Having a Blast

Today was very fun. I had a small party at mom and dad's house. Basically it was to say thank you to the guys who became my friends during Msafara. 8 people came (out of the 9 I had invited) and we had lots of fun, eating, talking, looking at pictures, taking pictures, watching video clips, and generally hanging out. If any of you happen to read my blog – thanks so much for coming and making my day great. It meant a lot to me. Here are some pics from the day. I think you will agree that we had fun.

Gedion behaving like a five year old with Jed's bike and I joined right in as he "carried" me on the bike.

From left: Gedion, Njeri, Myself, and Ken

In the "tree house"

From left: Roselynn, Cornelia, Njeri, Myself, and Nancy

The Gang posing

Having fun with the camera

Clockwise from me: Roselynn, Nancy, Daniel, John, Njeri, Gedion, Cornelia and Ken

Such fun and such great friends!!

Realignment

I remember back when I owned a car, I had to get the tires changed and I was asked if I wanted to have them aligned. Honestly because I'm rather on the clueless side when it comes to auto mechanics, I have no idea why tires need to be aligned or realigned or how they get out of alignment, but the term fits my life at the moment.

I feel like the past few weeks I have been undergoing realignment. As is usually true in life thing like this take a lot longer in humans than they do in cars.

So what do I mean by realignment? I mean that somewhere along the past few years my life has gotten out of alignment. Although I'm still running in the right direction, I'm no longer running in sync with God. I'm still following him yes, but certain things have turned me slightly off the path making it more difficult for me to stay on it. As I understand out of alignment and realignment – the tires on a car while still going in the same general direction that the car should be going aren't quite running a straight path, aren't quite all pointing in the exact same direction. That is how I feel I've been. I'm just been missing something. It not that I'm not a Christian or even that I'm not living the Christian Life, its that because I'm out of alignment its been that much harder to live the Christian Life.

I believe that the entire Christian Life is an exercise in realignment – we are taken from this world and slowly God moves us into perfect alignment with His Kingdom. Yet I also believe that there are times when the realignment exercise is more vigorous and pronounced. I've been going through one of these times.

I'm not quite sure when I should say that it started because it moved from the subtle to the obvious without my acknowledgment. For sure I can say that it had begun by the time we started Msafara. For sure I can say the first obvious movement in my life towards correct alignment came on the trip from Mombasa to Nairobi. The conversations I engaged in jolted me probably not into alignment but definitely from the position of out of alignment I had been in for a few years. That conversation was just the beginning, conversations, sermons, things I've been reading in the Bible and otherwise, thought processes, circumstances are a few of the things God has been using to get me realigned.

What will realignment look like in my life? I'm not entirely sure. A few possibilities include writing more but caring less about where that writing in published; writing more about specific things and less about just anything; learning to say NO more often; caring less what others think about me and much more what GOD thinks about me; caring more about relationships with others yet depending less on those relationships; planning less and living more freely and spontaneously. Those are a few general things that I believe God has been realigning me towards. One specific thing is the idea to start writing clubs in impoverished areas like Kibera slums. I believe that writing, photography, videography, art, music and the like can be used to help these young people cope with and possibly even change their surroundings. Of course in some ways this comes out of the school visit I did on Friday but it has been in my heart for longer than that – it was definitely one of the areas where I was out of alignment.

Short…I Hope

This needs to be short coz I need to sleep (its 10:30 pm) but knowing me…well that's always difficult.

Today was amazing. A while back I got an email from World magazine. Apparently someone had seen my article in World and wrote them asking for my email address. World being ever efficient forwarded the email to me for my response. The email intrigued me so I replied. It was from a lady here in Kenya, looking for a journalist to talk at a high school in a "slum" area. I certainly was flattered since I haven't been a "real" journalist very long and personally don't feel quite qualified to speak as a journalist just yet. But it was an offer and opportunity I just couldn't resist.

