If I were to post some pictures of what I've been doing over the last 2 weeks or so, they would be pretty boring because I've basically been in bed, either sleeping or reading! Last week I wasn't feeling very well. I was really tired and kinda achey all over. I didn't have a fever, so I didn't worry about it too much, but by Monday my head was throbbing constantly and my stomach hurt pretty bad, so Greg took me to the doctor. Kelly had just been diagnosed with malaria (again!), as well as one of our workers, Emmanuel. After a short wait, I found out malaria was my fate as well. A day later Carrie went in because she was feeling the same way I was, and she was diagnosed again as well. I started the treatment prescribed, but by Wednesday afternoon I felt worse than I did on Monday! Greg has discovered this brand new malaria treatment on the market made out of a plant that grows in China, so he picked some up for me and it seems to be working better... on Wednesday, after Greg fell asleep for 3 hours in the middle of the morning, Kelly took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with malaria as well. In the course of one week, we all dropped like flies... or mosquitoes in this case I guess! Carrie, Kelly & Greg have all pretty much recovered, but for some reason mine seems to be holding on longer. I feel a little bit better today... probably the best I've felt in a week. But I thought I was feeling better on Thursday, too. I woke up Friday morning and it was all back in full force. Malaria is a very strong, complicated sickness that is hard to kill off.
You may be wondering to yourself how we got sick, because you thought we were taking anti-malaria treatments. Well, after we got here, we were told that it wasn't a good idea to stay on an anti-malarial treatment for two years, because of the long term effects on the body. Anti-malaria treatments are not 100% full proof either, so we decided to test our luck and take our chances.
I know a lot of people at home have been praying for healing for me, and I appreciate that so much! Please keep the prayers coming, as I don't feel like I'm outa the woods, yet! :)
Blessings,
Alita
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Praise!
Yesterday we met Janet & Fielden for lunch and made arrangements for us to purchase the Land Cruiser! They are so happy for us to have it; and we are so happy to be blessed with a better vehicle.
We are defintely still stepping out in faith here, though. Our church gave us the go ahead to purchase the vehicle, but we are still seeking out funds to pay it with. (They can offer some, but probably not ALL the funds.)It is a huge blessing that Fielden is willing to literally take whatever payments we can offer until it's paid off, but we also want to be responsible and get it paid off as soon as possible. So PLEASE continue to pray for the Land Cruiser and its funding.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Mt. Elgon
Yesterday morning, Greg and I headed out our gate on foot with backpacks, caught boda-boda's (bicycle taxis) to the matatu (vehicle taxis) park, loaded up and headed towards Mt. Elgon to visit with Janet & Fielden Allison for the night. Janet & Fielden have lived on Mt. Elgon for 16 years. They've been in Africa around 34 years, and married for 36 years (give or take a few years, I can't remember exactly!) CRF supports 36 students on Mt. Elgon at Kapkirwok High School, so we were going to check on up on the kids, as well as visit a little bit with the Allisons about their work on the mountain. In two weeks they will be trading their custom built home on the mountain side for the coast of Dar Es Salam (spelling?!), Tanzania.
"First Class" in the matatu.
After 3 interesting rides in 3 different matatus, 5 hours later Greg & I arrived at Janet & Fielden's place. We ate some lunch and walked up to the high school to start visiting with the kids. It poured rain while we were at the school, leaving a nice thick mud to walk home in. (My flip flops gained about an inch in the sole on the 5 minute walk!)
CRF Student Mercy Chemtai and me.
We had a great visit with the Allisons, who are extremely hospitable and relaxing to be around. (I unfortunately, forgot to get a picture of them!) They also offered to sell us their 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser. They are buying a new vehicle when they move to Tanzania, and really need to sell this vehicle. We have been praying for a good car and a good deal, and they have been praying for a buyer. They are the only owners of the car, which is amazing for Africa, and they only want $10,000 for it, which is also amazing! I'm including a picture of the car; please be praying about this opportunity for us. We need to do all the fundraising for a new vehicle on our own, which will be a challenge, but God is faithful! Fielden is willing to take payments of whatever we can offer, for however long we need to take; which is a huge blessing!
A real bush car... [Grunt! Grunt!]
Our trip was great; both Greg and I wished we could have stayed longer. The mountain side is so beautiful and peaceful. Please pray for Carrie & Kelly as they are in Nairobi until Monday, working on their work permits and picking up a sofa set for our house. Please pray for safe travels!
Blessings,
Alita
"First Class" in the matatu.
After 3 interesting rides in 3 different matatus, 5 hours later Greg & I arrived at Janet & Fielden's place. We ate some lunch and walked up to the high school to start visiting with the kids. It poured rain while we were at the school, leaving a nice thick mud to walk home in. (My flip flops gained about an inch in the sole on the 5 minute walk!)
CRF Student Mercy Chemtai and me.
We had a great visit with the Allisons, who are extremely hospitable and relaxing to be around. (I unfortunately, forgot to get a picture of them!) They also offered to sell us their 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser. They are buying a new vehicle when they move to Tanzania, and really need to sell this vehicle. We have been praying for a good car and a good deal, and they have been praying for a buyer. They are the only owners of the car, which is amazing for Africa, and they only want $10,000 for it, which is also amazing! I'm including a picture of the car; please be praying about this opportunity for us. We need to do all the fundraising for a new vehicle on our own, which will be a challenge, but God is faithful! Fielden is willing to take payments of whatever we can offer, for however long we need to take; which is a huge blessing!
A real bush car... [Grunt! Grunt!]
Our trip was great; both Greg and I wished we could have stayed longer. The mountain side is so beautiful and peaceful. Please pray for Carrie & Kelly as they are in Nairobi until Monday, working on their work permits and picking up a sofa set for our house. Please pray for safe travels!
Blessings,
Alita
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Children's Home Experience III
Looking Back…
I have been lost, recovering from my stint at the Children’s Home. I have also been trying to recover from the culture shock I found myself in about a week after I had moved out! Having the opportunity to actually live within the culture was an amazing experience that I do not regret, but the reality of what I learned about the culture also left me in a state of shock. I think I know now what the phrase “culture shock” actually means… but I want to focus on the fun, positive part of my stay there as well.
So, here’s a look back, with pictures of what happened while I was living at the Home.
First, we had a celebration for two of our boys who left the Home to move on to the next part of their lives. We had a big party, mostly planned by the kids, which involved singing, performing, advice giving, a blessing by the parents, and a message from Greg. Carrie baked a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, which the kids devoured, loving every moment! In this picture, the parents are blessing the boys by washing their feet. This is a traditional way for Kenyan parents to bless their children.
As you may know, we spent most of March remodeling the kitchen at the Home. I was there on the much anticipated evening of finally opening the kitchen. All of the children gathered in the new dining room, were served, prayed, and ate together. We even had an official ribbon cutting! The staff and children thoroughly enjoy their new cooking and dining area.
Easter at the Kenya Church of Christ Children’s Home had a whole new twist this year. Carrie & I decided to share a little of the American Easter spirit with the kids, so we bought a bunch of eggs, vinegar & food coloring and showed the kids how to color eggs. We weren’t sure what they would think of this crazy mzungus idea, but they caught on very soon and seemed to have a blast! They even figured out how to mix the colors to make different colors without any hints from us. After they went to church, we hid the eggs in a small parameter around the kitchen. When church finished, they all headed down to the kitchen to hunt for the eggs. We should have hid them better, because I think they were all found within 5 minutes!
One day, when I came back to the Home from being at our house, the truck was fairly muddy from driving on the dirt roads after the rain. They children LOVE to wash the truck, so they asked me to drive it over near a trough of water so they could clean it up. Almost all of the younger children (over 15 kids) grabbed soap, rags & buckets and went crazy, inside & outside. So I grabbed my camera and went crazy as well!
Until Next Time,
Alita
I have been lost, recovering from my stint at the Children’s Home. I have also been trying to recover from the culture shock I found myself in about a week after I had moved out! Having the opportunity to actually live within the culture was an amazing experience that I do not regret, but the reality of what I learned about the culture also left me in a state of shock. I think I know now what the phrase “culture shock” actually means… but I want to focus on the fun, positive part of my stay there as well.
So, here’s a look back, with pictures of what happened while I was living at the Home.
First, we had a celebration for two of our boys who left the Home to move on to the next part of their lives. We had a big party, mostly planned by the kids, which involved singing, performing, advice giving, a blessing by the parents, and a message from Greg. Carrie baked a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, which the kids devoured, loving every moment! In this picture, the parents are blessing the boys by washing their feet. This is a traditional way for Kenyan parents to bless their children.
As you may know, we spent most of March remodeling the kitchen at the Home. I was there on the much anticipated evening of finally opening the kitchen. All of the children gathered in the new dining room, were served, prayed, and ate together. We even had an official ribbon cutting! The staff and children thoroughly enjoy their new cooking and dining area.
Easter at the Kenya Church of Christ Children’s Home had a whole new twist this year. Carrie & I decided to share a little of the American Easter spirit with the kids, so we bought a bunch of eggs, vinegar & food coloring and showed the kids how to color eggs. We weren’t sure what they would think of this crazy mzungus idea, but they caught on very soon and seemed to have a blast! They even figured out how to mix the colors to make different colors without any hints from us. After they went to church, we hid the eggs in a small parameter around the kitchen. When church finished, they all headed down to the kitchen to hunt for the eggs. We should have hid them better, because I think they were all found within 5 minutes!
One day, when I came back to the Home from being at our house, the truck was fairly muddy from driving on the dirt roads after the rain. They children LOVE to wash the truck, so they asked me to drive it over near a trough of water so they could clean it up. Almost all of the younger children (over 15 kids) grabbed soap, rags & buckets and went crazy, inside & outside. So I grabbed my camera and went crazy as well!
Until Next Time,
Alita
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