news

May 19

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:28:53 +0100

Thursday we picked up all the food for the boys home. The bags are enormous. The man in charge of the home, John, supplied us with a list of everything they needed, and we bought it all. From maize corn to toothbrushes. The look on his face was incredible, and made it all worth it.

Friday, we met in town to do some legal transactions, registering our non-profit here in Africa. We saw John, and asked how the boys responded to all the food. He said they were so excited, and as they ate they starting singing about how the Lord of all Nations had met their needs and provided for them. Another "Ethel" moment for me. (For those who don't know what that is, my Aunt Ethel wept at everything. And now I also weep at the singing of the national anthem, the themesong for cotton, the music that was on the "Lassie" show and any other potentially corny or emotional moment).

John is a very humble man, almost invisible when more than 3 people are around. He always stands away from a group, as if he has nothing to contribute. But yesterday, he whispered to me, "Mum, do you think you could buy some plates, cups and eating utensils for us? We don't have enough for us to eat together." I asked how they fed everyone and he said they took turns. And also, "could they have another pot to use when cooking?" Eighteen children, and 2 adults, and yet it never dawned on me that they might not have these things.

So, off to the store again. Those people at "Transmart Mattresses" which is the grocery store, love us! (it's another story, so I will get a picture of the store sign and post it.)

So now they have food, they have eating utensils, pots and another kettle so they can all be together, eating and sharing as a family.

Another good day.

Kwaheri (goodbye)

Lani

May 16

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:18:53 +0100

Today was an early start heading out to the 5 acres. I am handling the drive better. I actually keep my eyes open the entire trip.

We arrived at the boys home, to get their clothing sizes. Some of the boys were in school, but some were waiting for us. They were sitting outside, drinking hot chai tea, wearing worn out coats and beanies. It had rained all night, and was quite chilly that early. Of course, I'm in short sleeves and capris, hoping it gets even cooler.

These boys, 18 of them now, range in sizes from a 4 year old to two of them that just turned 18. We're having the team that comes and visits in August, bring as many clothes as possible.

Then we saw what they were wearing on their feet. Because of the red mud, and the constant rain, the shoes are really bad. They have no socks, no underwear, and whatever is on their feet is way past its shelf life, and in terrible condition.

We asked them what we could bring out this weekend, as far as food they would like, only to find out that their food supply had been cut in half, and they were running out. They live by the farm, but at this time, nothing is being harvested. So we got a list of food they needed, flour, oil, bread, lentils, maize, potatoes, rice, and so on. We will take that out Saturday.

In about a week and a half, we are going to terrace some of the land by the creek, pull out trees and stumps, and plant maize and beans. Hopefully, within 4 or 5 months, they can harvest the first crop for themselves, and then replant the next. They really need to be self-sustaining, and up to this point, have not been able. That is definitely the answer here. Otherwise, it's a constant pouring of money into each project, without ever seeing an end.

Next was the hot houses the widows are maintaining. They had worked over the weekend, digging up the ground, preparing for the tomato seedlings to be planted either Friday or next Monday. Driving across the road, we then met them for a bible study. There were only 75 because of a previously scheduled meeting in town with some city administrators. Next week, should see more ladies. I still can't get over how they sing. No instruments were there, and yet their harmonies and voices were beautiful. And they sure like to dance. Coney caught me on video with one of the ladies swinging me around and dancing. That tape will never see the light of day.

Finally, I met with 3 other ladies doing missionary work here, two from Canada and one from England. We ate at a restaurant called Iroco Twig, the name for a local tree. It's a hangout for all the muzungu. I actually ate a salad, which is a no-no here because of the fertilizer used in the fields, and the water used to wash it. But because they have so many muzungu eating there, and want to keep them coming, they are known for their care in preparing it. It was delicious.

We talked about battles and victories and defeats, and yet how much we love it here. When you know you're making a difference in people's lives, it makes it worth it. It's not changing the future for one person, but for hundreds.

One of the ladies from Canada is going home in 3 weeks. She came for a year, and stayed for 5. It's a bittersweet decision for her, and she is struggling. Kitale is a part of her now, and she has helped many families, widows and orphans. I can only hope we have impact that changes people's lives also.

Changes that are permanent.

