Lovely women all around.....

(Rose with her daughter, Ogla)

I write this with saddness, yet comfort, that one of our dear sisters who sews at Jacaranda Creations is no longer suffering but is dancing with her King in heaven. Rose went to be with the Lord as she had been battling AIDS for years. She left behind her sweet 12 yr. old daughter Olgra and her 2 year boy, Nimrod. Rose worked joyfully with one of Jacaranda Creations locations in the Kibera Slum. She unknowingly got AIDS from her husband who kept the disease from her until it was too late. He passed a way a few years ago leaving the disease in her and their daughter. The boy, Nimrod, was blessed to be HIV free. Please keep these children in your prayers as they are without their mommy and daddy. Their story is all too common here in Kenya - please pray for them...there are countless who are orphaned or stricken from this disease. I was fortunate to talk with Rose extensively one day recently when I visited the center where she sewed. We talked about the Lord, her family and living with AIDS. She was a precious woman who I will never forget.

(Dorcas sewing at Jacaranda) (Dorcas moves into her new place) (Praying for Dorcas in her new home)

I also want to update you about my sweet friend Dorcas who I mentioned was without a place to live last time I wrote. She has her apartment now and is so thankful to God for His provision. This woman is an evangelist to Sudan and around Kenya. She also is working with Jacaranda Creations when she is not ministering.

(Some of the Jacarana ladies at Mararui Slum location)

Jacaranda Creations help women through hard times and helps provide support for their families. Brenda, my pastor, has poured her heart into these women's lives and I have been so blessed to become close to some of these women. Please keep these women and their families in your prayers! I will be coming home this summer and I hope to bring some of the wonderful things these women have made..let me know if your interested! Check out their products on Face Book that my friend put together. It's under Jarcanda Creations (it was mispelled..oops). There are many photos of the beautiful things they make from bags, to dolls, aprons, oven mittens, and much much more!

What Jacaranda Means: The Jacaranda tree is a picture of faith. Before the rains begin to fall bringing life and nourishment to a parched land, the Jacaranda tree blooms. The deep purple and pure white flowers give hope that the rains will....indeed come. Faith that the rains will surely come; and with the rains, new life. The vibrant blossoms of the Jacaranda tree are a picture of purity and royalty. The delicate purple blossoms open to the sun and gently, slowly unfold. Every branch soon grows heavy. The sturdy arms of the tree heavily laden with the purple blossoms like jewels in a crown. The Jacaranda tree is a picture of peace and rest. The bountiful branches are far reaching and generous in their shade giving. The Jacaranda offers a place for a weary soul to find rest. The shade stretches wide encircling all who desire peace. We have chosen the Jacaranda tree as a symbol for our ministry within the slums of Nairobi. We have faith that the God of love will bring new life to the women we serve. We believe that God views them as royal princesses and desires to lay golden crowns of purple jewels upon their heads. We believe that God bountifully offers the shade of peace and rest to them even as they live and work within the slums.

Blessings everyone.....Love you all!

~kami

Busy as can Bee

Okay, so this is my umpteenth apology for not doing my job in the blogging world. I can't believe it has almost been a year since my last blog! Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. I know many of you have asked me when I would update this and my intentions were always good, but somehow life got in the way. I'm hoping most of you can relate..

Regarding where I last left off.....I was so fortunate to return home last summer to visit family and friends. It was a VERY busy trip that brought much laughter and many tears. I know I have said this before, but I am truly blessed by the people in my life.

After I returned back to my beautiful Kenya, I was full force into working and attending grad school via online at the Sam Houston State University. I am getting my Masters in Literacy so I can feel more legite in my Reading Lab :) . Shortly after beginning work and my Masters, I found out I had to have surgery on my ovaries. I am fine but it ran me mad for about 5 weeks due to inactivity. It turned out to be a bigger surgery than expected and I had to stay low for longer than I thought. Thanks to a very understanding professor, I didn't lose my mind with worry or anxiety fearing I might have to drop out of the masters program. In fact, I received an A for the semester! Thank you Lord!

