Now ive reached the end of 5th month entering my 6th month wow where has 1/2 year gone.
Also im now 3 hours ahead of u (uk people) so as i write this your sunday sevices may be starting mine has finished.
Leo went to another Kanisa for the english service led by a lady from america but has been here in meru for ages. It was great service we were introduced and we had tosing a song which was new to them but for us especially is my mum favourite song "I the lord of sea and sky" if i remember its also Rev Gareth Higgs too hope im right. Also we were taught about Jeremiah going out are we ready to do this? Are we truly disciples of God I am so sure of that question. Those who know me should be aswell i hope.
So the last post was about my feelings from the 5th month well there are still true but i have perked back up again.
So the rainy season has started outcome the wellies!! although not today the sun is shining!!
Ive met up again with Fridah (whom i help with the youth with hapa), Kate and Jean(from usa) having a great time with them - maybe a trip to usa u never know!!
So i have done my normal routine!! Although i did abit of haggling at a shop over a pair of wellies (mud boots) and it worked!!
Hope you are all ok!!!
At present im still waiting for work permit to get to me its only taken 5 months to sort so far, although my visa is covered, and im only a volunteer but to work help out more than 1 day at a school i need the permit but im so busy, helping he projects im starting to help with which is great also at the home.
Please keep praying for the children especially as they come to the end of their school years especially form 4 when the next step is College/uni also the class 8 as they have exams nov 12th and the working out of which high school they go to in jan.
Also in december we have general elections happening so at present there are campaigns around Kenya.
God bless
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
5th month feelings
My 5th month feelings already 14 days in started off, fantastic spending time with Ruth & David from the UK and their friends hapa (here) in Meru, but since the weekend (13/14), ive come down with a cold and hardly any voice, so unfortunately my normal Saturdays at CCM sharing the gospel with them didn’t happen, as all I wanted to do was curl up, sleep, regain my energy and rest my throat.
I was even saying hapana (no) to Kanisa (Church) (14/10/07) today, which isn’t like me! But im so glad to say, I went, it was very encouraging to hear the story of Isaiah and his calling from the Lord “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us” and the reply Isaiah gave “Lord I’ll go send me”. This and the song we sang ‘Trust and obey’ was so touching as this reminded me of my calling to join EEPs and to come to Meru. I was also encouraged by 1 of the children here singing; ‘there’s a hero’ a very uplifting song and the words are so true, when you feel down look for the hero inside of you. Also keep trusting and obeying the Lord, as He is great and awesome, always there with you pushing you along.
Although im still enjoying it hapa (here), and so excited to the next 7 months to see what God has planned, all the challenges, experiences, places to visit, whom shall I meet etc. I Have to admit there are times when I feel lonely, sad, even wondering why im hapa? but I stop and think of my calling, the challenges; experiences to get this far were well worth it. I thank God and all of you for this great opportunity to come to Meru Kenya to learn from them and help to encourage; support them in their everyday life through working voluntarily wherever needed, with the family, within the community; the Church; sharing my faith and sharing the gospel.
This feeling even writing this has boosted me up to carry on doing what God has sent me to do.
I thank God also for the new friends and family I am now part of, and whom I have already met, for their support and encouragement in various of ways, to make this time feel like home.
I was even saying hapana (no) to Kanisa (Church) (14/10/07) today, which isn’t like me! But im so glad to say, I went, it was very encouraging to hear the story of Isaiah and his calling from the Lord “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us” and the reply Isaiah gave “Lord I’ll go send me”. This and the song we sang ‘Trust and obey’ was so touching as this reminded me of my calling to join EEPs and to come to Meru. I was also encouraged by 1 of the children here singing; ‘there’s a hero’ a very uplifting song and the words are so true, when you feel down look for the hero inside of you. Also keep trusting and obeying the Lord, as He is great and awesome, always there with you pushing you along.
Although im still enjoying it hapa (here), and so excited to the next 7 months to see what God has planned, all the challenges, experiences, places to visit, whom shall I meet etc. I Have to admit there are times when I feel lonely, sad, even wondering why im hapa? but I stop and think of my calling, the challenges; experiences to get this far were well worth it. I thank God and all of you for this great opportunity to come to Meru Kenya to learn from them and help to encourage; support them in their everyday life through working voluntarily wherever needed, with the family, within the community; the Church; sharing my faith and sharing the gospel.
This feeling even writing this has boosted me up to carry on doing what God has sent me to do.
I thank God also for the new friends and family I am now part of, and whom I have already met, for their support and encouragement in various of ways, to make this time feel like home.
Friday, 12 October 2007
Asante sana
It has been great seeing David and Ruth P. from my district back in UK; I thank them for being able to come and see, and to spend some hours here at the home with the children, which they really enjoyed singing altogether. As well as inviting me to spend time with them and with their hosts outside of the home (during their personal holiday time.)
On Tuesday 9/10/07 We had a great experience to see ‘Mount Kenya’ at a distance on the way to ‘Nanyuki’ also to wander round the town.
As well as visiting ‘Mount Kenya Safari Club’, enjoying the scenery and the grounds very beautiful. Even in the drizzle!!!
Really enjoyed everything I did with them and my asantesana go to them and their hosts, for the opportunities to share in the experiences of a different place in Kenya and for their fantastic warmth of welcoming, fellowship and friendship.
sunday 7 oct 07
Sunday 7/10/07
I had the opportunity to go and watch a polo match in Meru; there were 2 teams with 4 on each side, the horses looked so tired afterwards.
