Bess goes to Kenya

Video taste of Kenya!

2009-11-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a two minute snippet of the Kenya Global Project! It was filmed and produced by the AWESOME Daniel Bourassa. Thank you, thank you!! This brought tears to my eyes and launched me right back to my summer and the most incredible experience of my life!

Photos from Kenya!

2009-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Our whole Kenya Global Project Team

Riding the train to Mombasa, Kenya

Lake Nakuru on safari day

The compound I stayed at in Korogocho, home to Tumaini Ministries

A delicious breakfast...mangoes, avocados, bread, jam and chai tea, YUM!

Looking out over Korogocho

Kiserian school children

The avocados were amazing, and HUGE!

Sunset over Korogocho

Mathare Valley Slum

Mathare Valley children

I really do!

unpacking...

2009-08-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family!

Well I've been back in the USA for a week...and it is weird! I supposed you get used to living some where and then when you are yanked out it all turns upside down! I definately got used to living in Kenya and I miss it... a lot! But being home is wonderful too...after you start to get over the initial shock of it all. The toilets flush, you can drink out of the faucet, there is cheese, I can just hop in my car and go anywhere I want, everyone speaks english, I have a little magic box called a cell phone that connects me INSTANTLY with just about anyone. America, oh America.

What am I missing the most? Hmmmm....

1. The overwhelmingly friendly nature of everyone in Kenya, no matter if you are a stranger or a close friend. Everyone greets you with a smile and a hearty handshake. There is a lot of love and hospitality in Kenya...everyone is welcomed to dinner.

2. The pace of life. It is about 10X slower than here, even when I was in Nairobi (the capital city), people weren't in that big of a rush. Relationship, whether it was with family, friends or neighbors was WAY more important than how many things you could get accomplished in a day. Efficency wasn't in Kenyan vocabulary...and I loved that.

3. Openess about spirituality. People aren't reserved or afraid to talk about what they believe in. You can just walk up to a stranger or knock on any door and start talking about what they think about God. No slamming doors, no scoffs, no dismissals. People want to talk about real things, about matters of life and the heart.

4. Fresh, dirt-cheap, and GIGANTIC mangos and avacodos every day. Delicious. I actually cracked up laughing a few days ago in the supermarket when I saw our pitiful excuse for avacodos and their staggering price. Haha, I ate ones nearly the size of my head for no more than 20 cents each morning. Sigh.

5. Kids screaming "How are you mzungu?!" every 5 seconds as we walked down the road and running to grab our hands and walk with us. Those wtoto (children) were just about the cutest things ever...I almost snuck a few home in my suitcase.

6. My amazing team. 40 college students from all over the US and Kenya leaders and one amazing family (the Schenks), living together, laughing till our sides ached, sharing meals and stories, growing in our faith and challenging each other, crying over the overwhelming-ness of Kenya, of God, of poverty, and of the joy we found here.

Many Kenyans have very little when it comes to material wealth, but oh they are rich in spiritual wealth. They know where their treasure lies, not on this earth, but in heaven. Many Americans have everything in the world a person could need or want and they don't think they need a savior. We are the poorest in spirit, and that is an aching tragedy. But God is a redeemer, He comes into the brokeness and makes it beautiful and fruitful again.

We have so much, we are blessed, why not use it wisely to further the kingdom, to spread life and not get lost in our greed. It is a challenge that I will live with everyday...I am accountable to every poverty-stricken, malnurished, aching person and horrible situation that I saw in Kenya. I cannot deny that there are people living with life crushing diseases in substandard conditions who look injustice in the eyes everyday. I was there. What am I going to do next? With God's help I will continue to become the person that He designed me to be, and leave holy footsteps where ever I tread. I am responsible for what I have been given, and what I have seen? What will the world know about God through me?

It is really hard to be set apart, to swim up stream, to push against the grain of this world, but I am convinced that it will be worth it now and especially in the end.

Colossians 3:1-4, 12-14

"Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you will appear with him in glory. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with eachother and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity."

Be blessed. Thank you so much again for all your prayers, advice, and support. I will post some photos in the next couple of weeks...I have about 1200 to go through and edit. I can't believe where I have been, and I can't believe that I am home.

Much love,

Bess

Kwaheri, Africa.

2009-07-23T05:05:00.000-07:00

Hello dearest friends and family!

It is our last full day in Africa, I can’t believe that seven weeks is coming to a close! What an adventure it has been, in so many unexpected ways! Now where did I leave off…

Oh yes the team all met up outside of Nairobi in a town called Kasarani to begin to de-brief and start telling our stories of assignment. We did the Hindu and Muslim training days, we attended Nairobi chapel, had quite a time bargaining in the Masaai Market. A couple of things happened at the retreat center right before we left that I forgot to mention in my last post.

First on a sad note, that I wasn’t ready to mention in the previous post. Our amazing host parents came to have dinner with us on one of the last evenings and brought some tragic news with them. The boy that Darnell and I had decided to support to get treatement for his serious eye infections and facial swelling was admitted to the hospital and passed away two days later. It was really hard for Darnell and I, we really thought that with treatment he would have a shot, but I think it was just a little too late. God’s plans are a mystery to me, and I know he took Vincent exactly when he was supposed to, but it is still hard. We grieve because we are the ones left behind. Please pray for his family and his church in the slums with whom his family is very closely involved with. What a hard thing. But I want to thank all of you who responded with desires to send funds to Vincent and his family and willingness to pray. Faith and Tom especially, you both are amazing, thank you for your heart to serve and support.

