last week in july 2007

Wednesday 1st August 2007

Habari and Karibu (Hello and welcome)

Just a quick update for my blog, since I wrote July blog I hadn’t even finished the month had a week to go for a change it was early.

That last week in July I had the opportunity on the Saturday with the home to go, to a graduation party a lady called Judy at her home, it was great loads of food ate and drank sprite, the usual speeches, cake, and the children presented a couple of sketches and a dance they were great although the weather was a bit drizzly it didn’t stop the celebration. Although I only met her through church I was really welcomed as a friend.

On the Sunday after at Kanisa (Church) I experienced my first communion (wafer bread and juice) they go up in any order and line at the bread then move across to the wine, happened at the end of the service. The service also included Baptism of a child and it was taken out of the “Entering Church service book” which only the parents and the congregation said the promises blessed with the water and then back to the seat very quickly done then straight into the sermon. Also was done at the back hidden on the worship area (front of church) like it was done privately. I’m not knocking it just different to what I’m used to.

I have now also met Siobhan we are getting on great, and hopefully our friendship and joined skills and abilities will grow. It great to put a name to a face and she feels the same.

Hope everyone is ok God bless u all

my 1st photo to my blog hope it wrks

This is the gate of the entrance to the home where i am at

2 months in Kaaga

Habari (hello)

Looking back on the month of July 07!!

Well where is time bitite (going), doesn’t feel that long ago I wrote my 1st month. Only another 10 months to go!!
As time goes on i’m really getting to know the staff and children’s character skills and abilities, which is great and no doubt they are getting to know mine.
I now go to Kanisa (Church) twice on a Sunday, in the akilkuin (mornings) at 9am for the English spoken service, still goes on until 11am - 2 hours long!!
I help with the youth here in Kaaga Methodist Church in the afternoons, At about 3:30pm the youth meet which we’re slowly growing in numbers to go through new / old songs some out of Songs of Fellowship and other resources. Most Sundays we will play and sing at the front in the English Service. The Church welcomes the youth and each service the youth / Sunday school are invited to take part and perform mainly a song, /sketch.
Last weeks practice at 3:30pm Fridah and I taught the youth and leaders sign language as they use a mixture of American, English and Kenyan. I have also learnt some new signs.
The guitar has been a blessing (thanks Mum, Dave) now I have 3 lads who are interested in learning, also some of the staff great photos and filming to share with you all.
I had the opportunity to share my testimony at fellowship a few Fridays nights ago at the nyamba (home) it was emotional, after 1 of the children asked for prayer and a chat so that was great. The Hewa (weather) has been a mixture a lot of rain, cold, sunny, windy (my washing blew all over the compound luckily no underwear present.)
The CCM going great have been there few times now on Saturdays, the children are very welcoming, I have already done my first devotion time with the children there. The Bible study here at the home is going ok.
The place is getting familiar already and yeah i’m still getting a few stares and children coming up to me shaking my hand or wanting to touch me but not as many i’m hoping they are getting used to seeing me.
I am enjoying and settling in, I do still miss you all and think and pray for you daily but wow has the Lord opened my eyes to how some of the Africans live.
On 20/7/07 I experienced my first funeral here in Kenya 1 of the staffs nephew died so few of us went along. The funeral took place at their home, well attended, the child was only 1 ½ years old died of Malaria, it was all in Kermeru but I still felt part of it, then the burial was also at their house. Africans believe it is right to bury at their compound instead of at the cemetery, (in this case) the child is still part of the family. This means that when the owner of the house dies the property gets inherited within the family. We were all given a white sticker which we threw into the grave with the soil / stones. The whole family stands around the coffin and friends / visitors afterwards take it in turns to do the soil. There was singing around the graveside, then closing of the service with thanks and the grace. (I have been given photos of this occasion).

This month has been a very - what shall I say - eventful I think is the right word for it lots of changes happening: in staff as well as the weather, (back to shorts soon), A burglary across the way gun shots were fired, 1 of the local boarding schools striked so there was a couple of gun shots in the air behind us no-one was hurt to my knowledge (1 of the children here attend) apparently that is normal – I was anxious BUT I KNEW I WAS SAFE AND STILL AM.

The children are on their final week at school before the summer break so my routine will change and I can spend more time with the children in the day. I’ve been informed they have 2 weeks off, then mid of august they return, for tuitions until lunchtime (1pm). When they are at school they leave at 7ish and don’t return until 12:45 for lunch until 1:30 then all go back to school until 4:30 / 5pm, then they take tea, clean their clothes, watch TV play football then its supper time at 7pm then homework then bed 8:30/ 9pm.

Also I will meet Siobhan (EEP before me) who helped me with background knowledge as I was preparing to come here, so that will be good to actually put a face to a name (so to speak) I am hoping to take them swimming in the break so I asked her as she knows what they do and as she is here would she mind helping me luckily she said she didn’t mind.


