A day in the life

Driving through Nylenda

Stand in the village 

Precious Obama ... 

Courtyard at Russia hospital 

Russia hospital

Our room at Heidi's - blessed!

Jambo (Swahili for Hello!) from Kisumu! 

I wanted to share a few quick photos of our first official day in Kisumu to share the sights - 

Needless to say, it was a lot to take in and we've had a very full and touching day.

I'm going to keep it brief as I know I will share more in the days to come but here's a re-cap of some of our first day out and about.

We started out by going to Ring Road day school so that we could meet ALL (roughly 390!) of the kids and start off some new friendships. As soon as we arrived the kids were let out of class for their morning "porridge" break, where they swarmed the courtyard and us to say hello and meet the new faces. I was shortly reunited with sweet Teri from yesterdays arrival at the airport and we hit it off again and she introduced me to some of her classmates in Standard 4 (3rd/4th grade to us). We practiced learning each others names and they wrote them down for me to study up for tomorrow, along with Swahili numbers 1 - 10 :)

While on the compound of the school (which also contains the clinic & church, we had the chance to meet many wonderful teachers, staff, social workers and the sweet women who cook & care for the kids each day.

I also was introduced and immediately drawn to a precious boy named Obama... I heard about his story briefly last night and when I met him today, my heart was completely attached. So many questions to ask with many of life's circumstances you guys, but seriously I do not have the words nor the bandwidth today to fully comprehend this boys story or convey the horrific conditions in which he lives. I know that I was meant to meet him today and after some slow and steady togetherness, I got a magnificent giggle and smile out of this sweet little boy. He is incredibly malnourished and lives in a home environment that is unimaginable in every way. He is probably about the size of a 2 year old , my guess is maybe 20 pounds (based on my own interactions with my nephews at home) and ya'll, it pains me to tell you that he is SIX years old. He comes to RingRoad every morning and stays all day long and I'm thankful to say during the day he is receiving a lot of love and care from the amazing people at Ring Road and I trust in time, more healing will come as many people want to make his life better.

More to come, honestly it was a whirlwind day, there's so much to process and ponder as we experience life in Kenya and all that entails.

Thanks for the love and keep the thoughts and prayers coming!

xo

Mandy

In Kisumu!

Just a quick note to let you know that we are safe and sound in Kenya!
Atlanta to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Nairobi, then Nairobi to Kisumu.
A mere 29 hours since we left Friday night so happy to say that part of the journey is over.
We were met at the airport by the sweetest, cutest kids from Ring Road which made every bit of the journey and the anxiety, worth it : )
I've already made a friend with a sweet girl, Teri who is 10 years old and loves pink!
More to come but thank you all for the love, encouragement and support - feeling blessed beyond measure!

xo
Mandy

A heart for Africa

In three days I will be traveling to Kenya. 

Yes.

It is true, the same Kenya you've been hearing about the past four days in the news here in the US and all over the world.

There was a horrific terrorist attack in Nairobi (the capital city) at an upscale mall, Westgate. Dozens of innocent people were killed, hundreds more severely injured and sadly this atrocious event is still not over.

The "attackers" are still inside that mall - holding hostages and standing their "ground" after four days. 

A midst the ongoing turmoil, fear and stress of such a situation (7,500 miles away now, yet I’m flying into Nairobi in roughly 96 hours) many people have asked me "Are you still going?" Some have flat out said "You're not going!" and one person said they would "kidnap" me if I tried to go... (Uh hmm, Dad).

I would be lying to you if I said there were not some doubts and anxiety leading up to a trip like this, regardless of the recent circumstances we’ve all witnessed. Many people have said “why Africa, there are people to help in South Atlanta…” – I encountered this before when I hopped on a plane to Tanzania by myself nearly 4 years ago and again, as I prepare to return to a place full of such heartbreak, poverty and illness yet it is equally full of hope, joy and love beyond understanding.

Africa speaks to my heart, people. I don’t know what else to say other than that.

I’ve done a lot of personal work the past few years on embracing my compassionate heart – I’ve finally learned that it is a gift. As much as I feel and search and hope and trust and fight and grieve and wish for easy – God gave me this gift of loving others beyond comprehension, especially those in need, often the weakest and most vulnerable which is what draws me to Africa and orphans in particular. It isn’t easy, but we were not promised easy.

The people, children and adults alike encompass a beauty that I truly cannot comprehend nor put into words and my heart was meant to experience it – I cannot begin to fathom what the coming weeks will bring – what I will encounter, who’s stories will become a part of mine, the blessing of being able to love the abandoned and forgotten, nor how the light and dark parts of this world will continue to take shape.

It is my purest intention to remain faithful to what I feel called to experience and to also be wise as I continue to prepare for this exciting life journey I've been working towards and praying about for so many months.

Thank you for being a part of this with me – Your prayers, thoughts and encouragement are greatly appreciated.

We are continuing to take each day as it comes and as of now, I’ll be leaving on a jet plane come Friday evening.

Xo,

Mandy

p.s. to melt your hearts and hopefully bring a smile – our friends the Nolan’s have been in Nairobi this past week on a mission trip – Ashley’s daily posts have warmed my heart! (borrowed from Ashley's Instagram)

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everthing, 

but still I can do something; 

I will not refuse to do something I can do.”  -~ Helen Keller

Reviving ... journey with me

Revisiting the blog after almost, oh let's see ... 3 years?!

I thought this would be the best way for me to stay in touch & share my journey over the coming weeks as I make my way back to Africa.

Kisumu, Kenya is the destination and after almost 4 years since my journey to Arusha, Tanzania I am beyond excited to be going back.

This time I will be joined by two friends Cassi & Vince (one old / one new) who introduced this volunteer opportunity to me several months ago. We will be visiting missionaries Sarah & Chris Nicholson who are from their home church, here in Atlanta. 

(interested in Sarah & Chris' journey -check out Facebook  or Blog )

Ringroad Ministries is one of the organizations in Kisumu that we will be serving with in the heart of a slum kwown as Nyalenda, which encompass a clinic, a voluntary counseling and testing center for HIV (VCT), an orphans day school, and Ring road Church of Christ.

"78% of Kisumu is under the age of 30, and 70% of the population live in the slums.  It has the highest incidence of food poverty in the country.  Only 35% of Kisumu has piped water.  Approximately 20% of the population is infected with AIDS, resulting in a staggering 70,000 children orphaned to AIDS alone."

I personally am looking forward to spending time within this community to learn their stories, experience their way of life, love on some precious babies and kiddos and to experience again the beauty and blessing of Africa. 

I know that God has so many things in store for this upcoming trip and my only hope is to fully embrace this opportunity & to experience each step with an open heart and mind. 

Journey with me...  Date of Departure ~ September 27th, 2013 

xo

Mandy