Keeping our Mouths shut!

Hello All,
As I was pondering what to write about today, I remembered a conversation that I had last week with Rose (our Kenyan househelp).  Jim went to her house last Saturday to help add some electrical lights and lines. They have only had power in the town for a year or so and she is upgrading.  I went up later in the day to get him.  Rose had some chai (Kenyan tea) set up that we shared.  We were introduced to another lady that was sitting near the door the whole time.  We said "Habari," the normal greeting that means "what's the news" and she didn't say too much.  The next day, Rose told me that this was a neighbor friend of hers that was too intimidated by us to say anything!  I guess when most Kenyans see a Mzungu (white person) they automatically expect that their voice will not be worth anything because the Mzungu "Knows it all."  The education system here is getting better, but has not been that great, so they associate "white" with "schooled and smart."  This reminded me that I have to be very careful about voicing my opinions and letting others voice theirs.  When we are in meetings, Jim and I are very quick to enter the discussion and say what we think.  Their "pause time" between comments is usually much longer!  But, if you wait a while, someone will say something (usually in a very soft voice).  This is a difficult thing for us to do, but we are learning!  As I look at people, I tell myself "That is one of God's children."  I don't want to see "black and white" even if they see me as "white."  When we were in Mombasa, I had a conversation with a man and told him that I wished I had dark skin too.  That way the sun wouldn't turn me red like it does!  He was shocked.  But, I see their point.  The whites came in here with modern ways and ideas and really rocked their world.  I guess all I can do is to be humble, listen to the Lord and listen to the people!

This past week I had an awesome experience.  I went over to the Kijabe Girls School (High School) to talk to the girls about what it means to be an engineer.  I was expecting a group of maybe 100 girls.  They had told me that they would announce a special speaker in the afternoon and that anyone interested could come.  There were over 500 girls waiting in this large auditorium for me to speak!  I walked in and saw all those large eyes looking at me and had to get up in front and speak to them.  After getting started the nerves subsided and it went well.  I was wearing a skirt and blouse (as I do mostly when I work here) and I asked them if I looked like an engineer.  They of course said "no" and I think I was able to get them the idea that:
1.  It is not rocket science (or actually can be!)  I tried to make the point that most of the equations and data you need to solve problems are already out there.  They just need to apply them to their situation.
2.  They need to not worry about what their friends might say to a woman engineer.  There is a lot of cultural bias here against women.
3.  If they can plan, like solving problems, and can see a problem through to the end, then they might make a good engineer.
I got them to think through a few issues that we have been dealing with here.  We worked on a simple ramp and slope problem and also a problem involving the water system.  Some of them slept, but other were very engaged!  Afterwards, some of the girls asked me some questions in private.  There was a girl that asked me what my teen age years were like.  This was one I had not anticipated.  I could tell by her face that she was having a very hard time.  Her name is Irene and she needs your prayers.  I am not sure why God tugged at my heart and made me open my mouth and say that I would go do that lecture.  In the hour or 2 before it, I was sure wishing that I hadn't spoken up!  But, I am glad that I did it and would love to go back if they need a mentor.  Please pray for all the girls there, that they would hear God's call for their lives and persue it.

The projects here are mostly moving along. The room above pathology (that will be the new pathology so the CT scanner can move into the lower space) is getting cleared out.  They are working on moving all the electical lines out of the way so that they can tear down the few walls that are there and we can see the trusses clearly.  After that, we need to tear down the roof and raise it to a second floor height.
The new children's wing is coming together as far as design is concerned.  The architect has some great ideas and we are zooming in on costs and plans.

I have to close now so that we can head up to another friend's place where we are helping to build her house.  The fundi's are here today to lay the foundation, and since Jim designed it, we need to be there.

Thanks for all that you do for us.  Please send a note when you can (snail mail or email).  Contact info is in the "contact page" at the top.

In His Hands,
Jullie T.

