4 Words of Reflection

 It is still hard to believe I have been home from Kenya for over a month now - where did July go??  In some regards, it is better to be putting this trip report together now, as I have had some time for reflection and to regroup.  When people ask, "How was your trip?
 - it is difficult to avoid answering "good."  If you are lucky, you will have a couple moments to follow it up with a specific story or a highlight, but somethings you do not even get that opportunity.  After having some time to actually think about it, several words stand out.


1. FRUITFUL - I purposefully did not have many "tasks" to complete on my to-do list, but the few things I did not want to leave without doing were accomplished.  I was able to visit two additional clinics with Jenna, take part in the dedication ceremony, and have a face-to-face conversation with Peter & Francisca evaluating past projects and dreaming for the future.  Of course, in the 3.5 weeks, a lot more happened.  I was able to meet the contractor who has been in charge of the renovations.  One day, I joined in the HIV mothers support group.  Jenna and I went on 2 home visits with one of the community health workers.  I experienced 4 Sundays of Kenyan church.  I was immersed in the Kenyan culture - the food, the transportation, the music, the World Cup :)  I walked away feeling at peace, that my time was well-spent, and that I did not leave anything pressing unfinished.

2. RELATIONAL - I titled this report "You came back" because those were three of the most powerful words that I heard during this trip.  Of course it made me feel good to be able to return to a place, recognize and know people, and continuing building what now felt much more like a friendship, as opposed to an acquaintance.  But I think this also spoke to my heart, as this is what I desired for Imani to be - a partnership and an ongoing investment.  Not just an in and out thing.  Yes, physically going to Kenya is the ideal way to nurture relationships, but ongoing emails, text messages, care packages - those are important too.  It warmed my heart to hear people refer to "the Imani team" and the excitement of the photo book that I had made.  We are not just sending funds - we are investing in real people and relationships with them.  We are saying "You matter to me, I want to hear what you have to say."

3. FRUSTRATING - There were some aspects of the trip that were indeed frustrating.  The first thing that stands out is how the churches seem to constantly be asking for money (during one service, I counted 6 or 7 different calls to give).  It wasn't so much that I did not think people should give to the church, but it seemed to border along taking advantage of people, and I did not see how this money was actually benefiting the congregation and the surrounding community.  It can also be extremely frustrating to see the very wide gap between the rich and the poor, and how it does not seem like any of those with means are doing anything to help their neighbors.  Literally their neighbors - there can be a row of beautiful, gated homes with manicured gardens and security guards, and the next street is a large overcrowded slum without even the basic resources.

4.  VISIONARY - One thing Peter and I have in common is that we both DREAM BIG.  I think my dreams tend to be more internal, and externally, I come across as very rational and realistic - but Peter will just tell me, "one day we (Imara Healthcare Centre) will do surgeries, one day we will have a school here."  And the thing is - I don't discount those dreams.  His faith is God and reliance on Him for even the most basic things is incredible.  I started to see God's vision of Imani partnering with additional clinics and having a presence in all of the large slums within Nairobi.  There are so many needs that it is easy to get sidetracked, but I envision us taking our model of partnership with health clinics and God-willing, replicate that with other clinics.  There are hundreds, probably thousands of charitable organizations that work in Kenya, and their effort I think is generally a positive one.  I do no strive to make Imani look like any of the other big names - World Vision, Gates Foundation, Doctors without Borders.  I simply want to directly meet the stated needs of healthcare facilities serving in the slum.  And to have relationships, lasting relationships.

The Travel Bug Bit

"Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know I shall be happily infected until the end of my life." -Michael Palin

Well my friends, in less than 8 hours, I will be off on another international adventure!  I must admit this trip kind of snuck up on me....arriving in the middle of a busy season of life.  Perhaps God knows I could use the break, and the change of pace.  The trip will not be a vacation, but getting away from my usual responsibilities, constantly switching from days to nights and back again, and the stress and emotions of working in pediatric oncology will be good for the soul.  Many people have asked questions in regards to this trip, what I will be doing, what Kenya is like, etc., so this blog will an attempt to answer some of those curiosities, and hopefully provide some insight into how you can be praying for me and my time in Nairobi.

Where are you going?

Nairobi, Kenya.  Nairobi is the Capitol of Kenya, and one of the largest cities in the African continent.