Love to all,

Lani

Lani's Blog- Mother's Day

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:21:09 +0100

Sunday, May 13

Yesterday we bought 10 loaves of bread and 5 tubs of "Blue Bon" (Blue Bonnet, I think), 20 lbs of potatoes, and 20 lbs of beans, to take to the boys home. Last week, we had dropped off 220 lbs of "seed potatoes" for planting on the farm, and then discovered that the boys were eating them. Because of the 5 acre farm being located right next to the boys home, and assuming they were receiving food from it, we were unaware that they had very little. It sort of shocks you when you realize how they were getting by with practically nothing. We asked them what we could bring the next time and they responded "meat and rice and chapatas". Chapata's are a thick tortilla made from a dark yellow flour. They're pretty darn good.

We'll try to get meat to them at least once a week. And some bags of rice and chapatas flour.

We then visited the hothouses on the 5 acres, only to see that the widows were already hoeing the dirt in the greenhouse for planting. There were 6 or 7 of them, barefoot, with their legs stradling the furrows, breaking up the ground in preparation of the seedlings. When they saw us, the dancing started again, and they ran over and thanked us again. They kiss you on both cheeks, hug and then shake your hand, And I can't escape. I think they might even have figured me out because one of them said, "you'll have to learn how to do this".

Mother's Day has an entirely different meaning to me over here. As it is an American holiday, they never celebrate it. But I did by dropping off the food for the boys, and some bread and butter also to the widows. We're called muzungus over here, (“muh-zun-goo”) which generally means white person. But when seeing the boys, talking with the widows, and worshipping with about 100 Africans at church, I feel like a mother to them. They are so thankful that we are here. So appreciative of the help we provide. And so willing to accept us into their lives. I am blessed. It was a very good day.

Lani

Lani's Blog May 9

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:43:45 +0100

Today, we met with Pastor Sammy (the church we attend) and the widows of the surrounding areas about meeting on Wednesdays for a bible study. We had 10 ladies show up at his house. They walked from their own houses, in pouring rain, some more than a mile, on drenched, muddy roads, just to be there. It was almost dinner time, so they had to postpone that also. As everybody came in, it was a rainbow of colors with all their skirts, bandanas and scarfs. They are truly a beautiful people.

These ladies are all widows. Mostly from AIDS. They are the committee that represent over 250 other widows, with also what they call 6 subgroups. (I have no idea what that means). They all have titles, from Foster Care Mother, Secretary, Treasurer or Official. I love to hear their titles. It's a very important part of their culture.

The pastor introduced us to them and then asked each of them to tell us their titles and names. We were also told that none of them had ever held a job outside the home, nor had any of the other 250. In this culture, when the husband dies, the brothers have the right to all of his property. Many times, they are thrown out, or treated as servants. None of the widows had ever been to school.

We asked them what they did as a group, and what were their needs. The head Foster Care Mother told us that although they have very little, when one of them is without food for several days, they will collect from those who can give, a handful of rice or beans. This will provide food for several days.

As for their needs, they said that they were hoping for assistance in a project that they could work on, providing some king of income. These women were not begging. It was wonderful. They wanted assistance with a project to help them, long term, in sustaining their families and village.

A failed poultry project over a year ago, forced them to sell the chickens. But a hothouse, which was suggested, was something they might do well. They all agreed in unison, in swahili. (again, very cool) As they were hashing this over, Coney and I were talking about the 2 hot houses nearby, Two others, were already dedicated to the orphans. These two could be for widows. When the pastor told them, they all jumped up and started singing immediately, clapping their hands, dancing, and making that really cool sound I've heard (in movies) that mideastern women make, (I wish I could learn how to do that!) Talk about excitement. They started singing and thanking, and of course, I started crying.

This means that they can survive now. An opportunity. This kind of struggle is something we know nothing about.

They will be trained on how to maintain the plants, and harvest them. Some will work in the hothouses, some will take the tomatoes and bell peppers to market. They felt like a miracle had taken place.

I can't even convey how I felt at that moment. It was better than a doughnut!

Lani

Lani's Blog, Sunday May 6th, 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:24:10 +0100

Sunday, May 6th

Today we traveled to a church about 15 kilometers away. I still haven't figured out kilometers vs miles, nor have I gotten down the shilling vs dollars. I need some sort of quick table in my head.

The road we drove on was unbelievable. Imagine a paved 2 lane road, with jagged edges like jack-o-lantern teeth. Some of those spaces come pretty far into the road, so it's a constant moving over, moving back, and avoiding potholes the diameter of truck tires. Along the very edge of the pavement are people walking. Not 5 or 10, but group after group. So, you veer over, trying not to hit them. If it's not a person you're trying to avoid, it's an animal. They tether their stock by one leg, and rope it to a large rock. The animals graze along the highway, and get waaaay too close. So besides the people, you have lambs, goats, cows, and donkeys that can almost touch your vehicle. And, if it's not one of them, it's a bicycle, which they use here as a taxi, or a bota bota, the small motorcycle used as a taxi, one level up. There is no center line, and absolutely no rules, The vehicles can pass on both sides of you, so if you are turning across the lane next to you, you have to make sure no one is going to smash into you. It freaks me out each time we go. And going to town, it is so congested I have to shut my eyes. Getting older isn't going to make me gray, driving here will do it.

