Last day...

So after my last blog... It turns out the days got mixed up so Friday we all wen't to Mission In Action a really cool orphanage. All the kids are so loving!! Spent a few hours there just talking with the lady who owns it and after that we went to town got our last supplies and went to the "dump"... It's exactly what I thought it would look like and would smell like... I won't be eating any pork for a good time.
That was our Friday... We came home early because Leilani, Eugene and I set out for Safari really early this morning hoping to find some cats. No luck. We saw lots of other really cool animals. Like.... Rhinos which by the way look really cool behind a big fence at a zoo but really intimidating when spitting distance in a safari car.... Loads of zebras and water buffalo's! It was a lot of fun! That took up most of our morning and then after we met with Kate and Johnny at a really cool spot for lunch near ROHI... We had Doug an intern from Corner Stone Church with us on Safari and we dropped him off at ROHI when finished... it was awesome seeing those smiling faces again!... nothing beats smiling faces and lovely "how are yooooou" coming down the streets.
We got some gifts for loved ones at home at the Curio shops, it started raining pretty hard so we called it quits and came back to the house to get ready for diner... We had one last amazing diner at Kate and Johnny's as well as a movie! I'm really going to miss that big family! Their really the coolest people ever!
Leaving Africa... I feel...I feel like we accomplished something... Tho it may not have been much it was a lot to the families we helped and now that this trip is almost to a closer I can honestly say my heart has planted a seed and I can't wait to come back and visit. God is so good! He's been funny on this trip having us go through some good and bad times...He pushed us to the limit but God will never give you more than you can handle and at times it seemed like He pushed me off a cliff, He lifted me up higher than I was.I can't wait to come home and share all my stories and photos!!!
Kwaheri Nakuru... I will be back.
Asante Sana for everyone who helped send me out here as well as prayer... I couldn't have done this without you
Nakupenda!

The Slums of Rhonda..

These last few days we've been visiting Kate and Johnny a few missionaries who have adopted 8 children on top of her 5 children... As you can imagine... they needed some help with organizing and cleaning... One thing the kids really needed was new nets, so Leilani put her sewing skills together and has been making new nets for everyone... Yesterday Leilani and Cassandra stayed behind to help make new nets while Eugene and I went to Rhonda, It's a small town also known as the slums.
Him and I visited 3 "homes" the 1st was a man named William who has HIV/AIDS a 3 month old baby a wife who every morning leaves trying to find work so William can go to the "hospital"... His wish these last 5 days have been just to make it to the hospital... Eugene and I prayed over William and after Eugene gave him a few dollars to make it to the hospital and get an x-ray which totaled out to be about 10 dollars, the medicine here is free.
The 2nd "house" was a women named Constalita, She has a white blood cell count of 2, has 6 children all under 8 and by looking at her you would never suspect she's ever had kids she was so skinny. She slept on a metal bench, all her kids had a wooden chair to sleep on. There was no food. No chai. No one around to help her. I'm sure if we didn't open her door that day, no one would have... Her only wish was that she got a blanket, the man who took us, Ben, Kate and Johnny's helper all he wished for was some Pampers because she can't move.... After we left her we got her a blanket like she wished and this morning Ben will drop it off....
The last house, gave us hope. 3 women all dying of aids earlier this year, some having 0 white blood cells recovering 100% now married.... We bought a few neckalaces from them... Their mission behind makind jewlery is to never forget where they've come from... to always give the Glory to God....
It was hard going from chillin these last few days to getting hit back with what our mission was in the 1st place...
Today we visit the dump. I'm happy I saw the slums yesterday to prepare for today... I pray for the rest of my team...
Asante Sana for all the prayers thus far... we'll be home soon!!

Calloused..

