So...What's New in Kitale...

I'll try and catch up my three fans (i applaud you for your faithfulness) on the happenings of Kitale. However, I fear that one of you actually lives here in Kitale- and blogs daily- so, I might do better to simply put the link to your page as my post!
Regardless, hello- and let me tell you some brief things about the past few weeks.

In October (in honor of Halloween for those in America) I went over to visit my friends Kim and Bud Huffman (check out their blog- on the link to the Left) as they had all of their kids over for a party! So fun. All the kids dressed up and wore costumes that came on the Huffman's container for their new home called Mattaw Children's Village. I love their project and their vision. I think they are an example to others in caring for the orphans and "left behinds" of Kenya. In fact, Kim, a mother of an almost one year old, has so much energy to do all she does! She not only helps manage a brand new children's home (getting it off the ground and running!) but she is a mom, and a hostess! I've never had so many fun nights as i do when i am at their house. They are fantastic friends!

So, the party...for the kids- it had nothing to do with Halloween as they don't know what that is...for them, it was just a party! a time to dress up, play, and do something different!
The kids dressed up in costumes and we played games, jumped on the huge trampoline, sang songs, told stories, and ate amazing popcorn balls and candy. The funniest time was when Kim left to pick up one of her kids- and I was left in charge of the "three legged race" and "freeze tag." You can just imagine how that went.

My great friend Kim.  That's her sweet baby's head in the picture.

Ha ha.  This picture cracks me up!  At the dress up party- we had a bride.  She ran around most of the day with the veil on backwards!  

Mattaw Children's Village Children playing dress up!

Today (November 15th) we met at their house for a bible study breakfast and then reunited later for a fun day of the slip and slide! lots of dish soap, water, and a plastic tarp = sore muscles, grass burns, and headaches from the somersault that didn't go so well.

Slip and slide!  

Oh, also- this is what I've come home to a couple of days.
Beautiful huh? This is in my front yard. 5:00PM has become my favorite time of day. I usually sit on the veranda with my chi and just sit and watch the mountains in the distance "change shape" as the clouds move above them. I love where I live!



Needless to say- Africa is wonderful. I've got amazing friends, a great job, and people around me who keep me "real." Its not without its struggles, if one is honest. But, the love of the people, children, work, and culture far outweigh the challenges. This has been the best year of my life.

So, what are my plans? as much as I'd love to stay forever, I come home in December. BUT I plan to continue making trips to Kitale to be a part of the Network that has just taken off! the Trans-nzoia Children's Service Network.
A group of children's homes got together several months ago and decided to be a support for one another through education, sharing of resources, and supporting one another in a common work in helping the children in the Kitale and surrounding areas. Its amazing what Networking can do!
and get this!...In December- Challenge Farm has two professional counselors coming to do a FREE training on trauma and behavior problems, and how to help children. This is exciting and something we have been waiting for for several months. All homes and children's organizations are invited to send their social workers and care givers in the spirit of networking and sharing of resources! Now tell me that's not just simply amazing!

So- that's all for now. Oh wait! i almost forgot! I have another race i am training for- although this one is nothing to brag about. Its only a 5 miler in Texas at White Rock in December. I am a part of a relay team called "Wazungu Wazungu" (this is what white people are called in Kenya- all but one of the runners have lived in Africa so we felt it fitting). The tricky part will be actually running and not sleeping under a bush somewhere - as i get home just two days before the race. Now, no worries. i wont be running into the naked lady while training. I am more worried of the "sword man," "pant-less man," and "bag man" that we often see around town.

Sometimes we just have to laugh.

From North Carolina to Kenya- and Back Again....But Not Without Some of My Luggage!

Last friday a group of 13 men and women arrived to Kitale from North Carolina! They were tired and sleepy when they arrived- but full of excitement about their week with our children! I can't blame them as our kids are fantastic! Early (let me repeat, EARLY...as this group was not only jet lagged, but an early rising, talkative bunch) the next morning when we drove to the center to meet the kids- the team was so excited and anticipated meeting the staff and kids in which they had been praying! Little did they know, the kids had been waiting for days for their arrival, and up particularly early on this day to greet them like old friends who had been gone for a while...even though most of them had never met.

