Nosikitok - Where suffering is bringing change and hope...

South of Nairobi just 20 km from the Tanzania border is a small Masai village called Nosikitok.  The Masai are herders of cows, goats and sheep and are historically known for their bravery in killing the lion to become a Masai warrior.  Their culture has not typically valued education as young boys are raised to follow the tradition of a herdsman and sadly a girl’s value is seen only in her father’s ability to sell her into marriage in return for animals to grow his herd.  In hard times like the drought, fathers will sell their daughters as young as 8 years old out of desperation.

  

Simon, a Masai pastor in the community, shared with me that he sees no difference in a Masai widow and any other Masia woman.  He said “they are all like widows because the men do not help them at all”.  He went on to say that the women do everything..... fetch water and firewood, cook, care for the children, they even build their houses.

Polygamy is another tradition of the tribe.  After meeting 3 wives of the same husband who fathered 21 children among them, I learned that this tradition began in the early 1900s when a chicken pox outbreak greatly reduced the Masai population.  It was then that they decided each man would take multiple wives and father many children to grow the population again.  In recent years this practice has led to an increased infection rate of HIV and consequently the orphan population is growing.  

Nosikito was hit hard by the drought and the immense suffering that resulted was evident as we visited with them.  Malnutrition is clearly prevalent and in some cases severe.  The community is struggling to meet the additional needs of so many orphans among them.  Most surprising was to hear the men speak of education for the children.  Community leaders shared that the drought and suffering is causing a change of perspective in some Masai men as they don’t see how their children can survive as herders in such conditions.  I was overwhelmed by all that we witnessed and yet very encouraged by many leaders we met who are working hard to change the culture and to bring hope.  Stay tuned for more of their story....    

         

But the greatest of these is love....

I’ve been coming to Kenya for the last three years and it seems with each trip God reveals something new that I have not yet seen or experienced here. The purpose of this particular trip is to be introduced to several orphan communities who have invited Project 82 to see what they are doing to care for the orphans in their community and prayerfully consider joining them in their efforts.

Josphine and I spent the first 3 days visiting 5 different communities in the Nyanza Province which is in the western part of Kenya surrounding Lake Victoria. I have never seen the catastrophic and devastating effects of HIV AIDS like we witnessed in this area known for having the highest infection rate in the country. We visited communities where entire generations had been wiped out from this disease leaving only children and the elderly. We met a widow who lost all eight of her children to AIDS and another who had buried 4 of her nine children and had two sons living with her that were also dying. Sadly, their stories were not unique in their communities. We met so many widows with similar stories and all were left struggling to care for their orphan grandchildren who had been left behind.

Many of these women are solely responsible for meeting every need for their grandchildren and they struggle to provide even one meal a day and buy school uniforms so the children can attend school. They farm when the rains come, make pottery or baskets to sell at the market, walk long distances to collect water and firewood, cook, clean..... it is a never ending struggle. As I watched these women interact with their grandchildren and listened to their stories, I was deeply moved by the incredible sacrifice they are making for these children. Its the kind of sacrifice that can only be found where pure love is the solitary motivation. These widows have laid everything down to provide hope and a future for their grandchildren. Today, I am thanking God for the LOVE that motivates them to carry this burden and am praying for the wisdom to understand how Project 82 can also help to provide hope and a future for the orphans.

Lets Make it Personal...

I attended the I Heart Revolution “We’re All in this Together”  documentary with my family earlier this week.  Hillsong has done an incredible job with this movement demonstrating that globally there is a generation of people who’s hearts together are turned toward Jesus and then connecting the potential impact of this unified heart if put into practice by showing the love of God to others.  I was overwhelmed at times during the film as I tried to take in the massive amounts of suffering happening every day throughout the world.  It quickly reminded me of how easy it is to feel supremely inadequate and completely powerless to do anything that might actually change something.  The documentary, however, forces us to confront some important questions of ourselves, like....  Is that really an acceptable answer for followers of Jesus?  And, if instead of only preaching the good news, we actually joined together to be the good news, do we really believe that we can’t change things?

