The Road to Kenya or Planes, Trams, Cars, and Vans

I am back in the US and in a way it seems like I was never gone.  Since returning this time I am having very different feelings as compared to my other trips to Africa????  Where do I begin???  I suppose I will attempt to summarize my trip week by week, so I will begin with my journey from Chagrin Falls Ohio to the roads of Gilgil, Kenya.

The Road to Kenya

June 13-15, 2014

I arrived at the airport early and hungry only to find no place to sit at the restaurant.  I am walking around with a backpack that is full and a non rolling duffel carry-on.  Also I found I had to pay for my 3rd piece of luggage even though we were told that shouldn't happen.  Frustration....then God stepped in....A kind man by the name of Quoc asked me if I needed a seat at the restaurant.  I said yes and then he welcomed me to join him.  We slowly chatted and for some reason we got on the topic of marriage; probably because he was recently married.  He asked how long I had been married and I replied, "almost 32 years."  Then he asked what I thought was the secret  is to staying married.  Hmmm, I thought for a moment or two then replied "You should never give up.  There are always struggles in any relationship, but for me divorce was never an option.  It seems most people marry because the other person makes them happy.  That isn't the worst thing in the world but marriage should not be based on how the other person makes you feel.  There will be times that person makes you very unhappy, what then?  If you focus on being the best spouse you can be and leave the rest to God it can produce a wonderful life together.  Oh and I think I got lucky!!"  So much for my marriage advise.  Then when I went to check out Quoc paid for the lunch.  God siting

The first flight was to Chicago where I was to meet my soon-to-be Mexican/Dentist roommate Patricia.  I got to her gate right as she was deplaning and recognized her from her Facebook photo.  We hit it off immediately and now I have a friend for life that lives in Tijuana, Mexico!  She called me "abuelita"  which means grandma with love.  God siting.

Shortly after this we met up with more of the team and flew to London (about 8 hours).  Once we arrived in London I got to connect with my dear friend (she has been on the last two mission trips with me) from Houston, Texas.  It was awesome seeing Doneva again and meeting her daughter.  We had a short layover and were then off for Nairobi (about 8 hours).  We arrived in Nairobi and loaded two vans with people (23 counting the drivers) and headed to the Mayfield Guest house at around 12:00 AM.  A bed felt wonderful and so did the warm shower.  The next morning I had a wonderful breakfast of sweet rolls and fruit juice then we packed up and headed for Gilgil stopping for pizza along the way.  We saw zebras, baboons, and other wild animals along the 2.5 hour drive to the orphanage.

As usual we arrived at the orphanage with the 200+ children running all around the bus and singing.  It was fun to watch the new mission visitors responding to the greeting for the first time.  I remember I uncontrollably cried as it was so overwhelming and heartfelt.

We unpacked, found our new temporary sewing room, listened to a testimony given by one of the older girls, had dinner at 6:30, worship at 7:00, unpacked in our rooms and in bed at 10:21.

Patricia

                              Departing airplane in London or Nairobi?

Breakfast at The Mayfield Guest House

One of the vans at the Mayfield Guest House

 A baboon with her baby

Our regular pizza stop going to and from the orphanage.

Zebras

Fiwagoh entrance sign

 

    Greetings as we unload from the bus.

Unpacking donations and organizing
them in the worship room.

10 Days ....

until I leave for Africa and still much to do.  I must have all 4 of my bags packed by this Friday so I will keep this post brief.  I have recently had a couple of people wanting to contribute to the Mission trip.  If you still wish to contribute, the best way would be through Equip 1 Ministries.  That is the nonprofit organization that is overseeing this trip and the funds donated there will be used towards our projects while in Africa.  There is always a need, once in Africa, to go and purchase supplies.  Last year it was sewing machines and yards and yards of fabric to be used to sew the bed covers, see April 3 post.  Thank you to all of you for your contributions and prayers.

On a side note, I have been in touch with my dear friend Musa Otieno, from Kenya.  After many attempts I believe we will get to meet again while I am in Africa. I am thrilled and thank God for this opportunity.  I can only imagine what doors this will open!  For those of you that do not know Musa, he was a professional soccer player and stayed with us one summer while playing for the Cleveland City Stars.  He has a huge heart for God and helping the orphan.  I truly believe God sent Musa to our home to bring us closer to Him and to put the orphans of Africa on my heart.

Peace and Love,

kris

Music Surrounds Me

I leave for Africa in 15 days!!!!  (The purple is for Miranda)  I see God is working constantly now and I just have to smile.  While I am busy being Martha, trying to get all my lists checked off:  garage sale, tutoring (exam time is around the corner), house cleaning, laundry, packing for Florida, packing for Africa, completing all my pre-Africa projects...... He is calming me at every turn and blessing me daily.

