A bit puny ...

I've been in bed all morning whilst everyone else is at church having fun.  I am the last in the house to get sick...but it has hit me hard.  I'm down for the count today.  Thankfully you can go to the pharmacy here and get just about anything you want over the counter. I'm sending Chris for a Z-Pak after church. 

I know I've been so terrible about updating the blog this week, but I've been so busy playing with the Helsby kids and going to Kibera with Chris.  The Helsby's are missionaries in Tanzania and have come to stay at the Livingstone to deliver #6.  They are SO much fun!  We have had such a blast with them.  I know there is no such thing as a perfect child... but these kids are so good!  I've been trying to get some tips and secrets from Becky.  She contributes it to the good Lord and a book called "To Train up a Child" (Thanks Jessica for correcting me).  She and Dave are so kind to the kids when they correct them.  Strict, but kind.  The kids are super respectful AND they do all kinds of stuff to help around the house. They wash dishes, mop, sweep, clean up behind themselves.  I really can't brag on them enough. 

I've been wanting to blog about going INTO Kibera this week with Mama Amani, but I really want to wait until I take pictures this week.  I forgot my camera Thursday... but pictures don't do justice what I saw and experienced.  I want to give you a small taste of just how poor people are.  It's very heavy.  I'm trying to figure out a way we can help the "school" I went to Thursday.  I don't want to get into all that now, but I will write later this week.  I was harrassed before we left Thomasville and promised my friends Jessica that I would update at least every other day.  But I've not been doing well lately.  It's tougher than I thought.  Just a lot of things happening at one time.  So I'm apologizing now for my unkept promises. 

Here are a few pictures from the week:

Art time with Uncle Chris- left to right, Lauren, Megan, Jake, Chris, Carter, Hannah.

Megan (3) was trying so hard to follow Chris' instructions to draw what he was describing with her eyes closed.

Yesterday Candice and Nathan came over with their children and we had a fish fry.  It was SO yummy!  (Do you see Becky on the far left. Poor thing, she's already like 4 days over due!  But my word- she has the most energy for a 40+ week pregnant woman.)

Aunt Lindy and lil' Meggie.  It will be hard to see them go once baby gets here.

Megan wanted Chris to take a picture of her black baby doll.  (I think she is secretly my child)

Crazy Carter gearing up for the big kickball game.

Kickball game: Lauren, Meggie, Carter, Jake, and Chris against Dave and Hannah.

Score 28 to 30.

Yea... we want at least 5 kids after spending time with the Helsby's

"Surely we can change.... something"

Ct loved this lil' ol' lady. 

Saturday Clinic

I was soooo excited to be given the opportunity to use my nursing skills here.  But I was really nervous because I thought they would laugh at me.  I heard stories about how the nurses here know how to deliver babies and suture people... they probably do surgery too.  So I was sure they'd laugh at the white girl trying to get in on the action by saying "I have a nursing license in America.  I can crush pills to give in apple sauce, help do a c-scope, and change adult briefs."  (Please picture me holding up my license like that guy in multiplicity...b/c I know my brother is.)  At any rate, I was totally welcomed when I got there.  They explained everything to me and then gave me the option as to where I wanted to go.  I definitely didn't want to help the dentist or eye doc b/c I would have yaked.  I chose triage b/c I knew I could do that.  (In triage you get their Name, age, residence, vital signs, and chief complaint(s)).  CT was a big help too.  (Yea, I know.  Can you believe he came to a medical place on purpose?  He didn't want to just dump me off my first time- so he directed people to the triage area and played paparazzi.  I met a few friends that helped me when I couldn't understand their mother tongue.  We saw a lot of people from Gichagi and Mathare slums.  One small boy was telling me he walked about an hour... alone.  He had a cough and congestion.  There, of course, were a ton of patients to see.  THEN, it was tea time.  In India- I learned that the Country stops for tea.  In Africa, I learned that the WORLD actually stops for tea.  It really flew all over Chris and I that the volunteers that were doing triage just up and left when it was tea time.  There are a ton of patients still to see and it's only 10:30!  People you've only been working an hour and a half!  Then they want to harrass me about why I'm not taking tea.  So - to hush em' up, I had them bring it to me.  Becky Helsby helped us realize something though.  That all those people sitting in line waiting, would have done the same thing.  They don't care that they stopped to take tea b/c that's just what they do here!  So, we're cool now.  No hard feelings... any more.  