The documentary was shown in 500 theaters across the country and Canada and clearly demonstrated the power of individuals reaching out to help one another.  My daughter who will turn 15 in January experienced one of those pivotal life moments.  Eliie has traveled to Ecuador and Kenya on short term mission trips and participated in urban ministry projects here in Atlanta focused on at risk children.  She has great compassion for children and gets excited about the prospect of helping to make a difference in their lives.  But as we listened to the stories in the film of the little girls sold into the cruel and abusive world of sex slavery, it became personal to Ellie.   She began contemplating in her mind what if that happened to Sengenoia or Grace, two young orphan girls from different parts of Kenya who Ellie developed a special relationship with.  It isn’t that she wouldn’t have cared or that she would have ignored the stories on sex slavery if she didn’t have a personal relationship with 2 young orphans who could easily have fallen prey to such evil, but it did create a sense of urgency to respond..... now.  Not tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year.... but to respond now.

There are 143 million orphans in the world.... children.... completely powerless.  Project 82 recognizes that we can’t rescue all of them but we CAN rescue some of them.  I am returning to Kenya on December 1st for the specific purpose of visiting several different orphan populations that Project 82 has been asked to help.  We covet your prayers as we seek the perfect will of God to lead us where He desires for us to minister to His children.

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith. The beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." - George Muller

Biltmore Baptist Church of Asheville, NC commits to strategic partnership

A few weeks ago, during the concluding Sunday services for Global Focus at Biltmore Baptist Church, I had the opportunity to share a brief message with the congregation about the ministry vision of Project 82 Kenya.  Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the best words to reach people when you have a short period of time to articulate a vision that you are passionate about.  That is exactly how I feel when I try to describe what we do in Kenya.... why we do it.... and why you may need to be a part of it.  But Global Focus served as a great reminder to me that God moves powerfully in and through His people when we are committed to focusing on the things that matter to Him.... when our hearts break for the things that His heart breaks for and when we are willing to enter into the suffering of others so that we can understand it and be used by Him as a physical manifestation of His love.

I visited with a Connect Group on Sunday morning that spent the previous day with an under privileged family making greatly needed repairs to the outside of their home.... while it rained non-stop. Throughout the week I had the opportunity to listen to stories and interact with other missionaries serving locally and around the globe.  The stories, places and cast of characters were different but the underlying theme was always the same. God was using His children to serve one another and in the process they were sharing the greatest story in history.....  HIS story.

Global Focus is Biltmore's ongoing effort to take the Gospel from across the street to around the world.  From what I can see, they are doing it well and with great passion.... even if the whole story can't be told in short period of time.  Project 82 Kenya is excited about this partnership!

Need Prayers for Moses... If you are not familiar with this story, you need to start with the blog entry "Naibor and Seeking His Continual Presence"

Please pray for baby Moses.  Josphine returned with the baby and mother to the hospital today.  He is severely dehydrated again in addition to being severely malnourished.  The mother said he began vomiting and diarrhea again on Saturday night.  The doctor has admitted him and has indicated that he will require in-patient care for a minimum of 3 weeks depending on how he responds to treatment.

The mother is needed in the hospital with Moses which has left her other 3 children at home without care.  Josphine delivered food for the children at home and also found a neighbor and friend of the family who was willing to watch them until Josphine can locate a  relative or other feasible solution for the next 3 weeks or so.  Their home is also in desperate need of repair and looks as if it could cave in if not mended.  Josphine is looking into those resource needs as well.  We are so grateful to many of you who have already helped to provide thanks to a good friend in Kenya who accompanied Josphine and helped to spread the word.  I was reminded of God's grace when I read these words from Josphine...

"I am so glad that God sent this baby our way, otherwise, I don't think he would have survived.  Our God is so faithful and mighty.  I am happy too that He is walking the earth in our shoes and touching others with our hands and loving others with our hearts.  I am so humbled to be used of Him."