He is orchestrating the following musicals.

• Bead connection guy, Ebrima, from Africa.  He showed up at my door this morning dressed entirely in his African clothing.  My heart was melted the minute I saw him.  I thought I would buy $100.00 worth of beads.  Well let's just say I didn't.  He had so many beautiful beads and was so kind, as well as his son who was here with him training.  I have a bundle to take to Africa.  I am pretty sure the beads are thinking "Really back to Africa, can't you guys just make up your mind?"
• Musa, the humble gentle giant from Kenya that stayed with us a few summers ago while playing soccer here in Cleveland.  He is doing his best to meet with me while I am in Africa.  This kind man taught me so much about God, patience, perseverance, joy, and humility.  I am beyond excited in the hopes that we can walk together again as friends in Christ.
• "Congratulations you have finished the course." One of the wonderful girls I tutor finished her online math course.  The quoted line showed up on the computer yesterday and she and I were surprised, as you never know when you are finished.  I will miss my mornings with Shelby she is a gem, but it free's me up to get to my list.  Scratch the list, I actually read and soaked up 2 Peter 1 today.  Can I just say "goodness....."
• More tutoring. My other two students I tutor want me daily and although it is filling up my time slots, they are great to work with and it will help pay for the beads I purchased.
• FaceTime. I chatted with the cutest 22 month old in the world today.  That boy can just lift me up so high just by turning his head from side to side to get my attention.  Today he surprised me by counting to "Fiveteen" and then to diez in Spanish.  Okay I will share.  Here he is doing one of his favorite things, watching airplanes (construction sites, cars, trains, trucks....they are all good).

God is good all the time and all the time God is good and that's his nature WOW!  Africa here I come.

Peace, grace, and joy to you all,

kris

It is all in God's hands.

My how time has flown by since my last post.  I know I will not be posting daily but I should have updated by now.  It is all in God's hands, "I know, I know."

First I will begin with the sad news.  Nellie Muthui, the mother and founder of Haven of Hope in Nakuru, Kenya, home to 30+ orphans, passed away April 27 due to complications in childbirth.  She was a beautiful, young woman inside and out with a passion for Christ and children.  To watch Nellie with all this children is awe-inspiring; she glowed. Don and I sponsor one of the orphans at her home.   I continue to pray for her husband and biological son, as well as for her family, friends, and all the beautiful children at Haven.  In addition to Nellie's passing, one of my dear friends from high school lost her father last week.  Although I haven't seen him in 26 years, I will always remember him as a kind, tender man who loved the color GREEN.  Prayers for the Calvin-Lykins family as well.   It is all in God's hands.

On the brighter side of things here on earth, I have returned from two and a half weeks of traveling to Memphis and Indiana.  The trip included visiting  my oldest daughter and her family, lots of one on one time with my beautiful grandson.  Can I say "cars and trucks!"  That is his passion along with airplanes.  I also got to spend time with her husband and his family while attending his brothers wedding.  They are all wonderful people. While in Memphis I refinish a nice chest of drawers my daughter and I picked up from someones trash last year.  This was for Luke's Big Boy Room.  Allie and I also shopped for decor items for his room and the room is looking really cute.

I have been typing up instructions for sewing different types of purse/bags and for making wrap bracelets.  This week I am now testing out the instructions by sewing and beading.  I have finished one wrap bracelet and am almost done with my second purse.  While I was away I received some very generous donations to be used for sewing and beading supplies for my Mission trip to Kenya this summer.  Thank you Mama Libby, Neal and Colleen, and the other Chatham's, you know who you are, and Lois!  In addition to those donations Laura Griner-Harmon and her husband Pat provided a wonderful gift certificate to JoAnn Fabrics!!  Shopping for fabrics to make purses/bags in Africa is in my near future!  I have been receiving more supplies in the mail by way of the Amazon.com wish list I posted. I found out yesterday that Heather and Bill Lawrence purchased chalkboard markers for the teachers at Fiwagoh and a set of jewelry making tools for the girls at Fiwagoh to use.  It is all in God's hands and he is pouring into the hearts of my friends and family. I am so thankful. A prayer that I first learned from wonderful Kenyan soccer player and continue to pray is: God is good all the time and all the time God is good.   So true.

Africa is just 36 days away.  Still much to do in preparation.  It is all in God's hands.  If you are still wanting to make a donation it is not too late.  Donations can be done in any of the following ways.

• Purchase an item from the Amazon Wish List.
• Purchase a gift certificate to Joann Fabrics, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby.
• Cash or Check donations are also welcome.  I will do the shopping for you.
• Make an online donation to EQUIP1 

Blessings of Joy and Peace, 

kris

I'm Pretty Sure God like's Tootsie Rolls.

