The people I will miss

We graduate bible school on Sunday. These past 3 and a half months seemed to have gone by so quickly. I woke up this morning dreading the thought of leaving my classmates I have grown to love over the past 3 and a half months. It's different than leaving my friends in college. It's harder. We have done everything together since January. Barely an hour goes by when we don't see each other. We ate together, we ran at 5am together, we learned together, we played football together, we pulled weeds together, we sang together, we memorized verses together and even when we had free time often we had free time together. I will miss these people terribly! I pray that we would still be able to stay connect so it's not goodbye forever (or at least until heaven).  Here are only a few of my fav moments and faces that I will miss.

Rahab and I going around and around on the ride. We giggled the whole time as we went up and down and all around.

Peter is my brother. We have had so many good chats, good laughs, good times together. 

James is so good to everyone. He always makes people feel loved and included.

Not a day goes by when we don't laugh till we cry. 

Goodbye for now my friends! I love you all!

Bringing the ghetto home

Today was the final day of camps until august when school is out again. We had 200 kids come to our home from the ghetto last week. You should have seen their faces when they saw how big their beds where and how nice the hot showers felt. They would shower 3 times a day because they never get hot water. They LOVED the food. For many of them, it was their favourite part of the camp. They ate foods that they get maybe once or twice a year. It was a challenging but fun week. I was a counsellor along with 2 others in a dorm room with 12 girls. I think I have expressed before how much I dislike living in a dorm. I like my own space and peace so I had to put aside all my own comforts and learn to adapt and love these girls' way of life. They stole my heart as I got to know them throughout the week. 

This was the last day of camp as I am sending them out the door. I was exhausted after staying up late watching and listening to the girls sing and dance traditional dances.

I had been waiting for weeks to see this cow give birth. In the middle of a volleyball match, we noticed the cow rolling around own the ground with her legs in the air. We called over the men who watch the cows and they started to pull the baby calf out. Out came the new addition to our compound! Mom started licking the slimy baby right away.

Every night we had a theme and this night was twin night. James often gets teased because of his light skin and his american ways (he spent 6 years in the US when he was younger). So we decided to be twins.

These 3 boys crack everyone up. From left to right is Deno, Pudo, and Mich. You would think they are brothers because they act the same and are always found within a few meters of each other. They are just great friends who know how to make kids have a good time. They always amaze me as they never seem to run out of energy and psych. Even last week Deno was suffering from malaria and lost his father but you would have never known. Amazing boys.

This is Kate. She was one of our best campers and a sweet girl. 

It was a great, but exhausting week. I loved loved loved getting to know these kids. Most of them deal with daily trials which most people in the West will never experience in their life yet they are full of lots of love to give. It was amazing just to shower them with love and treat them to an awesome week of camp where they could just lay aside all responsibilities they have at home and be kids.

Home Sweet Home

Since we didn't have any camps this week, I was able to go up to Eldoret to go visit some of my favourite people in this world. This place has been my home since I came to Kenya for the first time in 2005. The people there have been so supportive of me and have taken me in like one of their own. I have also been privileged to watch these 100 kids grow up and grow into young people of God. 

This is Mercy(left), Me, and Truphenna (right) in 2005. I think they were about 11 and 12 when I first met them. 

This is Truphenna now. She is almost 16 years old and has just gone to high school this year. This girl makes me laugh. We always have a good time together and I am so amazed at how God is shaping her. 

I kept teasing Margaret because she was wearing an Arsenal hat (which is my team) when she supports Manchester United. 

Mama Brian (Mary) is expecting in August! She is such a beautiful mother and parent to these children.

I planted a tree in the garden in June and was surprised to see how big it had grown. They even put my name beside it and called it my tree. 

Kierra, an ELI staff member, was visiting from the US and had arranged for the grade 7 class to speak with their pen pal class in the US. The connection was a bit difficult but the kids enjoyed it. 

     

My girls who I love so dearly. I seriously can't get enough of them. I love seeing them grow. I love talking with them about life and God. I love joking around and playing with them. They are like little sisters to me. Thank you Jesus for placing these amazing people in my life!

