would you like me to teach you some Kiswahili?” My heart melting at both his thoughtfulness and polite manner, I exclaimed, “Yes, please!”<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>So this child taught me to say, “How are you?” (“Kabari?”) and to answer, “Fine” (“Mzuri”). I was exuberant, not so much to learn these two phrases – although that was pretty cool – but at his conscientious and diligent approach to teaching me. This little child, roughly nine years old, would not be content until I pronounced the words just right. He needed to do his job well, and he did. <br />
<br />
A few minutes later, this boy turned to me and asked, “Would you like to write a story in English, which I can then translate into Kiswahili for you?”<br />
<br />
You can’t know hearts this big in bodies so small, short of coming here and experiencing it for yourself. So, to anyone who is able to visit Kawangware and has considered it, I say, “Karibu” (“Welcome”): You, too, will have a safe place to reside in these precious hearts.<br />
<br />
Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-32749315916676402192010-12-07T11:10:00.000-08:002010-12-18T12:24:16.893-08:00Day Three: Ray of Hope Team in ActionKatie:<br />
<br />
<br />
Today was beautiful. I worked with the children on the books we started with them yesterday, in which they are writing details of their lives that they wish to share, such as the names of their family members and their favorite colors. My favorite part was helping them claim their stories in front of the class, reading their partially completed books aloud. I love to witness them speaking up about who they are and what matters to them. <br />
<br />
I wore a shirt today that reads, “Love one another.” In one class today, a student wrote this mantra in his book. It is a wonderful phrase to manifest the way of the culture here, where loving one another appears to come more naturally than any other place I’ve been.<br />
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Benita:<br />
<br />
I realize I didn’t check in with you yesterday as promised. I was deliriously tired at the end of our first work day---- I must have been still feeling fatigue from our 28 hours of travel 2 days prior.<br />
<br />
Today was our 2nd day teaching at Ray of Hope in Kawangware, 8am – 4pm….a full schedule of activities! The children are beautiful, energetic and wonderfully receptive. And the staff is amazingly welcoming. Yesterday we were greeted with gifts, song and warm embraces. The outpouring of love was so overwhelming I was moved to tears.<br />
<br />
Today we all started with our planned curriculum. I have to admit, I was so nervous! I kept thinking --- any time now these kids are going to figure out that I have NO idea what I’m doing! But they all seemed to really enjoy my projects. I was DELIGHTED (and relieved).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are staying at the Methodist Guest House in Lavington, a small suburb/district within Nairobi. The Guest House is a fairly large, well maintained compound --- a peaceful refuge to come home to! …..I have to mention, there is a cat that has made this compound his home – so friendly – sitting right next to me, purring.</div>Heading off to dinner now. I’ll check in again soon.<br />
<br />
Karen:<br />
<br />
I have been thinking a lot about something that happened yesterday. Craig and I had to go into Nairobi city center to pick up some computer supplies. Public transportation in Nairobi is an experience, to say the least: matatus—vans in various stages of disrepair—are packed to overflowing with passengers, many of whom have barely climbed on board before the driver has zoomed back on the road, with music blaring; buses, both private and government-owned, belch dark plumes of exhaust, with onboard signs proclaiming “No preaching/No hawking”. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iAynHyfvRZfkGS9l12zMEgzgzd1dtPENQ0cHlqWaTn-Vu9XLHSP7Tsx07BX4WEAuJ_kJt4-_L7wCLBsmk-cmwdl23mZ0ZJcAwxpsI0wcaNizKrjyRwPcTo6nsiZjhsh6ZThyiMwjNLE/s1600/P1020510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iAynHyfvRZfkGS9l12zMEgzgzd1dtPENQ0cHlqWaTn-Vu9XLHSP7Tsx07BX4WEAuJ_kJt4-_L7wCLBsmk-cmwdl23mZ0ZJcAwxpsI0wcaNizKrjyRwPcTo6nsiZjhsh6ZThyiMwjNLE/s320/P1020510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We climbed aboard a bus and had to sit apart from each other because the bus was fairly full. I looked out the bus window, seeing diverse snapshots of Nairobi as we headed into the heart of the city. Colorful fruit stands sat in front of gated homes. Tiny one room tin shacks gave way to condos. Women sat alongside the road, cooking over a small charcoal burner, selling corn on the cob to those walking past. And oh, the number of people walking! Hordes of people, some dressed in traditional Kenyan clothing, others in modern business attire, all on foot, making their way home, to work, or to market.<br />
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I was also aware of the smells around me: diesel exhaust, sweat, garbage. The bus ride was truly a multi-sensory experience as I took in the sights and smells of this city. Suddenly, my ears picked up a small voice, singing, in the background. I strained to hear better, and at first I couldn’t identify the words or the tune, but I knew it was something familiar. The small voice grew less timid, and suddenly I heard could make out the words:<br />
<em>A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices</em><br />
<em>For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.</em><br />
<em>Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices!</em><br />
