About Faces

Pastor Jackson, who runs the boys home in Nakuru where we'll be staying/working, requested a photo of our team that is heading over there, so he could see our faces.

We all gathered around, and here we are (minus Sharli and Stuart, but hopefully we can get another team photo with them in it later on). There are 20 of us total.

Peeling, Men's Pants, and the Luna Language

Over the course of these weeks, we have been attending training modules to get us ready for our trip. But our latest module, dealing with Cultural Training, was definitely the hardest, but the most instructive of them all.

We were coached through an activity called "The Lunas and The Eagles". I'm not going to get into the specifics of the game, but basically, here's how it went: They broke us up into to teams (The Eagles and The Lunas), and we had to learn how to interact with eachother while taking on these assigned cultural values, fears, and even different languages. I was on the Eagles team, and we had to approach the Lunas, who spoke a different language completely, and we needed to form relationships with them, understand them, befriend them, etc. It was so much harder than I thought it was going to be. The language barrier was SO frustrating! And of course, when we got in with the Lunas and realized that they didn't understand our language, we did what every other idiot in the world does when they aren't being understood...we spoke louder, and slower!!! Man, Americans are dumb. Why do we do that? I always see people do that, and I would think, "Um, they're not deaf, and they're not stupid. Speaking slower and louder won't help them understand you. They just don't speak English." But guess what?! There I was, doing the exact thing I had always seen other people doing. I started to speak LOUDER and s--l--o--w--e--r, like that would help.

Eventually, we Eagles had to re-group, figure out the Luna language, and try again. Our second attempt was much more successful, but still difficult. It may sound like just a silly little exercise, but it really taught us about how we need to approach the Kenyans, what we need to avoid, etc.

Also, during the meeting, we were informed of a few "No No's" during the trip. Most of them were things we had already thought of before...be respectful, be modest, don't be loud obnoxious Americans, etc. But there were a few things I hadn't thought of...

1. Absolutely no pictures in the Dubai airport.
They didn't give us the specifics, but I guess on the last trip over there, there was some inappropriate behavior and picture taking in the Dubai airport, and it caused some hullabaloo.
2. Absolutely no pictures of government buildings, or government officials.
They will assume you are spying on them, or gathering information, and you do NOT want them to assume that about you. No good will come from it.
3. If you are going to take a picture of someone, you must get their permission or their parents permission first.
A lot of adults in Kenya still believe that having their picture taken will steal their soul, and that is the last thing we want them to think we are doing.
4. Sunburn = bad thing.
We were reminded that most of the people we would come in contact with would not be used to seeing white people, let alone white people who are so badly sunburned that their skin is peeling off of their body. We will already be different and strange to them...we don't want to add "scary", "monstrous", or "diseased" to the list. We were strongly encouraged to get some VERY high SPF sunscreen, since we are so close to the sun over there, and you will get burned very easily. I will DEFINITELY be getting some hardcore SPF lotion to bring with me, and also hope to get some sun before I go, so I lessen my chances of looking like a scary, skin-peeling, whitey freak.

We were also given a list of words and phrases in Swahili that we should learn to help us while we are over there. If you show that you are interested in learning the language, people will warm up to you and help you much quicker. I'm trying to practice, but I'm really bad at memorization, so I just have to keep plugging away at it. (By the way, I'm pretty sure Swahili is easier than Luna!)

The women on the team aren't allowed to wear shorts while we are over there, so I've been searching for some light-weigh, cargo-style pants to wear while I'm over there. But guess what....they don't make that kind of stuff for women!! Every pair of cargo pants in the womens section is super tight, or has some kind of glittery embellishment on it, or it's made to fit the legs of a giraffe. (I'm telling you...go looking in the women's section in clothing stores, and you won't find any plain, cargo-style, lightweight pants...it just won't happen.)

Sooooo, I decided it was time to "reach across the aisle" and check out the dude's section. I was about 30 seconds into my search when I realized, "Hmm, I have NO idea what my measurements would be in order to fit these pants." Soooo, I left the store, came home, and got measured.

Ummmmm, this was a traumatic experience!!!! I won't tell you my measurements, but I'll just say this...I was sad that the waist number was bigger than the inseam number.

