Getting Closer!!!

So after re-examining my budget, my supervisor and I have determined that I just have to raise $200 more a month and I'm on my way!!! I'm getting so close!

Ride for Refugees

I know there are some bike-riding fiends out there- this might be something you are interested in! My sending organization is organizing a Ride for Refugees in several locations in the US and Canada and GR is one of them! The Ride (not a race- don't worry, kids and families are encouraged to participate) is raising support and awareness for Refugees and the ministries in IT that support them. Teams are formed from church groups, communities or whatever; they then raise pledges (kind of like other rides and walks for specific causes) and then on the day of the Ride, you ride!

This is a great way for the local church to be involved in refugee ministries in a practical way (plus its healthy and fun!) Also, (and this isn't why I think this is a great event- I would think this is amazing anyways, but this is cool too) teams can designate a portion of the funds they raise to go towards the support of a specific IT missionary- so this can help offset some of my support.

If you are interested in participating or volunteering at the event or if you just want more info, CLICK HERE and it will take you right to the GR page (they just got the site up yesterday, so be patient- more info is being updated all the time- there is also a link on the sidebar on the left). Or email me and I can forward the email on to the people with the answers.

Last year, we had our own R4R in Kenya in conjunction with the ride in Toronto- our team was made up of refugee workers and Kenyan friends- here are some of the pictures:


That was my wonderful roommate Julia and our co-worker Jack in most of the pics (I was the designated photographer/ EMT/ safety person/navigator so I didn't ride. Maybe this year!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

As with mom, you'll have to wait on your present until I get back! Sorry! :P

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

You'll get your present when I get back from Chicago! (sorry its late :P )
~ Linds

Chicago here I come!!!

I've been talking to my sending organization about where I'm at with my support (I'm at about 79% wooo-hoo!!) and they've asked me to come to Chicago for a month or so to work out of our office there and network with new churches. I'm really excited to spend time with my mentors in ITeams. So keep me in your prayers as I get closer to heading back to Kenya. And if you're in the Chicago area let me know! Maybe we can get together!

~Linds

NEW CONTACT INFORMATION

So last night my email account was hacked/hijacked (as were a lot of hotmail accounts apparently- their web support page is full of angry people) and someone started sending emails from that account. So if you received a weird email from me, it wasn't me and I'm really sorry! I'm changing my primary email to Gmail now (lclise48@gmail.com). So if you need to get a hold of me- that's where I am now!

Linds

Amefufuka!

I come from a long Lutheran tradition (well not all that long really- but a generation or two at least!) So for all you non-liturgically inclined people, during the Easter Season, whenever the Pastor (or anyone for that matter) says "He has risen" everyone else answers "He has risen indeed! Its the closest we get to call and response.

So here is the Swahili counterpart: Amefufuka (He has risen)
And you all say: Amefufuka kweli kweli (truly he has risen)

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

No news on my grandpa- he had his stress test this morning so we are waiting on his results.

So I finally got my camera fixed- just in time for the great snow melt




I love the perspective differences in this one:



And I got this pic just before all the snow melted! White Pine Trail looks so cool here!

Picture of the Week- Sunset

So here is a link to the most amazing youtube video of all time!! Kel and Gavin dancing at their school's New Year's Eve Party. Too funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUaw3V3vKDY

Amazingness!

One of my favorite pics this week...

Turkeys running across the frozen (and rapidly thawing) river

Road to Bethlehem

Here is a really interesting series of articles on BBC- a reporter documents his trip walking from Nazareth to Bethlehem (through Palestinian and Jewish lands) with various donkeys and guides. Make sure you start at the beginning of the article (the first entry is at the bottom of the page- each new entry is on top of it. Here's the link.

Interesting Marketing technique

I think this is just hilarious. Why would you advertise your christmas trees by hanging one a hundred feet in the air with a cherry picker?? I guess its effective- it made me notice the tree (as it dangles above the road). too funny.

More Winter Pics

for all my friends who don't get snow...


This one looks like something out of Dr Seuss!!!

snow...

I love having outdoor trees to decorate this year (inside ones are fine, but I love outdoor trees that get snowed on!!)

Mzuri Sikuku ya Kuku Mku!!!

Or "Happy Turkey Day"!!
(literally "Happy Great Day of the Big Bird")

Go Vote

Make sure you go vote today!! There is a nifty state-by-state (or in Michigan, county by county) results map on the side bar in case you are wondering how it all is working out.

11 Things I'm Gonna Miss About Kenya

(because narrowing it down to 10 was impossible!)

1. Z- one of my favorite kids ever- so adorable, such a trouble maker!
2. Bargaining with vendors for everything from tomatoes to meat to shoes. All prices are negotiable and bargaining is half the fun! The interaction, the laughing at my Swahili, the hilarious conversations that last 20 minutes, the “A-a bwana! Ni bei GHHHAli sana!!!”
3. Tea fields
4. The smell at night- no way to describe it, but after a dusty day, there is this fresh, night smell.
5. Samosas (meat, not veg) and Bajias
6. Safari ant invasions (and other random insect invasions- flying termites, Nairobi fly, cockroaches, etc)
7. Matatu Bongo mixes- the most unique and amazing music you will ever hear- nothing beats being in a Westlands Matatu and hearing “Banjuka tu” blasting out the speakers.
8. Goat- we are sooo missing out on this amazing food in the States!! We really need to eat more goat (especially the shekla at Habesha)
9. Whole Fried Tilapia at Kosewe- enough said!
10. Feeling like there were things everyday that I wanted to photograph- moments I wanted to remember.
11. Having random adventures- every day.

Obviously this list was excluding all my people here- I have amazing friends who I will miss SO much. And its no mistake that almost half of this list is food- we take food seriously here!! (Plus I’m Lutheran- we take food VERY seriously!)

So pray for a safe and uneventful day and a half of travel for me!! I leave on Monday night. Craziness. See ya all soon!!