The church we attended has about 100 people, and a wonderful atmosphere. They sing beautifully. I was really trying to sing along with them in swahili because it makes you want to be a part of it. It just moves you.

After church, we had lunch with the pastor, and he mentioned that he had 300 widows meeting on Wednesdays, and no one to minister to them but him. The lady I had been emailing before we arrived in Kenya, that I was hoping to help, suddenly stopped coming, so he was left with the responsibility. I told him I would love to help out. Then he said there were probably another 200 around in the nearby villages. AIDS has devasted these families, and left so many without husbands and fathers and usually an income. This will be quite a challenge.

Tomorrow we start bible study on Mondays at the property out by the boys home. All the farm and hothouse workers come to it. Which means.....(evil, scary music) another trip on the Road of Horror. Keep me in your prayers, please.

Lani

Lani's Blog, Thursday May 3rd, 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:23:59 +0100

Thursday, May 3

Well, today we were supposed to fly to a refugee camp on the Kenyan border, but the number of passenger was restricted, so we weren't able to go. Fortunately, my new neighbors, who are missionaires from England, invited me to go to a Kitale school, Rafiki Primary School, and help with their community and school health program.

Apparently, the sandy ground here is prone to chiggers, and the majority of the children attending the school, which runs nearly 1,000, have no shoes, but do have chiggers. We had them stand in plastic bins with some kind of antibiotic, then the staff would heavily cover their feet in vasoline. This suffocates the chiggers. Some of their feet were badly damaged, with open sores.

Another problem is ringworm. My job was to apply an anitibiotic ointment to their head, wherever I saw ringworm. Some children had completely white heads from all the ointment I applied. Another volunteer handed out deworming chewable pills. 650 students received this medical help, and then the village families started coming with their children. I can only tell you my heart was broken the entire time we were there. Simply not having shoes put the children in harms way. Sometimes the infections from the chiggers result in tetanus, but immunizations are not available to them.

One of the little boys at the school took it upon himself to help me, and as the children lined up, he would show me where the scabs were. Then he would look for children that might not have gotten in line, and would bring them to me. Because of the tremendous emotion running rampant in me and the thoughtfulness of one little boy, my desire to reward him with something was overwhelming. All I had was a package of cookies, but it would put him in a precarious position with all the other children who didn't get a cookie. I took him aside at the end, handed him one little gingersnap and told him to eat it in front of me, so we wouldn't be mobbed. I cried after that. In fact, I cried a lot. My own grandchildren have lots of cookies, good medical care, and shoes. What a perspective I received today. I am so glad I am here.

Lani's Blog, Tuesday May 1st, 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:23:42 +0100

May 1, 2012

Today was spent walking at least 5 miles around farmland, hothouses, and the acreage at the boys home. Since we are right on the equator, it was pretty warm, Needless to say, I was bright red, sweating, wilting quickly and burnt to a crisp. But what an opportunity we have here. The orphanage is next to 5 acres that is run by the organization Love Mercy and the farms are incredible in the structure and thought put into them. Rows of certain plants are intermingled with other plants that produce nitrogen into the soil, or ones that resist insects. The hothouses are going to grow wheat grass in them for 6 weeks, which will then be plowed under, causing a richer more nutrient filled base on which to plant tomatos. It's a way to farm healthier, with the soil getting richer each year and eventually causing greater production. Our original plantings used chemicals, and the second crop was smaller and sparser. We're learning.

The boys are really sweet. The are so appreciative of everything. And love posing for pictures, They fed us maize and beans at lunchtime, and I was so overheated by then, and thinking only of walking into a refrigerated meat locker. But I hate my whole bowl. And it was pretty good.

Tomorrow night we are having dinner for the Love Mercy people before some of them leave. Spaghetti, african salad and french bread. Coney's fame has gone before him, and everyone wants to eat here. I wash dishes and clean up. My fame is squat.

But I am so thankful for the opportunity of being here. What an adventure!

(I learned swahili for goodbye, but I've already forgotten it,so adios')

Lani

Lani's Blog, Monday April 30th, 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:23:24 +0100

I'm still rising at 4:00 a.m. unfortunately. And at 7:00 p.m., I start nodding out. Hopefully, this doesn't last much longer.

