Day 6: Safari

Off we go!

  I have seen some things this week that have broke my heart.  Again, even though I saw these things last year, the shock is still there and my heart still breaks.  The safari was a much needed time for us to continue bonding as a team, refresh and refuel for the last few days.  We took a small plane, (12 seater) on a 1 hr flight to the Masai Mara.  When we flew in to Nairobi, it was dark.  When we leave, it will be dark.  So I was excited to see Africa from a birds eye view, if you will.  :)  We flew right over the Kibera Slums.  It looks so big from the sky.  I kept thinking about all the lives down there.  The hustle and bustle of the day, the kids walking the streets with no parents, the mom's I've met working hard to earn money for food.  The sad thing is, all I can see from the plane is rusted metal.  But in my mind is the faces of the women and children who I have met.  Their stories tugging on my heart.

Kibera Slums

Kibera Slums again...

 
  Seconds after taking the slum picture, we were flying over some beautiful homes.  That was tough.  Do these folks know about the slums?  Vicki has shared with our team that there is a large percentage of people born here in Africa, who may or may not be upper class, have NEVER stepped foot in the slums.  Is that crazy?  In the US, we have homeless folks, which by the way are very well off compared to the people living in the slums.  Even our homeless, we are aware in our country.  To just turn the cheek and not reach out to help, to have knowledge or to see?  I'm not understanding.  

Is this Granite Bay??

  We made it safely to the Mara.  We were all a bit queasy and very happy to be on the ground.  :)  We were greeted by a few Masai men.  We hopped in two safari, open air jeeps and within minutes we were on safari seeing animals all around in open land.  The beauty was unbelievable.  Absolutely breathtaking!  A safari is a must!  A bucket lister for sure!!  We saw every animal you can think of.  Yes, ladies from last year's trip...we saw an elephant!  India and I thought of you all.  :)

  Many great laughs were had by all. Lot's of spiritual thoughts and analogies, thanks Jeanne. :)  I've had a terrific time with the team, our drivers and seeing God's intended beauty.  

  Funny story, our driver tells us we lost GPS.  I'm thinking we really are half way around the world in the middle of no where!!! Who could find us??  AAA?  Not so much!

The Mara airport :)

A masai warrior waiting...

How do you not see God?

Beauty...Thanks God! :)

Part of our team, so serious!

This Rhino charged one of our cars!

Awe, beautiful Zebras. :)

Walked right in front of us.

Really?  Thanks God for another beautiful day.

This flew over our rooms.

Yep, Lion King!

Mrs. Lion King and 2 babies behind her. :)

Get the picture girls!

My favorite animal, a mom with her 2 babies.

Masai kids along the way.

We saw 20 of these all together!  We even got out of the car to see them closer!!

A cheetah's fresh kill.  I guess he got him in the rear.  :)

Masai women thinking 

Masai...

  

Day 5: Freedom for Girls Fundraiser

Beautiful tea!

Just had to show the banner :)

Thanks Tori!  Everyone LOVES this!

One of my new friends, Maheen

  Today, was an unbelievable day.  We had the opportunity to help Vicki Winkler (founder of HEART) host several ambassador's wives for a mid morning tea.  We helped decorate, support and meet these wonderful women.  This tea was a Freedom for Girls fundraiser.  Freedom for Girls is one of the programs Heart offers to Kenyan girls.  Research has shown that young girls drop out rate of school would increase dramatically at the 6th to7th grade year.   After more research, they found that these girls would start their period, not attend school because they did not have sanitary napkins.  In this time, they would miss several days of school and be too far behind when they would come back to school that they would eventually quit school.  These girls have hopes and dreams to become doctors, teachers, scientists etc.  Just like our daughters.  So, for just $5 a year... Yep, re-read, it's not a typo, $5 a year, a girl will have enough sanitary napkins for the year!  Seriously???  Something we take for granted completely!  AND $5 a year??  $5 is a fancy drink at Starbucks!  Oh my goodness.  Ridiculously cheap and easy to provide.  Anyway, we had a terrific time talking with the various ambassador's wives, getting to know them and sharing with them our stories of visiting the Heart WEEP centers.  Many of the wives have been to the WEEP centers, so that was really terrific!  But the overall consensus was that no matter what country you are from, we are all women and we take it for granted the ability to have sanitary napkins each month at our fingertips.  Our period is part of our life, but doesn't interrupt our life.  

  I met some terrific ladies.  Again, I'm blown away at God.  Here I am with all these wonderful ladies and God brings the conversation back to being a mom.  :)  The two ladies I met are mom's just like me, wanting the best for their children.  Even if we are half way around the world, representing different countries, our love, struggles and decisions for our children remain the same.  It was just amazing to hear these women share how they enjoy being stay at home mom's, research to make great decisions for their children and they enjoy being around their children!  Just love it!

Some more terrific friends from around the world!

Serving lunch to a few ladies

  India spoke to the wives about how Heart has influenced her to be more involved with the ladies at the Weep centers.  She did a fantastic job.  My friend, Everlyn, a mom I met last year from the Kibera Weep center, also spoke on how Heart has changed her life.  Everlyn's story is amazing and gives a great description of how Heart works... :) I hope you are able to see the video.  It's incredible.

Go India!!

Everlyn and my mom

  
  Another terrific day where my perspective was changed.  Really?  $5 a year??  I even asked, "It's a year right?"  The answer... "Yes, $5 a year for one girl!"

  PS...Funny story...Charmain and I are sharing a room, which is located downstairs at the lodge.  We were both rushing around getting things ready and ran into our room to freshen up before guests came.  Sheri came in to chat for a minute and our door was open.  Before we know it, some of the guests are at our door walking in.  We greet these beautiful ladies and they continue to walk in our room. We don't have time to look at each other, pick up or say "enter at your own risk!".  After they left, we look around and we had some unmentionable items laying around for all the united Nations to see!  Let's just say, we are not allowed in a few countries now.  But I'm pretty sure we represented the U.S. just fine! A few belly laughs have been had to say the least!

Katie, Sara, Charmain and Merrily

Misty and me... :)