New Life Home Trust, Nairobi
Vanloads of volunteers, well-wishers, and church-goers pull into our parking lot each day. We have an average of 20-40 volunteers and visitors coming through here every single day. I wonder what they will take away from their experience … a fond memory? A heroic story to tell? A burdened heart? A new direction in life?
What we pray they will take away: the faces of the children burned into their retinas like the face of the sun (Son)…their vision forever changed.
I continue to research and write letters of inquiry to foundations (mostly) seeking funding sources for this work. We’ve had one rejection so far and one “hit”. A large international organization wants to fund some of the equipment we’ll need for our special-needs unit (for long-term care for HIV positive children and children with disabilities), as well as monies for medicines, furniture, etc. This is a huge blessing!
But this nagging part of me, the human, fleshly part, feels as if I can never do enough. Like a parent, who wants to provide the best…
When I returned from Lamu, after being gone for 5 days, the sound and sight of the 53 children was so wonderful. Esther toddled over to me, grinning from ear to ear and threw her chubby arms around me. She knows how I love her, the little queen.
Lamu Islands: The Second Mecca
Lamu islands were a trip. Stayed in an 18th century home in an 18th century world filled with pregnant donkeys roaming the dirt roadways and Muslim calls to prayer. I’ve never experienced a place quite like this – Arabic, British, African, Muslim. The place is so slow and relaxed. No cars. Even Meleckson (the New Life Home leader/pastor/director) communicates at a pace and tone consistent with the island – slow and quiet.
Braying donkeys break the pre-dawn silence here. I don’t think that donkeys should speak before dawn. Nor the Muslim Imams (leaders) on loud-speakers for that matter. The 5:30 a.m. call to prayer on a failing P.A. system is like the Muslim equivalent of the flag salute in junior high. (No disrespect intended.) All kidding aside though, the Muslims on Lamu were so wonderful, hospitable and fascinating. I found myself loving them and desperately wanting to ask them about their world, their feelings, their thoughts…
In the middle of Lamu Island’s town square is a fort-like structure which used to be a holding place for slaves awaiting their ships to sail. The Muslim women in burkahs (the head-to-toe black dress) and ninjas (the face covering with a slit for their eyes) are a disturbing and fascinating image for me. One night, we walked around the island with complete freedom from fear and crime. Everyone knows everyone. Meleckson said it’s safe. The violence done on this island is not against strangers, but sadly against one’s own family members. At the New Life Drop-In Center, they have a “Rescue Room.” It’s a small room with 3 beds, a forlorn stuffed animal sitting on each, awaiting a child to comfort. The Rescue Room receives children who’ve been victimized (usually, sexually) for as long as two weeks. A “mama” or “dada” (depending on the child’s gender) stay with them and care for them until other, safe arrangements can be made. They receive children as young as 3 years old in the Rescue Room. We went into that little room and I just felt like weeping – the Rescue Room.
Over the years, the two New Life Drop-In Centers have become an advocate for the children at risk on this island of 30,000 people. Meleckson says that people are beginning to come to their center and turn people in for abuse, rising up and saying, “This is not right.” Ironically, there’s a hospital on the island for sick donkeys – the Sick Donkey Hospital (not kidding!). A cart actually goes around the island, picks up donkeys, and carts them back to the hospital. But there’s no such “watchdog” or “care group” for the children, or for those dying of AIDS. Meleckson says that the people are in denial about AIDS, saying, It has not come here.
