A Well Oiled Machine!

Hello All,
Can't believe we have passed the shortest day of the year already!  Here, the shortest day and the longest day are not different by more then 16 minutes! The sun rise is about 6:33 am right now and will set at 6:33 pm.  In Dec, it will rise at about 6:22 and set at about 6:37.  June 21 and Dec 21 are still the longest and shortest days of the year, but as I just found out on another site, they are not the days that corrispond to the earliest and latest sunrise and sunset! It is sometime in late Jan and early Feb that the sun sets here at about 6:54 ish. It was nice when we first got here to have it light till almost 7pm. But now, by 7, it is pitch dark.  And when I say dark I really mean it!  There are no street lights nor many house lights, so we westerners need to have a flashlight when going out at night.  It is amazing to me how the Kenyans do not need a light when walking in the blackness.  But I guess growing up with it makes you more used to it!   I sure do miss my long summer days in Michigan at this time of the year.  But I guess it is OK.  Since there is so much work to do here, Jim and I are so tired and are usually in bed close to the "Missionary Midnight" (9pm)!  At home, it would be hard to do that right now with the sun still being up.

We watched an amazing "well oiled machine" this past week!  There was a company from Nairobi that came and poured the slap for the new Paliative Care (Hospice) building.  It was a 5100 sq. ft slab and they did it in one day all by hand!  There were no big trucks with cement pumps nor booms to extend to all the areas.  Each person had a job, and they performed the work in unison.  I will insert a video here for you to see.

 

We started on a new venture this past week.  We went to an orphanage in South Kinangop where they want to build a new kitchen.  It is a beautiful facility.  They have 30 children and many staff.  Their web site address is http://www.intoabbasarms.org/

We are going to provide an inspection type role for their new kitchen building.  It is only 40 minutes from here with no traffic and the roads are pretty good (at least they are better than our road into Kijabe).  We are excited about starting on it.  The drawings/design were provided by a group from Syracuse University chapter of Engineers with out borders.  We received them yesterday and will hopefully be meeting with the contractor on Monday.  Please pray that this project will get started and we will be able to help it complete so that the kids will have a nice place to eat their meals.

Thanks so much,

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Need and the water pipeline

This week was illuminating when considering why GOD has brought our family here to Africa. We have mentioned several times in the past how the need is so great here. People will do whatever they can to make a few cents here or there. There are two water supplies serving Kijabe Station as its main sources (out of 5). Both of these sources come from a long distance away. One uses a water driven pump which requires about 100 gallons per minute to pump 25Gallons per minute to Kijabe over 7 KM away. The other is a gravity fed system which collects water from a spring and channels it into a pipeline that is about 6KM away in the other direction from Kijabe. A few of us from the hospital walked to the latter spring to investigate the problems associated with this pipeline. It happened that two weeks ago, someone decided they needed some money so they cut a few pieces of the iron pipe and took them away. We are talking about a 4-5ft section of 3” iron pipe. What you will see in the following pictures are the challenges to get to this pipe to be able to cut it. The terrain is very dangerous and the people who cut the pipe do it at night! This is also the same terrain that freedom fighters, during the MauMau uprising, used to hide from the British in the 1950s.

This is Collins, the hospital Engineer at the beginning of the hike.  The mountains ahead to the left are where we are going.

If you look directly in the middle you will see a few people, Andy and John

who are climbin up.  You can get an idea of the steepness of the terrain.

This is John Kimani and John Karuga at the base of the cliff.  This is the mountain that the

spring issues from.  This cave used to be a hideout for the Mau Mau Freedom Fighters.  Again, you can see that you want to be very careful at the edge.

John Karuiki, the main Kijabe Station Plumber (Known by all as "John the plumber") cuts a Mahindu plant to give us access to the spring catch.  This project was actually developed 12 years ago and it took 500 men 60 days to chip away at the rock cliff, build the spring catch, and dig/lay the water pipeline.  Everything was done by hand!

Another view as John and John (there are a lot of Johns here) come down the pipeline.

Beautiful and Treacherous country.  The pipeline is next to Andy and John in the picture.

Here is an exposed section of pipe.  There are many sections like this that were unable

to be covered (during the initial installation) due to the terrain.  It is sections like these that we need

to somehow cover with soil or concrete to prevent vandalism.

Obviously, walking through the jungle gives us an opportunity to view some of Kenya's natural wildlife.

Here some Colobus Monkees chill out in a tree.

