tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56448044717121384042024-02-19T03:55:40.416-08:00Center for Transforming Mission NairobiZylstra's in Nairobi: September 2007-July 2008Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-6894491776427999042008-08-26T10:33:00.000-07:002008-08-26T10:49:00.014-07:00From Nairobi to Ohio...friends and family...<br /><br />We are now in Ohio and have decided to start a new blog about our life back in the states... We cannot begin to thank you all enough for staying in tuned to our time in Kenya. We cannot describe how meaningful it is to know that others care about you. Please continue to check in on us as we start again in Oxford, Ohio...<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Our new blog can be found at:<br /><br />http://joelandmandyzylstra.blogspot.com/<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyZ45P8-tPl4lcQaJSHtOwvxsBlISnqVHDWjDLJd2c5vkNG1M8p7tFZjcZ3kX8Gn_IPaZ85GafM1LkWdyZh3NlNfLU5l8Q3w5YNllCP7s8uPY82ugLHt6z57ft0VxG6XiQMh_-GuJrao/s1600-h/april+5+wedding+107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyZ45P8-tPl4lcQaJSHtOwvxsBlISnqVHDWjDLJd2c5vkNG1M8p7tFZjcZ3kX8Gn_IPaZ85GafM1LkWdyZh3NlNfLU5l8Q3w5YNllCP7s8uPY82ugLHt6z57ft0VxG6XiQMh_-GuJrao/s320/april+5+wedding+107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238882847090173010" /></a>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-82432008337551196522008-07-05T07:10:00.000-07:002008-07-05T08:28:04.345-07:00Homecoming<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Wednesday was one of the longest days of our lives…literally-a 32 hour day! We were greeted in <st1:city st="on">Seattle</st1:city> by friendly customs agents and Mandy’s family as we packed our year long possessions into the car and headed down to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tacoma</st1:place></st1:city>. Back to T-town…I never knew how good the roads were here, how well-kept the sidewalks are, how clean the streets are and how nice it would feel to taste a root beer float!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We are yet to settle in anywhere yet, but are inching out way in that direction. We do have new phones, so if you want to give us a jingle, we’d love to hear from you.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Joel’s Phone #: (253) 302-1098</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mandy’s Phone #: (253) 302-2969</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It looks like we are going to head up to the mountains for a few days to resituate our minds as we plunge into this transition. I can’t tell you how thankful we are for your continued support along the way.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was an amazing year…not necessarily a “fun” year at all times, but a year that we will never forget. New perspectives, newfound gratitude and newfound relationships. We may be thousands of miles away, but these things withstand great distances. It is our continued hope that they will also withstand the tests of time and the American pace of life.</p> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-66551414762310003312008-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:002008-07-05T08:26:05.997-07:0055 Hours in London!<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We boarded a plane at 11 PM on Sunday night and headed to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>. The first glimpse of the city as we popped up from the subway was a bit strange-no matatus, few black people, it seemed quiet, people were on the move, etc!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We only spent a few days there but it was nice to have a bit of time to reflect as we prepared for our homecoming…a special thanks to David (who I met while climbing <st1:placetype st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> Kenya) and his family for inviting us in as well as the British government for making all of the museums free. (There sure is nothing else in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> that is FREE!)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps the climax of it all was the icing on the cake for our year in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region></st1:place> with a trip to the London Theater to see The Lion King Musical…a beautiful experience- wonderful costumes, great music and a better storyline than an already great movie. We could see traces of the stories of <st1:country-region st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region> in a broadway musical, perhaps a bit of foreshadowing as we continue to encounter our time in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region></st1:place> through everyday experiences.</p> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-71516967590295177342008-07-05T07:08:00.000-07:002008-07-05T08:22:13.092-07:00Mathare Finale<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Our final day wouldn’t have been complete without a trip out to Mathare. We enjoye our last church service at the Inspiration Center with Mark, Moses, Boyye and roughly 100 more kids. It was a great day as the service was fantastic and we were able to share a meal together from a local hotel. After the service, David (a local restaurant owner) brought food up to the center where we all shared a meal together. We had to keep the kids inside as they would have brought the entire village back with them if we let them out and told them that there would be free food!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While it was hard to say goodbye, we are encouraged by what is happening in Mathare and are convinced that when we return, amazing things will be happening. Thank you Moses and all of our friends in Mathare, you have touched out lives and the lives of many others. We continue to stand with you in solidarity and pray for transformation in your community.</p> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-92169993569827109292008-07-05T07:07:00.000-07:002008-07-05T08:21:04.099-07:00Lamu!!!<p class="MsoNormal">culture, eautiful architecture, gracious hospitality, wooden boats and ornate doors everywhere you go. Even the regular power outages on the island felt like relaxing!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In long, a picture is worth a thousand words!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s_T5hWGtndaCUyM-cnAgrh3qNnrASsGFRP4tmWd5wpfl_sfUIYn4N4oytsyx9ldJd1tw5Xf3IyfFKRtxRPfbOSIkH8C6m322YrDDcCsqryBbFiYAXDCrPD_aBkRY69ph0JJjTIAwesY/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+294.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s_T5hWGtndaCUyM-cnAgrh3qNnrASsGFRP4tmWd5wpfl_sfUIYn4N4oytsyx9ldJd1tw5Xf3IyfFKRtxRPfbOSIkH8C6m322YrDDcCsqryBbFiYAXDCrPD_aBkRY69ph0JJjTIAwesY/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547461346573618" border="0" /></a>
<br />Boats, boats...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9X6g9FThqEi82kUN3jtGYUTCpbTZrXgNSCNfI4Fmo3WqaBc1qG_eUc6I7ZhIO8fROJ9kL2xSyvQmK0La96qFOXCdyfDYbuCuvIWdtlcFKRYQMGKwLNdZHVpom4THdgotVUvlF8azP6o/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+303.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9X6g9FThqEi82kUN3jtGYUTCpbTZrXgNSCNfI4Fmo3WqaBc1qG_eUc6I7ZhIO8fROJ9kL2xSyvQmK0La96qFOXCdyfDYbuCuvIWdtlcFKRYQMGKwLNdZHVpom4THdgotVUvlF8azP6o/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547464438778546" border="0" /></a>
<br />...and more boats
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozBbGgswAJHo4zYEsw4R9Y6vpTb_fEga_h0zlTQXaDEmQnALstQLA7rWGgZq8m0ijzL9AkpHNLng3Qcw7Nbar557hfSYtR9jOPv9BZVbOreDH-gw9aT1HLwjN42tlajOE3u6aeW3g2yY/s1600-h/june+misc+014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozBbGgswAJHo4zYEsw4R9Y6vpTb_fEga_h0zlTQXaDEmQnALstQLA7rWGgZq8m0ijzL9AkpHNLng3Qcw7Nbar557hfSYtR9jOPv9BZVbOreDH-gw9aT1HLwjN42tlajOE3u6aeW3g2yY/s320/june+misc+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547483263259938" border="0" /></a>
<br />Dinner with Gideon, Mwix and our new friend Heika
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5MilLCwZo5XRbFIs-E-T_zAGPt4wwdvbeS7Nw4qs-j5PEtaxNGFf8N7w8jitQccyu_lyuF3zsIpvXrCIKCP7g38c7jajQ-bTFfMFANsDYS1yg86DzRleeZhEq6S4vTYD8Wp3Rn-u-vM/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+214.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5MilLCwZo5XRbFIs-E-T_zAGPt4wwdvbeS7Nw4qs-j5PEtaxNGFf8N7w8jitQccyu_lyuF3zsIpvXrCIKCP7g38c7jajQ-bTFfMFANsDYS1yg86DzRleeZhEq6S4vTYD8Wp3Rn-u-vM/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547257846340274" border="0" /></a>
<br />Mwix and the widest street in town...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjNObSlFRLHxhKUMCyj4jyQRS1LjGIelBFHc2nj8SMB-HWRj1I32sXdOFQ2GsfNpWeGrr7BASn6H2DY_h24OYx-3-t6mwal2Cz0d22AsN1hTK7izZXPSWdIP4ZVlohMuCXIzjhpZMTq4/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+232.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjNObSlFRLHxhKUMCyj4jyQRS1LjGIelBFHc2nj8SMB-HWRj1I32sXdOFQ2GsfNpWeGrr7BASn6H2DY_h24OYx-3-t6mwal2Cz0d22AsN1hTK7izZXPSWdIP4ZVlohMuCXIzjhpZMTq4/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547256581154162" border="0" /></a>
<br />Beautiful Homes
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBaokccyZDlQR6LyAuEWOZF9vytj4QIVdyWiHquZ0QFxpDROYhIPNU5SXQb24tb1pfmHvIo11Iqau3TIcXT60PkD1Wcc1HXs9Y9Bffo9wYM3OSkOFK2oVO5NL_pkZbn4b08OI5MkeKh4/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+250.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBaokccyZDlQR6LyAuEWOZF9vytj4QIVdyWiHquZ0QFxpDROYhIPNU5SXQb24tb1pfmHvIo11Iqau3TIcXT60PkD1Wcc1HXs9Y9Bffo9wYM3OSkOFK2oVO5NL_pkZbn4b08OI5MkeKh4/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547262638073474" border="0" /></a>
<br />The most amazing mango shakes ever!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_0RzGwg4M7jwCYvIIRl6Jp8Vo8FaIYluXdDWPriOG7X-DEV3BnwsumklY7hj9codKUeD6d3eAH1ROCzhWJJ0iknfBfo6Ti809lSD537b_PxgqDFT8rlc7kU18FHnUnUgg7pgHvj3MpA/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+065.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_0RzGwg4M7jwCYvIIRl6Jp8Vo8FaIYluXdDWPriOG7X-DEV3BnwsumklY7hj9codKUeD6d3eAH1ROCzhWJJ0iknfBfo6Ti809lSD537b_PxgqDFT8rlc7kU18FHnUnUgg7pgHvj3MpA/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546959943354178" border="0" /></a>
<br />BBQing our freshly caught fish!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UbSqAoIcf6_Mh5UmmqDOX0zWfpf9XEyfs52SLd7s7kHd5T_285E1apJoNxN8Ldsjfk2IvwkuzdgZz7D1K16alyvgXT3IGMeYGjKysBVGakDpZTYPbiTtI5l7q61H50WnbAVEXCANbmc/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+082.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UbSqAoIcf6_Mh5UmmqDOX0zWfpf9XEyfs52SLd7s7kHd5T_285E1apJoNxN8Ldsjfk2IvwkuzdgZz7D1K16alyvgXT3IGMeYGjKysBVGakDpZTYPbiTtI5l7q61H50WnbAVEXCANbmc/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546962816376242" border="0" /></a>
<br />Living the tough life...our balcony view!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4wbmpRHwROTDI2k-Mv6qmJ5gvzZliOVypLkCjeYNtXa5wH_oLYFkbLfdVepOWKP-Aa1niI1OpB0CZccy0RAhBkPR6zzktUOgU2u3361eCVROvIpu0TeeU3lkHrlRUwr04Nd2xym3GM0/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+116.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4wbmpRHwROTDI2k-Mv6qmJ5gvzZliOVypLkCjeYNtXa5wH_oLYFkbLfdVepOWKP-Aa1niI1OpB0CZccy0RAhBkPR6zzktUOgU2u3361eCVROvIpu0TeeU3lkHrlRUwr04Nd2xym3GM0/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546966828029858" border="0" /></a>
<br />Playing in the ocean...we got to go swimming in a storm and catch some good waves!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxPYqrO4b1BtHBVApbrjsGKY-Xi22Yt3UqWhj0MUcBR2WNmNwu626YZIwOL9hYqYX4a3L2iCwKxVOd3jjq49a9isBlmMd3AYvak9X1HCBXemL6lDjmzfJKVb99XpAcC_bFqtBLayUDAI/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+130.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxPYqrO4b1BtHBVApbrjsGKY-Xi22Yt3UqWhj0MUcBR2WNmNwu626YZIwOL9hYqYX4a3L2iCwKxVOd3jjq49a9isBlmMd3AYvak9X1HCBXemL6lDjmzfJKVb99XpAcC_bFqtBLayUDAI/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546963267061042" border="0" /></a>
<br />Swahili Architecture and local transport (donkeys)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEXTxShkXj4SW_pyPvFtEp18YHERy_vZy-3yD3L4XdiCLCC1rDCsYx-LEmbJlw1WblbshdP1TnD2oby6pLo-TcQSwzt2ekQwg2b_P0jnXfzFFgf5KiGOMd2lPM9eawlmAQJOvEbsPZgg/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+154.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEXTxShkXj4SW_pyPvFtEp18YHERy_vZy-3yD3L4XdiCLCC1rDCsYx-LEmbJlw1WblbshdP1TnD2oby6pLo-TcQSwzt2ekQwg2b_P0jnXfzFFgf5KiGOMd2lPM9eawlmAQJOvEbsPZgg/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+154.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546963409949362" border="0" /></a>
<br />The land of beautiful doors