Update on baby Moses

Please pray for Moses.  In an earlier blog (Naibor and Seeking His Continual Presence) we shared the story and video clip of this baby who was suffering from severe malnutrition.  Josphine returned to Naibor yesterday to check on him and he is not doing well.  She took him to the hospital where he was treated for dehydration and he is to return next week to see the nutritionist.  Josphine took him back to his mother after buying more food to leave with her.  An elder in the community, Peter, is checking on Moses daily and providing updates to Josphine by phone.

We covet your prayers for this baby and all those who are suffering due to this severe draught and famine.

Does this sound like your grandmother? Part II

I have decided to adopt this grandmother as mine.  I never knew my maternal grandmother and my father's mom passed away many years ago.  I think there is something wonderful about sitting with a grandparent and listening to their stories.  There is so much wisdom to be shared by one who has lived much longer than you even if they don't necessarily share that wisdom in words.

I went back to visit this lady before I left Kenya.  I have yet to get her name (I just call her mom) and she simply refers to me as "her girl". She took me inside her small home made of mud and sticks and we sat on her bed which was also made of sticks and had a few torn blankets on it.  There is another small bed for her grandchildren and a small fire burning where she cooks. The roof is so low that you cannot stand up while inside.  She doesn't really seem concerned by any of this.  She is simply delighted to have a visitor to sit and chat with.

It had been six days since we first visited with her.  Her husband who had already been gone for a week at that time still had not returned from Mt. Kenya.  There had been no rain.  She began to share a little with me about her needs and those of the community.  She showed me her empty water jug.  No food in the house. She said they used to have cows for milk but lost them in the last drought.  I think they still have goats which is why her husband has taken them to Mt. Kenya is search of water and land to graze.  We were interrupted by a woman with 2 children who came in to show me that the children's feet were clean after having the jiggers removed last week.  She seemed to be indicating that because the jiggers were gone the children could attend school now and she asked us to help send her children to school.  The closest primary school is more than a 2 hour walk away. Children are required to wear uniforms to attend school and these children didn't even have adequate clothes. Some had shirts but naked bottoms while others had random clothing torn and rotting.   We visited for a few hours and then left them with corn flour and beans promising to return as soon as God provided a way back.

I am sitting in my office now watching the rain outside with a renewed sense of blessing.  I am wondering what my Kenyan grandmother is doing right now and how her day was.  I am praying for God's provision.... for her.... her family.... her community.  I am praying that the LORD of the harvest will raise up the workers who will go there.  I am praying that He will send those who can provide to Project 82 so that we can continue with relief efforts during this severe famine while exploring opportunities for long term solutions.  I am praying...

Does this sound like your grandmother? Part I

Its been a few days since I've been able to blog and yet I have been eager to write about our last day visiting communities in Lakipia. We spent the day visiting a cluster of smaller villages further still in the bush. When we came upon a grouping of bomas (homes made from cow dung, soil and sticks), I was instantly taken with an elderly woman who was sitting on the ground with two young children. There was something in her eyes that drew me to her. I joined her on the ground and began to chat. She was wearing only a piece of fabric wrapped as a skirt with no covering above. She spoke excitedly and my friend that was interrupting could hardly keep up with her.

She told me the children were her grandchildren and pointed out her daughter who was sitting a short distance away nursing a small baby. She said that her husband had gone to Mt. Kenya to find water and land to graze their animals. He had been gone for a week. I saw no sign of water or food in their home. She explained that they had not yet walked to the dam for water that day. I learned later that these villages were too far from the river (although the river is currently completely dry) and so they get water from a nearby dam that is also dirty and full of disease like the river water.

