It's Your Mission

Today, I received an email from Jane Ann - the volunteer director for Buckner saying that they are beginning to advertise the summer internships for 2011. She attached an application and said they are encouraging their past interns to apply again.

My heart wants to return to Kenya. So much.

Please join with me in praying about this. Also, if you are reading this and are 18 (and have completed one year of college or work experience after high school) or older - pray about applying! Maybe God wants YOU to step outside of your comfort zone and spend your summer serving His children.

If you haven't already, you can read about my experience this past summer as an intern for Buckner in Kenya here.

To make it even easier on you....here is the flier! You can find the application on their website here.    ;-)

And yes...I realize the flier kind of takes over the sidebar, but it was the only way it was readable - if you'd like me to email it to you instead, I'd be happy to!

To the ends of the Earth,

T

Kenya, Revisited

Hello, friends. =) Long time, no blog.  I promise - I made it back from Kenya in one piece! Sorry that safari/follow up post didn't happen. Re-entry has been interesting. Difficult, but scarily easy at the same time....You may or may not be able to relate to that.  Can you believe I've been back for a month? Crazy.  I was there for such a short time, really, but I can tell you that I am forever different because of it.

I hope to blog about more experiences for you soon!

Tomorrow, I am being allowed to share with my local body of believers a little about my experiences and Kenya, as the country is our prayer focus for the week.  Pray for me, please.  I'm nervous, hoping I won't cry, and that I will be able to have something semi-coherent to say. I'm also, speaking to the youth during Bible Study time...youth can be scary, ha. Pray they ask questions and make it a little easier on me!

For those of you who actually read this and live where I currently do, here's a sneak peak of the video I'm showing during worship tomorrow. (If you don't live here, thank you for following my journey, and please enjoy!)

Love, T

God Willing, I Return

Yesterday was hard.

It was our last day at the BCC. The kids were taking their mid-term exams, so it didn't make too much sense to linger the entire day when we couldn't spend it with them and make the goodbyes that much harder. So we went with the band-aid mentality: Rip it off fast so it doesn't hurt too bad.  But it still hurt.  A lot.

We started off at the kitchen, as the staff requested. We went in to say hey and let them know we were around. "D" got teary-eyed, and we all started getting weepy, so we promised to come back around and take tea with them before we left.  We said goodbye to the Buckner/BCC staff and gave them small gifts, stopped into our respective classrooms to tell the kids goodbye and how very much they are loved and prayed for, then went by the medical clinic. The woman that runs it has absolutely fallen in love with Kenda (she is headed to pharmacy school, so worked there on Thursdays). She is about to have a baby at any moment now and has told us that she is trying to come up with a name with all of our initials in it because if it is a girl she wants to name her after us - Whaaaaaat?!?! Crazy! I truly think God only knows the outcome of our stay - He has worked in so many big ways, quiet ways, and unknown ways.

At this point in our day, we are miserable. Our hearts are breaking and we do not want to leave. We went to say goodbye to the T.E.C. girls. This goodbye and the goodbye to the kitchen staff were the ones we anticipated to be the hardest. But - again, the T.E.C. girls surprised us.  As soon as we walked in, they greeted us with smiles, hugs, and pure excitement. They had finished our skirts. They had worked all last week on making us each a skirt from some of the fabric we brought them. We tried them on and had a mini fashion show for them. They were delighted that we LOVED them and ensured them that every time we wore them, we would remember them and pray for them.  We spent some time taking photos with all of the girls and the instructors and hearing so much laughter and seeing beautiful smiles on these young women we have come to love so. We left, saying goodbye, but with much lighter hearts.

That classroom is where God had intended us to be - it was obvious. We love those girls; they love us. Each one told us that they are praying that we will be able to return - God willing. A few of them seemed certain of the fact that God has a place for us in Kenya. And it's pretty hard for me to argue with them.

We trekked back up to the kitchen to spend some time with the staff there.  When we walked in, it was the quietest I had ever heard that kitchen.  There was no singing, no dancing or laughing. It was somber; quite unlike them.  The air was heavy with the acknowledgment that we were leaving.  "D", in true form, made us plates of omelets, ugali, and cabbage. And of course, he made us tea. We gave our gifts to the staff, took photos, and said pretty tearful goodbyes. The sweet "Mom" of the kitchen, let us know that she will miss us everyday, "A" hugged us so hard and told me that he wants to come to the U.S. more than ever now, and "D" just wiped the tears off my face and laughed - even though he had tears of his own.

I do hope that I will be able to return some day.  Buckner's work in this country is amazing, and makes me desire even more to partner with them in ministering to these beautiful, beloved people.  God willing.

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Last night, to try to cheer us up, we had an exotic dinner at Carnivore - a restaurant in Nairobi. We ate camel, ostrich, and crocodile! oh my.


Today, our in-country Buckner contact took us to visit other ministries Buckner supports in Nairobi - we visited a school in the Korogocho slum and the New Life Home Trust - a baby rescue home that particularly serves abandoned babies that are HIV positive.

The New Life Home Trust was amazing. It was heartwrenching to hear the statistics surrounding the children they receive, but at the same time, encouraging.  It was incredible to see the Lord's hand in this ministry.  90% of the babies they receive that test HIV positive at birth, become HIV negative before their second birthday as a result of the incredible care given to them.  We saw pictures of babies that were severely malnourished when they arrived, then looking happy and healthy just weeks after being at New Life.  A vast majority of the babies that come through New Life are eventually adopted! Yay adoption!  I asked about the number of babies adopted domestically vs. internationally.  The staff member told me that historically it ran about 20% for Kenyan families that adopted and 80% foreign families. She told me that the Kenyan peoples' hearts are started to be stirred toward their own country's needs and this past year is was 50-50! She told me she prays that in the years to come that 80% of the adoptions would be in-country.