This was great; I’ve never seen a match live. Wow talk bout complicated rules apparently as 1-team scores, back to the centre but then you are shooting the other way. Need a good memory of which way to shoot!! Ill be no good at it.
Also I found out where the English folk are hiding!! It was full of them, felt for my friend Fridah (from Meru) as she said, “it was her time to feel out of place” but she goes regularly. At first it was wired even for Kate (from USA) and I seeing white people again but got used to it after a while, also talking about London, Bristol and most important how well we did in the rugby.
Monday, 1 October 2007
history of the home where i am
History of the home
Home was opened on 14th November 1999. Mainly built by a small American charity, Kenyan Children Foundation and a donation from Karibuni Trust (UK)
It is a home, the children are treated as a family, and the children are off the streets that have been picked up by the social workers to come here to live.
There are 32 children at the home, and 16 staff 2 housemothers, an aunty, 2 cooks, 3 cowmen, 2 watchmen, housefather/driver, and housefather/Posho mill, the administrator, secretary and 2 Social workers.
The boys and the girls have different houses, apart from room 2 the younger 5 children this is mixed. The children are mostly off the streets or orphans.
It is run by donations from several of sources, although the Farm and Posho mill is income generating.
Home was opened on 14th November 1999. Mainly built by a small American charity, Kenyan Children Foundation and a donation from Karibuni Trust (UK)
It is a home, the children are treated as a family, and the children are off the streets that have been picked up by the social workers to come here to live.
There are 32 children at the home, and 16 staff 2 housemothers, an aunty, 2 cooks, 3 cowmen, 2 watchmen, housefather/driver, and housefather/Posho mill, the administrator, secretary and 2 Social workers.
The boys and the girls have different houses, apart from room 2 the younger 5 children this is mixed. The children are mostly off the streets or orphans.
It is run by donations from several of sources, although the Farm and Posho mill is income generating.
22nd september 07
St Peters School
22nd September 07
Dedication of some books to St Peters School Meru
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to go with a couple of friends, to this school with some books, promoting reading and sharing with the school children as well as with the Staff.
St Peters is in the rural parts of Meru, as we were travelling along the dusty sandy roads for about 20minutes from Kaaga, I noticed a difference from Kaaga, the houses were different, and the people living there in the community, had to go and fetch water from a pit, the only water supply in the village, plus no electricity although we did see a few new wires overhead – which according to Fridah weren’t there the last time she visited.
When we approached, the children were outside waiting with eager, especially when they saw Kate and I two white people they kept coming up to us asking our names, and where we were from, also amazed that I was from the UK and Kate from America.
Our project for the day was to promote, sharing and making reading fun. We assigned ourselves to whichever age group we wanted, – I took class 3 (5-6 yrs) I read them 2 stories 1 was an action one which meant them moving from their desks, they laughed and we had fun. Then we sang few songs in English and Kiswahili. Allowed me to tape so i can play it to all of you, also few photos to share.
Then we came together and the dedication of the books to the school took place, their smiles and gratutide was awesome to see and quite touching. We class it as something small and take for granted, but not hapa(here).
Tried grinding porridge by hand
After lunch we were shown where they made porridge by hand, both kate and I had a go – hard work using a wooden slab to push the porridge slowly, and not lumpy without spilling – opps i spilt alittle but after that kept trying.
I think I’ll keep it to the machine hapa (here) at the home – talk about back ache.!!
Good laugh we were the centre of laughter staff aswell as the team, which we came along with.
I take this opportunity to asantesana Fridah and the staff /children at St Peters for this opportunity.
22nd September 07
Dedication of some books to St Peters School Meru
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to go with a couple of friends, to this school with some books, promoting reading and sharing with the school children as well as with the Staff.
St Peters is in the rural parts of Meru, as we were travelling along the dusty sandy roads for about 20minutes from Kaaga, I noticed a difference from Kaaga, the houses were different, and the people living there in the community, had to go and fetch water from a pit, the only water supply in the village, plus no electricity although we did see a few new wires overhead – which according to Fridah weren’t there the last time she visited.
When we approached, the children were outside waiting with eager, especially when they saw Kate and I two white people they kept coming up to us asking our names, and where we were from, also amazed that I was from the UK and Kate from America.
Our project for the day was to promote, sharing and making reading fun. We assigned ourselves to whichever age group we wanted, – I took class 3 (5-6 yrs) I read them 2 stories 1 was an action one which meant them moving from their desks, they laughed and we had fun. Then we sang few songs in English and Kiswahili. Allowed me to tape so i can play it to all of you, also few photos to share.
Then we came together and the dedication of the books to the school took place, their smiles and gratutide was awesome to see and quite touching. We class it as something small and take for granted, but not hapa(here).
Tried grinding porridge by hand
After lunch we were shown where they made porridge by hand, both kate and I had a go – hard work using a wooden slab to push the porridge slowly, and not lumpy without spilling – opps i spilt alittle but after that kept trying.
I think I’ll keep it to the machine hapa (here) at the home – talk about back ache.!!
Good laugh we were the centre of laughter staff aswell as the team, which we came along with.
I take this opportunity to asantesana Fridah and the staff /children at St Peters for this opportunity.
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