BWANA ASIFIWE!!!

Odinga and Kibaki have finally reached an agreement about power sharing! Praise the Lord! This doesn't take Kenya completely out of the woods, but it as a chance for peace, as this AP News article states. Please continue to keep the country in your prayers, as the implementation of this agreement will be vital to the move toward peace. Pray for healing in the hearts of neighbors who became enemies in this conflict. Pray for children who lost their parents, families who lost their homes, and the people of Kenya as a whole, who lost more than I have adequate words to say. This is a giant step forward, but it is only a step. The journey is not over yet, but we can rejoice in this victory for now. Bwana asifiwe!!!

Hilights of My Thursday

1. It was Thursday and I didn't have to work a morning shift, which meant sleeping in!
2. I didn't have homework to do this morning, so I spent the morning scrapbooking my Mame pictures on my computer :)
3. I discovered the deliciousness of Starbucks Caffe Americano.
4. I ate a really tasty and terribly healthy salad for dinner.
5. The sunset this evening was incredible. I looked out the window at work and just stared for a few mintues at the cotton-candy pink clouds....so gorgeous!
6. I watched a blonde-pigtailed little girl eat thorougly enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone...she got it all over her face!
7. I made over $6 in tips tonight at work!
Happy day :) And to top it all off...tomorrow is Friday! And leap year day! Hooray!

Life is good

I just realized that it's been quite a while since my last blog update. I've been meaning to post updates a couple different times, but for some reason it just never happened! Life has been relatively normal for the past couple of weeks. Classes continue as usual...Math is boring...Education classes are fun...Theatre is my favorite! I have been working relatively short shifts and Baskin, but this week I have more hours...yay for a decent paycheck! Other than those two things, my life has been quite unexciting. I have started shop hours for the theatre, and we got a new teacher for my Lighting and Sound class....he's super cool! The first production of the semester is this weekend, and I'm planning to go see it on some night that I'm not working. It should be a pretty good show...we'll see.
I've been thinking a lot about the future for the past couple weeks. I partially blame Tyler, because he's been doing a series at Catacombs about life after college...but I think it's been good for me anyway. I changed my major to Theatre Ed with an English Ed minor...no more double majoring craziness. English Ed is really the more sensible path, but when have I ever been known to be sensible? :) I went to an open house for the Peace Corps this evening, and it made me want to pack my bags, grab my passport, and leave the country now (no worries...I'm not really going to do that!) I really think that is the first thing I want to do after graduation. It will give me some amazing experience teaching abroad, and the benefits are HUGE! We'll see where God opens doors between now and then, but for now, that's really what I'm planning on doing. They encouraged me to really be active in volunteer work and possibly get some language training before I start the application process. The people I met were so kind and encouraging...one woman who served in the Philippines was asthmatic like I am...and she said not to let it hold me back from anything, Peace Corps or otherwise. I also met a woman who served in Kenya!! That is really where I would like to be....or somewhere in that area at least...but at this point all the PCVs have been pulled out of the country for security/safety reasons.
As far as the Kenya situation goes, I haven't heard much from Adele recently. Kofi Annan was still presenting peace agreements last I knew, but there were some major power-sharing issues that the two sides would not agree on. The violence seems to have calmed down a lot, but there is always a chance of a resurge at any point if the leaders call for it. Here is an article that I found on BBC today, though it doesn't offer much hope for future peace in Kenya. The two sides just can't seem to come to any agreement about the major issues that are required in order to really move on from this mess. Please continue to pray for the country as a whole and for the ELI compounds in Ilula and Kipkaren.

Valentine's Day

First of all, to all of my fellow single people out there (especially the ladies!) - Happy Singles Awareness Day!!! I've never been a fan of this particular holiday, but this year I've decided to embrace it. I am single and I am okay with that. My roommate and I are having a girls only night out at the movies with some friends. I intend to buy popcorn and possibly sneak in some chocolate and thoroughly enjoy girltime and singleness.