It was amazing watching our kids be showered with gifts (needs and wants alike). It is a special thing (I guess much like a parent watching their child on Christmas) to watch a child receive and play with a yo-yo for the first time, put on a new funky colored bandanna, and rock out a pair of sunglasses; but it was even more touching to see them in a new pair of tennis shoes to cover their bare feet, which are surprisingly good at soccer.

Our week was packed full of events and things to do! But one of my favorite days was last Tuesday. The team held an "outreach" for the street kids and street mothers in Kitale. It was such a fun day as kids and mothers living in the slums came off the street to have a day of rest. They were given showers, clean clothes, food, and time to just relax, play, and be kids. Many friends were reunited and you could hear the laughter all around! Believe me, I know, as I was in a Network meeting! (another blog on a different day!) However...right before the meeting I picked up this little tiny girl who had been toddling around after me...then I smelled it. Yep. Urine soaking into my clothing. It's like she picked me. Saved it all just for me.

So here came this team- bringing gifts of toys, shoes, candy, love, and friendship.
Gifts are a funny thing, and this team has taught me something invaluable that I didn't realize I "needed" to know. I guess I had my own ideas of 'receiving' that I held subconsciously. I think the only way to put it is- maybe I have look at gifts as having strings attached-without realizing it. Hmmm, let me try to explain... When someone gives me a gift- I guess I have felt that it needs to be "paid" back. That I need to give in return. They showered me with gifts- knowing that I had little to give back. At first i started to feel overwhelmed thinking "there's just no way to pay this back to them!" But then it hit me...They are not giving to receive, but to give. Just to give. Like the little toddler and her urine.

Some people may "give" with strings attached, but the true meaning of a gift is a selfless act, done out of love, without expecting anything in return. This team knows that none of these children can "pay them back," or give them anything in return. But still they gave. Just in hopes that the kids would be thankful, pleased, and feel loved... not to mention the joy of watching the kids excited and happy faces! They know full well that love doesn't stop the giving no matter the price.
Reminds me of the greatest gift of Jesus.

Okay, stuff is good! Lets admit that we like to get stuff! Nothing wrong with that! I loved getting juicy fruit gum, candy corn, perfumed shampoo, and reeces peanut butter cups...i also LOVED receiving those amazing, cinnamon covered pop-tarts! But, the most special gift this team gave to the children, staff, and to me, was the gift of their time and friendship. Sometimes we take our visitors for granted. As they enter our lives- we forget that they have left theirs behind- and for whatever reason- they are coming to our "home" to give of themselves, sacrifice, and love on those who need it most.

Let me just first say, what an amazing group! I miss those southern accents already! Who knew NC would talk all southern? They took me in as if I had known them for my whole life. Now, believe me, that is friendship! And a gift that I freely, and happily accept. But....I am really, really happy about the left over candy corn too.

The Team at dinner.  

After a few hours in town, we took these bikes home!  

Outreach day... This young girl is playing with two of our Challenge Farm girls.  

Outreach day.  One of our older boys playing "net ball" (basketball) with a young street boy.

Young street mothers enjoying the day at the farm.

This is Anastacia. She wouldnt talk to me for about 7 months. 

We are slowly getting to know each other...

Now look at us... two beautiful dresses and just nowhere to go!  I think i'm being made fun of here...whatever, rufflels are in.  Well, in Africa anything and everything is in.

Arn't we lovely? 

A Fantastic Week!

So, i recognize that i don't blog all the time, but the thing is...in my defense...things move so sloooow around here. However, i'll begin to fill you in now b/c some wonderful things are happening!

