MbeWOW!

Greetings from Mombasa! --(I could make postcards)

I hope everyone is doing well. My spring break has been going wonderfully so far. Although I feel like I have been here a week, today is only day 3. 

Yesterday we attended church at Mbewau. I was once again happily greeted by Mary with wide and excited eyes and open arms. She held my hand and led me into church. She just cracks me up. I wish each one of you had the ability to come and experience this lifestyle, passion, and these people. 

I had forgotten how intense the village church services were. When the pastor prays, everyone prays. And it is usually not quiet whispers, but praying out loud. Everyone, at the same time. Sharing their praises, thanksgivings, and burdens with their Father. Church was in Swahili but it was good none the less. 

I saw the babies I have been watching grow up, if you will. My first year the babies, mostly girls, were all about 4-8 months old. Then the next year I cam back and they were all toddling around, exploring. Now I come and they are big girls! Baby Mercy is as charming as can be, and I think she knows it. Rosie is still shy, and the others are as cute as a button. 

Baby Mercy and I in 2009

I had the humbling opportunity to visit the government run hospital yesterday. We went to go pray over one of the church families who has a 4 month old baby with a severe case of jaundice. If measures would have been taken at the hospital during birth, this baby would be fine. But because of the lack of attention and care by the hospital then and now, this sweet baby girl is slowly fading. Her liver is not functioning at all and she has lost weight. She is tiny. We also went to visit a man who is the father of the school's gardener who was beat up the night before. He had been attacked on the road by a machete, with three hacks taken to the head, and about a dozen small stabs by a sharp/skinny object to the abdomen. He had a fractured skull, bleeding, and swelling in his brain along with who knows what in his abdomen. His eyes were glazed over, he was unaware of what was going on, and he was fighting to take the bandages off his head. After being there for 12 hours, he had not been given any medication or much attention. He had been tied to the bed and was laying restlessly in soiled rags around his scalp. The doctors didn't care.

This entire experience I want to share with you, not because I want to scare you of Africa or health care, but because I want to open your eyes to how lucky we are and what goes on in many third world countries around the world. In the baby ward, each crib had two babies in it. The crib had no sides so the mamas could sit or lay on the beds with the babies. On the other side of the room was a row of... drawers. Imagine taking all of your drawers out of your dresser and lining them up in a row. Then place some fabric, maybe a small pillow, and a sick baby in each of them. This is what it looked like. There were flies everywhere, smell of bodily fluids overrunning the room, and sick, helpless babies. Instead of having individual IV bags for each child, there was a water bottle filled with the hydration fluid that had 5 tubes with a hose and needle going into 5 little babies. In the neonatal, I saw the TINIEST baby I have ever seen. I cannot even describe her to you. It broke my heart. In the ER, a baby had died that day that had simply been wrapped up and laid on a bed for who knows how long. A man had a serious foot injury which had been bandaged up. He had his foot on the floor as he was laying on a bed. We told him to lift his foot above his heart, when he did we realized there was a constant drip of blood from his foot onto the floor. I wish I could have recorded all that I saw and smell with my eyes and nose and replayed them for you, but I can't. Healthcare is a serious problem in developing countries. Government health care is usually reported as being better than it actually is because of misrepresentation. 

The day then turned for the better again as I was able to reunite with our bus driver from the last two times I was here. Richard, his family, and I have become very close each of the times and they continued to call me about once a month while I was in the states. Richard has a 3 year old son, Elijah, and a 6 month old baby girl, Lisa. Elijah has one of the best smiles and pictures don't do it justice. I wish I could bring him home with me. We sat on the couch for 45 minutes as Elijah just sat as peacefully as could be with his head on my chest. Richard is such a blessing in my life and his joyful spirit brings such joy to my heart as well. 

Richard, Me, Elijah, Lisa, Pauline, Lisa, Chris

Last night I had a treat! We had what I would call girls night, although there was a boy there...oh well. We watched Life As You Know It, ate popcorn and ice cream, had cokes, talked about life and boys and what God is doing, and I bought some cute African shoes. It was so great and so needed. 

