Hi all!
Trying to catch up as we just now have internet access again....here's what we wrote before we reached the village...
Saturday....July 5th.
Glenna's Thoughts:
We traveled on Friday afternoon to the Savora Lion Hill, which is about 7 Km into the Lake Nakuru National Park. As we were getting there at dusk, it was critical for us to get to the gate of the hotel before dark. In the morning, we found out why......the hotel is surrounded by the National Park.......thousands upon thousands of acres of forest and plains with all species of animals around every corner! We needed to be within the hotel compound prior to dark to reduce the risk of running across some wild beast!
On Saturday we spent the morning on the safari.....seeing the wonderous animals in their natural habitat....but not getting too close!! I had never seen a rhinoserous so close and still shake my head at the enormity of size!!! To finish the morning wonderfully we even found a pride of lions resting under a tree away from the heat.
Having the day to rejuvnate was spectacular.....and much needed for what was to come. Following lunch, we began our 5 hour on/off road journey to Kisumu, where we were to spend the night before getting to the village on Sunday.
As we journeyed along, it again was overwhelming how there are so many impoverished people waiting, standing, sitting, sleeping, walking....yet ready to smile and wave at us. Going through the town of Mojo, I couldn't hold back my tears.......when I saw a small child pulling himself across the dirt because he could not use his legs. Kilometer upon kilometer of desolate shacks, barefoot and sometimes clothesless children, cattle and goats walking amongst the shelters and the people........I became dissapointed in myself that I'm not doing more.....and disappointed in our world community for allowing these people to exist like this. When there are so many riches in the world...why is it these people are forgotten?
We had an opportunity to pass by the tea fields......thousands of acres of tea bushes........mostly picked by hand by laborers........huge factories drying and producing tea to be shipped around the world for all to enjoy. I couldn't help but think of the executives who must come to check in with their factories and wonder how they can pass by the shanty towns surrounding the factories and not find a way to help? How does one ignore such pain?
It was an emotional day......the disparity was overwhelming. To end the day we arrived at the hotel in Kisumu.....Koboko Bay Hotel which is located on Lake Victoria. Our rooms were tents with thatched roofs over them and multiple layers of mosquito netting. We feel like we are getting prepared as we travel closer and closer to the village.
Robin's Thoughts:
Overwhelmed how we went from luxury to the depths of poverty. The resort that we stayed at was remarkable in every way...the scenery, accommodations, and hospitality were wonderful. The safari was a once in a lifetime adventure. We saw almost 20 different kinds of animals.....including lions. Fabulous food and a very nice massage to top it off!! Then.....the adventure began...
It wasn't long after we drove out the gates of the wild game park where the real Africa surrounded us. Thousands and thousands of people walk the streets, stand by the side of the road, bicycle....with nothing more than the clothes on their back. As we drove further and further we continued to see the great depths of the poverty, I became embarrased, humiliated, disgusted and saddened at what we Americans complain about. I had heard before we arrived from someone else how they had heard someone say "It's amazing that Americans have 'houses for their cars' " and now I know what that means. We spend more on a night's dinner than most of these people earn in a month.....and yet the problem is so large...it overwhelms me to think what can we do? This has been a constant topic of conversation as our mission here is "Let Your Life Speak".....I think for me it is to use every bit of influence I can possibly muster too encourage everyone to give back, however you can, at all times, to whom ever you can.
The sad thing is, our journey is just beginning. We have yet to arrive in the village. Anticipation is high, yet it is completely unknown as to what we will face. I can only hope that we continue to see the smiles on the faces of the few children we've been able to meet so far. It's amazing how with so little, the children continue to find ways to smile. How much better can their lives be if we can just give them a little bit of ourselves. Let your life speak.......any way it can.
Bart's Thoughts:
My anxiety level is really high as we approach the village................how can we really help these children by offering them communication skills when their basic needs have not been met.
The poverty has all of us moved to silence as we travel accross the country. I don't believe our words can describe it. The pictures we have taken will show it. The emotion of gratitude and thankfullness is only something you can understand if you personally experience it. This may be the very thing that changes each of us the most!!! Time will tell for each of us.
Each night we have been playing HIGH/LOW! This has been one of my highlights. We have learned about each other. We have also learned about ourselves. Yesterday was a day of extreme highs and lows.
.>MY HIGHS!
I have grown up watching wild animal shows. To stand in their presence is inspirational. We saw the full cycle of life. From young antelope, monkeys, giraffes and wart hogs............to full herds of zebra. The cycle being complete with the hyena comsuming the remains of a water buffalo. The pride of lions was an awesome site. Having been at the home site of Joy Adamson (Born Free) earlier makes me realize future children my never see this in the wild, even before we reach the village
the other high for me............Is the TEAM- glenna, mattteo/mathew, robin and griffin. each of them have given me so much . I couldnt imagine doing this trip alone. I have a deeper understanding of why God always sent people out in pairs.
MY LOWS!
One person could spend their life here...................you could make a difference in a small group of people. It will take ALL of US!!! The poverty and existence in which these people live is incredible. They literally have nothing! We have everything! We complain..... they do not. We frown. They are constantly smiling!
I know that the next 5 days are going to be amazing............................................I have no expectations. I only hope we can somehow help these students steer their destiny
If you read this........................... think about what you have complained about today?
