Day 2 at BulBul

Our day started at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The sanctuary is attached to Naoribi National Game Park to protect and raise orphanged elephants so they can be integrated back into the natural habitat. Our adopted elephant from our first trip to Kenya ~ Limpowata ~ has grown into a curious and playful girl. She has been moved to Western Kenya to continue to be integrated into the elephant society. We had hoped to see her on our drive to the Mombassa but she is having too good a time with her new friends. We were told "foriengers trundling around the park" isn't a good idea. So of course, we have added another baby to our elephant family. Muezi is 18 months old and very sick. She was found in a well in a village. Chance's kind heart picked her so we can help nurse her back to a full and robust life. We have a time to tuck her into bed and get some one on one time with her on August 2!

Muenzi - The elephant we adopted!

Our day in BulBul was amazing. The community (other than the teenage girls) has accepted us and included us in their daily life. The kids walked through the streets meeting and greeting families. It was like a HUGE PARADE as everyone came to meet them. They visited homes and shops. A 9yr old boy who is in the BulBul project has been missing since Sunday. I was asked to go to the family home and pray with the Mother and Godmother. It was an honor to be allowed in the home and be present with the family.

Hazen, Jon and Chance on the walk through BulBul

Bubbles were a big hit for the kids not playing soccer.

Rachel and James talking about Kenyan life

World Cup BulBul began. Today's game was the younger boys. Most played barefoot! We worked hard on the field but it was still covered in rocks and garbage! The community came out to watch. Everyone cheers for everyone! I couldn't help but do some coaching from the sidelines. I am not sure anyone knew what I was saying! The BulBul World Cup is the highlight of our work with the youth!

All of us with Daniel's team before the game

All of us with James' team before the game

John giving instruction to younger children

Jon and Chance playing soccer with young children

Mom, Rachel and James coaching, while Ezekial keeps the line clear

To Nani Kasho

Becki and kiddos!

PS - We enjoyed drive up today!

Kenyan Drive-up - roasted corn on the side of the road

Day 1 at BulBul

Monday began with a pleasant surprise, Jon Shaw met us for breakfast at NEGST and joined us for the first full day in BulBul. We spent the first part of the day 'mowing' grass on the small soccer field. You can see that 'mowing' means rakes and machetes. After a brief lunch we headed to the big field and began to create the field we will use for the tournament. We lined the field with lime chalk and painted the goal posts. The field is just about Wold Cup regulation size.

We are working with 2 young men in BulBul who are trying to start a community center and outlets for the children and youth. There is a wide-spread drug and alcohol culture in BulBul that is an easy trap for young boys and girls to fall into. We saw a number of examples of that yesterday and it just continued to motivate our work.

We also went to the Community Art Project that James and John are starting. It is an after-school program that does tutoring and art projects for youth in BulBul. They operate with very little in a small one room shack with no electricity. But it provides a safe and productive place for children to come in the afternoon and evening. Rachel and Chance will be supporting their art projects with supplies and energy (as mom and Allison have no artistic talent).

Mom and Ezekiel working hard on the field.

Soccer with one of the young children and a few older boys.

Rachel and the kids, learning to rake.

Rachel and Allison getting ready to 'mow'


Chance 'mowing' the grass

raking trash and brush into piles on the small field

Ezekiel, Chance and Daniel taking a quick break for some air guitar.

the big field before we began chalking and painting

The group lining the field

Allison and the young boy from BulBul who stepped up to help.

Everyone who worked on the field, after we finished

Jon, Daniel, Chance and John walking to the Youth Art Project.

The Youth Art Project in BulBul

Daniel, Hazera, James and John in the classroom

Pictures

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!

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!

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!

Just before take-off from PDX!

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

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!