Roller coaster Time!

Last sunday we were all called to the vehicle and were told that we are going somewhere special. I personally thought we were going for ice cream. Actually I was hoping we were going for ice cream but instead we ended up at a mini theme park. There was this one particular ride called the banana boat ride which Makau wanted everyone to try. I took one look at it and said NO WAY. First, I hate roller coasters. I have never liked them even as a kid. I get motion sick really easily and I don't like feeling that way just for a few minutes of fun. So I opted out but all the others took the plunge and did. Boy am I ever glad I stayed on the ground. The thing went up and down and around in circles while my friends were screaming at the top of their lungs. I laughed the whole time. 

Here they are just before the ride started. They looked less excited once they got off the ride.

The rides were sketchy. I am pretty sure they were like old rides from the West which were thrown out because they were unsafe to use. I looked at this board and laughed as it is at our own risk that we take these rides. The park people obviously know that their rides could collapse at any time. 

This picture very accurately depicts the relationship between Makau and I. Him trying to tell me something stupid and me being less than impressed. 

Chao and Naomi had a romantic ride going around in circles for what seemed like 20 minutes. 

James is always one to make me smile. He is full of character and life. We get big laughs out of him.

It was a fun outing even though I didn't get on any of the rides. We enjoyed just being out together as our time with each other is quickly coming to an end with only 2 weeks until graduation. I will miss these people!

Naomi's Poems

 Dreaded Attack

I thought I was a tough conqueror

immune to all manner of attacks

AIDS! 

This was wishful thinking

of a person with a deficiency syndrome 

who was worried and ensured at the same time 

I did not know that I would wast away, 

I only imagined I was immune and healthy

yet I had led a life of luxury, 

a life of very risky behaviour, 

a careless life of premarital sex. 

Abstinence was a strange idea, 

all that glitters is not gold, 

some close friends had the killer virus

in their semen and body fluids, 

only I am not sure about their sputum. 

Recently a doctor gave me a shock 

with the message that I lacked immunity, 

a foreign body had entered my body, 

I'm infected with HIV/AIDS.

This has given me great shock. 

Why Me?

Why me? why me? Was I born to suffer? 

Was I born to endure pap long died, mama long died

but auntie cleans dishes, prepares food, fetches fire wood 

but don't forget to wash the clothes. 

Why me? Why me? Fellow children go to school

while i remember performing every duty monday to friday,

silence in our society no play no cheers yet education is free.

Auntie, education is free, house you are late

for how me kick out of your mind when all is asleep

when I sleep before sunrise, I am the first one to ware up,

Auntie, tea is ready

Stupid, Idiot, Imbecile do I look like.

Abusing language is no use to my head

sadness is the make up that appears on this tender head

pastors consolidation sound good on my ears

Children are a blessing from God

Children are our leaders of tomorrow

Children trust in God always and you will be set free 

Look at my shoes from Japan and earrings from Dubai

nice perfume all the way from India

Nescafe, Nescafe mmm drink of my choice

Go and get me some from the kitchen!

On the first day of camp, during our talent portion of the day, a young girl came up first and started reciting these poems. Instantly, all of us had our eyes on her and silence filled the tent. This young girl, named Naomi was only 10 years old. Sadly, these poems give a realistic picture of the lives of these children:AIDS, abuse, death, sex, education, etc. I got Naomi to write the poems down for me to share with you. Hope this gives you a small glance into the lives of these children. 

Camps in the Ghetto

In the middle of what seemed like a cement city filled with noise, plastered with dirt, and soiled with the smell of sludge and urine, we held two camps at two different schools this week. I have to say that this week has been incredible. Incredibly difficult, incredibly rewarding, incredibly challenging, and incredibly fun! In total, we had over 600 kids attend the camps. We dragged ourselves out of bed at 4am every morning in order to cross the city and set up on time. We sang, danced, played, listened, laughed, talked, learned, interacted, and ate for 6 days. It was incredible. I am still processing everything. These children live in the slums. They have had to overcome obstacle after obstacle their entire lives. So it made my heart joyful when I saw them with big smiles on their faces and roars of laughter coming out of their mouths. 

