during grief

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine--
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth.

The LORD has spoken.

In that day they will say,

"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

-Isaiah 25:6-9

thoughts

So I arrived in Kisumu! Have internet in hotel! Tired, but a few updates:

- I was feeling sick for a couple of days, but I am feeling much better now (please do not worry, Mom and Dad!!)
- I missed a flight this evening due to Nairobi traffic and construction. That doesn't ever really happen in Kansas City.
- Got on a later flight and still made it to Kisumu. *whew*
- There is a World Vision conference happening at this hotel. Lots of people in WV tshirts, and I've seen several Americans. Maybe I can talk to them, if I ever come out of my room (which doesn't really happen because my room-time is so limited and so so precious).

...what else?...

- I feel like I have been in Kenya for WEEKS. This is not an exaggeration. (Well, I guess I have been here for TWO weeks, but I feel like it has been about 5.) It's not a bad thing, it's just that SOO much has happened since I arrived!
- OH YEAH!!!! I went to a game park this morning; my first time! It was AWESOME! At first I was like, "yeah, that might be cool, but animals aren't really my thing," but then I saw giraffes, zebras, buffalo, lots of birds, lots of gazelle-like things, elephants, and lions! And it was AWESOME! (oops already said that!) Then we got sort of lost in the park...and I kind of fell asleep...and all of us and our things got really dusty. But I am so glad we went. It really was cool.
- Spent about 8 hours in the car today. That was not so awesome.

Okay, that might be it for now. I should try to sleep (even though I'm not really tired because I slept a lot during those 8 hours). Good night (day) to all; missing you and looking forward to seeing you soon.

karibu kenya!

So, I've been here for several days and have actually had an excellent internet connection for the past few. It's late, and I'm tired, so I won't write anything substantial...but the last few days have been great! Two days of a workshop, three days of a conference (which ended every night with a dance party...pretty awesome). It has been great to meet so many people, and I have been really inspired by them and by the awesome stuff that is happening here. Tomorrow I start another workshop, then I'm off to Meru, then Kisumu! Then back to Nairobi! The trip isn't even half over yet, but I'm feeling great. Ready to keep going (provided that I can catch a bit of rest...somewhere).

Alright, off to sleep. Really hope there isn't a mosquito in my net. Would reallllly defeat the purpose. Night! (Day! to all of you back home!)

warm greetings from brussels!

Look, I'm still blogging! This is progress. Don't know how many of you are actually interested in hearing from me so frequently, but I know my mother is, so I will update.

Currently in Brussels, where it is about 8:30am. (2:30am in KC.) The weather is very cool. I hope that I packed warmly enough for Kenya...it is supposed to be in the 60s and 70s (winter!). I just ran into a girl with a KU hat in the bathroom...she got a little freaked out when I asked her if she is from Kansas (forgetting that she was wearing it on her forehead). Small world.

The flight was fine, except for the fact that it was absolutely FREEZING. Even with my (special fuzzy) airplane socks and cardigan and blanket and scarf (which I even wrapped around my head at a point). Despite all of my attempts to get an aisle seat (which weren't that extensive, except for the fact that it is listed on my 'preferences' on our work flight-booking site and it's always yielded aisle seats in the past), I was smack in the middle of a 5-seat row. I guess it could have been worse. I didn't feel too claustrophobic. Watched Hall Pass (not terrible). Read some. Ate some (not terrible) food. Napped. Felt the need to stretch my legs but didn't really have the opportunity.

So now I have a bit of time in the Brussels airport before I head out to Nairobi, which will be...just checked...EVEN LONGER than the last flight...9 hrs 35 min vs. 7 hrs 28 min for the last one. NAIROBI IS REALLY FAR AWAY. Why do *I* work with all the really far away places?? So many of my coworkers have these lovely 4 hour flights that don't even take them out of the TIME ZONE. Luckeeee. (At least I don't have to get up at 4am to catch those flights.)

Okay. Think I'm going to sign off for now and do some actual work before I have to get on the plane again. (I will really try to do that instead of watching the Grey's Anatomy dvd that is calling my name right now.)

See you in Nairobi!

about that whole "blogging" thing...

...I guess I'm not very good at it, if good = consistent. But, I'm getting ready to leave the country again for a bit, and might have some typing-time available while I am traveling, so...maybe I can try?

So I'm on my way to Kenya for a little while. I'll be participating in a conference and will also visit a couple of our offices, then will return home.

I had a lovely ride to the airport this morning in one of the 'shuttles.' I was the only passenger, and was able to talk with the driver, who is from Sudan. We talked Sudan politics, religious diversity, life in Kansas City. He's been here for almost 8 years, and so I asked him how he feels about living in the U.S: "It's great. There are so many opportunities."

It's good to hear that...to be reminded. The fact that I have a job, that there are educational opportunities, etc etc...sometimes I get jaded about my own society, and forget to be grateful. I'm feeling a little more grateful today: for my home, and for the chance to share a little life with a stranger...

oh my friends.

Colin: you should fake your own explosion
and then i'll do the same
and then we can start new lives as unexploded people in the big city
nate can fake his own explosion too. we don't want to exclude him.

potential vs. poverty

So, yesterday a friend showed me this video...



While I think it's a little sad (does any kid [or adult for that matter] need to watch a movie that's so violent?), I appreciate the sentiment of focusing on potential rather than poverty. It's good to see some media that celebrates the dignity and spirit of people rather than glorifying the "pitiful." Eh??