So, need drives people to traverse dangerous land, at night, to steal pipe, which cuts off a major water source, just to make a few cents.  We are working on the problems and coming up with ideas to prevent them in the future.  These will all take time and, GOD willing, these changes will help the whole community, not only with receiving water, but also with jobs so that they can care for their families and not resort to extremes.

It is in HIS Hands.

Jim

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hello All,

Happy Birthday Mom!! We sure love you!  Hopefully you were surprised by the "visitors" you had last night.  Wish we could have been there, but skyping in was definitely a cheaper option!

We have had a very busy week.  We got to go on a "field trip" last week to see some things in Nairobi.  We saw an interlocking brick making machine.  It uses local soil and a bit of cement and you compact it to make bricks.  Not sure if we will use that option for one of our new buildings or not.  But it was interesting.  We also went to a place where their septic system was a wet lands design.  Here are some pictures to the right.  It uses plants and a terraced system to treat the effluent.  Again, not sure if we can incorporate something like that here, but it is worth looking at.

We had a very interesting discussion at our last bible study.  One of the care givers at the hospital brought up an issue that they deal with everyday.  It concerns babies born with spinabifida and other crippling issues.  When this happens sometimes the families will disown the woman.  This is because of the bills and what it will do to the community.  Africans will help each other in paying big bills like this.  So, they will often have a Hambaree, which is like a fund raising gathering.  All of the surrounding neighbors and community will come and give money for the cause.  Sometimes because the need is ongoing, with the crippled children, this will bankrupt a whole community.  All for a child that will have a limited existence.  This is not an easy issue.  When you look at the ramifications, when it comes to resuscitating a child in this condition, these nurses and care givers face huge moral dilemmas.  Not sure if there is an answer here.  Just please pray for those who are in that position and for the mothers that are involved.

Here are some pictures of the kids that I was saving till after Mom got her's for her birthday:

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Day of the Beans!

Hello All,
This past week has not been too busy and even a little relaxing. 
Jim and I have been learning Kiswahili.  We take lessons 4 days a week for an hour each day.  It is a lot to keep up with!  But, Edward, our teacher, does not give homework, thankfully!  Our experiances in Italy and Germany were such that Jim did not get a chance to learn the languages properly and was even a bit discouraged at times, so here he has a goal of really getting it.  He is doing great!  He puts in a lot of time, and it is coming.  We had a visitor last Tuesday.  Wednesday was a Kenyan holiday.  As this visitor left, Jim told her, "Utakuwa siku kuu vizuri ya Maharagwe,"  Which is very close to, "Utakuwa siku kuu vizuri ya Madaraka."  The first one means, "Have a good day of beans!"  The second means, "Have a good Madaraka Holiday."  (Madaraka day is June 1 and Independence day).  So, this lady was very confused and thought Jim was telling her to have a good day to eat beans!  It was very funny and we have gotten a great laugh from it for many days now.  And she was gracious to tell Jim that it is OK to make mistakes, that is how we learn.  So, he is plodding on and continues to study and is determined to get it this time, even though we may wish people a good day to eat beans!

We continue to struggle here with how to "help" people.  Many ladies come to the door (the same every week) to sell us things.  But the items that they make and sell are the same!  As I mentioned before, the Kenyans seem to "do what your neighbor is doing."  We buy English muffins, samosas (triangular shaped meat pocket), spring rolls (egg rolls) and tortillas.  These are 4 items, which is great, but if someone came with something unique, like a nice brown bread or a pie or something, it would be refreshing.  This is also the case at the market.  The little vegetable market that is set up in town is great to be able to run to and get fresh fruits and veggies.  But, you enter and all the tables are set up exactly the same and there are at least 8 of them with ladies looking at you and trying to get you to buy from them.  We try and buy a little from each one, but it is difficult.  This past week, we have supported and given till we have almost run out of the "food fund" that we have set up.  Please pray that we will be able to support the ladies that are trying to make a living selling their muffins and spring rolls and that we would feel joy in doing it!

It is now June and we have been here for a little over 4 months!  It is amazing how time flies!  This time last year, Jim and I were here with the EMI team doing the design work.  When we came, we knew we were looking at how to serve, but never thought that we would be living in the building that was partially built, the kids would be going to RVA and we would be working on so many projects!  Wow, that was only one year ago.  Life sure has changed!  It has a rhythm that is good though.  We are grateful and thankful to you all for supporting us!

In His Hands,
Jullie T.

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.