After spending three weeks in the slums and then coming back to our team and hearing so many stories, Darnell and I realized that God had been purposely guarding our hearts. I am usually a very sensitive and openly emotional person, basically a “cry baby”, but during our assignment, neither of us cried at all. I think that God was guarding me from totally emotional breakdowns because I would just turn into a wreck, unable to serve the kingdom. We saw some really horrible things; we saw injustice rear its ugly head day after day, but we had to stay strong to encourage those around us and spread the joy of the Lord. It was really hard. But as this trip is coming to a close God is subtly breaking down the walls, and I have been able to grieve, kidogo kidogo (little by little).

We embarked on a pretty incredible cross country train trip from Nairobi to Mombasa on the coast of Kenya. We zipped through the country side, acacia trees, villages and the odd elephant sliding by. We arrived in Mombasa in the morning to begin re-entry training. It was so beautiful there! I got to watch the sunrise over the Indian Ocean 4 times, it was so magical. The re-entry training was really great, and much needed. Going back into America is going to be quite the culture shock. I don’t know if I’m ready for flushing toilets, hot showers, cheese, paved roads and school just yet. But sawa-sawa (it’s all good), I will be just fine I imagine, with time and prayer.

Keep the whole team in your prayers we are all going to be traveling for the next two days, wow. Well everyone is waiting for me, I’m the cow’s tail in the village cyber café, haha. See you all on the 26th, and kwaheri Africa…it’s been unexplainable.

All together now...

2009-07-16T08:45:00.001-07:00

Six weeks in, can you believe it? Neither can I, the African time-warp is REAL! HAHA. Well all the teams are alive, and mostly well; and gathered just outside of Nairobi at a retreat center called Little Sisters of St. Francis. We have almost all been sick at one point, some more than others. So far 6 people have gotten malaria, my partner Darnell came down with Typhoid, and I had one terrible night of vomiting...but I'm feeling MUCH better!

We have all learned so much and experienced so much on assignment, from open heart surgery, to healing, death, new life, overwhelming joy and crushing disappointment. It has been so amazing to hear everyone's stories and we are all anxiously awaiting the video that Daniel Barassa shot. He should be home by now...how is Missoula buddy? Haha.

So here is a brief run down of our time since we've been back. We had a day of Hindu training and outreach in Nairobi. We had the opportunity to visit two temples and learn about their faith. It was pretty intense to say the least. We enjoyed some Indian food...which actually I never want to eat again. That was the night I got pretty sick and well it doesn't taste so good the second time around. EW. I couldn't eat anything for about a day and now I'm feeling much better, praise the Lord! Brian and Darnell got sick too and we had to stay in bed to recover the following day, but the rest of the team went to Mathare Valley again to do a day of service. I heard it was amazing, lots of balloon animals and laughs. We attended Nairobi Chapel on Sunday...it was so BIG, most of us were just in awe, having attended tiny tin-sided dirt floor churches for the last four weeks. We then went to the market and put our bargaining skills to work and got some cool gifts for home. I met two vendors from my neighborhood in Korogocho and spent most of my time talking to them instead of shopping, haha.

We had a day of Islam training and had the opportunity to visit a mosque later that day. I have a new heart for Muslims, and I can't wait to pick Kevin Nalty's brain when I get home. International students have have really been put on my heart lately, and I can't wait to love them when I get back to the University of Montana. We went on a Safari, and it was my first time out of the Nairobi area for over five weeks! Not all of Kenya is city or slums! HAHA. I enjoyed it SOOOOO much, so much greenery and amazing animals that I had only seen in photos or movies. At one point we saw six rhinos at once, WHOA, they are so huge and weird! We visited Huruma children's orphange, what a wonderful sad place. I was on the music team and we visited the different wards and sang for the children, disabled ladies and the toddlers, it was so much fun. I also got to just love and hold the babies there, most abandoned in the slums, and just marvel at their tiny beauty. What a God we serve.

We just got back from a day at another slum of Nairobi working with World Hope, a sports ministry that uses soccer (futbol) to spread the gospel and reach out to street children. It was amazing and hard and really tiring...I'm not very good at soccer, haha. Well tomorrow we head off to Mombassa by train to debrief and learn how to re-enter into our American culture. America seems so weird and far away right now. God has really been working in me, teaching me so much about myself and who I am in him. I'm unpacking lessons everyday, and I can't wait to share them with all of you! Talk to you all soon, be blessed!!

-Bess

bye, Korogocho...

2009-07-08T04:21:00.000-07:00

I just can’t believe it!

Darnell and I have come to the end of our three week ministry assignment in the slums, how did time go by like that? We have spent the last 2 days just enjoying our family and new dear friends here. I know that when I think back on my time in Kenya, it will be those rich relationships, wonderful people, and joyful children that will be the sweetest memories. Living in the slums has opened my eyes, expanded my heart, increased my sensitivity, and deepened my understanding of all I have been blessed and INTRUSTED with. Darnell and I have been wrestling with the question of why we have so much and others have so little, why were we born in America, why did God lead us to the slums…what is God up to?