We just visited for a while and she talked with great animation and excitement in her eyes. Then she began showing us her feet and hands as well as the children's. They were infested with jiggers and she was asking us to remove them. We did not come prepared for that but she would not relent. She didn't seem to care as much about food and water but she really wanted those jiggers removed. (If you don't know what jiggers are.... they are small parasites that live in the dirt and burrow their way into the flesh of your feet or hands and then lay eggs. They will literally rot your flesh.) Josphine had a safety pin and so we did what we could removing the worst. You cannot imagine the smile on her face. Later when we went back to town, we bought some medical supplies and our friends went back the following day and finished what we had started.

Its hard to imagine what your priorities might be when faced with desperate circumstances. A severe drought leaving no water for drinking or cooking or planting food. There is no water to bathe to keep the jiggers from eating their way into their skin. No water for their animals and nowhere to graze them. There is no school in the area to educate their children. The closest medical clinic is a two hour walk away. There are many widows and orphans due to preventable causes related to the conditions they are living in. For this grandmother, the priority was jiggers. I don't know how long it will be before they are re-infested. Sometimes I look into the eyes of an older woman like this one and I wonder if most every day of her life has been like this day. I wonder if she has struggled for 60 plus years just to survive. I wonder if anyone has ever told her that she is beautiful.... loved..... adored.... smart..... courageous....even powerful. This woman had a profoundly powerful impact on my life. I wonder if I can (or Project 82 can) have a powerful impact on hers. I can see it..... can you?

Photos of Grandmother

Lekiji.... this is home

Lekiji..... a little further down the road from Naibor. Actually, the road ends and we traveled deeper into the bush passing elephants, baboons and a few giraffes along the way. Lekiji is about 2000 acres of bush land that is bordered by 4 privately owned animal conservation ranches. There are two rivers that run through the land although the Uasonyro River has completely dried up and the Nanyuki River is very low. The land was given to this community some 20 years ago at a time when most of the people living there were working as casual day laborers on the nearby ranches.

There are about 1600 people living on these 2000 acres (almost 100 people per acre and no pit latrines). The drought is magnifying the usual problems and in Lekiji, even when the rains come, their shambas (gardens) are trampled by elephants and other wildlife. The water from the rivers is contaminated resulting in high prevalence of water born disease. This community has also suffered from a high infection rate of HIV AIDS as education on the disease and how it is spread did not reach the community until a few years ago. The youth population was almost wiped out as a result and there are many orphans living with widowed grandmothers or in child-headed households.

On the brighter side, there is a primary school educating 300 children. The school is presently administering a feeding program provided by the government due to the drought crisis. Every child in the community (about 750) receives one cup of hot beans and corn each day at lunch. There is also a church in the community. I sensed a tremendous bonding of the community as we heard story after story of the hardships many had faced and yet there always seemed to be someone reaching out to help with whatever little they had to offer. More than anything though, I was so completely taken by their smiles and how warmly they welcomed us into their community and their homes. Sometimes when I see the conditions and suffering in these communities contrasted against the backdrop of children laughing and women smiling with a casual presence as they invite you to sit with them, I am riddled with unbelief and humbled all at the same time.... And then I smile as I think about how God uses these people to bless me so deeply, ministering to my heart and I pray that He will allow me to return the favor. Here is a short video of our visit. Maybe there is a blessing here for you today.

Naibor and Seeking His Continual Presence

Today we visited two new communities... Kimakandura and Babong, both in an area known to locals as Naibor. After a relatively short ride from Nanyuki (about 20 minutes), the tarmac ended and we took the dirt road into the bush. The impact of the extended drought was easily visible as the only water source for these communities, the Nanyuki River, was almost completely dry. Everything looked brown, dry and dusty.

These communities are home to about 3000 people mostly from the Turkana and Samburu tribes. The eldest in the communities have been living there for about 20 years after working as day laborers on nearby animal conservation ranches. Today, however, they are unable to find employment on the ranches and have turned to charcoal burning and brewing alcohol for sale in efforts to earn enough shillings to provide food for their families.

