Post-Trip Safari Teasers

For those of you still paying attention, here are some pictures from our last hoorah, the Safari at Lake Nakuru National Park.

What a Wonderful Summer, I Ain't 'Lion'

Yes KBLS is at the end of our last full day in Kenya. We have been
traveling for our last week and have now completed the first half of
our Safari in Lake Nakura National Park, hence the cheesy 'lion'
title. The Safari has been phenomenal so far, surpassing all of my
expectations and hopes.

Animals seen today: Baboons, Zebra, Gazelle, Impala, Water Buck, Water
Buffalo, White and Black Rhino, a Hyena, Flamingo, Calibus and Verbet
monkeys, a bunch of birds, and a few Giraffe in the distance.

Animals we hope to see tomorrow: Giraffe up close, Lions, Leopard, and
of course all of the other beautiful animals

As we are enjoying our time here traveling we are also aware of the
close friendships and relationships we are leaving behind. We have
been making phone calls today to our hosts to try and make sure we
talk to everyone before we leave the country. It is sad knowing that
these people who dedicated their whole entire being to us for 6 weeks
will become long distance email addresses and pictures in picture
frames. We are of course glad for these technological advances that
will allow us to stay in touch with our new friends and families but
we are conscious of the fact that they will alwas be more than faces
and stories. Our lives have forever been touched by the people of
Kenya, their lives, their love, their stories, their country, and OUR
God.

I know I speak for all of us when I say thank you Lord for allowing us
the opportunity to give and accept your love this summer.

Family across the ocean

This past week has been our final week of homestays. We are now traveling to a few different locations in Kenya -- This weekend we're staying in Kakamega (and going to rainforest today!). Monday, we'll leave for Eldoret. Then, Thursday we'll travel to see some of the wildlife in Nakuru. Friday, we fly back to the USA.

My homestay experiences have been great! I have learned so much about Kenya by staying with people and families in their local homes -- instead of staying at a guest house or hostel all summer long. Most of all, I learned about radical hospitality as I entered the houses of strangers each week for four weeks. Yet, I also won't forget about my African experiences that came from within the home. This past week, my "alarm" went off every morning at 4:45am, 5:05am, 5:15am, 5:20am, etc. My alarm was a rooster that stayed in the house with the other 18 chickens...although it first rang it's "cock-a-doodle-do" before 5am, I waited until 6:00am usually to get out of bed! Thus, today, as I stayed in a guest house (more like a hotel) in Kakamega, I naturally woke up early (when I could've slept in) because my body became used to getting up early. Thus, I am using my extra morning time to send an update and upload some pictures (it takes a LONG time to upload photos).



Due to the reason that we're all traveling around together now, we had to say goodbye to our hosts and friends from around Chulaimbo, where we've been staying and living for the past six weeks.

Saying goodbye is always hard.

When I had to say goodbye to my roommate at the end of the semester in May, it was hard because we wouldn't see each other all summer. When I said goodbye to my parents and family before coming to Kenya it was hard because I wouldn't see them for 7 weeks (at least). But when I said goodbye to my friends in Kenya - it was more than hard. It was extremely difficult because unlike seeing my friends and family in the USA when I return, I have no idea when I'll see my friends here in Kenya again.

I remember Brandon saying in Indianapolis that he was looking forward to getting to know his Duke team members more throughout our trip. He explained that when people live together and share the same experience together on a trip, etc. they usually become very close. This too has been my experience of previous travels and "mission trips". Thus, I was expecting the same.

What I didn't expect was to grow so close to the people here in Kenya too! I knew our team would be close knit by the end of our trip - but the relationships/friendships that have blossomed across cultural lines has taken me by surprise.

That's what makes leaving so difficult. I have been blessed to find not only friends here in Kenya, but family too. My first week of individual home stays started on June 11th. Due to this homestay being located near the home of the Umoja assistant, Winnie (who recently completed high school), we worked together throughout the week. In addition, that week she had her High school (called secondary school here) education awards day. Winnie's mom is ill and her father has passed away, so she asked if I wanted to attend the event as her guest. She was awarded for a high score on her national exams. Then, later that week, I accompanied her to the hospital as she had some medical work completed (she had a follow up exam from an auto accident that happened in January). As I went with her to look after her, she told me that she felt like I was her older sister caring for her. To understand the importance of this, you must know that Winnie's only sister died less than two years ago. The fruit from a painful hospital visit was that we became closer than friends, we realized we were sisters. We've joked about being related ever since. We are the same heighth and have similar personalities...one day we were laughing at the similarities and I said, "It's like we're cut from the same block of wood." She replied, "Yes! the artist just used a different color paint." As the Umoja assistant, Winnie continued to work with FourKenya all summer long.