So today I visited a part of Nairobi I've never been to and found that there are informal settlement areas in places I didn't know they existed. (One interesting little God twist to this story – the school was started as a ministry of a church called Karura Community Chapel and during Msafara the pastor from this church, Pastor Ngari, headed up the Community Networking department – read the department in the office across the hall from the Media department office – interesting huh).

The students (form 3 – 11^th grade) were amazing. They welcomed me with "open arms" and tons of questions. I don't think I've ever heard so many questions from a group of Kenyan students. I shared with them for an hour and a half and they were still asking questions when the time was up. It extra special to me because I have sat in a classroom similar to theirs and I understand their education system, the struggles and challenges and could even chat with them in Swahili. I definitely had missed playing the role of teacher (its been almost one year since I was last addressed as Mwalimu – teacher).

After sharing with the form 3 class, I spoke with the Journalism club – about 30 students. They are new and really didn't have a vision or goal so I challenged them to decide what they envision for their club. I gave them some tips on writing stories and some ideas for ways that they could do a small school/community publication. I also gave them some thoughts on activities they can do to improve their journalism skills – things like analyzing newspaper articles, interview each other and writing a report based on the interview, writing about things they would like to see change in their community and ideas of how to implement that change.

Honestly I can't remember the last time I felt that fulfilled at the end of the day (the day ended with me standing out in the rain for a while and finally having my dad come pick me up coz there was a huge traffic jam and literally no public transport vehicles J ). Actually I do remember the last time – when World published my story about Pastor Simon Waiti. I've acted upon a part of my dream that I thought would be a far in the future deal – helping the voiceless find their voice through writing and journalism.

An addition to this story (which is by the way getting way too long) is that on Wednesday I was talking with Ken (just get used to his name – look at the pictures below if you want to know what he looks like – coz I have a feeling he will play a big role in many of my future blogs). He was telling me about training some youths in Kibera in videoing and how he wanted to go back and do it some more. So I shared with him that I would like to do something similar with writing but sometime in the future and he responded. "why the future, why not now?" Interesting conversation especially considering that it was only two days ago – a God thing? I think maybe. I have already suggested to him that we team up – he can teach about video and photography (and I can help some) and I can teach about writing (and maybe he can help some because he is also an excellent writer). I think it is a huge need in cultures like Kenya where young people have little voice and few means to express themselves. It means that we are raising young people who when they get older still can't find their voice and still don't know how to express themselves. Can't we do something to change that?

By the way if you would like to better understand what I'm talking about, check out the movie Freedom Writers. Although many of the details are very different than what I'm talking about, in many ways that movie has inspired me and explains the heart of what I'm talking about.

Well I wish I could post some pictures but sadly I didn't take any – how could I miss an opportunity like that???

Msafara Pics

Here are a few pictures and well I like them they probably aren't my absolute favorites. However, they were some I used to make a powerpoint and they were easy to access and upload to the internet. Enjoy.



Arrival in Mombasa

Church burnt to the ground in Eldoret

Pastor Gowi Praying with a street boy

Pastor Oscar filled with the spirit of dance in Kisumu

Pastors from different tribes hugging each other

Praying march in Mombasa

Tears!

The IDP camp in Nakuru

Kanjii (Mavuno worship leader) leading worship in Nairobi

The Convoy entering Naivasha

Wasafiri dancing with street boys in Kisumu

Unloading Hygiene packs in Naivasha

We believe that peace has come to Kenya once again

So…

I started to write a blog yesterday and it turned into a 2500 word version of my personal struggles and triumphs during Msafara. Needless to say in length and content it's not really blog material – much too long and much to full of delicate, intimate personal details. I don't really know who reads my blog so I don't feel comfortable posting it.