We will be unpacking all of these lessons and experiences for a long time; I think…how do I begin to process it all? Our Kenyan family, the Wetindis, have been so amazing, generous and full of joy…pray blessings for them. Darnell and I have stalled when it comes to packing our bags and taking down our mosquito nets…we don’t want to leave! When we first arrived we were in bed by dark and scared by all the sounds and commotion and poverty outside our concrete compound. But now three weeks later we don’t want to leave! From sitting on the roof chatting and laughing with our friends as the sun goes down through the smog, celebrating birthdays with locally-made lemon cake, playing with passing bare-footed children, and hearing our names called out with smiles as we pass through the market…this place has become like home. People make a place worth staying, fighting for, praying for, and loving…not the landscape.

Before we leave to meet the other 30-ish members of our team today, we are meeting with some people. In my previous posts I talked about a boy named Vincent that we met who is suffering from eye infections and is in danger of losing his remaining eye. Darnell and I are meeting with his father and pastor to donate some funds to help with his medical expenses and talk more about his condition. Some of you have expressed wishes to support this wonderful young boy, and I will keep you updated as best as possible as everything unfolds. Pray that God will be glorified in every part of this situation, what a loving God we serve, he cares about each of us…in our joy and in our pain. Keep Vincent and his family in your prayers!

We spent our last weekend around the Korogocho area, fellowshipping with church members, preaching on Sunday here at the compound in Lucky Summer, and enjoying meals together with friends. Mama made BANANA stew last night, and it was sooooo good, one of my new favorites! She has generously shared many recipes with me, so my family, friends and roommates should all brace themselves…I’m going to try them out on you! HAHA.

Well it is about time to trying to fit everything in our suitcases and backpacks….I just can’t believe it! I have learned so much here, and experienced an incredible amount. God has used this time to stretch my faith and reliance on Him, what a great thing! With hearts full, yet heavy we bid farewell to the slums of Nairobi that we have had the opportunity to visit on assignment; Kiambio, Korogocho, Kibera, Gituamba, and Futyan Nyayo. The people we met there will be in our thoughts, hearts and prayers, oh how they blessed us, even in their poverty they showed us the joy and hope of the Lord. Here is a verse that I have kept coming back to during our time here.

Romans 5:1-5

“Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but also rejoice in our suffering because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character HOPE. And hope does not disappoint us because God poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

Amani & Tumaini (Peace and Hope!)

2009-07-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Korogocho!

So much has happened since my last post. We can't believe that we have less than a week left at Tumaini Ministries with Alfred and Elica Wetindi and friends! Time has flown by lately and I find myself looking around, trying to soak up everything and savor it. I want to remember the faces we have seen, the hands we have shaken and high-fived, the the dusty roads, the food, even the smell and matatus! I have been keeping a daily, very detailed, journal so I won't forget.

Let's see, where did I leave you all last? Oh yes, Darnell had just gotten back from the hospital...ok...LOTS has happened. I will try to do it justice without spending a million shillings in the cyber cafe! HAHA.

Tumaini hosted a night of overnight prayer last week, and we got our dancing and singing groove on. Kenyans love to dance and sing...LOUD! We had to turn in at about 1am so that we could get up in the morning to travel to another slum, but it was a really great experience. We went around our area of Korogocho, called Lucky Summer doing home visits and encouraging church members and spreading the gospel. We talked to many people and waded through copious herds of goats in the road! Animals run pretty wild here; dogs, cats, goats, sheep and the odd lizard!

We visited Kiambiu slum, the site of another Tumaini church, and had a wonderful day there. We visited the pastor and then went around the neighborhood, which is next to a pretty gross river, and talked to many people along the way. We spent time in homes, praying and reading scripture, and meeting many new friends. We went back to the pastor's home and had lunch. This was the day after Michael Jackson died, and they flipped on their tiny old tv and we saw Michael on ever channel! It was weird, I hadn't watched any TV in a month and there was the king of pop...it seemed so strange! We played with the children in the tiny church there...lots of singing and games and hair braiding. They love our hair, they are always stroking it, pulling it, and playing with it, pretty funny.

We were the preachers on Sunday. We went to the largest church of Tumaini Ministries in Korogocho slum. Man do they love to sing and dance! We probably worshipped and boogied for over an hour before the service moved on. It was great. I gave a testimony and Darnell spoke about God's timing and his heart for justice. We read scripture out of Habakkuk, and out of the Psalms.

We went to the slum of Fuata Nyayo on Monday...I think we have visited at least five slums since we have been here (we also live right on the edge of one!). No matter how many times I visit those areas, the affect they have on me is still fresh...I don't think anybody should accept or get used to such injustice. We wove our way through the narrow filthy alley ways and crowded streets to the church there. We met two pastors and proceeded to Happy Angels Nursury School, which is attached to the building. OH goodness, it was adorable over-load! About 40 five year olds greeted us at the tops of their lungs! They jumped and shrieked and danced and sang for us. We sat in on their lesson, what smarties!! They knew had to add, subtract, spell and even multiply! We were very impressed and quited taken with them...so cute! We then walked home to home with the pastors, visiting church members, many of whom were very sick. One boy's story really struck at my heart, and I have thought of him everyday since our visit on Monday. His name was Vincent and we visited him and his parents. He was suffering from eye infections and his face was severely swollen. He had recently had one eye removed and was in danger of losing the other one soon. He couldn't talk, only moan with pain. We prayed over him and talked with his parents. I am seeking to Lord's wisdom and counsel. Darnell and I both want to leave some money with his family to help with their medical expenses. They are very poor, and can't seek more medical help at the moment because of the cost. Heartbreaking. Teenage boys should be outside, running around, hanging out with friends, enjoying life...not cooped up at home, nearly blind, and unable to talk. My heart is aching for Vincent!