We visited in the homes of many older widows who have taken in their orphan grandchildren but have no real way of providing for them. Several families that we talked with had not eaten in 2 or more days. We were able to take corn flour and porridge to be given to 70 households who were caring for orphans and in desperate need of relief intervention. The reality, however, is that what we provided will only last a few days in each home. Just before we left, we visited a mother name Theresa who has 4 children. Her youngest is 18 months old and looked about the size of a sickly 4-6 month old baby. We were all heart broken as we watched him try to feed from her breast but his skinny arms and legs told you instantly that she had no milk.

As I walked through these communities today visiting with so many and hearing their stories, I kept telling myself to look for the assets here and not just the needs. I don't want to imply that there were no assets.... I was amazed by the sheer will of these people to survive doing whatever necessary and constantly looking for new solutions that might make the difference. I was equally saddened however to witness that in their present environment, the amount of hard work and determination of their efforts would not likely have much bearing on their ability to change their current reality. And so I thought about the scripture from my morning devotion and tried to make sense of it in light of all of this...

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Dt 4:29

Today we were able to provide a little relief and possibly even a little hope by giving the gift of food to these widows and orphans who are hungry and are suffering. But mostly, we just prayed with them and for them as we are seeking the LORD our God with all our heart and soul knowing that He desires to be found by each one of us. Sometimes we simply cannot understand why He would allow such adversity to come upon us but His continual Presence with each of us is an absolute promise. Today I am praying that His continual Presence with the people of Naibor will comfort them as only He can. I am also praying that His continual Presence with those of us who are so greatly blessed, will provide the wisdom and courage we need to be that physical manifestation of His comfort.

Tomorrow we will visit a community called Lekiji that is deeper in the bush. We are told the conditions there are even worse than what we experienced today. That is hard to imagine. Please join us in prayer for these people and ask God to provide us with the divine wisdom that we need to see as He sees.

Theresa and Moses Video

May We Spur One Another On...

I was thinking yesterday on the flight over (lots of time to think) that this is the first trip I've made to Kenya by myself. I mean, I've flown over by myself and met teams here in Nairobi but this is my first solo trip. And then I started thinking of all the people who have played a role leading to this specific time, this specific trip, and PROJECT 82. Wow....... Sometimes when we are in reflection mode, all of the sudden, we can see with such clarity that the path we are on is not as new as we might think.... and that, actually, we've been traveling it for quite a while. Which leads me to consider how far back I can go and still see the connection? Which in turn leads me to think about all the providential relationships along the way. So just for fun, I've listed a few key phrases below as reminders of those who have walked this journey with me.

Costa Rica Women's Retreat... "So, do you know anything about makeup? Ever been on a mission trip?" "Did you know this was supposed to be a closed class to pilot the Beth Moore curriculum? I don't know how it wound it up in the bulletin and you're the only one that showed up." "Ash I can't go on a mission trip this year so you take this scholarship and use it to go to Africa." "There is a boy and his father outside to be interviewed. The boy needs heart surgery in order to live but his father does not have the money." "What was that about adding a 4th bathroom to the house?" "Your name came up in discussions about filling the Missions Director Role. Would you be interested in coming in to talk to us?" "You are such a blessing to this ministry.... really? because I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm doing. I think you just have the gift of encouragement." "So tell me your story again.... you are how old and retired? And you want to buy a company.... why?" "We'd like you to join the GO team and deliver leader training to pastors in Kenya.... no really, I'm serious." "So, you ARE buying that company but you are still willing to take on the lay leader role for missions?" "You want me to meet Kurt who with what bridge.... and what are they doing in Kenya?" "Michael was really Paul and he met with Lanny that week... Seriously?" "What time are we meeting for breakfast and did you say your daughter woke you up at 2am to show you a powerpoint on safety in Africa?" "Wi mwega, ohoro waku? .... Amosi ..... Habari aku" "Did you say she was attacked by a buffalo?" "They want us to name the baby..... really? Okay, how about Carl?" "You want to live there???" "Did you just suggest that I start a new ministry and why do you look serious?" "Can you say 2 healings in one night!" "Thursday night community group.... absolutely!" "Sure I can meet for coffee.... have we been here for 3 hours?" "I get it now and for all of this to mean something.... things have to change."

