My Quote and Verse for this Summer...

"When we are foolish, we want to conquer the world. When we are wise, we want to conquer ourselves."

In devotions this morning at World Vision, we talked about how the biggest enemy in this world is ourselves, and how we should strive to be continual learners and refiners of our character. We are students for life! This takes discipline. This takes accountability. This takes humility as we strive for feedback and advice from those around us. Before I know my place in this world, I must seek the Lord to understand myself- my strengths and weaknesses- and work through those weaknesses daily. We must start today on this process and keep our hearts open to what the Lord wants to teach us about ourselves. Only then will the Lord open our eyes to how He wants to use me in my community.

My friend David I've talked about before ALWAYS has a notepad with him. If he has a conversation with someone and feels compelled by what he or she has said, he writes it down. He is always listening to those around him and open to how the Lord can use people in his life.

I pray that you seek the Lord to continually give you a student's heart, and ask the Lord to continue to mold you into who He wants you to be!

"Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will Not fail. Though it tarries, Wait for it; For it certainly will come, it will Not delay." Habakkuk 2:2-3.

As I seek the Lord's vision for my life, I begin to think of all that burdens my heart: the youth, the church, raising up leaders for our future generations, America's role in the developing world, orphans and widows, encouraging local leaders, communicating and facilitating the needs of the world to those who want to hear- I could go on. I have seen and experienced so much, and my heart feels heavy. I continually ask God, "What is my vision? What is my purpose?" As I turned 25 this month, I have done a lot of reflection and written down what I want to see in my life in the next 25 years.

However, as overwhelming as the world is, I LEAN and TRUST in this promise in Habakkuk. I am in the process of waiting for the appointed time when the Lord will reveal my vision. And knowing Him, He will show me step by step, inch by inch- and I am content in that. Actually, I'd rather it be that way than to know the Whole picture! I wouldn't need Faith if I knew what was going to happen! And knowing ME, once I knew the big picture I would work out how to accomplish that plan- not relying on the Lord. SO, God has driven the spirit of anxiety and fear out of my life and I simply trust that my day to day experiences, conversations, and lessons all contribute to His great plan.

If I can pinpoint my purpose for this trip to Africa right now, it is simply to Listen with open ears to those around me and learn from them--Whether it is dying laughing over discussions with mothers about how HORRIBLE labor pains are (Yeah, after that illustrative description I'm adopting!), or whether it is sitting across the table from a woman who lost her husband to the LRA rebels in Northern Uganda- and she herself was taken captive three years later and STILL manages to forgive-- my role is to simply listen. And it's amazing what God can teach you.

So this verse allows me to see great joy in the small things- as I sit here editing reports for World Vision, I am joyful. As I sit across from the dinner table with Faith Mlay, the strongest prayer warrior I have ever met, I feel joy. As I worship with children from Kibera slums on my birthday, I feel great joy. I pray that you too can lean on this verse and trust in his Great plans for you...even if it is revealed one day at a time.

Shopping for Winter Clothes in Africa, WHAT?

Yep, you heard me! I'm off to South Africa tomorrow for one week with World Vision. They are conducting a strategic meeting for the Africa office and I get the privilege of attending! Yesterday Dorothy told me, "Uh, it's going to be cold, so bring a warm jacket- it might even snow!"

SNOW? SNOW? In Africa? Right. Sure. It's over 100 degrees in Colorado right now, but kels is going to venture in the snow!! SO, Kels had to take a little trip to the 2nd hand shopping circus here in Kenya to warm up for South Africa!! So lets take a look at the bargains I found!

SO....for $9.00, Kelsey purchased this LOVELY White Winter coat for her warming pleasure! :)

Up next we have the wanna-be ski jacket made from Europe and surprisingly warm! ALL for the low cost of $9.00!!!!

And last I bought several sweaters all for the low price of $ 4 bucks each! Here we have the oh-so-warm turtleneck accompanied by some used black socks as I realized I only brought white ankle socks- not so hot with slacks! hehehe. I'm ready to GO!

Picture Time! My time in Rwanda thus far...

Nyartovu, a village World Vision works in. I spent 5 days here with researchers conducting surveys with local families. Imagine farming on the side of a mountain!

First, we hike to community homes- and yes, with a huge hunk of wood to measure the height of the children. I'm trying to come up with an easier system- any ideas??