<em>Oh night divine! O night, when Christ was born! </em><br />
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My little friend with the soft angelic voice reminded me once more that God shows up where and when we least expect. Whether in a Bethlehem barn or a city weary of poverty and disease, God breaks in with grace, beauty and love. Thanks be to God.<br />
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Robin: <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK7_FdpGpXKC4NEH1bGKE1SBBS8Y-gxBTk7W0dzorcRHxJ3hgDEszF2-0iuOm0ShUVugTycEmus8qQprH5Vu8zbJ75beKG7ZtzJCGeF6oGzgjEtZe4NAd1OZmRh4GUSd29cjAZK6OrGk/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK7_FdpGpXKC4NEH1bGKE1SBBS8Y-gxBTk7W0dzorcRHxJ3hgDEszF2-0iuOm0ShUVugTycEmus8qQprH5Vu8zbJ75beKG7ZtzJCGeF6oGzgjEtZe4NAd1OZmRh4GUSd29cjAZK6OrGk/s320/IMG_1553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children with their face masks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today was a day of laughter. Whether over breakfast, at tea with the staff (yes, daily tea at 10), playing games outside with the children (led by Naima and Karen), the children singing (led by Katie), a child's birth (assisted by Kelli--her first participation in a child's birth), the children wearing their masks of someone they love that Benita lovingly taught them to make, or Kelli shouting at the bus when it started to leave before I was off it ("Don't you dare!" she threatened), I am so grateful for this team and for all the laughter we share. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Craig:</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJkVqZ0A47P6kVX-7CLHUNQuRUWa_QSuV6HwEJGwEKmdc8pGNrs_584i-GkQrncfyDcirvxkq6wA8kXhrZPcb4q0dOFXQnho8EycVu5Hbt1SnL3A3BUmvvQoh4e6X5jzmLzNau1F8J0s/s1600/P1020498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJkVqZ0A47P6kVX-7CLHUNQuRUWa_QSuV6HwEJGwEKmdc8pGNrs_584i-GkQrncfyDcirvxkq6wA8kXhrZPcb4q0dOFXQnho8EycVu5Hbt1SnL3A3BUmvvQoh4e6X5jzmLzNau1F8J0s/s320/P1020498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agneta</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Ray of Hope Learning Center provides the kids two meals each day. Agneta is the cook, and she prepares all of the meals over a charcoal stove on a narrow second story balcony. The food is <u>delicious.</u> <span style="color: black;"> We</span><span style="color: black;"> learned that the kids don’t eat their breakfast until 10am, because for many the only food they get is breakfast and lunch at the school, M-F, and their bodies can’t handle the nutrient-rich porridge too early in the morning. When these children arrive back at school on Monday morning they are very lethargic and sleepy from hunger.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Kelli:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz1wdj-WYSqWLxo-zLyhCEuZpdYsqpHaIFNesW5XcclS7O1LcwNRVpm9FL5NTDsfJEPBQCrm9t5Q9qcuGUnKQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6688101517427810229.post-55472646425047741522010-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:002011-02-16T00:26:04.462-08:00Day Two: Beginning Our Time at Ray of HopeMONDAY December 6, 2010<br />
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Kelli:<br />
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It must have been mother’s intuition or some sort of sixth sense, but 11 years ago, as I bid farewell to my Kenyan Mama, she said to me, “I know you’ll be back.” As tears streamed down my face for the family – my mama, two sisters and brother – that just 4 weeks ago had been but timid strangers, all I could do was nod in silent agreement, not knowing. To come full circle is but a small miracle. A marvel of sorts. It is the reunion of the most unexpected yet familiar kind, a reunion of self. <br />
At the age of 17, little did I know that the HIV/AIDs workshops that I threw together for the children of the village would be the beginning of a lifelong pursuit to the fight the epidemic, not just from one home front, but from two.<br />
<em>Dear Mama, I feel the humming of song in my chest, the rhythm of the earth in my feet. I close my eyes for a brief but everlasting moment and smile. I am home again.</em><br />
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Karen:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG7OlOpORs2PqKNilUQuiJU1pRVBtnzqzTZo7T_v_sM4ZXp_r9mejrLtbwvPXCqkR4tL_iaNrxI11TbZvUWEYdybrsP09X-4vbt1G4osioLOSr0rVcGN9V7_d_t7Jwn8kfG5U56hWh5s/s1600/P1020444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG7OlOpORs2PqKNilUQuiJU1pRVBtnzqzTZo7T_v_sM4ZXp_r9mejrLtbwvPXCqkR4tL_iaNrxI11TbZvUWEYdybrsP09X-4vbt1G4osioLOSr0rVcGN9V7_d_t7Jwn8kfG5U56hWh5s/s320/P1020444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Craig look on as Rueben discusses the plans for the computer lab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Every once in a while we are privileged to witness how one person can make a difference in the world. Today, the Ray of Hope staff showed us a room that before yesterday was a storage room, but had since become the new computer lab for the learning center. Thanks to team leader Craig Wood asking his company for a donation of computers for Ray of Hope, the educational possibilities at Ray of Hope have increased exponentially. <br />
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Rueben, the son of an upcountry Ray of Hope community health worker and a college graduate with a degree in computer science, is doing the tech work to network the computers, install software, and prepare the lab for the teachers. He spoke to us of how this donation will make a difference in the lives of the children. We were all moved by his passion and his commitment to education. <br />
