Thankful in Tanzania!

Sitting in Tanzania feeling thankful, blessed for so much . . .

After writing last week about travel, here’s an update: the Nairobi airport was the smoothest transfer I've ever experienced there. Only small challenge was the transfer by bus to the domestic terminal (previous to the fire, we walked). The temporary international terminal was new (no longer a huge tent) and finished so nicely. I processed through immigration, visa purchase, baggage claim, customs, bus to domestic, and rechecking bags in 35 minutes – amazing! They had a business lounge for frequent flyers, too. What a pleasant surprise!

All was not so smooth on the entire trip, however. I had a scheduled (short) layover in Paris and when we arrived we were told the Kenya Airways jet was not there and had not left Nairobi (10 hours away). So, we were put in the Hyatt Regency for the day – can you imagine? If you must be “stuck” somewhere, well, the Paris Hyatt is the place to be! I won’t even attempt to describe the incredible food. Oh my, very French! This was a surprise blessing! While there I met two amazing business women – one a Kenyan who works in Sudan for UNICEF with WASH (Water and Sanitation) and, one from The Netherlands who calls herself, “Miss Sustainability.” I heard of fascinating work from both and could see important connections for Kulea...

In Kenya I visited our two Preschool and Feeding programs (see pics on Kulea Villages Facebook page). My biggest "take-away" was great teaching at both sites despite lack of teaching supplies and other challenges.

So many other things happened in Kenya last week. We traveled all day to Mwangulu and back to meet the girls who received Huru Kits and provide them with ibuprofen and instructions. They were so grateful. I made plans with our Kenya staff for Kulea’s August 2014 volunteer team (we have 8 on that team with room for more), and held a half day meeting with the Kulea Kenya Board of Directors. I had the privilege of leading a Preschool teachers seminar, preached in one of our partner churches (New Magogoni in Mishomoroni) and spoke to an afternoon women’s ministry group in Likoni at Manna Bible Church. What an amazing week! I was reminded again of how dedicated our Kulea churches in Kenya are to helping the poor and to spreading the Word.

It was sort of unreal to be in Kenya when the terrorist attack happened. What a blessing to have friends who immediately began praying. I am thankful that my friend, Pastor Harre Banks, called me before I saw the news. He promised that the Kulea team was watching the news that night and would come to get me if they felt there was any danger in Mombasa. With them worrying and watching, I slept in peace and continued with plans to preach at Harre’s church and to speak in the afternoon at Manna Bible Church in Likoni. When I arrived at Manna about 2:30pm I noticed many men of the church casually hanging out just outside the church, maybe 10 that I could see. Later I was told there were more on the other side who I didn't see. Though we had hired a security guard because the event was advertised and expecting many women, these godly men spent their afternoon 'visiting' outside Manna Bible Church. In fact, they were watching and were still there when I left around 5pm. What an incredible security team that was! Mombasa was very peaceful on Sunday but everyone was concerned and praying for their country. I never felt unsafe or worried. I believe I was carried through on the wings of many prayers. What a mighty God we serve!

At the end of Sunday, I went to stay at Amani Acre in Likoni. I told Daniel (a guard there and my friend) that my husband was concerned about my safety that night. I just loved Daniel’s response, “Mama Lindsey, you have me, Michael, and two fierce dogs on guard, but more importantly, we have the Holy Spirit on guard tonight. All of us are awake and watching.You are safe! Tell your husband ‘hakuna matata,’ God is here!”

I’m in Tanzania now. Much has happened here already but I will share next time! I'm looking forward to the days ahead as our Kulea volunteers arrive tonight!

See more photos & updates from Kenya & Tanzania on the Kulea Villages Facebook page. 

Memories in flight!

"The airport is full of temporary surprises and mediocre or missing installations, signage, toilets. Queuing up in lines at check in is semi-manual. Many pax miss flights due to poor or incomplete announcements. Lots of delays. Domestic uses cargo building. Luggage handed out one by one or are picked by pax from trolleys. One has to inquire about flights and crosscheck info on departures and arrivals all the time. The airport is a mess, but somehow there is a system . . ." Anders Pedersen of Denmark shares his recent experience flying through the Nairobi, Kenya International airport.

Don't worry - no sleep was interrupted during the taking of this photo.

Don't worry - no sleep was interrupted during the taking of this photo.

I'm on the way to Kenya (as you read this) and couldn't be more excited! Traveling to East Africa is always pure joy. However, the thought of arriving at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport does give me pause . . . I've never been to a major airport weeks after it burned. I'm told all will be "sawa sawa" (pretty much okay), and that we have simply been moved to a really large conference tent. Should be interesting  - I promise to share the fun!