Trying to catch up as we just now have internet access again....here's what we wrote before we reached the village...
Saturday....July 5th.
Glenna's Thoughts:
We traveled on Friday afternoon to the Savora Lion Hill, which is about 7 Km into the Lake Nakuru National Park. As we were getting there at dusk, it was critical for us to get to the gate of the hotel before dark. In the morning, we found out why......the hotel is surrounded by the National Park.......thousands upon thousands of acres of forest and plains with all species of animals around every corner! We needed to be within the hotel compound prior to dark to reduce the risk of running across some wild beast!
On Saturday we spent the morning on the safari.....seeing the wonderous animals in their natural habitat....but not getting too close!! I had never seen a rhinoserous so close and still shake my head at the enormity of size!!! To finish the morning wonderfully we even found a pride of lions resting under a tree away from the heat.
Having the day to rejuvnate was spectacular.....and much needed for what was to come. Following lunch, we began our 5 hour on/off road journey to Kisumu, where we were to spend the night before getting to the village on Sunday.
As we journeyed along, it again was overwhelming how there are so many impoverished people waiting, standing, sitting, sleeping, walking....yet ready to smile and wave at us. Going through the town of Mojo, I couldn't hold back my tears.......when I saw a small child pulling himself across the dirt because he could not use his legs. Kilometer upon kilometer of desolate shacks, barefoot and sometimes clothesless children, cattle and goats walking amongst the shelters and the people........I became dissapointed in myself that I'm not doing more.....and disappointed in our world community for allowing these people to exist like this. When there are so many riches in the world...why is it these people are forgotten?
We had an opportunity to pass by the tea fields......thousands of acres of tea bushes........mostly picked by hand by laborers........huge factories drying and producing tea to be shipped around the world for all to enjoy. I couldn't help but think of the executives who must come to check in with their factories and wonder how they can pass by the shanty towns surrounding the factories and not find a way to help? How does one ignore such pain?
It was an emotional day......the disparity was overwhelming. To end the day we arrived at the hotel in Kisumu.....Koboko Bay Hotel which is located on Lake Victoria. Our rooms were tents with thatched roofs over them and multiple layers of mosquito netting. We feel like we are getting prepared as we travel closer and closer to the village.
Robin's Thoughts:
Overwhelmed how we went from luxury to the depths of poverty. The resort that we stayed at was remarkable in every way...the scenery, accommodations, and hospitality were wonderful. The safari was a once in a lifetime adventure. We saw almost 20 different kinds of animals.....including lions. Fabulous food and a very nice massage to top it off!! Then.....the adventure began...
It wasn't long after we drove out the gates of the wild game park where the real Africa surrounded us. Thousands and thousands of people walk the streets, stand by the side of the road, bicycle....with nothing more than the clothes on their back. As we drove further and further we continued to see the great depths of the poverty, I became embarrased, humiliated, disgusted and saddened at what we Americans complain about. I had heard before we arrived from someone else how they had heard someone say "It's amazing that Americans have 'houses for their cars' " and now I know what that means. We spend more on a night's dinner than most of these people earn in a month.....and yet the problem is so large...it overwhelms me to think what can we do? This has been a constant topic of conversation as our mission here is "Let Your Life Speak".....I think for me it is to use every bit of influence I can possibly muster too encourage everyone to give back, however you can, at all times, to whom ever you can.
The sad thing is, our journey is just beginning. We have yet to arrive in the village. Anticipation is high, yet it is completely unknown as to what we will face. I can only hope that we continue to see the smiles on the faces of the few children we've been able to meet so far. It's amazing how with so little, the children continue to find ways to smile. How much better can their lives be if we can just give them a little bit of ourselves. Let your life speak.......any way it can.
Bart's Thoughts:
My anxiety level is really high as we approach the village................how can we really help these children by offering them communication skills when their basic needs have not been met.
The poverty has all of us moved to silence as we travel accross the country. I don't believe our words can describe it. The pictures we have taken will show it. The emotion of gratitude and thankfullness is only something you can understand if you personally experience it. This may be the very thing that changes each of us the most!!! Time will tell for each of us.
Each night we have been playing HIGH/LOW! This has been one of my highlights. We have learned about each other. We have also learned about ourselves. Yesterday was a day of extreme highs and lows.
.>MY HIGHS!
I have grown up watching wild animal shows. To stand in their presence is inspirational. We saw the full cycle of life. From young antelope, monkeys, giraffes and wart hogs............to full herds of zebra. The cycle being complete with the hyena comsuming the remains of a water buffalo. The pride of lions was an awesome site. Having been at the home site of Joy Adamson (Born Free) earlier makes me realize future children my never see this in the wild, even before we reach the village
the other high for me............Is the TEAM- glenna, mattteo/mathew, robin and griffin. each of them have given me so much . I couldnt imagine doing this trip alone. I have a deeper understanding of why God always sent people out in pairs.
MY LOWS!
One person could spend their life here...................you could make a difference in a small group of people. It will take ALL of US!!! The poverty and existence in which these people live is incredible. They literally have nothing! We have everything! We complain..... they do not. We frown. They are constantly smiling!
I know that the next 5 days are going to be amazing............................................I have no expectations. I only hope we can somehow help these students steer their destiny
If you read this........................... think about what you have complained about today?
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment