Mancats Interrupted Monday

 I haven't posted in a few weeks because I've been in Kenya again.  This post has a lot of photos.  

Our team went to a new village this year, called Irigithathi.  It sits at the base of Mount Kenya, near the equator.  The area is arid and water is scarce most of the year.  The community was recently able, due to the partnership with 410 Bridge, to install a bore hole (or well).  

Our job was to help them get started on laying pipe to connect the homes to this water supply.

We were all digging and shoveling dirt.  The trench needed to be 2 feet deep.

Finally, a section was complete and the pipe was going down.  We helped get 10 pipe lengths laid, and the villagers were going to need to dig for another 140 pipes for this first line!  They gave themselves 10 days to finish.  Everyone in the town helps to install the pipes, or they will have to pay more for the water down the road. 

Another day in the village, we divided into groups and visited homes.  In my home we were able to hold the baby bunnies, feed chickens, and helped cook and work in the garden some.

Peeling potatoes...

Stirring the finished dish...mashed potatoes, with corn, beans, and greens.

Digging in the garden...trying to get the bed ready for planting.

Our home visit group...this trip was fun because our church teamed up with some members of our Kenyan church and we went together to help. 

We stopped on the equator for a photo op!

Later, back in Thika, we visited a ministry called Street Hope.  This is one our church started and it helps rescue women from survival prostitution and gives them a job, or helps them start a business.  At the center, we helped cook lunch.

Later, we went to the former Ark Orphanage.  The Ark has moved to another town and we missed seeing the children.  The property belongs to our church though, so we were working to convert it to a community center.  Starting with a fresh coat of paint.

A highlight of the trip was meeting my Compassion child, Peter.  He was quite shy, and wasn't sure about me, but I know he will remember this day.

Here's Auntie with Peter and her girl, Veronica.

If you zoom in, you can see Peter smiling!  He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline.

We took a quick trip through Kibera slums.  This was overlooking the slum.  Once inside and walking around you can't take photos. 

Lastly, we went to the Elephant Orphanage.  We were able to see them feeding the elephants before they went to bed.  It was nice because this was a private event for people with sponsorships.  There were very few people, and we could talk to the keepers, pet the elephants, and spend time just enjoying their beauty.

The youngest elephants wear blankets to keep warm.

Here is a video of the babies running in for the night...

Click here to view on YouTube

That's our trip in a nutshell.  The boys are doing well, and will be back to posting next week.

Thursday Travels - Day 2

After our time at Dandora Dump, we went to Anga Afrika Tented Camp for the evening.  This was a wonderfully relaxing place and the perfect place to unwind and think about what we had just seen.

The tents are permanent structures.  The front part is tent material with lots of fresh air, but there is a concrete bathroom attached to the back, with a full shower, two sinks and a toilet.  My kind of camping! 

We had a beautiful porch to hang out on and read.

The food at the camp was amazing.  We were not hungry after dinner!

The next morning we headed off to Nairobi National Park.  It is the only national park inside a city.  Seeing the skyline was a unique view. 

Our team..

I didn't get many good photos of the animals on my phone, so I'll have to post about them later.  This is an ivory burning site.  Nairobi NP, and the Kenya Wildlife Service, is working hard to stop the illegal ivory trade and the poaching of elephants and rhinos. 

After seeing the beauty at the national park, we headed to Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya

We went to the Compassion Project.  These children and teens all have sponsors somewhere in the world.  This sponsorship is changing their life!  These kids are given extra help with their school work, food, basic healthcare and other assistance that may be needed.

We were then able to visit the home of one of the children.  This home was large by slum standards.  I am not zooming we are really that close to everyone.  There is a bed behind the family, and one beside the girl in the red sweater.  I am sitting on a bench.  This home is where nine people live.  I have seen it, and still can't imagine how it is going to work. 

My home was unique in that there were two parents.  The father is a trained mechanic and sometimes he can find work.  The mother is a homemaker.  They are both loving and kind people and are trying their best to make a good home for their children.

Leaving our home, we headed down many paths to get back to the main road. 

It is like a maze and I think I would get lost!

Back at the project, we met some older kids who shared with us all that Compassion has done for them.  We can see the dreams for a better life are real and attainable thanks to the support they have received.  One of the things Compassion stresses to these children is that there is life outside of Kibera.  Kibera does not define you or limit you as a person.  Most residents in Kibera never leave the slum, nor do they realize that there is potential and opportunity for a better life maybe a mile away.

We started our day with a feeling of hopelessness but through Compassion we can see potential and possibility.  

I challenge each of you to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion.  We can make a difference one child at a time.

Fair Trade Friday - Compassion International

In light of the recent Executive Order by President Trump on immigration and refugees, I feel led to talk about something that is important to me.  This is not really a political post, as I am not going to share my thoughts on the EO or the President.  However, it seems people are struggling with the desire to help, but unsure of how to make a difference.

Many people feel that the only way to truly help those in need, refugees, in particular, is to bring them to the USA.  I am not entirely sold on this idea.  I feel it is better to help people where they are, so they, in turn, can help those around them.  Where did this idea come from?  My thinking was shifted after reading a book called, "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself " by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.  Now, I realize that refugees are not simply trying to escape poverty and therefore are a special situation, but do you still not think that they would prefer to stay in their own country if they could do so safely?  Could you imagine being told that you were going to be relocated to Zambia for instance?  A country where you do not understand the language or the culture and told to start over?

Immigration programs, on the other hand, take years of applications and interviews for a person to be considered.  Most of those accepted are the brightest or those with the most potential for success once they immigrate.  What if that potential could be applied in their own country?

I believe we need to empower people to take a stand for their rights and to equip them to make a difference.  In every corner of the world, there is poverty, oppression, and suffering.  How can we make a difference?

One way would be to shop Fair Trade.  Making sure that the items we purchase are made by people making a living wage in their respected countries.  Is the $5 t-shirt from Target a good deal if it means keeping a worker in bondage because of low wages?

Here is a link to a list of ethically made products.

Another way would be to sponsor a child through a reputable organization, such as Compassion International.  According to their website, "We partner with churches and denominations in Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America to help them provide children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be." They are making a global impact.

We have seen one success story of Compassion when we look at Maureen, Co-Founder of the Mercy House, Kenya.  Compassion gave Maureen the means to get an education and to rise above the extreme poverty and hopelessness she experienced growing up in a slum.  She has gone on to recognize a need and to meet that need in Kenya.  She is making Kenya a better place.

Thank you for listening today as I shared my heart with you.  Take a stand, make a difference, empower someone today and change the world!