It's so strange to think that I've known her for only six weeks -- yet, in that short time, we formed a bond of sisterhood.

Winnie and her family here in Kenya have overcome some very difficult hurdles, and still have a tough race to run. I was so blessed to visit with her and her mother and brother each week. On Friday I called Winnied to see if it was okay if I came and visited. She said her mother was upset that I called and asked for permission because a true daughter knows she is welcome always. Haha.

Before we all departed to Kakamega, the four Duke students all stayed at Margaret's place because it's a central location. It's a house we've all made a home at here in Kenya. It is the house that I stayed at for my first homestay -- and because it's close to Winnie's home she often stays there too. We all had a celebration and prayer service Friday night (our last night). Margaret, her husband, the three boys that live with her, Winnie, and "FourKenya" all gathered around for her living room for one more night of songs and prayer. It is an experience I'll never forget as we all shared words of gratitude for one another for God's blessing. Tears came to my eyes as I thanked the people who played such an important role in my time here in Kenya.

Saturday morning we said our final goodbyes through tears to Margaret, the boys, and to Winnie. God brought us together for a short period of time, but I think we've all made the most of it. And I pray that I'll see them all again, God willing.

Below is a picture of us at Winnie's education award day. She was given the brief case from the school board as a gift for her high score.





*Winnie is some of the "fruit" of Umoja as she was an Umoja scholar in secondary school and received assistance with school fees.

Some pictures from Kenya

Here's a few pictures: One is a classroom filled with students. Another, is the line for lunch at a school where Umoja has partnered with the care takers for OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) to provide lunch. And the third is a picture of two boys and their elderly and ill grandmother who cares for them. The boys are brothers and both of their parents have died, leaving their grandmother who is almost blind to care for them. However, due to the grandmother's illness, she is weak and the role is reversed; instead, these small boys look after their grandmother. This picture is taken in front of the grandmothers home. These boys are both Umoja students at Bar'Andingo Primary School.

Smiles like these are better for the soul than chicken soup

The children here instantly tug at my heart! Here's two girls on a break at school -- one in shoes and the other is not. Their smiles overwhelm me!

I just thought I'd share a little of our experience.

Learning from the Rocks

On Sunday, July 4, 2010 I accompanied my host, Margaret, to her church's
Harambee service. About 12 churches within the Holy Trinity Church of Africa
(HTCA) came together for one worship service and fundraiser. They were
raising money to build an office for the district bishop. The church at
which we were to meet was beyond walking distance so we needed
transportation. To my surprise, a pick-up truck pulled up and we all packed
in - 3 in the cab, 18 (including myself) in the bed. Yes, you read
correctly, there were 21 of us riding in one pick-up truck. When we all
finally packed in the most amazing thing happened. As passenger 18 boarded
and took her seat atop the lap of another woman she began singing and
clapping, bellowing out songs of praise to God. Within seconds everyone was
singing, clapping and dancing as best they could in the confined space. The
truck swayed, less as a result of the bumpy road and moreso because of the
unified sway of a chorus of praisers and worshippers. I was thrilled that I
could join in as Margaret had already taught me one of the songs. Indeed we
drew stares from others on the road, no doubt wondering about the noise, but
no one seemed bothered. By the time we arrived at the church, 45 minutes
later, we had already experienced God for ourselves in our safe,
Spirit-filled journey.

We took our seats inside and Margaret reminded me to be prepared to say a
few words of encouragement when I am introduced. All I could think about,
however, was praising God. That very morning I had prayed that God would
open me up to praise Him in a foreign country with people of a foreign
tongue. (I had found it quite difficult to participate in worship services
because I felt like I missed so much given the language barrier. I yearned
to participate not only in smiles, claps and gestures, but in word as well.)
Within seconds I knew exactly what to say to the congregation. I had to
speak, very briefly, about praise.

