Beautiful Disaster

A sweet friend asked me the other day how my trip here in Africa was going so far, and the only word I had to describe it was "contradiction." Contradiction is everywhere. One way I look and see huge piles of trash with people and animals digging through to see what they can find,
 the other way I look and see beautiful beaches and trees and sunsets. 
One minute I feel frustrated and scared and desparately wanting to come home to the comfortable life I know, and the next minute I feel so much JOY and happiness when I am laughing and playing with the cutest African kiddos. Abrupt poverty, disease, and terrorism are everywhere. But at the very same time, there is so much humility, gratefulness, and passion in the hearts of the people here. Really, it's a beautiful mess. 


For me, this adventure has been more than just a vacation. 
Yes, I've been very lucky to travel the world this way. I've been on African safaris, visited beautiful beaches, 
ridden camels, and seen many historical sites. I am blessed. But, during the week, I spend my time working with children who've been struck with diseases or infection, who've never been able to or have lost their ability to communicate. When I began this journey, 6 weeks seemed like a long time to be away from my friends and family back home--and most days it still does. But now, when I realize that I only have almost 3 weeks left here... it feels very short. I want so much to have God use me in the ways he has planned for me and the familes whom I am serving. But some days it is very easy to become discouraged. As a speech therapist, my skills are challenged. As a Christian, my faith is challenged. There are times when a new child comes in who is 6 and has no expressive language, and is still struggling to walk, and I think "Where am I supposed to start?"!! And how do I tell a parent in a country where speech therapy is almost unheard of that I am here to help their child and their family, but only for 2 more weeks, then I'm leaving? Some days, if I can make just them laugh, I've done my job...


So as I took time to reflect on my experience this week, I came across this quote. It humbles me and reminds me of my intentions and why I am really here...
"Perhaps we must continually remind ourselves that the first commandment requiring us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind is indeed the first. I wonder if we really believe this. It seems that in fact we live as if we should give as much of our heart, soul, and mind as possible to our fellow human beings, while trying not to forget God. At least we feel that our attention should be divided evenly between God and our neighbor. But Jesus’ claim is much more radical. He asks for a single-minded commitment to God and God alone. God wants all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul. It is this unconditional and unreserved love for God that leads to the care of our neighbor, not as an activity that distracts us from God or competes with our attention to God, but as an expression of our love for God… We might even say that only in God does our neighbor become a neighbor rather than an infringement upon our autonomy, and that only in and through God does service become possible." -Henri Nouwen

I want to thank each one of you for your constant thoughts and prayers for me and the people I'm serving. Being here, I have learned a life-time of valuable lessons and gain a little more perspective on life each day. I have so much to be thankful for!


Love you :)

10 Things I've Learned So Far...

1. How to apply bug spray over my whole body while holding my breath.
2. How to hand wash my clothes (and get out almost ANY stain!).
3. How to conduct effective speech & language therapy with a child with almost NO materials or toys. Creativity is key!
4. That the words from my Dad that I grew up hearing at almost every meal "Be thankful & don't waste your food because there are children in Africa starving" now rings true at a whole new level! 
5. How to eat food with my hands and without a napkin--I am still working on this one, and washing my hands constantly!
6. How to kill a mosquito in just one try.
7. How to take quick, cold showers and enjoy them!
8. How to be a better "morning person"--getting up early enough before work to shower AND eat an entire fully-balanced breakfast is not usually my style, but I'm getting used to it. :)
9. That kids are still kids no matter where you are in the world; and a smile, hug, and some laughter is universal--no matter what language you speak, or even if you can't speak at all. 
10. It IS possible to survive without cheese. :) 


I am learning new things here everyday: about myself, about my God, and about this crazy world we live in. It turns out it really is a "small world after all"...  

"Sana Pendo!" (So much love!)
-Sarah 

Tumaini

"Hope" in Swahili...


I've officially lived in Africa for 6 days. Only 6 days. And so much has happened. Some moments are not so different than my life back home; but others I even find hard to describe. 