We worked hard today... Woke up early like 4:50am wrapped up in my head phones... luckily it wasn't around my neck lol but it was funny... waking up in the middle of the night makes me feel home sick... I put on my head phones... Listened to some Black Keys and Incabus to help me calm down and slow down my heart. Finally 6am came around and everyone started getting up...I was able to hop onto the computer and talk a lil to my boyfriend Victor... it was very comforting... I can see why people/ missionaries out here hold on to every word people in America write... it means the world to me! It helps me remember why it is I am here! Every morning I see Kantet the helper!... Harbadi ya Asabudi! That's good morning in Swahili. He says Sawa Sawa (slang) for thank you, yes, etc... Next question is Chai?... EVERY Kenyan says it... it's their way of asking if I want tea... Chai tea... a gift from the English that they have 5ootimes a day it feels like and its cool but I swear there is something in the tea that makes you have to pee every second of the day but its not all peaches and cream since about 97% of places don't have restrooms, its either a whole in the ground or mayyyybe you'll be blessed with a toilet but no t.p. so it's very important to carry some paper of some sort! Today was a blessed day! we were able to help 2 families! The first was a young girl named Freeda she stays with her grandmother and grandfather. They don't have much but they have a Shamba, a garden and a small farm. We helped make a non grazing troft... pretty much something a cow can eat and drink out of.. they have two cows... The women while we're doing this are pealing potatoes, carrots and the other women are making us chipati. which is like a tortilla BUT wayyyyyyyyy better! Kenyan culture is much like Philippino culture... Luckily my boyfriend is filipino so I know a little about if your offered food... YOU EAT! especially in Kenya what an honor I swear for them to feed us... when they have nothing to be fed is an honor even if it's your 4th lunch, you eat! you must always have at least 2 glasses of Chai... it's like the 12th commandment.. the 11th is "tho shalt must serve chai with sugar!". It was a great time... something that touched me the most was this little girl Lucy.. She was found just a few days before us meeting her :(. When I asked a friend of Freeda's where was her mother, he replied, "shes a street woman!.. you want the baby? You can have her! Take her please!"...sad but its common to hear that... I was lucky to bless the gifts we were able to present the family with and present them to them!... My heart was happy as some would say...The next house was a...well... a bumpy road doesn't explain it quite as well.. but once we got there... The child's name who's family we blessed, her name is Helen. She is 17, bother parents have passed and her 21 year old brother took it upon himself to watch her... He cried hen presenting him with a driving school receipt so he can start to learn how to drive and gave him some staple foods like flour, sugar, salt, soap, animal fat.... It really touched my heart because I know if both my parents were to pass my brother would watch me... and would be very grateful if someone would come by from their heart and bring stapled food...I know he'd make the best of it too... So my prayer is Helen's brother will continue to take care of her and help keep a roof over her head, fresh water and chai :)... After all this we came home! I had a great surprise waiting... the helper Kantet dressed up like a Masai warrior and danced and chanted...a lil later our night guard Jalouson did the same... I was so happy!!!!
All in all today was a great day! Please cont to pray for not just us but the children who we have met, and the ones we're going to meet... Tomorrow sounds like an easy day So I pray I'm able to sleep. Asante Sana for all your prayers! Until next time
Buena Asafiwea

sooo....

I was going to write something sweet... but my heart isn't there at the moment. Today was the 1st full day in Africa, and tho it was an amazing experience all sweet food soon becomes bitter. This morning we started our day wonderful with some Kenyan pancakes by Kantit the helper here at this amazing house. Then we were on our way to a bumpy road to ROHI. Ever see any pictures of muddy bumpy roads in Africa on TV... looks the same, just add a lil motion sickness and your good :) after about 15min driving on this bumpy road we arrive to ROHI and WOW what a welcome!... The kids were so happy to see us!... Many remembered Cassandra so I'm sure that was very comforting but for me personally it was warm. The energy just walking into the chapel was JOY! you couldn't help but smile when walking in and seeing all these smiling faces! All curious to what/ who we are... The worship session was amazing! That is true worship at its finest! These children got it. they got the IT the Lord wants and begs us for, and they are not at all ashamed! Its comforting to see the older kids, most the same age as me make the young kids get up when they were feeling lazy or vice versa. Anyhoo... Check out some pics we posted.. At ROHI I met 3 Graces!!! woot woot!..After that amazing and comforting experience, we go to "street church"... This is where my heart, even hours after still hasn't digested.... Kids...ages 8-18 and 2 men ages well over 30...high on glue at church. So one would ask themselves are they here for church?... The answer is No. They get food after the service, but even when offered food it's food for blood. The energy was very much opposite of ROHI I can say I feel more comfortable at the Tenderloin in SF at 3am with all the dope feens than I did in this place. The uncomfortable thing about the situation was...I wanted to get up and leave so bad! I was scared. Yea I'll admit I was terrified to be stolen, killed, touched!... but the Lord had my feet glued and He held my tears in, for some reason, and I think the lesson there was a question... Did I feel comfortable and I would I like to return?...The answer is probably not but the reality is, THIS IS reality. WAKE UP GRACE!... Change needs to happen. When I said earlier it was food for blood... Before the pastor can say Amen in the prayer everyone was running to the door which was manded by 3 men who helped there who were literally throwing them out the door because men were getting aggressive. It's still breaking my heart... So my request from anyone if not all who read this to strengthen my heart, but keep it open to be ready for whatever other lessons God has for my journey!
I miss home, but the lady Teressa who were staying with makes me feel very safe. I slept very well my 1st night sleeping here last night... I just pray tonight the Lord will calm my heart so I'm able to sleep with good dreams... You may laugh but every time I feel like i can't sleep I sing Bing Crosby in White Christmas "When your worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleeeeeep counting your blessings..."
Asante Sana (thank you)