Yes, absolutely...... Things have to change. I am going to church in Nairobi today. Worshipping together with Kenyan friends lifting our voices in different languages but with the same adoration and complete abandon is one of the greatest pleasures I have ever experienced. I can hardly wait!

Tomorrow we drive to the Lakipia District. And we go seeking the God of this City, the King of these people, the Lord of this nation because..... greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done.... in this city!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb 10:24

A Forgotten Place

I've spent some time in several different communities in the Lakipia District over the past few years. I remember my first visit in November of 2007 like it was yesterday. I was not prepared for what I found when I arrived. While I'd served in other rural areas of Kenya, as well as in other developing countries in the world, I had not seen the level of need and suffering that existed here. It is this area that God used to burden my soul so deeply that I knew He was preparing me for something..... I just didn't know it was Project 82.

A few weeks ago, Josphine Kendi (Community and Projects Coordinator on the ground in Kenya), visited a village that Project 82 was invited to consider working in. Josphine is quite familiar with parts of the Lakipia District having lived there for several years and ministering to the elderly when she could. Still, this village was different...... this is an excerpt from the report I received from Josphine after visiting Lekiji that day.

"I don't know where to start or end. I went to lekiji today and am without words. First, we ride a rough road for about one hour and what I see are elephants, giraffes, baboons....and a few people walking. I almost thought no one really lived here but wait untill we get to the village.

We are met by the chief and a few people and hungry children. The look in their faces show no hope. Everyone was eager to hear what we had to say and so we told them why we had come and immediately one of the villagers volunteers to show us around the village and he went into every detail. He took us to several houses (some of them almost falling in). All these houses are where most of the orphans live. One house had 9 kids and the eldest brother is the one who takes care of them. You will not believe the small house they all live in. Most of the people there die of AIDS. One of the old women there was complaining and she did not want to talk to me because she says so many people have come, taken pictures but done nothing about her problems. I did not promise anything though. It has taken my heart and I hurt for these people. I asked them to pray so that God will open doors for them.

Oh, on my way back I saw a truck fom the city council distributing clean drinking water to the communities and I asked them if they would get to Lekiji but they said no. So you can tell no one really thinks of this community. Also, in the matatu I was riding in there was one woman being taken to hospital for delivery, she did not make it so we stopped and I helped the other lady who was taking her to hospital. She gave birth to a dead baby. This really broke my heart. Pray for this very young lady."

I travel to Kenya on Friday the 28th and Josphine and I will be going back to Lekiji. We are praying for God to make His vision clear for Project 82. Please pray for these people and that God will make clear the path to helping them.

Because the time is NOW...

Psalm 82:3-4 says this...

Defend the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed;
rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

So who are they? Where do they live? What does maintaining their rights look like and how do we rescue people in need? In a world where 26,575 children die each day of largely preventable causes related to their poverty, defending them can seem so overwhelming that we cannot even fathom where to start. How can we possibly rescue mothers in developing countries that must choose between watching their children die from lack of water or watching them die from disease born from the only water available to them. There are 15 million orphans today as a result of AIDS; 2 million people will die this year and 2.5 million more will be newly infected. Deliver them from the hand of the wicked? It's overwhelming....

PROJECT 82 - KENYA invites you to join us as we seek to know and love the faces behind these statistics in one area of the world.... Kenya. Our mission is simple. It is to obey what God has commanded of us in Psalm 82 and throughout the scriptures. Statistics can be overwhelming and it's easy to have an emotional reaction to a statistic one day and forget all about it the next. It is much more difficult to take a statistic and make it become real to you..... but we invite you to do just that. Make it personal! Build a relationship with one orphan.... one widow....... one family........ one community in Kenya with PROJECT 82.