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say."  It is sixty-two days until I fly away from comfort and privilege and return to a wonderful land with beautiful chocolate faces, bright chocolate eyes, brilliant white teeth, and angelic voices filling my days.  I have to admit I am getting a little panicked as I will be away from my home for the next 22 of the 62 days and there is still much to do.

"Here come bad news talking this and that." I began sewing sample projects and then my new sewing machine broke.  Currently it is at the repair shop and I should get it back next week just in time for my departure to Memphis.  I have been ordering bits and pieces of beading, wiring, fabric.... and it has been showing up regularly in the mail.  However I have never made earrings and wanted to drive to the nearest bead store to talk to the lady that works there and actually see all of my options.  It is 45 minutes away and I finally did the drive this past Tuesday (I hate driving).  I got there only to discover after 23 years on being in business it had closed.  Drats!  Back to online shopping.

"Bring me down, can't noth'in bring me down."  Don't you just know how God works when you aren't even paying attention.  First I found a sewing machine repair place 3 miles from my house.  Really how many of you can say that.  Next I met this guy that does business with a man in Africa that sells wholesale beads.  I have been contacted by his wife and things are looking really good in the bead area. As I stated earlier things were arriving from UPS or FedEx or USPS regularly.  There were things showing up that I hadn't realized I had ordered. My kids would believe this as I forget a lot.  Eventually I found out that people were actually ordering some of my wish list supplies on Amazon.com!!!!!  Wow!!!!  Now I had to figure out who! After a chatting with Thaddeus on Amazon I found out my niece Breanne ordered lots of beading supplies!!!! Then today more packages arrived. The children at Fiwagoh received 15 pairs of brand new sewing shears and trim scissors donated by one of the most beautiful mom's in the world and her family, Jamie!!!!!!  She was one of my amazing math students I had the pleasure of teaching several years ago.  Who said teaching doesn't pay?  I have received from past students more than I deserve.  Bless you Bre and Jamie!

"I'm feel in like a room without a roof"  It is hard for me to ask for donations and I feel I am hitting the same people up all the time.  It makes my heart is so happy when someone out of the blue donates just because they want to.  God supplies all we need, we just need to believe.

Finally today in addition to the scissors I received some beading supplies that I ordered after finding the bead store closed.  When I opened up the bag not only did I love the supplies and found they would be useful,  they also included two toostie rolls in the package.  I'm pretty sure God had something to do with that.  eeBeads.com thank you! I will be ordering again. "happy happy happy happy"

I love God and that makes me HAPPY, clap along......

Mission Trip #3

I stated earlier that more details would come and here they are.  I am posting this information in other formats so it could be a repeat for some who follow this, however I am trying to reach out to as many people as possible so I am posting in multiple locations.  Perhaps I will learn that on location/post is best but for now......

This summer I will be traveling back to Kenya for my third mission trip. I will be at the FIWAGOH orphanage, home to 219 orphans ages 3-21. Myself and about six other people will be there for close to five weeks. However there are two two week teams joining us during the time I am there. All who are going are traveling with the EQUIP1 Mission foundation and while there we will be  focusing on medical, fine arts, culinary, education, construction, dentistry, and lots of TLC! My main focus will be to show the seamstresses we trained last year how to sew/create items that they can sell at the orphanage to help raise money towards the construction and completion of the trade school they are building on site. We will be sewing scarves,  drawstring bags, backpacks, and purses along with several little items using the remnant materials. In addition to sewing, I will be teaching them beading skills to create jewelry to sell as well.

The theme of EQUIP1 missions is to equip one orphan. To supply educational resources & facilities to enable the development of vocational skills. Last year I went there to introduce tailoring and then teach several young girls the basics of sewing. It was so much fun watching the girls complete their skirts. However, as week two approached we had to stop the sewing instruction as God showed us greater need. My friend from Texas, Doneva, and I sewed hours upon hours to make plastic protectors and fabric bed covers for over 200 beds so the children could receive their new foam mattresses.

The orphanage began building a huge trade school last year and when it is finished it will house classrooms for medical education, tailoring, culinary arts, woodworking, and a few other items.  We are there to help with the process.

This summer I will be traveling with 2-50lb bags full of fabric, sewing and beading supplies. Any donations to help fill the bags would be greatly appreciated and as always, prayers for the team and the orphanage make a world of difference.

