Thanks for the update, Prairie! What a blessing for all of you to be involved with this! Many more prayers!
Prairie.. what a wonderful and fulfilling thing to be keeping you busy! I will pray that the help you can offer exceeds your expectations in ways that astonish you! (whoa.. did those big words just come from my fingers?)
Amidst fall harvest and an extra busy time of year, our family is "watching," you might say, as the Lord puts together something beyond anything we could have imagined when we started discussing this with our daughter. We believe it surely must be because of the prayer-support undergirding it. We don't fully understand the awesomeness of prayer. That's the first and most important thing that people have done and can do for this effort. Our daughter's focus for the African villages we were told about is two-fold:1. Collecting supplies for women and girls, who are often exploited when they have no way of getting food. They desperately need hope and some skills and methods in producing marketable goods. 2. School supplies and Bible teaching items In addition, my husband and I are brainstorming with people who are acquainted in that area about sustainable-living projects--a high interest topic of ours. Some of you have been asking about progress and needs, so I want to tell you that the rest of the embroidery floss is wondrously being taken care of! This person had been keeping an array of floss in gorgeous colors--apparently in a large quantity--and wants it to go to Africa! What a great blessing this will be to the women and girls, who may never even have owned a needle and thread before! Embroidery needles are still needed--the larger ones will be more useful. Embroidery transfer pencils, and if anyone has ideas on a very small iron or ironing tool for the transfer of patterns to cloth, we'd be interested. A travel iron might do. Is there such a thing as a craft iron, which would be even smaller? It may have to be heated over a fire, we don't know. Bible activity books with realistic-looking stickers or Bible coloring books. Small boxes of Crayola crayons. Prismacolor colorpencils. This brand is the best--some of the others are too hard. Timberdoodle carries a set of 48--which are normally $80--for $40. It would be nice to include several sets of these for the older students. We are looking at the large, deluxe Betty Lukens Bible felts, which don't wear out, and which can be seen by a large group of children. Along with the upright Geosafari games, extra lesson sets would be great. The sets can be used and can be on a wide variety of topics--space, geography, basic math, etc. Some, of course, would be more educational in an African setting than others. We're also looking for some sets which teach basic French and basic English--two languages which are good to know there--as well as some Bible events sets. These are hard to find. Alfalfa tabs, because of deficiency diseases. Health food stares sell these for around $8 a jar for 300 tabs. Organic preferred. We're also buying things for first-aid needs and thinking and thinking about what else we could do or collect. We'd be happy to consider any more ideas. Deena said that even little cards are treasured by the children there. Our goal is to have things ready to go by Thanksgiving. It's FUN to work together on a project like this. We can only imagine what it might mean to the women and girls... On behalf of them in advance--THANKS! (I'm editing this tonight to say that we don't have any expectations that anybody will donate anything, and nobody needs to feel obligued. This is totally a joyful thing.) And, yes, Sommer, it is "astonishing" how things are being coordinated and worked out, literally, from mid-land to coast around this project!
Oh Prairie...I have some things cooking up in my mind already! My dd and I will have fun with this! I will PM you when I get what I can together. I will have my kids make cards also.
Yes....ABall, remember the cards your kids and mine made for my trip to Kenya? It's true, the kids LOVED them! And it's so easy to do! We just cut construction paper into basicall postcard size and the kids drew pictures on them with markers and crayons and stickers. There was honestly a fight over them when we pulled them out to give out to the kids! With our two families making them, we ended up with around 200 of them, and they went like a snap of a finger! They also loved the pencils we brought. We went to the dollar store and got packs of pencils. They were enthralled with "how nice" the pencils were! Our interpretor told us they don't have pencils that nice there. And of course paper---that's quite a nice item there--little tablets are wonderful! See? Simple items THRILL them, so if people get together to help with things, it won't cost anyone much at all, and the things would be truly treasured by the kids! Maybe we can share ideas together on here so people know what's already being got, or get ideas on what they can do as well! This is so exciting Prairie!
While we're doing this, we're trying to study the cultures in Africa, and are interested in the nuances which actions carry, politeness, etc. and how they differ from ours. For example, in some Asian countries, it's not polite to look at another person in the eyes for long as you speak with them, but rather to glance their direction and then look down or away, as a sign of respect. Here, to avoid eye contact is seen as hiding something. In some countries, colors are symbolic. In some, certain flowers mean different things. Deena, do you have any interesting observations in that regard to share from your trip? Or anyone else, from your experiences?
