The Journey Home...

Today is my last day in Africa.

I just got back from a Safari with my dad in

the middle of the Masi Mara... it's about as close to nowhere as you can imagine, but very beautiful. It was amazing. We saw baby warthogs, buffalo, zebra, giraffes, hippos! We saw a lion chasing a cheetah! And, we saw lots and lots of wide open space. We went on a walking Safari with a Masai Warrior. It was... interesting. The first thing he did was pick up some animal leftovers and asked us which animal this belongs too. I was a little freaked out at one point because my dad picked up some elephant stuff and asked if I wanted to hold it! We walked for a while, and eventually we came to the Masai Village.

We were greeted by tall Masai warriors who did a ceremonial dance for us and the women sang and danced too. We went into their huts where they told us about themselves. The huts were...captivating... made out of elephant dung and tree bark. The only light came from a small hole about the size of my fist. They are very proud of who they are.

It made me sad to see how they had to live. There is terrible drought in Kenya and they have lost a lot since it started. Their cows are thin and starving, and they don't have enough food. There only protection from the wild is a thick barrier of sticks and thorns.

It was awsome and very sad at the same time. I almost started crying. What if I was a Masai? I would have to live like this! How horrible it would be, waking up every morning to work and work and work? I wake up in the morning and turn on the T.V. I just felt so grateful that God blessed me with the family that I have today. My dad and I were talking about how God puts you on the earth for a reason. He puts you in the situation your in for a reason. I was blessed through God's mercy and grace just to be born in America. I, WE, all deserve to be a Masai and live like a Masai. But, through the blessings of God we are given the situations and families we have in America.

When I first moved to hawaii, I was dissapointed because I thought my house was a bit small. I know that sounds crazy, that's just how I felt. Now after seeing the Masai houses and lives, I am ashamed at how I felt. My dad tells me that God puts you in situations to either be like Jesus or to learn to be like Jesus. I think the same about my blessings with being able to see the Masai and go on this trip. I learned about how much I really have and how much I have to give.

Well thats what i've been doing. Now its my last day and I can look forward to is 40 hours of traveling to get to my home! I miss home and my family and all of my friends. But, I wouldn't trade the mental and emotional learning that I have gained (while I was here) for anything... or the time with my dad.

I'm leaving for home tonite at 11. Please pray that my dad and I will survive the 40 hours!

Carly
Ps. - This verse has been on my heart for a while and I would like to share it with you.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51: 10).

Pps. Please continue to pray for Moses. Here's my last video when I had to say goodbye to him:

Ellies Run/ African Leadership's work

Our second day in Nairobi. We have seen so much in only a short time. Today we saw some of the work that Ellies Run and African Leadership does. First, we went to the clinic that African Leadership helped build. It was a little bigger then the one we went to yesterday. The nurse showed us around it. They had many mothers with their babies there, and older girls with young children... one of the moms looked younger than me. They said that they get about 100 people a week.


After that we went to their work in Haruma slum and another clinic where they see 100 people a day. We were greated by some very poor children. They took our hands and led us to the high school, with 12 teachers, 16o students, and the school was made out of large metal shipping containers for only$40,000 dollars! First we went into the headmaster's office. It was smaller then the size of a normal bathroom, and it was stuffed with files and work. The man was very friendly, and he told us all about the school. Most of these children would never even get an education if not for Ellie's Run and African Leadership.

Walking around the classrooms, I realized just how much God wants to show his love to these people. These kids uniforms are tattered and torn, their desks are dirty and old, but they love the school and the opportunity it gives them. It's just like what I talked about before- they come from a very difficult background, so they are greatful for whatever they have. They know that God loves them even though they started off in a very poor home. Every thing they get is from the grace of God. One freshman boy sang a song for us about growing up in poverty, and how God has shown his love to him through being able to get food and an education.

As we made are way over to the Seniors, I listened to my dad and Mr. Warren speak to these children. I wish I could have taped it, it was...inspiring. We talked to them, told them who we are and where we are from, but then a boy asked if he could say something. He stood up, and talked about how grateful he was for being in this school and for being able to get an education so one day he can follow his dream to become a lawyer. He said that one day he would come back to the slums that he would never forget. His clothes were completely tattered, but he spoke so well, I was just in awe. Listening to him, explained to me where the money went that I raised when I ran in Ellie's Run. I just ran a few miles, now this boy could follow his dreams and maybe one day make a big difference in the Huruma slum.

I pray that all of these kids will follow their dreams and be whoever God wants them to be.

Carly

Ps. - I found a couple more photos of Moses. Please continue to pray for him.

Nairobi, Kenya

9-28-09 We landed in Nairobi yesterday. It is amazing to me how less than two miles from the largest slum in East Africa you can find a mall, complete with food court and movie theater.

Today we went to visit the school and medical clinic that African Leadership built. The clinic had one room with one bed and boxes and boxes of medicine under the bed, between the cabinets, and everywhere. There was one nurse and a receptionist. The nurse, Winnie, was so happy just to have this little room so she can help the children of Kibera when they are sick. She told us they get about 15-30 children a day. Then we visited the school and the church that was burned out last year during the riots. All of these African Leadership projects are in or near the Kibera slum. And if you were to think about what a slum looked like, this was worse. There were mud-huts, no green grass to be seen, people carrying water jugs, piles of dirt and trash, cardboard walls and thin plastic roofs, everything. Then came the school. I saw the younger classes. In one classroom fit 2 to 6 year olds. The children were learning how to add and do math. I talked with the teacher and found out that most of the children cannot afford lunch for the day. They would get a light breakfast and dinner, and no lunch. African Leadership and Ellie's Run provided food, clothing and the building for these children. There was one small 2 year old who was wearing all the clothes he had to school. He had one pair of pants, two shirts, and a sweater. The teacher took it off of him because it was too hot, and throughout the whole day he was watching it, for fear someone would talk it.