So what I was going to write about yesterday was all the doors God has been opening to me. Here are just a few of them:

• Learning about videography and video editing
  
• Helping with a TV production for a group of targeting the youth through gospel music
  
• Writing a book
  
• Writing articles for the main national newspaper
  
• Writing articles for Silent Images
  
• Working as an intern writing for a Kenya gospel music website
  
• Planning and hosting a photo exhibition
  

And new opportunities seem to be daily appearing as new doors and windows open. Wow. My God is an amazing God who works in ways unimaginable and ununderstandable to the human mind. I look forward to see where He takes me in the next six months as I trust Him daily with my plans, my thoughts, my ideas, my writing, my photos, my LIFE.

My Favorite Msafara Pic

White skin and a large camera - bad combination :) I was mobbed by about 50 children when we first reached one of the IDP camps.

By the way I want to post some pics that show what Msafara was all about - problem is...I'm still sorting through the 5500 good pictures taken!

Msafara Pics

Here are a few pics some other people took of me while we were traveling with Msafara (there aren't very many because most of the time I was BEHIND the camera not infront of it!!)

On the Ferry in Mombasa

At Work during the Mombasa Prayer Service

Getting to do some "real" work

Washing Dishes at a Internally Displaced Persons Camp

Writing

Taking Pictures at an IDP camp

More work

Pictures from a moving bus with Ken

Sitting on My Bed

Before I started working at Msafara I spent most of my time sitting on my bed. I would read, writing, listen to music, sleep, learn German – whatever suited me at that moment. After I started working at Msafara, sitting on my bed became a luxury, something I only got to do on Saturdays and Sundays. Monday when I got back to Nairobi from 10 exciting and life changing days of traveling from one side of Kenya to the other (more about that to come over the next few days), I told my parents that I want move to my own place (eg. apartment). My mom's first comment was, "Well, I didn't want you to go back to sitting on your bed all day, so maybe that's a good thing :)." Aside: I was a little surprised by her respond – I expected something more along the lines of "Why, no I don't think that is a good idea etc, etc."

Well, today guess what I did (Msafara finished two days ago on Monday)! Of course, I sat on my bed…the ENTIRE day. Sadly, though I wasn't resting, relaxing and recuperating. Actually I have been working the whole day, while sitting on my bed with my computer in my lap.

Today I have looked at over 8,000 pictures – all pictures taken over the past two weeks. I landed the job of sorting through them, deciding which ones to delete, which ones would be good for a memory CD for those who traveled with Msafara, which ones could be used in the documentary and which ones have the potential for being used for a photo exhibition. The sad thing is that although I started this job last night and then picked it up again this morning at 7:30 I'm still not done. I have worked the whole day with only a few breaks – mainly to eat (my mom made some yummy chocolate cookies last night, something I'll miss when I move out) – and I haven't even finished going through the pictures the first time and deciding which ones to delete. Once I finish writing this blog I have to look at about 1000 more pictures. Then tomorrow I have a morning full of meetings to wrap up Msafara, an afternoon full of looking at video footage with my new partner, Ken, (he took about 32 hours of video footage), and then back to looking at pictures in the evening. Why oh why do I want to be a photographer as well as a journalist.

So I'm sure you are wondering since I've been looking at so many pictures, why I haven't posted any yet. Well please be patient – they are coming…SOON! I promise.

Finally I want to share a few prayer requests:

1. God did a lot of things in my life and heart while I was on Msafara and I need prayer that I will not backtrack and forget what He has done. I know this specific work is not yet done so please pray that God and I will continue this process in the way He desires.
   
2. I have a number of choices I have to make, including where I want to live. Please pray I will make the right choices
   
3. I need a source of income – either through a job or through supporters. Currently there is no job prospects but God can change that. Currently my support is less than a ¼ of what I NEED to live (and that would be living very simply)
   
4. I need wisdom to know what the next steps I am to take in pursuing journalism. I have some opportunities but I'm not sure yet what to do.
   
5. My parents need a house. We can no longer stay in the one we have been living in. Please pray they will find one at an affordable rate within a couple of weeks.
   

To be continued…. :)

So Sorry!

