Here and there

Warm showers.  Paved roads.  Using sink water to brush my teeth.  Clean feet.  Well-balanced meals.  Sleeping without being woken up by loud birds.  Infinitely less bugs.

Those are all luxuries that I have now that I'm back in the States.  But spending a month in Kenya, I'd grown comfortable with showers that you never know if they'll be hot or cold.  Bumpy, dust filled car rides.  Muddy sink water that you can't drink from.  Feet and clothes that are constantly covered with dirt.  Discovering the beauty of a microwave and random foods you can cook in it...like eggs.  Being woken up every morning at 7am by screeching birds and 40 beautiful kids getting ready for school, followed by lots and lots of coffee.  Rooms filled with moths, occasional spiders in showers and fruit flies for days.

Because with all of that also comes...
Quiet times in swings over looking the mountains and never ending green fields and gardens.
Walks along the dusty roads to nearby fruit stands.
Packed car rides on bumpy roads.
Traffic jams caused by cows and sheep crossing.
Skies that go on for miles and bright shining stars.
Grasshopper hunting.
Slow paced living.
Laughing as every Kenyan around stares at you like you're a celebrity because you are white.
Chapati and samosas.
Tiny bedrooms that make for great bonding with Abby.
Trying to speak Swahili and then being laughed it for your accent.
90's slow jams our driver Peter loved jamming to.
And loving on 40 of the most precious children in the world that bring so much joy to my life.

There's something about it.  Jesus is so present there.  Joy and hope overflow from the kids.  It's nice being home, but not a day will go by where I won't think about Kenya and pray and wait until the day I get to return.

"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Hope

I’ve been starring at this screen for almost an hour, trying to figure out how to even put my day into words.  I went back to the slums today with Abby to help at the school.  The school is made up of 140 students and 5 teachers.  Yep, not a very good student to teacher ratio.  And it’s not because they can’t find teachers to teach, it’s because they can’t afford to pay any more teachers.  Absolutely breaks my heart.

We started our time there helping serve porridge to the kids for their morning snack.  After that, Geoffrey, the man who started the school and the church, took us to the house of the four kids that we met when we went to the slums for church.  Geoffrey sleeps in the slums almost every night, because he said that is where his heart is.  What an inspiration!  We walked down dirt sidewalks lined with trash and waste to get to the house, and climbed up wooden stairs that were very close to breaking. The home had to have been 10x10, with tin walls and a tin roof.  It consisted of one bed and one chair that had no upholstery whatsoever.  Once we arrived at the home, we talked to the mom a little about her family.  She has five kids, with one of the way, that all live in that small home with her.  It blew my mind, and I have definitely never seen anything like it.  Before we left, she gave Abby and I some avocados to take home.  This is when my heart almost broke.  This lady, who had absolutely nothing, wanted to give us something to take home to show her appreciation for us.  What selflessness in the midst of such poverty.

In the home in the slums with Abby, the mom and two of her five kids.

After we left her home, we went back to the school and helped in the classrooms.  I helped an incredible woman named Nancy teach a class of 63 kids.  It was a mix of 3 and 4 year olds because they can’t afford to pay another teacher to come in and help.  We colored, looked through flashcards and sang songs.  Once it was time for lunch, Abby and I helped serve lunch and then talked with Geoffrey for a while about his ministry and learned more of how we could help.  We ended our time there singing and dancing with the kids.

The kids.  They are more precious than words can even describe.  Their smiles and innocent faces brought so much joy to my heart.  My cheeks hurt by the end of my day there because I was constantly smiling.  They were enthralled by Abby and I, wanting to high five us, touch our skin and sit as close to us as humanly possible.  They repeated “mzungu mzungu” which means white person in Swahili and “how are you?” at least 100 times.  These kids are a perfect picture of Jesus’ love because they showed such an unconditional, deep love for us, having only known us for a few short hours.

All of the kids waiting patiently for their porridge.

My precious friend Mary, who overflowing with oh so much joy.

The verse that I kept repeating in my head throughout my time in the slums was Psalm 9:9-10.

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

The Lord is strength for all of those people living in the slums who have placed their trust in Him.  Although they are going through living in such difficult circumstances, it says it so plainly in Psalms that the Lord has not forsaken them.  The Creator of the Universe delights in them.  Throughout all of the dirt and poverty, the glory of God is still so evident in the ministry Geoffrey has started, and I know He is shining so bright through those kids and members of the church.  In an area that seems so dark and broken, those kids are filled with an overwhelming amount of hope, thanks to Geoffrey and the work Jesus is doing through him as he daily exemplifies what it looks like to take up your cross and follow Jesus! 