AHHHHH

This is so stinkin sur real!!! It didn't really kinda hit me til we were at the church and they were praying us off... pops teared up a lil.. yea i saw that dad!.. I can't believe I have this awesome opportunity to go to Africa and maybe make an impact in others lives as I know they will be making in mine. I pray for my team that we all stay strong for whatever we see, whomever we meet, and for whatever we may do. I thank everyone who has supported finically and even through prayer alone. God is so good! We made our goal and here we are... just 3 months of raising and prepping and here I am sitting in the SFO International Airport waiting for them to call our boarding area. I can't believe it....... 16 hours from now I'll be in Dubai and 15 hours later I'll be back on a 5 hour plane to Nairobi!!! AHHHHHHH please continue to pray for all of us! I promise to bring back many pictures, many videos and gifts! Be sure to keep checking out my blog, I'll for sure have video blogs so you can some what feel like your there! I love you all!!!
xoxo

17 days!!

17 days left!! That's my lucky number :) The anticipation is killing me. Luckily today in church we talked about finances, it reminded me today to get sit down and look at that so I'm 100% ready for take off... What am I expecting to get out of this trip is something i get asked ALOT! and too be honest I'm not expecting anything just hope to come back with a better understanding with what it is in life I'm supposed to be doing. I still can't believe I'm leaving the country for so long with no family, a lil overwhelming but I'm ready. I got my shots, we sent out to Washington DC for our Visa's a few weeks ago, once I get that back in the mail then it will be really really really real. I can't wait.
Pray request: finances... I'm struggling with just how to re-budget since I recently quit my job, I'm realizing I can't live the life I'm used to with my new low income. ALSO my little cousin Mariah has been heavy in my heart, so for whatever reasons it may be please keep her in prayer.

Just days away...

I can't believe just 35 more days! I'm so excited, I want May 13th to be this month... We just bought our tickets this last Monday! How awesome! I'm so proud of us team... from garage sales, bake sales, from selling to DONATIONS and fully relying on God for our travel expenses... the only thing is prepping is a lil bit of a hassle. So much goes into the preparation for traveling abroad. For instance, someone like me, a "vitamin whore" just learned that in order for me to bring my vitamins properly and them not get questioned is to bring them in their original cases and in my luggage :/, it's making me re-think, do I really need all these vitamins?? Also jet lag pills, proper sizes of tubes and bottles to travel with! *phew wata hassle! but it's worth it. A bummer perhaps disguised a blessing is us having to switch from our delay in England to Dubai. I've always wanted to travel there, besides the strict laws and such...Cassandra has been telling me so much about all the lovely people we'll be meeting out there I can't wait! I just saw our Emmit flight itinerary... We getta see new movies on the flight whhhhhaaaattt!!1 good food? whhhhhhhaaaat???!!! Maybe 15 hours wont be too too bad :/
A huge thing that has been on my heart since day 1 of my thought process was how will my family feel about me doing this.... and it was so great that this last Easter and my grandma's birthday my family has been asking me more and more questions about it. They've all donated in more ways than one and we've even already started cracking jokes, that helps me know that they support me and will be checking this out to keep some eyes and prayers on me. My family means the world to me and even though it's only 3 weeks, I know I'll miss them. Another thing is my dad is running for congressman and I told him, "dad, you need to clean your office, a clean office gives you more mind a clarity" but did he listen NOOOOOOOO, so figured, yesterday on my day off that I'd surprise him, and sure enough it did. Although it doesn't sound like a lot, to me it did. I'll be gone at the climax of primaries and I feel helpless. So a few of my promises while gone to my fam is: Auntie Carmen, I promise, no make up, no product in my hair, and if I find a bone, I'll take a pic ;) Dad: I promise to pray for you and your campaign....
TEAM: Get ready! God is calling I pray your listening.
Asante Sana