on my way home

We're on our way home after spending the week with the family in Evansville IN. I remebered the things I enjoyed about living in the Midwest...seasons for one. The beautiful collage of falling leaves, dressing warm, appreciating a cup of hot coffee, even being forced to stay inside. It was nice. And it was good to be with our family.

Because this was only only time we would be together, Janie (my AWESOME mother-in law) decided we should just go ahead and do Christmas then. I've officially given the holiday the name Thanks Givemas.

It was a great week away, but after being gone for a week and a half in Africa, coming home long enough to unpack and repack, then spending another week away in Indiana, I'm ready to be home.

Just past Macon, 5 hours to go.

10 Connects News at 11:00

It was so surreal. I had people hunting me down between our two services Sunday telling me that there was a news crew outside looking for me. I thought it was a joke that I didn't get. No joke though, someone had forwarded one of my blogs onto them and they wanted to do a quick highlight on our work there.

The airing was a little disappointing, I took an opportunity to talk about how people could support our work and some opportunities we have coming up to get involved (including our Christmas programs), which didn't make it on air or on the site. But overall, I was glad for the opportunity.

You can check it out here.

Africa - Day Seven - Humility

I know you're probably saying to yourself
"What is that cowboy doing with that African warrior..."

The most memorable moment of the day for me came when, after a church service, we were invited to a very small house to visit a young lady named Rosabella. She was a single mother whose husband died many years ago. Her husbands death left her with two young boys to raise on her own. Fortunately she had the help of her mother. The best job she could find was in Nairobi two hours away working as house help to a family that treated her very poorly. She would go live in the slums in Nairobi for weeks at a time to make money and bring it back to her family. Between the rent that she pays for her small home in Nairobi and the rent she pays for her family in Nakuru (as well as all the other normal living expenses) - she has nothing.

Which made it all the more humbling when we walked into her house today and found a full spread of the best food available. She had rice & vegetables, chicken, home made chips, fried biscuits, and cokes for us to drink. As we sat down, she brought out a basin and pitcher and washed our hands for us. I image it was close to what the disciples must have felt like when Jesus washed their feet.

I felt humbled - almost embarrassed to be receiving so much from this woman who had nothing. I will never forget her generosity and hospitality.

-Chris

Day Six - A Pile of Crap

Today we spent the day in a part of town, known to the people of Nakuru as London. We would call it the city dump. Why, do you ask, did we spend the day in the landfill? Because we went to visit the village of poor families and orphans that live there in it.

Today was probably the hardest day we've faced here. As Douglas and I and crew climbed our way to the top of the pile of garbage, we had to focus on not gagging as not to embarrass the villagers that were so welcoming to us in their homes. The stench was almost unbearable. As we climbed we were surrounded by villagers - men, women, children just old enough to walk, as they sifted through the waste to find scraps they could sell or use for their families. Many children walked through the mountains of trash and broken glass with no shoes and only the clothes that they had managed to pull out of the rubbish.

We walked from home to home, welcomed by the families that lived there, to hear what life is like for them and what needs they are facing. We left in each house we visited a bucket of essentials that were put together back at the house. We found a few families that we were able to share the story of God's love for them with. For a couple of those families, we were able to pray with them to accept that love. It was very difficult for me though to find a way to talk about a good God in the midst of such a perverse environment. No one - no one should be forced to live like that - certainly not innocent people...children.

In the short time that we spent here in Nakuru, hands down, the hardest moment of the trip ransacked me today. As we were leaving one of the homes, an a old women who only talked about how good God is to her, eventually broke down in tears and shared in Kswahili that one of her grandchildren that she cares for had been badly burned. When we asked if we could see the child she led us to the small bedroom where we found a child, laying face down, with a burn spanning across the entire lower back. The burn was so bad, there was no skin left on the child, it had burned all the way to the bone. When we asked what had happened, she said it was an accident, but also that her family was feuding...? We gave her money to immediately take her child to the hospital and get it treated. If we hadn't gotten there today, that child would have continued to suffer and potentially not survive. It was hard to see, but when I realized that this young boy was the age of my Conner, I - lost - it.

So much emotion filled us as we walked through the streets, we weren't able to speak to each other.