I hadn’t expected to love the Muslim women so much or to want to sit with them on the floor and try to connect with them. I hadn’t expected my heart to want to reach theirs. My heart is so curious about them – what life is like for them, how they survive, how they thrive, what they think and feel about their beliefs, what they think and feel about Jesus – one of their prophets, my Savior. Though New Life’s project on the island is Christian, they employ Muslim teachers, staff, and involve Imams and strong female leaders from the Muslim community. I love this because it’s such a picture of partnership. It’s such a picture of Jesus getting out of the walls of “church” and hanging out with everyone. At dinner, I sat next to Amina, one of the female leaders who supports New Life. We talked about Islam, about how it means “Peace” and she even joked about her clothing being cause to call her a terrorist at the airport. Meleckson says that some people throw stones on top of the roof of the Christian church on the island and say bad things, but other than that, there’s no animosity. “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk. 9:40).
the old man
From Lamu Islands we took a “speed” boat to mainland Lamu, then got into a matatu (read: old, decrepit minivan with balding tires) and drove for 90 minutes across country to arrive at a small church in Mpeketoni. Inside the hot, tin-roof church sat 36 church, community, and health workers eager for leadership training. Meleckson says they’re “hungry” for knowledge. Most have not been educated past high school equivalent. Anne Marie (New Life associate director) taught so honestly and powerfully on HIV/AIDS. Lee taught on how to transform communities through empowering the people to initiate and follow through on projects. I sat and listened and learned.
I was humbled, and again, felt like crying (have you noticed a pattern with me?) Some traveled as far as 200 km. (5-7 hours) on horrible roads to be there. I was just so encouraged to meet those leaders. There was one old man who kept falling asleep in the front row. Meleckson says that he has helped to start 17 churches. When the old man managed to stay awake, you would see him leaning over his Bible until it was just a few inches from his face, straining to see the Word of God. How precious that must be in God’s sight!
a call to educators
Every parent and guardian wants their child to have the opportunity to be educated. But the educators here need education. Especially the educators in rural Africa (Tana River District). Teams of educators could travel out on a semi-annual basis to run week-long workshops on basics such as classroom management, childhood development, all subjects, etc.… and bring educational resources. Training is especially needed in the areas of early childhood and primary education …
Doo-Doos
I’ll leave you with my doo-doo story: while in Mpeketoni, this crazy looking bug got into my hotel room. I spotted him standing on my wall, looking far-too-large for a bug. I stepped toward him and he just kept hovering on the wall like a black spaceship. Huge wings. Long legs. I was terrified! Could he fly? What would he do if I got a shoe? Wait – no way was I getting a shoe – that’s not big enough for this creature! Too big for a shoe smashing, I sprayed him with bug spray. This put him on the run (he couldn’t fly!) I threw my towel over him (as any good bug coward would do) and stomped on him then went running out to tell Lee. (Wonderful Lee cleaned up the bug guts for me.) The African hotel workers laughed at me and called it a “doo-doo”, which just means “big bug with no name.” I killed a doo-doo. The doo-doo walked off the mango tree and into my room, big mistake.
Don’t forget to be on the lookout for doo-doos throughout your day.
Kwaheri,
janay
Random Facts:
White skin is also known as “inflation.” The minute they see white people (mzungus), the price spikes upward.
Ladies, rinsing with well-water creates many consecutive “good hair” days. And cold showers invigorate the skin! Come experience it for yourself at the New Life Spa & Resort. J
If you put your money in your underwear (because you’re scared to carry a purse) it will fall into the toilet to be peed upon. I’m not saying I did this, I’m just saying it could happen…
Rock the Baby Team updates:
Baby E (ACTS 1:8 baby) went home to be with her new adoptive family! She cried and cried and cried being carried to the car. But she now has an older brother, a mom and dad. I can’t help but think how the zillions of thoughts and prayers coming out of CCTO affected this child’s destiny since she was spoken of by Karen from the pulpit and prayed for by the children of SonTime for so long. Prayer changes the world.
Families are interested in adopting baby R (Crawler).
Baby Y (Crawler) took her first steps!
Clive (New Life Founder/Director) hung the plaque that CCTO donated above the main entrance door. Apparently as he was up on a chair nailing the plaque onto the wall, he was caught sporting his shorts, his lily white, British legs out and about, by first-time visitors. He just laughed his jolly good laugh and greeted them.
“When you make a vow to God,
do not delay in fulfilling it.
He has no pleasure in fools,
fulfill your vow.