Let me start with the funny stuff...
My typical day begins with a shower (not so different from my normal life--except that it's cold), and it's only a matter of time when I'm sticky from sweat and/or bug spray. When I get out of the shower, I apply bug repellant--everywhere. Much like one would apply lotion after bathing. And I still can't seem to escape the mosquitoes! :/ Then I enjoy a BIG traditional Kenyan breakfast (complete with fresh mango, orange, banana, and watermelon; fried egg, chicken sausage, and roasted bread; and hot tea). If you know me well at all, you know I don't usually eat a big breakfast, if I even eat one at all--except for my coffee, of course. :) So, it's not surprising that some mornings I am just not in the mood for a huge breakfast, even if it tastes good. So, my host Mom sometimes thinks i'm "sick" or I "don't like" her food, when really, my body is just not used to this! 
Then I start my trek to the nearest Matatu stage for my ride to work. The only way I know how to describe this is that riding in a Matatu is the most nerve-wracking and hilarious thing I've ever experienced! An old, dirty van packed with a ton of people who don't speak my language or look like me at all. T.I., Beyonce, or Snoopdog is generally playing. And drivers going "pedal to the medal!" I have NO idea how there aren't wrecks every 5 seconds, and I don't understand how these vans manage not to get flat tires every day. These roads are treacherous! However, thankfully, God has answered my prayers and I've managed to make my way in and out of these taxis each day with no trouble. #Likeachamp! Once I'm finally out of the Matatu, I walk to my place of work for the day. As I walk, I'm getting used to seeing vendors on the streets and constantly hearing "Mambo, mzungu! Njoo, njoo!" meaning "Hey white girl! Come, come!" Lol. But I do LOVE seeing the Kenyan kids on the streets calling to me in the little English they've learned: "Hiii, how aah youu?" I love it! My favorite thing right now is making African children smile. :)


And now for the less fun stuff...
I am broken-hearted. I've spent 3 days at the community therapy center, and each day has been long and saddening. On Friday, the Occupational Therapist and I only saw 2 patients. Only 2, and I was exhausted. At the end of the day, I am mentally, physically, and emotionally so exhausted. I see these kiddos whose bodies are struggling to function properly, and they have no choice or control over this. I have seen sad cases so far in my career back home. But here, it's different. The lack of medical care and abundance of disease and infection make it so much worse. And so much more devastating. 
In addition to this, the prevalence of homelessness--orphans and widows--is incredible. Never in my life have I been confronted with such situations. As I sit here typing, I see a family of 4--a single, widowed mom, a 9 year old girl, a 4 year old boy, and a 1 year old baby girl--asleep on our living room floor. We encountered this woman and her baby girl on Saturday evening. She began telling us her story... everything from her husband dying suddenly, and her family rejecting her, leaving her to fend for herself and her 3 children on the streets of Mombasa. This woman has traveled around the city on foot--no money for Matatus--asking for a place to sleep each night and a place to cook food for her children. She's been called a robber (among other things), and chased away by many. So, when she approached us yesterday, we took her in. She came with her 3 babies, and nothing but the dirty clothes on their backs. We served them dinner--which they scarfed down so fast and cleaned their plates. We offered them the extra mattress in my room, and set it up in the living room for them to lay their heads for the night. This morning, my host mother offered them a chance to bathe (which they had not done in quite some time), and gave the mother time to wash her children's filthy clothes. After this, we served them a quick breakfast, and headed off to church. The plan was for the woman to return this afternoon to gather her now clean, dry clothes, and to find a place to stay (though we would later find ourselves hosting them again tonight). 
During church, my heart was breaking for this family. It is one thing to see this in the community and walk past it on the streets. It is another to meet them personally. To talk with the widow, and play games and giggle with the 3 kiddos--even when we don't speak the same language. In fact, the baby was quite fearful of me, because she has literally never seen a white person like me before... The sermon began, and as the Lord would have it, the topic was "the broken hearted." Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart God will not despise." So I began pouring my heart out to God for this family, and for these precious children I see each day at the clinic and orphanage. I wondered why God allows things like this to exist in the world? When we got home from church, I read something that put into words all that I'm feeling and encouraged me (www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com): "I look at the precious children around me. Hungry, with no mommy or daddy, some unable to eat or bathe for days, never having clean water to drink, never having adequate medical care when they are hurting. And then I remembered... He is coming! He is coming to bandage our wounds, to bind up our broken hearts, to take our faces into his hands and whisper, 'I am always here.' He is coming and all these children who are hurting and hungry and longing for love are going to be scooped into His everlasting arms and told that they are beautiful. They will no longer be hungry or hurting because they will be filled with his spirit. They are the least of these, they are His heart, and He is coming for them and for us. So we wait... Lord, we know You will come! We know you are here. Let us bring all our wounds and brokenness to You expectantly, without a doubt. Remind us that all the children we touch, and all the children we don't, are Yours. Yours in this broken life, and Yours in eternity. Come, Lord Jesus. We wait in hope." 


I am learning more everyday what it means to be a servant. What began as a 6 week trip to Kenya to volunteer as a speech-language pathologist has quickly turned into a 6 week long mission trip to receive and share His love. So much.  


Love and miss you all!
-Sarah 

Jambo!!

"Jambo!" ... Hello in Kiswahili :) 
A 15 hour flight, a 16 hour lay-over, a 5 hour flight, a 4 hour delay, another 45 minute puddle-jumper, 3 time zones, and some 48 hours later,... I FINALLY made it to my new "home" for the next 6 weeks in Mombasa, Kenya! Can you believe I made it that far with literally no problems? Truly, God is so Good to us! 