Upendo Mananasi

One of my favorite things about the food in Kenya is the pineapples! They are infinitely better than any pineapple I have ever had in America, because they are SO much sweeter! If you are wondering, "upendo mananasi" means "I love pineapples" in Swahili.  Last year when I came to Kenya, Margaret, who lives at Naomi's Village with her husband Bonface (who is one of the wisest men I know, for those of you that know him I'm sure you agree), baked this incredible pineapple upside down cake!  Kenyan pineapple plus cake is just a recipe of perfection! So when I arrived this year, I asked Margaret if she would teach me how to bake this heavenly creation so that I could attempt to make it back in the States!  Abby (who is the girl I am living with at Naomi's) and I made it with her a few days back, and it turned out even better than expected!

Here's the breakdown of this delicious treat...

Margaret's Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oil
1 cup and 2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Instructions
1. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and mix.

2. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until well mixed.

3. Combine the mixtures together in one of the bowls.
4. Layer the bottom of a greased baking pan with pineapple and pour the mixture over top.

5. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees F.
6. Enjoy :)

The finished product!

I'm certain that I will never be able to make one this good back in the States, but I'll at least have to try once I return home!

And who doesn't love baking with a beautiful view like this right outside the window!

A Snapshot into My Kenyan Adventures

So I am already over halfway through my time here in Kenya! That absolutely blows my mind. It's crazy how fast time is starting to fly by, but it's amazing to look back and see all the amazing adventures Jesus has taken me on throughout the first half of my time here. Below, I have included some of the pictures from my first two and a half weeks here. God is so present here, in all of the beautiful children and people I have encountered and in the never ending mountains and blue skies!

My first day in Kenya, picking up precious Mercy from the Safe House and bringing her to her new home at Naomi's Village!

My second day was spent picking up sweet Moses, only 10 days old, and bringing him to Naomi's Village where he will now grow up with so much hope and love! It was an exciting first two days to say the least!

Just planting a tree in Kenya, no big deal.

Teaching some kids at the IDP camp JD's signature dance move during sometime spent with the Love Africa team from Clemson.

Selfies during chai time with these goofballs!

...And more selfies during school!

Reunited with my sweet friend Ruth from last summer at Little Lambs!

Candid photos around Naomi's Village with some of the most beautiful in the world!

Hiking Mt. Longonot with friends!

Massai church with this beauty and feeling the presence of the Lord more than ever, even if I can't understand a word the people of the village were saying!

This is only a mere snapshot (and not even close to all the pictures I have) of all the incredible experiences I have had in my first two and a half weeks here! I am so sad that my time here is over halfway done, but I cannot wait to see what Jesus has in store for the remaining time I have here in this wonderful country!

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth." 1 John 3:17-18

My prayer for my time left here is just that, that I would love on these people through all of my efforts actions, a love that is completely from the Lord.  His love is so extravagant and never ending, and my hopes are that through my actions, His love would continually be made known!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

This past Sunday, we were blessed with the opportunity to go to church in the slums.  I had been to the slums once before in high school during a mission’s trip to Costa Rica, but this time wrecked my heart more than ever before.  Seeing the depravity of those people, I don’t even know how to begin to wrap my mind around it.  As we arrived at the slums, we walked down this trash and dirt filled path that was lined on each side with shops made out of tin and cement.  I had never seen anything like it, and I am honestly at a lost for words as to how to accurately describe it.  Because of the conditions, I was not able to take any pictures while we were there, but also I don’t think a picture would do it justice.

What was amazing about being there was that once we walked through the mud, trash and brokenness, we arrived at a sense of hope.  A church.  This church was nothing fancy, but it was enough.  And this was the moment when my world began to be rocked.  Geoffrey is the name of the man who started this church.  He lives in Kijabe with his wife and two kids, which is about an hour or so from the slums in Nairobi.  But he has dedicated his life to the slums.  He spends at least three nights a week in the slums, fellowshipping with the people there and showing them Jesus.

Geoffrey was so proud of the church, which doubled as a school building, that he showed us around as soon as we got there. The school is made up of 130 plus kids, with only 7 teachers to care for all of them...  I cannot begin to imagine what a normal school day must look like!  There were about six classrooms and one big room that was the church, as well as the place were the kids would get breakfast and lunch while at school.  Previous to this, most of these kids would have to scavenge around in the trash to get food or survive off of whatever amount of food their parents or caregivers were able to give them for that given day.  Thanks to Geoffrey, these kids are continuing to be filled with more and more hope!

