Here are a few picture from meeting with our BulBul team and graduation. The internet is SLOW and won't let us upload anymore... we will try again tonight!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Boesch Bul
We have had another wonderful day of Kenyan hospitality and friendship. Our morning started not as early as yesterday as are adjusting quickly to the time difference. We worshiped at Karen Community Church this morning. The music was amazing.... a combination of Swahili, contemporary and good old hymns. To see Chance worshiping in such a joyful way ~ singing and clapping and dancing ~ warmed his Mama's heart. Rachel and Allison had no problem dancing and singing!
The sermon this morning was part of a series designed to prepare the congregation for their 40 Days of Community. The focus has been on what harms rather than builds up a community. Ask us to tell you the feather pillow story! Our team was introduced and Allison represented Vancouver First well as she shared our upcoming mission work with Bul Bul.
Of course the highlight of the day for me was to see friends from Boni Land ~ Lucy and Ezekiel and their girls! Tears were flowing and none of us could stop talking. What a wonderful friendship we have built. Thankful for Facebook and email as we can talk on a daily basis!
Rachel made a new friend! A gorgeous little girl ~ Sandra ~ snuggled up to her and would not let go. Each time Rachel would move, Sandra would hold her dress and reach for her hand. Soon all the cousins were part of Rachel's circle. Where Rachel went the children went!!! We will see Sandra and more cousins in Bul Bul this week.
Tomorrow morning we start our work in Bul Bul. We will help finish the "building" of the soccer field to get ready for our camp. We will also be working on a construction project to replace the floor of John and Mary's home that was washed away in a recent flood. I am off to purchase cement in the morning while Chance builds the frame for the floor.
Tonight it is World Cup. We have been invited to watch the game (beginning at 9:30 pm here) with students who are on campus. The kids have made many friends and don't stand out quite so much!
No pictures tonight! Internet is slow and camera battery is low.
We are thinking of you this evening as you are in worship as I write!
Blessing to you all....
Becki and kiddos!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Saturday and Winter in Kenya
Good Morning... it is Saturday morning in Kenya and we have all been up for HOURS! We are 10 hours ahead of Vancouver. Lois kept us very busy to keep us awake yesterday. But, we were all very tired and fell asleep way tooooooooo early! Today, we have to take a nap so we can stay up later!
It is winter! So cold this morning (at 4 am Newark time) that Allison and Chance built a fire in our "cottage" fireplace. All four of us huddled around the fire to get warm. Sun is out now and the kids have walked to Karen town. They have about a mile walk down Nyong road into the center (where all the roads meet) of Karen. They are joining in the culture and making friends easily. Chance has been instructed how to get a taxi and get them back home if need be. No worries... the road is safe!
Becki
We Arrived!
We made it after too many hours in airplanes and airports (I think 27 in total) and airplane seats are not comfortable to sleep in! Although, Chance seemed to figure it out okay ;).
NEGST is stunning. The grounds are beautiful and the people are wonderful. Kijji Guest House on the campus is what we will be calling home for the next month. Warm today! Cold last night ~ extra blankets needed and we will be building a fire tonight in our room.
Today (Friday, out first day) we traveled to the Masi Market and bartered for some wonderful things. It was a bit overwhelming, especially after everyone learns your brother is Chance and who your mom is - we clearing are not good at blending in! Rachel learned quickly how to barter and made a few very good deals!!
We then went to the giraffe sanctuary for a visit. We got kisses by many giraffes, they are much like Toby and Chloe kisses - lots of slobber! After giraffes we enjoyed tea at Karen Blixen's House and Tea Garden. It was beautiful, relaxing and place you could sit all day with a book!
Tomorrow is graduation at NEGST. We will be treated to an all day celebration of music, dance, and food in true Kenyan style.
All the best - Allison and team
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
We Leave Tomorrow!
We have been busy the last few days packing, repacking and packing more! We think we made it all fit! 12 bags full of soccer balls, clothes, shoes, school supplies and a few pair of clean underwear. As the departure nears, the excitement levels rise. Here are a few shots from deflating soccer balls and packing!
On the plane early tomorrow morning, hope to update from Amsterdam. I am sure the pictures of us 'schlepping' through PDX will be priceless!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Just A Week Away
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Our departure is just a week away! Oh, my there is so much to do before next Wednesday morning!
World Cup hype is everywhere in Africa. We are hearing from our friends in Nairobi how much excitement is in the air.... everyone is playing soccer! I just can't leave without thanking the many of you who have supported this trip. Your gifts of soccer balls and clothes will make a HUGE difference in the lives of the children in Kiberia. We will be purchasing and "building" soccer goals for the Bul Bul mission project that is linked to the Karen Community Church. Where are the Ocean Park Builders and Team DRIP guys when I need them? I am sure glad Jerry Hutchins taught me to use a drill!
A big thank you to Kristi Bowen for her help and to Tursi's Eastside Soccer for their generous donation of soccer jerseys, balls, and pumps! Each child who particpates in "soccer" school will recieve a jersey!
Game on,
Becki
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Just a few weeks away. . .
We are just a few weeks away from the beginning of our trip to Kenya. Our plans are almost finalized ~ we have learned to work on Kenyan time ~ and most projects are in place.
