Feeling Blue

Sorry guys but I have not been feeling well so blog was not on my do to list.  Anyway I think I am feeling better but still have a bad stomach.  It makes me a little discourage because we have been really careful about what we eat and drink since our arrival.  I keep going over things wondering when and where did I slip up.  It's a little scary too because you are not at home and I keep wondering will this end my trip early.  Perhaps that is going overboard but when you are not feeling well you have all the time in the world to think about stuff.  So needless to say I have been feeling sorry for myself for the last few days thinking that the trip is a bust and I must be crazy to think I could do such a thing.  It feels good to  put it all down on paper so when I send this off in the airwaves I will be done with it.  Still kind of mad at myself because I thought I was really being  careful.  I decided that soup in the can and bread will be my diet until I leave now.

Playing Close

Well it is another Sunday and we are just kind of sitting around after a nice walk.  What's funny to me is that somehow I thought life in another country would be really different but to tell the truth it is very much like anywhere else.  You know the grass always seems greener someplace else.  Now  this does not mean that there are no differences here because there are plenty more about the people and environment.  The people for the most part I think are nice but have an attitude about Americans and think we are all well off.    Still it is good to be away and experiencing something different.  There are parts of the city that are really beautiful and then those parts that well you know make you OH S!!!  We are somewhat limited because of the safety factor but I have decided that safety is most important but it does impact on our goings and comings. 

Quiet Days

Hey everyone I had a really quiet day yesterday just chilling out at home.  Went for a walk and wrote a lot of e-mails to folks.  All is well.  In the evening we went out  Wynter (roomy) and Magda who is a friend that lives in Kenya.  We went to this Kenyan club and heard a live band.  Really nice music and I really enjoyed it.  What strikes me funny is at the clubs here when the music hits you people just get up and start dancing.  Men and women just start to dance no pressure on having a partner.  Actually it is kind of nice because it seems to be all about just enjoying the music.  Yes there is a lot of bumping and grinding going on with the dance but its all good. 

Week Ending

Well today is Thursday and I have finished another week in the slums.   Good news I saw the little  seven year old girl today and she was much brighter.  It's not so much that her situation has changed but I think she at least knows that someone is fighting for her.   She had that hope back in her eyes which is the thing that keeps me coming back to Kenya.  Today we met with a little girls at the school who lives with a host family because her grandmother died recently.  What strikes me most is  that her circumstances doesn't allow her to just take a moment after  the death of grandmother's  because she find a place her and her sibling to live.   She is only 14 years old and yet has the responsibility of an adult now.   I am amazed at how well these children handle their daily struggle with pride and hope.   I am learning so much about life and how in an minute things can change and  deep down someplace there is that thing that keeps us going.  All of us have that something but most of us will never have to use it like these children do.    WOW

Kiberia and Chilldren

Hello Guys, yesterday I was at the school with the kids.  While there I had an opportunity to talk with some of the children and interact with a few of the teachers.  Even started learning Ki Swahili again.  Then we met with a seven year old girl who is in danger of being cut because her family still practices the ritual that has been band in Kenya of female cutting.    I cant tell you how helpless the little girl looked and how all of us present just cried for her and with her.  We will try to save her but the reality is it may not work.  So today as you go about  your day think of that little seven year old and be with me in thought as we try to save her from this awful thing. 

Life in Kenya

Well so far life in Kenya has been pretty interesting.  Each day presents a new challenge and something more to learn.  The last few days we have spent in Kiberia and  you can't help but be reminded of  the  numerous issues which impact on the daily lives of those that live in Kiberia.  However the thing that continues to stand out and keeps you  showing up is the hope in the faces of the children that live in Kiberia.      Kenya and its people are in need of so much that sometimes it is difficult to believe that you could possibly make a difference.  However maybe the difference starts with just showing up and being present,

Sunday in Kenya

Guys, well I'm here and just relaxing.  It has been a pretty successful week in that i am still here and have made some contacts with various people.  On Monday we start at Drug Fighters and I must say the unknown is very stressful.  I am working on remembering what Carter said "all you got to do is show up and do your best"