We had another day in the Korogocho clinic and maternity ward. I helped in the pharmacy for most of the day, it was really busy!! My swahili was coming along by the end of it...at least enough to tell people how to take their medicine! Darnell
went back home early that day because she was feeling sick again. Keep her in her prayers, my partner is amazing, and I want her to be with me till the end! She is tough as nails though, always trying to tough it out, oh Darnell! After a late lunch with the staff I assumed that I would go back to the pharmacy...but OH NO! A very spirited sassy staff worker named Rosie grabbed me by the hand and hauled me back to the maternity ward! She shoved some scrubs and giant rubber boots into my arms and declared that it was my day to deliver babies!!! WHAT?! I changed and stuck my head into the labor room...really missing Darnell!! Three women were in labor, and their shrieks of pain were enough to make me light headed! Just as I was
edging out of the room, Rosie caught me and deposited me in the delivery room...oh man! But it seemed that the white lady was scaring the babies...nobody was born for almost two hours. I left after an hour of waiting and the staff declared that
ext time I would see newborns! All was not lost, I got to hold a few babies that day who were born earlier. SO little, SO cute!

We had our last day at Amani Ya Juu today....sad!! It has been so wonderful to fellowship with the refugee women there and watch them work. They are always singing together, joking, laughing, and making sure we feel like one of the family. We had one last wonderful day there, and Brian and Debbie Lee visited us there too! We sat outside, drinking chai tea, and discussing our experiences. They had visited many of the teams and had lots of amazing stories to tell. Keep our whole team in your prayers. Three girls on the team have malaria and a few others are sick. All of us will be travelling to Nairobi on Wednesday to meet up. I can't wait to hear about everyone's time on assignment! What different experiences we all have
had...from the slums to Lake Victoria!

Well it is late, and the cyber cafe is about to close! Keep me and Darnell and the whole team in your thoughts and prayers.

God is blessing our time here, and I know I will be realizing just how much for many years to come! I'm off now, got to help Mamma in the kitchen...ugali time!

Much love,

Bess

We have this treasure in jars of clay...

2009-06-25T08:41:00.001-07:00

Habari friends and family!!

First I must apologize for the week of silence…our schedule has been so busy here and we are only supposed to use the internet (if it is working, that is) once a week. But everything is going well and we are healthy (for the most part…read on) and about half way through our time in Kenya! I can’t believe that time is escaping us at such a rate!

We have done so many things since I last posted…let me give you a synopsis! We were the main speakers at a church service in the slums of Korogocho last Sunday! Korogocho roughly translated means “place of broken things”…we hope and pray that it can be seen as a place of hope soon. Darnell read her testimony and I gave the message! WOAH! We decided to as a team to talk about faith and the hope that we have in eternal life…free from suffering, sickness, despair, and anything else that cripples the heart and saddens the spirit. The “sermon” lasted for about half and hour…that is the longest I have ever talked in front of a group of people, it was quite an experience! And the whole service was caught on video, thanks to the Global Project film crew, Daniel Barrassa and Jacktone (one of our Kenyan team mates). They are traveling to almost all of the assignment locations to capture footage of our time in Kenya…what a blessing! We will have a visual to share with everyone when we get home, and a wonderful way to remember and relive our time here. Keep them in your prayers; traveling in Kenya is often a hair-raising experience, haha!

We have been doing some home to home visits around the slums as well. We were invited warmly in by everyone and offered copious amounts of chai tea (a very Kenyan way of welcoming guests.) We listened to many heartbreaking stories and offered the hope of Jesus with them, praying and sharing from scripture and our own lives. At the end of those days, Darnell and I just had to go back to our rooms and sit with their sorrow for a little bit, and then ask to be filled with joy and renewal again. I have confirmed that fact that God has given me an extremely sensitive heart, and I have a hard time letting other people’s painful stories roll of my back. Every person, and every single moment of every person's life matters to God. People, no matter who they are, should matter to us, why don’t we value human life more?

This is a question that I have been wrestling with…I have been learning a lot about “God’s Economy.” What is one person worth? What is bringing the hope of a loving and lasting Father worth…even if it only reaches one person? Brian Lee wisely expounded on this notion. In the book of Luke we hear the story of the storm that Jesus and the disciples faced on the water. Death was near, everyone’s life was a stake, but Jesus calms the storm. The reach the other side safely, and what do they find…a demon-possessed man who has been shunned to the caves by the water’s edge. Jesus drives out the demons from the man into a herd of pigs, who in turn drown themselves in the water. Livestock was everything to people back then…their prime source of income, those pigs would be worth thousands of dollars today. Jesus then instructs the man to tell people what happened to him and promptly gets back in the boat and sails away. Why didn’t Jesus stay to do more, what does that say about the worth of ONE man? That man was worth everyone on the boat dieing just to reach him, thousands of dollars worth of livestock to save him, and so much more… “God Economy.” It is so opposite of how we think. We want the most bang for our buck…we want to stretch our time, money and resources out as far as they can go. What is spreading hope, justice, and life worth to you? This is such a new concept for me, how amazing and backwards is our God?!