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-fPgwHU2bI49YR7qfhTsjFMZMMEuqRddQw-NcZfjj3xS6ShVTJ8SMn61uEXQcOVyoTHxjC7GxN2FbeHLlReVcvcbC1_aM2e5UaUPXLZPc9PfbDFILZWecJA52iP6MbNjcan5SMUrv0s/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-fPgwHU2bI49YR7qfhTsjFMZMMEuqRddQw-NcZfjj3xS6ShVTJ8SMn61uEXQcOVyoTHxjC7GxN2FbeHLlReVcvcbC1_aM2e5UaUPXLZPc9PfbDFILZWecJA52iP6MbNjcan5SMUrv0s/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546693458350786" border="0" /></a>
<br />Hurry up! Dinner is in 6 hours!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAoRCiwZBh3mjzSxUozIq81aGOOuRifrK0psWvVVXR87du6gAQVT5W4ZvViP-ZxnlV60n-Z00NKAvWPmX7lo2OWUcqGzSjVivnRy-jBpoZN_X2s3mYy7yOdkzhL-D89RTHrKHalhOhJ4/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+025.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAoRCiwZBh3mjzSxUozIq81aGOOuRifrK0psWvVVXR87du6gAQVT5W4ZvViP-ZxnlV60n-Z00NKAvWPmX7lo2OWUcqGzSjVivnRy-jBpoZN_X2s3mYy7yOdkzhL-D89RTHrKHalhOhJ4/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546699386371922" border="0" /></a>
<br />View from our balcony!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-DnxjWffkztInmwhyphenhyphens1hHTNYwsB1GOv0uPFC0rBYBBjYv9ekHhb9OjgOyv_i9UmFSQFIAXG2EvyIWNHLio1uKpodw1Ganr-5E8AeImG6ivDL0Asgk8jOH30GDBgCdMfqtfyaeHpez2E/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+035.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-DnxjWffkztInmwhyphenhyphens1hHTNYwsB1GOv0uPFC0rBYBBjYv9ekHhb9OjgOyv_i9UmFSQFIAXG2EvyIWNHLio1uKpodw1Ganr-5E8AeImG6ivDL0Asgk8jOH30GDBgCdMfqtfyaeHpez2E/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546700513540818" border="0" /></a>
<br />No complaints with our guesthouse...the stopover!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTMs3Je0XfOtE4fi8PkmGMJa-om1KprhpBdvhnG3DC3pJ2Oa6e7qHIbRFedTBQPX-B59c4A3uKc4bMgt5hLKGAYhk14tMSd5nFo7t6SG1p1Ia4tzmzCuELhocuvXLwGe5YDPKXmeRj5U/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+063.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTMs3Je0XfOtE4fi8PkmGMJa-om1KprhpBdvhnG3DC3pJ2Oa6e7qHIbRFedTBQPX-B59c4A3uKc4bMgt5hLKGAYhk14tMSd5nFo7t6SG1p1Ia4tzmzCuELhocuvXLwGe5YDPKXmeRj5U/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219546704267098082" border="0" /></a>
<br />Eating our freshly caught fish for lunch on Manda Island
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxat8dK-uV2sND_gNtooC7bwd-CAQDdK8hU-tSoyb4R4tg9zoG_Y3YOtOzGr666Vc1GFkBMAm4vuQd8L8mGVp076_sPKVg2SnMQmo2gHual2McPQINMTa0uVmsE4p2jSSbZyIstda-fe4/s1600-h/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+329.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxat8dK-uV2sND_gNtooC7bwd-CAQDdK8hU-tSoyb4R4tg9zoG_Y3YOtOzGr666Vc1GFkBMAm4vuQd8L8mGVp076_sPKVg2SnMQmo2gHual2McPQINMTa0uVmsE4p2jSSbZyIstda-fe4/s320/june+lamu+pizza+with+the+pastors+329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219547466717815138" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Flying back to Nairobi...in our tiny plane!
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<br /></p> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-89743854234922477142008-07-05T07:06:00.000-07:002008-07-05T08:05:07.273-07:00Last Minute Visits<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Just like any place that we have ever transitioned from, there are lots of visits that take place during the last few weeks. Between friends through CTM, frisbee and others that we met along the way, it was a busy time! Lots of tasty food, wonderful conversations and questions to help prepare us for our transition.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jBYpSYvgdonQucldLkzfAqCKq9wMLCj01OYmt5QUDXXN6NVQewech7LDXZcxzFrWDHnMQGdYpMpp80KAHoxTfj1CoeNEnPO7xHrqhxuZK1czn7kwQEzQ4ngTIoStROLYN6o5G58g75o/s1600-h/june+misc+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jBYpSYvgdonQucldLkzfAqCKq9wMLCj01OYmt5QUDXXN6NVQewech7LDXZcxzFrWDHnMQGdYpMpp80KAHoxTfj1CoeNEnPO7xHrqhxuZK1czn7kwQEzQ4ngTIoStROLYN6o5G58g75o/s320/june+misc+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219545350646955426" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We enjoyed a trip to Banana (a small town 30 minutes outside of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>) to visit Peter and his wife. Peter is doing some amazing work in his community within the matatu industry. He leads a Sunday morning church service at a gas station as the drivers fill up with gas, check the oil and get ready for a day on the road. While he may not focus on praise and worship, he provides a space to talk about areas of transformation in HIV/AIDS education, drug awareness and positive life choices. Peter’s hard work was recently recognized by USAID as he was awarded a 29 seater matatu to focus on behavior change. Check out the pics!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenHTRgIZ9qGYQZNkZQPEYNpXaAK36sSXyQ3HLFPlrXsUCgfy2FEnumJa3NOjJ1W9haziok_lC_NPNO_IpP8UW2ESI7Hvh0LoFXHMXBdMJGoLHuBuXllCUL_tJuSQrKpouzMB_5i7-yz8/s1600-h/june+misc+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenHTRgIZ9qGYQZNkZQPEYNpXaAK36sSXyQ3HLFPlrXsUCgfy2FEnumJa3NOjJ1W9haziok_lC_NPNO_IpP8UW2ESI7Hvh0LoFXHMXBdMJGoLHuBuXllCUL_tJuSQrKpouzMB_5i7-yz8/s320/june+misc+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219545354269856770" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">During our last week, we took advantage of the buy one get one free pizza offer at a local restaurant and invited several of the pastors and their spouses over from the CTM network. We had a wonderful time catching up on life, reflecting on our year together and watching people eat pizza for the first time. Luckily, we had ugali and sikuma on backup for those that didn’t like it. It was a wonderful evening in which they commissioned us to return to the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> and to bless us in our future endeavors.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We couldn’t let some last minute visits with <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lorraine</st1:place></st1:state> slip away from under us. For those of you who don’t know the story with <st1:state st="on">Lorraine</st1:state>, she is a friend that we went to school with in <st1:city st="on">Tacoma</st1:city> at PLU. Joel graduated with <st1:state st="on">Lorraine</st1:state> and she returned to <st1:country-region st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region> and is currently at the <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Nairobi</st1:placename> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Med</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>. When we first arrived in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>, we called her and found out that she lives about 3 minutes from us! It was great to have another person around familiar with our context throughout the year…as well as someone to shed some wisdom on the stomach problems that we encountered along the way! Our last day with Lorraine was appropriate as we started out at the Iranian Medical Clinic to get tested for TB and Malaria before taking off…neither of us were feeling well and would much rather be treated for these things in Kenya than in the US as they are VERY common over here. Both of our tests turned out negative!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N_qXAAf2hMyPoNM7RWicAh9BCgAbnpJUww1WMNmzuvMCbNaDvOVugK65LAHKrAgfA6uVeaEf0hZ84u6quzPq0TShaS1DLoFKk2igiF2_MFiHZbAU-wWZyJzWEKO79DoTJZqO59f_MPA/s1600-h/june+misc+1+423.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N_qXAAf2hMyPoNM7RWicAh9BCgAbnpJUww1WMNmzuvMCbNaDvOVugK65LAHKrAgfA6uVeaEf0hZ84u6quzPq0TShaS1DLoFKk2igiF2_MFiHZbAU-wWZyJzWEKO79DoTJZqO59f_MPA/s320/june+misc+1+423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219545353554303458" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Frisbee Folks: What can I say? We spent two evenings a week with this crew throughout the entire year. We had an amazing time with all of them and are so grateful to have found this outlet in our lives in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>…good exercise, good company and people that understand the challenges of living in various contexts. We are hopeful that we will get to see two of our friends this summer in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city> as they will be out for work-related meetings! Thanks frisbee folks for many great games, tasty dinners, a rockin’ tournament with D4K and teaching us new card games!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other last minute visits included bowling, the best Ethiopian food ever two more times, crepes, debriefing with fellow NWerners, Western food with Violet and final Nairobi impressions of wonderful Indian Food!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHj1a4Y9l_ftx9kAsEPIel758dobhACyxSzdSoqypZtFa35C7lEnTqIfO7R9cnP0R5CyBmXxz6fd_LoD6owGwY-JgPZ84sTAj33iTDtKz7jXuDC9Gwgfm_4SsEzMFACVmlWbqEwbfnuU/s1600-h/june550+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHj1a4Y9l_ftx9kAsEPIel758dobhACyxSzdSoqypZtFa35C7lEnTqIfO7R9cnP0R5CyBmXxz6fd_LoD6owGwY-JgPZ84sTAj33iTDtKz7jXuDC9Gwgfm_4SsEzMFACVmlWbqEwbfnuU/s320/june550+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219545349274802290" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt9rwHYO4qoLRY14iWSYW_0p4KcnlVnFcHys2H3PILbUAbRilh3GNfcrmSBh7xGRTs_Y8lxamE8z1J3J4uMZs-K4iKUW720MAVwoXVsd2pkcKbs4xdWAE3WQP85jbhnljZ3RkUsF6qic/s1600-h/june+misc+1+443.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt9rwHYO4qoLRY14iWSYW_0p4KcnlVnFcHys2H3PILbUAbRilh3GNfcrmSBh7xGRTs_Y8lxamE8z1J3J4uMZs-K4iKUW720MAVwoXVsd2pkcKbs4xdWAE3WQP85jbhnljZ3RkUsF6qic/s320/june+misc+1+443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219545360899495202" border="0" /></a></p> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-88233180797420660042008-07-05T07:04:00.000-07:002008-07-05T07:59:11.225-07:00Nakuru with the boys!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3SCGM_kH_PKBJ_X4H8gH-2YVE04fnhl1FIv2SFzb1wCKGKRkrJSejuJoF4LFzd2BQT2jNHKYGQ0N7QvUOXADcnlagfLXei_p8Jab9vIr-Kfs1T2hwsJb1wsxRFxKo9hxn3xCtiUpvGI/s1600-h/june+049.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3SCGM_kH_PKBJ_X4H8gH-2YVE04fnhl1FIv2SFzb1wCKGKRkrJSejuJoF4LFzd2BQT2jNHKYGQ0N7QvUOXADcnlagfLXei_p8Jab9vIr-Kfs1T2hwsJb1wsxRFxKo9hxn3xCtiUpvGI/s320/june+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219539190765103650" border="0" /></a>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoel%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:846287224; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1104162726 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We knew that we wanted to get one last Safari in, but also knew that our time was coming quickly to a close-so we killed two birds with one stone and spent time with great friends as we ventured into <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Nakuru</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> on a camping trip. The top 10 from the weekend included:</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx3g4qw918bnD14bT12WfoLFX3amxPhqaa2jJjsKQzqCGoG251Dv6Q_g9-GvrX2HSnnIEizVA_IXm8BNcXEXzl-1ZPBhHYofskLvZue-OppWWyZVXQXwyzSu0VqV-jJ-CKM1XpaIRM_c/s1600-h/june+081.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx3g4qw918bnD14bT12WfoLFX3amxPhqaa2jJjsKQzqCGoG251Dv6Q_g9-GvrX2HSnnIEizVA_IXm8BNcXEXzl-1ZPBhHYofskLvZue-OppWWyZVXQXwyzSu0VqV-jJ-CKM1XpaIRM_c/s320/june+081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219539197476600514" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Arriving 5 hours later than anticipated because of a late start, the sleeping bags that never showed up, extra stops for Nyama Choma (Roasted Meet) at roadside stands, etc. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Seeing 3 lions perched on a downed tree 50 feet from the road. It couldn’t have been set up better in a zoo!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Eating Roasted Meat, Chipatis, Fries and Juice around the fire…a true Kenyan bachelor’s meal</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Being surrounded by 1000 pound buffaloes at night in our campsite and seeing grown me scared out of their minds.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Seeing tons of animals on our morning game drive…including hayinas, a male lion, buffalo galore, flamingos, rhinos, giraffe, zebra-tons of animals!</li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Surviving a stare down from a buffalo staking his territory in the middle of the road as we tried to pass him in a van. We don’t know the whole story but saw a car flipped over on one of the roads in the park earlier in the day…enough to remind you that these animals can do some serious damage.