Head Above the Crowd

Amen

2009-01-24T18:09:00.004+03:00

"Lord, use... Your servants as You used the ox in the Old Testament, for service or for sacrifice."

i need a new blog name...

2008-11-21T06:58:00.002+03:00

I guess since I'm not in Kenya anymore, I need a new blog name.

Any suggestions?

What about 'Out of Canada'? :D

Brilliant, I know... I thought of it myself.

No, I didn't miss the snow!

2008-03-09T21:25:00.003+03:00

Well, I'm back in the true North, strong and free. And it's cold...very cold. Friday night I arrived in Toronto and was welcomed back by a storm. At least I'm safe and warm inside. :) Can't wait to visit all my friends and family soon!

New photo album...

2008-02-15T10:11:00.003+03:00

Check out a few photos that I posted taken by a friend. We went on Monday, February4th to two refugee camps with a hospital group that some fellow SIMers work at.

"Just because it is calm...doesn't mean that there is peace."

2008-02-15T10:07:00.004+03:00

My friend Naman shared this with me... very true.

Answered Prayer

2008-02-12T17:35:00.000+03:00

Praise God because last Friday, Teresiah returned after about 2 weeks of being gone. She found a friend and was kept safe, but we are glad that she is back. Jon came back, but left the next morning. He keeps running away from the Children's Home and from his grandma's house. She is old and can't handle this stress. She asked him if he is trying to make her die before her time. Pray that Jon stays in one place and that he will stop playing around with his future.

Kibera

2008-02-06T00:28:00.000+03:00

Annelie and I were able to visit some friends at their church. The church is situated on the edge of Kibera, the secondest largest slum in Africa, with an estimated population density of 300,000 per square kilometer. Our fellow short-term SIMers have been pulled out of Kibera for security reasons. We thought that this visit wouldn't happen, but we prayed that God would make a way so that we could greet our friends again and see what Kibera looked like after all that has happened. I will post some pictures and let them speak for themselves.

To see more pictures... follow the photo album link on the right under "Kibera - the aftermath".

New faces at the home

2008-02-05T23:59:00.000+03:00

On the left, Sarah, holding a neighbour girl, Frecia
Me and Lillian
Martin

Because of the tribal clashes, we have three new children here at St. Nicholas. The youngest that we've had since I've been here - around the ages 5, 6 and 7 - we aren't sure. Each of their mothers have been brutally murdered - either burned, cut or hanged.
One night, I was putting Lillian to sleep and as I said goodnight to her, she wasn't seeing me. As she looked up to the ceiling it seemed that she was watching something; perhaps reaching back into her memories, the tears welling up in her big brown eyes. I knew she was trying to hold it back, but I just held her and told her over and over, "Ni sawa. Ni sawa. It's ok. It's ok. Just cry." I have never felt more inadequate as a person in my life than at that moment. God's lesson to me that night is that He is the Father to the fatherless and will watch over Lillian and all the children in this home better than I ever can. In my heart, I have committed Lillian over to God's protection and know that she is in the safest place that she can ever be.

still here...

2008-02-05T23:50:00.000+03:00

Just want to let any faithfuls know that I am still in Kenya. I'm trying to sort out what I'm feeling, seeing and hearing this last month and a half. All I can say is pray for Kenya and those in other countries experiencing fear, displacement and war. I know God is in control, but these situations have shown me the deep heart of mankind - bent on evil. Truly, we need a Saviour!

Father of the fatherless

2008-02-05T23:09:00.000+03:00

Pray for these two children who have run away. Two weeks ago, John Karanja, ran away and was returned by his grandmother who lives a 10 hour walk away. He ran away again yesterday.

Teresiah ran away a few days after John did, but she hasn't returned. It has almost been two weeks. Pray for safety and protection over them and that God will watch over them as He did before they were brought to St. Nicholas Children's Home.

Who am I to be so blessed?

2008-01-03T00:26:00.000+03:00

This New Year's Eve has been quite a different one than I have ever experienced. My midnite phone calls weren't to wish people a Happy New Year, but to see if they were alive and well. Praise God because most of my friends are fine. There are a few that I can't get in contact with and others that I couldn't talk to on Monday night, I have now talked to or heard from. If you're wondering what I'm writing about... let me brief you with the words from our director.