On Monday we went to the largest slum in Kenya, and the second largest slum in Africa…Kibera. It was so immense, over 600,000 people crammed into hilly expanse of eroded land. We had a few bumpy “matatu” rides and some walking to get there…definitely on the “other side of the tracks” from Nairobi proper. With two guides/protectors/translators, Isaac and Henry, leading the way we made our way deep into the slum. First try to image garbage on a hot day, then couple that with the body odor from a few thousand people, toss in the smell of porta-potties gone horribly wrong and you have the air of Kibera. Oh and I forgot the copious amount of diesel exhaust in the darkening the air and charcoal fires! Brian Lee put it best when he was trying to explain how wrong that kind of living situation is…no child should have to grow up thinking the world smells like that. Amen. We hiked up a steep, well worn path, over a rickety bridge and wove in and around some dwellings to get to a Tumaini (the ministry our host father helped start) school on a hill. 70 kids ran out to greet us, touch our skin, and drag us around by the hand to play with them. Enough to squeeze anyone’s heart! We sang songs, played games and then met with the pastor/principal there. He said their biggest struggle was not having the funds to install running clean water or start a lunch program. The children have to go home at mid day because the school can’t feed them…and often times neither can their families at home. Oh man. We then ventured to the next Tumaini school, about 15 minutes away. This one was attached to a small clinic and had absolutely no room to play or run. The 30 kids there squeezed in to greet us and stroke our “weird” hair…haha. Basically the same as the other school…no water, no food for the kids. We were starting to feel a might bit dejected by then. After hugging all the kids we could, we started the long sweaty hike out of the slums. Dar and I held all those people in our hearts, we began to pray for them as we walked.

Tuesday is Korogocho clinic day! Hooray! Korogocho actually is home to a very nice (by slum standards) small clinic that has a maternity ward and a tiny pharmacy. Mom you would have been so proud, for a day I was a pharmacist!!! Be sure to tell Pam and Melissa!! We worked with Grace, the VERY sassy head of the clinic all day. She is such a joy, a hilarious lady who loves the Lord and singing! The clinic offers VERY affordable healthcare to slum residents…just to give you an idea of the affordability listen to this. Having a baby there costs 500 Kenyan shillings which is equivalent to about $6.50!!! WOW. We didn’t have any women in labor that day, but the clinic has delivered hundreds of babies. Grace assured us that next time there would be a baby and that WE would help deliver it!!!!! Missionaries and midwives…what a sense of humor God has. Let’s just hope that I don’t pass out when the time comes, I’m a big baby (haha) when it comes to that stuff!

Wednesday we traveled with our host Mama back into Nairobi to visit Amani Ya Juu again. What an oasis, what a breath of fresh air! The refugee women were hard at work again that day, singing and making beautiful items to sell. We got there early enough to share morning prayer with them, it was so amazing. Imagine over 15 women from broken horrible pasts in different lands coming together in hope and joy singing praises together. I brought my recorder and captured some of their songs. I will find a way to share them when I get back. Dar and I helped iron lots of beautiful material for the women so that it could be more easily cut. We shared lunch of ugali and cabbage/onion stew with them before heading out. It was a wonderful low key day for us.

Later that evening brought some woes to our team. Darnell started having some pretty severe stomach pains stemming from previous health problems. We made arrangements to go to the hospital in the morning. Today as I write this we have just gotten back from 5 hours in Nairobi hospital…whew! Darnell got an x-ray and some treatment and is on the mend. Please keep her in constant prayer, she is such a strong lady but I’ve been telling her that she needs to take it easy for a bit and try not to be SO strong all the time. Might I add that how affordable the whole day was too? Several doctor consultations, x-ray, and treatment all added up to just under $60. WOW, oh Kenya!

Darnell is taking some much needed rest and I am going to go help make dinner with Mama…she always has something good cooking! This morning her daughter Rosie taught me how to make delicious chapatti (like flakey tortillas) before we headed to the hospital. YUM!

Keep us in your prayers, we have a little less than 2 weeks left here in Korogocho. Know that God is teaching us and stretching us and blessing us. Also pray for the other teams, they are all over Kenya facing challenges and meeting God in new ways…how amazing! Know that I miss all of you and send my love from Africa!

-Bess

"Tag the white ladies!!!"

2009-06-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

We are still alive, don't worry :)

Well I am here and settled in Korogocho! We are living in a half finished compound with Pastor Alfred Wetindi and his AMAZING wife Elica. They both have giant smiles that could melt stone! They have two grown kids who are visiting for about a week, Rosemary and Daniel. Darnell and I feel very safe here especially at night seeing as Pastor makes us lock ourselves behind THREE doors! Haha! There are bars on all the windows because, poverty and crime are close friends. But none the less we are loving it here. The compound is home to a very small church, a tiny clinic/pharmacy with a VERY enthusiastic staff (or informed us that we may be called on to assist with a live birth one of these days...oh my goodness!!), the Wetindi family, and several of the rehabilitated young men on their way to being pastors. One of them always serves as our guide/escort/body guard whenever we leave the compound, so we are feeling very safe. They are all very nice and repectful, quite a contrast from some of the men we have encountered in the slums. I must add that we haven't run across an outrightly mean Kenyan yet, they are all very friendly and welcoming, asking us all sorts of questions!

Kids love us too, it is pretty hilarious actually. First they will scream, then laugh, then run up to us and take our hands and jabber on in Swahili. You sort of feel like a celebrity here, EVERYONE stares! Since everyone is looking, we try to always shine with the love and hope of Jesus. The only english the little ones know is "How are you?" but is actually sounds more like "Ha Ha You?" So whenever we hear that coming out of dark shops or shacks we know we've been spotted...haha not that we are hard to miss!

