The place that I live 9 September, 2009
Now that the weather has cleared a bit and the sun has come out again (its only about 8,000 degrees now) my neighborhood has come alive. The walk to work is so full of people and noise and interesting things to look at and....smell.
Upon leaving the gate of my building I am greeted by a dirt and rock road that is incredibly bumpy and difficult to walk on. Its actually a pretty good workout. On both sides of the street there is a flurry of activity everyday. Jamhuri (Jam-hurry) Estate is growing and there is constant building going on. Only, the building sites are like no others I have ever seen. Safety regulations don't mean much and I often find myself crossing to the other side of the road because I am sure that someday a piece of rock or steel rod is sure to fall and hit whatever unlucky person happens to be walking below. There is also a car wash on my street. Which is actually just a small driveway with the words “CAR WASH” written in chalk on the stone wall above. Both sides of the street are full of little kiosks and even a “7-11” that sell pretty much anything you could want from a cold soda to chickens to new curtains for your house. And every one of them comes special with a couple of men sitting outside of it talking. Or women in head wraps doing their washing. There is a drought in Kenya right now and I'm not sure where it all comes from but there seems to be no end of mud puddles and little streams of water to walk across and jump over. Once the dirt road ends and the paved road begins there is some open space with grass and more apartment buildings on either side as well as a small community of little shops that lead down the road to Kibera which is only about a quarter of a mile away from me. Further down the road on one side is an outdoor 'nursery'. Which is just basically rows and rows of plants on the side of the road. They are all over Nairobi. Its kind of crazy actually. It takes me approx 15-20 min to walk down my road to the end where it meets Ngong (Gong) road which is the main street in Nairobi. There I can continue to walk down dusty paths another 15 min to work dodging Matatus that don't feel the need to wait for traffic on the street and so drive on the 'sidewalk' of dirt paths, passing road construction, taxi drivers who like to yell at me, dirty ragged children who ask for food and my lunch money (which I usually give them cause its too hard to say no) other pedestrians on their way to work or school (all of whom stare and shout at me) and all manner of crazy traffic accidents. Or, I can hop in a Matatu and ride the final few min to work. Believe it or not, I would rather walk than spend anymore time than necessary in a Matatu (think New York taxis but 100 times scarier). I love my neighborhood. I love the women that sit on the side of the road talking all morning. And in the afternoons the streets are full of children running and screaming and playing. There are women and young girls doing the washing and moms playing with their babies. Its a great little neighborhood, safe and full of life. I'm very lucky to have been placed here and I think that the next six months will be pleasant living here as I get to know my neighbors and street vendors. I think Mr. Rogers would like it here too......
PRAYER REQUESTS:
*part of the reason I wanted to stay for so long was because I really wanted to get to know Kenya and immerse myself in the culture. Please pray for the boldness to do this. To not merely walk by the same people everyday, but to stop and say hello, get to know them and their families and their lives. And for my continued safety as I navigate the streets of Jamhuri and Dahgoretti.
*Pray for Kenya: We are experiencing a severe drought and people and livestock are dying. The news tonight showed women fighting and yelling at each other in order to get a little bit of water that is dirty and mucky and probably full of disease. El Nino is supposed to happen this year and although we are in desperate need of the rain, most of the rural villages and IDP camps are not prepared for that much rain and are in danger of flooding.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
THIS IS HOW YOU DO CHURCH
This is how you do Church
Service at Cheryl's Children's Home 6 of September, 2009
Central City Community Church on skid row has nothing on these kids. Worshiping with them was amazing, it was a great way to spend my first Sunday Kenya.
The service was run by the older students who played the drums and the keyboard while two others lead the singing. They danced around and clapped their hands and had so much fun. The service was full of Joy and laughter and music. It was “church” in its purest form, lead by children. At one point someone asked for testimonies of God's goodness and EVERY SINGLE ONE of those kids in turn stood up and said “praise the Lord” to which everyone else replied “Amen” which prompted a “praise the Lord again” from whomever was speaking and another “amen” from everyone else. They then spoke of God's goodness and their thankfulness to him. Some of them read a verse or two and a couple even gave little mini sermons! It was so incredible. I am always struck by how real and big and good God is to the teachers and students here. It is encouraging but also convicting. There is something that the people here have that we sometimes forget we have back in the states. And that is a need for God in our lives. Everyday. And a reliance on Him that we sometimes loose because we have so much. I have a feeling that this is only the first of many lessons that I will learn from these incredible children and am so blessed to be able to be here....