Sad day: International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya burns in August

I began thinking this week that I should share some memorable flight or airport experiences - funny, maddening, ridiculous, and even heart-warming. Traveling for Kulea is rarely ordinary.

Kelly and I receive the gift of a goat from Maasai friends in Tanzania!

Kelly and I receive the gift of a goat from Maasai friends in Tanzania!

While racking up some serious miles, some of my best memories are flying with my good friend, Kelly Lacourse. She is the VP of our USA Board, which sounds extremely serious -- but she's usually anything but serious (except seriously committed to helping orphans). She is very funny! Travel is never boring with her along. She brings along her own entertainment: extension fork, edible crickets, shocking hand shake things, certain noise making pillows, and more. She could have her own sit-com and it would be wildly successful. You want to be careful if she has a camera on the plane and is in the mood for fun. The poor guy in this photo had no idea he was in her lens. Kelly will be leading a team of volunteers to Tanzania in about a week and I'll meet them in Dar when they arrive. I can assure team members it will be memorable travelling with Kelly, a.k.a. Mama Helen.

A new friend of mine, Cindy Bauer, had the misfortune of flying into Nairobi at the time of the fire. She was delayed in Amsterdam, redirected to Nigeria, Ethiopia and Uganda before arriving in Kenya. Check out a world map and you will see that Nigeria, while on the African continent, is not anywhere near East Africa or Kenya. Why did they fly her there?!! In her blog about this experience she writes, "It is so interesting how much perspective is gained when giant obstacles get in your way like the airport being on fire." Perspective?  She is amazing! I read her Facebook postings from Amsterdam and other airports - she is extremely tolerant and was 100% determined to get to Kenya. Well done, rafiki! (Cindy is the Executive Director of Kupenda.)

I'm a little concerned about the first words in a warning posted by The Kenya Airport Authority (in small print): We want to reassure international and local passengers that while they may experience some level of discomfort and delays during travel . . ."  Hmm!

I have more stories but for now, I just want to leave a link and a challenge. The link is to a story that went around by email a few years ago. It's great! Check out the 'Flying 101' jet described in Dave Smith's blog about Kulula Airlines, South Africa. And the challenge? Post a comment or send me an email about a memorable flight experience you've had. This could be fun . . . then tune in next week as I blog from Kenya!

Holding my breath until I can see these guys. . .

Just rescued . . . from Early Child Marriage

My mother died a year after my birth and when I was five years old, my father also died. I began living with one relative then the next. For a few years, one uncle sent me to school, but he has become very poor and cannot continue. There is no one to care for me so my guardians and pastoralist community (Maasai) are making plans for me to marry soon. This will ensure I have a caregiver, but I want to stay in school and learn. I am not ready to marry because I am still young. - Masiyoi, last week, age 11.

Masiyoi just wants to go to school!

I am so in awe of God…. and how He makes the impossible, possible!  

    

A few weeks ago I heard that another 11-year old girl was in need a school sponsor immediately in Tanzania. We had already planned to add 5 children to our program (plus 4 others in a few weeks). These children need sponsors to continue in school. Nine children is a lot for our small non-profit to help. So I was hesitant to read yet another story, but I did, out of my deep respect for our Kulea Tanzania CEO, Pastor Romy Mtenda.

I read the story of Masiyoi (above) and it gripped my heart. I agreed with Pastor Romy that she needed immediate help from Kulea. Like so many of these precious kids, I wanted to call my husband and say, “Can we sponsor another one?” Instead, I just began praying. I thought of a brave friend in Kenya, Josephine Kulea, who rescues girls from Early Child Marriage all the time. I wondered if we could do the same for Masiyoi? I fell asleep that night with her little face, tragic story, & tender heart on my mind. I prayed that this girl would feel a sense of security lost long ago and I asked God to make a way for Kulea to provide that.  

When the 6 children's stories and photos were put added to our website, I asked our Kulea Prayer Warriors to pray over them. I added, “My personal prayer is for Masiyoi to have a sponsor, asap!” 

               

One of our volunteers and Board member, Amy Crosby, had the task of uploading every photo and story to our website, so when she read Masiyoi's story it touched her heart, too. She contacted a friend of hers to pray for Masiyoi. . . and 24 hours later that friend became her sponsor. God always makes a way, especially when I wonder how in the world we can do something.

              

This woman had not felt any particular "call" to Africa, to orphans, or a connection to Kulea (though she has graciously helped us with a major fundraiser in the past), but hearing Masiyoi's story stirred something in her. She felt God’s nudging and responded with action. I wrote her and thanked her for being a part of God's plan. Her reply was beautiful: 

"I too, am rejoicing today, in God's goodness.