It is better not to vow
than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Vanloads of volunteers, well-wishers, and church-goers pull into our parking lot each day. We have an average of 20-40 volunteers and visitors coming through here every single day. I wonder what they will take away from their experience … a fond memory? A heroic story to tell? A burdened heart? A new direction in life?
What we pray they will take away: the faces of the children burned into their retinas like the face of the sun (Son)…their vision forever changed.
I continue to research and write letters of inquiry to foundations (mostly) seeking funding sources for this work. We’ve had one rejection so far and one “hit”. A large international organization wants to fund some of the equipment we’ll need for our special-needs unit (for long-term care for HIV positive children and children with disabilities), as well as monies for medicines, furniture, etc. This is a huge blessing!
But this nagging part of me, the human, fleshly part, feels as if I can never do enough. Like a parent, who wants to provide the best…
When I returned from Lamu, after being gone for 5 days, the sound and sight of the 53 children was so wonderful. Esther toddled over to me, grinning from ear to ear and threw her chubby arms around me. She knows how I love her, the little queen.
Lamu Islands: The Second Mecca
Lamu islands were a trip. Stayed in an 18th century home in an 18th century world filled with pregnant donkeys roaming the dirt roadways and Muslim calls to prayer. I’ve never experienced a place quite like this – Arabic, British, African, Muslim. The place is so slow and relaxed. No cars. Even Meleckson (the New Life Home leader/pastor/director) communicates at a pace and tone consistent with the island – slow and quiet.
Braying donkeys break the pre-dawn silence here. I don’t think that donkeys should speak before dawn. Nor the Muslim Imams (leaders) on loud-speakers for that matter. The 5:30 a.m. call to prayer on a failing P.A. system is like the Muslim equivalent of the flag salute in junior high. (No disrespect intended.) All kidding aside though, the Muslims on Lamu were so wonderful, hospitable and fascinating. I found myself loving them and desperately wanting to ask them about their world, their feelings, their thoughts…
In the middle of Lamu Island’s town square is a fort-like structure which used to be a holding place for slaves awaiting their ships to sail. The Muslim women in burkahs (the head-to-toe black dress) and ninjas (the face covering with a slit for their eyes) are a disturbing and fascinating image for me. One night, we walked around the island with complete freedom from fear and crime. Everyone knows everyone. Meleckson said it’s safe. The violence done on this island is not against strangers, but sadly against one’s own family members. At the New Life Drop-In Center, they have a “Rescue Room.” It’s a small room with 3 beds, a forlorn stuffed animal sitting on each, awaiting a child to comfort. The Rescue Room receives children who’ve been victimized (usually, sexually) for as long as two weeks. A “mama” or “dada” (depending on the child’s gender) stay with them and care for them until other, safe arrangements can be made. They receive children as young as 3 years old in the Rescue Room. We went into that little room and I just felt like weeping – the Rescue Room.
Over the years, the two New Life Drop-In Centers have become an advocate for the children at risk on this island of 30,000 people. Meleckson says that people are beginning to come to their center and turn people in for abuse, rising up and saying, “This is not right.” Ironically, there’s a hospital on the island for sick donkeys – the Sick Donkey Hospital (not kidding!). A cart actually goes around the island, picks up donkeys, and carts them back to the hospital. But there’s no such “watchdog” or “care group” for the children, or for those dying of AIDS. Meleckson says that the people are in denial about AIDS, saying, It has not come here.