KENYAN TIDBITS:
*A commercial heard on the radio in Nairobi: “when you have to go to the bathroom, you just have to go. But when you need the news, we bring it to you.”
*Storm over paradise update: (dont act like you dont want it)Nicolas is out of the hospital, but Imar is still in prison and her trial is not going well. Karina Rosinberg who paid someone to kidnap her kid and then framed Imar has cancer and is in the hospital still plotting everyones death that gets in her way (no one knows that shes sick by the way). The real Karina Rosinberg is hiding out somewhere biding her time until she reveals who she is. They call her the little mermaid and she always the dumbest look on her face. She bugs me. The fake Karina still loves David, her husbands brother and he is pretending to love her in order to expose her evilness. This of course, is causing some problems with his girlfriend. David and Nicolas' dad is responsible for the death of Imar's father (we just found out tonight) and Jose Miguel is still in love with Imar and trying to be her hero even though she keeps telling him that she can only be his friend cause her heart belongs to Nicolas... poor Jose Miguel. He's not even that good looking and has a weird relationship with his mom.
Service at Cheryl's Children's Home 6 of September, 2009
Central City Community Church on skid row has nothing on these kids. Worshiping with them was amazing, it was a great way to spend my first Sunday Kenya.
The service was run by the older students who played the drums and the keyboard while two others lead the singing. They danced around and clapped their hands and had so much fun. The service was full of Joy and laughter and music. It was “church” in its purest form, lead by children. At one point someone asked for testimonies of God's goodness and EVERY SINGLE ONE of those kids in turn stood up and said “praise the Lord” to which everyone else replied “Amen” which prompted a “praise the Lord again” from whomever was speaking and another “amen” from everyone else. They then spoke of God's goodness and their thankfulness to him. Some of them read a verse or two and a couple even gave little mini sermons! It was so incredible. I am always struck by how real and big and good God is to the teachers and students here. It is encouraging but also convicting. There is something that the people here have that we sometimes forget we have back in the states. And that is a need for God in our lives. Everyday. And a reliance on Him that we sometimes loose because we have so much. I have a feeling that this is only the first of many lessons that I will learn from these incredible children and am so blessed to be able to be here....
KENYAN TIDBITS:
*A commercial heard on the radio in Nairobi: “when you have to go to the bathroom, you just have to go. But when you need the news, we bring it to you.”
*Storm over paradise update: (dont act like you dont want it)Nicolas is out of the hospital, but Imar is still in prison and her trial is not going well. Karina Rosinberg who paid someone to kidnap her kid and then framed Imar has cancer and is in the hospital still plotting everyones death that gets in her way (no one knows that shes sick by the way). The real Karina Rosinberg is hiding out somewhere biding her time until she reveals who she is. They call her the little mermaid and she always the dumbest look on her face. She bugs me. The fake Karina still loves David, her husbands brother and he is pretending to love her in order to expose her evilness. This of course, is causing some problems with his girlfriend. David and Nicolas' dad is responsible for the death of Imar's father (we just found out tonight) and Jose Miguel is still in love with Imar and trying to be her hero even though she keeps telling him that she can only be his friend cause her heart belongs to Nicolas... poor Jose Miguel. He's not even that good looking and has a weird relationship with his mom.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Kibera
Africa's Largest Slum- 5 of September, 2009
There is something about playing a hand clapping game with a child who is covered in dirt. Who has a runny nose, snot all over his torn and tattered t-shirt that is too big for him and god only knows what all over his feet because his shoes are not nearly adequate in protecting them from the filth that has settled on the ground that he calls home. There is a tragedy about the smile on his face. Especially the way he giggles when the "muzungu" cant seem to get the game right and clap her hands in the right order. It is heart breaking, but somehow, beautiful. It is because he does not know that it could be better. But you do. He doesn't know what its like to try on a brand new shirt, bought just for you, that is clean and fits perfectly. He is unaware that there are streets that are not littered with "flying toilets" (human waste put in a small plastic bag and thrown out the windows) providing a walk way that is clean and clear and safe for his little feet to walk uncovered on. But you do. He should know what a just warm enough bubble bath feels like and the way clean and cut fingernails shine. He should know a father that loves him, that comes home from work everyday, puts him on his lap and reads him a story. That provides a comfortable home to live in and enough food to fill the needs of his growing body. Instead, if he knows his father at all, it is as a man who drinks all day, beats him and his mother, spends the little money that he has on gambling and beer instead of on food. He knows no better. But you do. There is no love, or comfort or safety. It is all he knows, and so he smiles and giggles because he is a child. But you know better. And all there is to do is smile, and try to get the clapping patterns right.
Kibera (key-bear-uh) is the largest slum in Africa, second largest in the world. It spans about a mile and a half and is home to over 800,000 people. This number is expected to more than double in the next 10 years. It is a labyrinth of dirt, mud huts, half naked children, drunk men, with little sunlight and even less clean water. The smell is staggering and it's difficult to look around you because you have to pay such close attention to where you are walking and what you may be stepping in. There is little education as most of the families that live in the slum are unable to pay the fees to send their children to school-a guarantee that this cycle of poverty will never end. Because without money, there is no education, and without an education, these children have no hope of ever leaving. This creates families that have lived here for generations and are proud of their slum heritage. They do not fight to get their children or themselves out. They simply accept it and take a pride in it that is hard to understand. How do you help a people that don't seem to want to be helped? How do you expect better for people that don't expect it for themselves? It is maddening. To know that it doesn't have to be this way. And yet it is.
There is something about playing a hand clapping game with a child who is covered in dirt. Who has a runny nose, snot all over his torn and tattered t-shirt that is too big for him and god only knows what all over his feet because his shoes are not nearly adequate in protecting them from the filth that has settled on the ground that he calls home. There is a tragedy about the smile on his face. Especially the way he giggles when the "muzungu" cant seem to get the game right and clap her hands in the right order. It is heart breaking, but somehow, beautiful. It is because he does not know that it could be better. But you do. He doesn't know what its like to try on a brand new shirt, bought just for you, that is clean and fits perfectly. He is unaware that there are streets that are not littered with "flying toilets" (human waste put in a small plastic bag and thrown out the windows) providing a walk way that is clean and clear and safe for his little feet to walk uncovered on. But you do. He should know what a just warm enough bubble bath feels like and the way clean and cut fingernails shine. He should know a father that loves him, that comes home from work everyday, puts him on his lap and reads him a story. That provides a comfortable home to live in and enough food to fill the needs of his growing body. Instead, if he knows his father at all, it is as a man who drinks all day, beats him and his mother, spends the little money that he has on gambling and beer instead of on food. He knows no better. But you do. There is no love, or comfort or safety. It is all he knows, and so he smiles and giggles because he is a child. But you know better. And all there is to do is smile, and try to get the clapping patterns right.
Kibera (key-bear-uh) is the largest slum in Africa, second largest in the world. It spans about a mile and a half and is home to over 800,000 people. This number is expected to more than double in the next 10 years. It is a labyrinth of dirt, mud huts, half naked children, drunk men, with little sunlight and even less clean water. The smell is staggering and it's difficult to look around you because you have to pay such close attention to where you are walking and what you may be stepping in. There is little education as most of the families that live in the slum are unable to pay the fees to send their children to school-a guarantee that this cycle of poverty will never end. Because without money, there is no education, and without an education, these children have no hope of ever leaving. This creates families that have lived here for generations and are proud of their slum heritage. They do not fight to get their children or themselves out. They simply accept it and take a pride in it that is hard to understand. How do you help a people that don't seem to want to be helped? How do you expect better for people that don't expect it for themselves? It is maddening. To know that it doesn't have to be this way. And yet it is.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
UMMM, I CAN SEE MY BREATH. IS THAT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN?
first day of walking to work 3, sept. 2009
NOTES ON TRAVELING TO AFRICA:
Leave the Jack's at home.