Throughout my stay in Kenya, I have been reminded of the power of praising
God. People regularly sing Christian songs and hymns for no apparent reason
other than that there is a song in their hearts. So I shared with the
congregation what I was feeling, that I, too, needed to join the chorus of
praisers and worshipers. As I looked out the window of the church I saw a
rock (there are rocks everywhere) and I was reminded of Luke 19:29-40. In
the passage, Jesus is entering Jerusalem on a colt. As he rode along,
passersby threw their cloaks to the ground and began to "praise God joyfully
with a loud voice." (Luke 19:37 NRSV) Annoyed, some of the Pharisees in the
crowd asked Jesus to order his disciples to stop and Jesus answered, "'I
tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'" (v. 40) WOW!
Here I am in Kenya, among more rocks and stones than I have ever seen in my
life and what does God bring to my remembrance? That if I do not praise Him,
the stones will! That is quite a mission.

What I have learned from my time here, however, is that the people I have
encountered have been more than up to the task of praising God. Believe me,
rocks will not take their places. I am reminded of the pastoral home visits
in which the pastor and other visitors enter the homes with a song. And then
there are the overnight gatherings before a funeral where members of the
community spend the entire night praising God in the home of the deceased. I
am reminded of the faces of elderly women who achingly take their seats
looking completely worn but who, minutes later, spring up and sing and dance
with power and joy. Their faces light up when they think of God and they
begin to praise Him. I think of Diallo, a shy, young teenage boy who dances
to worship music. I think of the children at Agulu Primary School who sing
songs of Zion at the top of their lungs as they prepare to take their
Umoja-sponsored school lunches. And there is Angela, a young single mother
of a 15-month old, who keeps Christian music videos on loop in the DVD
player. And Kennedy, 20 years old, who begins the evening family prayers
each night with a song of praise inviting all present to join in. Praising
God is not relegated to Sunday morning. No (and to borrow from the song),
praise is who they are. Through the people I encountered, God reminded me
that He is still God and worthy of praise whether one's table is overflowing
with food or one is going hungry. The people I met understand and practice
the verse, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually
be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)

As my time in Kenya draws closer to an end, I feel it quite befitting that I
take this opportunity to praise God for my experience. I look back in awe at
how He has taken care of me and provided for me these past six weeks. I was
nervous beyond belief when this journey began but every step of the way
God's hand was upon me. When I did not think I could get used to the food
and accommodations God gave me the strength to endure until I became
comfortable. When I was nervous about traveling alone, He calmed my anxiety
and showed up in the smiles and conversations of strangers. When I felt
sick, He kept me well. When I traveled over oceans, mountains, and plains,
He protected me. When I longed for home, He reminded me of His
ever-presence. When I felt overwhelmed by a story someone shared with me, He
gave me a word of encouragement for them and for myself. He gave me rest
when I needed it and awakened me to the splendor of His handiwork each day.
He reminded me of my blessings and also allowed me to bless others. He kept
my family and friends safe in my absence. He worked through my three
classmates to encourage, support, and minister to me. He answered my calls
each and every time.

Since I am to take the lessons I have learned in Kenya and bring them back
to the United States and share them with others, I may as well start now. I
invite you to take a few minutes and just think about God's goodness in your
own life and praise Him now. Make praising God a practice, make it a habit,
make it as natural as breathing. Come on, you can do it. "O magnify the Lord
with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3) Remember, there
are rocks in America, too!

Dislocated Exegesis

Kathy Randall: Lela, Maseno, Kenya
In Chuck Campbell's preaching class, one of our assignments was
dislocated exegesis. Basically it required reading a specific
scripture passage for an hour in a place that you normally wouldn't
read scripture. Given examples were in a bank or hotel lobby, at a
hospital, on a bus, or somewhere that you felt out of place. I read my
passage on the C-1, the main undergrad bus at Duke. I ended up having
to ride three buses, because they kept shutting down the route, and I
thought that it was interesting to read about an outcast, and have to
give up my seat so often.
I had no idea how forceful an actual experience of true dislocation could be.
On Friday, I was sitting in the hospital again, this time supposedly
healthy, waiting for my lab results. Since I was waiting, I got out
something to read. My Bible, of course, it is the easiest to carry,
and I was preaching on Sunday. I began to read 2 Kings 5:1-17, the
healing of Naaman. As I was reading about Naaman, who had to leave his
home to be healed, I realized that I was also away from my own home,
waiting to be seen, as Naaman waited to be healed.
As I preached the passage on Sunday, the girls at the primary school
showed how spirit filled worship can be, and showed me how powerful a
community that lives and worships and praises together can be. I
praise God for those girls, I praise God for the words I received in
preaching, and I praise God for allowing me to see that the lessons I
have been learning are truly essential to all of my work, in every
place I go.
Let me not forget that.