After a nice holiday in Tanzania, I returned to Challenge Farm...and was really glad. I loved my holiday, and needed it, but i hate missing out on what goes on around here- the details of the kids lives. Sarah has more teeth, cries less (she's 7), and is finally learning English! Abraham is more likely to want to be around me (i.e., anyone) even if he doesn't say anything...(acts uninterested), and Wilson hasn't gone on any hunger strikes for not getting his way!
The newest boys were circumcised a few weeks ago and are on the mend.

Now, let me first say this is a huge deal for this culture. Not only is it done for medical reasons; but- Its a time where "boys become men" ...where they show their strength and courage by not wincing in pain or crying. Yikes. While Court (my sister) and i were headed to Nakuru one very early morning, we were met with a large group of men and young boys waving palm leaves and singing/chanting. At first, i have to admit, i was afraid as i thought it was a "road block" like those that frequently occurred after the post election violence; I mean, what are you supposed to think when a crowd of people in the road come at traffic waving leaves around- but an old man (Mzee) sitting next to us explained that it was a "celebration" in honor of the month for young men to be circumcised. Now, I don't know what you think... but my western roots make me want to question why we just don't say "oh, super sorry" as opposed to "congratulations." But, I learn something new every day. And i respect it.

Kitale is such a great town, with a ton of children's homes. When i first arrived i thought there were too many, but then i realized, we have too many kids without homes, and my perspective was without education. Remember that Kitale has the largest number of street kids in all of Kenya.
Anyway, something fantastic happened this week! REALLY FANTASTIC! A few of us have had a desire to form a network to pull children homes together for ongoing education, sharing resources, and teaching/supporting one another. My particular vision is to see the social workers and the caregivers come together for the same; This may not seem like such a big deal, but for years these homes have existed without a network between them....each simply does his own work without much connection to the other home.
So, a meeting was hosted at Challenge Farm on Wednesday to see what the social workers and a few other guests from the community thought about this vision. After a couple hours of meeting and discussing, the representatives from the various homes decided to come together and unite in a forum! The meeting took a turn! They not only wanted to unite the social workers and caregivers, but they wanted to unite the children homes in a forum to do more! This is so amazing! Now the homes in Kitale can begin to network in a common cause and assist one another in God's work! This is an answer to prayer for many of the missionaries in Kitale, and also for the those hard working men and women of Kenya who staff the homes!

Now the best part for me??? Challenge Farm is hosting a social work trainer in December from America (who I met about a year ago in Texas at one of his trainings), who will train various staff on the topic of Reactive Attachment Disorder. In the spirit of networking and sharing resources- a representative from each children's home in Kitale will be invited to attend free of charge! The invitation will be shared in the next forum meeting! Now how freakin' amazing is that?!

So, as you can see- it's been a very productive week and such a blessing to be able to witness it happen!

Sara with new teeth!  

Ruth, Wilson, Joseph, and me.

Emma, our fantastic Social Worker!  

Me and a baboon.  Lake Nakuru Game Park.  This is the "Baboon lookout point."  

Our new calf, Rhodas...named after Rhonda and what the street hawkers call her.

Baptism

A couple weeks ago Cheri (Founding Director of CF), talked to some of our kids about their decision to become Christ followers, and the meaning of baptism.  Those who felt they were ready to symbolize their faith were extremely excited about this event.  

We (staff and kids) left the farm for a short walk down to the stream (nothing "short" about the walk, I might add...).  There the kids who have been waiting for this moment (some for a long time), one by one, were baptized and were prayed over.  

It was a wonderful day to see some of these kids become so excited about their walk with Christ- and this to them, was setting an example of the change they feel they need to make in their lives. 

Everyday, I fall more in love with these children.   They are an amazing gift in my life.

Cheri praying with some of our children.  This is Paul...he is one of the most changed children we have.  

Another one of our children.  The water was really shallow today, the kids had to sit down...

Lillian, a bit afraid, but beaming a smile afterwards.

"Pastor," (one of our older kids) as he is called- praying with one of those baptized.

Oh Such Talent!

So, you can see why I laugh daily...

This is a video of some of our newest kids off the street.  It was talent show day at Challenge Farm!