But oh well, this was NO time to have a pitty party and get all huffandpuff about me needing to lose weight. I needed men's pants, and I needed to find them ASAP, so I took my measurements, and went a' huntin'.

I was skeptical, because even if I found a pair of men's pants that matched my measurements, I'm still not built like a man. I mean, I've definitely got a wide-load wagon I'm draggin', and most men do not. But still, I grabbed a pair of pants, headed to the dressing room, got a weird look from the dressing room clerk (What ever lady, get over it!), and headed in with my cargos.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear? A pair of light-weight cargo pants, with plenty of room in the rear!

Man, these suckers fit me PERFECTLY! I mean, I can't tell you how much I struggle to find women's pants that fit me like this! No wonder men don't try their clothes on....they don't HAVE to! (You men, I tell ya what...just one more thing you have it ssssssuper easy about).

Soooo, I am now on the prowl, looking for more light-weight, cargo-style, men's pants (preferably with drawstrings at the ankles, but that's not a deal-breaker). Also, these are pants meant for Kenya, so no need for them to be fancy schmancy. They'll be getting dirty. I know some of you are probably already thinking, "Oh Andy, just go to L.L. Bean and they'll have exactly what you're looking for." Umm, thanks, but no thanks friend. These pants will be dusty, sweaty, covered in DEET, SPF, and B.O. I don't need to go dropping $80 on a pair of pants.

So, I found a $15 pair at Walmart, and a $15 pair at OldNavy.com, but I'm still on the lookout, so if you see anything like that, give me a shout out and let me know.

Also, here's an update on my fundraising!!!

I have met the $2500 goal that I owe the church to cover my trip!!!! What an amazing blessing! I'm really speachless about this. God is so amazing to provide, and my family, friends, etc. have been so awesome to be so generous.

I am still raising money (approx. $500) toward the personal logistics of my trip (immunizations, bug spray, etc.), but it is such a relief to have the bulk of the fundraising goal met and finished with!

Please continue to keep the entire team in your prayers. Lots of us are struggling with time management, fundraising, stress, family issues, etc. We even have one guy who has a broken foot, and is hoping to get the cast off rrrright before we leave for Kenya. Please pray that he'll be able to heal quickly!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone! Hope you have an amazing Monday!

The Name Game!

Whew- we had our 3rd team meeting yesterday, and I've finally got everyone on the team's name down (I am so terrible with names, it's embarassing.) But I've got it now, so yay!

We received the materials we'd be covering while we are there, in the hopes of being able to brainstorm our ideas in terms of how we can relate the material to the kids in a large group setting, a small group setting, and come up with some crafts, games, etc. to tie it all together. We'll have a brainstorming meeting later and share all of our ideas, and whatever sticks we will run with. The group is so eclectic and come from so many different areas of expertise, so I'm sure we'll come up with some awesome stuff. Our theme for the week will be the Spiritual Armour (you know...belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, etc.)

We broke up into small groups to discuss spiritual strenghts and weaknesses we were struggling with, especially pertaining to our trip. Seems like a lot of us are simply struggling with focus, and time management. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the logistics of a trip like this, and to forget about spiritually preparing. Please pray for the team, that we'll be focused, that we'll be tending to our relationship with Christ, and that we'll have faith in God's provision.

Also, I got an update on my fundraising. I'm at $2,000 already! God is so good, and so faithful!

In addition to the fundraising money I've received, I'm going to have a holiday jewelry show in December...sort of an "all proceeds benefit" deal in order to get some money together for my incidentals of the trip. (Oh yeah, if you didn't know...I make jewelry. Now you know!)So I'll be driving myself mad making all sorts of little treasures between now and December 6th. If you're interested in coming, I've got the invite listed at the bottom of this post.

I've been travelling and sick lately, so I apologize for the lack of posts on the blog. I'll be better about it in the future. Scout's honor.

Meeting Face to Face

Well, we had our first official team meeting this week. Everyone who is going on the trip was there...there's about 20 or so people. I know about half of them already, so that's comforting. And the other half seem great, of course.

There were also 3 or 4 people there who introduced themselves to us as "Senders". They aren't actually going on the trip with us, but they will be supporting us throughout our preparation for it, with logistical help, supporting us in any way they can, and also with a lot of prayer.