How long does it take to get there?

As I am flying out of Fresno, I will have quite a few flight segments and layovers.  On the way there, I will be in the air for about 22 hours, with a total travel time of about 26 hours.  Kenya is 10 hours ahead, so I will not arrive until Friday evening.  The trip back is similar, though my total travel time is a bit longer.  Although it is a rather long journey, I tend to enjoy myself.  Lots of time to read, to explore the airports, to plan and pray on the way there, and to debrief on the way back.  I have met some interesting travelers, one of whom I still keep in touch with almost 3 years later.

Where do you stay when you are there?

I will be staying with Peter and Francisca, the couple who started and run Imara Healthcare Centre, the clinic we currently partner with.  I stayed with them last year, and they were gracious hosts, and treated me as if I were family.  They do not live in the actual slum, but are within walking distance or a short drive.  I believe their two younger sons will be away at school, so I will most likely stay in their room.  I do sleep in a bed and under a mosquito net.  Generally, I will have running water from a tank that is outside of the house.  Sometimes there is warm water, sometimes not.  Compared to some other trips I have taken, the living arrangements are quite nice.

What do you eat?  What is their food like?

I eat whatever the people I am with are eating.  It tends to be a lot of rice, beans, ugali (maize powder mixed with water to form a sort of paste, not my favorite!), cabbage, some chicken or goat.  I really enjoy the fresh mangoes, chapati (the delicious flat bread), chai tea, and scuma (similar to spinach) with rice and broth.  The cuisine is not one that I tend to crave here in the U.S., but you also have to remember that having variety, having meat, and having foods from all over the world are luxuries of wealth.  Rarely is there a lot of choice when it comes to food and eating, and choices are often made on what will fill you up and keep you feeling full for as long as possible.

What will you be doing when you are there?  Do you just work the whole time?

The concept of time in the Kenyan culture (and many other cultures) is very different than we are use to.  Here if we plan to meet someone for coffee at 8:30, we expect the person to arrive within several minutes of the agreed upon time.  Should we know we will be late, we typically let the other person know, as they might be wondering where we are.  In Kenya, you might decide that you will pay someone a visit around noon, and you may not actually arrive until the evening or even the next day.  In fact, you may not even specify a time of day in the first place.  No one is upset if someone is "late" because the time is not important.  It is more important to spend time with whoever you are currently with or finish the tasks you are currently doing.  There typically is not a strong sense of urgency.

I share this because my tendency to want to make plans and meet objectives does not mesh well culturally, and I have had to learn to not get too attached to any planned event, as it may or may not happen.  It is a challenge, because I am so use to following a rather strict schedule.  I try not to have too many expectations for what will be done in a day or to assume that just because we had discussed doing something that we are actually going to do it.  It takes some getting use to.  So I am not sure what my days will look like.  My best guess would be that I will spend quite a bit of time with Peter and Francisca doing every day activities...cooking, washing clothes, going to the market, watching Kenyan news and sports, catching up with each other, going to church.  I will likely accompany them to the clinic the majority of the days I am there.  I may help give immunization or take vital signs.  I may get to assist with a delivery or suturing a wound.  I might assist in preparing medications.  Or I may just talk to the people who come by, hold their babies, play with the children, or try and glean some wisdom and knowledge from the staff who work there.

I do not go to Kenya because I am a nurse.  I do not go spend time at this clinic because I feel I have skills or expertise to share.  This really gets into the heart and the mission of Imani, and where I believe we are different than many other aid organizations.  I do not speak Swahili, nor do I speak any of the numerous tribal languages.  I am not well versed in the tropical diseases and illnesses common to that part of the world.  I am not use to acting independently (most of the nurses do far more than a nurse would ever do here), and my experience and knowledge is in pediatric oncology....which is completely irrelevant.  No, the reason I go is to encourage the people who live and work at that clinic every day.  I go to tell the nurse that she is doing a great job, is incredibly intelligent, and actively involved in saving lives.  I go to witness the challenges of delivering that healthcare, due to lack of supplies, lack of personnel, lack of pay, to name a few.  I go to see where we can make a lasting difference.  I go to hear people's stories.  I go to bridge the gap between worlds.  I go because Christ told us to go out, to love our neighbor, to care for the children, the sick, the poor, the orphans, the widows.  I go to be able to be an ambassador for all those of you who support Imani, to tell you about what is going on, to share the pictures and the stories, and to advocate for those living in the slums.  Being a nurse does give me a certain point of reference, but really when I am there I am a sister, a friend, and a tangible example of Christ.

