Nancy and Shelvis

(A Disclaimer: to my friends writing to me that their lives are “predictable” and my life seems exciting, please realize stories like this one are the exception for me. My normal day is spent in an office cubicle. Consequently, my relationships with co-workers in the office have the greatest impact on me, and those are the relationships I will carry home with me.)

Roadside Students (photo by Henry Coates)

Shortly after starting our journey to visit water program sites, the engine started smoking, and we pulled over. I stood on the roadside beside the car and, unsurprisingly, some young children stopped to stare at me. The children were on their way to gather water, and consequently were not in school that morning. The children were not going to stop starring until we departed, so I tried to make the most of the opportunity. We turned the roadside into a small classroom. We started with mathematics using tiny rocks. I put two rocks in one small boy’s hand and three in the other hand… ngapi? (how many?).

We read all the words visible on the car, and then I pulled out the only reading material handy, a small blue passport. The passport has phrases from US history written on each page. An older girl, who joined the class after the boys, was able to read the sentences: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal…”  As I listened, I felt proud of the ideals my country strives to uphold and grateful for the opportunity to discuss them with these eager learners.

After an hour, we were on the road again. We passed a community with a  CWS supported program and decided to stop. The children quickly lined up outside their mud school building and sang us a beautiful song translated to mean: “sing with joy because God has given us life.” Not wanting to be outdone by school children, fellow American Henry and I decided we would also sing a song in our mother-tongue with an equally inspiring message. We sang and danced “the Hokey Pokey.” After initial shock and confusion, the children joined in with the motions. Good times.

photo by Henry Coates

We had not gone too much further down the road when we were stopped by a group of boys with bows and arrows, dressed in brown, and accompanied by an older man in camouflage. The boys gathered beside the car and the man spoke to us in Pokot. Fortunately, our friend Deborah Katina, the director of a local community organization, was with us and speaks Pokot. Unsure of what they were saying, I assumed they were a greeting party. Then we gave the boys some bread and water. Deborah asked if we could take their photo, and they agreed. The boys covered their faces with rope headdresses and lined up in front of us singing: “We are powerful, more powerful than the wild animals, because we live in the bush.” (To listen to their song: click here)

photo by Henry Coates

The car continued to climb the mountains on a bumpy dirt road. We passed camels, stopped to clear branches from the road, and walked when the car could not carry our weight up a steep hill. We finally arrived at our destination and received an amazing greeting. A group of about 75 adults and children were on the road singing: “Welcome, welcome our visitors. God knows how God will bless you for coming here.” (to listen: click here)

Deborah, Director of Yang’at, and Rose, the soloist (photo by Henry Coates)

As we walked together to their water source they sang: “Let God’s will be done here. Let God’s will be done in our community. Let God’s will be done in our homes …” At the community meeting, the children sang about David and Goliath and about walking in the light of God (To listen click here). They ended with the following lyrics: “Bring all the children to school, so that they can build our country, so they can be doctors, so they can be teachers, so they can be like Deborah….”

Deborah grew up in West Pokot, is committed to increasing educational opportunities for girls, and is a role model, providing inspiration to many. (For a Recent Public Radio International program on Deborah: click here).

On our way down the mountain, we stopped to visit one more community. They also showed us their current water source, which was filled with bees (to view click here). The children there are stung daily, as the bees compete with the people for the short supply of water.

As we left, some community members asked Deborah what tribe I was from. Deborah explained to me that tribes have symbols: the tribe of the lion, the ant, thunder, etc. I thought about it and responded that I did not know the symbol of my tribe. With joy, they quickly decided to give me one. The people looked around and noticed the setting sun. “You are from the tribe of the sun,” they said, “because you have come with the sun.”

We rode down the mountain encouraged by the beauty, hospitality, and faith of the people we met. I was grateful for the mountains, for the opportunity to play a small role in water relief programs, and mostly for God’s love that speaks through people of all languages and life experiences.

Posted on March 31st, 2009 by Nancy
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From young girls to the elederly, women are often seen walking bent over under the weight of heavy loads strapped onto their heads. (photo by Henry Coates)

A passage in Luke recounts the story of a woman entering the synagogue while Jesus was teaching (Luke 13:10-17). “She was bent over and could not straighten up at all” the text states. “When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”

The miracle stories in Scripture come to life for me in Kenya. When the burdens of traveling all day for water, the pains of hunger, and the limitations of illiteracy are lifted, I often witness Kenyan’s straightening up and praising God.