It was very humbling to know that these four people, whom I had never met before in my life, would be praying over me and the rest of the team. They have been to Kenya before, so they know what we're in for, what challenges we'll be facing, what kind of mental and spiritual stuff we'll be going through, etc. One of the Senders shared a verse with us that really rung in my spirit: "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him," John 13:16. These Senders are just as important as us Goers, and I am more than in debt to them for their support.

We were all asked to fill out a survey listing what we are good at, so we can be placed accordingly while we're planning the activities for the trip...drama, music, arts/crafts, game time, etc. I always freeze up when I'm asked what I'm "good" at. It's like all the sudden I feel like I'm not good at anything; anthing at all! Something about that question just always trips me up. And I know that's part of Satan's plan, to plant doubt in our minds about our competance. I just have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter what I think I am or am not good at doing. God is going to give me abilities to reach the youth over there, and He will give me exactly what I need. So I checked off a few boxes, wiped the nervous sweat from my brow, and clicked "submit". Here goes nothing!

The team seems to be a really good mix of ages, experience, backgrounds, and passions so I am very interested to see how the dynamics work out.

On a different note, I need to be better about setting aside a particular and specific time to pray about this trip. I know I need to make this a priority in my prayer life, so I'm going to be setting aside time at 5:00am on each weekday to spend time talking to God about the trip. Hopefully I'll be spending more time listening, and less time talking. There are so many things to pray about for this trip, I hardly know where to start. I'm so nervous, and excited, and worried, and pumped about this opportunity all at the same time. I think I need to start my prayers by asking for an increase of faith that somehow, the money for this trip will be provided. That's been my biggest fear so far, is that I will end up not making the financial deadline, and unable to go. I need to let go of this fear, and just give it up to God. I know He is our real provider. The birds of the field don't starve, and neither will I.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I'm going to kick back and not do any work to raise money. I'm sending out support letters, will be having a jewelry show and selling some of my work to make money, and have taken a serious look at my finances and am cutting everywhere I can. I just have to keep reminding myself...God will provide...God will provide...God will provide...God will provide...God will provide...over and over.

I'm excited to have met the team, and to see the people embarking on this mission together.
I'm excited to meet my fears and doubts head on, because I know it will bring growth.
I'm excited to meet my financial goal, and know that once again, God provided.
I'm excited to meet the youth in Kenya, and invest time in them.
And I'm exicted to meet the me on the other side of this trip, who will hopefully have a more global view of love, a stronger grasp on perception, a deeper gratefulness for the context God has placed me in, and some new 'family' members.

Donations Update

Hey all-

Here's an update on how the fundraising is going.

A million thanks to those of you who have donated so far. My heart has been so touched!

Mary Is A Little Lamb...

I sponsor a little girl in Kenya named Mary Paranai through the Compassion International organization. I've written letters to her, and yesterday, I got a letter from her! I was so excited!

It's a little activity sheet that she filled out, with the help of a translator. She talks about what she wants to be when she grows up (a Provincial Commissioner), she talks about her friends, her family, how she likes to jump rope, and more.

It is so sweet to actually be able to look at these pencil lines, feel the paper, and be reminded of how real she is, and not just some distant face across the continents. She has real needs, real dreams, and real struggles.

The only difference between Mary and the children you and I encounter here in our little bubble-town of Wilmington is geography. Location, location, location. Had Mary been born here, she would have had the proper nutrition, food, health care, schooling, and endless fun that every child should have. But instead she was born in a country where nutritious meals are a luxury, schooling is a privilege reserved for few, and where children---instead of running free on playgrounds---must obtain some kind of occupation to help support their family, must constantly be on guard for their safety, and are lucky if there is a cot somewhere for them to rest at night.

America is so blessed, and yet we continue to whine on and on. Nothing is enough for us. We are a nation stoked by greed, and an attitude of entitlement. Myself included. I want the American dream. I whine about my salary. When I get up in the morning, I look at a closet full of clothes and "hate" them all. I not only have enough food to feed myself, but two dogs also. I am blessed. We are blessed. But it's not enough for us.