Are you scared?

Short answer, no.  I believe that this is somewhere God has called me to go and invest my life in, and I cannot really imagine not going.  Is it a bit scary to hear about bombings and terrorist attacks?  Yes, of course, but I know there is no where in the world free from that threat.  God will be with me, and if something dies happen to me, I will be in the place I was supposed to be, doing what I love doing.  Not much more I could hope for than that.  But friends, I fully intend to come home, and I believe that Nairobi is generally a safe place to live and travel.

Are you excited?

Yes, but probably not as much as I will be when I actually arrive.  The thing that excites me about this trip is seeing what God has for Imani in the months and years to come.  I am asking for a glimpse of that vision and for doors to be opened into other slum areas, other clinics.  I am expectant that I will meet all the people I am supposed to meet, and that it will be a fruitful and encouraging trip.  I cannot wait to see how the clinic looks after all of the renovation, and I am excited to get to share part of the trip with my sister who will join me around the 14 or 15.  And I am excited to have a new camera :)

Thank you for your love, your concern, your encouragement, your support, and your prayers.

I will have limited internet and computer access, but please continue to pray and know I will be happy to share and update when I am home.  

And so the adventure continues....

Liberty & Justice for All

This morning, I breathed a sigh of relief as I was excused from jury duty.  I had spent all day Tuesday sitting in a courtroom, several hours of which I was sitting in the jury box and questioned.  I was still sitting in the jury box as court ended, and everyone in the room was told to return on Thursday morning.  I had a feeling that I might be picked as a juror and was already trying to figure out how that was going to work.  The trial was excepted to last 3-4 weeks, so it would have required some degree of sacrifice.  Going through this process really opened my eyes and gave me a new found appreciation for things I have always just taken for granted.  I wanted to write about this experience, not necessarily to make a political statement, but to reflect on the rights we have in this country and what justice really is.

1. Trial by jury.  This is not a given in countries around the world.  I do not know the exact numbers about this, but I do know legal representation and having a trial are not universal.  No matter what I thought or felt about the defendant, they deserve a fair trial, as does every other person accused of a crime.  I think all of us would want the same for ourselves, our family members, and our friends if we were ever in that situation.  Of course, to have a jury requires citizens to participate.  As much as I don't like having to go down to the courthouse, to miss work, to sit and wait, I definitely think it is a small price to pay for a participatory government.  I have been eligible for jury duty for almost 6 years and have only had to physically report one time.  Most Americans love our "freedom" and our "rights," but everything comes at a cost.  Having seen a little more of the inter-workings of the system, I feel the cost for most people is not too much to bear.

2. Participatory Government.  Does the government have a lot of red tape?  Absolutely.  Does it often take a long time for things to get done?  Yes.  Does it feel like we really have a significant say in the things that happen?  I would tend to say no.  However, I think most of us have more opportunities to participate in our government than we take advantage of.  Sure, in most cases, we have the right to not participate.  Voting.  Attending political meetings, rallies, forums, etc.  Writing to our representatives.  Some things are not really negotiable, like jury duty, for example.  But the point is - this is really a privilege.  I can express my views on just about anything via social media and I am probably not going to be arrested.  I can go to church and worship without fear.  I could tell someone the candidate that I voted for.  As a woman, I can vote.  I can watch Congress and the House on television.  I can get a hold of thousands of documents that are public record.  I can freely voice my concerns.  I can have friends who do not share any of my political beliefs.  I am not saying that I love politics, that I always vote on everything, that I have a claimed political party, or that I enjoy all aspects of our government - because that would not be true.  I am saying that we do have a lot of access to our government, and that it is our right to choose whether or not we take advantage of that.