Today we went back to the school and cleaned out all of the classrooms because the kids are on break. Similar to our Christmas or Summer break, but lasts 1 month. We pulled down posters, swept with african brooms, peeled sticky tack off the walls, sweated like nobodies business, spoke and learned swahili, laughed, sanded desks and tables, sang, and enjoyed each others company. The conversations and way things are said here just crack me up. Today Chris was asking one of the guys in charge of the school if he ever sings to his wife (who was sitting across the lunch table). He said yes. Chris asked him to sing us all one of the songs. He said, "no, because you are not part of it." And as we were making our chai for breakfast, we were getting our tea bags from the bowls and one of the other men in charge was explaining to Chris that "African's love each other, one tea bag can last 10 men." He was very proud of their frugality and their ability to share. 

Tonight I had the most American dinner I have had yet.... HEB mac & cheese, steak, potatoes, and a salad!!!! MAN, it was yummy--Thanks Lisa!

Before & After Pictures of Mbewau

2008--the classroom 

2008 the first REAL4CHRIST trip to Mtepani

Classrooms 2009

not quite finished with them yet...

building and remodeling in process

Kitchen, 2009

School -2011 The second floor should be done in the next month

New logo for school

Baby Classroom 2011 

WOW!

2011 Feeding Center / Kitchen / Church

2011

Garden (sorry for the shadow) -it's Africa!

Never knew that's what a cashew looked like before eating

nakupenda,
Cathy

KADZO!

I am back.
Back to the motherland.
Back in Kenya.
Back in Mombasa.
Back among the people I have formed friendships with over the last 3 years.
I am so happy to be here.
So overwhelmed with thanksgiving.

I arrived yesterday and spent the afternoon grocery shopping with Chris & Lisa, getting lunch, and settling in to my new home for the next 10 days. Chris and Lisa are full time missionaries here in Mombasa. You might remember them from my previous two adventures to Africa. They run a ministry called REAL4Christ. They started a school in one of the nearby villages called Mbewau (said em bay wow) in Mtepani.

Today I regrettably had the opportunity to attend a funeral for the father of one of the students. This man died last week after being hit on his motorcycle (pikipiki) by a bus. He left behind a young wife (24-25) and 4 children ranging between 10 and 2. The oldest, Janet, was having a very hard time dealing with the situation and was holding back tears the entire time I was around her. The funeral was huge. Because the father was so young and a pikipiki driver, many were there. Chris said a couple thousand. There was literally a sea of people. Chris and I were the only white people there.

one small part of the sea of people.
The casket is under the tree on the right side

the people beside me

Within about five minutes of being there, I saw a man walk by with a picture safety pinned to his shirt. The picture was of the father after he had been hit, laying on the ground with blood. Can you image someone wearing that at a funeral at home? Here I suppose it showed a sign of respect.

There was dancing and food and drinks and music at this all day event. Family had come in for the entire weekend and it was a mixture between sadness and celebration. The wife has been in mourning with the other ladies of the village for the last 9 days.

dancing--these ladies pulled me into the middle and started dancing with me

The pikipiki drivers came and drove loops around the casket and spun around in circles to stir up dust. It was their way of showing respect.

PLEASE pray for this family. He was not a believer and his wife has not been saved either. The funeral was not religious because it was mostly run by the pikipiki men. Please pray that his death will be a way for the widow and others to come to know the Lord and the peace He can give.

On a happier note, I was able to reunite with some of the women of the village and the pastor/school advisors from the school. I was so excited to see them, and they seemed genuinely excited to see me. I was standing on a dirt hill watching the pikipikis when I saw a few women starting to walk towards me. The lady in front had a HUGE smile on her face and started saying "Kadzo, Kadzo!" (They named me Kadzo last time because I spent so much time with them they welcomed me into their community and gave me a local name which means beauty). I immediately recognized her, "Mary!" Joy and thankfulness overflowed from me. I embraced her. Feeling her frail body, skin and bones hug me back. She got the attention of some of her friends, the other mothers of the kids from school, and we all hugged. She pulled me up to where she was standing with the other women and held my hand for the next 20 minutes. She would turn and look at me every once in a while. My heart was so incredibly happy.

