I Love Lucy

So for the past couple of days I've been enjoying Kenya but my spirits have remained low. Uganda was an eye opening experience but I'm still trying to process everything. What it means to be a western here, do people see you as their equal? What exactly am I suppose to be learning this second time around in Africa? Post returning home what career path does God want me to take? I thought I had everything figured out but this trip has turned my thinking completely upside down.

On the 7th, we returned to Nyumbani the hiv/aids orphange. The first half of the day we spent doing chores around the combound. I enjoyed the time to just chat with Theran while doing mindless tasks. The second half we were able to play with kids. I saw Anne and Nicholas but by the time we were done the were taking naps since they are the younger kids. So I sat in the shade helping Edel a 8 year girl with her math homework. I enjoyed it completely. As we were sorting beans before lunch we met another american lady who helps out at Nyumbani throughout the year and has for the past 4 years. I asked about Kenith, a 12 year old boy that was very thin. Last year Dorthy and I took a great liking to. She informed me that he had passed away in November. I don't know why but it totally caught me off guard. Maybe it is because the kids at Nyumbani seem so healthy and happy I forget that they are ill. Regardless nyumbani is a place i could just spend days upon days.

Yesterday, was a down day for the group. We did the touristy stuff like go to the elephant orphange and the giraffe house. I think I group enjoyed a lighter, easier day. We also had a group discussion time to air out different things we have been having a hard time with thus far in the trip. For me it was a fresh breath of air.

Then we head to the outskirts of Nairobi to Anita Home, a center for street girls. Getting out of the van I immediately recognized faces. One of the girls whose names stuck in my head was Lucy. She is now 7 year old girl and the youngest in the Peace Home, the center has 4 different houses that act like families for the girls. Whitney and I first sat down to a very reserved and quiet group of girls. But with the help of many UNO games the group was brought to life. We enjoyed random conversation and the competition of UNO. Lucy has this cute little smile that makes it look like she has a secret but she is going to share. I completely enjoyed the visit and looking forward to going back on Friday and spending the night.

Today we are headed to Kibera the largest slum in Nairobi that houses 800,000 to a million people. We will be visiting community development projects and reconnecting with a community organization that we got to know last year. Afternoon, headed to the top of the tallest building in Nairobi for a bird's eye view. Also will make a trip back to Kivuli to visit the boys and make some purchases of crafts made by Rwandan refugees.

(sorry for any mistakes dont have time to proofread)

Back to Kivuli

Yesterday on the 6th I got to return to Kivuli the center for street boys right in the heart of a slum. I recognized faces and names. Our group in enjoyed a show by the boys doing acrobats and juggling. We also had a decent game of pickup basketball going on. I think the boys find it amusing that the myself and whitney, two american girls, can actually play. But before all that we had gone to the local catholic church to take in a morning mass.

Later in the afternoon, the boys took us on a tour around the slum. They showed us a recycling program older boys run. One of the boys I met last year is now working and living there. It was good to see the positive change in his life.

Today we are heading to the hiv/aids orphange. I'm excited to reconnect with Anne and Nicholas (salad and chips little boy). Write more later when I get a chance.

Road Trip Uganda 2008

Entebbe to Gulu to Lira to Omot to Sipi to Kapchorwa to Kiriki to Jinja to Lingria to Kampala

I've spend the last two weeks traveling around the whole country of Uganda, experiencing both urban and rural. Faced bumpy roads for long hours. Searched for Western vs. Non-Western restrooms. Enjoyed many bucket baths.

Uganda was very different that my stay in Kenya last year. It was hard to experience poverty but also the effects of violence on communities of people. It is one thing to struggle to find food and resources but it is another to worry about violence of rebels. Our group visited many IDP (internally displaced perons) in Northern Uganda. These people are living in larger communities away from their home land because the still fear the LRA. The conditions are so unimaginable. There was a camp of 200 sharing 10 bathrooms. The school systems are fairly non-existent. On a walk through the camp I noticed a structure of bare sticks, I asked the man what it was. He then told me that it was a church. People bring tarps and other clothes to pitch over it on Sunday mornings.