We separate into teams and do games every day. It is too much fun as we yell, scream, play, rejoice. Mama Joe (above) just won a competition for her team and the team went crazy!

This is Robert. He is one of my classmates who I have grown to adore. He is soft and tender hearted (which is no surprise since he has 7 older sisters and is the only boy in the family) but he is so good with the campers. He always knows how to make them laugh and get them involved. I enjoyed counselling with him this week. 

I think one of the highlights of my week was serving the kids chicken. For most of these kids, they eat chicken maybe once or twice a year as it is quite expensive. I talked with one boy after the meal and he said with big eyes, "that meal was SO SPECIAL!"

My new friend Dishon (or DC) was quite the character. He too is the youngest of 5 sisters with the oldest being 40 years old. He loved to act and be dramatic. He always gave me a good chuckle. 

Bobbing for oranges. I tried it but failed miserably. The water scared me as I didn't know what sort of germs and yuckies were in there. 

The kids were taught how to do quiet time or personal time with God. Every day we would give them some time to be by themselves and read their bibles. It was precious seeing 300 kids laying around reading their bibles.

Pastor Chris Mwalwa, our Word of Life Director, spoke to the kids every day for bible hour about Responsibility, Showing, and Freedom. The kids had their eyes glued on him. He even spoke their version of swahili which is not natural for him. 

This beautiful girl is ZamZam. She made me smile. Her face just beamed. She was so delightful to be around. 

Like I said, it was an amazing week. My skin didn't like the intensity of the sun and decided to burn but that's all part of it I guess. I am content knowing that Christ was preached and that now for many of these kids, He will be the One they turn to and choose to serve. 

Naivasha camping trip

Classes were officially over on friday as we did our last exam. We left Friday afternoon for a weekend camping trip to Naivasha. It was a new experience for me as I have never been camping in Africa before. I used to go camping when I was little with my daddy but we always slept in a tent trailer and had a gas stove to cook yummy food on. And camping just wasn't camping without marshmallows and jiffy pop. Well, this camping trip was a little bit different but still the same old style of camping I am used to. 

This is Chao. He is one of the staff at Word of Life. We had our church service looking out over Naivasha lake. It was beautiful. There are tons of hippos in the lake. Did you know that hippos are considered the most dangerous animal in Africa??? They seem so harmless.

This is Sammy who we affectionately call "Baba Nduko" which literally means father of stress. He isn't really a stressful guy but some of his buddies started telling us that he has a child of his own named 'nduko' which means stress. It was all a big joke but he will always be our wonderful Baba Nduko.

We were preparing sandwiches for the hike we were going for. They have never been more excited about peanut butter and jam!

Cooking for 30 people over a campfire was a challenge for me. For the others, they are used to it but I was amazed at their culinary skills. The food was delicious. Here, we were making pilau and beef stew. 

Here I am, little camper girl. My daddy would be so proud of me. 

Administering Antibiotics

I have a nasty cold. I thought it would just be a minor head cold but it has struck my whole body. I have troubles walking for more than a few meters without sitting down. My legs feel like mush. I have lost my appetite. I have a nasty cough and stuffed up head. Extra strength sinutab isn't doing anything. I am stuck in bed. It's a bit lonely and rather boring especially without a TV or someone to talk to. But I need to slow down and allow my body to fight the yuckies that are making me feel this way.

Yesterday I asked my roommate to pick me up some throat lozenges when she went to the shopping centre. She came back a few hours later with a package full of antibiotics. She told me that she told the pharmacist the symptoms I was having and the pharmacist suggested I take these antibiotics. I am very cautious when it comes to antibiotics. I was taught at an early age about the abuse of antibiotics that results in the resistance of them. I know that they only fight bacterial infections so what if my infection is a viral one? Back home, you can only get antibiotics if they are prescribed by a doctor. In Kenya, it's a different story. Antibiotics are cheap and easily accessible. Often it is the pharmacists (or chemists as they call them here) who will suggest them for you. I am not convinced they have the proper education to do that.