Jack Percells (a type of converse tennis shoe) although loved, and comfortable and have pulled you through the last 17 years, are completely inadequate foot wear for Africa when it rains (especially if they are 8 yrs old and have holes in them. It is best to be sure to pack sturdy boots. If, due to increasing airline fees for overweight baggage you are unable to be sure to visit the local Nakumatt upon arrival and purchase a pair for a mere 400ksh (approx $6). Please also note that OP rain “jackets” purchased at the Goodwill outlet for $1.00 are also not going to do you any good.
For those of us who think we know that September is a hot month in Africa (like all the other months) please be advised that Africa is also subject to “unusual for this time of year” weather and phenomenons such as el nino.
Not kidding. I saw my breath this morning.
NOTES ON TRAVELING TO AFRICA:
Leave the Jack's at home.
Jack Percells (a type of converse tennis shoe) although loved, and comfortable and have pulled you through the last 17 years, are completely inadequate foot wear for Africa when it rains (especially if they are 8 yrs old and have holes in them. It is best to be sure to pack sturdy boots. If, due to increasing airline fees for overweight baggage you are unable to be sure to visit the local Nakumatt upon arrival and purchase a pair for a mere 400ksh (approx $6). Please also note that OP rain “jackets” purchased at the Goodwill outlet for $1.00 are also not going to do you any good.
For those of us who think we know that September is a hot month in Africa (like all the other months) please be advised that Africa is also subject to “unusual for this time of year” weather and phenomenons such as el nino.
Not kidding. I saw my breath this morning.
LIONS AND CHEETAHS AND MONKEYS, OH MY!
Nairobi Animal Orphanage. 2 Sept, 2009
For day two of our training we were taken to the Animal Orphanage where animals who are hurt or abandoned are brought to be cared for and then released back into the wild. It was basically a small zoo, but afforded some new and really fun experinces. I got to hold a baby cheetah, and feed a monkey out of my hand. The whole thing got me really amped for the Safari that I am going to be going on in a couple of weeks!
For day two of our training we were taken to the Animal Orphanage where animals who are hurt or abandoned are brought to be cared for and then released back into the wild. It was basically a small zoo, but afforded some new and really fun experinces. I got to hold a baby cheetah, and feed a monkey out of my hand. The whole thing got me really amped for the Safari that I am going to be going on in a couple of weeks!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Arrival in Kenya
Hello Friends!
just a quick note to let you know that i have arrived safely in Kenya. My flights were long but smooth, my ride remembered me at the airport and the home that i am stayin in is wonderful.
I have running hot water (most of the time) and electricty (everyother day) so things are good!
I live with Alice who is a nurse and gone most of the day and her sister Margaret who just graduated university. they are both quiet and sweet and giggle a lot. During training my roommates are Fernanda who just graduated from high school,is from Mexico City and a constant source of entertainment and Nicole who is a lawyer in L.A. Both girls will be transfered to other sites once training is over and I will get a new roommate. Right now all i know about her is that her name is Sasha and she will be here working in the same orphanage as me for three months. I am thankful to have someone to walk to work with everyday!
Orientation has been busy and full of information. There are about 20 other volunteers starting with me, and I think that after the first day I have made a couple of friends......
KENYAN TID-BITS
* Africa has its own version of American Idol/Big brother mix. its called Tuskers project fame. Tuskers is a brand of beer by the way.
* My new favorite show is a spanish soap opera with english dubs called storm in paradise. Currently, Ima has been arrested for the kidnapping of Nicolas' child. Nicolas is in a coma and I'm pretty sure that its his wife who staged the kidnapping.
Prayer Requests:
*I'm a little bit nervous about the transportation situation, not so much using it as getting lost on it. Please pray that my horrible sense of direction takes a break these next few months and is replaced by a mapquest inside my head.
* The orphanage that I will be at has over 200 children (60 full time), I want to be comfortable enough with them and with my gifts to initiate activities, and outings. Pray for an open mind to the way things are run and the funds that will allow me to bring new things to the program and its charges.