After Geoffrey showed us around, he took us to one of the classrooms and introduced us to four kids that had started attending his school just one week ago.  He found these kids looking around through garbage, trying to find something to eat.  Just sitting in the presence of these kids brought tears to my eyes immediately.  I will never forget the looks in these kids’ eyes .  They seemed so hurt, so broken and so longing to be loved.  Upon meeting these kids, and seeing all the sights of the slums, I immediately thought about God’s sovereignty.

He knew that we would be going to the slums that day.

He knew that we were going to hear those four kids stories.

None of that was by chance.

And then I heard Him saying, “Now what are you going to do about it?”

I knew that there was something Jesus was challenging me to do as a result of all that I was seeing and hearing.  Geoffrey doesn’t have the means to constantly send these kids to school, as well as pay fees that come with running a school and a church.  And I know Jesus was tugging on my heart to help out with that.  How easy it is to sell t-shirts, bumper stickers and bracelets as a way to raise money and support Geoffrey in his obedience to the Lord.  Please join me in praying for Geoffrey and the people of the slums, and that the Lord would direct my steps as I start to figure out ways to fundraise for this slum ministry!

After Geoffrey told us the kids’ stories (as they could speak zero English), we were able to reassure them that they would never go hungry again and that they would attend school and receive the love they deserve.  We promised them, just like it is written in Jeremiah 29:11, that Jesus has plans to give them “a hope and a future.”  After that, we sang a hymn together.  “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”  My mind started racing with thoughts.  I am in the middle of the slums in Kenya singing about the faithfulness of the Lord.  In the background, I can hear people preparing for church and beginning to sing praises to God in this cement building with sheets of tin as a roof.  Brokenness fills the streets, and yet God is STILL faithful. 

“Morning by morning new mercies I see;All I have needed Thy hand has provide”

Those words stuck out to me, as much as I’m sure a group of white people stuck out in the people of the slums in Kenya.  Every single morning, God mercies are new and overflowing for us.  He meets our every need.  It’s people like Geoffrey that I think are able to fully understand that more than I ever will.  When he feels like his work is failing, when he is unsure of whether or not the money will come on, when he feels like he can’t make a difference... He can fully grasp the truth in this words.  ALL his needs in this slum ministry, God’s hand will always, always provide.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says,

            “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; GREAT is your faithfulness.”

Our God is so faithful!  In the midst of such depravity, He is still there!  And through all of that, we can be filled with hope!

Endless Mountains and one BIG God

So these first five days in Kenya have been a rollercoaster ride to say the least.  It’s been a lot harder than anything I have EVER done in my life, but it has also been the most rewarding thing I have ever experience.  I have felt Jesus more than I ever and I have had to depend on Him more than ever before.  I know I am only going to continue to grow and depend on Jesus more and more throughout my next few weeks here. 

You know when you are having your quiet time, and you seem to come across EXACTLY what you needed to here at that given point in time? Well that definitely happened to me tonight…

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you WILL have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So much comfort can be found in that verse.  Right there Jesus is saying life is going to be rough.  This world may try to throw things our way that seem like too much to handle.  But here’s the statement that changes things… “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Doubt? He’s overcome it.

Fear of failure? He’s overcome it.

Anxiety? He’s overcome it.

Sin? He’s overcome it.

Pride? He’s overcome it.

Anything and everything that this world tries to weigh us down with and make us feel like we cannot go on, Jesus grabs the reins and says, “Take heart; I have overcome the world.”  He doesn’t say life is going to be 100% rainbows and butterflies, but He says when it does get rough, when the valleys and floods come, He is our peace because He has already overcome whatever we are facing.  Psalm 46 begins by saying that, “God is our refuge AND strength, a very present help in trouble.”  It continues on to state different troubles we may face.  Throughout the troubles, “God is in the midst of her,” in the middle of the raging waters, “God will help her when morning dawns.”  Verse 10 rocks my world every single time I read it.  “Be still and know that I am God."  In the middle of the hard times and confusion, God is saying I am enough.  He is telling us don’t look at your hard times, look at Me.

As I was sitting outside today taking in the beauty of Kenya, the endless mountains that reach well beyond the clouds, the green fields and trees that go on for days, I was talking with Abby, the other girl at Naomi’s with me, and we were reflecting on how BIG our God really is.  He created all of that beauty and much, much more.  And the same God that created all of that looks at us and says, “Be still and know that I am God.”  

He is our fortress.  

He is our refuge.  

He is our comfort.  