There were some bittersweet moments during our time there. I was surrounded by children hungry for love and attention as we walked. They loved getting they're picture taken and seeing it on the camera. It almost cause a riot. As I walked, I at all times had two, three, or four children hanging onto me - holding my hand, squeezing my leg. They had obviously not seen too many "Mazungu" (pasty white guys) before. They would laugh and laugh as they rubbed the hair on my arms or felt my stubbly beard.

They erupted when I lifted up my shirt to show them the hair on my chest - they laughed and shouted. I was petted every time I bent down. They all wanted to be held, and though they were filthy dirty - they were completely irresistible.

It was a despicably disgusting place, and at the same time, filled with so much beauty. I couldn't get it to fit in my mind.

-Chris

Day 5 - An African Safari

Today was a great day. We certainly couldn't come to Africa and not go out into the bush! We spent the better part of the day in Lake Nakuru National Park on safari. Here's just a few of my favorites:

These are just a few of the hundreds of animals and cool stuff we saw today - all within the state park. Amazing!

Another Day In Africa

Today was our 4th day here in Africa. It was another emotional day. A lot less anger, a little more tears, and a lot more grace. I saw God's hands and feet today-I got to be a part of it. We heard more stories from more women and men about life here in Africa. The more you learn, the bigger the problem seems.

I got to spend a lot of the day with people, not just behind a camera. I love the children here. I played for a couple hours with two little street boys here. We took goofy pictures, I showed them how to use the cameras, they showed me how to spear a lion...you know the normal stuff.

Hearing their stories makes passion and love for them grow deeper and deeper. Francis, one of the boys I spent the day with, told us his story. Here is an excerpt of a post from Douglas (my Pastor traveling with me):

Today I sat out on the veranda of Joseph and Molly's home with a 15 year old young man named Francis. His mother died sometime ago and his father remarried a woman with two children. His step-mother despises him and his alcoholic father violently abuses him when he drinks...which is most days. Francis showed me the scars where his father has bitten off his flesh...one wound is still open. He let me see a scar on his left leg where his dad swung a machete at him. He told me how his father recently taped his legs together and hoisted him in the air and before his dad could build a fire under him, neighbors intervened. Many days his family refuses to give him food and many nights they refuse to let him in the house so he huddles down in the bushes or garden to sleep. He told me how his father denies this bright young man the money to attend school. I could go on, but by now you more than get the circumstances of his life.

Francis then went on to tell me how good God is to him. How God spared his life by sending the neighbors to his rescue. How when he has not eaten for a few days God provides by sending Joseph and Molly and they give him food. How God has been so generous to Him by giving him money to pay for school through the Bails. How God even has put such nice clothes on his back, once again through you know who. "God is so good!", Francis kept telling me. "How can people not believe in our good God"..."God saved my life"..."God saved my soul"...Then he sang a song for me, lyrics that said: "My God, my God how good is thy name!" Francis wants to one day be a Pastor so he can tell people how good his God is. I told him that all of heaven is cheering him on and that as a Pastor myself, I can honestly say he would be a credit to my profession.

I fought tears he sat and told his story. And he is just one...just one of the voices drowned out by the roar of the millions of others just like him.

But tonight, as we sat to eat a traditional Kenyan meal around the table. We got to laugh and enjoy the meal with the friends we have made here. I got to hear how God and the church are breaking through thousands of years of tradition. I could never go into the complexity of the struggle here. Thousands of years of deep roots are working against the much needed change to this country, but tonight I got to see the power that God can bring to lives. Power that goes beyond tradition, government, distances, hatred, and hopelessness. I see the change that Molly and Joe and the work so many people are financially supporting - and it's real! Its a few lives at a time, but those few lives are joining in the work and changing their families and slowing beginning to bring change to their tribes & villages.

A hard day, but so good for my spirit. I wish you call could be here to see it.

Day Three - Salgaa & Kabarak

Today was our first day of shooting. We spent the first part of the day in a little village called Salgaa. But before I tell you about our time there, let me first just tell you that no one will ever get away with complaining out our roads or road maintenance construction back home. I traveled to our first stop (about 45 mins away) riding in the back of a 9 passenger van on roads, (some of which I'm not sure should even be given the name 'road'). I've made so much fun of Douglas and his "travelers tummy" - but let me just go on record today and say that I am all done joking about that...nuff said.