Yesterday was "Love is the Movement" day for TWLOHA. I didn't have any particularly exciting experiences, but I did get to talk to a couple people about the organization. Ironically, we were discussing teen suicide and destructive behaviors in my Foundations of Education class, so I told some people about the organization and what they stood for. Here are a couple pictures of my arms (I couldn't get all the ink off...so it's still there today).

The words on my wrist are Swahili for Love and Peace, my prayer for Kenya and for everyone :)

Outside of the holiday festivities, my week has been pretty normal since I last updated. I started work at Baskin Robbins and worked about four hours between Tuesday morning and this morning. Most of that time was spent watching training videos. It wasn't terribly exciting...but I was getting paid for it! Tomorrow morning I start working out front for the first time :) Yay for ice cream muscles! Also, I found out yesterday that I have a second (and final) interview on Saturday afternoon for an RA position for the fall! Please say a little prayer about this if you think of it. This position would be such a huge blessing for me in a lot of ways!

I haven't heard anything new from Kenya this week. Adele starts her classes for her doctorate next week and will be out of the country again for a little while. Hopefully we will still be getting some kind of updates though. Keep praying! God bless you all, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Details

I said I'd post details about the job situation, so here I am :) I had my interview today at Baskin Robbins, and the owner was incredibly friendly. It was a very laid-back, easy interview, and after about 15 minutes she said that she wanted to offer me the job! Not only that, but she told me that she is a firm believer in the fact that school and church come first! She is willing to work my schedule around stuff for both. The only sad news is that I won't be going home for spring break...but I should be home in May after classes are finished. I'm still not sure about my summer plans, but I'll at least be home to visit for a while!
In other news, my frustration with the theater department is continuing to build. I was scheduled to start my shop hours today, and nobody was around to tell me what I was supposed to be doing or where to go. Most of the faculty and a number of the students are away at a festival for the week, so I'm hoping to get some clarification from one of the professors via email. RAAAAAAWR!!! Not knowing is a rather annoying situation to be in...especially when it applies to more than one facet of your existence. But God knows...BWANA ASIFIWE!

I GOT A JOB!!!!! Details later, for now I'm off to class!

I didn't mention anything about Kenya in my other post, because I haven't heard much recently. It seems like there is hope, which may lead to peace. For now, if you're interested, check out this story by an AIM missionary friend of Adele's. And while you're at it, check out AIM (Africa Inland Mission) in general. It is an interesting organization. Keep Kenya in your prayers. There is hope, but they are not out of the shadows yet. Upendo na amani!

Today was a surprisingly warm day...which was rather funny consdering the fact that we had a blizzard here a week ago. I didn't even need a jacket when the sun was out, which was sooo nice! I wish I could have spent the whole day outside, but there's still snow on the ground...so we opted for just keeping our windows open in the apartment :)
I went to church this morning with some of my friends from Vintage. The pastor is still sick, so another man was preaching. His sermon was really good in general, but there was one thing that really stuck with me. We seem to have an obsession these days with strengthening our physical immune systems, especially around this time of year. But how many of us are putting the same amount of effort into strengthening our spiritual immune systems? Personally, this was a bit of a convicting moment for me. I have a naturally weak immune system, so I have done a lot over the past couple of years to strengthen it with different herbs and vitamins. I have to wonder if I have really had the same dedication to building up my spiritual defenses. That's something I really want to start working on.
After church today I went out for pizza with some friends. I just want to say what a huge blessing from God these people have been for me. This past year or two have been full of a lot of major ups and downs in my life, and being here with these people finally feels like I am really in a good place. My friends from Vintage are just so absolutely loving and genuine and honest in their friendship and in their faith. It was such a perfectly God-orchestrated thing that I met any of them, and I am so grateful to him for that. They have encouraged me to really fall deeply in love with my God again, and for that I am grateful to them. They have also made me understand a lot of things that have happened in my past, that those things have happened for a reason, and that they can be used by God for good and not for the evil that Satan intended them to be.
I spent the afternoon baking a cake and making eggplant casserole with spaghetti. My friend Rheanna came over to our apartment to get a break from her own, and we just enjoyed some girl time with my roommate, Stephanie (yet another blessing from God!) Neither of them had seen Pirates 2, so we watched it while we ate dinner.
Tonight was Catacombs, which is our Sunday night service on campus for Vintage. I have to say, this is very much the hilight of my week. It is so great to just come together and worship with friends and others my own age and just seek after our God together. Tyler's messages each week are always very real and relevant and challenging. We usually go out and have some kind of fellowship time after church...but I just felt like coming home tonight :) So here I am. My roommate and her friend just went to Taco Bell and brought me back a yummy chalupa! And now I'm talking to my best friend, whom I haven't talked to in about a week! Life is soooo good!
And now that you all know much more than you probably ever wanted to know about my Sunday, I think it's time to end this post! So, as Tigger would say: "TTFN!"

My interview yesterday went relatively well. At this point, if I get offered the right position I'll take it, and if I don't then I have a couple other options for the summer. I am praying about my RA interview on Saturday morning, and would appreciate your prayers also. It would be such a blessing to get that position for next year. Today is an easy day for classes, as I only have Ed. Psych. from 2:20-3:15, and I actually enjoy that class.
I received an email from Kierra at ELI today regarding the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Apparently if this bill is not passed, then there will be a cut in AIDS funding for Africa, and some of this funding supports ELI's AIDS relief programs. Please follow the link above to learn more and to take action so that this bill will be passed when it comes up for reauthorization in Congress next week.
I also received an update from Adele, but once again it was confidential. The unrest continues, and prayer is needed. Most foreign aid workers and missionaries have left the country. Adele mentioned a need to pray for not only peace, but revival. Just a reminder: Tomorrow is the day that ELI is setting aside a specific time to pray for Kenya. It's 11-1 California time, which means that for most of you who are reading this (my friends and family in New York) it would be 1-3pm. You don't have to pray for the whole 2 hours, but if you could even take a few minutes to join us in prayer, it would be great. Mungu akubariki, rafiki yangu!

Quick Update

Hello all!
My internet at my apartment has been stupid the last couple days, so I'm at the library right now. Here's a quick rundown of the last couple of days- Monday was a snowday. Tuesday (yesterday) I only had one class and spent the rest of the day working on homework, cleaning, and watching a movie. I watched Fight Club, and in spite of quite a bit of language and blood, I found it really interesting. Today was crazy...I found out that one of my teachers is (for a reason that I have not yet discovered) no longer teaching at NAU...which leaves the 30 or so people in my class wondering what the heck is going to happen to us. And it's a technical theatre class, so it's not something that just anybody can come in and teach. I got a letter today saying that I have moved ahead to the first round of interviews for and RA position for next year...GOOD NEWS!!! And now I'm on my way to an interview for a job at a camp in PA this summer. Tonight is choir and hopefully a good night's sleep...Tomorrow...who knows?!
I haven't heard much from Kenya...but I'm assuming that "no news is good news!" Maybe things are starting to settle down. If I had time I'd look up news reports, but I've got to fly! Blessings!

We had a snow day today, which was a relief after I didn't get home until really late last night (or really early this morning) and had no desire to get up and go to my math class this morning :) Last night was a lot of fun though, a relaxing, silly time of hanging out with friends from Vintage...eating pazookies (I have no idea how it's supposed to be spelled!), watching Ninja Warrior and a couple random movies on TV...lots of fun!
I haven't gotten much news from Kenya in the past couple of days. Adele is no longer in the village, for reasons that I am not completely sure of, but she is probably safer where she is right now. I received the following email from Kierra at the Upland, CA office this evening. If you have time to participate in this, I encorage you to do so. I know that I will be.


