Re-Entry:Life back in the USA

I am reminded of the song that has the words, "I will never be the same again". This trip has profoundly changed my life. My priorities have changed. As I reflect on the 2 weeks I spent in Kenya, I realize that I have been challenged to live my life in a new and different way. Before going on this trip, my focus was on doing my job well as Economic Development Director and County Administrator in Grant County, West Virginia. Cooking and serving guests at our Country Inn was how I relaxed and unwound from a busy day at the office. After spending time in Kenya serving students at Africa International University, I realized that my heart and passion lies with those making big sacrifices to bring Christianity and hope to the marginalized and the people struggling for survival. I am encouraged by the challenge to help raise $10,000,000.00 to help African International University (formerly NEGST and ISAR) become the "world class" African School with Africa on its Heart. You can be involved with helping educate the future leaders of the Christian Churches in Africa by sending your tax deductible contribution to http://www.clafrica.com/.

While in Kenya, we were able to meet with and visit ministries where average people like you and me are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those in Africa. One of the most compelling presentations I heard was from Dr. Amy Sherman who lives nearby in Charlottesville, VA. She serves as a Senior Fellow for both the Sagamore Institute and International Justice Mission (IJM). Her organizations seek to bring justice to many of the 27 million people in the world that are slaves. In Africa, 1 in 5 families, are victims of illegal land seizures. They are also helping to free some of the 2 million people involved in the global sex trade.

In Luke 4, Jesus talks about His 3 top priorities. Alienation-Evangelism, Deprivation-Compassion, Oppression-Justice are these areas of focus in this passage. The modern Evangelical Church has been very active in the first two, but where is the Church in the area of oppression and justice? IJM Kenya works to raise awareness and mobilize a response to these issues through churches and other community organizations. You can learn more about there mission at http://www.ijm.org/.

Another organization we were introduced to is the Hope and Restoration Center (HARC). They are a Christian based ministry that reaches out to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Raila village in the Kibera slums of Nairobi (the largest slum in Africa) where access to food, water, housing, medical care and other basic necessities are an every day challenge. In the midst of all this, orphaned and vulnerable children are being raised by single parents, widows, and grandparents-most of whom are infected by HIV. You can come along side them as they provide prayer, feeding and counselling, empowerment, and a halfway house. You can e-mail them at hrcentre@yahoo.com.

There are several other Social Justice Ministries that are part of the Outreach of Nairobi Chapel and their sister churches. Here are a few of these ministry efforts started by average people like you and me. I would encourage you to research these and help where you feel led by God.

Cheryl's Children Home-www.cherylshome.net
Tumaini Kwa Watoto (Children of Hope)-www.kenyachildrenofhope.org
Tulip-www.tulip-ministry.com
Beacon of Hope-www.beaconafrica.org
Tumaini Clinics-Internships
Logos Christian School and K-Krew

You can learn about these ministries and more by going to http://www.nairobichapel.org/.

Time on Safari Amboselli

AMasai Giraffe wanders by. Mt. Kilamajaro

This female lion was patiently waiting for a tasty snack to come into its field of vision. We only saw one large male. In the Lion Kingdom, the females do most of the work, including hunting and raising the little ones.

We saw hundreds of elephants while on safari. It was amazing to see so many all in one game park. This park is located near Mt. Kilamanjaro. We were able to see 3 of the big 5 while there.

The baby elephants were fun to watch as they rarely wandered too far from their mother.

It is 2:00 on Friday morning. I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. My body must be anticipating the upcoming jet lag. Or perhaps my body is trying to maximize the last 24 hours in Africa. As I reflect on the last two weeks and the last two days here at Amboselli, there are many precious memories that flash through my mind. As I sit here, without power, I am reminded of how in the USA we take for granted things like 100% availability and uptime of electricity and internet access. While on safari, the power and hot water are powered by a generator so there are limited windows of opportunity to take a hot shower, or turn on the lights. I have come to realize that there is nothing wrong with going to bed when the sun goes down and getting up at the break of dawn.

These lacks of conveniences take me back to a time when I was much younger, a simpler time, and I wonder if we were not better off then. Things we take for granted like paved roads, good modern infrastructure, 24 hour supermarkets, air conditioning, and 24 hour access to news and sports come at a price. Are we better off with these luxuries or would we be better off if we lived a simpler life that places a greater emphasis on personal relationships, interdependence, a greater sense of community, and shared resources. In the USA we often are driven by success, financial gain, and our desire for material goods like the new car, flat screen TV, an elaborate wardrobe, but I wonder if maybe we have created a certain type of bondage as we strive to fill our lives with much more that what is required to live comfortably.

While in Kenya we have seen tremendous need. We have taught students that live on one meal a day and many only each 3 or 4 meals a week. These meals are very simple, and pale in comparison to what we may consider our normal lunch or dinner. We take for granted things like clean running water that we can drink right out of the faucet. In the Kibera slums, their tiny homes do not have running water, restrooms, electricity, and well stocked refrigerators, something that we take for granted. As we travel around Nairobi and Kenya, we notice a high percentage of the people are walking, not driving luxury automobiles. Most people rent instead of purchasing a home because interest rates are 18 to 20%. But in spite of all they may lack in creature comforts, Kenyan seem to be some of the happiest people in the world. Does that mean that our wealth and materialism has become a barrier to true happiness?

Having been here in Kenya has changed my life, I hope for the better. When I return home, I am committed to fasting more and eating less. Saving more and spending less. Spending less on me and spending more to help others less fortunate is my new year’s resolution. Taking the time to listen to and care more about others and their needs has become a new priority in my life. Committing more time to serving others and spending less time seeking my personal pleasure will be a big adjustment in my life but I think it will make me a better person. But most of all, I plan to spend more time in prayer and meditation seeking God’s purpose in my life. True peace and happiness must come from serving others and not seeking my own self interests.

These last two days on safari have been a great time to reflect on what I have experienced these last two weeks. Now that it is over, I wished that I had kept a journal to be better able to reflect on and process