Over the past few months I have been praying for God's guidance on how to use the resources He has blessed me with. While still seeking God's direction in this area, I received a text message from Amy requesting prayer for a 11 year old girl, Masiyoi, who is without parents and soon to be married if she does not receive funding for school. I lifted her name up to God in prayer. My heart broke as I remembered what great joy school brought me at Masiyoi's age.  As God reminded me of the joy and blessings of my childhood, I prayed the same for Masiyoi. I asked God to protect her childhood; that she may be without worry of her future and that she may rejoice in the time He has given her as a young girl. I asked Amy what needed to be done and the answer was sponsorship. Without hesitation, confident this was God speaking , I committed to sponsor Masiyoi.  I thank God for His faithfulness and goodness. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the smile on Masiyoi's face as she learns she can stay in school."

Masiyoi SMILES (two days ago) when she is told she can stay in school!

"I am still confident of this: 

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14

To God be the Glory!

Masiyoi in Kulea Tanzania Office with Pastor Romy and a friend from her village.

In just two weeks I will be in Tanzania with a volunteer team. I hope to meet Masiyoi. I want to wrap this fearful little child in my arms and tell her, "We have you and we are not letting go! You were created for a purpose and you are deeply loved by God." Oh that we might show her the depth of His love. 

Pray for us as we go . . .

               

This Teen is Making a Difference for Girls . . .

Kulea recently received a significant donation, raised by Heather Crespo.  Heather is in high school in Massachusetts and heard about how many girls in East Africa drop out of school for lack of funds to buy sanitary pads. They generally miss one week of school per month and fall behind the boys in class. She also knew there are alternatives for most girls and became determined to do something about it. After receiving Heather's donation, we partnered with Huru International and purchased 40 Huru kits at cost to give to girls in Kenya and Tanzania. The Kenya kits have been distributed and the Tanzania kits are on their way next month. Heather shares her story...inspiring!

Some of the girls in Mwangulu, Kenya to receive Huru Kits

My name is Heather Crespo, and I am sixteen years old. Here is my story about how I was able to help young women and girls through Kulea Tanzania and Kulea Kenya with pad kits from Huru International.

It all started out of mere curiosity. One day I thought to myself, “I wonder what girls in third world countries do when they get their periods?” I asked this question to Kelly Lacourse, who is on the Kulea Board -- a mission that serves orphans and disadvantaged children in Kenya and Tanzania --and got my answer: many would have to use anything: rags or cloth, sometimes even straw or grass, and could not attend school due to this fact. Because these girls would miss so much school and kept missing school every month, they fall behind and would be forced to drop out. This came as a huge shock to me. I couldn't imagine what these girls’ futures would look like without an education, especially due to something like their period. I knew right then that I wanted to do something to help these girls stay in school, because education is a powerful thing that everyone should be able to receive. I knew that with God’s help, I could make a difference in these girls’ lives.

I started brainstorming on ways in which I could help the girls. At first, I had the idea to collect disposable pads to hand out to the girls, but soon after realized that once the girls used up all of the pads, they would be back to missing school again. I talked to my mom about my ideas, and we came to the conclusion that reusable pads were the best option for  girls.

Next, I had to think of a way to get the money I needed to buy these reusable pads. I needed to find a product that both boys and girls, no matter which age, would buy to support my cause. I thought of wooden church bracelets. I had seen some people wearing them in my school, and I always thought they were cute and wanted some myself. But, since they came colors such as black, brown, and red, boys would buy and wear them, too. I talked to the headmaster of my school, and he said it would be fine for me to sell the bracelets at school. With the help of my mom I ordered a huge bundle of bracelets.

Right when they arrived, I started selling them. I put signs all around the school, saying “Help empower the young women of Tanzania by buying a wooden bracelet from Heather Crespo.” I didn’t want to create an awkward situation, so I took aside the girls in my high school for lunch one day and told them where exactly the money was going, and what I was buying with them. I had to disclose this information to some very inquisitive male teachers as well. 

My bracelets were selling like hot cakes! My friends were calling themselves “padvocates”, and were telling everyone to buy bracelets from me! Some people bought five, ten or fifteen bracelets! I was making so much money for “Padfrica”! I even set up a table at my church, and sold the bracelets there! I ended up making six hundred dollars for my cause, which bought over 40 pad kits through Huru International. The ladies from Kulea Kenya then handed out half the kits to young women there, which also included education on how the kits are used and soon the rest would be handed out in Tanzania. I was overjoyed! God worked through me, and gave me people such as my mom and my friends to help my dream come true! When I look at the photos of the girls smiling, they seem proud of their kits. I know we have helped to empower them, and it makes me want to help even more.

I intend to make more money, and buy more pad kits, for these Kenyan & Tanzanian young women. With the help of God and my friends and family, their future is bright!

Sincerely,

Heather

To learn more about this problem among young girls, check out this video which aired last week in Kenya on Kenya Citizen TV.