3. Duty as citizens.  You have probably heard the words of JFK (or at least whoever wrote his speech :) "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."  I would say most of us today do not feel this way.  We really don't want to have to do anything for our country, yet we tend to be frustrated about a variety of things.  I think if we lived during a different era, specifically WWI and WWII, we might view this differently.  I am always amazed at how people so willingly banded together for the war effort.  I cannot believe that everyone who went without rubber or sugar, who grew victory gardens or worked in a factory, supported the government and the war 100%.  Yet I think people had a greater respect for our rights and our freedom, and they were willing to make some sacrifices to protect it.  Sure, even during my lifetime, we have been in multiple wars.  And many Americans did sacrifice, either by serving themselves or having a family member or friend serve.  But myself, and I imagine many of us, really did not do anything for our country.  Whether or not I believe in war, support the party in office, like the President, I am still a U.S. citizen and I still have some degree of responsibility to my country.  In a very small way, showing up for jury duty affirmed that yes, I am a citizen, and this is one of my duties.  I was very encouraged to see the diversity of all the people I met.  We all have different life experiences, heritages, struggles, and triumphs, but for those few hours, we were all Americans.  

4. Liberty and justice for all.  It is human nature to judge others, to place people into categories, to make current decisions based on our past experiences.  As the attorneys questioned us, they basically were trying to impress that we had to set aside everything that had happened in our lives, even some of the things we may be prone to think and to believe, and essentially erase all of that in order to give the defendant a fair trial.  Although I am confident that within that setting I could have done that, it definitely made you think about how easy it is to be biased.  How easy it is to make assumptions.  I cannot say I necessarily felt sorry for the defendant, but I did feel sorry that so many people in the room were praying they could get out of there as soon as possible.  At the beginning of the day, I felt that way too.  But as I looked at them, looked around the room, I just imagined how it would feel to be awaiting trial and wondering if there will even be 12 people left to be a fair jury, as so many people have been excused for one reason or another.  If I believe in a country that offers liberty and justice for all, who am I to try to run away from my opportunity to be a part of that.

5. The truth.  I cannot tell you how many people said something along the lines of "just say something to get out of it."  Let me just say that when you are sworn under oath and sitting among dozens of your fellow citizens who now know your name, what you do, where you work, and other personal information - I cannot imagine blatantly lying.  I am not a racist and I would never say something of that nature to get out of a civic duty.  I may have certain thoughts, opinions, paradigms as does every human being, but the question was not "Have you ever made an assumption about anyone?  Or do you feel one way or another about this crime?"  The question was can you put those things aside to be a fair and impartial juror.  And the honest answer was yes.  I will not compromise my integrity because something is inconvenient and time-consuming.  I hope those that know me would understand that.

I am still human.  I am grateful to be at home, to go to sleep, and to wake up and go to work.  But I will not forget what this taught me, and if I am ever chosen to be on the jury, I will serve - to uphold justice and to give something to my country that has given so much to me.

13 Letters & Counting

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved both sending and receiving mail.  My earliest memories of sending mail were at age 6, when my cousin and I became penpals. It was so exciting to receive something in the mail 'just because' and not for Christmas or a birthday.  I have been called a hoarder, but I have saved almost every handwritten card, letter, and note that I have received over the years.  Although most of the time they simply occupy a box or a bin, there are random moments when I will take them out, read a few, and be blessed all over again.  I used parts of letters to write my speech when I was Maid of Honor at my penpal cousin's wedding.  For one of my friend's birthdays, I went through our old junior high notes and made copies of them, which I used background paper for a scrapbook I made her.  The words people have written to me over the years help tell the story of my life.  Yes, I realize after I die, there is a strong chance they will be thrown away shortly thereafter.  I know they could not possibly mean as much to someone else as they do to me.  But until then, I will continue to cherish each one.

Handwritten letters and snail mail is a dying art.  With e-mail, text messaging, social media, blogs, and all sorts of other ways to communicate, why would anyone ever send a letter anymore?  It is not convenient.  It is not free.  You do not have a record of exactly what you wrote and when you sent it.  There is no spell check.  You cannot change your font, or send the exact same message to multiple people.  You risk getting a hand cramp, your pen running out of ink, your pencil breaking, not being able to find a stamp, or the recipient's current address.  

All that I just mentioned....that is exactly why I love writing letters.   Yes, it costs money to buy a stamp. Yes, it takes time, focus, and some energy to write a letter.  No, it really is not something you can easily multi-task doing.  Yes, it could get lost or returned to you for the wrong address.  But in a subtle way sending someone a letter tells someone they are worth the cost, the time, and the effort.

Although I am a fairly goal oriented and driven person, I do not routinely make New Year's resolutions.  Sometimes I have some ideas in my head about how I would like to change, but rarely am I concrete or do I physically write it down (which my sister says is the first step to actually achieving any goal).  This year, the idea just kind of came to me.  I was reading this post someone had shared on Facebook called something like "18 Things People Should Take Time to Do."  Letter writing was near the top.  People have always associated me with giving cards, sending mail, and as I was informed via letter today "I guess I am doing the Alyssa thing and running out of room so I have to write on the back."  Yes, I am known for writing on the back.  I typically always start to write in a card on the left panel, in anticipation that I will easily fill up the inside, and save the back just in case I need it.  I tend to be wordy, tend to have a lot to say.  Even when I write emails, this tends to be the case.  Probably even more so since I can type pretty fast.  All this to say is that I decided 2014 was the year I would bring back the handwritten letter.

I began on January 1 and have written 13 letters so far.  One letter a day, trying to get it in the mail within a day or two.  Don't fret if you have not received a letter.  There are PLENTY more days in the year and the order of recipients has nothing to do with popularity or the status of our friendship.  I had thought about how I decided who I would write to.  I thought about putting a bunch of names in a jar and picking one out each day.  I thought about just going alphabetically through my address list.  But then I decided I wanted this to be more than just something on my to do list.  I wanted it to be a blessing.  I wanted to use something I enjoy doing and receiving, and be disciplined enough to make it a regular part of my life.  So I decided to leave the recipients up to God.  I just sensed that He would put people on my heart each day, and although I just speak from 13 days of experience, each day I have been certain that I was writing to exactly the right person.

Although I did not resolve to write letters in order to receive a lot more mail, it is a nice bonus.  Today I received a card from a dear friend.  I will leave you with the wisdom she shared.

"May you see a simple and consistent thing like the sun in California and be thankful for it.  And may you have unforeseen endurance in your resolutions."

Faith to Move Mountains

A Christmas miracle came early this year.  I feel incredibly lucky to be able to witness what God is doing through me and through Imani Care International.  Let me explain...

The past few weeks have been chaotic.  Emotions running high, to do lists so long they went to the back of the page, out of town visitors, last minute event planning details, coordinating volunteers...not to mention continuing to work my night shifts and preparing for Christmas.  I thought perhaps when the event was over on December 7, things might settle down a bit.  Not true.  It was amazing how well the night went, and I was overwhelmed by the community spirit and generosity that I witnessed.  We not only met but exceeded our fundraising goal.  This was a huge blessing - and then it became a race against time to pull things together to actually start the project to fix the sewage & drainage problems at the clinic that we had been fundraising for since May.  As I told my co-workers, I was trying to move a mountain.

We had the money, but now I had to draft a contract, discuss it with the board of directors, revise the contract, get approval from the board, sign/scan/send to Kenya (which involved taking my printer out of the box and setting it up), wait to hear back, be in communication with the Rotary, send a "test" international wire to their bank account, wait to hear if that had gone through, receive the signed contract, confirm the test funds had been received, and finally, make it to the bank before Christmas Eve to send the first installment of funds to be used to purchase all the supplies, which would mark the official start of the project.  And by God's grace, it happened!  Truly a miracle.

As I was standing at the counter at the bank, I was holding back tears as I thought about what that particular moment symbolized.  Yes, it marked the beginning of a construction project that would tangibly benefit the staff and patients at Imara.  But it was so much more than that.  It represented all that I had been fighting for since the day I got back from my trip to Kenya in 2011.   It was the pay off for all of the hard work so many people have done over the past year.  It symbolized being able to restore hope by addressing a need the clinic has had for years.