Day 1: Monday... I was picked up from the Mombasa airport by my host family, complete with a sign with my name on it, and lots of greetings and hugs! I have truly been blessed with the most friendly and hospitable family. When we arrived at their home,

I was served dinner---fresh mango, pilau (spiced rice); kachumbari (a salad of tomatoes, onions, carrots, lemon juice and salt). *SIDE NOTE-- It is common during Kenyan meals (and encouraged) to eat with your hands... everything! :/ They gave me a fork and have allowed me to eat "pole pole" (as I please/at my own pace). At this point, 3 meals down, and I'm eating with my hands maybe 50% of the time.* I was given tea--a very common tradition, typically with every meal. They also have CocoCola--very good news for me!! :) After dinner, we visited, and then had a time of bible study and prayer. These people are so humble and inspiring, and they encourage me to grow and get to know my God so much more! Their faith is so genuine and passionate. I can't wait to attend church with them this weekend. 

Then it was time for showering and bed. Of course, all my showers for the next several weeks will be cold. But, to my pleasant surprise, it actually felt kind of good! We are living with no A/C, so the cool water feels pretty nice when you've been sweating all day. :) 

Then I went to bed... exhausted!! 

Day 2: Tuesday... I woke around 9:30am (yes, I wish I could've slept all day!!). Mildred (my host parent's granddaughter) cooked me breakfast of eggs, chicken sausage, tea, toast, mango, and fresh pineapple juice. So good! After some time, I went into town--not alone. At this time, I haven't taken many pictures, and it's hard to explain my experience. It feels like a dream, and I'm just taking it all in. I was greeted by many as "muzungu!!" (literally meaning "white person" or "foreigner"). The roads and driving, I do not understand. There are van taxis or "matatus" and 3 wheeled smaller taxis called "tuk-tuks". 
  

 

There are many traffic jams, what seems like no real lanes, lots of round-abouts, and people walking in the streets as they please. Yikes! 

While I was in town, I was able to get a modem to have internet access at home. Very thankful for that! Now, I prepare for supper. Tomorrow I will visit the clinics where I will be serving... excited to see what tomorrow will bring!! 

I miss you all! Nakupenda sana ("I love you so much!")

-Sarah 

A Great Adventure...

So, today is the day that I leave for my journey abroad to the sweet city of Mombasa, Kenya. I am mixed with so many emotions right now as I prepare to leave in less than 12 hours. Excitement, thrill, fear, eagerness, sadness, and loneliness, and hope fill my mind right now. I am excited and hopeful that God will use me and bless my trip these next 6 weeks. As some of you know, I am going to Kenya, Africa, with an organization called Yellow House Children Services to volunteer as a speech-language pathologist in some of their clinics, schools, and hospitals. I will be living with a family there in Mombasa, who just so happen to have children living in Houston, TX. I was blessed to have them invite me over and cook me dinner--a full Kenyan meal. They are some of the most friendly and hospitable people I've ever met. I can't wait to meet more of their family and friends in their home country. I am INCREDIBLY blessed with such gracious co-workers who have allowed me to have this opportunity this summer, and who have donated tons of materials for me to take the schools and clinics I will be serving. I cannot repay these people for the support they have shown me throughout this process! 

I have been planning this trip over the last 8 months, and now it is finally here! I wanted to share with you my concerns and prayers I have, and ask you to please join me in calling out to God to bless this trip...

The things I am praying FOR:

• Safety & Protection 
• Isaiah 43:1-3 "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God..." 
• Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me... Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life." 
• Trust
• Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
• Peace
• For me as I travel, for my family back home, and for my best friends.  
• Philippians 4:7 "For the PEACE of God which surpasses ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
• Knowledge
• I pray that God will provide me with the knowledge and skills to be able to help these precious children heal and cope, and that I may use everything I have been taught over the last several years. 
• Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
• Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."
• Ephesians 4:1 "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
• Strength
• Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength."
• Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, because the JOY of the Lord is your strength."

The things I am praying AGAINST:

• Fear
• 1 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
• Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
• Sickness
• 7 shots? check! Anti-Malaria meds? check! Allergy meds? check! Mosquito net? check! Benadryl and tons of bug spray? check! I am praying that I remember to take my meds daily and consistently, and I am protected from any illness, so that I may be effective and strong while I am there. 

Thank you all in advance for your caring hearts and for your constant prayers for me. I am so thrilled with all the miracles God has put in place for this journey to take place. My final prayer is that God will somehow use me to shine His light on the people I meet while I'm in Mombasa, because without Him, I am NOTHING. There is no way this would be happening without HIS divine knowledge and grace and loving guidance in my life. 

I love you all---Mom, dad, Michael, Kristy, my precious neice and nephew, Alex (Tom and Mads), Vanessa, my wonderful small group girls, my coworkers (Mer, especially), and friends who have loved me and supported me so far. We will keep in touch!!!

-Sarah