Take care,
The Lord is with you.
We are all his Children

God bless

Keep in touch

Joanne Dolman (Makena)

6 weeks already

Jambo
Well its been 6 weeks already where is time going? the Bible reading i read, at my last service in bradwell was true - i will be back soon.
In this month i have learnt alot already and God is opening up new experiences each day. Especially how to cook !! - don't worry I'm only helping in preparing chopping grating carrots cabbage tomatoes onions.
Today Friday 13 July i was speaking with Rev David (at the home) and he said he is very happy with what I'm doing and i am different (not sure what he meant) but that was encouraging I'm getting involved with the Church in Kaaga mainly singing at the front, not yet played my guitar but i have made it known!! also Sunday afternoons the youth (yes that me too) started meeting and trying out new songs out of songs of fellowship some of them are even new to me!!
Well this month weather wise oh my we've gone through fog mist wearing jumpers trousers to being hot all in one day. They did say welcome to July the coldest month they weren't wrong!!
The home I'm settling in have given me a new name (sorry mum dad) I'm now called Makena which means happiness so that again has helped.
Its been a very busy 1st month with a busy timetable OK mostly at the home or CCM Township programme, and theres more to see as time goes on i will hopefully visit.
Asante sana for all your emails calls texts and post. Also for all your concerns and prayers. I am doing OK and getting used to their ways.
Today i have ventured to the post office, into Meru town wandered around soaking in the atmosphere, met a few people I've come to known since being here Emmanuel, Joseph, the shop guy who sells occasionally at the home, but to be honest names i cant remember so that was good to stop and chat with people staring but never mind.
I'm still getting used to the children's names let alone adults!!

Also want to take this time and congratulate a few people Christopher on gaining his HND from Swansea uni, James on his driving test, Rev Jenny and Rev Kate on their ordination and Rev Jenny on gaining her BA. You all have worked hard and been through so much You all deserve ii WELL DONE (celebrate when i return)

Love you all, God bless Joanne (Makena)

first week into my second week

Wow i made the first week, i cant say i havent been abit home sick cause i have - it was great to meet some English people from the Karibni trust this week - i think that what made me think of home.
Also talking to family and having texts off friends.
I am doing ok, i have learnt how to separate bad rice and good rice, cut fire wood, clean the floors their way. To day i tried porridge very sweet - flour boil water and milk and sugar.
The milk is brought up fresh from the farm in a container.
At present im having break in the office.
There isnt really a specific job or amount of children to look after so im helping where i can in the office, kitchen, cleaning, helping Mam and aunty, chatting with the children, helping out the social workers with different things mainly bible study, also resting when i can.Also i will be in charge of the library - well so many different skills i have learnt just in 1 week. Is going to be really exciting year.
I miss you all
Its my nieces birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH 4 today (sorry im not with u) card in the post (it will be late.
Take care God bless and thank you. Keep in touch.
jo

1st week in Kenya

Well ive nearly lasted a week here
Going good, the children and staff are very friendly and helping me feel at home, i have learnt some of the Meru language and getting used to dancing singing and especially resting lots.
The church service was very lively lots of clapping and singing and we watched a comedy club act out a bible passage.
The weather is hot im in shorts.
Im also getting used to the food and i have tried alot of african food especially Cabbage and beans.
So far i have cleaned floors, played volley ball, helped wash up in the kitchen and i have met the 2 social workers whom i will be helping out, aswell as at the home.. Im part of the family. There are 32 children whom names are coming to me.
Im hoping to get wireless in my room on my laptop so i can get on line most of the time.
So far good.
Speak soon
keep reading i can write more when i can.
God bless
Thanks to everyone u are all missed and in my prayers.
Oh dave thanks for telling everyone about the excess experience!!!
Love u all
jo

Made it to kenya 1st day

Well what can i say its except i MADE IT SAFELY arrived this morning at roughly 6:20am in the UK that would be 4:20am. I'm only 2 hours ahead rather than 3 like i said due to the British summer time.

The goodbyes were very emotional in Manchester on Tuesday, thanks for those who came!!
If i didn't get chance to say bye to some than really am sorry, its not a goodbye its a farewell for now I'll be back before you know it!!
So i got on the plane the flight went better than i thought bit scary but i was brave!! Got to heathrow had to do all the security checks again that went fine, then had something to eat whilst waiting for plane. On to the plane where unfortunately we were all boarded but then we didn't airborne until an hour later due to a puncture in the tyre. On plane we ate drank listened to music and watched 'music and lyrics' film very good, i had a little nap as much as you can.
Made up time into Kenya only 10 minutes late. Well what an experience that was people pushing to get their luggage off the belt, i came out about 7ish where my lift was waiting with my name on a board lots of people there doing the same.
Then Andy and i was stuck in traffic.
The traffic talk about overtaking and people walking down the middle of the road selling items - surprised no-one got ran over.
Eventually after a brief guided tour and personal chat in the car arrived at the Methodist guest house (where i am until Friday), Andy dropped me off made sure i was OK and left. Ive slept rested on the bed (Joanne rested) contacted a few people with my new number, listened to children playing outside, freshened up nice shower!!Went for lunch 1st Kenyan meal chicken, rice, carrots, green mashed potato (cant remember the name)tomato sauce :) and cabbage. Nice. Now just chilling writing this for you all. Here its now 3:50pm may just go and chill or walk round complex.
I'm still quite tired from the journey all that flapping wares you out (ha ha).
Miss you all but I'm OK and feel really excited. The Lord is amazing and so are all of you, please remember me in prayers, you are all in mine and keep reading.
God bless
Joanne Dolman