This world could not hold Jesus back.  He defeated all of it.  There is nothing more comforting than knowing that Jesus overcame this world for US.  That no matter what we are going through, He is with us to be our peace, our shoulder to cry on, our comfort.  Hudson Taylor once said, “God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him.”  Because when we are at a point where we are weak enough to lean on God with everything we have, it is at that point that He fills us with overwhelming amounts of comfort and peace.  And it is at that point that we can change the world, all for the glory of God. 

Let the Summer Baking Begin

So I leave bright and early Tuesday morning to head back to Kenya, Africa! Like last summer, I will be there for a month, but this time I will be living at Naomi's Village throughout my whole trip.  Words cannot begin to describe how excited I am to be back! Before I leave, I have been trying to get in as much time with friends and family as I can, and let's be real, what better way to do that than through baking.  While in Kenya, I won't be surrounded with a constant supply of yummy treats like I am here, which may be a good thing... so I figured I might as well overload on them before I leave.  Good idea, right?

Here a few of the recent goodies I've been cooking up in my kitchen:

Cookies 'N Cream Fudge Oreo Brownies
Sometimes I wonder what life was like before Pinterest.  Who knows, but thanks to it, I was able to stumble across this wonderful creation.  Now, I didn't get the chance to take a picture of the final product, or maybe I was just too sidetracked by the pure deliciousness of these brownies... but let me tell you, these things are INCREDIBLE.  I had never baked anything with ice cream mixed in it before, but this will definitely not be the last time I do that.  The ice cream, along with the hot fudge and layer of Oreos, made the brownies super creamy and gooey, which is obviously the best type of brownies to have.  Pair these with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream, and this will definitely become a dessert you bake over and over again.

Here is the recipe and a few pictures of these irresistible goodies, thanks to this blog -  Kevin&Amanda

Recipe:
1 box Brownie Mix

eggs & oil (as called for by the brownie mix)
1 heaping half cup (6 oz) Cookies & Cream ice cream
1/4 Cup hot fudge topping (chilled or room temp)
1 pkg Oreos (regular, Double or Mega Stuffed!)

1. Preheat oven & spray an 8×8 baking dish generously with cooking spray. Combine brownie mix, eggs, and oil as directed on the back of the box, but do not add the water. 
   
2. Add ice cream and hot fudge to the brownie batter and stir to combine. Pour half of the brownie batter into the baking dish, layer with Oreos, then top with remaining batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes or as directed on the back of the box.

Enjoy :)

S'mores Brownie Pie
So if you know anything about me, you know that I have a slight major obsession with anything and everything s'mores.  That being said, I'm always on the look out for a new s'mores inspired treat to bake.  Yesterday as I was scrolling through Pinterest, it's safe to say that not only did I find my new favorite s'mores recipe, but my new favorite baking blog as well.  I mean, this girl knows how to bake that's for sure.  As soon as I saw this recipe, I knew I had to make it, and luckily, I already had all of the ingredients on hand!  One of my favorite things about this recipe is that everything was made from scratch, and yet it was still so simple to make.

Recipe:
Crust

12 full-sheet graham crackers (or 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs)
6 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Brownies
10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, cold1/2 cup all-purpose flour
25 large marshmallows (1/2 of a standard package or use mini marshmallows)

1. Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
2. Make the crust: Using a food processor or blender, pulverize the graham crackers into a fine crumb. Pour into a medium bowl and mix with melted butter and sugar. Press into an ungreased 8-inch or 9-inch pie dish. Set aside.
3. Make the brownies: Melt the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a large bowl in the microwave. Melt in 30 second increments and stir after each time until the butter is completely melted. The mixture will look gritty. Set aside for a few minutes as you get the other ingredients ready. You don’t want the mixture to be piping hot.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition. The batter will be thick and look shiny. Add the flour, beating with a whisk until fully combined. try not to overmix the batter at this point. Pour into crust.
5. Bake for 28 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with marshmallows. Return to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 3 minutes to melt the marshmallows. If the marshmallows aren't toasted, turn on your broiler for 1 minute. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before slicing.

It doesn't get much better than this!

*Useful tips: I added chocolate chips to the brownie batter, because when is extra chocolate ever a bad idea? Also, I would suggest baking the batter for 30-32 minutes before adding the marshmallows.  Turning on the broiler is definitely a good idea, because it gives the marshmallows that yummy, campfire-like taste, but make sure you don't have it on for longer than a minute or else they will start to burn.

I hope you try these delicious treats and enjoy them as much as my family and I did!