We are the Smiths: June 2016

Life has been something else since being laid off! I've been so busy getting ready for Africa, Kelsie's bday and coaching that it doesn't even seem like I have all the time in the world like I thought I would.

Like I said, it was boo thang's bday - Dirty Thirty to be exact - so we threw her a surprise party... and I am happy to report it was a success! Kelsie had no idea and our loved ones were there to support as always (thank you, thank you, thank you all, mucho!).

The very next weekend I headed to Africa.

This was my first time experiencing 21+ hours in flights (blah), and I was even blessed enough to learn just how real jet lag is! (Luckily only on the way home.)

Heidi, Clara and I had pretty nice flights there. The 14 hour flight didn't feel like 14 hours and I'm pretty sure they fed us every hour, on the hour (ok, maybe not that much, but it felt like it).

It was interesting chasing the sun; if you can imagine, it wasn't dark long.

We arrived in Africa around 8pm and were greeted by Heidi's friends David, Moses (our drivers and guides) and Christine (The Days for Girls rep).

The next morning we went to the Giraffe Center and got to feed, pet and even kiss the Giraffe's (longest tongues EVER!). The female giraffe were cray (weird), if you stopped feeding them they'd try to head-butt you. ha (Like literally - don't mess with Momma's food!)

We then went and visited the Kazuri Bead Factory and toured through, watching the ladies and gentlemen make the clay, form and paint the beads, then finally assembling them. Talk about "work!"

They had beautiful beads and purchasing such jewelry in the past, I would have never considered all of the work that goes into it.

Later that day the rest of the crew arrived and the next day we went to the Elephant Orphanage (cutest littles), then took them to the Giraffe Center for lunch and some kisses ;). Shortly after we headed to Narok, also known as Maasai land. (The Maasai are one of the most indigenous tribes in Africa.)

We saw one of the largest slums on our way out of Nairobi and it was mind boggling thinking about how mamy people live like that. We stopped at the Great Rift Valley overlook point and it was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l! We even purchased some roasted corn while stopped in traffic (men run up to your windows handing out cooked corn on the side of the highway, no big deal).

When we arrived in Narok we settled in, had dinner and started packing Days for Girls and hygiene kits. These are basically washable sanitary napkins that assist the women to manage their menstral cycle.

Many women in Africa miss school and/or work, some even losing their jobs, because they have nothing to manage their cycle. Some use whatever they can: used sanitary napkins, mattress cushion, newspaper, and even tree bark hoping to assist the flow. So this was one of our main missions, supporting the girls and women we met a long the way, while educating them about these reusable kits.

We visited a boarding Primary School that girls had available to them when their families wanted to marry them off (sometimes for money, land or cattle), and/or perform the circumcision ceremony. Yes, circumcision!

So many women today are still undergoing Female Genitalia Mutilation as a rite of passage into adulthood. This is a must-do before girls are married. A lot of people believe this is an outdated practice and are working to eliminate it from the culture. Yet, many others still hold strong cultural beliefs behind the ceremony and do not want to give this practice up, regardless of what the government says.

It was good to know there is at least an option for some children to escape this practice and attend these boarding schools, later being reconciled with their family and prolonging their education and childhood. (I can't even imagine.)

Come Sunday we went to church and let me tell yo..., Maasai know how to worship! We danced, sang and jumped for Jesus (literally)! Towards the end of their mass they have prayer and it was then I saw God in Africa. I have never met such a faithful, welcoming community. Men and women were on their knees, crying and yelling at the top of their lungs. I have never seen anything like it. It was one of the most moving things I experienced while in Kenya.

The next two days, we spent in the Mau Forest (Highlands of Kenya), where we visited a school dedicating 20 new desks, which were donated by many of you and your contributions to 100 Humanitarians (Thank you!).

They were nice enough to leave three of the desks unassembled and let us build them (well attempt).

We planted some trees to replace the wood we used for the desks and then we handed out candy, bubbles and soccer gear to the children. It was so fun watching how excited the kids were to have real soccer balls!

Finally, we saw the new kitchen built by 100 Humanitarians, got to eat meat in the bush with the men (which women normally DO NOT do), and witnessed amazing performances by the men, women and children of the village.

WOW do they know how to make you feel welcome! When we arrived they all lined up and were singing as we walked down the hill to our seats for introductions. Who needs red carpet?! (It was here we had more tears.)

The next day in the Mau we went to one of the villages and met with some of the women. They showed us their homes (that they built out of dung, mud, sticks and rocks, by hand), their land (which they sow), and their ways of life.

We discussed the issue of FGM and education. They are now realizing the importance of education for their children, which is amazing, but they still struggle to get funding to allow their children to attend. We handed out some more Days for Girls kits, had lunch and visited the rest of the guest.

We had many visitors from the village. One of them an old blind man who came to visit just because he heard we were coming. Again, talk about feeling welcome!

The next day we visited an orphanage that is ran by Pastor Joseph, his wife and a small staff. They have about fifty children and are working to build a self-sustaining orphanage. There is a garden, water gathering system, and plans to build housing for older orphans who want to attend college.

The children we met were the most amazing little kids, EVER! I was so emotional at the orphanage. I just couldn't imagine being left without a mother and father, then being shunned in your community leaving you no place to go. The rejection and abandonment one must feel. I still believe this journey will strengthen many of them and witnessing their faith in God was indescribable. Their love for him was felt in my core. I had to hold back tears because I'm pretty sure had I started, I wouldn't have stopped.

We went to the Massai Mara the next day (Safari Land), which is about another 2 hour drive from Narok. We got to visit a few villages, go on a safari (which was such an amazing experience), jump for Jesus again and then receive our Maasai Warrior names and blessing. Mine was Nailepu, which means The Risen.

We ended our trip exploring the city, taking motorcycle taxi rides and stopping at the orphanage to incorporate "The Miriah (or Marian) project," which assists in conserving water while producing more for the garden (what a smarty she is).

I seriously can't say enough about Kenya. The people, feeling so welcomed, the beauty, the animals, the hard work, chapati, jumping for Jesus and the kids! Oh my goodness, the kids.

If you can, I highly recommend experiencing something like this in your life, at least once. It will change you forever. And don't you worry, we had our fun along the way. David and Moses took us to a sports pub, a disco and we even taught them to play Kings Cup!

I am so grateful for my experiences, the people I went with and the friends I made a long the way. Seeing God in Africa is something I will never forget.