22 May 2011, Doomsday, Wakeup Call or Opportunity

As I ponder the events of the last 24 hours, I take a pause and reflect on my belief in Jesus Christ, my LORD and savior.  Even here in Kijabe, Kenya, we are not totally isolated from world events, especially the “end of the world” events.   I stumbled upon this news Thursday evening (19 May) as I was surfing the internet.  I found it disturbing that somebody else has predicted doomsday (as most of the world would coin the phrase).  This being an evangelistic preacher who knows GOD’s word (or should know it) and has falsely predicted Jesus’ return in 1994.  I thought about this for a few minutes as people were heckling him in forums and other venues.  I was too!  Then I thought, this is exactly the reason, when I and Jullie were “devout atheists,” that we would look at Christianity and laugh.  It was crackpots like these that gave Jesus a bad name.

Fast forward to Saturday morning.  I went with a friend into Nairobi (the capitol) for groceries and a few other things.  I picked up a couple local newspapers and a USA today (sometimes you get desperate for news) and it was in not only the USA Today but also the local Kenyan papers.  I had not realized how much the world had gotten caught up (sorry about the rapture pun) in this.  So, once again, I am pondering:  What do I believe in and if Jesus is truly coming back at 6pm (PST) am I ready?  I am ashamed to say that I didn’t do much.  I thought about my family, not only my immediate family, but those of my family and friends who do not believe in Jesus.  I didn’t really believe that Jesus was coming back for the rapture tonight (which would have been about 4am here).  Jesus specifically said in Matt 24:36-40, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

So now, it is Sunday afternoon, doomsday has not come (at least yesterday) and now I am thinking even more about my actions or lack thereof.  This actually could have been a great evangelistic tool and hopefully those who do not believe in Jesus may have thought a little more about it.  I only hope that they do not get more turned off of Christianity. What is the hope that we as Christians have?  How do we know that we will be going to heaven?  We don’t deny the fact that Jesus will return.  We don’t deny the fact that there will be a great tribulation “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” By the way, most Christians, of whom we are included, consider this tribulation time as GOD’s wake up call to the rest of the world: a final opportunity for people to make a stand for or against Him.  We just know that we can’t predict when that time will happen.  We must always be ready for the return of the Son of GOD.  That is why we try to live like Christians; knowing that our LORD could return at anytime and require an account of us.

This is why when talking about this subject of “doomsday” we can use it as an opportunity to ask the question, will you go to heaven or hell and what do you base your answer on?  Is it because of your works, because you are a good person, or because of this, that, or the other thing?  Or, is it because you put your trust in the Son of the Living GOD and asked for his forgiveness because he promised everlasting life to those who believe?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Hopefully this man’s prediction of the end of the world for May 21, 2011 can be turned to GOD’s glory with this event opening the door and us taking the opportunity to tell someone the truth of GOD and the love he has for us.

To GOD be the glory
Jim

That Big African Smile and Ox Balls

Hello All,
We have had a tremendously busy week here.  It has flown by in one great big blurr! 
Last Saturday, we went to the Carnivore to eat lunch for Trevor's birthday.  It was great!  We got to try crocodile, ostrich, camel and lo and behold Ox balls.  As we were eating, the kids were enjoying it all.  When it came to the Ox, Timothy tried it with enthusiasm.  He didn't really ask exactly what they were (just assuming the name was not totally descriptive)!  After we ate, we told him that the name was totally descriptive!  You should have seen the look on his face!  At this restaurant, they keep bringing the meat until you put the little flag down on the table.  We were about 1/2 way through what the boys ended up eating and Sallie puts her head on the table and says, "Can we Pleeese put the flag down!"  It was pretty funny.

Sallie's birthday was the next day after church.  We gathered most of the girls right after the service and headed down to the house (about a 10 minute walk) and picked up some other girls along the way.  When we got home, there was an extra kid with us that I had no idea who he was!  He said hello and shook my hand.  When I asked him what his mother's name was he said, "Mommy." I was stuck!  One of the little girls recognized him (he was a little Kenyan boy) and said that her mother knew where he lived.  I had my neighbor take him to her mother and she was able to get him home.  It was quite bizarre!  After that we ate Mac and Cheese, had a few games and a very loud 3 hours of fun!  I walked them all home after the party, dropping them off as we went. I felt like the pied piper or a mother ducking!