So now I have a package of antibiotics sitting in my room. I stare at it wondering if I should take it. Considering how I feel, I am tempted but being this unsure, I think I will stay away from them until I get permission from a doctor.

Akeelah and the Bee

Today I have a cold. It's not so fun but it is an excuse to sit in my bed and watch movies all day. I decided the watch Akeelah and the Bee this morning. It is one of those feel-good, underdog rises to the top, clean and pure movies. In the movie, it quotes this quote that instantly caught my eye. 


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


We are born to let our light shine. We were made to manifest God's glory that is in us. We were created for greatness and when we live anything but this greatness, we are robbing ourselves and others from the abundant life that Jesus has promised us. 

Dad's Adventure Challenge.

I am so proud of my daddy. I remember him telling me about this dream he had to be apart of the Adventure Challenge that raises money for Canack Place. My dad has a big heart for helping sick kids. He inspires me!

So he needs to raise at least $1000 CAD in order to participate in the race which in includes biking, kayaking and running. If you feel compelled to donate or cheer him on, check out his blog below!


Kere's Adventure Challenge

Way to go daddy!

Limuru Girls High School

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to attend a bible club a national girls high school in Limuru. I have begun to fall in love with these girls. They are full of psych and energy for Jesus. The two hours I get to spend with them on Saturdays are pure joy. This past saturday, we hosted a fun day at their school. We divided them up into two teams and they competed in various games, singing, eating, and dancing competitions. We had a few of our boys come and be their leaders. 

The girls had so much energy. They have a lot of 'tude. But its good and healthy. They are so animated and as you can tell by their faces, they were having too much fun. 

This is my friend, lovely Linda. I love getting to see her every saturday. She is from the coast so I might get to see her a few times when I move there. She is a precious girl with a soft and tender heart. 

Rahab was pooped out by the end of it.

Limuru is nestled amongst rolling hills of tea plants. If you look closely, the green is not grass. It is acres and acres of tea plants. I am always in awe when we drive through this area. 

We had an amazing day worshipping, glorifying and praising our great God. We had at least one girl come to Christ which was so wonderful. Thank you Jesus!!

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday. Birthdays generally aren't a big deal here but my classmates made it extra special for me. I have to admit that I was a bit weepy in the morning missing my friends and family back home. Often, I really crave being around people who just know me well. But my friends here quickly made my tears dry up. I had such a fantastic day. 

My bestie Rahab baked me a delicious cake to share with everyone. I blew out all my candles as everyone sang their rowdy version of 'Happy Birthday to you'. They were banging on tables and jumping around singing in swahili. It was a hoot. 

Everyone was excited!

It was a special day! I am so thankful for the past 22 years of life that God has given me. He continues to guide me, transform me, and love me unconditionally!

Favourite quote of my week

Nikole "I really miss my dog."

Peter "Yah, I miss my hen too."

Weekly happenings

I found this beautiful moth in our bathroom last week. You can't tell but its about the size of my hand. Its as big as a bird. It is harmless though. I was scared at first but the thing is so huge I think it is a struggle for it to fly. 

This past saturday, one of my classmates took me home with him for a few hours to visit his sisters. His sister had prepared lunch for us and it was such a treat. You know in Africa, you can never be completely sure of kind of meat you are eating. I looked at the meat in the stew trying to figure out what it was. It definitely wasn't chicken and it was darker than beef. Finally, I ask and they told me it was liver. Yup, liver stew. I have never been a fan of liver but I have to say that this stew was delicious! I actually had seconds. Plus, it is so nutritional. I could feel my body absorbing the nutrients. Ok, maybe not quite. 

Class time! This is my desk and the people I stare at all day. They look a little tired don't they? When we get up at 4:30am and go jogging, by 11am we are exhausted. It's funny to watch certain individuals' eyes doze off. We have one boy who even pretends to read yet really he is sleeping. He usually sleeps for a few minutes, wakes up, looks around, changes the page, and pretends to read again. Its funny to watch. 

It's amazing to think that we only have a week and a half left of classes. Time seemed to have gone by so fast. Also, today I am able to say 50 verses word perfect! Its a cool accomplishment.