After touring the facilities, we were allowed to feed the babies/play with them for a while.  I was assigned to the crawlers/toddlers. What precious, precious children! When I entered the playroom, I had a little one attach himself to my leg! Oh, my heart!  We ended up getting to take them outside for play time and we had so much fun loving on these babies.  I am happy to say that there were many volunteers at the Home and the babies were very much cared for and content.  I have a feeling that one of these precious children belong to my family in the years to come. =)

It has been an emotional ending to our stay here in Kenya, but a satisfying one. To God be the glory for anything accomplished while we were here.

The next two days will be strictly fun - a blessing from Buckner before we leave. We are going on a safari! Whoop!  We leave tomorrow and will return on Thursday. I will try to blog about it on Friday.  Then, Friday night we start the journey back home!

So please pray for us as we travel, come home, then make the adjustments of returning.

God willing, I will return to Kenya. A piece of my heart will be here forever.

Kissing Giraffes and Kazuri

A more light-hearted post today!

Today was our day of rest, or as it has been rechristened by Melody - our "day of adventure"! Our driver had tried to so hard to make it possible to take us somewhere to ride a camel, but that hasn't happened. Instead, we did something WAYYYY cooler!

We kissed giraffes =)

This morning, we drove to a smaller town just outside of Nairobi called Karen. It is named after Karen Blixen (the author of Out of Africa), as it is where she resided and because of the great impact she had on the Kenyan people.  In fact, her estate remains and has been converted into a museum.

Anyway, we went to the Giraffe Center (www.giraffecenter.org). The Giraffe Center was a sanctuary established to save the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. I loved it because it wasn't like a zoo - the giraffes have over 100 acres to roam and live.  They have a building that sits on the edge of the sanctuary where you can stand and feed the giraffes pellets - they are so friendly and love you if you have treats in your hand. Apparently, it is the thing here to "kiss" a giraffe - hold a pellet between your lips and let the giraffe grab it.  Haha - we had way too much fun taking photos and treating the animals.  A man from the Giraffe Center gave us pellets and was great about letting us have all the time we wanted with the gorgeous creatures; he even suggested photo-ops and took one of our group for us. Soooo much fun!

After the Giraffe Center, we visited the Kazuri bead factory and shop. I had heard of Kazuri before coming to Kenya and saw the sign on our way to the Giraffe Center, so we went on a whim.

It was incredible!! You can see some of the beautiful work on their website and read about their story:  www.kazuri.com

Some info about Kazuri:

Kazuri is a Swahili word meaning "small and beautiful".

Mission:
The mission of Kazuri is to provide and sustain employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society.
In order to achieve this we must produce top quality hand-made and hand-painted ceramic jewelery and pottery. This will ensure that we are well equipped to compete in both the international and local market place. The Kazuri workshop in Karen employs over 340 women, mostly single mothers.
It is equipped with a clinic, providing free medical care for the employees and their immediate families. Kazuri also absorbs 80% of medical bills for treatment received outside the factory clinic.
In the developing world of today’s Africa, the greatest contribution we can make is to create employment, especially for the disadvantaged and this remains our guiding philosophy. The result is reflected in the strength of the Kazuri Family and the beauty of our products.

The updated number is that Kazuri employs over 400 women, mostly single mothers. We were touched by their story and their mission to not only create livelihoods for these women, but also provide them with health care.  We were able to tour the factory and speak with some of the women as they made the beads and pottery. Their handiwork is beautiful and they seem very proud of the product that they make. They were so kind to allow us to take pictures as we saw each step of the process. This company's story and membership with the World Fair Trade Organization made me eager to support them.  (Kazuri also is a big supporter of a local Children's Home.)  Each bead  they create is stunning not only because it is one-of-a-kind, but also because of the mission behind them.

It was a great, relaxing day - but now we are ready to spend the rest of the evening preparing for VBS at the BCC tomorrow. (Our last Saturday.) I think the kids will love it - our focus is on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and we will be making friendship bracelets for the kids to have.

Please continue to pray for:

• The logistics of possibly setting up a scholarship fund for the T.E.C. center
• Our team - health, spiritual strength
• Relationships that have been built
• VBS tomorrow
• Church on Sunday
• Monday - our "goodbye" day at the BCC. This is going to be a hard, hard day.
• The country/government of Kenya - there are some difficult struggles in trying to create their constitution
• Our families - I know they miss us, and us them! Pray especially for our Dads - Father's day is Sunday. Being here reminds me over and over again how blessed I am to have a father that is faithful in showing me my Heavenly Father. So many of these kids don't have that.   Daddy - I love you. Thank you for being the very best father to me and loving me enough to show me Christ. And for loving Christ more than me, and supporting where He leads me.

Love ,T

Proverbs 31:13

Who knew a few meters of fabric could mean so much?

On our day off on Friday, we went back to the Maasai market with the intent of buying fabric to take to the girls in the T.E.C. program.  We found some beautiful fabrics for very good prices and as a team bought 24 4-meter bundles of fabric.  On Monday, we took the fabric to the instructor at the T.E.C. center. When we started pulling fabric out of our bags, she looked shocked. A few of the girls had immediately asked if they could make us skirts, so we each picked out the fabric we would like and they measured us.  We visited with them a while, then went on to our respective assignments for the day.  Melody and Kenda would go back to the T.E.C. center on Tuesday, then Delaney and I on Wednesday.

Tuesday afternoon, Kenda and Melody came into the kitchen where I was working with tears in their eyes.  Kenda told me how the instructor had told her over and over how grateful they were for our gift. She told Kenda that we brought enough fabric for each girl to make a dress, and that she was going to use the scraps left over from making our skirts to make herself a skirt. It didn't matter to her that all of our fabrics were wildly different and did not match. She said that every time we wore it, she would remember us and praise God for us. I teared up just hearing Kenda's account of their conversation.

Then today...Oh, today.

On Wednesdays, the girls in the program spend the afternoon in Bible study. Last week, the instructor asked Delaney and I to lead it, and we led it again today. We were able to spend all morning with the girls just talking and watching them sew. Then, after lunch, we led them in the Bible study. 

We talked about counting the cost of following Christ, and discussed how we can give to Him our talents and skills, time, resources.  When we were finished worshipping, discussing, and praying, every single girl stood up and addressed Delaney and me.  They told us how they had prayed for someone to come and spend time with them and they had prayed for fabric. They thanked us for coming, for being their friends, giving them such a gift, and sharing the Word with them. They prayed blessings over us, our families, and our country. They told us they desired that God would enlarge our territory for Him and continue to bless everything we place our hands on. They spoke of their deep love for our families, even though they have never met them, because they allowed us to come to them. They promised to pray for us often, and asked that we would pray for them.

The instructor told us that even the morning we brought her the fabric, she had prayed for fabric. That she hated that the girls had to sew paper bags - she wanted more for them and couldn't afford to supply it herself. She said that when she went home that evening and spread out all the fabric, she wept and thanked God for us - that He had sent us as a blessing. She told us we had changed their lives, not just by purchasing fabric, but showing them friendship and making them feel worthy of being loved. She encouraged us to ask God why He sent us to their classroom. She said she knew it was just a small step - that our Lord has big things for each of us. That she loved us and would never forget our faces.

I didn't just tear up. I didn't just cry. I bawled. These women have been such a blessing to me.

Their encouraging words, simple faith, and complete adoration of our Lord is staggering. Oh, God - that I would be content with little. That I would rejoice in You always and acknowledge every good thing in my life as a direct gift from You - because it is!
   
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17


I am so honored to call these women my sisters in Christ. I love my Kenyan family and know I will leave a large chunk of my heart here with them.


Please pray for:

• More donations to the T.E.C. center for fabric and scholarships for the girls that cannot afford to come, or continue to come
• The Buckner staff
• The kitchen crew =) We love them so much. They have been so good to us and I think are already dreading us leaving - they have made us a "special treat" every day this week!
• the kids living at the BCC
• the other children going to the school that live in the slums. The only time they hear the Word of God may very likely be at the BCC school.
• More financial support to the BCC - they need books, and materials for the classrooms
• Our team's continued health and strength. I felt pretty crummy for the first time this morning, but praise God, it hasn't lasted.
• That the words coming from our mouths would be God-breathed and truth. That they would land on receptive hearts.
• Rest - we've been especially tired this week.

Prepare for War

"Father God, you have warned me above all other pieces of armor to take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16)

The above is a prayer based on Eph.6:16 given to me by my sweet friend, K, before I left for Africa. Just a coincidence that I read it yesterday morning? I think not.

If any of you woke up on Saturday morning about 6:30am....yep. That was my fault.

Our Saturday didn't quite go the way we had planned, but ended up being really great. We found out that Noah (our van, if you haven't caught on from my previous posts) had to go in for some repairs that morning. Our driver came and picked it up and told us it shouldn't be but about an hour before he would return and take us to the BCC.  The hour came and went, then was followed by several more. He finally made it back about 2 pm because some other necessary repairs came up.  We debated for a bit whether or not we should go out to the BCC because we normally have to leave about 3:15 to return and it take nearly an hour to get there. After getting Tom's opinion and blessing to stay a little longer, we decided to go.

All of a sudden, as soon as we climbed into Noah, I had a sudden hesitation about going. My apprehension grew the further we traveled. The uneasiness was so strong that my chest tightened and my stomach was in knots - for no apparent reason. My team and I talked about it, because a similar feeling was lingering in the van.  I had no reason not to want to go to the BCC - I LOVE Saturdays with the kids! It's our VBS day and we really get to play with them.  But, I couldn't shake the feeling. We decided we should continue on.  I battled in my head what I was feeling - was it the Spirit telling me to go back to the apartment? Was is a silly uneasiness because our routine had been disrupted? Or was it Satan attacking my mind and emotions to keep us from doing what the Lord desired us to do? I honestly didn't know.

So I prayed.

I prayed for understanding. I prayed that if my thoughts were an attack, that God would give me peace...that if it was the Spirit, He would go so far as to make me physically ill so we could turn back.  It was 6:30am in the States, so I prayed the Spirit would awaken believers to pray for me and our team. I prayed the entire ride to the BCC, but didn't feel calm until we were inside the compound and out of the car.

Once we started the VBS program, I finally felt calm and, of course, was so glad we came. VBS went well, and I hadn't heard such sweet laughter as when we had our Silly String fight.

The day was rough, however, it served a great purpose. It reminded me that I am in the middle of a battlefield - a warring land. Not warring in the sense of military action, but a spiritual war. A war for souls and a war for freedom.  You see it in the slums when there are young men lying in the gutters completely drunk at 11 o'clock in the morning, and when you see a woman in threadbare clothing with a joyous smile, rejoicing in the Lord's favor. You see it in this country that has not long known freedom, as they strive to piece together their very first constitution. And you see it in the deep desperation in the eyes of the elderly man that sits on the street corner.

I am here for fun.  I am here for games. I am here to bring smiles and laughter to these sweet children. And I'm even here to peel potatoes! But most of all, I am here to proclaim the name of Jesus - the only one who can set captives free and give hope and lasting peace.

"Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10

Thank you for your prayers - especially yesterday. God's purpose will prevail.