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Coming back to our campsite to find that it had been wasted by baboons…all of the tents were down, the sleeping bags dragged 100+ meters, clothes everywhere, even a poop surprise on the picnic table. These things are malicious! </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">A visit to see some of the boys from Dagoretti 4 Kids at a boarding school close to the park. They were so happy to see all of us and perhaps more excited to enjoy our leftover food from the trip as a break from their monotonous school menu!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Another Nyama Choma stop on the way home and the van overheating.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Hangin’ out with good people in a gorgeous place doing something that we love. Time well spent!</li></ol>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghexX5f0kHxQ6rdayjrUPthxDos_brK2mtaKwodRh2k4uNwgNBUvLW54dTLYZOOy0ZbpsCTgnqTR3c_QCsETnNBY5jtDoHKe-4SGw6cGs6hYPXr9ISM81d8L2Km4OKc23Fl0XduylJgHw/s1600-h/june+112.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghexX5f0kHxQ6rdayjrUPthxDos_brK2mtaKwodRh2k4uNwgNBUvLW54dTLYZOOy0ZbpsCTgnqTR3c_QCsETnNBY5jtDoHKe-4SGw6cGs6hYPXr9ISM81d8L2Km4OKc23Fl0XduylJgHw/s320/june+112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219539199020519714" border="0" /></a></div> Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-13017838865132808342008-06-28T14:05:00.000-07:002008-06-28T14:25:40.014-07:00Bad BloggerHello all...<br /><br />I know-we have been terrible with the updates over the past couple of weeks.<br /><br />Here is a sneak preview of the stories and pictures that will come after the re-entry into the land of highspeed. Until then, this is our last greeting from the southern hemisphere for a while.<br /><br /><ul><li>Camping with the Dagoretti Guys, eating nyama choma and getting close and personal with a lion</li><li>Farewells to all of our local peeps...friends, pastors, leaders, frisbee players, teaching partners, family members...lots of food, lots of blessings and invites galore to return.</li><li>Significant time in getting the masters program up and rolling and in a spot where it will run smoothly from afar.</li><li>A trip to a 14th Century Swahili Island in the Indian Ocean with Gideon and Mwix</li><li>Getting our last (hopefully last) round of the stomach biology experiments in...I am taking my cipro as I type.</li></ul>Tomorrow at 11:20, we enter a 777 and jet out to London...a few days to rest, to reflect and to re-energize followed by a Wednesday afternoon flight to to SEATAC airport. Get ready tasty cheeses, root beer, smooth roads, ice cream, high speed internet and evening walks-we are going to devour you!Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-90242911136986095242008-06-22T07:03:00.000-07:002008-07-05T07:04:38.422-07:00Ugandan DelightA Thursday afternoon in June marked an interesting point in our time in Kenya. A good friend of ours, David brought us into the heart of Nairobi to share a meal and his life story. The Ugandan restaurant, set in the middle of someone’s one bedroom house was tasty and the people were amaed to see their first set of wazungu (white people) using their bed as a bench. I am not sure if I have ever felt more cramped in a restaurant, nor would OSHA approve, but it was a unique experience to say the least.<br /><br />David’s life story is far from anyone’s that I have yet to meet. You have to understand his character a bit before diving in…he is all laughs. There were times when there wasn’t much to laugh about in Kenya this year, nor can you get to the sarcasm that you can enjoy with people from your own culture for fear of being misunderstood. David was our go-to guy in being OK with being misunderstood and laughing along the way. He is an outspoken politician, wanna-be church leader restaurant owner working in Mathare while also spending considerable time at the Inspiration Center, a community center for kids.<br /><br />He allowed us to peer in behind his laughter and learn a bit of his hard past. He spent years of his life as a robber, thug and running from the police, helping him understand the ways of those in hard places in Nairobi who have little to hold on to other than criminal activity. He understood the post-election violence differently than you or I ever will, yet has somehow developed a new perspective on life. Time in jail, 4 gunshot wounds, memories of running for his life and seeing his closest buddies dead in ditches shape his worldview. His laughter is far from a coverup, and closer to an authentic realization that each day alive is a blessing, regardless of where you have come from.Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-76380425840658539722008-06-11T10:15:00.000-07:002008-06-13T03:18:52.478-07:00The beginning of the end...In less than 3 weeks, we will be sitting in traffic on I-5 heading wouth toward Tacoma. We can't believe how fast this year has gone. As we near the end of our time here, we have been busy cramming in all of the experiences that we never got around to...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the new property of Tumani Children's Home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQn_DgykAQxbNsu3Y1gM3nrhN9_YFLxWTp7DLQi5FacQ8FeL871pLYD70YZRcjEBEQ3402wHJ_3fLWaTlnP1wtt4Athh-4HwNT2_Ci-1X9iZqNwxtdqWpgHSLKebvUZSp3u8hdps-bE/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQn_DgykAQxbNsu3Y1gM3nrhN9_YFLxWTp7DLQi5FacQ8FeL871pLYD70YZRcjEBEQ3402wHJ_3fLWaTlnP1wtt4Athh-4HwNT2_Ci-1X9iZqNwxtdqWpgHSLKebvUZSp3u8hdps-bE/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210674693347070450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT5LCZ0D-M43lJ5k_3e_a8kxLKMNYgmVdVRdvP9BhiaOFVZFiofysOohamUeB3IgJ25uXspYiVVYsmBNTpgv-Y1d5DWPg3SVMGIkuS-PjNJsGO4fPDclkkc2nR9gTE-JHPE0-IC2IPF4/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT5LCZ0D-M43lJ5k_3e_a8kxLKMNYgmVdVRdvP9BhiaOFVZFiofysOohamUeB3IgJ25uXspYiVVYsmBNTpgv-Y1d5DWPg3SVMGIkuS-PjNJsGO4fPDclkkc2nR9gTE-JHPE0-IC2IPF4/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210674693303990034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mandy livin' it up with her teaching crew<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigeQI78v3R2Ou2f1eHpx_t_jYuRA7s0UbpxcJ6EszeuNEMtR5zmqD71-pFgBQiJq_F8OY1yh9pOL4sUCYX4rh2EX4bECbCnunhrvTpswpveDyYUZaaTSVzfnuWZ9GH5pN61HZKVNk9Gs/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigeQI78v3R2Ou2f1eHpx_t_jYuRA7s0UbpxcJ6EszeuNEMtR5zmqD71-pFgBQiJq_F8OY1yh9pOL4sUCYX4rh2EX4bECbCnunhrvTpswpveDyYUZaaTSVzfnuWZ9GH5pN61HZKVNk9Gs/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210674698260732034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Watching Samara grow up...and learning about parenting (and patience) in the process!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV5rmC6tPfSB-K_JMS_t3k0Bao1aNw0yl6kZExbe6Q_iyB5DGKT0J-jGT3CV3BQOyHaCcbNV69aPk6_ojNp4p9gP0CYiOUgMi5dU_ZrmOWRIBXjw2TVGCOa_rk7LDgil65kr53zHzpII/s1600-h/gabi,+samara,+and+bowling+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV5rmC6tPfSB-K_JMS_t3k0Bao1aNw0yl6kZExbe6Q_iyB5DGKT0J-jGT3CV3BQOyHaCcbNV69aPk6_ojNp4p9gP0CYiOUgMi5dU_ZrmOWRIBXjw2TVGCOa_rk7LDgil65kr53zHzpII/s320/gabi,+samara,+and+bowling+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210674698124044498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hording the scenes and moments that we will miss back in the states...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe60DV8pfRcZvjHjYXtIXqjUCQhNDpE9LfdWGnU4FaKZYpxjMBrtb8TzUsOKTbXixenCh9LGzqPkrQ-YZGmw1HC1bcfpxHOpfAfnYL8kFqNAN1DJts34bI-umXwISI7ygrPBVxZIT8Xg/s1600-h/gabi,+samara,+and+bowling+038.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe60DV8pfRcZvjHjYXtIXqjUCQhNDpE9LfdWGnU4FaKZYpxjMBrtb8TzUsOKTbXixenCh9LGzqPkrQ-YZGmw1HC1bcfpxHOpfAfnYL8kFqNAN1DJts34bI-umXwISI7ygrPBVxZIT8Xg/s320/gabi,+samara,+and+bowling+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210674702297498834" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-74042095640403178132008-06-11T10:11:00.000-07:002008-06-13T03:07:03.618-07:00The Masters<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCDw1Ftm7z3mXOSTrG-C3Aqc2imzs_Q4TT1dShHij7i78BahdXcIhIFWNOwkujwm_xxXkccVTVKHXN9pY_cRofy8b0pgQ2-31CrcrmTk5Zu079Fcn9sup22L1c5bRtHUc1IhojpOsDPw/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+064.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCDw1Ftm7z3mXOSTrG-C3Aqc2imzs_Q4TT1dShHij7i78BahdXcIhIFWNOwkujwm_xxXkccVTVKHXN9pY_cRofy8b0pgQ2-31CrcrmTk5Zu079Fcn9sup22L1c5bRtHUc1IhojpOsDPw/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210673441387168914" border="0" /></a>Tiger Woods and Phil Nickelson may be a long ways away, but we have officially launched the Nairobi Masters program in partnership with CTM, <st1:placename st="on">Carlile</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:PlaceType> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Bakke</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Graduate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. With 24 currently enrolled and 5 eagerly awaiting acceptance, the response has been overwhelming.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXts6uYhCb_gCwPtJAnbiV7glPUfQybWUyfsYBnIAUKE60AQ7PjdhG_e4KrY_EmLBtRVH3VQk38yTdQnIS0zHrmFOhVvIctSVjBGAbboX9IE5Q6scpAVy5DHUjzioEp_TUykxmnpz-0A/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+055.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXts6uYhCb_gCwPtJAnbiV7glPUfQybWUyfsYBnIAUKE60AQ7PjdhG_e4KrY_EmLBtRVH3VQk38yTdQnIS0zHrmFOhVvIctSVjBGAbboX9IE5Q6scpAVy5DHUjzioEp_TUykxmnpz-0A/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210673437045935762" border="0" /></a>CTM Director Kris Rocke (the white one) and Mile High Ministry Director Jeff Johnsen facilitated the first intensive of the program last week. The first two days, which were open to the broader community, attracted over 100 local leaders. The two training days to follow were only open to those that are officially part of the CTM Nairobi Masters Cohort. Kris and Jeff were in their prime in “disorienting” the students and forcing them to think critically about their role as urban ministers. We often sat back and chuckled as they found a way to maneuver in tricky spaces around theological, cultural and social landmines. I don’t know of many others that could tread these tracks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Fee31FQjpnq_-4M59TR_9W4csxhRDw0mWEzShg6Pwex-ySphxyHYyXlw5Ll7oWPKwty6M5kGupoxAjjblsVKOXh-_hZMp2WA94Lb-14NErpLe1Swcid2tj-tM9XaT5QSW4JEr_UP6kE/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+037.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Fee31FQjpnq_-4M59TR_9W4csxhRDw0mWEzShg6Pwex-ySphxyHYyXlw5Ll7oWPKwty6M5kGupoxAjjblsVKOXh-_hZMp2WA94Lb-14NErpLe1Swcid2tj-tM9XaT5QSW4JEr_UP6kE/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210673432342862306" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Collectively, we explored what it looks like to see the incarnational nature of Christ in the slums of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City>. This was good news to rise up against the prominent <st1:place st="on">Africa</st1:place> prosperity gospel that justifies the circumstances that people find themselves in through God’s blessings and curses. Could it be that there are blessings hidden within the slums than we might think? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Their time in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City> allowed us to review our year here and gave us permission to think strategically about what the future holds for CTM Nairobi. We were able to sift through some of the challenges and successes of the past and capture some of the current energy and explore some new possibilities. With the program masters program off the ground, we certainly have our work cut out for us, but are confident that local leadership will continue to provide a way forward.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPUMPjW_5CIk30XFBCtGhf_ZRdj3Qk7ei6c9qP2MvGZQCEHXWXaFNKRiGElTKBNMz8rkYk1xmFEn2YnWhOcTLu1Rn-_EEDbg43jFoE3vlcjosGpu1RElOHsyi1fS98eddsstr38C7Ndk/s1600-h/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+051.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPUMPjW_5CIk30XFBCtGhf_ZRdj3Qk7ei6c9qP2MvGZQCEHXWXaFNKRiGElTKBNMz8rkYk1xmFEn2YnWhOcTLu1Rn-_EEDbg43jFoE3vlcjosGpu1RElOHsyi1fS98eddsstr38C7Ndk/s320/tumaini,+isk,+intensives+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210673436860308354" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This process has taught us a great deal about education in various contexts. We came into the year with our own ideas of higher education based on our own experiences in the states but soon learned that there are obstacles to get around here in Kenya. A few examples:</p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">As of this January, education is supposed to be free for everyone up to form 4 (the completion of<span style=""> </span>high school). In actuality, it costs the equivalent of two months rent each 3 month term. While rent is very cheap in some places, incomes are low.