Safari is Kiswahili for "Journey"

One of the things that often surprises people when I describe these trips is how hard we work.  Training days are typically at least 12 hours of work time - about 9 hours of training in a hot, stuffy room, with more time for debrief, prep, and various leadership tasks in the evening.  We also often train on Saturdays when we do two weeks of training, because it enables us to wrap up sooner and let the participants head home to their families.  And, of course, there are project meetings and other responsibilities.  So, when a "rest day" presents itself, we tend to take advantage!

Perhaps all of that is to rationalize these photos!  When in Kenya, you really HAVE to safari, of course!  Especially when you're located just minutes from 8,000 sq mi of wilderness national parks!  While seeing a great diversity of wildlife (I counted at least 16 species of mammals alone) in a beautiful natural setting was a dream come true, the best part was the people.  We piled nine into the World Vision Land Cruiser (we paid for the gas, in case you're a donor!), including 6 Kenyans, 1 Ethiopian, and just 2 mzungus (we of the paler persuasion), and everyone had a blast.  We had a picnic lunch that was packed by our "family" at the guest house, although we ate it close to the truck in case any wildlife was looking for a meal as well - and I don't mean our sandwiches.  We returned hot and tired, but jubilant, and mentally refreshed for the chiefs training the next day.  The only question was whether or not I should show these pictures to Cindy!  But I've promised her a return trip, now that I've done the recon - and have so many friends who can't wait to meet her!

Well, that about wraps it up for this trip.  As of now, I have no definite plans for the next, although I am hoping to return to Ethiopia later this year or early in 2012.  And I've learned my lesson about assuming that my plans are God's plans.  Thanks again for all your prayers and support, and I hope to be telling you of a new adventure sometime soon! 







A New Approach to Training

The biggest difference between the training on this trip and those of my previous trips was the background of the participants.  In Ethiopia, we had always trained professionals - health extension workers, teachers, school administrators, nurses, etc.  This time we were training volunteers.  Specifically, they were PTA members who had been recommended by teachers from the previous training in March.  They weren't selected because of their education or technical background (most had less than secondary education), but because of their passion for improving their schools and their communities.  As I said in an earlier post, the curriculum was Transformational Community Development, which serves as a foundation for our "technical" trainings.  Lina likened it to Jesus' story of the house built upon the rock, while Methusela, who was the only participant with a college degree, said that this training finally gave him the "software" to enable him to more effectively use the "hardware" of his engineering knowledge.  The participants had no idea what to expect, and just showed up as instructed with open minds and open hearts.  We overcame some initial language hurdles (including their complaints about my poor English pronunciation) with "volunteer" translation by Kioko, the young World Vision intern. They enthusiastically embraced the participatory training approach, and were eager to return to their schools and communities to be "ambassadors of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5: 17-20).  Any school in the US would be grateful for parents with their hearts and their dedication, and we were blessed to learn from them and to be inspired by them.

We also had a unique opportunity to conduct a half-day workshop for the chiefs of the 10 villages in which the project schools are located.  I had feared that they would be stuffy, self-important bureaucrats, but God enjoyed proving my assumptions wrong once again.  We explained the background of the project, then gave them a taste of the training we had done with the parents.  They thoroughly enjoyed the same learning activities (including drama, drawings, songs, and games) and loved to kid and challenge each other.  As we concluded, they all told us that would help to lead their schools and villages to improved sanitation and hygiene, beginning with serving as role models.

In all, the training was very successful, and we left the Mtito Andei area encouraged about the future for the children of the villages.  God has begun a great work there, and we know He finishes what he starts!  (Philippians 1: 3-6, the verses I read to the parents at their certificate ceremony.)

Exceeding Expectations

I can't say that I was really looking forward to this trip.  Perhaps it was because I was going to a new country with very little information about the logistics, or maybe it was just too soon after a wonderful trip to Ethiopia this spring.  I looked at it as sort of a business trip - travel, do the job, travel back.  Once again, I underestimated a great God!

First of all, I fell in love with Kenya!  At the great risk of generalizing after such a short trip to a single area, I found it to be a beautiful country full of outgoing, welcoming people.  The staff at the Kambua Guest House in Kibwezi, where we stayed for 10 days, was like a family to us.  In the photo with me is my new "sister", Kasti, who waited on us hand and foot, including making breakfast for us at 430 AM before our safari on our one day off.  (More about that in a future post!)  When we left for Nairobi last Tuesday, the entire staff, includings cooks, busboys, and housekeepers, came outside to say goodbye.

More importantly, God showed his hand in amazing ways.  For example, the World Vision project office just added a new intern on June 6 and a new water engineer on June 13 - the first day of the training.  Those two young men, Kioko and Methusela - pictured at right in Lifewater's famous "River Crossing" drama - were major reasons for the success of the training.  (More about that later as well!)  What's more, they became our very dear friends and brothers in Christ.

I think that God was teaching me a valuable lesson.  His Kingdom isn't limited to Ethiopia or any other nation.  It includes men, women and children from all peoples, and can be found wherever He is honored, and whenever His people share His love with everyone they meet.  So the next time He nudges me towards an unfamiliar destination on an inconvenient schedule, I'll (hopefully) recognize that as an opportunity for a new adventure with new friends and many new blessings!

Greetings from Nairobi!

I arrived late Wednesday night safe and sound with both of my checked bags after 30 hours of travel with virtually no sleep on very full planes.  I'm sure that my conversation with my cab driver was completely incoherent!  Yesterday was my rest day, because the rest of the team doesn't arrive in town until later today.  My task for the morning is to figure out how to get to the Bible Society bookshop to purchase 24 Bibles for our participants.  We purchase these with private funds, usually donated by church groups in the US. 

I still have not heard from anyone at our partner, World Vision Kenya.  The "plan"  is that we will drive down to our training location tomorrow morning, but all plans are subject to change with no notice!  Please pray for all of the logistics, and for safe and smooth travel for us and our participants.

The weather here in Nairobi is cool and cloudy.  The guest house is great!  Big, comfortable room with private bath, great food, friendly staff.  I could get used to this!