Even in these conditions people find the faith and determination to worship the Lord despite all of their hardships. It was quite amazing to interact with them.

Throughout the last two weeks, we have helped an organization distrubute shoe boxes filled with items such as soap, toys, and school supplies. We get to witness the joy and hope that a simple box brings to these children.

But my emotions and thoughts have been all over the place since being here. There are days were I could be content living here the rest of my life. Other days I'm overcome with all the difficulties and endless numbers of problems these communities face. The Lord is definitely challenging me and making me take a position on what I believe my role in all of this is.

Yesterday, we travelled from Kampala to Nairobi on a 14 hour bus ride. I had a quick fish lunch on a 20 min stop. I was thinking of the hotdogs, brats and burgers that the rest of my family probably enjoyed to celebrate our nation's birthday. Missed home on the 4th. Also want to wish my brother Lou a happy 24th birthday.

Today our group is headed to one of the centers for street kids. I'm so happy. I feel like I'm coming home. Last night and this morning I enjoyed being greeted by friends I made last year. I'm very excited to be spending the next two weeks here.

The Adventures of Theran and Kate: Africa

Tomorrow morning my journey to Africa will start. I will be headed to a place where my heart has been this past year. I'm excited for new experiences and also meeting up again with Kenyan friends from last summer. I'm anticipating learning more about the African way of life but also learning more about myself. I feel like the Lord has a lot more eye opening and awareness planned for me.

This trip is especially meaningful because my best friend will be along for the journey. He hasn't traveled to Africa before and I feel privileged to be a part of the experience with him. It has been awesome what my eyes have been opened to and the sense of belonging & love I feel in Africa. I'm going to be so blessed to be able to have that same shared experience with my best friend.

Theran will meet the two orphans that I fell in love with last summer . Hear their laughter, see their smiles. He will experience the feeling of community in the harsh slum conditions of Kibera. He will witness the perseverance and hope of people who wake up every day knowing that life is going to be a struggle yet rejoice for the day that the Lord made. Theran will see all of this.

I pray for both of us to absorb all that is to be learned to the fullest, and upon arriving home to the States that we adjust our lives to our new realizations.

Life is calling...

Life is calling...how far will you go?

Today, I began a process that will direct my life post-graduation. I started my online application to become a Peace Corps volunteer. I can remember when asked "what do you want to do when you grow up" on a school project I was in 4th or 5th grade when I wrote be a peace corps volunteer.

At the time, I don't think I fully understood what it meant (I probably don't even now.) My heart is set on serving abroad for two years. I want to be able to contribute to a community in a developing country but I'm most curious to find out what I have to learn from nationals of the country that I will get placed in.

Until my departure, my day dreaming will consist of peace corps.

god it's me again...

and i quite frankly don't understand.

it is one thing to be oblivious to what is happening in the world. if i don't have an idea it makes sense that i have no urge to change anything. but i don't understand how after seeing injustices with my own eyes, how i can go back to normal life.

i'm angry. i'm upset that tonight i will lay my head down in a comfortable warm bed with no worries of what might happen in the night while there are children a third my age sleeping on the hard, cold ground fearing what the darkness brings. why them and not me?

i am not the only person who recognizes the suffering going on in the world. how do we continue to live our extravagant lifestyles while turning our head to the truth.

i realize i am one person of not much influence, or power. and if i go to these people in need, i most likely can't single handedly find a solution to this incomprehensible complex problem. i realize, i do.

but i can be there. i can offer my attention and affection. lord, what is it that you want me to do? what path can i take that best uses my skills? how do i do your will in your timing?

waiting impatiently,
kate

35 and counting...

35 days til Africa. There is so much that needs to get done before then.
But I can't help from day dreaming...

Can't wait to hear the laughter and see the smiles of the children... Can't wait to meet the Lord in the streets of Kibera... Can't wait to stare at the waters of the India Ocean and be in awe of the beauty He created...