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Because of a lack of access to technology, the expectations between high school and university curriculum are drastically different. Students are well prepared in knowledge content, but struggle with communicating ideas.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">The Kenyan mode of education is incredibly classical. With the 3 R’s as top priorities and a high regard for structure, it makes are American education look like a bunch of play-dough degrees.</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are eager to see where this will all go. We invite you to learn more about the partner institutions by visiting their respective websites: <st1:placename st="on">Bakke</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Graduate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>, CTM and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Carlile</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-10663398040029941362008-06-11T10:05:00.000-07:002008-06-13T03:01:09.503-07:00IDP ConcertThere are still thousands of people living in camps throughout Kenya following the 2007 election violence. One of our close friends and organizational partners reached out to his community by hosting a concert at one of the urban camps on the outskirts of Nairobi. With diminishing hope for quick solutions and few people paying attention to the reality they find themselves in, it ws a cool way to honor those that have gone through hard times in recent months. A few pictures to capture the day...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQYsnWNMVdGYB-qQHjRLUzD2Kg0sxW9Gqay7NAJUoXELuyW6UMwP53EaGCuNoPfdvFHzmxM0zovlHvHAlz_aDob6-f5V7MSGU6MszEilrYqpLlqfv7Wv897xhc7-xgkCp-HrxWM0KA5A/s1600-h/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+229.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQYsnWNMVdGYB-qQHjRLUzD2Kg0sxW9Gqay7NAJUoXELuyW6UMwP53EaGCuNoPfdvFHzmxM0zovlHvHAlz_aDob6-f5V7MSGU6MszEilrYqpLlqfv7Wv897xhc7-xgkCp-HrxWM0KA5A/s320/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+229.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210672360997940578" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0jsvclhHxrlSgXSTDgkTzzCkkItEBqIFKQkJSWE7Rz-M3CfgBRU6VBoX_HFsad63a2huW0YCwDkNFggQUIU0WvYG3J3LPSr6f8ij-1ASQqOLk1lBgNfhpAFbpQtfUDN6MBCwq0HnmMk/s1600-h/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+253.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0jsvclhHxrlSgXSTDgkTzzCkkItEBqIFKQkJSWE7Rz-M3CfgBRU6VBoX_HFsad63a2huW0YCwDkNFggQUIU0WvYG3J3LPSr6f8ij-1ASQqOLk1lBgNfhpAFbpQtfUDN6MBCwq0HnmMk/s320/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+253.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210672370612242642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c_hNpGwXdnIjpUyO9eBU3yHCgNb8TIX1Dr7BjuGYCNeGwRj0e_zu6qWj_162YB2v6IvKoZa3cjqKsZt0H88VfWnjRoZrXDCGu2Yw7CbUhku-C23ecU2lWj0LVbkbep0-vl-ft95mEL0/s1600-h/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+295.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c_hNpGwXdnIjpUyO9eBU3yHCgNb8TIX1Dr7BjuGYCNeGwRj0e_zu6qWj_162YB2v6IvKoZa3cjqKsZt0H88VfWnjRoZrXDCGu2Yw7CbUhku-C23ecU2lWj0LVbkbep0-vl-ft95mEL0/s320/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210672374106729618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw_6KEyH0yZKJA9_sPiiexuG3AaXRyLhMDH_ntlTKn3WNy4GKeGRqSs5fSanb_2dZQrUVM0fhHfXHvji1bCZsTfwQ_FEHGLyWR4jULJIqi_bRZ-VrAuO3Nt3m-YQqqBnYTKEmRHi1r0g/s1600-h/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+326.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw_6KEyH0yZKJA9_sPiiexuG3AaXRyLhMDH_ntlTKn3WNy4GKeGRqSs5fSanb_2dZQrUVM0fhHfXHvji1bCZsTfwQ_FEHGLyWR4jULJIqi_bRZ-VrAuO3Nt3m-YQqqBnYTKEmRHi1r0g/s320/Mathare+IDP+Concert+slr+326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210672374146262722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-70630927308093752022008-05-30T05:06:00.001-07:002008-05-31T23:14:25.088-07:00Dagoretti 4 Kids goes 6-0!<div style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p>Last weekend, we hosted <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City>’s 3<sup>rd</sup> annual Ultimate Frisbee Festival. We had 6 teams, 80+ players, sponors, good food and lots of fun. We co-facilitated the event with another teacher from Mandy’s school that plays on a national team in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Many of the participants came from the 25-30 people that come out on Fridays and Sundays to play pickup games each week. They were a huge help in pulling all of this together! <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mVcOlEp6KGTUTNk_KRati-hDrDLGfi3SFiLLW0uhSzKBJrykCRGDE-12vOgKdcS4ywIak2fx8p3pjqbrbnTc0laGunUGnnKVPApnSeKcoVKhVpFYnFFD1yYHz_h7zi1mg9DBW5C8lWc/s1600-h/NUFF+2008+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mVcOlEp6KGTUTNk_KRati-hDrDLGfi3SFiLLW0uhSzKBJrykCRGDE-12vOgKdcS4ywIak2fx8p3pjqbrbnTc0laGunUGnnKVPApnSeKcoVKhVpFYnFFD1yYHz_h7zi1mg9DBW5C8lWc/s320/NUFF+2008+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206149289759935570" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In years past, this event has always been a fundraiser for a local organization doing work with kids in the community. In years past, proceeds went to an organization, they occasionally came out for the day to watch and at best, were somewhat involved. This was not the case this year. We decided to work with a group of kids that had never played ultimate frisbee during the month before, teach them how to play and form a team to enter into the tournament. It was in the spirit of all of this that we were able to go 6-0 in the tournament. Here’s a quick summary of our wins.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cguPukXW50BmjB-enADS6kTvkqDEu_SKszULAb_nIrqv7P_HW19zvlea0F0pgQSibAP0BULv-W1pkIYsQyc6e_RWCm3tjCS2W3qTFgvosk-bSiKvRjybQd85RzRpNXt-f4ntpuaLpQ8/s1600-h/NUFF+2008+120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cguPukXW50BmjB-enADS6kTvkqDEu_SKszULAb_nIrqv7P_HW19zvlea0F0pgQSibAP0BULv-W1pkIYsQyc6e_RWCm3tjCS2W3qTFgvosk-bSiKvRjybQd85RzRpNXt-f4ntpuaLpQ8/s320/NUFF+2008+120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206149306939804770" border="0" /></a></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">We taught 15-20 kids how to play a new game that they will likely hold onto in the near future. Teaching them the basics and providing the basic equipment, it was fun to rally them around a new activity.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">The improvement from the first time that we played to our last game was incredible! You have to imagine that most of the kids had never seen a frisbee before. They thought it was a plate or something that you throw to a dog. All of the teams commented on how well these guys had done for only playing the game for one month.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">We were able to build new relationships with a great group of guys that we may have never had the opportunity to spend time with. There is something about enduring competition together. It allowed us to connect with the leaders of the org as well as a great group of guys with a tough past.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">We were able to raise 75,000 Ksh (approx. $1300 USD) for the organization. All of the t-shirts, food and drinks were sponsored by local businesses and the <i style="">regular</i> group of frisbee players.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">We were able to help some of our expat friends in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City> gain a bit of insight into the lives of local stories. In many cases here in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City>, there is a huge gap between the international and local community. This was a way to bring people together in a fun and non-threatening way. Many of our friends from abroad expressed interest in visiting the dagoretti project and playing games in their area.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Despite the fact that we didn’t win any games, the guys had a postivive attitude, encouraged one another and set a great example for other teams. People commented left and right on their attitude and politeness to each of the teams that we encountered. </li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTz7H7miVgVjAiYxxSRrQsW66TSUZH-t8RKyc0r8bfTzo-cddAPZ4_2ABQUtZriA1KwnU9R3JBDf_HNlU6LNlYwMz7cQXHD2rjxiiS7oeWdtK0IbcZndCtp8QdQGOJy5Sg1dWViVTboQ/s1600-h/NUFF+2008+130.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTz7H7miVgVjAiYxxSRrQsW66TSUZH-t8RKyc0r8bfTzo-cddAPZ4_2ABQUtZriA1KwnU9R3JBDf_HNlU6LNlYwMz7cQXHD2rjxiiS7oeWdtK0IbcZndCtp8QdQGOJy5Sg1dWViVTboQ/s320/NUFF+2008+130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206149315529739378" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This was an incredible experience for everyone. I (Joel) will always remember my first ultimate frisbee tournament and I am convinced that the kids of dagoretti will do the same.</p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHQKyeod_cnTqCCGF3uSTPmm55ANEBUu6NI320BoIk-F9UhJMu96Hd0tmyGH6uOcubGd9ib7eWV3Vnl4qPtANZ0ucWiu_ZywFFcGCPBw0Jl2ImppVQd3e-_jaU7XB_wPVRSTxfjsZu-Q/s1600-h/NUFF+2008+147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHQKyeod_cnTqCCGF3uSTPmm55ANEBUu6NI320BoIk-F9UhJMu96Hd0tmyGH6uOcubGd9ib7eWV3Vnl4qPtANZ0ucWiu_ZywFFcGCPBw0Jl2ImppVQd3e-_jaU7XB_wPVRSTxfjsZu-Q/s320/NUFF+2008+147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206149319824706690" border="0" /></a></div>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-72346278247891539262008-05-23T02:01:00.000-07:002008-05-23T02:02:04.235-07:00A few cool things going on here in Nairobi<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>We Can’t express quickly time is passing over here. There were days in January and February when we thought time could not inch any slower. Now, things have changed and June 29 (our departure date) seems to be a blink away. Here is a brief snapshot of what is making time pass haraka haraka (quickly quickly) these days:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Frisbee:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As many of you know, we have played ultimate frisbee with a group of people here every Friday and Sunday. In February, we began planning for the 3<sup>rd</sup> annual Nairobi Ultimate Frisbee Festival, a tournament to promote the game and activate local youth. We have been involved with planning the tournament and are coaching a team of former street kids that are connected to one of our partner organizations. The guys at Dagoretti 4 Kids have been awesome in picking up the game, practicing hard and using this as an opportunity to show how far that they have come.<span style=""> </span>We practice, ½ times each week, have regular scrimmages against a team of kids from Mandy’s school and will play in the tournament this weekend. We have received sponsorship from the tournament from local sources and are excited to report that all proceeds from the tournament will go to Dagoretti 4 Kids. We will keep you posted on how the tournament goes this weekend!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Masters:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Setting up a masters program thousands of miles away from the source, in a place where computers are few and far between and in a very different academic context is a lot of work. We have worked hard to help 25 people apply for a CTM/Bakke Graduate University and Carlile College Masters program for grassroots leaders serving in the slums. There are few systematic ways of doing things over here. While it would be nice to have everyone simply go to a website, fill out the forms and send them in, it doesn’t work that way here. Instead, we print all of the forms, have a meeting with everyone to go through the application, have them handwrite their responses, hand them in, scan the documents and send large files (that take 10 hours to send) to the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> via email. Other kinks present themselves, such as only having access to 1 computer for 25 people, not being able to find the correct textbooks here in Nairobi, coordinating with Kris and Jeff how to set up scheduling issues, etc.