We did some grocery shopping today. The stores are incredibly busy, with Black Friday numbers in the stores. We had to buy cleaning supplies, including a broom and dust pan. There are little winged creatures, with wings about 3/4 of an inch long, that come through every opening. The actual body is no where to be seen, just the wings. When we came in Saturday night, there must have been 200 bodiless wings under the window. They are very light and move all over the floor. Very strange little things.

We attended a Monday morning prayer meeting at the Love Mercy prayer center, which is built on a 2 acre parcel on which we have a hothouse. We got to meet the Love Mercy employees and the head of the organization, which is in Kansas, was here visiting also. This is the organization we are partnering with and who had the boys home. I mentioned to one of the administrators that I was hoping to meet up with the lady who ministered to widows. She is a friend of theirs, and apparently considering leaving in June. By the time I got home, I had an email from her to meet for coffee. Looking forward to finding out all she does.

It has rained heavily every day we have been in Kenya. Not the Arizona storms that last for 20 minutes, but long, heavy downpours that produce red Sedona-like mud. You have to leave your shoes at the entrance of the house, and slip on clogs or thongs to keep the floors clean. At the grocery store, there were at least 5 employees continually sweeping up the dirt in the aisles left from customers, It was odd, since everything back at home is asphalt and concrete.

I'm going to force myself to go sit outside since it is again raining. I know you've probably forgotten what that's like, so I will enjoy it for all of you.

Will talk later.

Lani

Lani's Blog, Sunday April 29th, 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:23:14 +0100

Sunday, April 29, 2012

I woke before the chickens this morning, around 4 a.m. probably because I still have a bit of jet lag. We arrived around 7 p.m. last night, after stopping in El Doret for some groceries. Although I have been in the grocery stores here before, I felt a bit intimidated. It's huge, 3 floors I think, and of course, all prices are in shillings. The milk comes in little paper pouches on the shelf and you don't refrigerate until opening. Fruit and vegetables are taken to a person who weighs and bags them. And at checkout, they even ask if you have a store card, similar to Frys and Safeway. Obviously, we didn't and they don't let you fill one out later and give the discount then. Remind me to write to Gary Harper at Channel 3.

Driving here was similar to watching NASCAR. There are usually 2 lanes, but 3 to 4 vehicles vying for the lead. With pedestrians and bikes and groups of people waiting on the side of the road for a taxi, I think we almost hit 74 people. I had to quit watching.

When we arrived Thursday night, Fredrick picked us up at the airport and took us to the hotel. At breakfast, he said "sorry, but we have a problem". The truck was dead, totally, the fuel injector busted. It took all of Friday and until 11 a.m. of Saturday to have it fixed. Fortunately, my Kindle and I were ready for any delay.

At the mechanic's shop, I watched 9 young men stand around the broken part, each of them picking it up and saying something. Sort of like City workers where we're from.

This week I will try to get in touch with Sister Freda at her hospital, and Joni (who is connected to several hundred widows)

Will stay in touch with more exciting news I'm sure!

Love to all, Lani

Ouya Water Project 4/2012

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:52:23 +0100

Our purpose for going to Ouya village is try to start helping develop the village. It is a very poor village with little resource to sustain itself. The water issue is something that very important to the people of the area. There is no electricity or a water source except the rain. The area is semi arid some rain does fall during the year but the water source became polluted in time. Thus creating a health problem for the children and families. Fredrick gave us an understanding about how preciouses clean water is, ITS LIFE OR DEATH. We have started the project a couple of weeks ago with the well being dug by hand at depth of 80 feet. I had a survey done with a number of experts and they recommended to dig it by hand. We are down to 60 feet and have struck water, they will go down another 20 feet to make sure there is enough supply of the water. We will install a solar pump due to the lack of electricity. The area is located to give access to all of the villagers both for clean water and water for the animals. The total cost is $13,800 dollars. When you look at the project finances you will see a cost for a house. Our reason to build the house is you ALWAYS have people live to watch the well and the pump and solar panels. Also we have another motive, it is to put a green house on the property to grow food for orphans and widows! I have made this our main project for now, with the intent to finish it before we go to the next project. We still have the old boys home to complete since they have move into the new one, and now that I've returned I will complete the inside and out. I value all who participate and when we join together we can make a difference to other people less fortunate! I read a book called "The Hole in our Gospel" and it gave me an understanding why we care for the poor. That Hole we have in our hearts needs to be filled with fulfillment, and visiting widows and orphans fills one part of that hole.