If you wish to be a part of this experience by making a donation, there are several ways to do this:

1) Send a check payable to me and I will use this to purchase fabric and bead supplies.
2) Send gift cards for Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and/or Amazon.com.
3) Purchase equipment items found on my Amazon.com wish list and have them sent to me.
4) Make an online donation to EQUIP1.org. This will go into my equip1 account and we will use this money to purchase more fabric and possibly beads when we arrive in Africa.

Finally I have to say God has blessed me more than I deserve and am so honored that he has chosen me to go and serve these wonderful people at Fiwagoh.

Peace and Joy,
Kris Kaufman

Projects determined, Donation cards created and complete, Donation list finished. Check, check, check

The sewing/craft projects and jewelry project list has been narrowed down to a reasonable task to complete while in Africa this summer.  We will be making sling bags, drawstring purses and backpacks, infinity scarves, earrings and bracelets.  Then with the remnants there are more options than possible to list.  Now it is time to start collected the needed equipment and supplies.  As I quickly finish this blog I want to upload donation information for those receiving the donation cards.  I will provide more detail in the next couple of days.  Below is a copy of my donation list.  I am looking forward to see how God is working in our lives!!!  I've seen two amazing things happen as of yesterday and today!!

EQUIP1-KENYA 2014

Sewing and Jewelry

Donation List

This summer as I return to Nakuru, Kenya to work at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage and School, I will be teaching some of the seamstresses from last year how to make craft items: purses, bags, scarves, and jewelry to name a few.  With these finished projects and skills to create more they will be able to sell them to other people that visit the orphanage.  This will be the beginning of a mini-market to raise funds for Fiwagoh.

Because the projects are very specific, I am focusing more on requesting gift cards, checks, or cash donations rather than materials. The funds raised will be used towards the purchase of fabrics, trims and beading both here in the US and in Kenya.  I do, however have some general things that one can purchase to contribute and these are listed below. For specific examples, go to my Amazon.com shopping list, which will display pictures and quantities of the items needed.  If you order from the Amazon.com site the items will be shipped to me.

GENERAL SEWING SUPPLIES:

·             Sewing machine needles

·             Hand sewing needles

·             Straight pins

·             Elastic (various widths)

·             Thread – lots, any colors

·             Ribbon and trim (1/4”, ½”, 1”) for decorating the purses/bags

·             Double fold bias tape

·             Large buttons for decorating the purses/bags

·             Card stock (4.5”x6.5”)

·             Sewing shears (5 pair)

·             Small hand sewing scissors (10 pair)

·             Bobbins LOTS

·             Bobbin cases (10)

·             Magnetic pin trays (5)

JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES:

·             Crimpers (5)

·             Needle nose pliers (10)

·             Beads (crystal, metal, ceramic, natural stone)

·             Crimping beads

·             Earwire (200 pair)

·             Hoops (100 pair)

·             Beading glue (5)

·             Round leather 1mm chord: brown, natural, black, gray( 200 yards)

·             Beading thread: brown, natural, black, gray (5 spools)

·             ½” metal shank buttons (100)

·             Needles for beading (lots)

·             Packing tape (2)

·             Heavy duty binder clips  (10)

HOW DO I DONATE?

·             Go to my Amazon.com web site and order from there. Kristine Kaufman, EQUIP1 Kenya 2014: Sewing and Jewelry.

·             Go online to Equip1.org and do a direct donation using a credit/debit card or Paypal.

·             Purchase and donate a gift card: Joann Fabrics, Michael’s craft store, Hobby Lobby, Fire Mountain Gems, and Amazon.com.

·             Send a check made out to Kris Kaufman,

Preparing for trip #3 to Africa'

This summer I will be traveling back to Nakuru, Kenya with a group of wonderful young women and men through the Equip1 Missions.  A few of us will be traveling from June 13 to July 18 and then two different teams will join us for two weeks, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the trip.  We will be working at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage the entire time.

The first team is full of doctors, dentists, and nurses so medicine and medical needs will be the main focus.  There will also be a few teachers so we will be equipping the children with supplies during this trip.  The second team is full of teachers thus education will be the main focus.  This will include teacher gift packets, equipping the classrooms with needed supplies, and teacher training.

Last year I went to introduce tailoring to a group of wonderful young ladies that will soon be attending trade school.  This year along with being in the classroom occasionally, I will be training several children to make crafts (sewing, knitting, and beading) to sell so they can begin to raise funds for themselves.  It is all very exciting.

If you are interested in helping in some way, stay tuned to the blog as I will post a list of supplies needed.  At this point in time you can contribute by one of the following means:

• Praying for the teams, that the funds are raised and all will be healthy and ready for this wonderful experience.
• Gift cards to JoAnn Fabric's, Hobby Lobby,  or Michael's
• Online donations can be made to Equip1

Thanks for taking the time to follow my walk with the Lord.

kris