Prairie, I'm trying to think. There are some hand movements that if you do them it's an insult---at least in the part of Kenya where I was. But I can't remember what they are. There are also different handshakes--if your left hand is down it's someone you do not know or neccessarily like or respect. If it's over your heart it is a sign of respect/honor, and if you use both hands to shake it is respect/friendship/acceptance. Then there is also the respect/honor when you meet up with someone--you always kiss both cheeks, usually while holding each other's hands. Oh, you know how we hold up our and to wave, and sort of almost touch our palm with our fingers as we make the wave motion? Well, there that meant "come here". I found that out because I waved to a cute little brother and sister and they came over toward me. I asked someone why, and they told me that. So you wave keeping your hand flat and going back and forth instead of bending your fingers. When we'd go to someone's house to eat, there was always a ceremony. The person whose house you were eating in would give a welcome speech (often rather long! ), introduce their family members and tell what each one was doing and could do, etc. Then they'd ask you to give a sort of acceptance speech. Sometimes they'd ask you to "bless the babies"! I never figured out quite what they expected me to do/say with that one, though they'd lead me to someone holding a baby. I'd put my hand on the babies head and pray. That's all I knew to do and noone explained it to me. Then they had a washing ceremony, where the lady of the house, or a special chosen lady, would bring the a towel and a bowl of water, and you were to wash your hands and dry them on the towel and hand the towel back in a certain way (not sure I did that right either). Then the owner of the house would pray. Next they would either bring you food in small courses, or you'd go to the table and get your food and go back and sit down (on the couch or chair). On the last night we were there, they had a goodbye ceremony at the meeting place. They had a couple or three speeches, then let us choose a gift from a few they had set out. Then they'd make a speech about each person and give them a special gift based on what they felt the person was like from how we'd acted or things we'd said. They gave me a figure that meant family, because I would talk about how I loved my family a lot! :love: Another one was that women could wear pants, though most did not. But if they were singing or talking or doing something in front, they were NEVER to wear pants. For us to do so would almost be like a slap in the face. One time we were out with the local pastor there who has 9 churches and they're spread miles and miles apart on these horrible dirt roads. It was fun and very interesting to see them (some of them no more than some roughly cut boards across some tree stumps in someones back yard---but it was a church for them, and very special!), but with the bad roads, we ended up getting back right at meeting time---and we were in pants. My friend from college started going up front to lead out in singing with the children as we usually did. I stopped her and reminded her that we couldn't go up front in pants. She said, "Oh, it's okay", and headed up anyway. I talked with someone who found me a young lady that shared her wrap with me. She wrapped it around my waist (which made a skirt) and tucked it in, THEN I went up front. After the meeting I had two people talk to me about it. One was my friend who was mad at me for not going up there with her right away. I told her I felt it would be rude and couldn't treat them in a way I felt was disrespectful. The other was our interpreter. He said, "You did the right thing! The people were very impressed that you would would be aware and wait to go up front until you were dressed appropriately!" Every place is different and will do things a certain way, so for us it was important to be aware of as many of their customs and feelings as possible so that we could follow along with them to show them respect and dignity!
Wow I am just now seeing this. How amazing! My daughters can certainly make some cards. I can't wait to tell them about this tomorrow. I think it is fantastic what you are doing.
I'm going to add some pictures so you guys can see what the kids look like there! These kids are from Kenya, but hopefully they can inspire help from ya'll, cuz they so need it!!! This first picture is sad, because many of these are street kids---they live on their own and beg for food and clothing.
Thanks for the pics Deena! I know I have had a burden for Africa for some time. My friend's dd loved her experience in Africa. She still talks to the girls she befriended there. She wants to go back. I pray that one day the Lord will allow me to go.
Okay, one more. I had to fix the size.... Don't all these kids just touch your heartstrings? So lease keep those prayers a comin'! "D
Oh my goodness! I am just now seeing these pictures and am going to call our daughter in to see them. What beautiful children! And to think of many of them being hungry--it breaks my heart! Did you teach Bible stories, Deena? Did you take in school supplies? Teach health and nutrition? (I think I came onto the Spot after you had been to Kenya, so you may have shared in more detail before.) Did you sleep under mosquito netting? Did you have bunches of vaccines before you went? What types of food did you eat? What language did you speak? Did you have interpreters? At least three churches in general (and individuals from two others) in our area are focusing on Africa along with our family, and suddenly everything African seems very interesting!