Then, we find the head of the household and begin asking them about their family. Questions concerning Nutrition, Education, Household Resilience, Food Security, etc.

Then we measure the height...

And Weight of the children ages 0-5.

and of course loving on the kids is a must... they are shocked to see a muzungu (a white chick) hiking through the mountains!

New Friends....

Learning how to drive stick on the streets of Rwanda!

Muraho! Bi te? (What's up?) So kels has been a little busy lately! :) So far I have spent most of my time up north conducting surveys in the rural areas- and it was a great learning experience. This week I will be traveling to the south to visit a World Vision program which conducts mentorship programs for orphans in rural communities. They train, equip and monitor 144 community members to visit and care for over 400 orphans! I am excited to meet the orphans, encourage the mentors, and glean ideas for ROWAN in Uganda! Then on Friday I will be heading to the east to be involved in focus group discussions going on there...

I have met some incredible people along the way, including other fellow Americans! :) Two friends of mine are conducting research on Rwanda's curriculum development concerning their recent conflict. We keep each other posted along the way about what we find as we are all traveling around! This weekend a bunch of us got together for dinner and discussed the question:

"WHAT IS DEVELOPMENT?" And let me tell you, we had varying answers! Rwandans and Americans together discussing current issues and interests in Africa- it doesn't get much better than that!

My friend David, born in Rwanda and living in Kenya, said that development is a myth that outside countries created in order to control and limit Africa and its resources. The textbook version of, "Enhancing and enabling others towards peace and prosperity" didn't cut it for this guy. He is one who Definitely thinks outside the box, and I love it. How would YOU define Development??? Is development a myth???

David also said, "Africans are not being educated, they are being domesticated, and I am fearful for my fellow peers. We need to be critical about what is going on within our continent! We can not continue to point our fingers at others, because the rest of the fingers are pointing back at us. Africa is Africa's responsibility..." Needless to say, it was an intense conversation. I am learning more from conversations with friends I meet, Kofi (the VP of World Vision Rwanda I am staying with), and Aba (Kofi's daughter) than anyone else. The key is to listen, and boy- do I still have a lot to learn!

I will keep you posted with pics and stories as I continue to travel around Rwanda. Looks like I'll be heading back to Kenya sometime next week, and I know I am going to miss this beautiful country and my friends here! Who knew Colorado Mountains could be found here in Africa? (Just topped with crops instead of Aspens!) Off to edit a DVD script in the Communications Department; they are keeping me busy!!!

Happy Independence Day to the US, and Happy Liberation Day to Rwanda!

It has been 13 years since the genocide. You all are familiar with the 3 month long (war they call it) back in 1994. I have never experienced being in a culture where war is a common experience in life. EVERYONE was and is affected. Don’t assume otherwise. You have victim walking and living among murderers- today all living in peace.

Yesterday they danced and sang in celebration of peace. And peace is an understatement. I have Never felt so safe in a foreign city before. Kigali is spread over 5 hills- great roads- not much traffic- and calm people. Peaceful people.

Wives, can you imagine your husband stabbing you to death because you were of a different tribe?
Daughters, can you imagine still living in peace with your father after he stabbed your mother?
Can you imagine living near neighbors who killed all of your children? Friends? And they Would have killed you if they had the chance??

I know that deep beneath the surface lies pain. Lots of pain. But these people KNOW, TASTE, and LIVE Grace. God’s grace.

Yesterday, as everyone was celebrating their holiday, I ventured out to town. The only thing open was Bourbon Coffee Shop where I chilled out and read for the afternoon. There was a group of Americans I ran into and many worked for USAID, PEPFAR, and others. They invited me to dinner and I happily agreed to enjoy an evening with some Americans! They told me of their adventures in Rwanda and filled me in all I needed to know about this country. But over and over, they kept saying, “These people live in peace, and I don’t know how. I could NEVER forgive people who killed my family. Never. Much less live next to them. They claim its grace from their savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Come and Listen to What He has Done.”

I’ve only been here 3 days, but already see God’s footprints in the reconciliation process of this country. Tomorrow, I begin my home stay with the head of the Rwanda office, Kofi Hagen. He began the World Vision office in Uganda during their continued war in the North, and was called into Rwanda 5 years ago to help begin World Vision work here. He told me that he has seen change, and it is TRULY exciting. He has seen death; he has witnessed hate in the worst form; he continues to pierce hate with Christ’s Love and Forgiveness. I can’t Wait to soak in this man’s testimony in hopes that it can transform mine.

Today and tomorrow I am going through researcher training for the quantitative segment of our field work. Monday I head north to the villages to assist (as much as I can) in this 30-Family survey. I can’t wait to see the rural life here, as you all know that is where my heart is. Training is tough as I have to use an interpreter to understand the lecture, but it’s very useful and practical. Again, another piece of my puzzle! The picture is still fragmented, but slowly coming together…

I’ll be off to the memorial site this weekend, so stay tuned. Much more to come. And it probably won’t be easy….

Thanks for supporting me. Thanks for walking with me- I can feel your love and prayers.

Night!


“Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.” –Psalm 25:12.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.”- Luke 4:18-19

"United States of Africa." Dream, or reality?

African Presidents joined together this week in Ghana for an Africa Union Accra Summit. On Monday Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi came out strongly in support for the “United States of Africa.” The idea is to create a unified government with one military for the ENTIRE Continent. Declaring that there is no future for single state nations in Africa he said development is possible only with the creation of a single state like European Union. He thinks it will help unify the continent, be a good economic move, and keep the youth in Africa who may want to migrate. There are suggestions of having one currency, one national language, and even redrawing the borders. He claims, "For 40 years all the summits have failed," he said. "Our micro-states have no future."

Sounds just perfect, doesn’t it???

Not exactly. Ideally, this would be great. All you would have to do is eliminate all of Africa’s history, thousands of languages, and nationalism! It is a logistical and political nightmare in my book. Outside agents have dealt with loans and assistance to countries on an individual basis, how would that change over? How would one political party benefit local needs? What would all the current presidents do? Become governors? Why would the wealthy countries want to combine their wealth with the poor countries?

I have so many questions, and I am sure the meetings covered many of these hesitations and more- with the result of only ONE other president agreeing with the proposition. Interesting…

What are your thoughts? I don’t know all there is to know about this idea, but if you do- please fill me in! And if you haven’t, what’s your opinion about this US of A????

What others think:

Africa's survival depends on one thing only. Good governance. How can we unite if we still haven't resolved the same issues that divide us. How can we unite if some people still think that taking arms and going into the bush is another form of gaining political power. We must first address these problems, then when we all begin to think along the same line, our unity will come naturally. Nicholas Boampong, Accra

We have been hearing the tune of many African saying and shouting Africa Unite. In my own word, we are far from it. It is not possible for Africa to unite.
To make this dream come true, we should first interpret love among the neighbouring countries. For example, i am in Senegal presently. On my way coming to Senegal, i face a lot of embarrassment by the officers due because i speak English, can you imagine this. You are there talking about the unite of Africa!
It is better for everyone to look after his or her home.FODAY SILLAH, Freetown- Sierra Leone

The idea of African unity is worth a try. Sure there are and there will always be problems but it is better to attempt to solve them even if a little at a time. So far, almost or oil-rich, and other natural-resource-rich countries have detrimental political and other issues which are no accidents. The corruption and fighting is encouraged by the powers that deposit money into private accounts of the leaders, the arms exporters, unaccountable corporations. Unfair trade and predatory contracts, the list goes on but we have to start somewhere. After all, the people who first conceived the idea of aeroplanes were considered criminals, but now even space travel has commercial passengers. "Throughout history it is the inaction of those who should have acted, and the silence of those who should have spoken, that has made evil to triumph" - Haille SelassieKwame, Ontario, Canada

I think that is the only way for Africa to pull all the blessed natural and human resources together for the benefit of all Africans as against greedy individuals. As I write this, my eyes are teary just thinking of the possibilities this has for Africa. Adam Abu, Philadelphia USA
The African micro-states have actually failed its people. This is mainly due to the way they were formed, by the Western powers who colonised the continent. It's like Africa was programmed to fail. Gaddafi's vision of a United States of Africa seems OK on paper. But with our diverse focuses, interests and multi-ethnicity, I do not see Africa uniting yet. At least not in our generation.Lamin Dumbuya, Freetown - Sierra Leone

Yes, united we stand divided we fall, Africa needs to form one government to help reduce the violence caused mainly by leaders.Musa Bah, Novi, USA