Mary in 2009

Me & Mary in 2009- I know I look super cool

"Eucharisto means grace..the Greek word chara means "joy."... Deep chara joy is found only at the table fo euCHARisteo- the table of thanksgiving... is it that simple? Charis-grace. Eucharisteo-Thanksgiving. Chara-joy... The greatest thing [of life] is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live. He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything. " ---- One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp.

Stop and think. When we give thanks, we are praising God and accrediting Him for things. Kidogo na kubua. When we thank Him and appreciate Him and take the time to marvel in what He has given us, we become filled with joy. It is hard to be mad when you are giving thanks and telling God how great He is.

Tomorrow we are going to church at Mbewau and I will show the pictures from before and now. There have been some amazing transformations with this school and what it is today. God is good. 

Mbewau today. WOW

From my thankful heart to yours,
Cathy

Blown Away by Kindness

I am just constantly moved by the kindness the people here have. They give up their chairs, give any visitor tea, treat me like I am their daughter, and take care of me. 

I am just so moved by their compassion and kindness. Today Skollar took my clothes off the line outside and brought them inside because it was going to rain and I was taking a nap. I woke up to thunder and ran outside to get my clothes only to find them all gone. I walked into one of the big rooms and there she was, laying them out so they could finish drying. I love these women. I truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to build a relationship with them. 

Tonight we are going to the circus and then at 3:30 AM tomorrow morning I will leave here to get on a plane and fly to Mombasa.

I can't wait!

And I got my first package today that was sent about a month and a half ago!! YAY!

Mungu mzuri kila wakati na kila wakati Mungu mzuri

Today I had the opportunity to go back to the peanut butter place. The power was on so we were actually able to make peanut butter today! I helped label the tubs with rubber cement and a piece of cardboard as the glue stick. We worked on my swahili while I was there. 

I am so moved by their faith, which I know can move mountains. I walked into them listening to some type of Christian preaching on the radio. I picked up on the “Hallelujah”, “Amen”, and that Jesus will return. And He will return to Tanzania. The radio then shifted to some Swahili Jesus music which was very enjoyable. Mama Alpha asked me if I was born again and became SO excited when I told her I was and that I love God very much. I then told them I only know one song in Swahili and we all sang it together. They got so excited, it warmed my heart. When it was time for me to go back home to get ready for my Health midterm, she showed me around the village and whenever she would introduce me to someone, she would make sure and let me know if they were born again also. They invited me to go to church with them one Sunday and I said “Ndio, tafadhali!” (yes please!!)

I would like to ask for some prayer for my next two-ish weeks. I have been given the opportunity to go back to Mombasa, Kenya and reunite with all my dear friends there! My heart is overflowing with joy, I am so excited. I will be traveling alone while everyone else goes off to Zanzibar (an island in Tanzania) for Spring Break.  

some of the tubs we labeled

sorting through the peanuts

mama alpha (left) mama rosie (right)

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Webele Uganda

One of the two Lugandan words I know. Webele, thank you. Said about 75 times each day by your one and only. 

All eleven of us decided to journey all the way from Arusha, Tanzania to Uganda Kampala, an 18 hour bus ride each way. This trip came fully equipped with visa and immigration from one border to the next at 5 or 6 AM, allowing us to feel like we are crossing the border illegally. Don't worry, we paid and were stamped each time, on each side. 

The bus ride itself is it's own story. On the ride to Kampala, we had to switch buses in Nairobi at midnight because they somehow overbooked the first bus. We then were given the back rows of the next bus. One of the worst nights of travel I have ever had. Don't get me wrong, Kampala Coach (the company) was wonderful and I was over satisfied with my overall experience with them. However, sitting above the axel on a huge charter bus that doesn't have any shocks and driving over unpaved roads is a bit bouncy. Each time we went over a bumb, especially a big bumb, I was literally lifted out of my seat on the back row. Although I really didn't sleep more than an hour on this half of the journey, it was most definitely worth it. 

