Mara Serena

Good morning from Kenya! I have just returned from the Serengeti, yes never in a million years would I have imagined myself saying those words. Not sure if it's spelled right though! We left for the Masi Mara on Saturday and spent 3 days driving around looking for wild animals. And we found them, lots of them. They call it the Big 5: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard. We were successful in seeing all but the Leopard. The land is amazing, so flat and hot. You can see for miles. I know this doesn't mean much becasue you can't see the picturs but it's very hard here to download stuff. The computers at the University aren't very good and the one I'm on know isn't very big. But regarless, the trip was amazing. We seen Giraffes, Gazells, Hyena' s, Impala's, worthogs, Cheeta's, Topi's, Waterbucks, African Buffalo's, Zera's, Crocodiles, Hippo's , Black Mamba and various birds. Hopfully I can get pictures downloaded tonight.
All in all it was an amazing trip, something I will never forget. We were even able to go to a working Masi village and barter with the women for thier goods, something I'm quit good at. So, I will write more tonight.  Love you all.

Compass School, 280 children

Class 3 (grade 3)

Class 4 (grade 4)

The school is in rought shape and has no money to pay their teacher or feel the children. Many teacher stay because they beleive in the kids. What they do feed them for lunch is beans and a thick biscuit kind of thing, trust me when I say we wouldn't eat it. Some only receive 5 beans in their bowls. After examining half of them malnutrition is the leading cause of their pains. It costs $300 dollars US to feed all these kids for one month. The money that was given to me from family and friends is going to this school. I will take pictures of how much food that money can buy. It's the least and I mean the least I can do for them. I want to thank everyone who is reading this, praying for me, who have given me money and to those that feel the pull in your heart. If you respond to that pull, I personally know 280 kids plus teacher who would thank you.

Victoria's Passion

Lastnight I was asked to speak about Victoria and explain why the trip was named after her. I decided to read her testimony because it's her story in her words. I honestly thought I could read it without crying, never happened. I blubbered like an idiot, not because I was sad for her but becasue the last year and a half had finally come together on that day. I was reading her story to ladies in Africa, speaking about His love. I was blown away with the fact that even from death, He can still use you. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, Jesus was definetly in the room. It was because of Him this story was able to be told. I'm crying now as I write this because my deepest desire in life is to be His servant. From the day I met Vic, He had this all planned which makes me very excited for the future. For the first time in my life I have no plans past today. He has totaly control and He hasn't let me down, the fact that I'm sitting in the hot sun of Kenya is a testiment to that!
Psalms 42:1 As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soal thirsts for God, for the living God.

Wow, who knew I'd be doing this!!

This picture was taken at a giraffe sanctuary. Her name is Kelly and she's very fond of people.

School in Kenya

I went to a school today, Compass School. In the last few years the new government changed the constitution in Kenya and school is now free. Free if you can afford the uniform, shoes, napsack and a sweater. I never thought that would be something difficult to accomplish. I don't want to come across as a downer or someone who only sees the 'yuck' of this situration, but I want to be real. When we were at the school there were children everywhere, in class rooms, playing soccer, playing in the dirt. But there was just as many kids outside the gates, not in school. In our country when kids don't have to go to school for a day they are totally excited, 'ya no school' 'I hate school' 'why do I have to go to school anyways'. Becasue school is a right of passage in a child's life. It is an expectation, one that we will never have to live without. School is what is going to turn this country around, and only a few children have that privilage. A teacher salary here is $100 a month. AND THEY DON"T EVEN GET PAID MOST OF THE TIME. But everyday they come, because they can see the future. My job today was to help with medical assessments of the children. My partner and I were only able to see 30 kids. In that 30 I am happy to report that most ate 3 meals a day. I said 'most', did you hear that. When was the last time you went without 3 square a day? Your kids? Your neighbours? And it was quit evident who had three meals vs. who only received lunch that was given by the school. And just so you know, lunch constists of beans, soaked beans eaten with your hand...everyday. The waste of my own garbage can at home could feed more children than I want to admit. Alot of you will say, 'ya but what are we suppost to do, we can't help everyone?'. No we can't help them all, but I think if we could commit to helping one, that one has a chance. $5 a day is more than enough for them to feed and clothe their family. And maybe I'm over the top on some things, but when it stares you in face how can you look away. How can we not fall to our knees and thank God for His provision in our life. We have no idea how blessed we are. If I learn anything from this experience, it is to be greatfull for EVERYTHING I have.

Tired, that about sums it up!

Well, I'm in Africa. What an amazing part of the world!! This will be short but I'm going to try and post everynight, my time! So far I've come to realize I hate international flying, there needs to be a better way to get here, 16 hours  in the air is way too long. I've also come to find out that Canadians have alot to learn about 'life'. I'll expand later! I have however kissed a girafe, photo will follow, I have eaten meat that I don't want to know what it was, and I have seen some of the most beautiful landscape money 'can't' buy. I have lots of photo's and video but I am so tired I have to go to bed!! But just so you know, we have $6000 in cash to use on a local school, Masiland: local tibal people feeding program, and on the costal regian of Kenya. Six grand might not sound like much but here it's like a million dollars. Tomorrow we are going to a school to fix a kitchen, build a chicken (coocoo) coop and do medical assesment on the children. I will give you updates tomorrow. Until then have a good afternooon, I'm going to bed!!!
PS if you see my kids give them the biggest hug, I won't go anywhere like this again without them.

It's Time

A year and a half ago someone asked me if I wanted to go to Africa with them. I said 'sure', never believing it would happen. Well, guess what, it's here. I will not lie and say I'm totally excited to go. The thoughts of leaving my babies and my husband is the hardest thing I've had to do, in awhile. But it is short term, and I will be back. I want to thank everyone that helped make this happen. Everyone from The Summit that donated balls, blankets and teddy bears, thank you so much! And Sport Chek for making all those balls available, Dino your the best! The Red Cross for giving me all those colouring books and crayons, you almost put me over my weight limit. For the well wishes from friends and family, it means a lot. And to my family here in the Sault, thank you for giving of your self so this trip could happen. I have no doubt that things will be taken care of here at home, and that my baby's will not miss a beat. Thank you so much! So, until Kenya (Sunday sometime), have a good time in the snow and I will update you then. Ange