Friends and Family,
Thank you so much to all of you who are praying every day for the situation in Kenya . God hears and will answer.
We want to let you know about an opportunity to come together to pray this Friday. We are inviting all of our staff and friends to join together this Friday – February 8th - wherever you may be (workplace or home) – from 12noon to 1pm for a time of prayer that focuses on Kenya . Our office staff in Upland will be gathering for prayer from 11-1pm and anyone who can join us during that time is welcome.
We are asking all of you to pray for:
Peace
The current negotiations - that a process/ decision will be put in place that brings peace and restoration to Kenya and its people.
For protection for all of our staff and ministry areas.
For strength and wisdom for our Kenyan leadership.
For all of those affected by the conflict thus far.


That's really all the update I have for now...life has been relatively quiet for the past couple of days. Love to all of you!

The Quiet Continues

My roommate is gone for the weekend, so my room has been even quieter than usual the last couple of days. I escaped the silence for a little while last night by going to Poker Night with my friends from Vintage. I lost very quickly, but I played Jenga and another card game with the other losers until we got kicked out of the McKay lounge at 9 o'clock. (Random fact: "Jenga" means "build" in Swahili!)
Today I slept in late, then did some much needed grocery shopping and dish washing. Plans for tonight: NONE! It's snowing, and I don't feel like going anywhere. I'll probably work on homework for a few hours and then watch a movie or read or something.
News from Kenya today- Things in Kipkaren remain calm and normal. Adele sent me several links to news reports that I'll stick at the end of this in case any of you are interested. She also mentioned that she has not been taking pictures (again for security reasons), but Micah Albert, a BBC photojournalist, was in the country recently and took some really powerful shots of the effects of all the violence and unrest.
There was one thing in particular in Adele's email today that really shocked me. I knew that international news sources weren't getting the whole story, but she shared a bit of information that was rather staggering:
"News sources still only talk about around 800 people having been killed. We know daily of people in the area who have died. But for the most part, they're not even listed in any reports. Many people are taken directly to their family homes for burial, passing through no mortuary. No-one keeps score of those deaths. Most people agree that the number is at least 100% higher than that which is being reported."
Please continue to pray for peace, rather than just calm. Calm is nice for now, but peace would be so much better.
As I said, here are the links to the news articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/world/africa/02kenya.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7224214.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7218355.stm
http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKL3073745220080202
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3290356.ece
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080201.wcoessay0202/BNStory/International

Quiet Day

Last night I had an opportunity to watch the film "Invisible Children" with a group of other north campus residents. It was incredibly eye opening, and I cried through almost the entire movie. I have known about the situation in Uganda for a while, but putting children's faces and voices with the war is a completely different story. And for me, those could have just as easily been Kenyan children, as they sound and look very much the same. At the beginning of the film there were a few scenes of Kenya, and those brought me to tears as quickly as the stories from Uganda. If you don't know about the Invisible Children movement or have not seen the film, I strongly encourage you to check out their website.
Today was a relatively quiet day for me. Fridays are one of my easiest days with classes right now, as two of the classes that meet on Monday and Wednesday do not meet on Fridays. Tonight I'll probably be going to Poker Night with my friends from Vintage (my new home church), though I'm not sure if I'll actually be playing poker :)
Speaking of playing cards, I received news from Adele again today. She and some of the other missionary women in Kipkaren were blessed to play one of the card games we sent in our Christmas package, and she said that it was a great way for them to destress after the very long, difficult day they had yesterday. Things were relatively calm and "normal" in the village today, and apparently things in Eldoret have gotten better too. As for specific prayer requests, she asked that we pray for the ELI staff that often have to make regular trips into town and for the vehicles that they travel in. The roadblocks were cleared away today, but there is no telling what could set off another round of setting them up. Mungu akubariki, rafiki!