I hadn’t expected to love the Muslim women so much or to want to sit with them on the floor and try to connect with them. I hadn’t expected my heart to want to reach theirs. My heart is so curious about them – what life is like for them, how they survive, how they thrive, what they think and feel about their beliefs, what they think and feel about Jesus – one of their prophets, my Savior. Though New Life’s project on the island is Christian, they employ Muslim teachers, staff, and involve Imams and strong female leaders from the Muslim community. I love this because it’s such a picture of partnership. It’s such a picture of Jesus getting out of the walls of “church” and hanging out with everyone. At dinner, I sat next to Amina, one of the female leaders who supports New Life. We talked about Islam, about how it means “Peace” and she even joked about her clothing being cause to call her a terrorist at the airport. Meleckson says that some people throw stones on top of the roof of the Christian church on the island and say bad things, but other than that, there’s no animosity. “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk. 9:40).
the old man
From Lamu Islands we took a “speed” boat to mainland Lamu, then got into a matatu (read: old, decrepit minivan with balding tires) and drove for 90 minutes across country to arrive at a small church in Mpeketoni. Inside the hot, tin-roof church sat 36 church, community, and health workers eager for leadership training. Meleckson says they’re “hungry” for knowledge. Most have not been educated past high school equivalent. Anne Marie (New Life associate director) taught so honestly and powerfully on HIV/AIDS. Lee taught on how to transform communities through empowering the people to initiate and follow through on projects. I sat and listened and learned.
I was humbled, and again, felt like crying (have you noticed a pattern with me?) Some traveled as far as 200 km. (5-7 hours) on horrible roads to be there. I was just so encouraged to meet those leaders. There was one old man who kept falling asleep in the front row. Meleckson says that he has helped to start 17 churches. When the old man managed to stay awake, you would see him leaning over his Bible until it was just a few inches from his face, straining to see the Word of God. How precious that must be in God’s sight!
a call to educators
Every parent and guardian wants their child to have the opportunity to be educated. But the educators here need education. Especially the educators in rural Africa (Tana River District). Teams of educators could travel out on a semi-annual basis to run week-long workshops on basics such as classroom management, childhood development, all subjects, etc.… and bring educational resources. Training is especially needed in the areas of early childhood and primary education …
Doo-Doos
I’ll leave you with my doo-doo story: while in Mpeketoni, this crazy looking bug got into my hotel room. I spotted him standing on my wall, looking far-too-large for a bug. I stepped toward him and he just kept hovering on the wall like a black spaceship. Huge wings. Long legs. I was terrified! Could he fly? What would he do if I got a shoe? Wait – no way was I getting a shoe – that’s not big enough for this creature! Too big for a shoe smashing, I sprayed him with bug spray. This put him on the run (he couldn’t fly!) I threw my towel over him (as any good bug coward would do) and stomped on him then went running out to tell Lee. (Wonderful Lee cleaned up the bug guts for me.) The African hotel workers laughed at me and called it a “doo-doo”, which just means “big bug with no name.” I killed a doo-doo. The doo-doo walked off the mango tree and into my room, big mistake.
Don’t forget to be on the lookout for doo-doos throughout your day.
Kwaheri,
janay
Random Facts:
White skin is also known as “inflation.” The minute they see white people (mzungus), the price spikes upward.
Ladies, rinsing with well-water creates many consecutive “good hair” days. And cold showers invigorate the skin! Come experience it for yourself at the New Life Spa & Resort. J
If you put your money in your underwear (because you’re scared to carry a purse) it will fall into the toilet to be peed upon. I’m not saying I did this, I’m just saying it could happen…
Rock the Baby Team updates:
Baby E (ACTS 1:8 baby) went home to be with her new adoptive family! She cried and cried and cried being carried to the car. But she now has an older brother, a mom and dad. I can’t help but think how the zillions of thoughts and prayers coming out of CCTO affected this child’s destiny since she was spoken of by Karen from the pulpit and prayed for by the children of SonTime for so long. Prayer changes the world.
Families are interested in adopting baby R (Crawler).
Baby Y (Crawler) took her first steps!
Clive (New Life Founder/Director) hung the plaque that CCTO donated above the main entrance door. Apparently as he was up on a chair nailing the plaque onto the wall, he was caught sporting his shorts, his lily white, British legs out and about, by first-time visitors. He just laughed his jolly good laugh and greeted them.
“When you make a vow to God,
do not delay in fulfilling it.
He has no pleasure in fools,
fulfill your vow.
It is better not to vow
than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment