Stress

I'm not really sure why I'm writing this other than to find an outlet to let off some steam.
I woke up this morning and realized how little time i have left before my sister and I head to Africa.
Everything is really overwhelming with everything left to be done not to mention financial stress...please pray!

Team EthiopiaAwesome!

Yes they are...


This was waiting for me when I got home from my last run on the road. God always knows when you need a little encouragement to keep going.
Thank you guys, thank you Melissa for putting it together, it couldn't have come at a better time. I really appreciate and love you all for your support.
Thank you!

I Can't Get Enough...

So I'm going back.
Yep, I know I just got home, but I just can't stay put.
Since I got back I have been getting my house in order, catching up with friends, and, thank god, working...

I know I haven't even let the dust settle on my shoes, but I was invited to co-lead some teams back to Ethiopia with Mocha Club, as I did last summer. I enjoyed Ethiopia and co-leading so much that I couldn't turn it down.

Old classroom in Ambo...the new one is being built now!


Mahalet and Betty


Our Ambo street boys



I also figured that as long as I'm there I can't not stop by Kenya to visit my family in Kitale, so I will be heading there for about a month as well.






I haven't even been home long enough to go through my pictures and put together my "Thank You" gift for everyone who helped me go the first time (I am working on that by the way, coming soon),
So because I dont feel right sending out another support letter asking for more money when I haven't even been able to even thank those who helped me the first time, I am simply soliciting on my blog...thats fair enough right?:)
In all seriousness I do need help raising money to go back this summer, somewhere around $3,000 to be on the safe side, but no where near what I had to last time.








I am trusting that the Lord will provide a way for this to happen again, but I am also trying to work as much as I can to also ease the burden.
For those of you have supported and been with me through this journey, I can't tell you how grateful I am, and words can't describe what a life experience it was, so "THANK YOU!"
and if this next trip is something that you would like to help me out with, email or call me.
You can also simply send a check with my name in the memo line to

963 Missions
Attn: Mocha Club
10440 N. Central Expwy, Suite 122
Dallas, TX 75231

I am working to pay for the Kenya portion of my trip, so the money sent to African Leadership goes strictly to Ethiopia.

THANK YOU again a million times for all you support for making this past year happen and thank you for your support in this forthcoming trip!
I mean who can say no to the opportunity to see these faces?

Adjusting and Anti-Socialism

I've been back for about a week and a half now.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and at first I felt disconnected, but I was handling it alright.
Well, reality has sunk in and I can't say I'm surprised. I'm happy to be back and see my family and friends. I just can't reconcile the 2 worlds. Maybe its better that I don't, so I'll always want to be there.
I miss the kids, the voices, the faces, the place
All of this thought is making me to be anti-social. Part of me wants to be and the other part knows it's stupid...again, I'm unable to reconcile.

I'm trying...

Moving Day

Yesterday was the first day in the new center...Oh wait, i guess I forgot to mention that they got the property...I didnt want to speak too soon, but Geoffrey went to Uganda last week and worked everything out with the landlord.
Yesterday morning we got a text from Geoffrey saying that if we wanted to come to Oasis we would have to come to the new center!





As soon as we walked in and saw the students in the new classrooms we cried. It made me so happy to see the kids get to enjoy the new center. They deserve to have such a wonderful place and we were so happy to get to see them there before we left.

Class 1 Classroom




I just couldnt get it together. Especially when I saw the older boys in class. It made me so happy because I felt that these boys had more hope than ever. I was worried that soon they might stop coming to Oasis because they are too old to go to primary school. Their only hope was vocational training, which on its own is too expensive, but now that Oasis has the new center, part of it is planned to be used for vocational training.
Class 5

Hakuna Posta

I havent been able to post all that much since the team has been here. We've been super busy running all over Kitale. We've done a lot of fun things, which I will post about in the next couple of days as the heads out of town. Trust theres some great pictures

Street Kid Washing Day

Among other things that happened today that I will post about later, there was a street washing at Purpose Driven Church. Street kids and moms could come and have lunch, see a doctor, and take their first bath in weeks.


How do you make Ugali for hundreds of people? Like this...


The first group to come and eat







Mama


Freda's mobile medical clinic right before it became packed with people


Some of the older boys waiting to get in, plus a random puppy I was given at the last minute. I was so excited, P.I.G., Eato, and Anthony from Oasis showed up.


After they ate, those who wanted a bath were taken outside and bathed.
Washing the street kids




Purpose Driven students in the front, street kids outside the gate


Etao and P.I.G.


Etao and Shaban


Some older street guys, I cant really call them boys.


Shaban and Etao. Shaban and Etao used to know each other from the streets. Shaban is now the prefect for class 7.



Simon even showed up. He left Fredas earlier this week after being told not to, just one of many times...


It was sheer craziness, but I thought it was a great day and I loved that people could come to one place and eat, get medical attention, and be bathed if they wanted to.