I know what you mean about Africa suddenly being very interesting! To answer your questions: Yes, I went with my friend from college, and she and I had the children's programs. We took puppets with us and a Bible story book, and used the puppets to tell the stories. The kids LOVED it! We also sang songs---they absolutely LOVE to sing, and there are tiny ones that sing in beautiful harmony--LOVED that! They LOVE anything American, so they didn't really want to sing their own songs, they wanted us to teach American songs! We did I'm in right outright up right down, right happy all the time, and a bunch of others. Great fun that was! We took a lot of pencils and paper and stickers. They can really use school supplies---paper and pencils are not very good there, if they even get it at all! We did meetings, and part of the meetings were health and nutrition, but I wasn't part of that. Yes, we slept under mosquito netting. When I was there, in June, it was their winter, so I never had a problem with mosquitos, though a couple of people said they did. The stuff they had on the netting gave me a horrible headache, so after the first 2 nights I didn't use it anymore. (When we were in Fiji the summer before, we also had mosquito netting. I never noticed any smell on those nets, and used them every night!) I did have vaccinations before I went. I knew of no other remedies or things to use, so I got most of what they recommended. I can't remember the name of one of their favorite dishes---which I did not like! It was pasty and icky to me! Otherwise we had lots of beans (often with rocks in it), rice, tortilla type things and hardly any vegetables. That was hard---I love vegetables! But because of the way they're grown there, and the fact that the water isn't safe, we were told NOT to eat anything grown from local gardens! By the time I got back to the US I CRAVED salad the most!!! We were in an area where they mostly speak Swahili. Actually, I found this interesting: When they are small they use their tribal language. Once they start school, they learn Swahili and English. So by the time these kids are highschool age, they know 3 languages! Wish we did that! Swahili is so big there, that some of the tribal languages are almost being phased out. Many of the little ones we encountered spok Swahili as well. We had an interpreter. The one we got was THE best! He was kind, intelligent and very Godly! Some of the others got ones that wanted money from "the rich Americans". So they would tell the people that this or that happened and they needed money. The more the missionaries gave them, the more they asked for. Actually we had people daily asking us for money. They assume that all Americans, Canadians, and Europeans are rich, so can therefore give them money! That's a tough one. You want to help. But if you do, then others hear of it and you're besieged by people wanting money from you! So, you have to be VERY careful in your choices! Anyway, our interpreter was a guy with a wife and two young children trying to get through school. But he NEVER asked us or any one of the other missionaries for anything. He would pray about it and say God will provide. I loved his strength and belief in God! I am still in contact with him and his wife through email. I'm glad, Prairie, that you are helping with this project! What a wonderful thing to do! Is there anything you especially need that we can help with?
Deena, we're reading and rereading the things you have written. Our hearts are "turning toward Africa!" Isn't it awe-inspiring, the way God knits His body around the world together? Some have asked what they can do, and we have some updates: instead of Bible coloring books, which are not always of high quality, there is a wide variety of free Bible coloring pictures available on-line, if you just type in those words. I thought I'd share that info, because some mothers here might like to explore that resource for their own children. Simple things like band-aides are very much appreciated there, we just learned. (Plain ones, to avoid competition & children pretending to be injured just to get something pretty.) Back to color-pages--for Africa, the child-looking Mary and Joseph might be confusing, as well as the bread and cup, for those who have never seen white bread, etc. But we were pleased when someone from the Catholic church brought this on-line idea to our attention. (Yes, the Catholic, Methodist, Mennonite, Baptist, & Community Churches have all responded to the call from Africa to show Christ's love in this way.) Today will be another big day in this project. I feel like you'll think I'm a pig coming on here so seldomly and not taking time to post much and then just saying that today I could use more courage and grace to carry through my part of things; but that's about all I have time for, dear ones. I do carry you in my heart, though. Blessings, Prairie
OH Prairie...you are NOT a pig! I am honored that you would ask for my prayers. I would be mad if I knew you needed prayers and didn't ask. lol. Don't be selfish with blessings now. lol. We know you are busy. I look on here all the time waiting for an update or to learn more on how to pray. Your life is more than a passing online fancy to me. Prayers to you and your dd. We love you!
In my last post, I mentioned the Christian churches who have offered or already helped with this project. I also want to add that some other people of good-will, without claims to Christianity, have seen this project as an opportunity to share some surprises with the precious children and are doing what they can, also. It will all be so appreciated! Some of our neighbor women heard that probably one of the embroidery needles, a small skein of embroidery thread, and one crayon would be the first nice items the children will ever have owned. They said that surely the children would want a special place to store these things. So the women are making little "keepsake packets," with a place for three or four items. I thought that was thoughtful & clever! I should report that dd's and my errand to the big city went well. As a country girl, I tense up when I even think of having to merge into a frenetic flood of cars and trucks, hoping that at the exact time I need to be in the proper lane that there will be an opening. Because our errand extended into late afternoon, it was dark before we were able to get out of there. But angels must have gone before us, because there was always ample space, just for us. And then, time and again, as I was safely in my lane, after having entered from a ramp, and glanced into my rear-view mirror, I could see the lights of what looked like Pharaoh's chariots descending upon me, and soon the roar and vibrations of passing trucks caught up with us. Something light-hearted to share: By the time we got out of the "big city" (Wichita, Kansas, will seem like a small berg to those of you in California or New York), I was pretty shaky and decided to spend the night with my beloved mother, who is 92 yrs. of age and who still tries to be helpful, even though her mental resources don't always function like she wishes they would. She, always the perfectionist, the diligent one, who inspired and prodded her children to be on time and do a good job, awoke dd and me at 3:30 am, asking us if we didn't need to get some place on time and that we'd better hurry and get up and get dressed! After lieing there, trying to get back to sleep, we finally did pack out and leave before breakfast, stopping at our older dd's house on the way home, where she delighted us with reading a humorous short-story and loaned us a book! Yippee! Then, home! Yeah! Thanks for the prayers and well wishes! Prairie