Love, T

The Old Has Gone...And the New Has Come

Wow, so much as happened since I updated last time. A few things:

• I saw "S" at church again on Sunday. She was really glad to see me and we were able to visit and even get a picture together before we left.
• Last week on our day off, we went to the Maasai Market - beautiful hand-crafted African art/pottery/jewlery, etc. So fun! We flexed our bargaining muscles, and improved a lot!
• Doing laundry in the bathtub.
• We have officially won over the kitchen staff's hearts! ;-) We have introduced them to the wonderful world of Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, and Shane and Shane. "D" (the head of the kitchen staff) figured out we don't like milk tea, so he makes special tea just for us every day - black tea with ginger and rosemary. We have had a lot of good conversations over that tea, and it is nice and calming to our stomachs when we have to eat things like...
• Matumbo - cow intestines. Yes. I cooked and ate matumbo. Not an experience I'd like to try again.
• Someone stole Noah's (our van) side mirror. Ooops.
• We still hear, "Msungu!" (White person) when we drive the streets of Nairobi.
• One of the Buckner staff members gave me a Kiswahili name, "Atisa", because apparently my name is too difficult.
• I'm getting tired of french fries - or chips, as they call them here. They are one of the British influences still held on to by the Kenyans. They love them and serve them with everything. I'm ready for a salad. ha.
• I got to call home! It was sooooo good to hear my parents' voices and put to rest the bit of homesickness I was struggling with.
• We are apparently regulars at Java House - a restaurant we frequent. We have "our" table and usually have the same waiter. He always laughs when we walk up....usually for the 3rd or 4th time for the week.

So many wonderful small things have happened this week, but I really wanted to share with you an experience I had yesterday. If you'd like you can read Melody's take on her experience at the T.E.C. center on the intern blog:  http://blog.itsyourmission.com

Yesterday was my first time to visit the T.E.C. program. It is a class at the BCC for girls/young women that struggled in school or even didn't finish their education. They learn to sew, make patterns, set up their own business, etc. so they will have a profession and be able to contribute to their families.

I am so very glad we decided to go, because one of the girls told us that although groups had come through the BCC before, no one had ever come to their class or spent time with them. They thought they didn't like them! How awful. We were a little apprehensive about going because we didn't think we had anything to offer them...silly us. Just because we can't help them with their sewing/projects, doesn't mean we can't form relationships with the girls and talk to them about the Lord!

They were so excited to see Delaney and I when we walked through the door - they hurried to greet us, shake our hands, and immediately pull us over to share with us their projects.  They can't afford to use fabric until they are proficient at the craft, so they practice on paper bags. The things they make with paper bags are beautiful!! Our team has decided to try to find a fabric store in the city, so we can go buy some fabric to take to the girls next time we visit.

In the course of the morning, I visited with most of the girls, but talked mostly to three of the girls: one who is the niece of a Buckner staff member, one who is the youngest in the class at age 14, and a woman who is married with a three-year-old. They shared with me their stories and I with them. Each of them know the Lord and were so genuine with their words and praised the Lord for the change He has brought to their lives and the peace He has given their hearts. They asked about my family and I showed them the picture of L&C Dub I carry in my Bible, and they went on and on about how beautiful my sister is. They just stared at the picture in almost reverence; they said they were very excited because although they have never met her, they were excited that she is their sister in Christ as well!

The teacher invited Delaney and I back after lunch to join them in their Bible Study. Little did we know, that we were supposed to lead it - nothing like flying by the seat of your pants! But, it definitely made the time Spirit-led. Before the lesson, we spent some time worshipping - praying and singing. I was so incredibly touched by their worship. They sang loudly and without any sort of self-consciousness. The Lord's daughters praised their King! They cried out to Him and fervently sought His face. It was beautiful to me - I can't imagine how much it was pleasing to the Lord.

Delaney and I taught from the curriculum they had been using, adding additional verses we found to be applicable and brought to our hearts by the Spirit. The lesson was about "Expect to Change" as a believer. We focused on 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come." and Ephesians 4:22-24 - putting off the old self and putting on the new self.

When we were finished, the teacher encouraged and affirmed us and our presence at the BCC with scripture. The girls even spent time praying for us.  They were so sweetly laying their hearts before the Father that it was an incredible blessing to me. I hope that we served as some amount of encouragement to them as well.

My team and I are encouraged, because we feel that we have found a specific purpose for us at the T.E.C. program in loving on these girls.

Please continue to pray for:

• Relationships with the T.E.C. girls
• Relationships with the kids and Buckner staff
• Our driver - he is so servant-hearted and takes very good care of us!
• Our team - health and rest. Our day off is tomorrow; that we would be renewed for the week ahead.
• We are halfway through our time here! That the Lord would use our remaining time for His glory.
• The government of Kenya - if you haven't, check out the news. They are in the process of creating their first ever Constitution. This could be a huge point of change for the country.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Our hearts are becoming more and more attached to this place, and we desire to leave as much love, service, and Truth with these beloved as we can. I love you all - and couldn't be here without your support.

Love, T

Check out the Intern Blog!

Hello friends!

It was my turn to update the intern blog, so you can read my post here:  http://blog.itsyourmission.com/

Some prayer requests:
*Contined rest
*Continued team cohesiveness
*Battling a little bit of homesickness - really wish I could call home.
*Developing relationships with BCC staff - in the kitchen and the teachers in the classroom
*Our day off tomorrow - rest and revitalization
*Sports Camp/Hygiene clinic at the BCC on Saturday
*Health - some of our team is having problems adjusting to the food, etc.

Thank you! Each of you is such a blessing!

Love, T

Tugging at My Heartstrings

Jambo again!

Today we were able to be at the BCC most of the day. Our primary focus was to completely tour the facilities and programs and see how we could best serve them using our strengths. We are pretty eager to just jump in, but I see the wisdom in the Buckner staff wanting us to take a day to really pray it over and plan as a team.

As soon as we got out of Noah (our trusty van - Victor thinks we are crazy Americans...) and started to walk toward the school buildings, all of the little kids walking to school saw us, started waving, and RUNNING toward us. We were surrounded pretty quickly and were blessed with hugs - one little girl, about preschool age, pretty much jumped in my arms.  She didn't say a word, but just hung on my neck. Oh, Lord, I've only been here two full days and already I know I'm going to leave a pretty big chunk of my heart in Kenya.

A little more about the BCC:

• It is located in Mailisaba, a bourogh of Nairobi - kind of on the outskirts of the city. Definitely more "country-like" feel.
• 22 kids are part of their residence program - they actually live on the compound, in the orphanage
• They have 297 kids enrolled in their school. They teach grades PreK-7th grade. The kids come from the residence program as well as the surrounding community.
• The BCC offers a Health Clinic for a paltry fee, although they give free care to the resident kids and the community members that truly cannot afford even the small charge. At the clinic, they do consultation and can treat minor illnesses, give vaccinations, and offer a Free Clinic twice a year for the community when teams come from the US. They also have dental facilitities, but those are only used when a Buckner medical missions team comes.
• They have a large number of children in their Kinship and Foster programs (I can't remember the exact number). That is why there are so few children actually on the compound.  BCC's goal is to allow the children to be a part of and grow up in the community if possible. If the BCC can locate a relative, or if their home in which they used to live has become a safter, healthier environment, they encourage the kids to live there. The BCC's social worker still makes home visits in these cases and continues to provide many other services for the children.
• After a child in the Resident program finishes 7th grade, they must move from the premises. They are sent to a boarding school for "high school". They are still visited occasionally by the BCC social worker, to check on them, and provided for by BCC until graduation.  Then, they do their best to help the kids transition into society as an adult, or apply for college if they can receive grants.
• The BCC also has a church - open to the community.
• They have a small farm, where they grow vegetables for their food, as well as several cows for milk, and chickens for eggs.

After visiting with one of the BCC's social workers, it seems that a large portion of the country's poverty stems from a lack of education.  She said that there are only 5 universities/colleges in Kenya. Each year 700,000 Kenyans graduate high school.  Most of them are eligible for college, but only 17,000 are admitted. She told us that without a bachelor's degree, you could not get a job in Nairobi. Those without higher education are forced to open their own "businesses". This can be running a matatu - a public taxi...ish, or offering sewing, or setting up a roadside stand (which is what a large portion of Kenyans do - they line the streets throughout the city).

After our tour, we helped the kitchen staff serve lunch, which consisted of ugali (corn flour mixed with hot water to make a dough-like substance) and a mixture of meat, carrots, and cabbage. After serving the meal, we helped wash dishes - which was an experience. I think we made a friend by pitching in and helping though. The head of the kitchen staff was asking us if we would stay for dinner. =)

I'm sorry I didn't get many thoughts down, there is so much going on. I'm trying to type as fast as I can with the time I have. Hopefully more soon.

Your prayers are felt - keep it coming!

Love, t

Jambo from Nairobi!

Jambo!

After 2 flights, 18 hours in the air alone, 8 timezones, and some very interesting plane food, we made it to Nairobi! Everything went so incredibly smoothly, we couldn't believe it! Thank you for your prayers.  No trouble with luggage, visas, passports, etc. 

It's so unreal that we are actually here. Of course, when we landed, it was dark so we couldn't see much of the city.  Three Buckner staff members picked us up from the airport in two vehicles (did I mention we brought a LOT of luggage??). Our first car ride in Africa was an interesting one (and the ones since, and I'm sure from now on). I'm not really sure how many hard and fast traffic rules there are...but I don't think anyone follows ANY of them. Ha. =) But Victor, our driver, is taking very good care of us and has gotten us around quickly and safely.

Nairobi in daylight is indescribable. I can try, but will fail miserably. During our orientation/training in Dallas, a Buckner Mission Coordinator told me, "There is poverty everywhere. It just looks different in different countries. In Kenya, it's like nothing you've ever seen." The dichotomy of Nairobi is staggering. There are some very modern, beautiful buildings with gorgeous landscape, every country's embassy is breathtaking, and then there are children digging through rotting garbage for food in their bare feet just down the road.

We attended church at the Baptist Children's Center (BCC - the "orphanage") this morning. It was so sweet to worship with our Kenyan brothers and sisters, and to meet the kids. The entire congregation made us overwhelmingly welcome, introducing us, thanking us over and over again, and praying for us as we spend the next several weeks there.

My camera made me quite popular with the kids..."Picture?" "Photo?" One little boy even came running over so he could sit on the bench next to me during services, so he could be first in line to have his picture made after church was over.  I have made a friend that I hope I can pour into while I'm here. I connected with a young girl, "S" during the children's Bible study.  We shared my Bible and she was so eager to copy down everything the teacher said and write down each scripture to memorize. She is 14 and told me her favorite thing to study is English. She told me she is very excited for me to come back tomorrow.

There is so much more I want to share with you all! Unfortunately, my time at this cafe is up. Hopefully more updates soon.  Some specific prayer requests as I go:

• Specifically pray for me: that as I am overwhelmed with what I see and experience, that I do not become discouraged and can serve beyond wanting to "fix" the "problem".
• Continue to pray for my team - health, time and cultural adjustments
• Pray for the BCC and Staff.
• Pray for the community to continue to embrace the Gospel as the BCC works in the community.
• Pray that as we get a more in-depth tour of the BCC tomorrow, we can make decisions about where we spend our time and how we can best serve these kids.
• Pray for the government of Kenya.

Must go! Love, t

And Away We Go!

Tomorrow's the big day! Mom and I are leaving pretty early in the morning to head to airport (Buckner made arrangements to fly me to DFW for our orientation day).  I'll get to meet my teammates and go through training with the other summer interns....then on Friday, we will all disperse from DFW to our respective parts of the world. =) My team and I should reach Nairobi later in the evening on Saturday.

Once again, I want to say "Thank You." Thank YOU. If you are reading this, YOU are an intregal part of my GOing. Thank you for your prayerful, emotional, financial, and physical presence during all steps of this journey so far. Please continue to pray! For these first few days of mostly travel, I have some general prayer requests; I'm sure I will have more and more detailed requests after I reach Nairobi and tour the orphanage.

PRAY FOR:

• My Teammates (Melody, Kenda, Delaney) and myself: Immediate team bonding; Likeness of mind
• Physical safety
• Spiritual health
• Calm journey - meet all connecting flights without problems, no luggage mishaps, rest on the plane, preparation
• Prepare the hearts of the Kenyan children and adults with whom we will come in contact
• Spirit-controlled tongues - that we would boldly proclaim the Gospel; we would speak words of kindness and encouragement to each other

That's a good start! I'm hoping that when we arrive in Nairobi I will have the opportunity to update rather quickly.  If you are interested in following this journey as it occurs, you can either check this blog occasionally, or subscribe to it. (On the right sidebar, down towards the bottom of the page, there is a button that says "Subscribe". You can have the blog post sent to your Google Reader or other reader options.

The Intern day of rest is on Saturday, so it is most likely that I will update about once a week on Saturday. =)

Again, Thank YOU. God has blessed me so much. I cannot but hope to be a blessing to Kenya!

Love,

T

A Jumbled Mess of Life Happenings

I guess I'm not as good at this blogging thing as I had hoped!

Wow. Much has happened since last time I caught you all up...and yet, there are still soooo many questions! I guess I'll break it down into categories and try to fill you in.

Buckner Internship:

26 days until I head to Dallas to start my incredible journey! Wait, I take that back. I have already begun this journey. 

It truly started back in January when I applied in faith, knowing that God would do something amazing....It continued when, in outrageous obedience and generosity, the Church responded and covered the entire cost of my trip plus additional donations to purchase supplies and gifts for the children and workers at the orphanage. In fact, I canceled my support lunch because the amount coming in made it no longer necessary! Isn't God Good!?!?!

Now, I am eager to meet the rest of my team, board that plane, and finally see and hug those sweet kiddos I have been praying for these past months. Please continue to pray for me and the rest of the team: Melody, Kenda, and Delaney, the country and government of Kenya, the workers and kids of the orphanage, Buckner International, and that God would be glorified.

Random fact: I found out yesterday that the last two days of the internship, we get to go on a safari! FUN! I wanna see an elephant...and a giraffe...and a lion...from a distance ;-)

Grad School:

I have officially accepted the offer to start my Masters in the fall at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at The University of Oklahoma! Whoop! (See...I'll always be an Aggie.)

Still - I ask anyone that actually reads this post to please please please PRAY! I accepted the spot knowing that I will only actually be able to go in August if something miraculous happens with financial aid. My family cannot afford to help me go to an out-of-state school, nor do I wish that burden on my parents (or want to take out a loan!).  But, everything just feels right about OU. I visited there about two weeks ago, and loved it. The faculty and staff are amazing. I sat in on the department head's class and was very impressed. Housing options look good. And it's NOT Austin. ;-) I felt at home in Norman, and have already received several church recommendations there. I asked God to very emphatically shut the door if that was not where I am supposed to be, yet all signs point to OU. I am faithing that some sort of financial aid will occur where I can pay resident tuition.

CS Home:

My house in CS sold! About three weeks ago, I went down with my parents, three vehicles, and two trailers to pack up 3 1/2 years worth of life (man - can I accumulate junk quickly!).  It was a little sad knowing that I no longer live in CS, but I'm glad to have the packing/moving behind me. It was also really great to spend a little time with friends that were still there.

Other Life Events:

Well, the not-so-great news. I am currently on week three of having pneumonia. Yeah, I know - stink. I've been through two chest x-rays, two rounds of oral antibiotics, one round of steroids, a breathing treatment, and a shot in the rear. Awesome.  And I'm still coughing and wheezing. I'm so ready for it to be over, and I have to get well soon so I can go to Africa! So, while you're at it, pray that I kick this thing - soon!

On another note, I'm super glad it's Saturday. I slept unacceptably late (which was glorious!), loved on my Sadie-dog (who is not feeling super well), little-by-little worked on cleaning my room and storing away some residual junk from the move, and shot at annoying black birds around the house with my dad. Good day, I'd say. =)

Thank the Lord for Laughter...and Peanut Butter

Hello again! Long time, no blog! Well today will be a quickie.  I just had to share with you this story.

Last Friday was my last day subbing for the teacher that was on maternity leave.  Believe it or not, I was a little sad to leave the kids, however challenging they might have been or however they had completely stolen my heart! 

In a few of my classes, I had been able to share with them about my upcoming journey to Kenya and answer their questions about why I am going and what I will be doing there.  One boy in particular was very concerned about what I would eat while I was there.  I told him, jokingly, "I guess I'll just have to pack a REALLY large jar of peanut butter to get me through!"

In each of my classes on Friday, I reminded them that it was my last day, Mrs. H would be returning on Monday, and that I had enjoyed being in the classroom with them for the last weeks.  One of the kids (the boy that was concerning about my meals) started saying, "Oh no! Miss M! I thought NEXT Friday was your last day! You have to stay at least one more day!"  Now, this kid was enjoyable -a sweet kid - but I didn't think he would have been overly distraught about my leaving.  "Don't worry, J - I'll be subbing here and there. You aren't rid of me yet!"

"But Miss M - I forgot your peanut butter!"

I couldn't help it.

I didn't just giggle...I laughed.

Thank you Lord for this sweet boy, who whether he realizes it or not, is having his concerns turned toward Your work!  And thank you for laughter....and peanut butter. =)

Send me to Kenya....By buying a t-shirt =)

 

See this cute t-shirt my sweet friend Katy helped me design?  If you buy a shirt, YOU can be part of my trip in a very tangible way!  Later this afternoon, I will post prices and deadlines for ordering.  You can also join my Facebook group - search "Help Tara Go to Kenya".

One thing I ask, if you purchase a shirt, please use it as a prayer reminder every time you wear it! I know without a doubt that with all of you praying for this internship, God is going to move in some incredible ways!

More details coming this afternoon....

**UPDATE***

I am taking pre-orders for shirts until March 25th.  The shirts should be ready the second week in April.  After that, if there is still a demand, I will reorder more shirts!

