Amani ya Juu

After being here for almost 8 months I just now- FINALLY visited Amani ya Juu (higher peace).  I have heard so much about it and I'm so thankful I got to go today.  Honestly, I didn't know that much about it.  I thought it was some sort of sewing project for women with AIDS.  I found out today that it is so much more than a sewing project.  

Most of the women are marginalized and must carry the burdens of poverty, corruption, and war.  The intent of this project is to empower women phycially and spiritually in these unjust conditions. 

We got there early enough to join their devotions and prayers.  What a treat!  After that they welcomed us and introduced themselves to us.  They went around the room and about 30 women told us their names and where they were from.  About half way around a lady said "Hi, my name is Lucy and I'm from Southern Sudan."  Of course my ears perked up as I have learned so much about Sudan in the past couple years.  (I have actually been to a forum where I was in the same room with a man from Darfur.  I wanted to talk to him so bad- but never got the chance.  I feel like I know many people from Sudan from the books I've read)  Afterwards all the women came and hugged and hugged us.  I have never felt so loved as a visitor!  Finally- Lucy and I made eye contact.  We walked toward each other- she was beaming.  I told her how sorry I was for her home country; how I have wept for her people and for the war that continues there.  I told her that I have been praying for Sudan and reminded her that God has already won the battle and He IS there... in the midst of that war.  I was a sobbing mess by this point and she began to cry.  At this we decided to just hug for a while and cry.  It felt good.  A perfect stranger- but sisters in Christ meeting for the first time.  I got to hear just a little of Lucy's story.  She fled Sudan with only her husband.  Now- she has 5 beautiful children in Kenya. 

[For those of you who are like myself 2 years ago and know little to nothing about the war in Sudan- here is a paper I wrote a while back for a quick/ simple picture on what Sudan has been enduring.]

Later I found out that Amani ya Juu started with 3 women.  Two from Sudan and one from Rwanda.  Among those 3 was Lucy.  Now it has grown to 50 women from 18 different ethnic groups all across central and eastern Africa.  A sister center has been established in Kigali, Rwanda to meet the many desperate needs of women in this war torn country.  A portion of the start up costs for the project was provided by the women of Amani Ya Juu in Nairobi through the savings of their proceeds.  The project in Rwanda is also self-sustaining and promotes the same philosophy and mission.   

Tye Dying... or "bateek".  This is fascinating.  They make their own fabrics by taking a stamp and dipping it in hot wax then press a pattern on the fabric.  After it dries they dye it Then wash it in cold water so the wax falls off.   

Lucy on my right and Monik from the Congo on my left.  She has only been in Kenya 4 years.  Don't you just wonder what all these women have been through in this lifetime?  

Another lady (not pictured) fled from Rwanda during the genocide where she lost her grandparents among other family members)

Us girls with our Amani Loot!  In the background there are about 98729457 families (white) with their adopted kenyan children.  This must be the place for play dates.  Just smidgen of jealousy in my heart.  (But it's good jealousy... if you can have that.)  
My purchases today:  ( I know it is backwards- that is the way Mac's do things).  It's a sign for the front door that says "Karibu" (Welcome). 

I was really excited.  Not only was the purse super cute and going to a great cause but it was on sale!  It was originally 2,200 ksh.  THEN it was marked down to 1690 ksh, THEN marked down again to 840 ksh!!!  Some of you might be laughing that I'm being frugal to charity... but remember- missionary here: still have to be careful with the $$.)  PS- got my pink shirt in Kibera for about $1.   :)    

So this leads me to my next question.  Most of you ladies have been to pampered chef, tupperware, candle parties- right?  Well, there is such thing as an Amani Ya Juu party.  Only- it goes to a much better cause.  What you do- is someone hosts a party and Amani Ya Juu distribution center in Washington D.C. sends you 70lbs worth of Amani stuff.  Your friends come and buy.  You send the $ to Amani and then send the stuff that didn't sell back to D.C.  It doesn't cost you a dime.  If you want you can specify that you want all purses or all childrens stuff.  So if we threw a party would you guys be interested??  Let me know if you'd show up so we can decide to do one when we get back.  :)  Or you can simply go to the website- pick and order.  But the party would be a great way to see, touch, and smell the cuteness!   

Random Updates

• 48 more people completed their discipleship material and received their bibles this past Saturday at the celebration ceremony in Kibera. 
• 32 received Bibles & Certificates during our Kawangware "Celebration Service" back in January.
• Isaac is back and committed to being schooled by a real teacher one on one Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday.  I don't mind paying for this one bit- It takes a load off of me and I don't have to be so worked up any more
• The drip irrigation system is now up and running in the garden.  Thanks Thomas and NDI!

• Shauna and Rich got engaged and will get married this summer in Arizona before returning in August (God Willing)
  

• Ruthie is here!!  She, her grandson Ben (who is a former resident of Kenya also), and some of their long time supporters flew in this past Sunday.  
  

• We recently had a change in house help.  Thomas' wife was conveniently looking for a job just as I had decided to hire someone part time.  We are so happy to have such a hard worker and she is a GREAT help!    
  

• For Valentines Day we took Livingstone house staff and their families out to Shalom House to eat a good ol' Kenyan meal.  We had a blast together.  It just so happened Noah's wife was in from Kakamega. 
  

• Look, we ALL fit in the new van!  Have I mentioned we LOVE the new van.  Thank you to our amazing supporters!
  

• Chris got a funny looking rash last night that was the weirdest thing I've ever seen.  Apparently he is allergic to moldy Slim Jims. Who knew!  He was better after 50mg Benadryl and a baking soda bath.  (Unfortunately he was unwilling to pose with his rash for a photo)
  

TIME'S UP

What wonderful participation!  I see what happens when we offer cool stuff for prizes.  I see how you people are...  

And the Wiener is..........

Deputy, sergeant, captain, sheriff Cory Eugene Mann!  And since I KNOW you stole from your wife a bit... she deserves a prize too.  Your super cool stuff we will be sending home with guests that are staying here.  You may redeem your prizes from one of my family members.

We will have one more contest in a couple days.  So stay tuned so YOU can win a prize as well.  

Quip it!

Chris and I were on our way to a celebration ceremony in Kibera today.  We drove past the picture below and just HAD to turn around and go back to take this pic.  After uncontrollable laughter, we began coming up with different captions for it.  That's when we decided to get you all involved.  So we need YOU to write a caption for the below picture.  You may use a caption or a "desquiption" of the picture.  The winner gets authentic Kenyan memorabilia.  That's right!  We will send you a special prize from here!  Whoopie!  That might encourage some participation from those of you who might be a bit reluctant.  I will call time on the contest whenever I want!  

 

First card!!

Well I received my very first card today in the mail!  (Okay- So Jana and Jessica put cards in with their packages they sent to kids over here... but this was only a card and it was just for me!!)  I was so excited to get a real card... in the mail.  So encouraging.  Mrs. Patsy Ridge really made my day today.  Just to know that she has been praying for us meant the world to me.  If anyone sees Patsy at church- please tell her thank you, thank you , thank you.  She has no idea what it meant to me and how it brightened my day!   

Hey Mzungu... want my baby?

I have a post for either the adoption blog or here... but it won't do the it justice without the pictures and our internet is just too slow to upload pictures.  I've tried twice to upload then overnight and it's not working.  So I'll just tell you about what happened to Shauna and I today.

Rich isn't feeling so hot today.  He has some stomach problems and I will leave it at that.  He's pretty miserable.  CT, Shauna and I went to church then came home to grab a bite to eat.  Rich was really wanting some sprite and I need to get some bread and what nots at the store.  So Shauna and I drove down the the Nakumat.  I parked in the back for some reason.  I NEVER park in the back because of all the Hawkers.  They drive me bonkers some times b/c they NEVER listen to me!  But now that I can speak a bit more Kiswahili- I was able to forcefully yet politely get my point across.  We then went in and did our grocery shopping and got in the checkout line.  A little 2yr old boy and his mother were behind us in line.  Little fella was babbling about something as he played with our buggy (Shauna thinks it's hilarious that I use the word "buggy" instead of grocery cart).  Here is what happened next:

The boy's mother: Brian, get out of there!  

Shauna: Oh it's okay.  Kids get into things sometimes.      

Mother: Do you want him?

Shauna and Lindy: (trying to give courtesy laughs)

Mother: Seriously, he's 2- do you want him?

Shuana and Lindy: (still hoping she's kidding) Oh Brian- you certainly are a cute boy.  

Mother: You can have him for free.  Life in Kenya is very hard and I cannot take care of him.  

Shauna: Uh... okay.

Lindy to Shauna: Gez.  Tell her to drop him off at New Life Homes if it's really that bad.  Somebody will adopt him who WANTS a child.  (Mind you- both the mother and boy are 1.  Shopping in a grocery store and 2. dressed well.  They both look nicely kept.)

Shauna to Lindy: Seriously?  You want me to tell her she can drop him off there?

Lindy to Shauna:  Yes- and I'll give her directions.  

Shauna tells Mother.

Mother:  Great.  Can I get directions?  

Lindy:  Go straight at Yaya. Turn right then left.  You can only drop off your child between 8-6 M-F.  (Wow- it sounds weird saying that.)

Shauna and I proceeded  to the Chemist to get Rich some drugs then walked out to the car.  As we approached the car, here comes Mom and Brian.  

Mother:  Can I get directions again?  You are sure you can't take him?

Lindy: Sure.  (I write down directions)  No, as much as I would LOVE to have you child, it would not be legal for me to just take your child.  

Mother:  I understand.  Things are just so hard here.  I don't have money or a job.  Thanks for the directions. 

So- a mother tried to give us her baby today...  

That always makes for an interesting day.  

Poverty does terrible things to people.  

I've also seen those in poverty keep their children and do whatever it takes.  

A teacher being taught...

For us, today was Super bowl Monday.  We did our office work yesterday after church so that we could get up early and watch the super bowl.  Chris made us all french toast and some delicious fruit thingy he made up.  Yum!  Shauna had a MD apt with a child from Huruma at 11. The boys had a meeting with the pastors at 11:30.  So I had the car for exactly 2.5 hours to meet with Isaac in Kibera.  I wasn't able to meet with him Friday because I didn't have transportation.  All 4 of us had to be in different places.  But I did see Isaac after church on Sunday.  He cried when we left per usual and I was fresh out of treats by the time I saw him.  I told him I would see him Monday morning. This morning, as soon as I got to where we meet, (Tafrosa and Indiazi's house) Isaac and I got started on our ABC's.  We had only been working for 20 minutes this time when he completely stopped talking to me.  He does this at some point every day I teach him.  It's like I say something that makes him upset.  But not upset at me.  I have no idea.  I try so hard to give him high fives and "thata' boys" as often as possible.  We were saying our alphabet (only A-G) over and over and over and over (just like we've done every single day).  Yet I would say "Isaac, point the A."  He would point to the "D" or "G."  This is what we have done for HOURS and I don't feel like he has learned anything.  I have tried so many different tactics that might help him learn.  My college roommate is even sending me stuff from the US! (She's an awesome kindergarden teacher).   When he doesn't know where the letters are I tell him to sing the alphabet (A-G) over- aloud until he can figure out what letter I'm asking him for.  (Does this make sense?)  

Keep in mind I'm used to him doing this silent game or whatever.  (Though I think he's more ticked off about something than playing a game.)  Normally, it's closer toward the end of our "session" and I just tell him that if he's not going to talk to me- then he must be finished with school and finished with me.  He knows that means I leave.  So today after 20 minutes he looked down and stopped responding.  There was nothing I could do.  I sort of got him to smile, but I was babying him to get him to do that.  I was getting really frustrated!  So I grabbed my bag and told him that if he doesn't want to learn- I cannot make him.  I am so disheartened that I keep driving all that way, using gas, and missing out on other things -so he can give me the silent treatment for no reason!  As I walked out of our "classroom" I told Mama (Tafrosa) that I was done.  I vented a bit under my breath so that Isaac could not hear.  By this point he had wandered out into the living room.  Mama tried to get him to talk to her, but he would not.  He began to cry and I joined in.  I lost it.  I don't think I've ever cried in front of them.  There is no telling what they thought.  I told Mama how much I wanted him to learn, grow, and get an education.  I just feel so bad for him because I don't know what it's like at home and I don't know why he shuts down.  I wish I knew what was going on inside his head.  Mama told me to go and get the things done that I needed to do.  Even when Issac gives me the silent treatment, he follows me out the gate, watches me get in the car, and cries.  But today Mama told me to go and she would not allow Isaac to follow me.  So I walked out and she locked the gate behind me.  I could hear Isaac's impending cry... then a scream.  He was seriously ticked off.  I have seen Beatrice try to comfort him one time when we were leaving and he shoved her away... so I wondered if he would try and hit Mama.  After the screaming, came the petition to get on the other side of that gate.  I heard him hit or kick the gate.  All I could do was leave as fast as I could.  

I am a helpless, bawling wreck by this point.  I began to pray as I drove away from the shacks and shanties "Lord, I give up!  I tried to help him- but nothing worked!  I'm done.  Finished.  No more daily trips, wasted gas, frustration, or tears.  If he is there when I happen to be there, fine.  I'll work with him or just play if that's what he wants."

Then this thought presented itself to the forefront of my mind:

Lindy, aren't there times when you tend to give God the "silent treatment"?  God must get pretty frustrated with me sometimes too.  I'm sure He would be so much happier with me if I'd learn things the first time too.  Yet he never packs his bags saying "I'm done with you.  Nothing is working.  You just aren't listening or learning from your mistakes. I'm Finished."  I ALWAYS get another chance... and He NEVER leaves.

Maybe this was really a lessons for me...