After both semesters ended with school and work, it was time for the holidays in which my best friends, The Adams, and my mom and dad Fred came to visit. For a month I was in heaven. It truly was great to be around family and friends. God really showed Himself strong through wonderful times of worship (Marianne led worship at our church) and through the love we received and shared with many wonderful people. My parents were truly touched by the people of our church and I know that they will never forget their experience. Not to mention the crazy driving in which my mother uncontrollably made comments and great gasps throughout the entire 3 weeks :) You have to see it to believe it...I'm used to the mayhem though. But apparently I am not allowed to drive their car if I return home this summer.... hopefully they will have a change of heart :)

As of now, I am back at work and in my second semester of grad school. Please pray for me that I would not get so overwhelmed. Also, I ask that you pray for my sweet friend Dorcas who goes to my church. God is doing so much in her life. She is back from ministering in Sudan where she was for a year. She is weary and is resting here for awhile. She came back to nothing. I found out she was staying at a friend's house in the slums and it killed me after visiting her dark toxic smelling shanty. Here is a woman who labours for the Lord and she comes back to no home. But God has opened up doors and has provided for her. I (along with a friend) have felt compelled to help sponsor her a new place to live in. I am trying to talk the landlord down a bit on the price so please pray for us for God's wisdom in this and His provision. Also, please pray that this new chapter in her life here in Nairobi is a time of refreshing and vision for her. Mom and Fred got to meet her and can account for her wonderful heart for the Lord.

It is good to finally catch you all up. I welcome your responses or any questions that you might have.

Love to you all!

Kami

Absence makes the heart grow fonder....

2 1/2 months is a long time to stay away from the blogging world...so my deepest apologies are in order for those who keep close tabs on me....

Let's see...where did I last leave off? Oh yes, the biggest and saddest news to tell is that I do not have baby Matisse anymore. He is safe and sound at the orphanage but I do not take him anymore...I found it too difficult as he was getting older. He knows me really well now and dropping him off and picking him up consistantly at the orphanage proved to be a bit too much emotionally. Not to mention, I was gone alot on the weekends in March and April and I just didn't feel right getting him after a 3-4 week absence from him. He is 14 months old now and becoming quiet the flirt at the orphanage...so he is fine. Please still continue to pray for his situation that he would be able to be available to a permanent loving home or that a loving family member would step up and be responsible for him... But, I did get to witness his first steps as you can see below...and for that...I am grateful to God for the opportunity for the time I had with him. I am not going to say for certain now, but after the 2 months summer break, I am hoping to continue fostering another baby next school year if God wills. It is something that I truly enjoyed being apart of.

Only 4 more weeks left of school..I can't believe how time has flown by. Teaching at Rosslyn Academy has truly been a learning experience for me...a new country, a new job, a new church and new friends...all of it I am grateful for and can't wait to see what God has for me after the summer break. I am happy to say that I was able to buy a plane ticket home this summer for 2 months...so I imagine that I will be seeing many of you when I return. So I can't wait to share stories and pictures with you.

Some really great news is that our church, New Song Nairobi, is doing wonderfully. We are on our secong month of meeting formally together on Sundays. God is really doing a lot and we are growing quickly...we are almost maxing out our little "chapel" that we meet in. God is good. Pastor Garry and Brenda are pouring their hearts into these Kenyan people and lives are being changed by the love of Christ.

(New Song Nairobi below having to meet in a bigger room this particular Sunday)

Speaking of Brenda, the sewing ministry that she has started (Jacaranda Creations) is growing! There are now 3 key locations around Nairobi and Masaai land and another that will begin in Turkana, Kenya, which is located in Northern Kenya. There are over 50 employees now sewing for this ministry - men and women. (Brenda Kean with her youngest, Braiden)

I sadly write that I have not had the chance to visit my Masaai friends since this past October. I was really hoping to visit them more but getting out there is rather difficult if you don't have your own vehicle. I am praying that changes next year as I am praying for a vehicle. Not having a mode of constant transportation here has proved tiresome and frustrating at times...taxis are expensive and matatus (public tranpsortation) are not the safest to take. God is really testing my patience in that department... But I have kept in communication with my Masaai friend Lucy and she says she is "anxiously awaiting" my return.

Well, that is all for now. Thank you thank you for your encouraging responses and prayers. I will see you soon! :)

Blessings...

Kami

Guess who's back??

I am back in sweet Kenya (actually I have been back for a few weeks) with so many updates it seems.

First, I was so grateful to have visited my wonderful family and friends. Even though I spent the better part of my time off indoors due to the below 0 weather that awaited me in Minneapolis. I commend those that live there during the brutal winters. It was so cold that I decided to go sleading down my sister's stairs with my nieces and nephews instead of trying it outside. No joke, I can't stand the cold. Thank God for calling me here to this amazing weather. 70 is considered a cool day. But, enough about the weather. Seeing and being with my family there is far better than any bright and sunny day in Kenya. New Year's was a hoot as my family and I along with friends sang karaoke. A duet to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with my brother-in-law will forever be carved into my memory- it was fantastic! (and my sister and brother's duet came in a close 2nd as you can see below!).

Not only was I in Minneapolis, but my wonderful friends from "home" aka Nashville, surprised me and flew me down for a few days. I truly am blessed. The tradition of eating Syrian food with my dear friends, the Adams, on New Year's Day was not to be missed and I flew in time just as dinner was being served. It was all so wonderful. I am forever grateful and thankful to those who helped send me there.

Another wonderful gift was seeing my sweet mom. She flew up to Minnesota facing the cold to be with me. I say me, but also to see her grandkids. There really is nothing like family and I am at home whenever I am with them.

My next big stop was on the way back to Kenya when I had a long layover in Paris. The city of love was beckoning me so I decided to spend half of the day sightseeing. It was my first time there and I have to admit, their cold weather and snow was no match for my heart--it was warm all over. I loooved it there!! So beautiful...the museums, the people, Notre Dame...it is endless. I ordered a chocolate banana crepe in French and then ate in while gazing at the Eiffel Tower. I was in heaven. I shall return....one day.

After finally making it home with only 1 day of jetlag (record for me), I was full throttle into work. Seeing the kids again made me quickly realize why I was here. I needed that reminder because after seeing some of the most important people in your life, you can easily start to convince yourself you should move back. But God has me here for a purpose. I realize I am sacrificing some very important things in my life, but His will comes first. And with that, God will give me the grace and peace to keep moving forward even when it seems difficult or lonely.

The following week after my return, I was asked to chaperone 10th graders that would be travelling on their CFS event (cultural field studies). This is an opportunity for the highschoolers to see Kenya and be apart of a different culture for a few days. Along with that, they have to do a service project. Our grade worked with Habitat for Humanity in a village 5 hours west of here called, Bomet. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I can say first hand that I help build a "house" (a very modest one) from the ground up. We didn't complete it, but I have never worked so hard in my life. From mixing cement, to laying the foundation and laying the bricks--it was hard work. The village treated us like rock stars...no joke. They followed us by the droves. They screamed in excitement everyday we came to work. It was such a rewarding experience for myself and for the students. The humble abode we built was for a family and the size of this place would have astonished you. It was a 2 room house, about 3oo sq ft is my estimate. Nonetheless, the owners were so appreciative-it really humbled me. WE, I, can get so caught up in things that are so temporal and then when you see how these people live and the joy they have inside of them, you really are taken back and forced to look at your own life and what you hold value to. These students come from very wealthy backgrounds. In fact, the ex-president of Kenya's grandaughter was in my group and at the end of the trip the kids were humbled and deeply moved by what they experienced. They got the big picture- that it isn't about what you have or how much you have, but it is about pouring into the lives of others,serving them, no matter what the cost or inconvenience it might bring you.

I pray I forever keep that on the forefront of my heart and mind- that I am here to serve and love others in the way that Christ did and still does.

Lastly, I wanted to write that I have been reunited with my sweet foster baby, Matisse. He grew up so fast while I was away. It took him a little bit to recognize me, but once he did, he wouldn't let go of me. He once again has recaptured my heart and I am forever changed by his love. It saddens me about his family life though. His mother passed away from AIDS the week before I left for Kenya and his father has tried to escape from prison making his sentencing even longer than before. Please pray for Matisse and his situation. His father won't let go of him and it breaks my heart. Pray his father has a change of heart and that he will release parental rights from Matisse so he has a chance at a bright and happy future.

Again, I thank you all for your prayers and support. It strengthens me here to know I am not alone and that I have a wonderful "family". Until the next update...

Wrapping things up...

Well what a year!

First of all, I just want to say that I am so blessed by all the love and support I am getting from family and friends. I truly feel the love of Christ extended to me through you. Thank you.