"The presidential election process in Kenya has resulted in serious civil unrest in many points across the country. News updates can be found at www.bbc.com and other international news agencies in regards to the ongoing problems...
All SIM Kenya personnel are safe and accounted for. SIMers in Nairobi, where much of the trouble has been centered, have been able to leave their compounds for food and other supplies. All compounds in Nairobi have walls and security guards as well as other measures for safety. Other SIM personnel in Kenya have reported that they are safe.
On Thursday, 3 January, a rally is being planned that may lead to further increased tensions. Please be in prayer for Kenya, the many Kenyans that have been affected by the disturbances and for a peaceful resolution to the problems."

Yes, I am safe in a compound, but what about all the children that I work with, my fellow teachers, friends, staff workers, neighbours or youth? I have always been blessed with so much! I don't think I have really seen with how much I've been blessed with until this last week. Safety, freedom, food, money, shelter, family, friends, GOD! We think that everyone has a human right to these things, yet not everyone does. And I have done NOTHING to deserve it any more than the mother I passed begging on the street.

I can't say much about what's going on, but please pray for the country of Kenya and while you're at it - thank God for what He has blessed you with this day, this year.

Dear Almighty God,

You are Jehovah.
You are all-powerful and all-seeing.
You see what is happening here in Kenya.
You see the hurting, angry youth.
You see the confused, innocent children.
You hear the shouts of frustrated men; disappointed in their leaders.
You hear the cries of scared women who are trying to provide for their families.
You alone, God, are the One that we can run to in this time of trouble.

Please stop these people from all the fighting, looting, killing and burning.
God, we speak against the spirit of hate; the spirit of disunity; the spirit of fighting and killing!
Saviour, we ask You to restore peace in this nation.
Lord, we put our trust in Your Sovereign Hand - that You can bring the leaders of this country together to work out a solution.

Father, Keep Your people - my friends safe.
Provide food and shelter for them.
Show us how to pray for this situation and what actions to take.

We pray this believing and trusting that You are able...
In Jesus' Name. AMEN.

A glimpse of October...

2007-12-15T14:11:00.000+03:00

Homework Time

Teacher Grace and the nursery class and my baby class
Eating ugali... it's a staple food in Kenya
A group of kids from another children's home 2 hours north
Saying goodnight
"This is the way we wash our clothes..."
Having a picnic in the park with other short-termers from around the world
Men praying in the park.... wouldn't see this in Canada - would we?
Celebrating Harriet's confirmation in the Anglican Church
Making Chapatti... every Saturday!
Nairobi International Trade Show
Preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner in the big house beside my cottage :) (it has an oven)
Using book covers to make masks
After a fun evening of dancing and fun!

Most of the gang from St. Nic's

2007-11-28T09:18:00.000+03:00

Don't wait for 2 weeks to do your laundry....

2007-11-27T22:47:00.000+03:00

...because it will take all day

Dear God,

2007-11-09T18:01:00.000+03:00

So far today,

I’ve done alright.

I haven’t gossiped.

I haven’t lost my temper.

I haven’t been greedy,

Grumpy, nasty, selfish

Or overindulgent.

I’m very thankful for that.

But in a few minutes, God,

I’m going to get out of bed…

And from then on,

I’m probably going to need a lot more help.

Amen.

Pray for our Class 8 Boys...

2007-10-24T00:18:00.000+03:00

Robert
Geoffrey
Innocent
Kanye
Michael
Samuel

These boys will start their KCPExams in a few weeks. These exams are country wide and determine whether you will get into a good high school or not. Pray that God will bless their efforts!

Flower

2007-09-12T11:22:00.001+03:00

Sunday School

2007-09-12T11:13:00.000+03:00

This week was the first time that St. Nicholas Children’s Home had a Sunday School lesson. Usually the children faithfully (or begrudgingly) attend Bible Study that is led by an older peer. I attended the youngest class once before I became ill and was dismayed how it seemed that the children were not learning anything and were not having any joy in this time. The study was merely a reading of as much of the KJV Bible as possible in a half hour and if there was expounding it was not exactly theologically sound. (It was a 14 year old leading) Well, not wanting to just barge in and take over, I prayed that if God wanted me to teach these little ones He would make it possible. He did just that! The pastor saw a need for the children to receive instruction at their understanding level. Now Annelie and I will be teaching Sunday School each week. I ask that you send up a prayer for these little ones that the Life of Jesus we will teach to them will make Him seem real to them. I ask the Holy Spirit to make the words that we speak alive in their hearts and the message of the gospel to touch each one personally.