Normally I do not put a whole lot of thought into the meaning of names, but it is no coincidence that Imani means 'faith.'  I feel like my faith at the beginning of this journey in Spring of 2012 was even smaller than a mustard seed.  Now I am not exactly sure how big a mustard seed is.  According to Google, a seed even smaller than a mustard seed is that of a certain variety of Orchid....so it is safe to say my faith was as small as an Orchid seed.  Everything at that point in my life I had pretty much attributed to hard work and perseverance.  Yes, I acknowledged God's hand at work, but I don't think I had ever done something I was so completely afraid of and for awhile opposed to.  I normally just did the things I was relatively good at - I was a play it safe type.  I wanted to help the people in Kenya, but I figured I would only do things within my reach....ask for donations on my birthday, save up money so I could travel back, tell people about my experiences when they asked.  I did not think I was the type that could do something bigger.  I did not want to make too much noise.  I did not want to fail.

I love what Martin Luther King Jr. said - "Faith is taking the next step, even when you cannot see the entire staircase."  There are no guarantees in life - and anything that promises that is just a futile attempt to make us feel like we dictate the course of our lives.  Starting a nonprofit organization felt like a huge risk.  I felt like I had everything to lose and that maybe I should just 'play it safe' and not take the chance.  I kept thinking what if I go to all this trouble, spend all this time and money, and then in the end, I don't actually help the people I care about in Kenya.  Lots of what ifs.  And to be honest, those did not end when ICI was founded.  They continued.  What if.....we don't get our tax exemption?  ....we run out of money?  ....no one comes to our events?  ...people don't care?  And on and on.  But there was always that voice saying But how can you not try?  What if it does work?  What if you do succeed?  What if this is your chance to change the world?  

This really is only the beginning.  So many things have happened this year that I never thought would happen.  Now I don't seem obstacles as much as I see challenges.  My fears are opportunities to have faith.  My exhaustion is the chance to fully rely on God.  My weakness is God's strength.  And those mountains...I have seen them move.

Generosity & Gratitude

Sometimes "thank you" just does not seem like enough.

In the weeks/months prior to Imani's Christmas event, I was so focused on tasks, details, and deadlines that I failed to recognize what a beautiful thing was unfolding before me. Sure, I had been in contact with dozens of people over the course of the fall season. I had recruited people to do a variety of things, invited over 100 people to attend, and sought assistance and encouragement from friends both near and far. But it was not until December 7 that I really saw what Imani had become. Within a matter of hours, a banquet room stuck in the 70's was transformed into a breath-taking winter wonderland. Saturday morning, one of the coldest days of the year, people began to arrive. And they just starting to do things. Yes, I had long lists of tasks to be done, but it was something to behold how people just saw a need and met it. Trees were set up, lights strung, napkins folded, tables set, tables moved, crafts set out. It was incredible.

And then the event itself. I had played it through in my mind many times, trying to think of as many "What if" scenarios as possible in order to be prepared. Yet it just happened. Sure a few hiccups along the way but they just seemed to work themselves right out. I can honestly say I was not stressed and able to enjoy myself. Everything was taken care of. And as the event came to an end, that same village got to work. Packed the place right up. I did not have to ask a single person to stay and help. They just did. Incredible. All of that in addition to a great turnout (the event actually sold out) and the faith and generosity of those who attended. It still gives me chills to share with people that we raised $10,000. Amazing.

This is what Imani has become. A dedicated group of individuals who believe in the work we are committed to and who are willing to help in the ways they can. One thing I shared at the event was my heart to expand the definition of "giving." I know not everyone can write a check, but I am convinced that everyone can give - time, talents, connections, prayers. I always believe giving takes some amount of faith - if you wait until you feel you have all your ducks in a row, you will miss a lifetime of opportunities to be generous. I believe in what Imani is doing, but there are countless opportunities to give - to an individual in need, a devoted organization, the church you attend, someone going on a missions trip. Christmas is a great time to be generous, but I pray we don't stop there. It was such a joy to inform the clinic that God had provided and that soon they would not have to worry about the rains flooding their clinic.

I have learned so much about generosity and gratitude from the people I have met in Kenya. The first time I went to the clinic as I was leaving to get into the van to go back to the volunteer house, I remember Francesca insisting that she buy me a soda to thank me for coming. During my senior year of college, I received multiple cards from Kenya - Christmas, graduation, thank you's. Each time I initially thought, "They shouldn't have spent the postage to send this," yet quickly realized I needed to just receive it graciously. When I spent time in Indonesia, I was humbled by the generosity of our host families in preparing food for us and truly giving us royal treatment, despite having very little to give.