I can't believe the year is coming to an end already. It really has flown by. It seems as if it were yesterday I was packing to come out here. The school year ends for me in 3 days. Christmas is around the corner and you can feel it in the air even though it is a perfect 80 degrees here everyday. Christmas decorations, goodies, plays, concerts, parties..you name it, it's going on here. The skinny Santa with a square pillow stuffed in his suit really is a sight to see and that's when you are snapped back out from sugarplum land and you realize you really aren't in America anymore. But I will be there in 3 days.

There really isn't anything better for me than spending Christmas with my family--I can't wait. However, I can wait for the frigid weather I will be experiencing...did I mention how perfect the weather is here? A high of -6 degrees just doesn't seem right to me. Why did my family move to Minnesota? God must have told them...that seems to be the only logical explanation.

The packing has started and gifts are in hand ready for my nieces and nephews. What won't be in hand is my sweet Matisse. I have to leave him for obvious reasons (he doesn't have a passport). Saying good-bye this morning was very hard- I won't see him for 3 weeks. I have seen the world through different eyes now that I have fostered him. He brings me so much joy. How can someone that is not yours and that you only have known for such a short while do that? I don't know, but I do know that he truly is a gift and I know God has a special plan for his life.

I just received word that last week Matisse's mother passed away from AIDS. His father probably has it as well. Matisse however, doesn't-thank you Lord! Other news is that I found out that his father, who is in prison, doesn't want to give Matisse over for adoption now. So I am just praying the Lord's will be done in this situation. The father is in for awhile and it makes me sad for Matisse. He would be adopted into a loving, healthy home if he were available. This sort of thing just keeps him in the system for a long, long time.

So much more to update you on...before I forget.. 2 weeks ago I was fortunate to have taken a short trip to Uganda to go white water rafting down the Nile. Insane is all I can say...I would do it again in a heart beat. Unbelievable Class V rapids and the most beautiful scenery that took my breath away. God is good!

Have a wonderful Christmas...be blessed!

Sleepless in Nairobi

okay, I am not really sleepless, but the nights I have this cute little baby I feel I am a little less without sleep than I was before I got him.

The baby is Matisse. Matisse is an orphan from The Nest Orphanage I volunteered at last year while I was here. For awhile, I have sensed that I was to foster a baby from there. 2 of my co-workers have fostered 3 babies over the course of 2 years and all 3 babies have been adopted out. Soo, I prayed about it and received total peace that I can do this during this time in my life. The good of it far outweighed the bad.

Matisse is 9 months old and is perhaps one of the sweetest babies I have seen. He is a pure joy to be around. I keep him for 4 nights out of the week. The agreement is that I take over the expenses of a baby during that time and that relieves the workers at the orphanage of one less mouth to feed. These babies sleep 3 to a crib sometimes and are packed in a tiny room. Sick or not,they are all together.

Great thing is is that Matisse is getting one-on-one attention. He laughs and smiles a lot and is really quiet the charmer with the ladies.

Please pray that some wonderful couple sees him and falls head over heels for him and adopts
him.

Tour de Kenya

Well, the month of October is winding down. I look outside and the view hasn't changed. The leaves are still bright green. I imagine where you are the view is quiet different. Oh how I miss the changing of the seasons-fall is my favorite. But, I'll take warm days all year round instead...poor me!

(eating acacia...ouch!)

This month brought a few holidays--thanks to the Muslims and President's Day :) I have been on a whirlwind of sightseeing it seems. Safari was a couple of weeks ago and that of course was amazing. I now have seen the big 5 - rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, and lion!! I ventured up to Mt. Kenya with friends from work and what a sight it was. Our lodge had views of Mt. Kenya and a watering hole where all sorts of animals came for refreshments. The game drive was most amazing. Whatever you are picturing in your mind is what it was like--right out of the movies! Seeing the wonder of God's creatures with all their intricate patterns truly takes your breath away and you can't help but adore God even more!

The following long weekend I headed to the port town of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean with some other friends and well, I have to say, the ocean is where I am most happy. Our bungalow (thatched roof) was a sight to see. Zanzibar beds, open terrace, amazing meals cooked by our own private chef...(i won't even tell you how little we paid for it all, you'll hate me!). It was a wonderful weekend of swimming in the bluest ocean, taking a dhow boat to snorkel and walking along sand that would blind you it's so white.

Thank you for all your love and support!