\/\/ater

2007-09-12T10:49:00.000+03:00

John 4:14 “but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

We are to be centers through which Jesus can flow as rivers of living water in blessing to everyone...

...Never look at yourself from the standpoint of - Who am I? In the history of God’s work you will nearly always find that it has started from the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but the steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.

–exerpt from Sept 11 reading from My Utmost for His Highest

Streams of Living Water

2007-09-05T00:39:00.000+03:00

This month I hit the half-way mark. I know...crazy, eh? God has been teaching me so much these days. While I was sick, He taught me patience and that this year is just as much about my spiritual growth as it is for the kids I'm working with. A few weeks ago, I was challenged to change my thinking. I had been praying since I came here, "God, show me what you want me to do here. Help me to do great things for You - to do the impossible. Show me how I can be greatest impact to these kids!" I thought that these were genuine requests. Well, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I had to stop being so self-centered in thinking that this time is about me and what I can do. I was asking God to make me do great things for Him, but He showed me that I need to let Sarah die and let Him do His work using me if needed. I know that I cannot put the revelation into words that will do it justice, but it has been a turning point for me.
I read "My Utmost for His Highest" before going to bed, and the last few nights the words "streams of living water" have been repeated and have resonated within me. I pray that I can be God's vessel, pouring out the streams of living water. To be used by Him to fulfill His purposes. To be a channel of His living water, not the source.

Back to "Normal"

2007-09-05T00:26:00.001+03:00

...whatever normal is

My hair

2007-07-29T20:11:00.000+03:00

I caught a fish THIS big!

2007-06-27T13:44:00.001+03:00

You know how some things that happen in life are so unbelievable that you wish you had the picture to prove it? Like the fish that was bigger than a small child or the bird so big that it could carry away a small bus? What about if you could've had the picture to prove it, but for some crazy reason - like say... you formatted your camera's memory card after 2 days of safari pictures - you don't have the picture.
Yes. I did. Ummm, oops? I was kinda bummed but I had to laugh. It was that or cry. I then remembered that in high school if you formatted your floppy disk, the computer nerds (no offense) could still get your info off it. I was hoping that would be the same for camera cards so I left it alone. That meant that on our last day of safari I would have no camera! Of course, I was with 4 other girls who all had their camera, but it's not the same if they are not your own pictures.
The formatting incident happened while we were sitting on an airstrip, waiting for the sunset. I think that God just wanted me to sit back and enjoy His creation with my own eyes instead of through a camera lens. I had that thought a couple of times during the day where I was madly taking pictures of the elephant family that was under 50 feet away from our van. After we rolled away, I realized that I hadn't even stopped to just watch them.
We headed out early the next morning for more sightseeing. What did we see? "Courting" cheetahs right along the road. And a male lion with a kill only about a soccer field away from us! Circling around him were about 20 hyenas. It was amazing!
I got to watch this all with my own eyes, not having to worry about if I was capturing it properly on film. The memory will stay in my mind forever - no formatting will ever take it away. . .

By the way, our computer guy at the compound recovered all my pictures. Praise the Lord!

Tempo

2007-06-14T23:02:00.000+03:00

There are a few boys here at St. Nicholas that rap and write praise songs. I am blessed when I hear them and I want to share it with you too! I tried to post it, but me and technology don't click.

So if you are interested... go to YouTube and type in the keywords "tempo - st. nicholas" and "life is hard - ndahm" and you will see them in action. At first I liked the 'tempo' video better (because my backside made a cameo appearance), but when I really listened to the words of Life is Hard...

I cried.

One child at a time...

2007-05-30T12:29:00.000+03:00

Fifty children. Ages six to eighteen. Living in one home. Sharing food, clothing, books, beds and one house mom.

Fifty children. So much in common, yet so diverse...

How does one show affection, talk about interests, help with homework, give advice, stop fights, provide activities and spend time equally with each child?

One child. What is he interested in? What does she talk about?

Football, hair, food, exercise, computers, dogs, music, girls, food, God, singing, movies, babies, boys, food...

One child. One child at a time...

Spend the moment you have with the child you are with as if it were the only moment you may ever be with them.

Love and live as Jesus did!

Faithful Promises

2007-05-30T11:31:00.000+03:00

Psalm 91 has been my passage that I turn to when I am afraid or unsure about life here in Africa. It says that God's faithful promises are your armour and protection. Wow.

Speaking of promises, I had said that I would blog whilst out here in Afreeka.

Here's to keeping promises...