We arrived in Kampala, checked into our guest house, and picked up a quick lunch before venturing over to Sseko. If you are ever in Kampala and are looking for a cheap but good and safe place to stay, check out Sahel Suites. It is $18 per person per night. We had our own bathroom and shower with running water and 2 full sized beds. We even were served breakfast each morning including eggs cooked as you wish. 

Sseko (click here) is a women's organization that makes sandals which are sold around the states to provide a living for widows and girls wanting to go to University. The girls that are wanting to go to University don't just want a scholarship, but want to work for money they can earn and then use for school. How inspiring is that? Come on lazy America! Through their work, they still don't make enough to fully pay for University so they can apply for a scholarship from Sseko which will match their salary they earned and finish paying for school. These women were so joyful. I ended up going all three days we were there because different people needed different things. The second day we went, it was POURING, and I mean POURING rain. They ushered us onto the porch, put down their shoes, and gave us the biggest hugs as if we had known them for years. This is a snapshot I will never forget. Get excited for their summer and fall lines, I saw some of what is coming and it is GREAT! 

 The sweet women at Sseko

The next day 7 people went rafting down the Nile and 3 of them also bungee jumped! They loved it and I would love to have the opportunity to go back to Kampala and conquer that. While they were rafting, the other 4 of us went to the Friday (only Friday) craft market. It was wonderful, there was beads, bags, drums, wall art, clothes, placemats, cards, and about anything else you could want.


 My main purpose in going was to buy beads for my friend's non profit, Be the Joy (click here!). Lauren started BTJ after her family visited Uganda and saw the need of education for girls. You can buy these handcrafted, paper mache beads from BTJ and all the proceeds go back to Uganda to send girls to school. Lauren has even been able to provide some scholarships for girls to attend University. Here is the best part, Lauren is my age, an Aggie sophomore who felt the Lord calling her to do something and obeyed. I look up to her for what she has done and the difference she is making in Uganda. There were about 25-30 women at the market selling beads and I shopped from each and everyone of them. They were all so excited. My mind blowing moment at the market was when I met a woman who was nursing her baby. I asked how old the baby was and get this, 2 weeks old! 2 weeks laying on some fabric in the dirt amongst the hustle and bustle of market. This tiny baby had some congestion and somewhat wheezy breathing. I held the sweet girl, prayed for her, and returned her to her mother. This is the life of the African woman. 

can you find the baby?

2 week old baby girl at craft market

We then were joking with our driver, Fred, about meeting his family and we told him we wanted to meet them. He got SO excited and immediately told us he would take us to them. He lives at the top of a hill where you can look out and see Lake Victoria. It was a BEAUTIFUL view. We met his son, Joshua, and his beautiful wife, Lydia. It was such a treat to be accepted into his neighborhood and community. Fred made the trip about 5 times better. He was absolutely hilarious without trying to be at all. The whole time, he kept telling me he loves Jesus very much but he will be saved tomorrow. Each day he said no, not today, tomorrow. We had some talks but due to the language barrier, only God will know what seed was planted in his heart.

FRED!

After we met his family, he took us to a dock on the lake. We were the ONLY white people around. It was great. We took lots of pictures and then were offered a ride around part of the lake. I paid about $7-8 for all of us to go for 30 minutes. What made it better was that we went while the sun was setting. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Kampala is full of all different nationalities. It's a much bigger city than Arusha but still a little smaller than Nairobi. From recommendations, we found Mzungu Central which was fully equipped with a bowling alley, movie theater, mall, food court, new york pizza, cupcakes, mexican food, an african "starbucks", and Spur restaurant (based off the Native Americans). Let me just say I didn't take advantage of all of this, but I did have some darn good quesadillas & chocolate cake!

The bus ride home was much, much better! I had the opportunity to sit by one of the kindest men I have ever met. Matia is a father of four who loves his children very much. He took all of us under his wing and ensured our safety until we made it across the Tanzanian border. He bought me some food and I shared some o my snacks with him as well. We had some in depth talks about East Africa and the way of life and education here. These are the two things he said that really stuck out to me. 