But all it takes is one letter from Mary, and I am snapped back into the global reality. One sheet full of pencil marks and connect-the-dots, and suddenly, everything I own seems a luxury. A blessing. Everything seems too much, too good for me when I know there is this sweet child, covered by God's grace and love, who has nothing. How can I not help her? How can we not help them all?

The Broke Asking the Broker

So for this trip, I have to come up with a good bit of money. Roughly $3,000, give or take. I surely don't have this kind of fundage laying around for a rainy day, let alone a legitimate trip somewhere. So I knew right off the bat I wouldn't be able to pay for the trip all by my onesie. But one thing the church is encouraging the team to do is to ask our friends and family for money to support us financially on the trip.

Uggggggggggggh.

Let me tell you how much I hate doing this. I have never been good at accepting money from people. I don't like to do it at all. I'd rather let a bill go unpaid than borrow from a friend or family. It's something that's always been with me. It's not a pride thing...trust me, I have no problem asking people for other things when I need them. But I think what bothers me about this is the obligation of it. If I ask someone for money, I don't want them to give it to me based on obligation. I think that is one of the sickest feelings in the world...to feel like you are being guilted into doing something. And I don't want people to do it out of obligation or guilt, I want them to do it only if they really and truly desire to do so. Those of you close to me know about my whole "...releasing myself from all obligatory feelings..." rant, so I won't repeat it here, but you catch the drift.

Also, besides the whole 'not wanting to induce guilt and obligation' reasoning, I do have another reason why this idea of "fundraising" makes my skin crawl, and here it is...

...my friends are as poor as I am! How can I ask my friends to give money to me for a voluntary expense when I know they have their own necessities to tend to...mortgage payment, groceries, children, electricity? I can't handle it.

Here is the breakdown of my circle of friends/family I could pool from, and following each of them is my excuse (lame though it may be) for why I am uncomfortable asking that group for money:

• 1/4 of my friends/family are as broke as I am, and I know they can't afford to even donate $50 to my trip (as mentioned before).
  
• Another 1/4 of my friends are already going on the same trip, and are trying to raise $3,000 for their own way. I can't possibly say to someone "Hey, Kim- you know that trip that we're both going on in December? Wanna give me $150 for it?"
  
• 1/4 of my family/friends do not support the idea of me going to Kenya and ministering to the people of that country at all, so I clearly cannot ask them to give me money for the trip.
  
• And that leaves me with 1/4 of my friends/family to tap for some money, but I STILL feel uncomfortable about that.

So, there's the breakdown. Which I was heavily dwelling on for a while. A looong while.

Then God gave me a good swift kick in the butt, and I realized that it's not up to me to pre-decide who can and cannot, will and will not help me with this trip. It is up to me to have faith that God will provide, and not to build up barriers around His work.

Sooooo, after that sunk in, I sat down to draw up my fundraising letters. Still a little apprehensive, but trusting they will reach hands of those who will support me (if not financially, then with prayer and support while we are in Kenya.)

All of that said...
If you are one of the few who received a support letter from me: Please know I don't want you to feel obligated or guilted into giving money. This is a decision I want you to consider heavily before you do or don't do anything.

If you did not receive a support letter from me, but would like to: Wow, that would be awesome. Just contact me at andybrame@yahoo.com, and I'll get you the info.

Also, if you all want to go ahead and support me on this trip by simply praying for me, that would be FANTASTIC, 'cuz I'll need it. Pray for me to have faith that God will provide. Pray that my heart and the hearts of the other team members will be prepared to show God's love to the people in Kenya. Pray for safety in travels. Pray for our health before and during the trip. And pray for the hearts of the Kenyans, that they will be open to God and his love.

Well, this is it!

As many of you know, I have been planning on going on a trip to Kenya for some time now, to work at a boy's orphanage home in Nakuru.

Well, today, it is official---I am definitely going. Barring any mishaps (my passport not going through, etc.) the team will be leaving on December 26, 2008 and will return on January 6, 2009. I dropped my money deposit off today, and it suddenly became very real.

I've created this blog so I can journal this whole mission, and keep in touch with the people who are supporting me throughout this trip. I'll try and post as often as possible, and share with you all everything that is going on in this endeavor.

So stay tuned, and we'll all be in this thing together!

- Andy