I am learning to be more gracious. I am working on not saying "You shouldn't have" when someone makes a donation or gives beyond what I feel was necessary or expected. I am learning to just express gratitude and thank the person for giving in faith. I am also learning that saying "thank you," though it may not seem like much, is a powerful gesture and always worth the time. As Christmas comes and goes, let us be generous, grateful, and gracious - replacing our "shouldn't have's" with "thank you's" and not being afraid to accept the gifts of others. May we learn to give, not for the sake of shopping, to repay debts, out of obligation, or whatever other motives we may have, but out of response to our generous Heavenly Father who gave us the most precious gift of all, His son.

With Gratitude, Alyssa

The Great Adventure

Hello world, This is Alyssa and yes, I am still alive despite the fact I have not written on here for quite some time. It is not that I have not wanted to...I often even think to myself "oh that would make a great blog post." Somewhere in the midst having the thoughts and actually translating them into written words....it just does not happen. Today is different.

 I originally titled this blog "Alyssa's Kenya Adventure" to reflect a month long trip to Kenya after my junior year of college. I ended up keeping the blog, mostly as an outlet for post trip reflections, frustrations, ponderings. And in a lot of ways, I am still in that stage. Yes, a lot has happened in the past 2 years, but the primary questions and convictions I experience remain largely the same.

 I must apologize for my over-zealous attempts to convince people to buy hoodies in the past several days. Or some of my repetitive stories about Kenya, pleas about the drainage project, or just talking about Imani in general. I think my worry is that if I stop talking, posting, sharing...that it will be forgotten. The hardest part about founding an organization is not expecting the people who volunteer, donate, serve on the board to be as passionate about the cause as you are. Especially when you were driven to start the entire thing based on a personal adventure that was not necessarily shared with anyone else. When I beg you to buy a hoodie, I really don't care about the hoodie. I am hoping, praying that you will care about the people in Kenya, about their health clinic, about their joys and struggles....and measuring hoodie sales is sometimes the only tangible means I have of doing that. I want people to know that working in health care in resource poor areas is very challenging and often discouraging. I want people to know that these people are my friends, not just the people my organization supports. There is a lot riding on that hoodie....

 I had no intentions of settling down once I graduated nursing school. I did not intend to move home, to work at the hospital I grew up volunteering at and raising money for. I did not want to start or do anything that would let me roots grow too deep to the point where being uprooted would be too painful. Yet here I am. I know God had a purpose for keeping me here....I did not know that Imani would become what it has in a relatively short amount of time. I did not know I would be that person who is constantly checking and sending emails, drafting contracts, running around to the bank, post office, and coffee shop(okay well I did know that haha), making calls to the lawyer, planning a catered event. It is so easy to get caught up in all the things, the numbers, the to do lists. How many people are coming? How much money are we spending? How much progress has been made on this project? Did we receive donations this week? When are we going to have a board meeting? When can I make it back to Kenya?

 It is easy to lose sight of the foundation...of the great adventure that led me to this world of business and legal jargon and event planning in the first place. I wanted to show the people I met and loved and became friends with in Kenya that I did not go home and forget. That I was not just happily readjusting to a comfortable life. That going to Kenya was not just a trip I took one time or a learning experience or an attempt to do some good in the world to feel better about myself. As much as I am grateful for the incredible opportunities I have been given, I still prefer just listening to people tell their stories, visiting the sick, running around and playing with children, and sharing those experiences with others. The simple things. I know the world is not simple and it takes some effort to navigate through the complexities. Yet Imani was started simply - just my attempt to do small things with great love in the slums of Nairobi.

 I thought the adventure part was limited to the time I was physically in Kenya. Now I realize that each day is an adventure - whether I am here or there. The life God calls us to is an adventure. There is this old Steven Curtis Chapman song "The Great Adventure" that goes something like this:

"Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
Of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our Leader
Into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other
This is the great adventure, yeah
 Come on get ready
For the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion
In a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons
Just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for, yeah"

So whether my day is spent waiting in line at the post office and addressing invitations or giving chemotherapy and offering support to the family of a newly diagnosed child or immunizing children and walking through the slums - it is all part of this great adventure. God knows what lies before me and all I can do is wake up in the morning and say "What do you have for me today?" Thank you for bearing witness and taking part in this great adventure.