Work was very busy but productive this week.  We spent quite a bit of time cleaning out an attic space above pathology where we intend on raising the roof to make a new pathology lab.  Once they are moved, we will move the new CT Scanner into the old pathology space.  It sure was dirty work!  We got 7 workers and some lab guys (to take care of the old chemicals) and got started.  Originally, we thought that a lot of the stuff up there needed to be stored, but it turned out most of it was so old, we just threw it out.  There were old records from the 1980's and lots of dust!  I wore a pair of Jim's pants and an old shirt and was glad I did!  The first day, we got about 1/3 of it moved.  We have discovered that you need to me very specific with the workers here.  They are great if you tell them exactly what to do.  We had an issue at the end of the day, with a very large pile of garbage/papers.  We loaded it into a bus to take it to the incinerator.  Since a lot of it was loose and the wind was kicking up, it was a very crazy time. Jim had to hold the guys till after 5pm and get it all loaded into the incinerator room.  They did a great job, but he came home looking very frazzled!
We also had another meeting with the Architect for the new Bethany Kids Children's Center.  It went very well and we are zooming in on the final design. 
One of the guys we work with gave us a great comment this week.   He said he had seen more things change around here (meaning good changes) then ever before since Jim and I came.  It was nice to hear some feed back that people are actually starting to see what we are working so hard on!

We love driving around here sometimes.  When we go into areas where they don't see Wazungu (white people) very much, we get a lot of attention.  Just seeing a car for some people here is exciting.  If we are stopped, the kids will come up to us and just stare, or want to touch our skin or hair.  They will come up to you with a blank look on their faces.  As you look into their eyes and say "Hello" with a smile, they will give you the biggest African smile.  It is great!  Even if we are driving past kids (or adults) slowly and look at them, wave and smile, they will almost always give you the biggest smile back and sometimes you can see the kids running to tell their mom or friends, "Look at the Wazungu, they waved at me!"  We have been in some situations with younger kids where they go and hide behind their mothers because you are there.  It is a very strange situation.  We just smile and wave and sometimes they get brave enough to actually touch you!

Here are some pictures from this week:

Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support.

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Oh, Communication - The African Way

Hello All,
I have to blog quickly today because we have a packed schedule!  This morning we have a carnival themed field day for Timothy and Sallie up at the school.  They are very excited and up and ready!  After that we are heading into town (Nairobi) to eat a late lunch/early dinner at the Carnivore.  We are celebrating Trevor's Birthday there.  We should be able to eat some different things like Ostrich and Crocodile!  After that we have to do the monthly shopping at a large grocery store.  The car will be packed on the way home.  When we get home there is no rest!  Tomorrow after church we have several little girls coming over to celebrate Sallie's Birthday!  They will require lots of food, a cake and some organized games that need to be prepared tonight.  I am already looking forward to bed!

Communication with Africans is always an adventure!  Jim and I read a book before coming here called African Friends and Money Matters.  It was invaluable to our understanding of how their society works.  But, even though we understand it, it is hard to manage in daily practice!  You may think that you are saying something very clearly, but lo and behold, you are not. Africans have a way of talking around a subject that is almost an art form.  We, being direct thinking Americans, have not yet mastered this art and I don't think we ever will!  Bottom line is that it leads to frustrations and complicates life a bit.  It is interesting to understand a culture that is so thoughtful of the other person's feelings that they won't tell you "no" even if the answer is "no."  Please pray that we will deal with this in a gracious manner!

Thanks to you all!
In His Hands,
Jullie T.

Yea, Yvonne has started School!