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kris and Jeff’s Visit:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s one thing to plan for a family visit, but when visits are related to CTM functions, it takes a bit more time and energy. Kris and Jeff will be arriving in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:City> next Tuesday night. During their time here, they will be facilitating an intensive training for 150 people and will be launching the Masters program with 25 people. We will also spend time visiting various communities, visioning with CTM Nairobi, etc. It will be fun to have visitors again…although the reality is speaking clearer than ever: when they leave, we have three weeks left!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Transitioning:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">With our time here coming to an end, we are making sure that our work here this year doesn’t come with us. Equipping Gideon and others with helpful ideas and systems has become important as we think about leaving. Mandy is also transitioning from her work at ISK as her school year finishes in less than two weeks. We can’t forget the practical steps of moving and making sure that we can fit our year in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> back into 3 suitcases to return home.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, those are a few things that are going on over here…others include a photo project in mathare, continuing to explore some partnership opportunities locally and abroad, hanging out with friends and members of the CTM network here, figuring out what we will come back to in American politics, taking Swahili lessons and learning how to cook Kenyan food.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-89777718135121762922008-05-23T01:26:00.000-07:002008-05-23T02:00:35.818-07:00One of those days...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKT1BhkGazWow3Zzbv2wH3Wa2bteeKJgecj_T9mpQ9fJ5AQj70g4t-AzbLDwYjkHzA31WeMb2J2wDXz_qEmpna4DBMr0Pjy6Mq61x-UfO5SU_F7RliCH4j0Zezus6FXzQ8RQSy_L8mn8/s1600-h/may+lunga+lunga+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKT1BhkGazWow3Zzbv2wH3Wa2bteeKJgecj_T9mpQ9fJ5AQj70g4t-AzbLDwYjkHzA31WeMb2J2wDXz_qEmpna4DBMr0Pjy6Mq61x-UfO5SU_F7RliCH4j0Zezus6FXzQ8RQSy_L8mn8/s320/may+lunga+lunga+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203495038625713186" border="0" /></a>To give you a little taste of the clashes within the slums and western visitors, I’d like to take you on a trip down memory lane to last week Thursday’s visit to a place called Lunga Lunga. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am not really sure where to start…perhaps a snapshot of Thursday evening’s emotions would be appropriate.<span style=""> </span>Frustrated, hurt, honored, exhausted, fearful and maybe even a bit of resentment toward those who have gone before us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thursday was a reminder of how far the CTM network has come here in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>. Although we came home exhausted, frustrated, embarrassed and perplexed, it provided new perspective on CTM’s ability to come alongside in fragile circumstances and to walk the fine-line of western empowerment in hard places.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mandy, Gideon, Moses and I ventured into a new part of town to visit with a group of pastors. Mandy and Gideon had visited before and were encouraged by the transformational work taking place within this community. Gideon invited us as he was hoping to film a few clips for a “signs of hope” video that he is compiling to be shared with mainstream and slum pastors in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Nairobi</st1:city></st1:place> in the beginning of June. Gideon’s objective defies the norm as he is trying to capture beauty in the stories rather than the typical cries for help. We graciously accepted his offer, hoping to simply listen to a few stories emerging from their community.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFLKi5dFBPfONJp1NevwuhJXcKHaeJG1pqSotbCksWytHc6ThhCiEIliKkU4JLEb5EXfekemY_QURt74IrfxGQRy5qitmAb7bx-5GN1PTXrdrNphA0E4pAXvl8yXM-yvcnUl87Xv2LCU/s1600-h/may+lunga+lunga+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFLKi5dFBPfONJp1NevwuhJXcKHaeJG1pqSotbCksWytHc6ThhCiEIliKkU4JLEb5EXfekemY_QURt74IrfxGQRy5qitmAb7bx-5GN1PTXrdrNphA0E4pAXvl8yXM-yvcnUl87Xv2LCU/s320/may+lunga+lunga+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203495042920680498" border="0" /></a>In retrospect, the signs early on that things might be a different were obvious. The fact that we arrived 2 hours later than they had expected us, yet a group of 25 pastors will still eagerly waiting was sign number one. Signs two, three and four came in the first 30 seconds of our encounter when Mandy and I were asked to sit in the front, when we noticed a table with crafts for sale off to the side and when Gideon and Moses were barely acknowledged. Sign five came when our primary reason for the visit (Gideon’s interview clips) were placed on the back burner and Mandy and I were issued “lead roles”. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As we walked around the community, we went to six different churches. The tour of the community was meant to be a show and tell amongst other pastors in the area of what each ministry is doing. Ideally, we would be a listening ear in the background and there may have been a little red light on Gideon’s camera glowing. Instead, it became a ploy for access to resources, a cry for help and a presentation for what they had been prepped for as “potential donors”.<span style=""> </span>Don’t get me wrong, there is some great stuff going on in this place. Most of the churches have started schools as there are few government schools operating in this area, there is a strong network of pastors who know what is going on in the community and these churches remain agents of transformation in a place that is environmentally, physically, economically and socially impoverished.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfjXzjfUP7FDNEpwHVgkyek7OL8o57Z39RahVVbXMuzM2tJOz_3fK6SGpCOBwVw6ccYKkg8GskJGYoOxW7b5KlTV8x_J9-R9gUmayUHaF2FSsdF6H-SSBlzxXUGAAhrJYYvGd9F8UfKU/s1600-h/may+lunga+lunga+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfjXzjfUP7FDNEpwHVgkyek7OL8o57Z39RahVVbXMuzM2tJOz_3fK6SGpCOBwVw6ccYKkg8GskJGYoOxW7b5KlTV8x_J9-R9gUmayUHaF2FSsdF6H-SSBlzxXUGAAhrJYYvGd9F8UfKU/s320/may+lunga+lunga+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203495042920680514" border="0" /></a>One could have said that it was an honor to be treated the way we were. We were offered bottled water regularly to cope with the beating sun, they insisted on carrying our backpack, we were given a 3-course meal at the end of the day, kids waited 3 extra hours at the school simply to say hello to us (and see white people in their school) and we were asked to sign guestbooks in many of the places. One could argue that these people were simply honoring us.<span style=""> </span>The scary part for us was when Gideon and Moses were side-stepped in order for all of this to happen. The four of us arrived as guests, but only two of us remained guests over the duration of the day. Gideon and Moses, for that we apologize, You should be the guests of honor in your own city.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One can’t help but think how things got this way. Was it the western missionaries that previously expected better treatment? Is if western missionaries that have viewed each encounter as an opportunity to give money? Did we imply something in earlier interactions that encouraged this behavior? Do some people not have the capacity to look past skin color and the dollar signs embedded in the pigment of one’ skin? Or maybe, these people are simply survivors-they saw and opportunity and went in for the kill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-75280768373276153232008-05-09T00:27:00.000-07:002008-05-09T00:39:10.064-07:00Oh Boyye!<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtTS5-BDEE_JXRXGPq23Ztj1jYaHIX674yn3NeuRMPlFwGm7M32bU4OVYAapNKs4i7uTOaknT-zQBk4Opn5qqoHGZXfyPm6Q6xSnQDsdpWPzefahbsp_-yLss1cHvJMEPuHUaUSXEb2I/s1600-h/day+1+slr+416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtTS5-BDEE_JXRXGPq23Ztj1jYaHIX674yn3NeuRMPlFwGm7M32bU4OVYAapNKs4i7uTOaknT-zQBk4Opn5qqoHGZXfyPm6Q6xSnQDsdpWPzefahbsp_-yLss1cHvJMEPuHUaUSXEb2I/s320/day+1+slr+416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198278651367803154" border="0" /></a>We first met Boyye during our second week in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>. His hospitality, interest in learning English and commitment to his community was unique, to say the least. Over the course of the year, we have gotten to know Boyye better and recently decided to sponsor him through secondary school. It was enlightening for us to peek behind the scenes into the lives of those that are on the margins, to understand what education looks like here in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> and to think about what a 4-year commitment looks like in Boyye’s world and in ours.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When Boyye’s father passed away in December, it was tough on him and his family. He lives with his mother and grandma and near his sisters in Mathare, an informal settlement on the east side of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>. While his fathers’ passing was difficult to swallow, it also meant that he, as an only son, would have additional responsibilities in caring or his family. The first priority in considering going to school for Boyye was to cautiously gain approval from his family. 4 years in school could have been translated to 4 years away from the house and unable to provide for his family. Thankfully, he won his mother over in the process and gained full support from his family.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The second priority was building up Boyye to a point where he understood the complexities of joining 14-15 year olds in Form I (9<sup>th</sup> Grade) as a 19 year-old…the realization that he would be 23 upon graduation was not only a strange concept for us, but also for him. Boyye has been committed to helping out at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Inspiration</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> in Mathare over the past three years. Going away to a boarding school is going be a stark difference for him…high structure, new friends, rural setting, etc. We have yet to see how this transition will go, but are confident and hopeful that he will make the best of it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-TAtjmpEht-ManfffKbIkQi_eEAXufVDdn4L9NZlvrCJZf_lc4fWfWdbZlelATEWbDhvjZh_Zysl5PiJDUtIVrLUsxfl3ftBgvL0nfXIPLVZoAtyWc3IeSfXM16fzkY3EIJ5G1ok_kU/s1600-h/november+075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-TAtjmpEht-ManfffKbIkQi_eEAXufVDdn4L9NZlvrCJZf_lc4fWfWdbZlelATEWbDhvjZh_Zysl5PiJDUtIVrLUsxfl3ftBgvL0nfXIPLVZoAtyWc3IeSfXM16fzkY3EIJ5G1ok_kU/s320/november+075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198278655662770466" border="0" /></a>Perhaps the most peculiar thing for us in this process was learning how quickly things could happen. We have been talking with Boyye about going back to school for a few months now. He had shown signs of interest along the way, and became serious about things over the past month. Last week, when we decided that this would be our best bet in investing in him and the Mathare community, we approached a friend who deals with educational sponsorship. Coming into our meeting with her, we figured that we would have to wait until the following year since 3 months had already passed in the Kenyan academic calendar. 5 minutes into the conversation, we had a book list, a breakdown of costs and an appointment with the headmaster. Can you imagine? No application, no waivers, no admission process. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another important learning process for us along the way was learning about the economics of education in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> is supposed to have developed a “free education” government program for all primary and seco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcgaJW9y5hOn8DDbp2TH0k8oae3u6D6QV5DuFyKjQ3sSOYxcIzdqyKo8DJaky7r96jiYhNWIPhZJZ8hwQp2be9z-6LG4O7EDeU1pZornAntQD1LoLQuYdzsisDTLP61424A6H7ZkgNZE/s1600-h/november+228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcgaJW9y5hOn8DDbp2TH0k8oae3u6D6QV5DuFyKjQ3sSOYxcIzdqyKo8DJaky7r96jiYhNWIPhZJZ8hwQp2be9z-6LG4O7EDeU1pZornAntQD1LoLQuYdzsisDTLP61424A6H7ZkgNZE/s320/november+228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198278655662770482" border="0" /></a>ndary students. This is an absolute joke! Boyye’s community, which is home to 500,000 people has only one government-run secondary school, leaving us with few options but to look elsewhere. We felt that being away from Mathare in a boarding environment would be more advantageous to his learning. When you add up the costs of tuition (which is the only part of government run schools that is free), transport, boarding, books, uniform, medical, an ID card and basic supplies, you are looking at $1,000 USD/year. Should we have chosen a “free” government school, we would be looking at $800 USD/year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I joined Boyye, his mother, a good friend from Mathare and a volunteer from the sponsorship organization to his new school on Wednesday. It brought me back to our first weeks in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> as one of those breakable moments when any type of beauty is overwhelmed by affliction. After a 3 hour matatu ride on awful roads, we arrived at the school with a tin box of belongings, a backpack and 4 textbooks. Although the school’s setting was beautiful, the 6 years of its existence had taken a big toll. Perhaps the most startling realization was the dormitory, which I can best compare with a smaller version of my grandfather’s barn growing up. 10 x 25 meters, bunk beds lined up in rows, one big overhead light, nasty foam mattresses and a tin box for each bed. I was reminded of a college move-in day at PLU with moving trucks, TV’s, couches, carpet, computers galore…and people complaining about the size of our rooms. While the context is slightly different, our basic human desire for cleanliness and comfort remain the same. I began to wonder if we had indeed done a good thing by encouraging and assisting Boyye with going to school. 4 years down the road, we will know! In the meantime, if you can keep him in your thoughts and prayers with us, we would appreciate it.</p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-45040595422038535222008-05-06T21:24:00.000-07:002008-05-06T21:51:21.119-07:00A Different Kenya (for us)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaagKixPMKSKwowK1de-h7ZbiIxgKxFgBRJGd6b15Ib24gttSoYYbiQQi-QbOF4FQJrnrKwTzVOROmYS9ne1tk5jwb4FZnbuddKvOugvkWJJrP5rnbhyhqTrkThORwY3sfXhoxXdy1vc/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaagKixPMKSKwowK1de-h7ZbiIxgKxFgBRJGd6b15Ib24gttSoYYbiQQi-QbOF4FQJrnrKwTzVOROmYS9ne1tk5jwb4FZnbuddKvOugvkWJJrP5rnbhyhqTrkThORwY3sfXhoxXdy1vc/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197489780767099458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk39vJifSPGLt1PnYHwNEj-K-8u0In-EXDLdn8gTuHD9_0-vBudLxV6olxSynoxVx-VjlfF1VAsGUKwWjqouecxG24k2RtwfbOtXG6EsoLHMYCzgq9FBcssntBcIakUmOynuYkkqMxMw/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk39vJifSPGLt1PnYHwNEj-K-8u0In-EXDLdn8gTuHD9_0-vBudLxV6olxSynoxVx-VjlfF1VAsGUKwWjqouecxG24k2RtwfbOtXG6EsoLHMYCzgq9FBcssntBcIakUmOynuYkkqMxMw/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197488281823513090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rh27NDu1rxvloJ74MwfVRkBUVVluCC8PndU4AyWaS_269-blgae_5FQv0jr1D_5GajV8CnTj5G9iL7H2RO1XlkGipS1wdoerhepybxd84oPlfOqms53otcNseBl_BUh8IBZEXUrsPS0/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rh27NDu1rxvloJ74MwfVRkBUVVluCC8PndU4AyWaS_269-blgae_5FQv0jr1D_5GajV8CnTj5G9iL7H2RO1XlkGipS1wdoerhepybxd84oPlfOqms53otcNseBl_BUh8IBZEXUrsPS0/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197488273233578466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyaOuMjIZVq_-WhugYThQLs0R2b_Au5ap3ZUsnrMcUENVS3_4fbtPP3SR8k57rxkp1JfFVMBnS9UV86ecP5f0qpjvweXczBfhug8SQiYRxdbTuHhsgCmRKxL0Am8z1j0W1hP9RCx_hOk/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyaOuMjIZVq_-WhugYThQLs0R2b_Au5ap3ZUsnrMcUENVS3_4fbtPP3SR8k57rxkp1JfFVMBnS9UV86ecP5f0qpjvweXczBfhug8SQiYRxdbTuHhsgCmRKxL0Am8z1j0W1hP9RCx_hOk/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197488294708415010" border="0" /></a>When most people think of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> ani- mals <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSYDiQzTe90kM0EzlAYQoa2dgLMX2M3jHgBN1MnZsiPvsqoy3BiZfODFsb-RlpcwEpKTvwM4m0PFawSzJXOW99XDVGF3LC2EFYREXy3c1-ZpS618iwPn8STNn6xh2er8TATzo4zLpRl8/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSYDiQzTe90kM0EzlAYQoa2dgLMX2M3jHgBN1MnZsiPvsqoy3BiZfODFsb-RlpcwEpKTvwM4m0PFawSzJXOW99XDVGF3LC2EFYREXy3c1-ZpS618iwPn8STNn6xh2er8TATzo4zLpRl8/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197488286118480402" border="0" /></a>and talented long-distance runners. It is true that the game parks are incredible…filled with animals that we only ever dream of seeing locked behind the electric fence at the zoo, and that the Kalenjin tribe produces some of the world’s best long distance runners. I hope that, they think with lots of of going on a safari people realize that we have done our best to scale through the surface of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> to a core that is hard, tough and at times scary. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last week was a week of just the opposite. I took the opportunity to enjoy one of the things that energizes me most effectively and set off to the mountains for a few days. In true Kenyan style, I joined a guide, three cooks and a team of 12 English guys to the slopes of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Kenya</st1:placename></st1:place>. This was the first time that I had ever been under the provision of a guide while climbing. While my independent nature initially screamed, “let me do it myself!”, I soon realized that guiding plays an important role in Kenya’s highest income generator (the tourist industry), and that letting guides navigate the unknowns around transport, cooking different foods, fighting off different animals and accessing proper equipment was a relief.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The trip was excellent-perfect weather, beautiful scenery and a successful summit bid. Starting at 8000 feet, we climbed to 11,000 feet for our first acclimatization night and on to 14,000 feet the following evening. The summit of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Kenya</st1:placename></st1:place>, which sits about 35 km north of the Equator stands at 17,000 feet. The group was in good physical condition and had few setbacks. We met an interesting couple from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> along the way whose lives have been shaped by war and confusion. It was one more incentive to appreciate the freedoms that have been afforded to me and to find opportunities to engage with our global neighbors who can’t say the same. Can you imagine living every day of your entire life with the uncertainties associated with war? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LY4o06dprHdK2dYnvnbDdyyay3RcmgWZnkv54BTuFSbRwbJeIP3GfyUjcYbqnmm8RfClqC9An9pvvQje53JeToOWo9Tty2SmoCjiiVyV892uH6r3uDV2ksK5ZDGZocTXtD2qWAwFClY/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+253.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LY4o06dprHdK2dYnvnbDdyyay3RcmgWZnkv54BTuFSbRwbJeIP3GfyUjcYbqnmm8RfClqC9An9pvvQje53JeToOWo9Tty2SmoCjiiVyV892uH6r3uDV2ksK5ZDGZocTXtD2qWAwFClY/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+253.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490923228400274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT74lwLF1l-eeXl8BnkP8wRyHXecIoH7XugFy6gYa4NSDywU7m-yxUl1u4wt5t8S_nUIZJHQEsmdMY8oITojrkUw4lC6hXIqXhZ247IyUkmDAYJasLlQOKs1vjViqT8UmGpvxTjyX9Wlo/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+152.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT74lwLF1l-eeXl8BnkP8wRyHXecIoH7XugFy6gYa4NSDywU7m-yxUl1u4wt5t8S_nUIZJHQEsmdMY8oITojrkUw4lC6hXIqXhZ247IyUkmDAYJasLlQOKs1vjViqT8UmGpvxTjyX9Wlo/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490914638465634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFBG4TsTC29k86HQGroRHrI-BEAVRP2FLEKvwWCVQ9O_ohpkaYtackKyNnNfiyPvQlLvrFMH77IrljzrcFQALmi9wJ7SlE4GEv_ozVAOlRcsjMGbISBJSpHlGylwW16pP2YlCM2pOsH4/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+176.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFBG4TsTC29k86HQGroRHrI-BEAVRP2FLEKvwWCVQ9O_ohpkaYtackKyNnNfiyPvQlLvrFMH77IrljzrcFQALmi9wJ7SlE4GEv_ozVAOlRcsjMGbISBJSpHlGylwW16pP2YlCM2pOsH4/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490918933432946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nj3akX8fWs2w_tU_oMYqo3Og4X1PJ9hkIwPT_Z6tE65rMi29xY5k8CU6K-ZGo4fopzxitvjcjmMX7EmLKkPTjmnD4oFg-cBOVAKw_rz9Sc54l67APaoA6txweOc1W70BKQyfXXsfAKk/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+132.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nj3akX8fWs2w_tU_oMYqo3Og4X1PJ9hkIwPT_Z6tE65rMi29xY5k8CU6K-ZGo4fopzxitvjcjmMX7EmLKkPTjmnD4oFg-cBOVAKw_rz9Sc54l67APaoA6txweOc1W70BKQyfXXsfAKk/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490910343498322" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ndpQVXeWI6fSGp5LCNmBmZLMpDIg-F31ooxCUQEoa1hIhFirDuHQhe1jIK-lIQiS19klBQUBWB1Gnni-TbekUfFotK6qUgngj_d2eQ-5ieRZKRDrYqsy_P7dLvKtKQmRDvM6lT-oQ4/s1600-h/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+216.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ndpQVXeWI6fSGp5LCNmBmZLMpDIg-F31ooxCUQEoa1hIhFirDuHQhe1jIK-lIQiS19klBQUBWB1Gnni-TbekUfFotK6qUgngj_d2eQ-5ieRZKRDrYqsy_P7dLvKtKQmRDvM6lT-oQ4/s200/mt+kenya+and+nakuru+216.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490923228400258" border="0" /></a>re- turned to the park gate, I caught a ride into the closest town and took a four-hour matatu ride to Nakuru, home of the infamous pink flamingo flock in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Nakuru</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>. I met Mandy and some friends from her school for the weekend as we had some rest and relaxation time, as well as a few game drives. The animals were spectacular…rhinos, giraffes, zebra, hyenas, cape buffalo, warthogs, flamingos, pelicans, gazelle, baboons and monkeys just to name a few.<span style=""> </span>It was a good time to refocus our energy for how we can be effective during the upcoming months and also got us thinking about the future. Our group of 6 adults represented 5 different countries and lots of international travel. It was fun to dream about the possibilities out there…but for now-we are off to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span>!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Driving back into the crowded streets of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city> yesterday was like culture shock. People everywhere, shacks, dukas and children playing. Part of me wanted to retreat back into the mountains, while another part of me wouldn’t want to if I could. I was reminded of a comment that I heard when meeting with the leaders in our network a few months back. Someone made a statement that mzungu (white people) will always have a chance to get away and retreat from the realities of life. He was right…we were able to get away, to clear our minds and to refocus-and now it is up to us to share this energy with others!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But, it’s going to have to wait a bit…we are both sick with sinus stuff and are completely exhausted-maybe the rhino got us sick.</p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-74148331827391514632008-05-05T02:07:00.000-07:002008-05-05T02:35:12.959-07:00More Pics!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrwQr9mKaBqFfRUzxxEG3-HpRkCim5XM0SyHjU5ErorsdfmKc4uyapZnOrn5WotkDJEDJLbPRFSS5-PreJZPjWSb1ouMTOfeXG0Kvil9U-nU-OA8GPOFdAX22uOkcmUysKvnZ5rYajBM/s1600-h/IMG_1011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrwQr9mKaBqFfRUzxxEG3-HpRkCim5XM0SyHjU5ErorsdfmKc4uyapZnOrn5WotkDJEDJLbPRFSS5-PreJZPjWSb1ouMTOfeXG0Kvil9U-nU-OA8GPOFdAX22uOkcmUysKvnZ5rYajBM/s400/IMG_1011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196823287742105762" border="0" /></a>Moses, Joel, Ken, Mark, Violet and Gideon after a fun-filled wedding day!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NR8RzS7z9efgp8dEQK3X_EJ_rZdQMNo-5UCy6su9RdxH4hRsLkckME-mtm5NCJTLpPyDM_8Efdg9kgRItvBlp_zzCokEXu26ETriHRGAISPCytDICyMfX6eV1Ek6XVQfawplUgh6jws/s1600-h/IMG_2567.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NR8RzS7z9efgp8dEQK3X_EJ_rZdQMNo-5UCy6su9RdxH4hRsLkckME-mtm5NCJTLpPyDM_8Efdg9kgRItvBlp_zzCokEXu26ETriHRGAISPCytDICyMfX6eV1Ek6XVQfawplUgh6jws/s400/IMG_2567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196823292037073090" border="0" /></a>Joel and Mandy at Dan's going away party...fellow teacher and frisbee player<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7mPJ6NILZYke81-hSnBRZLy_bx40MQ8xPYUdpm6YHf7Kop1bKW4mZ7ctlSNiejDM0mKvKQ4Y153XpeGPvXllDBfwE9Zz7-bhWA-i_XEszIBBHXKxa36EE8Ga10LJ-MlzLPKPQ_siy0k/s1600-h/IMG_2571.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7mPJ6NILZYke81-hSnBRZLy_bx40MQ8xPYUdpm6YHf7Kop1bKW4mZ7ctlSNiejDM0mKvKQ4Y153XpeGPvXllDBfwE9Zz7-bhWA-i_XEszIBBHXKxa36EE8Ga10LJ-MlzLPKPQ_siy0k/s400/IMG_2571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196823292037073106" border="0" /></a>Mandy and her teaching partner...living the dream<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUE1dvvkDViHERHYIS9qloxsI6p2Cvsu75thwnGvx2OMpVLJuKqst65v8TIK8oylsZwTCvd7eUag_YYJx6c_HQQ82oAB3Mk0kFkRiB391fJfUnopeHF1hVaXErXntmjvXikhwn8nvlY0/s1600-h/IMG_2585.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUE1dvvkDViHERHYIS9qloxsI6p2Cvsu75thwnGvx2OMpVLJuKqst65v8TIK8oylsZwTCvd7eUag_YYJx6c_HQQ82oAB3Mk0kFkRiB391fJfUnopeHF1hVaXErXntmjvXikhwn8nvlY0/s400/IMG_2585.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196823292037073122" border="0" /></a>Godfrey, Moses, Boyye, Joel and Mandy<br />Bowling 101 before Boyye goes to school!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5vfgBh_pCrvbZwSxKnpfl0aeMJuAn_fEygn3MhcNv12qtRiD6Gd2c_4rX_QghvSNapRZBkDX1qMO9UXTdr_c94CCehgsiMHe5qOKoZU8qUhqFWo45kt7_hFREGCGQDheVihaSK4ug3g/s1600-h/april+5+wedding+142.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5vfgBh_pCrvbZwSxKnpfl0aeMJuAn_fEygn3MhcNv12qtRiD6Gd2c_4rX_QghvSNapRZBkDX1qMO9UXTdr_c94CCehgsiMHe5qOKoZU8qUhqFWo45kt7_hFREGCGQDheVihaSK4ug3g/s400/april+5+wedding+142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196820268380096594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Girls</span> at Catherine and Reuben's Wedding...Agnus, Mwix, Alice and Mandy. Mwix was the maid of honor.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o6duFzLYGJj8MVCp8x7_6394rC2pEP5ooR_BPzrlGl3kBp3eEtMtHJEQRldFyC_fkrQQakeYSsjC16uJb8AT7S4Um4nHXfksbKgNmsJ6FSYEuMY7uDT_dpdgsqlUrhVUzUZitEEXOyA/s1600-h/april+5+wedding+158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o6duFzLYGJj8MVCp8x7_6394rC2pEP5ooR_BPzrlGl3kBp3eEtMtHJEQRldFyC_fkrQQakeYSsjC16uJb8AT7S4Um4nHXfksbKgNmsJ6FSYEuMY7uDT_dpdgsqlUrhVUzUZitEEXOyA/s400/april+5+wedding+158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196820272675063906" border="0" /></a>The MC of the wedding...note the common Kenyan short tie...this was they guy that made us do the white man dance in front of everyone!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxrJu3wiG9Yp2TnIanVwUASnUt9Tyt6KY9AH1SSSYMJOaDtS4HdKEoIeLMMb7oYkQmtUlieakaryXq-IaZYF5QvWxSDt7K8fF_aeGF3z3N0zx1EMVGA6VEJYLJ6BDNv7VlusVApE7ZnM/s1600-h/april+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxrJu3wiG9Yp2TnIanVwUASnUt9Tyt6KY9AH1SSSYMJOaDtS4HdKEoIeLMMb7oYkQmtUlieakaryXq-IaZYF5QvWxSDt7K8fF_aeGF3z3N0zx1EMVGA6VEJYLJ6BDNv7VlusVApE7ZnM/s400/april+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196820276970031218" border="0" /></a>Gabi...perhaps our favorite hair style<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSw8bVm2TOR0j9NM60W8stU3JxOUS4cTa-m3Yjp5mHQPn-5hogQWMRGO4O6GHxGY3ZI_4eS7-uw8UExKWGsHwNYj8kOQWd7_QxfVfyrUi1n4gox3DFNIPDC7SGcioGA6LJjhRx0LPiEA/s1600-h/canon+eos+march+25+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSw8bVm2TOR0j9NM60W8stU3JxOUS4cTa-m3Yjp5mHQPn-5hogQWMRGO4O6GHxGY3ZI_4eS7-uw8UExKWGsHwNYj8kOQWd7_QxfVfyrUi1n4gox3DFNIPDC7SGcioGA6LJjhRx0LPiEA/s400/canon+eos+march+25+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196820276970031234" border="0" /></a>Samara struttin' her stuff<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Us7eP5VsLCTA6gscDu47i09fSzva-BxcGDqnthqJ9eaBRUfNeZTcWJZAzPK7tMdU_oV_S4Ppj_gq3F62QtuTRC6Qo7m0C_ZLs6thVH7aJSSzPtGAwQ0sq_9a-lP_rFc1FwKa4V2R8c/s1600-h/IMG_1002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Us7eP5VsLCTA6gscDu47i09fSzva-BxcGDqnthqJ9eaBRUfNeZTcWJZAzPK7tMdU_oV_S4Ppj_gq3F62QtuTRC6Qo7m0C_ZLs6thVH7aJSSzPtGAwQ0sq_9a-lP_rFc1FwKa4V2R8c/s400/IMG_1002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196820281264998546" border="0" /></a>Mark and Violet's Wedding...we were the official photographers! Mandy and the bride.<br /><br /><br /></div>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-61419404407188624752008-04-28T06:06:00.000-07:002008-04-28T12:48:32.955-07:00Worth 1,000 Words...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwfl7aSQx9IbJqNY3Qw-vJTSc073v8NChuMwUTpHPFVnpSA8d4AcmdntUbzo0PmGvEt-X5nwQhAWkb7LfX_ZtMvNkbtgrpY6ZUiM63M2YUNiU_pEfrTzUPjWeGYIEAwsuxlUgI9vSgnM/s1600-h/april+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwfl7aSQx9IbJqNY3Qw-vJTSc073v8NChuMwUTpHPFVnpSA8d4AcmdntUbzo0PmGvEt-X5nwQhAWkb7LfX_ZtMvNkbtgrpY6ZUiM63M2YUNiU_pEfrTzUPjWeGYIEAwsuxlUgI9vSgnM/s200/april+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194290605657196546" border="0" /></a>joel and samara taking a nap :) The girls love to put one finger in their mouth and one on their belly button... (apparently Joel does too :) <br /><br /> <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrsgzOj3TYA1iBH6hnlbZ68btzggNefZcks99BokpXUSMWHlnGCK-7V4iUaeTWD8XhA9JT4xdnfOIuo_XvULqQTBbFTabD85tGOXfCcTrZ8Ahw0nn7fjvlDLFWnK90q_MFG37Ll2t0_k/s1600-h/april+115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrsgzOj3TYA1iBH6hnlbZ68btzggNefZcks99BokpXUSMWHlnGCK-7V4iUaeTWD8XhA9JT4xdnfOIuo_XvULqQTBbFTabD85tGOXfCcTrZ8Ahw0nn7fjvlDLFWnK90q_MFG37Ll2t0_k/s200/april+115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194290622837065762" border="0" /></a> I guess I haven't been kissing Joel enough lately... <br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_bBI9JKvFjPUr3axDJDuq5YWPzB-7slX4H2zBaIATuHPuwm9VQHKI4mnEuu9iEUxK5NAoXoFRdHALEP5birdt78dtlYuAYSVzSLAIXzNs8TkdseLqqN9OI65gCuDR8sd2-6tLee_KKc/s1600-h/april+122.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_bBI9JKvFjPUr3axDJDuq5YWPzB-7slX4H2zBaIATuHPuwm9VQHKI4mnEuu9iEUxK5NAoXoFRdHALEP5birdt78dtlYuAYSVzSLAIXzNs8TkdseLqqN9OI65gCuDR8sd2-6tLee_KKc/s200/april+122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194290631427000370" border="0" /></a><br />Fun at the giraffe center<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-23123865050406230662008-04-21T01:42:00.000-07:002008-04-21T01:43:21.623-07:00A couple of requestsIn our context, we often see asking for help as a form of failure and inadequacy. We were recently reminded when Joel’s parents came to visit that people around the world DO want to help in some way shape or form. While not everyone is called to come to Kenya for 10 months and serve grassroots leaders, there are other creative ways that we can come together to assist in people’s needs around the world. So, in light of our new-found revelation that people around the world are seeking ways to make a difference, we invite you to consider how you might come alongside some of our contacts that are facing pressing needs at this time.<br /><br />• One of the community centers that we work with has been without electricity for nearly a year now. When they last had electricity, neighboring houses and offices tapped into their supply and raised their monthly bill from 500Ksh/month ($8) to 8000Ksh/month ($125). While this may be a small amount in our eyes, the absence of electricity has taken away any income generation that they might have previously had. We have tried to build a case for the community center to take to the power company. Unfortunately, after 4 months of working hard to figure out the situation, we are left with one alternative-to pay 8000Ksh ($125) so that the power company will move the power meter inside the community center and will turn the electricity back on again. If we can move beyond this initial barrier, we are confident that the community center can continue to be a beacon of hope in the Mathare community.<br />• The post-election violence took its toll on many of the schools set to begin their academic year in the beginning of January. Dagoretti 4 Kids, one of the organizations that we work with takes street kids into their community for a year, reunites them with their families and works to make connections in sending kids to school. Due to the nature of their background and pressure from their community, these kids are often sent to boarding schools. In January, these kids went to their respective boarding schools around the country. Due to the post-election violence, many were boarded at their schools in January, but did not start classes because some of the teachers and other students were unable to get to the school. To make a long story short, 6 of the kids were charged for boarding during the month of January and the schools have forced them to stay during the month of April (which they would otherwise have off) in order to make up for the time missed in January. Instead of being charged for 3 months of schooling, they are being charged for 4 months. Since, school fees cost 3000Ksh/month ($50) per student, we are looking to assist them with $300 to get them through this predicament. While these costs may seem minimal, these are the types of situations that can make or break small organizations when they are forced to deviate from their annual budget. <br /><br />There are countless needs that we come across on a regular basis. These are two of the more pressing needs that have a widespread impact on two communities around Nairobi. If you are interested in learning more about these situations, helping out or learning of other needs that we hear of, please let us know. It is incredible to think about how far a dollar can go (even if it is getting weaker by the day!)Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-12755741222783291982008-04-21T01:40:00.000-07:002008-04-21T01:42:24.290-07:00Masters Program UpdateLast week was an important week in the world of CTM Nairobi as 19 local leaders submitted applications to join Bakke Graduate University’s Masters program. It has been an interesting process along the way as we connect educational contexts around the world. Getting people to realize the challenges and hard work required with a masters level education, encouraging them to see this educational opportunity as equal to a monetary resource and helping people understand the importance of taking the time and energy to submit a masters level application was a daunting task. <br /><br />We are hopeful that these pastors presented themselves in a way that made a statement about their preparation to enter the program. Having recently submitted graduate school applications, I was intrigued by the struggle that many of the leaders/pastors dealt with in presenting thoughts through a second language. When you think about a second language, presenting yourself orally is one thing, but having to write in a formal way that pulls together thoughtful ideas seems to be nothing shy of overwhelming. I have gained a new respect for those that can sit in multiple worlds in different languages.<br /><br />A question that we have come across over and over again around the launch of this masters program is, “After the leaders get further training, will they abandon their positions in the slums and move elsewhere?” This is an excellent question that speaks to the nature of the hierarchy of life in Nairobi. We are attempting to sit with this question as a community of learners and put it on the table immediately. One of the unique aspects of this program will be that it is built around urban ministry in the slums of Nairobi. While some of the material is transferable, it is indeed contextualized in a way that confronts the modern issues of serving those that are labeled the least, the last and the lost of Kenya. The materials are rooted in liberating those that are oppressed, perhaps to the point where the materials lose their basis in other facets of society.<br /><br />We are now eagerly waiting to hear the results from the states in May. The program is set to start in June. Please continue to think of CTM Nairobi as we find ways to come alongside of the pastors that we serve during this time. We also think and pray for the pastors, their families, their congregations and their communities as they enter into an intensive time of education.Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-60674164917803191802008-04-11T00:17:00.000-07:002008-04-28T06:06:20.515-07:00Amazing Women<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBk5FrNRu7NLZYEgAoipeOauq1xuwWuTOqMjnIW3M1ee-hPuLSgDaW-gwp8FHA4YL78291isYRemJs2vvFERyefdUD92vBiGwhpROjRXYZMeEbJV79M9U03Yfr4W7xSlfz4OkTkySWcA/s1600-h/april+020.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBk5FrNRu7NLZYEgAoipeOauq1xuwWuTOqMjnIW3M1ee-hPuLSgDaW-gwp8FHA4YL78291isYRemJs2vvFERyefdUD92vBiGwhpROjRXYZMeEbJV79M9U03Yfr4W7xSlfz4OkTkySWcA/s200/april+020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194281543276201970" /></a><br />On Monday, Joel and I visited with Dagoretti 4 Kids. Their aim is to get kids off the streets and to find funding for them to go to school. They have been in operation for 4 years, and currently have about 30 boys going to boarding schools and are beginning to imagine news ways to help their community. They have found that helping the kids alone can be limiting and wanted to find a way to help their mothers and families. As a result, a new program has begun at D4K where HIV postive women meet at the center three days a week to make jewelry and crafts. They call themselves Dagoretti 4 Kids Support Group, as their long term goal is to make enough money to give back to D4K. There were about 10 women there working on beaded crocodile keychains. <br /> While my first attempt was a flop (my crocodile looked a bit deformed, with its legs going in four different directions and it's ribs completely caving in) and after a bit more coaching from my new friend, I was able to make a second one successfully. The whole process took me about 4 1/2 hours. (And to think that these items would sell at the market for maybe a little more than a dollar!) But aside from making a crocodile, I wish I could put into words how amazed I am by these women. While most of them speak little English, they embraced us into their small community with open hands. They spent the day encouraging one another and asking about each other's health, they are always looking out for one another. In the middle of my second crocodile I just sat back and thought to myself, "Take in this moment Mandy, cherish it. This is one of those experiences that will leave a mark on your life..." <br /> So often we are able to buy crafts at Ten Thousand Villages or craft fairs that support small projects like this...and I found myself on Monday counting my blessings that I was sitting amongst these women.Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-68964560545179558942008-04-08T05:57:00.000-07:002008-04-08T06:00:58.339-07:00A flat world<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl1MeKpE3Nh3PDMZ15TvmDp2s4XcRSsEkbjgkXVu5n6zueaTV4RQi91V1CDh3dh6pdCgD5740qj0vZJYdLHqSPnD51vLRX26DRtX3wcJMP-1Jp0X9GUwmyohtbyjFjTCa7UgIFQpZ4Qg/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl1MeKpE3Nh3PDMZ15TvmDp2s4XcRSsEkbjgkXVu5n6zueaTV4RQi91V1CDh3dh6pdCgD5740qj0vZJYdLHqSPnD51vLRX26DRtX3wcJMP-1Jp0X9GUwmyohtbyjFjTCa7UgIFQpZ4Qg/s200/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186858137131367746" /></a><br />I am currently reading a book called The World is Flat, a book capturing the globalization movement of the 21st Century. It has been an interesting read, particularly in a Kenyan context. In some ways I see the world as flat, while at other times a plateau with sharp elevation contrasts in various regions of the world. Although China and India are seen as the rising stars in the global market, I continue to wonder what impact globalization is having and will have on the African continent. Some pieces of globalization seem to be detrimental while others may shed profound light on the development of nations that tend to the basic needs of functioning societies.<br /><br />As I read the book, I continually think about the corporate impact of these principles, rather than the personal. The Microsoft’s, HP’s and Wal-Mart’s have stronger connections to these ideas than any individuals could ever have. I was reminded that this was not the case when I met a young Kenyan at a birthday party this weekend. He is studying to be an architect but currently has a graphic and web design business to help him pay his way through university. When I told him that we would likely not be able to give him any business because we would only be here for three more months, he reminded me that I could have him design a website or publication from Kenya when we returned to the states, that it would probably be cheaper than anything than I could find their and that it would help him get an education. In his words, we are only “one click away”. This triggered my initial thoughts on the personal nature of globalization.<br /><br />The next tier of thinking within globalization hit me last week when corresponding with our friend, Paul who had recently spent time in Bangkok. He described an experience that he had with a man from Kenya that was working in Bangkok to generate some income for his family. He shared some of his thoughts on the questions that he was grappling with on how to best assist this guy. Through our blogs and emails, we are somehow able to connect in these ideas and think about how our global experiences might help shed light into one another’s situations. A flattened world allowed me to learn from a friend whose encounter in Thailand is similar to many of ours in Nairobi. <br /><br />The interesting thing in my virtual encounter with Paul was the timing of his email. You see, it is not uncommon for us to be asked for money 2-3 times/day. Whether it is an encounter with a street kid, person who has decided on begging as their profession or people that we know well that need financial assistance, sifting through each of these encounters is tiring and at times hardening. This weekend, when a boy asked me for money for bread as we were leaving a wedding, I didn’t give him a chance to tell his story and immediately told him that we didn’t have money for him. When we got home, there was an email in my inbox from Paul explaining his situation in Bangkok. His words prompted me to look inward in how I responded to the boy an hour earlier. At this time, I realized that a flattened world had triggered a response in me to reconsider how I respond to our regular encounters with requests for money. While we choose not to give to 80% of the requests that we get from people on a daily basis (because our annual budget would be long gone by now), each person does deserve our careful attention and a degree of inner turmoil to respond accordingly. It dawned on me that it took a friend’s experience in Asia to soften our hardening responses to requests for money…now that is a flattened world.<br /><br />While we are still new to the world of blogging, we hope that this mode of communication can be a positive flattener as we share experiences from afar. We are often encouraged, challenged and convicted by your stories, responses and breaths of life into our work here in Kenya.Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-24778604840721219702008-04-04T05:47:00.000-07:002008-04-04T06:13:40.883-07:00life in nairobiThe rainy season threatened to start a few weeks ago with rainy nights and puddles galore, but this past week has truly been beautiful... the sun only hides behind friendly clouds for a few minutes at a time and the breeze keeps the day cool. Everything is a bit more green after having a nice long drink last week. I often find myself lost in the beauty of this place when I'm riding the bus home. The drive from my school begins with the sight of amazing red soil with maize and tea growing and then we head down a large hill into a jungle-book setting with trees towering as the road winds along. After this, the bus returns to the 'city' and my senses are overloaded with the sights, sounds, and even smells of Nairobi. I often have quite a bit of time to take it all in as traffic jams slows my bus to a crawl. I am thankful for these times of reflection as I try to process all that I am experiencing in this beautiful yet struggling place. <br /><br />There is an excitement in my heart to return to the states in three months, to be with friends and family, to drink root beer and eat tortilla chips, to wash my clothes in a washing machine.... and yet I am already nostalgic about leaving Nairobi. I guess I'm reminded once again to 'Carpe Diem' and seize the day, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow and there is something amazing about today. It is has never happened before, nor will it happen again... <br /><br />peaceCommon Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644804471712138404.post-72261696446773416642008-04-02T06:20:00.000-07:002008-04-02T06:38:39.001-07:00Nairobi Update<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"></st1:city><o:p></o:p>As much fun as we had with Joel’s folks around, it was a rude awakening to the reality that our time here is coming quickly to an end. In less than three months, we will be aboard a jet transitioning back into another world.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a look into some of the things that we hope to do before heading to the airport:</p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Take more pictures-taking pictures is awkward…especially around people that have been exploited by entrepreneurial photographers. I don’t really like taking pictures of people, but I don’t think that the cows on the street, the fruit at the stand or the 100,000 white matatu vans will mind if we create some memorial tokens.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Start a masters program…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfq33LYBP4xphaEW8T7braW_1tXmGAtnlF1AwtCqiuQ5Q46p5JqXMrFQ5V4C3GSh4U8gwiHUah7riSgCmCxcpy3eIrdLct_gMIYmD89Pg4mekZyeSPLK92c0voKhbCF8QeliOPrjllmg/s1600-h/miami1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfq33LYBP4xphaEW8T7braW_1tXmGAtnlF1AwtCqiuQ5Q46p5JqXMrFQ5V4C3GSh4U8gwiHUah7riSgCmCxcpy3eIrdLct_gMIYmD89Pg4mekZyeSPLK92c0voKhbCF8QeliOPrjllmg/s200/miami1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184638425018350882" border="0" /></a>well this is happening on 2 fronts: 1.) Joel has been accepted into a masters program in educational leadership at Miami University of Ohio next fall and we have chosen to accept it. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>…to the middle of miles of corn; can’t wait for this transition! 2.) By April 15, we hope to have all of the applications in for those that are interested in the CTM/Bakke Graduate University (<st1:city st="on">Seattle</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">WA</st1:state>)/<st1:placename st="on">Carlile</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:placetype> (<st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>) Masters program. We are hoping to have a cohort of 8-12 learners. The program will focus on urban ministry in the slums.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Use our “resident status”. There is a long list of things that we have held off on doing since we arrived because of the huge difference in resident/non-resident prices. We were both able to get resident status through Mandy’s job at ISK and hope to take advantage of it and go to the new museum, do a game drive in Nairobi National Park and go see Mt. Kenya.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Play some more Frisbee. We have been playing Frisbee for the past six months, but in<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutQMdLnKzFFUysJ-EYmNoOfJJmCiGO2vACdPgOOJQjRju-hxsCq_In7Zr8MorHZvvJpE8nAhMwVpahZGJv1l5shPJQTfXp50qu1n1E4KETSbFiD-3Y6Mongjk-FnHh2GhYd9UbpUMZcc/s1600-h/Picture1.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutQMdLnKzFFUysJ-EYmNoOfJJmCiGO2vACdPgOOJQjRju-hxsCq_In7Zr8MorHZvvJpE8nAhMwVpahZGJv1l5shPJQTfXp50qu1n1E4KETSbFiD-3Y6Mongjk-FnHh2GhYd9UbpUMZcc/s200/Picture1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184641530279705906" border="0" /></a> May, we are co-organizing a tournament to benefit Dagoretti 4 Kids, one of the grassroots organizations associated with CTM. We are excited for the opportunity to teach kids how to play, to connect our expat friends with local kids and to raise some money for startup programs for Dagoretti 4 Kids along the way.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Cook. We can’t leave <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> without knowing the basics of cooking here. While we have our nights in the kitchen, we need to take time to perfect the Kenyan basics (ugali, chipati, stews and bean dishes). Kenyans are oral historians in the kitchen as much as they are in the village, hence, No recipes.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Chart a way forward with CTM <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nairobi</st1:place></st1:city>-At this point, we are looking into registering it as a Kenyan organization. This may allow us to take advantage of some local opportunities. We are trying hard to be intentional about not making Gideon feel isolated from the <st1:place st="on">North America</st1:place> office, while creating autonomy over here. This is a healthy process to go through as it requires thoughtfulness and creativity in how to move forward from a “listening post” to a healthy organization.</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These are just a few of the things that will keep us truckin’ till the end. We are going to have a hard time leaving, but are hopeful that this won’t be our last time in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Common Visionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284130757945194782noreply@blogger.com1