Wow, I can't believe that I have not posted anything since I started Msafara. This actually is going to be very short because I am very tired and ready to go to sleep (if I can since it is Saturday night and there is a club near here blaring music).

Msafara has been an experience of a lifetime. I feel that these ten days have changed me and in many ways reminded me of a lot of things that I had forgotten somewhere along the way. Although I can say I have struggled a great deal spiritually, at the same time I have grown a great deal spiritually. It is easy to feel insignificant and spiritually immature here, because of the spiritual level of people around me.

One of the great things about Msafara is I have confirmed my absolute love for photography. I have actually done a lot more photography than I have writing during this trip. That is really ok with me. I can so totally see how the two will go hand in hand and this was a wonderful experience and opportunity to improve.

I have been working with a great team. Daniel is the leader – he runs the website, and pushes the rest of us to get our jobs done, he also puts together slideshows every day and takes many pictures. Nancy is Daniel's wife and she helps by taking video footage and pictures. Gedion works with me on the writing side, writing updates of what is happening, prayer requests and doing some editing. Ken is an amazing videographer and photographer who over the past few days has become my work partner – hopefully something that won't end when Msafara end – we work together getting footage and shots for a documentary that will be produced later. For myself I have been doing tons of photography (averaging about 500 pictures per day), writing some of the updates, writing a few hope stories, and doing some editing. I have also made contacts for some follow-up stories.

Anyways its definitely been a great trip and I hope I get to write more about it soon. And post LOTS of pictures (check out the Msafara blog for a few pics) Good night!!

Msafara Media Lauch

Media Launch 2

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Huff

I tried to post a bunch of pictures but for some reason they were too big so I'll have to try again tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow... Its my Birthday!! Goodness I'll be 23 - I'm heading towards the big 25! Wow. I never thought I'd be this "old." How life does go by. Anyways its too work for me tomorrow (for a little while) and then home to pack cause we have to be out of our house on Tuesday. That's a fun birthday for you :). Oh well, its just life. One of my new friends recently commented (needless to say she was having a bit of a hard day) "Life is hard and it only gets harder and then you die." I don't think I take quite that pessemistic (how on earth do you spell that word) of life :). Anyways I'll be in to check and see if any of my pictures from church today were useful (hopefully I'll get around to posting a few on here - I think I only took 200!), say hi to everyone, edit a couple of stories, check up on something else I needed to do etc etc. Maybe I'll get to do a little clothes shopping (second hand at an open air market which lines on of the roads on my way to work) - I really need a new pair of jeans (hum..Victoria maybe I should have kept those jeans for myself :) and maybe a couple of tank-tops and capris (its SUMMER here and I'm heading to Mombasa on the weekend - Mombasa is HOT!!!). Ok I'm blah-blah-blahing. Sorry. More tomorrow (hopefully and hopefully with pictures! - preferably of my birthday?!?)

Minor Changes

When I got to the office yesterday, Daniel – see picture below – told me that we were supposed to meet with Pastor Oscar (Nairobi Chapel head pastor and the head of Msafara). The "we" was Daniel, Gedion (also see pictures below) and I. I was a little bit surprised J. Especially since, I work in Media not the Secretariat. Anyways the meeting ended up being about the blog (http://msafara.wordpress.com). I'm now officially part of that team working to ensure that the blog is continually up to date. I think I'll actually really enjoy this job. Basically I have to ensure that there are a couple of new stories of hope on the web site every day as well as helping Gedion with daily updates about what is going on at Msafara and whatever else I can help with. This job will continue throughout Msafara (March 7^th-17^th) as I will daily tell stories about what is happening on Msafara and what has been happening in the towns we visit.

Please continue to pray Msafara is heading into its last week of planning and it has the potential to be a very stressful. Pray for us all as we prepare to leave on Friday for this big adventure.

Keeping checking for more updates here and check http://msafara.wordpress.com daily for lots of new updates. There are also some great links to recent news from Kenya if you want to keep up to date about what is happening in the rest of Kenya.