Hello All,
A few weeks ago I sent out an email asking for a school sponsor for Yvonne.  She is the granddaughter of Rose, our helper.  She lost her mother last year to a brain tumor and her father is not around.  She now is cared for by Rose.  We were able to raise enough money to get her into her 3rd year! She is currently in Kindergarten.  Thank you all for your support!
Here is a picture of her on her first day:

This is a picture of the children in her class welcoming her.

This is a great school here in Kijabe.  It is called Integrity School.  One of the best things about it, is that the kids start computer class in 2nd grade.  Even the public high schools here don't have computer classes.  This will be life changing for her.  She is so happy to be going there.  Rose says she has been coming home and is so busy getting her homework done!  At least that excitement has continued through the first week!   Thank you all so much!

We had some more good news this week about the supply water here.  There are several sources of water for the hospital, but the main one is called monkey corner springs.  We have had some inconsistant numbers as to what the spring is producing, so we decided to go out and test it.  We got a 20,000L truck and a stop watch and let it free flow till it filled up.  The flow was 50% more than what the original numbers showed!  This is great news for us.  We should be able to design a system that will meet the demand of the hospital and the expansion.

We also met this week with the new architect for the Bethany Kids Children's Center.  He had some great ideas and had incorporated all the concerns from our previous meetings into a new design.  We are moving forward with the plans, but it sure is pole-pole (slow)!

Another curious thing happened this week.  We were walking to a meeting and the rain clouds were moving in.  But, up in the sky to the north-west was a funnel cloud!  It was amazing.  It only came down about 1/2 way to the ground.  I think it is not classified a tornado until it hits the ground.  We watched it for a while and then it started to go back up.  I tried to get some pictures with my phone.  Every Kenyan we tell about it does not seem to believe it!  They have not had a tornado here in the memory of anyone.  So, not sure what to make of it, but it was very cool to see.

Love you all!

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Cutting Cabbage the Kenyan Way!

Hey All,
I had an interesting week end.  The hospital had a small medical mission group going up to Machani (a little town near here).  They needed volunteers.  I told them I wanted to go but would not do any medical care.  They were glad to hear that and welcomed me to come.  Soon after we got there, I found a place in the Kitchen!  Imagine that!  We had to make lunch for the missionaries and some of the locals (about 40 on Friday and 60 on Saturday).  We cooked in the outside cooking hut over open fires.  The ladies here sure have a system.  They have 3 large stones around a fire in order to set the pots on.  And these are large pots!  We made about 20 kg of rice in one pot!  We also made a large stew and fried some cabbage and onions.  I watched the ladies cutting the cabbage on Friday and was very impressed.  They don't have a fancy machine or Sam's club to go and buy it already cut.  They do it by hand and it is so small and fine.  So, on Saturday, I came with my sharp knife and told one lady (in swahili I am proud to say!) that I wanted her to teach me to cut cabbage like a Kenyan Woman.  It was not too hard, but time consuming.  We sat around for about 45 min to 1 hour and cut about 12 cabbages.  I managed to cut myself just a little, but otherwise it was OK.  The lady that was helping me told me several times at the beginning that my pieces were bigger then hers.  So, I tried to fix it.  She never did say they were OK, but she did say that I was trying (unajaribu).  I guess that was good.  Sorry I don't have any pictures.  I didn't want to take my camera as my hands were busy all day and there was no safe place to keep it.  I may get a picture someday.  I told Rebecca (the Mama that was helping me) that I make bread out of Zucchini.  She had never heard of this.  So, I want to make her a loaf and go find her.  Maybe next week I can report what she thought of it!

Kids are still doing well.  They are back in school this week and loving it.  Sallie and Trevor have a birthday coming up in a few weeks.  Can't believe Trevor will be 15 years old!  Sallie originally wanted this cake we saw in Nairobi.  I asked the lady how much it was and thought I heard 500 shillings (about $6), then she said, "No, 3500 shillings."  This is about $40!!  I told Sallie she was not getting that cake and we would figure out something else!  And, it was a simple rectangle with a picture and a few flowers!  Jaren, do you want to come here and start a business making cakes??


Love you all,
In His Hands,
Jullie T.