The most pitiful patient(s) I saw was a 13 year old girl with a huge swollen jaw.  I bet she had like 4 abscessed teeth.  I almost cried just sitting there talking to her.  She wouldn't even move her mouth.  I really think that when God gave me compassion for people... in this weird way (I know you think I'm crazy) I feel like I am in pain with some people.  Oh I just hurt so bad for her.  And to think simple hygiene could save her so much pain.  All of her teeth were so bad.  I felt God telling me He really needed me to pray with this one.  I don't know her outcome.  I don't know if they pulled any teeth.... but I hurt just thinking about her having to open her mouth.  I wish I could have held her hand... but I really don't think I could have handled it.  The other one was a little 6 year old girl.  I knew she was sick as soon as I laid my eyes on her.  Her hair had this whitish color to it and if you barely pulled on it- it fell out into your hands.  When I put the stethoscope down her shirt I could already hear her heart beating so fast without putting it to her skin.  Her little belly was full of worms I'm sure.  Thankfully they deworm all the children.  Again, I don't know the outcome... but I'm used to that from the ER.  

                  Ester, Anna, and I waiting on another patient.

Oh yea and apparently several of the mercury thermometers had broken on my table before I arrived.  Thanks the my horrible posture I realized I had my hands and arms all in it.  My Mama always told me never to touch it.  Am I gonna die?  What does it do to you?  I called it to Ester's attention and she said "Don't worry Auntie, God loves you and is glad you are here.  He will take care of you."

    Lots of sick people!

You know what was so cool?  CT told me that under one of the tents they had several guys that were couseling and sharing Christ.  I was so glad to hear that b/c I always struggle with the fact that I don't get to pray with every patient of tell them about my Jesus' love.  Some would been seen to get their physical needs met.  I LOVE our church here!  

I love this song by David Crowder.  It's definitely on my top 10 all time fav's.  It's just screaming missions.  Here are some snippets. You're gonna love it:

    

"... When all the love in the world is right here among us and hatred too.  So we must choose what our hands will do.  Where there is pain... let there be grace.  Where there is suffering... bring serenity.  For those afraid (this is where I think of Sudan) ...help them be brave.  Where there is misery... bring expectancy.  And surely we can change, surely we can change.... something"  

"When all the love in the world is right here among us and hatred too.  WE MUST choose what our hands will do.  Where there is pain... LET US bring grace.  Where there is suffering... bring serenity.  For those those afraid... LET US be brave (and go to Darfur!).  Where there is misery... LET US bring relief!!.  Surely we can change... surely we can change... something.  

The whole world's about to change..."  

What will you choose your hands to do?

Nonsense

Just another fun post b/c I'm trying to pass some time.  CT is being important right now and I've been hiding out in the grocery store.  I've been trying to find quiet places to pray for him.  I went over to the furniture area (Guys... you need to think twice the size of super Walmart) to try and find a good comfy place to sit and pray.  I'd get on my knees somewhere but I think someone would would try to help me up.  In this gigantic place there is one employee for every isle and section.  So the couch dude was really looking at me- like he thought I was interested in buying a $3,000 couch.  Any way, that didn't work b/c he was stalking me.  So I just walked around and prayed for him whilst pricing groceries to share with you.  Don't worry- I don't have any money so I didn't buy any of the following, but I just thought this would be another good "nonsense" post to show you guys more about the groceries here.  Maybe because I'm still in shock when I figure some of the prices up.  Candice (one of our Nairobian friends) doesn't seem to flip out anymore about the prices anymore.  Maybe b/c she's been here longer and is used to it now.  When I told CT I wanted to post again on the prices here he made me tell you the good prices of things too.  So they aren't all bad (you can thank Chris).  Oh, and I did eventually find a quiet place to pray... the bathroom worked very well.  It's nice and quiet!

They use kilos, grams, liters here so I've converted them to lbs, oz, and gallons.

1 gallon Milk $4.14

1 block of Philadelphia cream cheese $10.15 

14oz of Bacon $7.40 (we do have to splurge on that... but we use it sparingly)

2 Liter Coke $2.03 (we do without those)

1lb Bananas $0.30 (you can get these even cheaper on the side of the road)

1 can of Tuna $3.74

4.4lbs sugar $2.34

1 Avacado $0.15

Parenting magazine $13.28 (I was just meandering around and saw this crazy price so don't think I'm sending hidden signals- Cosmopolitan cost even more)

Treadmill $4,531.17 (who in their right mind?...)

