IN STEP

We went to visit In Step this week. This is a home for abandoned babies and there are currently 68 babies there. Jeff and Carla run this ministry and are doing an amazing job. It is well run, clean, efficient and the children are healthy and happy. They have “aunts” who help care for the children, do laundry, clean and cook. It is amazing.

For those of you who know me well you know my weakness for babies. I have been wanting to visit this home for a year and I was thrilled when the day came to go. We drove up and in the front yard were all of the children and babies playing. Imagine the sight, 68 babies and toddlers playing happily in the front yard. I immediately found the youngest baby (8 weeks old) and held him most of the day. I was in heaven. Carla showed us the house and the property and told the most amazing stories on how God has blessed them and provided for all of their needs.

I wonder, what motivates a middle aged couple to take on the huge responsibility of providing care to 68 children? When most couples this age are looking forward to retiring and “doing nothing” this couple is looking forward to the next baby that will come into their home. I am humbled!!

Babies In Kenya

A couple of days ago the girls and I walked four doors down from the TI compound to visit a project that has 19 babies at it. This is what I have been looking forward to and couldn't wait. We were greeted so warmly by the staff and by Naomi who is from England and runs the program. We sat and held babies and talk to Naomi for a few hours. I got to hold baby Lillian the entire time. (I know, I don't share well).
As I looked at these 19 beautiful and happy children, I wondered what had become of their mothers. These children had been abandoned to strangers or worse to die. Did their mothers think of them? Wonder where they were? Long for them? Where are they now? I am saddened and confused by it all. As a mother I don't understand. Did their mom's abandon them in hopes for a better future for these babies? Or did they not want the responsibilty of having to feed and care for their child?

1st Week In Kenya

We left a week ago tomorrow for our adventure in Kenya. Larry and I and seven interns landed safely in Nairobi without a hitch. Jennifer's bags did not show up but she received them a few days later and looked great in everyone else's clothes.
This is the first time I have been here with interns and Meridith's husband Sean. What a joy it is to be with such an amazing group of young people and get to be part of their experiences. It is a privilege and an honor beyond words.
It is so nice to know that I will have three months with Daniel and get to be part of his daily life. He is an amazing man and I find out daily how amazing he truly is.
Meridith married since the last time I was in Kenya and I am enjoying watching her and Sean together. What a sweet and loving couple and Sean is amazing to Meridith. My heart sings daily as I watch them.
I don't know what God has planned for me while I am here but I am open to whatever He has in mind.
Andrew leaves the United States today and meets up with Jared in London. I have a feeling they will have many stories and adventures from London to Kitale and I will hold my breath until they arrive.

Less than a week!

It is less than a week before I leave for Kenya. Yikes!!! There are some down falls of being a "highly" organized person. I have been packed, completely, for a week and have nothing to do this week before I leave. Seriously, I don't think the week will never end. It is crawling by. I also know that on Monday there will be a million things to be done, which is what I was hoping to avoid by being all packed. Last week when I did my final trip to Walmart I said, that is it! I will not go back there again before I leave. But, on Monday I bet I end up at the front door of Walmart.

I have spent the last week saying good bye to my friends. For some reason it feels as if I am leaving for much longer than three months. The good byes are heartfelt with the tendency of being emotional. Why does a long vacation seem like a "good bye" instead of a "see you later"???

This time next week I will be on the LONGGGG bus ride to Kitale after flying for 24hours. With every moment ripe for adventure!

Preparing for Kenya

We are two weeks out for a three month stay in Africa! I am filled with anticipation, apprehension and excitement. This is the longest we have ever stayed in Kenya and the first time we are going to be there with interns. What a thrill to be part of these young peoples lives as they have a once in a life time experience.

I will posting at least once a week so add me to you favorites and come along for the adventure.

Danel

Because it is always good to be home.

Home at last. It is always good to get home after being gone for five weeks. I have spent the last few days recovering from the trip and spending time with Andrew and Luke.

I recieved an e-mail from Daniel last night and he says they have found a house for the Street Girls and will have three girls off the street in the next month. If you would like to keep up with what is happening in Kenya you can follow Daniel's blogs at dlipparelli.blogspot.com. Larry has also posted some pictures and blogs about Kenya at convictionsofthingsnotseen.blogspot.com. He also has a flicker account where you can see the picutres from our trip.

In the next few days I will post more pictures and tell more stories from my trip.

Because it is the Soweto Slums

We got to visit one of the slums yesterday in Nairobi. TI has a project feeding children in a school there. For many of these children this is the only meal they will recieve.

I also had the honor of being there when TI started their project helping women start a micro business. They are making paper bead necklaces to sell in Nairobi, as well as ship them to Reno. Robert came and taught the ladies how to make the beads and we spent all day around a table practicing making the beads. It was the best day for me! I really feel that my heart is to help women and be with them. These women are mostly widows with young children. One is HIV positive, one a prostitute, one out of the home because her husband beat her. All poor. Poor meaning they having NO money at all and NO job or hope for one. What they do is dig through the dump hoping to find food for their family for that day and maybe something to sell. That is it!!

Now they have hope. Not many people know how to make the paper beads. They have not arrived in Nairobi yet so the market is very good. Daniel and Robert talked to them about keeping the secret on how to make the beads and how important it is for them to learn to save their profit and how to also budget for more supplies. TI bought the first set of supplies and now they must figure out how to get them again when they run out. I sat most of the day trying to master the process. I must admit that Robert spent most of the day correcting what I had done and encouraging me to try again. He said I was improving but I know it was only slowly!! The women worked all day and they were doing a great job. Most caught on quickly. They are excited and now have hope. Robert said to them "In one day your life has changed". It is true. Their lives have changed. What an honor for me to be part of it!!