I am grateful to serve with CWSEA which participates in God’s work by partnering with communities to lift burdens. To learn a bit more about the work I am a part of in Kenya, please watch this 4 minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMsuwmbgHA

Posted on February 28th, 2009 by Nancy
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Shelvis, Nancy, Sarah and Anna at Lake Nakuru National Park

I like to think of myself as an adventurous person. An adventurous outdoorsie type. So when my friends, Anna and Sarah, told me that we were all going camping when they came to visit Kenya, I thought to myself, “Hakuna matata (Kiswahili for “no problem”). I can camp, I can handle this.” Even though they told me we would be camping in the game park, I did not fully realize what that meant until we arrived. Yes, we were literally sharing our sleeping space with the animals. Hmmm…

Because we were with a large group, and everyone else seemed fine with the sleeping arrangements, I told myself, “I am adventurous. Yes, I can do this.” But in the back of my mind I was thinking of all the animals (the water buffalo, the zebras, the hyenas, the rhinos and the warthogs) we drove past on the way to our camp site. Perhaps we were all trying to look tough so as not to scare each other with the reality of the situation. At least, I think that is what Shelvis and I did. Neither of us was willing, however, to leave the tent at night for a trip to the bathroom (a whole in the dirt).

Surprisingly, in the midst of the fear, I felt an incredible peace. The beauty of watching wild animals in their natural habitat, the incredible landscape, and the fact that I was able to sit around a camp fire in Kenya with two of my best friends from college (and my husband!) to welcome in a new year, was overwhelming.

Sarah told us to read Psalm 19 while we were in the park.. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands…” (Psalm 19:1). I have never seen the sky and the earth as I did in that place, and I am not sure I have ever been so grateful to see friends. Anna and Sarah are the kind of friends that even when time has passed, we can pick up and laugh and cry, and encourage each other with words or just by presence. Communion with my friends and with creation clarified for me the presence of God in that place, and consequently in all places.

Thank you Anna and Sarah for sharing your lives with me and for making my husband and I more adventurous than we ever thought we could be!

Posted on January 29th, 2009 by Nancy
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photo by Henry Coates

We would like to conclude our January update, with words from Wangari Maathai’s autobiography.  Lovingly called, “The Tree Mother of Africa,” Maathai has worked tirelessly for environmental and women’s issues.  May her words inspire us as we continue to embrace the new year.  ”Trees have been an essential part of my life and have provided me with many lessons.  Trees are living symbols of peace and hope.  A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky.  It tells us that in order to aspire we need to be grounded, and that no matter how high we go it is from our roots that we draw sustenance.  It is a reminder to all of us who have had success that we cannot forget where we come from.”

Posted on January 29th, 2009 by Nancy
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Last month, I traveled to a rural community in the West Pokot district of Kenya, to visit a Church World Service program.  In 2005, CWS partnered with Yang’at, a community based organization in Pokot, to build a sand dam with the local people.  What I learned from my visit is that water transforms lives.

Young Mothers Who Helped Build the Sand Dam

While in Pokot, two community members talked to our group about the changes the sand dam has created.  Jenifer, a young mother, explained that she no longer walks 6-7 hours a day to gather water.  Consequently, she now has time to attend the adult literacy class held under a tree near her home. (To read a report I wrote for CWS on Jenifer, click on the “Water Impacting Literacy” page in the right column).

Elder Kalutarin

After Jenifer shared, an elder in the community named Kalutarin addressed the CWS group. The man began by pointing to two Pokot women from Yang’at who coordinated the sand dam project.  He said that the two women have shown him, by bringing water closer to the community and by bringing visitors from the land of Obama, what kinds of things women are capable of doing.  “From this day forward,” he stated, “I know that girls have value.”

Because women and girls are viewed as property in that community, I know I witnessed a miracle that day.  Some of the incredibly difficult situations that girls in rural communities are up against, do not seem quite as overwhelming when I actually see their faces, see the strength of their spirits, and see the changes that are being made. 

Posted on December 21st, 2008 by Nancy
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