So after being very glad to be out of the car, we were greeted by a church service that was going on in our honor. We were introduced to the small village. They sang, danced, and told stories about life in the small village. I was terrible humbled by the way we were treated. I drop more at Starbucks any given morning than some these people have made this year. They went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I was given a mug of something that I am still a little uncertain of...it was warm and smelled like milk straight from the utter. I put it to my lips, did my best impression of someone drinking, and smiled. They also gave us cokes, which I was grateful for.

After the service, we were able to walk through the village into some of the homes there and hear the stories of the families there. It was overwhelming to say the least. These families are facing a hopeless situation in the coming months...and there is nothing to be done. A village of people who, for circumstances out of their control, are being forced out of their homes. Some of which they've lived in for 50 years. I was overwhelmed with emotion...some tears, some anger, all painful.

We left that village and made our way to Kabarak (on a different, but equally as sickining road). We met and filmed a story of a girl named Helen. We interviewed her in the house that her and her son live in (aka-a 10x10 room). We heard her story - growing up, loosing parents, and eventually contracting aids. It was a painful story to hear, but even more painful is the realization that she and the others we saw today are just a microcosm of the millions of other lives here in Kenya.

As painful as the day was, there were moments of grace. Conversations with Joe and Molly on the long trips of what God is doing in them and through them, meeting some exceptional people who shine, despite the dark and hopeless world around them (shoutout to Daniel, Victor, & Grace-I wish you all could meet them).

I get to walk away from this place in a few days...its not fair that so many of these friends we've met can't also do the same.

Day Two – Our First Day in Kenya

We arrived early in the morning here in Kenya. Unfortunately, it was also 10:00 pm my time. With little sleep on the plane, we walked through the tunnel very tired but excited. After long lines at customs and crazy baggage claims, we made our way out of the airport and were met immediately by Joe and Molly and a few friends.

On our way from the airport, we were able to stop by Elijah's (Molly & Joe's son) school. He showed us around the school and introduced a few friends and roommates. He loves his school and is doing really well. It was good to spend time with him and see him doing well.

Kenya is beautiful. We took our time on our way back to Nakuru. We were both captured by the beautiful landscapes, unique animals, and the innocent children running beside our van. The children are so easy to fall in love with.

Everywhere we go, we stick out. Not only are we the only white people in a sea of dark faces, Douglas is taller than most everyone around. Walking through the town you can't help but feel like a celebrity – everyone wanting your attention (mostly wanting to sell something). It was good to have a day to be able to acclimate to the new schedule and culture a bit. Tomorrow we begin shooting.

A few shots from the day (Many more good ones, but I'm only posting three for sake of my sanity-remember the days of dialup?):

Day One - Traveling & Amsterdam

Spent the first part (or the last part) on a plane flying from Memphis to Amsterdam. A combination of a long Sunday and Tylenol PM made for a pretty relaxing flight. We took advantage of the 8 hour layover and caught the train into the city to spent a few hours walking around.

This is an odd city. Beautiful buildings cracking and leaning into the streets from the 1600's. Ornate chapels with hand painted murals, meticulously designed mosaics - most standing empty or since converted to a restaurant or museum. And all kinds of trouble to get in on these streets. Most over the top obscene, but still probably good I'm traveling with my senior pastor...I just kept looking forward.

We are now in the airport waiting to board our final flight on our way to Kenya. Another eight hour flight.

Tomorrow we start shooting. I'm excited and nervous about what I'm walking into.

More tomorrow.

Making Announcements Fun

If you haven't already seen what we did for announcements a few weeks ago - you should definitely hop over to my wife's blog to see it. Here's the direct link for you. Very well done!

Kenya...Here We Come

Douglas and I set out in just a matter of days to Kenya to visit our friends Molly & Joe at the Springs of Hope project. We are going to film the progress of the school and some of the stories of the people there in Nakuru for our Christmas production this year. We're all vaccinated, packed (almost), and ready to go.

I'll update everyday on our trip. Douglas will also be posting regularly at www.cypressmeadows.blogspot.com. Check back as often as you'd like!