2017 Kenya Log Entry 11

I am back to Kenya again. Or I wish I was, instead of sitting here in Wisconsin, reliving our trip last month.

On Friday, April 7, we visited Mary Faith Women’s Shelter and School. Here girls and young women are taken off of the streets, out of dangerous situations and abusive relationships. They are given an education, and since most of them are pregnant or have small children, their children are given an education as well.

 

Sounds like a great place, until you see it. The staff are doing the best they can with what they have. I get that, but it doesn’t make it any easier to witness. It makes you want to take any – and all – of these kids home with you. 

 Some of the classrooms. 

 The courtyard, looking worse than it probably usually does due to rain the night before. 

 All the kids chipping in to do the laundry. 

 Raising chickens. 

 Growing a garden. 

 The kitchen. 

 My daughter Val, doing what she does best, helping out. While the rest of us wandered the grounds, she sat down, grabbed a plate and started sorting beans, much to the delight of the young women. These girls were all so beautiful, but because their abusers are still out there, I unfortunately can’t share any of their pictures. (I can’t imagine anyone would find their pictures here, but I must be respectful.) 

 Like daughter, like mother? I don’t know about that. I wasn’t all that helpful, but it doesn’t take much to just be in the moment. 

Happy Mother's Day

I have to be honest, I didn’t know what to write today. So I thought I would just post a bunch of old family pictures, showcasing, of course, Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone out there. The weather is going to be beautiful here in the Northwoods. Get out and enjoy it. 

2017 Kenya Log Entry 10

Here I am again, not being as productive as I had hoped. Fortunately, for you, I still have pictures to share from Hell’s Gate.

Here Boni and John are giving us instructions for hiking in the gorge. 

 Here we go down into it. 

 Somewhere along here is where my feet went out from under me and I came down on my left hand. That was five weeks ago, and it still hurts. I did have it x-rayed when I got home and it wasn’t broken. It is feeling much better though every day. 

 Rachel and Kenzie, our volunteers from back home, put up with a lot from me that day. 

 I don’t know how I would ever exit in case of emergency, but how reassuring. Not so much. 

 Rachel and Kenzie dealing with me again. 

 This is the point where Boni said, “we can go to the left up this canyon and see a lot and climb a lot and it will take a half an hour, or we can go the other way and be out in five minutes. Your choice.” As if I had a choice. 

 Our first major obstacle. I took this one like a champ. Too bad I melted down later on, 

 As if the rope at this emergency exit will save me.

 Then just a few more bends and I hit the wall. If you didn’t read about that earlier this week, you’ll have to go back and check that out. 

 A beautiful place and truly worth it.

2017 Kenya Log Entry 9

I was going to stick to blogging about our work in Kenya and save our tourist activities until the end, but I started working on other stuff for the nonprofit tonight and ran out of time. It’s quicker to post a lot of pictures, without so many words and background information, so here’s how my day at Hell’s Gate National Park began. 

 You can either bike or ride in the comfort of the van through this part of the park, before getting to the canyon where I almost died. I knew that I would appreciate opting for the van over the bike ride.

 We got to see lots of wildlife and the scenery which inspired the backdrop for “The Lion King”.

A beautiful place.

Don't Let my Foot Slip

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let my foot slip— (Psalm 121, NIV)

We were at Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya last month, hiking through this beautiful gorge. We got to what looks like a dead-end, and I’m thinking, yikes, we have to hike all the way back out.

Nope, we have to climb this wall. 

I wish there was better documentation. Or, maybe not. After Rachel clambered up, I put my camera down and started getting myself psyched up. Anna scaled it next and then I told them, I have to go next or I never will.

I have never been so terrified before in my life. I kept telling them, I am too old to be doing this kind of nonsense.

All I can say now is –

 Thank You Lord God for not letting my foot slip. Thank You for guiding my footsteps at all times. Amen.