Take street children and let them live on a farm where they are able to work and get an education so they can better their country in the long run. And the money they make on the farm will go into a savings account which will be used for their education. 

and... 

So many children grow up with one parent or no parents. Children then go to school and get very upset because all the kids talk about their families and parents at home. He thinks children should receive some form of extra care at school so they are able to perform better and able to talk about their home life and troubles at home so their burdens can be somewhat alleviated.

I think the second one needs to be done in America as well. 


Here are some pictures:

When it rains, it FLOODS-- this is flowing mud

One of the little babies in Fred's neighborhood

On lake Victoria

Kampala was wonderful. I don’t think I will ever want to live there because it is too big city for me for Africa, but it is fun for an Americanized vacation in Africa. And yes, I know that sounds oxymoronic. 

the hillside of Uganda

Rafiki, Starshine, & Drums

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBEY BRADY!!!!!!

Thursday I had the opportunity to visit the Rafiki Foundation in Tanzania. (Mom & I worked at the one in Kenya in 2009, if you want to learn about Rafiki go to www.rafikifoundation.org). This was such a great day! I was able to meet the sweetest family from Illinois who is the Director of this orphanage and was so friendly and welcoming. The kids were adorable, as always, and the facilities were beautiful. The kids that have the opportunity to go to Rafiki are so incredibly blessed. I will hopefully be able to return there a few times, I was even given the option to spend a weekend out there! I so badly needed this day on my own and in a Christian environment. Cute story of the day: As I was sitting at lunch, one of the little boys asked if I was married. I said, "no". He said, "why?" I said, "I'm still young." He said but you have a ring on your finger!!" What an observant little 6 year old, I didn't think it proper to explain to him it was my purity ring, but it sure did put a smile on my face. 

Rafiki at the base of Mt. Kili

The kinder classroom!

Friday, we had a total girls afternoon and it was WONDERFUL!! I went shopping for the first time since being here and started working on my gift list for the fam and some friends. I felt very successful and actually was able to get good deals. We then went to what we call "mzungu central" which is like a small outside mall with a movie theater and patio restaurant. They also have a grocery store which I cannot even explain to you. They had stuff I haven't seen in a month including macaroni and cheese, DR PEPPER (not even all the states have that and it's still cheaper than it is in the states.) The biggest selection of cheese ever (for africa). Brittany and I literally stood in front of the display for a good 2 minutes just staring and explained to the grocery stocker that we haven't seen this much cheese in over a month. Most of the time we are lucky if we find one brand of one type of badly packaged/exposed cheese. This place looked like HEB with cheese. Obviously, I was excited. We enjoyed taking the day to relax and sometimes it is just nice to go out and go shopping, right girls?? Also, one of my favorite moments of the day was with Kassey, our driver. He was taking us to the store and we were talking about how I must be lucky because we didn't get bribed by the police on the way to Rafiki. Then he said I am a little starshine. (We think it's equivalent to ray of sunshine). Cutest thing ever. He is about 60 and so funny. 

Today we made drums at Makumira (the place we have music class). It is made from cow hide and part of a tree trunk. We left the house this morning at 7 am and came back tonight at 7pm. We worked very tediously on our drums ALL day long and aren't finished, but close. Let me just say that my fingers are raw and I have a much deeper appreciation for every hand made drum out there. Today was extremely long and exhausting. My body hurts, but I am so incredibly thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fun fact: Every drum is supposed to have a secret inside that the drum maker placed inside to give it uniqueness. Sorry, but I can't tell you what mine is!! Also, we had the Yoda of African Ensemble help us make them. He blows my mind. He is probably around his mid 60s, has 7 kids between the ages of 40 and 10 and 7 grandkids. His son got married last month and his daughter is getting married in a few years. There is just something I like about the older generation. I can't put my finger on it, but my heart just automatically loves them. 

Moira's son! SO CUTE!!

about 11 AM

at the end of the day...

YAY FOR DRUMS!!

I am super tired and about to crash, but so ready for church in the morning! 

Missing y'all more each day.