Kenya is not all about the elephants and giraffes although we will have time to visit the baby
elephant the Vancouver First youth adopted in 2008. Our baby is almost 3 years old. He plays a good game of soccer and we will get some soccer time with him as well as being able to tuck him in at night! The Giraffe sanctuary is in the community of Karen where we will be staying so we will have some play time with these gentle giants. Kissing giraffes is just like getting puppy kisses!
Our friends from Boni land, Lucy and Ezekiel will be working us at Bul Bul mission project. Asked what we could bring from the US for their two girls.. the answer SHOES!!! We get to go shoe shopping before we leave!!! The world of Facebook has given us the opportunity to stay connected. We were able to celebrate Kenna's 9th birthday via FB!!
The widows and orphans of St. Martha's ministry also live in Kiberia. Our work will be with the children who are unable to attend school. Without a uniform you cannot attend school even in Kiberia. Some children attend only half day because they share their uniform with other children in their extended family. The widows make beautiful beaded jewelry. We will learn their trade and continue our project from 2008 to help with marketing their crafts.
The adventure continues as we DRIVE from Nairobi to Malindi ~ a small town on the Indian Ocean ~ for our next project. The drive is 222 miles on Kenyan roads and on Kenyan time! What might take a few hours could take all day! We will arrive at Kupenda for the Children for a week or two of work with deaf and handicapped children. Kupenda is the only school in Kenya for deaf students ~ using ASL ~ for teaching. Allison will be teaching and working with these students. Handicapped children in Kenya are often removed/isolated from their villages. These children board at Kuppenda. Rachel and Chance will be working in the classrooms. I am hoping to hold more babies!
Another DRIVE back to Nairobi and we will finish our stay at Amani Ju ~ a shelter for women with AIDS ~ very similiar to a DV shelter in the states. Women from all over Kenya (and Africa) come here for education, skills training, and support. I am hoping we will be able to work side by side with these wonderful women to learn some of their crafts.
Our time in Kenya will be a life-changing trip.. for Rachel, Allison and Chance... my life has already changed! More updates as we get closer to our departure! We will have internet access (no phones) and you can follow our trip with daily updates.
Becki
Kenya is not all about the elephants and giraffes although we will have time to visit the baby
elephant the Vancouver First youth adopted in 2008. Our baby is almost 3 years old. He plays a good game of soccer and we will get some soccer time with him as well as being able to tuck him in at night! The Giraffe sanctuary is in the community of Karen where we will be staying so we will have some play time with these gentle giants. Kissing giraffes is just like getting puppy kisses!
The real work will be in Kiberia, the largest slum area in Kenya, that is home to 2 million people. Children are everywhere in Kiberia. It is estimated that 5000 are "
street orphans" moving from hut to hut, neighbor to neighbor, for food and shelter. Our projects will be working in the Bul Bul area with the Karen Community Church outreach team. World Cup has brought its excitement to Kiberia so our team will be leading a Soccer Camp in Vacation Bible School fashion... music, crafts, games and SOCCER! A huge thanks to all of you who have provided us with soccer balls. We are still collecting!! The children who attend the Bul Bul projects know we are coming and are "building a soccer field". Building means digging rocks out of a small patch of patch of ground with their hands.
street orphans" moving from hut to hut, neighbor to neighbor, for food and shelter. Our projects will be working in the Bul Bul area with the Karen Community Church outreach team. World Cup has brought its excitement to Kiberia so our team will be leading a Soccer Camp in Vacation Bible School fashion... music, crafts, games and SOCCER! A huge thanks to all of you who have provided us with soccer balls. We are still collecting!! The children who attend the Bul Bul projects know we are coming and are "building a soccer field". Building means digging rocks out of a small patch of patch of ground with their hands. 
Our friends from Boni land, Lucy and Ezekiel will be working us at Bul Bul mission project. Asked what we could bring from the US for their two girls.. the answer SHOES!!! We get to go shoe shopping before we leave!!! The world of Facebook has given us the opportunity to stay connected. We were able to celebrate Kenna's 9th birthday via FB!!
The widows and orphans of St. Martha's ministry also live in Kiberia. Our work will be with the children who are unable to attend school. Without a uniform you cannot attend school even in Kiberia. Some children attend only half day because they share their uniform with other children in their extended family. The widows make beautiful beaded jewelry. We will learn their trade and continue our project from 2008 to help with marketing their crafts.
The adventure continues as we DRIVE from Nairobi to Malindi ~ a small town on the Indian Ocean ~ for our next project. The drive is 222 miles on Kenyan roads and on Kenyan time! What might take a few hours could take all day! We will arrive at Kupenda for the Children for a week or two of work with deaf and handicapped children. Kupenda is the only school in Kenya for deaf students ~ using ASL ~ for teaching. Allison will be teaching and working with these students. Handicapped children in Kenya are often removed/isolated from their villages. These children board at Kuppenda. Rachel and Chance will be working in the classrooms. I am hoping to hold more babies!
Another DRIVE back to Nairobi and we will finish our stay at Amani Ju ~ a shelter for women with AIDS ~ very similiar to a DV shelter in the states. Women from all over Kenya (and Africa) come here for education, skills training, and support. I am hoping we will be able to work side by side with these wonderful women to learn some of their crafts.
Our time in Kenya will be a life-changing trip.. for Rachel, Allison and Chance... my life has already changed! More updates as we get closer to our departure! We will have internet access (no phones) and you can follow our trip with daily updates.
Becki
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