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Thanks, Craig, for asking a simple question to your company. You opened a door that will impact education at Ray of Hope in significant ways! <br />
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Benita: <br />
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Jambo, everyone! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfotoO2TbYf-m3OAstXG5gTf2aBwyQftse7P7oL_nDaTWWSEyZ0Ml39cXMW_ue9g6taTOFAUVBKgIXr1DF0seUyVsYOky5IeApnutQslNmC9gw4cXYA-C_Z-jJo6xgMGmdXlR4zmE8wA/s1600/P1020456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfotoO2TbYf-m3OAstXG5gTf2aBwyQftse7P7oL_nDaTWWSEyZ0Ml39cXMW_ue9g6taTOFAUVBKgIXr1DF0seUyVsYOky5IeApnutQslNmC9gw4cXYA-C_Z-jJo6xgMGmdXlR4zmE8wA/s320/P1020456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benita helping a student with an art project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wow! What a whirlwind. I wanted so much to make a thoughtful entry, b ut I'm still processings. And I'm quite tired. <br />
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I will catch you all up tomorrow. <br />
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Craig <br />
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Our first day at Ray of Hope quickly reminded us of what brings us back- the smiling, innocent faces of the Learning Center children, greeting us with heartfelt joy, song and dance. Ray of Hope provides education to kids who would otherwise be on the street, as well as two meals a day (sometimes the only food the kids receive) and medical care when they are sick.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After introductions and tea, we got our first peek at the new computer lab, freshly painted, filled with newly built chairs and tables, and five of the eight Dell laptops we brought. The lab room will also serve as a library, and it looks great. The computers will be networked later this week once the cabling is purchased, and Ruben will install M/S Office software as well. We hope to have the kids try out the new laptops later this week; most have never touched a computer before!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Our team arrived at Ray of Hope by bus this morning. My anticipatory joy transformed every person, storefront, and animal we passed into the most magnificent I’d ever seen. On this blessed occasion – the reunion with our dear Kenyan friends we first met 1.5 years ago – emotional containment was impossible.<br />
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Thankfully, it was also unnecessary, as our Kenyan friends were generous with their own emotional expression.<br />
We assembled in the lobby of the Ray of Hope clinic, and greeted Coco and Rosemary, the lead administrators of the Ray of Hope clinic. Upon seeing their faces, so exuberant and filled with love, I realized that this is really happening: I am back in my Kenyan home.<br />
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Given that I spent the majority of my time last summer working in Evelyn and Alfred’s classrooms, and having remained in regular contact with Evelyn (and exchanging “hellos” with Alfred through her) since then, I could not wait another minute to embrace them – to say nothing of the love I knew I would exchange with the kids, if even in a brief moment.<br />
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I asked Barasa and Craig if I could duck upstairs to the school, for the hugs that would melt me to the core. Thankfully, the answer was yes.<br />
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I ran upstairs, and as I turned toward the teachers’ offices, I bumped into Alfred. We exchanged looks of unbridled joy, reminding me (as if I needed the prompting) why I return. As Alfred and I locked each other in a long hug, I heard Evelyn’s laugh behind us. I parted with Alfred just long enough to run into Evelyn’s arms. <i>Yes</i>, I thought, <i>I am home</i>.<br />
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I missed Mark today. He and I bonded last year, laughing and crying together over just about every moment. I brought the kids two photos of me with Mark in them. When the kids saw those photos, they breathed incredulously and whispered, “Maaaaaaaaaaaaark” (pronounced, in their Kenyan accents, “Mahk”).<br />
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The power of love. It brought me back to these people who hold such meaning in my heart, and held “Mahk” in my mind today.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Robin: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was good to be reunited with friends from the clinic and learning center of Ray of Hope (Hendrika, Rosemary, Florence, Rueben, Evelyn and Alfred). The kids had a beautiful welcome for us of singing and dancing. I enjoyed watching Naima, Benita, and Kelli take in the culture and kids with wonder and joy. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Even though I didn't work with the kids last year, I recognized many of them. It was great to be with the children through storytelling and to encourage them to ask their families and caretakers if they had stories to pass on. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, and I have to say what a miraculous thing it was to see the new computer lab. Craig did an amazing job. Thank you!!!! And thank you Rueben for setting up the lab and being the tech support.</div>Karen Olivetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672325550752196213noreply@blogger.com1