T-shirts are for sale for $15, $18 if I need to mail it to you.

Please leave me a message with the number of shirts/sizes you would like and the best way to get it to you!  Also, I would really appreciate it if I could get cash/check from you before the last day to order so I can pay the company to make the shirts! ha!

Thanks so much guys! God is showing me so well the faithfulness of His Church!

Go...Pray...Send

Jambo! Hello!

I have already had several wonderful people ask me how they could help me as I prepare to spend a portion of my summer in Kenya interning at a Buckner International orphanage.  I'm sure many of you have grown up hearing the same thing regarding missions as I have: As believers, we should always be praying, going, and/or sending.  I feel confident that God has asked me to go, at least for this short while.  Therefore, I need to ask for your support - to pray and to send.

1) PRAY "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:2
This is my most desperate need!

As I mentioned in my previous post, please pray for:

• the Kenyan people
• the children at the orphanage where we will work
• the intern team I will be part of
• our safety, physical and spiritual health
• the Buckner staff that works there
• the work that Buckner is doing in the orphanage and in their community
• that hearts would be softened toward the message of the gospel
• that Christ would be glorified through it all

 2) SEND  "And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

How you can send (I will be mailing out letters soon with additional information and details):

• Eat! My family and I will be having a support-raising dinner in the near future...details to come!
• Buy a t-shirt - My dear friend Katy has so graciously agreed to design a "Help send Tara to Kenya" shirt for me.  Be looking for fliers, emails, and Facebook group soon!
• Donate items for the children in the orphanage - Each intern will pack 2 suitcases.  One for their personal clothes, etc.; the other with items for the kids/workers in Kenya.
• Fun things! School supplies, sheets of stickers, hair bows, coloring books/crayons, sports balls, air pump, Play-Doh, jumpropes, nail polish, card games, etc.
• Donate monetarily - I don't have the final amount that I will need to raise as of yet, however it should be around $5,000.  If you wish to donate, you can visit my Buckner support site:  http://donate.bucknerfoundation.org/taramoore10

 Thank you for taking the time to read through this.  Know that most of all, your prayers are needed!

Mungu akubariki! - God bless you!

-t

Buckner Internship Announcement!!

Last night, on my way home from "date day" with Mom and Dad (we saw Dear John and ate at Outback), I received an email from the Volunteer Director at Buckner International.

It said:

"Congratulations!  This is to confirm that you have been selected to be an “Abandon” Summer  Intern with Buckner International.  You have been assigned to Session 1  (May 27 – June 26, 2010)  in Kenya....."

WHOOP!!!

Needless to say...I'm excited!  God is so good.  I had been doing really well about not worrying about my future...until this week.  Grad school stuff is not going well and I've started to really question what that means and asking for clarity.  God knows what He's doing! I still don't have all the answers I'd like, but this is a good start.  I feel this is confirmation that I am least moving in the direction God wants me.  He had put Kenya and this internship on my heart for a reason...I have a good idea that I will find out why come May. =)

At this time, I still don't have many details about the internship (I still don't know where in Kenya I will be going, etc.) but I should know more in a few days.  I do know the following: I will be living and working at an orphanage.  I am part of a four girl intern team that will be ministering in Kenya.  One of them is an Aggie also!! That will be great for instantly building a connection.  We are encouraged to start visiting with our team to get to know each other before May.

Some facts about Kenya that I got from the CIA - World Factbook:

Population: 39,002,772
Size of country: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Median age of the Kenyan people: 18.7 years
Infant mortality rate: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy: 57.86 years
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 6.7% (2003 est.)
     - Country comparison to the world: #10
HIV/AIDS - people living with the disease: 1.2 million (2003 est.)
     - Country comparison to the world: #8
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 150,000 (2003 est.)
     -Country comparison to the world: #4

Info from Buckner's site:
There are more than 2.3 million orphans in Kenya with 1.1 million orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. Nearly a quarter of the population in Kenya lives on less than $1 a day.

Please join me in praying for:

• the Kenyan people
• the children at the orphanage where we will work
• the intern team I will be part of
• our safety and health
• the Buckner staff that works there
• the work that Buckner is doing in the orphanage and in their community
• that hearts would be softened toward the message of the gospel
• that Christ would be glorified through it all.

 -t

No News Is.....?

No word yet from Buckner...


-t

***EDIT***

I started going over in my head what my interview told me..."You'll have an email from me on the 1st of February."  or was it..."You'll have an email from me the 1st part of February." ???? So, of course, last night I scoured the website for any intern announcements/or at least a date of the announcement.  I found two different dates..obviously one is wrong, and who knows if even one of them is right!

In one place it said that intern selections would be on the 5th; the other said the 15th. So.  Again, I wait. =)

t

Oh, How He Loves Us

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight
Of His wind and mercy

The love of God is a heavy thing.  So heavy.  When I allow myself to truly contemplate the weight of God's love - the sacrifice, the pain and suffering Christ endured, His gift that is free but so many reject and discard...I can't help myself. My eyes mist up.  My words catch in my throat.  I am overwhelmed by His love.

This weekend, I was a Rise D-Now leader for FBC Snyder.  I had 6th grade girls. NINE 6th grade girls.  Nine precious, beloved, eager, challenging 6th grade girls.  I was stretched this weekend...in more ways that one.  I was refreshed (although exhausted!).  I was encouraged.  Loved on by my church family.  Reminded of my purpose.  Blessed to see the Spirit move.  Excited to be part of it.

And all of a sudden
I am unaware
Of these afflictions
Eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

Today, I am supposed to find out whether or not I have been selected as an intern for Buckner International.  My summer, and quite possibly my life could change with that decision.  I thought about that a lot this weekend.  You know what?  Whatever the outcome, I know what I am supposed to be doing this summer.  Loving on kids.  Telling them about Jesus.  Seeking my Savior.  Resting in His love.  The love and glory of Christ supersedes whatever plans I might have for myself.


Oh, how He love us, oh
Oh, how He love us
How He love us all

We sang this song this weekend.  The band Words in Windows led us in worship.  I feel like this song echoed the heartbeat of what was going on at D-Now...or at least in my heart and among my girls.


We are His portion
And He is our prize
Drawn to redemption
By the grace in His eyes
And if grace is an ocean
We're all sinking
So heaven meets earth
Like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently
Inside of my chest
I don't have time
To maintain these regrets
When I think about
The way


Our Prize. Redemption. Grace.

The best thing in the world happened.  One of my sweet 6th grade girls, Shyann, accepted Christ on Friday night!  The Lord was gracious enough to allow me to talk with her, lead her, cry with her, and rejoice with her.  What a sweet, sweet gift.  She is so eager to read her Bible, ask questions, and go home to tell her little sister about Jesus whom she now knows.  Please pray for her as she continues to build her relationship with her Savior.  I hope to follow up with her next week.

He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh how He loves.


Grace and Peace my dear friends.  -t
 

Buckner, Barfing, and The Big Bopper

Okay, update time!

1) Buckner

I finally got an email back from the Volunteer Director at Buckner! Whoop! I have a phone interview with her on Monday afternoon to discuss the summer internship and make sure I'm not a psychopath...um. "get to know me better."  Sooo...please pray!  I'll admit, I'm a bit nervous.

2) Barfing

Sorry for the topic...and the title.  I just couldn't resist the alliteration.  I know, I know.  Big dork.  Like that's news. =)  Wednesday was my "second 1st day of high school".  I observed the teacher's classroom for which I will be a substitute during her maternity leave - and it went really well! I don't think I should have trouble facilitating the students or leading the collegiate tutoring programs. (I actually have my first solo mini-trial run Monday, as she will miss a few class periods for a doctor's appointment and I will cover for her....but I'll let yall know about that later.) Anyway...the day went really well UNTIL I got home that night. Starting feeling kinda icky and...well, I'm sure your imagination can fill in the rest...  Needless to say, I was out of commission for a while.  I am SO glad I was here instead of CS so my Mom could baby me and make me feel better.  It just makes the whole being sick process so much easier than having to completely care for yourself!  FYI: I feel much better now.  Still a little leery of food.  But better!

3) The Big Bopper

Long before the dreaded stomach virus/flu/thing came into the picture, my fam had planned a trip down to Fredericksburg for the weekend.  We had planned on heading down Thursday, but ended up waiting until Friday when we felt I could handle the car trip.  We met L&C Dub (a.k.a sister and bro-in-law) there in time to go to RockBox Theatre - one of our favorite fun things and a MUST-DO if you are in Fredericksburg on a weekend!  Check it out.  The first time we went, they were actually located in Granbury and I thought it might be cheesy...but it is honestly super fun! I love all the old rock and roll music and enjoy the incredible musicians that make up the cast.

This morning, L&C Dub headed back home but Mom, Dad, and I went to Trade Days.  Whoop for Trade Days!  I love walking through antiques and junk mostly junk.  But fun junk!  When I'm at Trade Days, what little creativity I have runs wild.  (We'll see if all those ideas ever actually materialize into completed projects.  So far, one has - so that's a start...) Favorite purchase of the day? An old window with an intact pane for a measly five bucks! What a steal! =)  I need to make a Hobby Lobby run before I do any work on my newest "project"...I promise I'll post a picture when it's done.

I'm tired and I just might try to catch the re-run of Project Runway that I started but slept through when I was sick before I head to bed...

-t

Here We Go...

Why, hello vast world of blogging!

Yes, I've caved. I have decided to join the blogosphere in order to hopefully share life (beyond random Facebook status updates) with my dear college friends and other loved ones now that we have *gasp!* graduated from our beloved university and are in the process of entering into real life and scattering across the state/country/globe! I apologize in advance if I am sporatic in blogging and/or completely yawn-worthy, but I promise to do my best. =)

Okay, so a quick overview of what life looks like for me right now...

1. I am officially a graduate of Texas A&M University! WHOOP!

It is still a bit unreal...as I was discussing with K.E. the other day, I don't think it will truly hit me until all my friends that are still in school resume classes in January that I am no longer a student but instead in this strange "place of waiting".

2. I am in the process of applying for graduate school.

I hope to pursue a Masters of Social Work in order to do international and domestic adoption or a similar work for a Christian organization. If you ask me where I will be going to grad school, I couldn't honestly give you an answer. I am applying to three schools, but really have no strong feelings about any of them. I think it will come down to whether or not I receive a Graduate Assistantship and/or scholarship money from one of them!

3. I am also applying for a summer internship with Buckner International.

Since grad school doesn't start until August, I have a completely free summer for the first time since I was in high school! I really feel that God has brought me this opportunity and I am trusting him as I finish the application, mail it off, and wait to hear from the organization. If accepted as an intern, I will spend my summer in one of Buckner's five international orphanages - living there, loving on the kids, and telling those sweet father-less children about their Heavenly Father. If you are interested in what I might be doing, check out Buckner's intern website.

4. I'm back at my parent's house for the semester....err. The next few months.

Listen to me - I can't get out of school mode! As I am in this "place of waiting", I will not hear back from the internship or potential grad schools until middle/late February. Until then...who knows! After New Year's, I'm planning on applying to be a substitute teacher for the local I.S.D. to make some money and have a flexible schedule. ALSO, since I have this flexibility, I plan on taking little mini trips to visit friends - in other words, let me know you want to see me and I'll do my darnedest to come! =) Hopefully, I'll stay busy subbing, volunteering at local organizations and at my local church. If I stay busy, I won't get bored. Don't get me wrong - I love my parents and love hanging out with them! But, there are very few people my age in this small town, so I'm already getting a bit lonely.

Anyway, that's the brief run-down of my current life in a snapshot! We'll see how this blogging thing goes.....

=) t