And next time you want to complain about gas prices, get a load of this:

1 gallon of gas here is $6.07.  We don't have a choice- we have to buy gas! 

Tomorrow I'm going to a Maasi medical clinic to volunteer with our church.  It's from 9a-5p.  I'm not really sure what it's going to be like.  I really don't know if I have the nursing skills the nurses here have.  I'm a bit nervous, but anxious to do something with my passion. We'll see! 

  

...heavy hearted

My heart is so heavy right now for so many different reasons.  One of them being b/c I just read Beth's (my sis n law) most recent blog on the genocide in Sudan.  Which of course got me looking up videos and news.  Just an FYI: Do you know I googled "Sharing Christ in Darfur".  The results were very sad to me.  I don't know if their is anyone doing that.  I wonder about in the Refugee camps just over the boarders of Chad?  Hmmmm.  (Okay- so that is probably a whole other post... I can really get on a soapbox about it)  Click Here and Here if you've never even heard of Darfur.

Today:

Our Landlord, Mary, (maybe 65ish) and I hung out for a while.  She was so kind to take me around to 2 of the orphanages she started(?- she's kinda hard for me to understand).  The first place we went there are 11 children that live there.  It was a cute and very small home not far from our house.  I met 6 of the 11.  The older ones are in school.  The 6 I met are in school, but just behind the home.  They sang a song and recited a poem.  It was magnificent!  I met one of the 2 mama's.  It was with her that I learned ALL are HIV+.  It was very sobering, but sweet at the same time.  Think about this: yes, these children are sick- but they will have an opportunity to know Christ as their Savior in this Christian home.  Think of the sick children who might not get that opportunity.  I wish I could show you pictures of these precious little ones, but I was unable to take any.  I need to talk to some people and get permission first.  They are building a new orphanage within walking distance from this home.  All of them will move over to the new home next month.  It is beautiful.  There is plenty of room for them and they will bring in many more as well.  (The children come from the hospital,  is what I was told.)  

The second orphanage I went to was practically next door!  I was soooo excited to learn about this.  And they welcomed me to come back anytime.  The children were in school so I only met 3 little ones.  (I think there is a total of about 47ish?)  There are 3 seperate homes.  They are divided by ages.  It goes up to High Schoolers.  They are cultivating the soil for a HUGE garden on the land.  (I offered to come help with that until I could meet and be interviewed with the American director lady in August).  The land is beautiful.  Their cute beds  and rooms were PRISTINE!  It is just a home to minister to girls.  Except they just recently brought in one baby boy.  This child was found by someone who knows where with his umbilical cord still attached.  So the person who found him took him to the hospital.  This baby has been in the hospital for an entire YEAR!  Yes, he has been laying on his back because no one had the time to pick him up, play with him, teach him how to feed himself.  So this child is most definitely failure to thrive.  Their hope is to get him off his back and get him fairly up to par and as close to age appropriate as possible then adopt him out.  I felt so sorry for this little guy. When I walked in, he was just laying there on his back.  Not even moving much.  It breaks my heart that he had NO ONE to love him for the first year of his life.  That is how babies thrive.  Off love.  

 

Lions and tigers and SNAKES- OH MY!

My serious post is being worked on, but for now...

Yea- so how about I was talking to Thomas (a national friend who works in the yard) the other day.   Were were just joshing around talking about eating termites- things of that nature when I believe he let the cat out of the bag.  I jokingly said "Yea, but do you eat mamba's?"  HE laughed and said "oh no.. they are too poisonous."  Then he said something about one around the house.  I said "oh like last year?"  He said "no... just a few days ago".  "EXCUSE ME!"  He went on to tell me that Noah found them, killed them and threw them in our trash hole in the corner of the yard.  I told him- IF they were dead I'd like to see them so I know what they look like.  But they were set ablaze days ago.  Oh yes- my friends.  Did you notice the word "them"?  That means more than one.  

So that night I wanted to have a little chat with Noah as to WHY he didn't tell me of these matters.  Here is where it gets tender.  As I inquired about the snakes, he told me that he didn't want to tell me because he didn't want me to be scared and go away!  I assured him I wasn't going anywhere no matter what scary animals where in our yard.  God called us here.  Then I asked for an in depth scoop on the snakes.  There we actually 3.  (I wish you could hear him tell this part)  He was sitting in his guard house and a green mamba "just came to visit me here."  One he found on the side of the house.  On a different night he saw Pepper (our cat that came with the house) playing with something.  So he went over and it was a black mamba.  Real cool huh?  Man, I never thought I would EVER say this, but I LOVE THAT CAT!  Pepper is 4 for 4.  That's right he has hunted or killed 4 Mombas now.  I'm so proud of him.  You think Lex can compete?  So that is my snake story.  