Thats all for now! Please shoot me an email or a facebook message or something and let me know whats going on!
just a quick note to let you know that i have arrived safely in Kenya. My flights were long but smooth, my ride remembered me at the airport and the home that i am stayin in is wonderful.
I have running hot water (most of the time) and electricty (everyother day) so things are good!
I live with Alice who is a nurse and gone most of the day and her sister Margaret who just graduated university. they are both quiet and sweet and giggle a lot. During training my roommates are Fernanda who just graduated from high school,is from Mexico City and a constant source of entertainment and Nicole who is a lawyer in L.A. Both girls will be transfered to other sites once training is over and I will get a new roommate. Right now all i know about her is that her name is Sasha and she will be here working in the same orphanage as me for three months. I am thankful to have someone to walk to work with everyday!
Orientation has been busy and full of information. There are about 20 other volunteers starting with me, and I think that after the first day I have made a couple of friends......
KENYAN TID-BITS
* Africa has its own version of American Idol/Big brother mix. its called Tuskers project fame. Tuskers is a brand of beer by the way.
* My new favorite show is a spanish soap opera with english dubs called storm in paradise. Currently, Ima has been arrested for the kidnapping of Nicolas' child. Nicolas is in a coma and I'm pretty sure that its his wife who staged the kidnapping.
Prayer Requests:
*I'm a little bit nervous about the transportation situation, not so much using it as getting lost on it. Please pray that my horrible sense of direction takes a break these next few months and is replaced by a mapquest inside my head.
* The orphanage that I will be at has over 200 children (60 full time), I want to be comfortable enough with them and with my gifts to initiate activities, and outings. Pray for an open mind to the way things are run and the funds that will allow me to bring new things to the program and its charges.
Thats all for now! Please shoot me an email or a facebook message or something and let me know whats going on!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Hot wings, Hot showers, and Hot irons
Three things that I did last night that I probably wont do again for six months. weird.
I'm leaving for the airport in about 30 min and all I can think about is the fact that I'm tired. The enormity of what I am doing hit me pretty hard on Wed and I came this close to a nervous breakdown. But now I feel fine. As though the trip to LAX that I am about to take is just like any other trip to LAX I've ever taken before. I'm not really sure what to think about it all. I didn't sleep well last night. Maybe due to the hot wings?
Ok, I'm going to admit out loud what you are probably already thinking. I'm not very good at this whole blog thing. My thoughts are too reckless to be of any use or sense to anyone at the moment. So I'll leave it at this. Please pray for me. I have a long trip ahead of me (about 24 hours). Thankfully I have a charged ipod, a good book and some drugs to help me get through it. Please pray for my roommates that I will be staying with in Kenya and for a bond. Please pray for someone to work with that loves Jesus. Someone that I can be a support and encouragement to as well as be supported and encouraged.
And please keep in touch, either through this crazy blog thing or facebook (facebook.com/dre.marinez) or through email (livea.revolution@yahoo.com).
Thanks for your prayers, and for listening.
Here I go......
I'm leaving for the airport in about 30 min and all I can think about is the fact that I'm tired. The enormity of what I am doing hit me pretty hard on Wed and I came this close to a nervous breakdown. But now I feel fine. As though the trip to LAX that I am about to take is just like any other trip to LAX I've ever taken before. I'm not really sure what to think about it all. I didn't sleep well last night. Maybe due to the hot wings?
Ok, I'm going to admit out loud what you are probably already thinking. I'm not very good at this whole blog thing. My thoughts are too reckless to be of any use or sense to anyone at the moment. So I'll leave it at this. Please pray for me. I have a long trip ahead of me (about 24 hours). Thankfully I have a charged ipod, a good book and some drugs to help me get through it. Please pray for my roommates that I will be staying with in Kenya and for a bond. Please pray for someone to work with that loves Jesus. Someone that I can be a support and encouragement to as well as be supported and encouraged.
And please keep in touch, either through this crazy blog thing or facebook (facebook.com/dre.marinez) or through email (livea.revolution@yahoo.com).
Thanks for your prayers, and for listening.
Here I go......
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