I have learned so much on this trip. I have learned that even when it seems your life has no future at all, you can still have a better relationship with God than some people who have grown up in the American church. I have learned to appreciate things more like drinkable tap water, paved roads, even school. These children are so happy to be in these box sized classrooms getting an education, while many children in America hate being in school and would do whatever they can to get out of it.

I think, and people may disagree, that this Africa is better off in some ways than America. Why? This Africa, the one I saw, is full of joy, happiness, and God. These people are grateful for what they have and appreciate whatever food they get... when American kids want more and more, like T.V. or a pool or an iPod or something. Here I am playing with my iTouch while these children, sitting right next to me, are entertaining themselves by singing praises to the Lord. Even though America is said to be one of the richest countries in the world, I strongly disagree. This Africa, the one that African Leadership showed me, may be poor in money, but they are rich in spirit and love for God. -
Carly

P.s. - Thank all of you for the nice comments. I wish I could respond to all of them! I miss everyone and hope to see you guys soon.

Thank you Larry & Mary Warren for the way they are helping this Africa.

Reflections... 10 Days in Jinja, Uganda

I will really miss these kids!

Today is my last full day here in Uganda. Tomorrow we are flying to Nairobi to spend a week there with the Warrens and visit the African Leadership schools in the slums of Kibera.

It's 2 PM and it's already been one of those days. It's burning hot outside too. I was lying on my back in the grass with a toddler lying on my lap, two sitting around me, two lying down on my legs, and another one trying to lie on my face. Then Dan came over and was crying. I sat up, and took Benja out of my lap, who started crying too, because I put him down. Then Moses began crying because he wanted up. Now William is pushing Jamima because he wants to lie down on my face. I sigh, and make everyone "tula" or "sit." Now all of them are crying, and I'm wondering,"What am I supposed to do now?" I ended up just going back to the hotel for a short break. Moses has grown to like me, so when I left he was crying. Nathan was crying because he wanted me to pick him up and I didn't, and Benja was crying because he wanted up too. And even though I didn't really know what to do, I knew that I would miss this wonderful group of crying kids.

I'm about to go back to Amani (the orphanage). I have spent time thinking about how I will say goodbye, and how all the kids will react. I realize that they are little 2-4 year olds, who will probably forget who I am. It makes me sad, but its probably true. It makes me sad that they are so starved for love and attention that I can become so important, like a mommy, to them.

And for me, why have I become so attached them? Why did I even start going to the orphanage and why am I spending all my time there? Why am I attached most to sick, sick Moses and not to cute Benja and Patrick? I don't really know, but I do feel like God is calling me to help his least fortunate children. Why am I drawn to Moses? I think its because he looks so needy and I want to fix him! Today one of the Mama's asked me when I wanted to take Moses home, to adopt him. I said," MMhhh...yeah, well... I'm only 12." But, what if I could? Would I?

The first day I went to Amani, I specifically went to see Matthias Joseph and Daisy. From the moment I walked in the gate, I was swarmed by little hands and faces. The first one to get to me was Benja. Now that I think about it, there have been some really funny times there. Great, now I'm sad again. Asher (the Keck's adopted boy) just came over to show us the snake that he drew, so that lightens me up a little bit. I miss all of my friends+family, but I will miss the orphanage+ Katie's family too. One day I'm going to come back and adopt or work as a volunteer. :-)










My dad says that whenever you go to help someone else, it always blesses you more. I know that's true for me this time.

Katie's Family

A few days ago we (My dad, Mrs. Keck, Mr + Mrs Mayernick, and Mrs. Manuel) all went down to Bujagali Falls and met Katie and her kids there. We hung out and Agnes even got me to dance with her. The next day during breakfast my dad and I had a long conversation about these girls. They spend their time laughing, being obedient and helping each other. When Prossie, who is my age, gets home from school at 5:30, the first thing she asks to do is what she can do to help. When I get home from school at 2:30, I do my homework and go to my friends house. Prossie should/is very exausted from school, and instead of napping like what I would do, she just helps.

Last Saturday we went to Katie's house and passed out food to 200+ children. All of the girls helped clean-up and played with the other children. I think that its just cool how they all have really amazing stories of where they come from, and how they are so happy with whatever they get. Me, I grew up (am still) with alot, and I am not grateful with what I have.

I just hope that one day I can be as appreciative as they are.

I Have Fallen in Love...

I have fallen in love. His name is Benja and he lives at the Amani Baby Cottage in Jinga (Uganda). He's three years od. OMG he is the cutest think EVER! He has big eyes and he follows me everywhere!

Today, the kids all learned how to say "I love you" in English. They even added hand motions... pointing to their eyes for "I," crossing their arms across their chest for "love" and pointing to me for "you." I helped (or tried) with feeding, playing and holding! These kids really need to be held and loved... and many are very sick. Moses is very sick and I'm worried about him.


Some are HIV positive and some have tuberculosis. Some of these kids were dropped off at the orphanage and others were just found in a pile of trash. It's so sad sometimes.

But then there are the stories like Josie and Asher and Joseph and Daisy that are being adopted by godly people like the Mayernicks, Kecks and Oatsvalls! Everything points back to God, doesn't it? Maybe I will get to adopt Moses one day!

This video is for Coach Keck!

Asher is being adopted by the Kecks and he is so full of personality. Mrs Keck picks him up every morning, but has to take him back at night. They have a court date on Monday to see when Asher can come home! Please pray for the judge to make it soon!

Taken with my Flipvideo camera.