THE END

UPDATE:  So the Hall family has been doing some research.  They brought it to my attention that the Black Mamba didn't get it's name from their color, but from the fact that their mouth is an "icky black" color.  I definitely thought this discovery warranted a picture.  (I'm pretty sure the green ones are really green in color though)

Viewer Disgretion is advised.  Pretty sure this will give just about anyone nightmares....

Pastors, Mamas, Chapatis, and Babies.

Where to start!  Goodness- we have been very busy these past few days.  We welcomed our first official guest to the Livingstone House on Monday.  He is actually on our Only Servants ministry board.  He has been away from his family and home for a month now as he has traveled through the Congo and other various places in Africa to hold pastor conferences.  He uses these conferences as an opportunity to teach pastors how to effectively evangelize their people.  This particular conference was held in Kibera Slums at Berith Church (connected to one of the pastors home).  

I got the incredible privilege of getting to know 2 of the pastors wives better through helping them prepare and serve meals.  The conference was free to the pastors (supported by Rev. Glenn Clark).  They were fed like kings.  The people apparently don't eat like that all the time.  It started Wednesday and ended Friday- 8:30am-4pm.  Since I was busy helping cook, drying dishes, and playing with wee ones- I can only tell you about my experience.  Chris will be writing more about the conference later today or tomorrow.  

I had such a blast with these women and children.  They taught me so much: how to make chapatis and real Kenyan tea, I learned some key Kiswahili words,  I learned many children songs- along with the macarena  (preschool style).  

This is Mama Toni making Chapatis.  Those things can't be good for you.  She put like 4 TBS of oil on each side of the chapatis.  Just before I ate one they told me that I was "not slim like in January." Yes!  I love gained lb's!  I mean- if they keep making me eat Chapatis- what do they expect?  

Mama Barnabas (or Beatrice) making the stew with baby in tow.  Man, he's so cute!  I took about 100 pictures of him.  (Please note the oil in her left hand... yea they put it in everything)  She and I laughed and laughed.  I think she may just be my African Soul Sista.  She may just be that national "good friend" I've been praying for.  Her smile is so contagious.  Her Husband is also one of the pastors that this ministry supports.  What a precious family!

Yep, that is a knife Barnabas is about to insert into my right thigh.  He was "helping" us cook, but I think it was just a ploy to snatch the knife and come after me.

He finally warmed up to me after playing cars with him for a few hours.  (He kind of reminded me a little of Sam Hearn- I mean obviously not the skin color.  I think it might be his big sweet eyes.)   

The ladies washing dishes.  I wish you could really see the charcoal grill thing under the wash pot along with the steam coming up from the pot.  I mean, if my hands had been in that dishwater I might have screamed like a little girl.  Thankfully I got to dry.  :)  

It's really cool how they call each other by their first born.  Like my mom wouldn't be Pat- she would be "Mama Matthew".  Beth would be "Mama Levi."  If you refer to some of them as their real name- others may not know who you are talking about.  They just call me "Auntie."

I will post pictures of the preschool kids and neighborhood children later- as this is getting rather lengthy.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY-KINS!

BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO MAX A. ROLLINS

I am so excited to announce the celebration of my Dad's Birthday today!  Sorry Dad- unfortunately no surprise visits like your 50th, but nonetheless- we are celebrating together!  I am praying for you and I love you so much!  Make Ma get you "a happy" from me!  In fact, tell her to get you a skype cam and download Skype!

If you see Max A. today- give him a big ol' hug and wish him a Happy B-Day.  (That was an unintentional happy lil' rhyme)  

He's a pretty cool guy- so i gar-on-tee it will be worth it!  As a matter of fact I'd like to share some famous Max A. Rollins quotes with you:

"I sure would love some ham and eggs for breakfast. . . if we had some ham. . . and some eggs"

"Boy, that's the cheapest $50 you'll ever spend"

"It'll feel better after it quits hurting" (I hated that one when I was little)

He sings a great scottish song too!

Put this picture with the quotes and you may make you split your gut:

Dad- you are Hilarious! Happy Birthday Big Boy!