We have been eating very well out here. Their main staples are ugali (tasteless mashed potato like white mounds that can be molded in your hands and also used as a spoon). sukomoeekee (shredded cooked kale with onion), chapati (handmade tortillas) and some sort of meat soup. We have also be enjoying DELICIOUS mangos and avacodos...yum! They serve us HEAPS of food, so Darnell and I are glad that we have lots of opportunities to walk during the day. Refusing food is VERY disrespectful in this culture, so Darnell and I are doing our best to keep on swallowing!

Yesterday we went to a near-by part of the slum, about a twenty minute walk on the red African dirt. We passed a by a wild banana grove growing next to the VERY polluted Nairobi River...yum. We visited a primary school and were enthusiastically greeted by about 30 six year olds. We played an action packed game called "Chase/Attack the Mzungu (white lady)" haha! We also practiced counting and doing our ABCs and sang many songs. Next we met up with four other young Kenyans and went out in teams of 3 to visit homes in the slum and tell them about Jesus. It was so scary at first, but so great at the same time! Two girls that we talked to said that they wanted to be born again, WOW!

In the afternoon we visited TULIP, a small Christian girls high school that is part of Pastor Wetindi's ministry called Tumaini (this also includes about 10 churches, lots of pastors, the clinic and much more!) The school is for at risk teen girls who come from very bad home situations. The zealous pastor there, Michael, shared how much he has seen these girls transform and begin to hope again. They greeted us with about 20 minutes of worship! It was just what my heart needed...just to be filled with joy and hope after a long day. We then read some scripture with them, and I gave an abbreviated testimony. They all greeted and hugged us afterward, giant smiles and bright eyes. We will return there once a week during our time here to fellowship and share with them. I know I will miss those girls when we have to leave!

Today we had our first "matatu" ride. How can I describe it...tiny van crammed with as many people as possible and sometimes chickens, a bag of potatos or the odd piece of luggage. They have boisterous conductors who usher people on and off the van while hanging wildly out the door, almost getting peeled off by other drivers! It was a thrill that I'm not sure I want to repeat soon...but while in Kenya!

We spent the day at Amani A Juu, a non-profit that our "Mama" volunteers at several times a week. It partners with refugee women from all over Africa, giving them a place to heal and learn to find hope again. They all work on garmets, bags and jewelry together and all the profits go back to them. It is the most beautiful place, a wonderful little oasis away from the slums...full of flowers, trees and shade. We loved it! The women were amazing, and so full of joy after losing so much!

What an inspiration those ladies were. Tomorrow Dar and I will partner with the youth groups from 2 Tumaini churches in the slum and go home to home again sharing the hope we have found in Christ. Pray for strength and abounding joy. It is hard to live each day among such heartbreaking poverty...but our treasure is surely in heaven, not on this earth.

Until next time...

Kwheri,

Bess

"Slumdog Mission-airs!!"

2009-06-16T05:23:00.000-07:00

Habari family and friends!

So much has happened since my last post! Each day is SO packed here in Kenya! We have been travelling all around the area from the city of Nairobi to "up-country" (the rural areas) for church and to visit a children's home. I have been bonding with my team mates, diving into scripture and preparing my heart for my upcoming three week assignment with a partner. Yesterday, excitement ran high as Brian Lee revealed where we would be going! Places ranged from the city to the country side, to the shores of Lake Victoria. Everyone had their own expectations, including me...but just when you think you have it figured out, Jesus has his own MARVELOUS plan!

My jaw dropped and WOW, I was totally shocked about mine! I was assigned to the slums of Korogochowith my previously mentioned friend, Darnell. Didn't expect that one at all!! First of all because Darnell and I get along SO well, we figured we would be partnered with someone with a different personality in order to be stretched and learn how to relate. Secondly I came to realize that I had an embedded expectation of going "up-country" (to a rural area) as the Kenyans say and squishing dinner-plate sized spiders! I had heard so many stories from my best friend Maureen Leonard about her time in the countryside, that I subconsciously figured that I would be in a similar situation with somebody random. Darnell and I were the last pair to be assigned, and the shock and excitement was mutual.

Korogocho is one of the major slums hugging the edge of Kenya's capital city, Nairobi. It is home to over 200,000 people living in extremely substandard conditions. It is known also for the huge amount of trash and rubbish everywhere and namely its giant trash dump in the center of the slum ...the source of many diseases. We will be staying with Pastor Alfred and his wife Elica in their compound in Korogocho. We will be working with young men rehabilitated from slum life and in the process of pursuing lives as pastors. We will also partner with refugee women who are learning to support themselves by making jewelry and bags among other things. The church is also attached to a small clinic where we will help out. I have heard that there is a chance of working with primary school students, and at risk teenage girls from the slum. Darnell and I will also fill in as guest pastors for the three Sundays we are here at several churches in the slums! We will be preacher women...I'm so excited! I will know more details soon, seeing as I will be there with Dar tomorrow! Slum ministry...who would have thought!

I am scared, excited, still shocked, nervous, expectant, and so anxious to see how God will choose to use me and work in me! Pray that God will turn my fear into faith and that I will be able to boldly share about the hope that God has offered me, and extends to everyone...the world over.

Can you believe it?! I'm still reeling, but with a giant smile on my face. I'm soaking in the fresh air and greenery in the hills right now, because there will be a SERIOUS lack of it where I'm going. Pray for strength and a well-spring of renewing life within me! Just that one day in Mathare Valley left me drained...I need the strength and compassion of the Lord!

I will have twice weekly internet access and here is the address of where you can send me an actual letter...

Kenya Global Project
Bess Brownlee
P.O. Box 781
Ruaraka 00681
Kenya, AFRICA

Talk to you all soon!

Bess

Kenya, oh Kenya!

2009-06-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

Habari friends and family!!

I am alive and well and in KENYA! Firstly Bwana asefiwa!! Jesus is Lord, asefiwe amen! Right now I am in Nairobi, the capital doing a day in the city with the Global Project 2009 team. It feels like I have been here for weeks, yet time is flying by....WEIRD, it is the Africa time warp!

I guess I should tell you where we have been staying! It is a beautiful worship retreat in the highland hills out side of Nairobi called Watakatifu Wote Senta. There are flowers and greenery everywhere. There are small simple dorms which we share with one other person, with beds and mosquito nets...let me tell you, those things take a little practice to get right. I spent about half an hour sewing up rips in it and trying to tuck it in well around my bed, haha...mambo sawa sawa (everything is ok!) I have become an expert at "bucket showering" haha! Kenya is experiencing a drought right now, so we are doing all we can to conserve water. We get up at 7:15 for Morning Glory, we hear a word from one of the students (I was the first to volunteer to go...I have no idea what got into me :) I read 1 John 3:16-18, which Mo had given to me in a letter...perfect timing by the way for that verse...read on.) We then have breakfast and head out for the day's activities around 9am, return home for dinner around 6pm, talk together about the day in small groups, and then have acoustic worship lead by Americans and Kenyans together with much dancing! I love it here, it is so different, but it makes me feel alive! Africa!

The Global Project team, headed by Brian and Debbie Lee of Missoula, MT (i LOVE them!!) is amazing. Students from all over the US, and 5 Kenyan students as well. I have found a kindred spirit in my room mate for the first part of the trip...Darnell. She is from Tennessee, and has the sass to prove it! She is HILARIOUS and has an amazing heart for Jesus. She encourages me, laughs with me and prays with me. How she and the others are blessing my time here, without a doubt!

God is teaching me so many things and it is so easy to learn because I am in a new place with nothing familiar but the love of Jesus. The food is new, but delicious! Lots of carbs...but it is ok, because we walk A LOT. All the water has to be boiled, and I haven't felt the slightest bit sick yet, thank Jesus!

We have done so many things it is hard to describe them all in detail. Our time yesterday was the most indescribable so far...but I will do my best.

We visited one of the largest slums in Kenya yesterday Mathare Valley, it is hard not to cry again when I think about it. We bused into the slums, about an hour from WW in the hills. It was hot, and jam packed with people! We met up with Pastor and Mama (all older women are called Mama here) Karow at their church in Mathare. We took a prayer walk for about an hour through it, greeting all the people and high-fiving all the filthy/adorable kids. We visited the tiny, dark, reeking home of Mama John, a woman living with HIV. She warmly invited us in to her pitch black house, made out of tin sheets and plastic sacks...lit with one kerosene lamp. She told us of her love for the Lord and her joy in his promise of eternal heaven.

Mathare is home to over 600,000 people in a few square miles, open sewage flowing down the trash filled roads. Brian Lee talked to us afterward when we were feeling overwhelmed and dejected by the immensity of injustice. He reminded us that every person matters, we shouldn't try to fix the whole thing, it is impossible...but our culture is so "fix it" driven. We need to step back and look at God's heart for the people. Meeting each persons needs, first with Jesus, then with the basics. Little by little, inch by inch, hope and love will spread. Only through the love of Jesus is this possible! Pray for Mathare Valley! Do not forget the least of these, do not turn your back away from injustice, meet it head-on with the hope of God, and a compassionate heart!

We then went to the children's home, Sanctuary of Hope, that Debbie Lee helped to start and visited with Pastor and Mama Karow. The Karow's lead a church/school/day care/and clinic in Mathare Valley Slum, and head Sanctuary of Hope (one and two). We met the kids and they sang some really great songs for us and played with us. All of these children were orphans taken out of Mathare Valley as toddlers. What a great work the Karows are doing! Keep them in your prayers!

We have about a week left at WW...then off to 3 week assignments! I have no idea where I could be sent! It could be anywhere from the city to the country...I like the excitement of the unknown...which is basically every day out here :)

This may be my only update for a few weeks...we learned we may not have access to internet or phones, depending on where we are sent! But you never know! So I wanted to make it a long one, so you can savor it! We have had literally no access to any technology...which I like...we are such slaves to it in the US! Try turning off your cell phone today and take a walk out side or hand write a letter...it will free you!

Know that Jesus is blessing me and keeping me safe, healthy and teaching me SO many things. He is doing a good work in all of us, thank you Jesus! I am well fed, well rested (under mosquito nets...hehe, they are fun!) and well loved by a mighty Father.

Continue to pray for the team and I, the power of pray is HUGE and so essential to our relationship with God. Look for his blessings in all aspects of your life...maybe just the fact that you don't have to boil your water before you drink it, or that you have shoes on your feet! I am thinking of all of you, and miss you all dearly!

Many blessings and love from Kenya,

Bess

There is no I in Team!

2009-06-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends!

I have been in NYC for the last two days, exploring the city with my wonderful uncle Brian Brownlee. We have had a marvelous time, and he hasn't let me pay for anything, stinker! I love you uncle B, and yes, I will try NOT to get malaria :)

Today I meet the rest of the Kenya global project team in Queens for a little orientation and then on Sunday we fly out! First to Brussels, Belgium, then on to Nairobi, Kenya...AFRICA!

Everything has been running so smoothly, it can only be God at work, His plan & timing are perfect...I need to remember that everyday. Please continue to pray, Jesus is listening and loves when we talk to Him honestly with the true desires/worries/joys of our hearts.

Love you all, and I can't say thank you enough! THANK YOU for all your support!

Blessings,

Bess

Up & Away!

2009-06-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is TIME!

Tomorrow I will fly to New York City, holy-moley! I will spend an evening and a full day on Friday with my uncle Brian Brownlee exploring the city (I've never been there before!) and then meet up with the rest of the Kenya team on Saturday!

I can't wait to meet the whole group and start getting to know the people I will share the next 7 weeks with! They are coming from InterVarsity chapters all over the country. We will also be joined by several Kenyan IV students once we touch down in Africa.

The months leading up to now have been so filled with love and support, and I have all of you to thank for that. God also used it as an opportunity to show me that He can do amazing things if I will let him. How else could I raise over $4800 in three months? No other way.

Continue to be in prayer, the power of prayer is HUGE!

Blessings,

Bess

the cup over-flows

2009-05-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you had a great long weekend...I sure did!

Wonderful, praise-worthy news...I have exceeded my fund raising goal of $4700!!!! WOW!

Thanks are in order to ALL of you, and of course to Jesus, through which all things are absolutely possible! There is no other way that that money could have come my way.

Right now I am in full-on preperation mode...there is still so much to do before hand! I got all my shots, finished taking my typhoid meds, and am starting my malaria meds next week. I have my last day of work coming up this Saturday, and my last day of interning at the Ravalli Republic newspaper in Hamilton, MT (until I come back) on the 2nd. I still have some supply shopping to do, lots of reading, preparing short bible discussions, sermons, and stories, among other things...oh yeah, and I have to move out of my room so my subletter can move in! WHEW!

Please continue to pray, pray without ceasing as God calls us to! I have a lot to do, but of course God will take care of me if I continue to trust in Him. Have a blessed week everyone!

-Bess

Moving right along!

2009-05-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

In less than a month, I will be in Africa....oh my goodness!

Everything has been falling into place by the grace of God. I got all of my shots (ouch) and my prescriptions for malaria and typhoid. And, not by chance, the money from the art show and the rummage sale was just enough to cover that! What a blessing.

I also want to thank Florence Carlton Community Church, and their missions committee for their continued support and prayers. I come from such an amazing place, and am so thankful to call FCCC the place where my faith began.

Well I'm off to tackle my last final, then I will be done with my junior year of college! WOW.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers and thoughts.

Love and Blessings,

Bess

Fundraising Update

2009-05-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends,

I come bearing good news! God has poured out blessings on me, and through Him and all of your generous giving I have nearly met my fundraising goal! WHAT A BLESSING!

As you all know, the amount needed to be raised for the trip was just over $4700, and I am very near that goal. Plus, I have set aside some of the cash funds to pay for immunizations and extra expenses along the way.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your amazing support. Please continue to keep my in your prayers and thoughts as the departure date gets closer!

Important Dates...

May 8 : Immunizations

June 4 : leave for New York City to meet the team

June 7 : depart NYC for Kenya!

Blessings,

Bess

Rummage Sale Fundraiser!

2009-04-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I hope all of you are getting through this silly cold snap! I should have known better, living in Montana all my life...it doesn't stop snowing till July! Anyways....

The Kenya team is have a Rummage Sale!! Here are the details...

When: Saturday, 8a.m.-3p.m.

Where: Corner of South and Bancroft Ave.

Contact me if you have any further questions or want to donate any rummage to the sale!
bessbrownlee@gmail.com

DATE CHANGE!!!

2009-04-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

The Art to Africa Fundraiser this weekend has been MOVED from Friday to SATURDAY!!!

Just some minor complications, but hopefully all of you can come!

Saturday, April 25th

5:30pm-9pm

Zoo Town Brew, Broadway Ave., downtown Missoula across from FedEx

See you SATURDAY!!!

Art Fundraiser!

2009-04-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello!

Exciting news to share! InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is sponsering an art fundraiser for all the students going to Kenya this summer! Here are the details...

When: April 24, 5:30pm-9pm

Where: ZooTown Brew, downtown Missoula on Broadway across from FedEx

What: art for viewing and sale (photos, paintings, drawings, homemade cards, etc.), live music, food/drink

Come on out and meet some of the Kenya team and enjoy some art. I would LOVE to see you all there. Call me if you have any questions...(406) 531-9668

Welcome!!!

2009-04-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends!!

I'm going to write in this blog to keep you all updated about the trip I'm taking this summer to Kenya with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The trip dates are June 6th - July 25...it's coming closer everyday and I'm so excited!

I just want to thank everyone of you for your GENEROUS support of my trip. The letters I have received in the mail have been overwhelming, it is so encouraging! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I will update this blog frequently, so keep checking! There is lots to report, pray about, and discuss. Thank you again for walking along side me as I prepare to take a big leap of faith :)

Blessings,

Bess