Power of Connections

Visiting AMCC last week confirmed my view that they were a perfect fit of The 1010 Project.  The purpose and goal of 1010 is to empower those who already have a vision for social change but lack the capital needed for sustainability.  Pastor John, the head of AMCC, is exactly one of those people.  He has seen the need for caring for children at risk and stepped out with vision and action.  What he lacks is sustainability.  So upon my recommendation, The 1010 Project extended an invitation to John and Nick to attend our networking meeting.

I could try to explain the crazy connections that were made at the meeting, but I fear it would be difficult to explain in writing, and would be confusing for you to read.  So suffice to say, there were some amazing connections made!  John got re-connected with old friends and connected with others who are currently doing exactly what he wants to do and others who can assist in his specific income generating project.

I know without the details, the sorry may lack a bit of its power, but I was reminded of the power of relationship.  I’ve heard that social division contributes drastically to the cycle of poverty.  So much of the opportunities in our lives are presented by those we know.  I personally am unable to help AMCC become sustainable, but through networking have connected them with others who actually can help them towards that goal.  As I think about this, I’m beginning to view relationship as one of the primary tools for empowering the poor.

The Journey Begins

As I plant my foot securely on the other side, I look back at the disjointed assembly of wood serving as a bride and take a deep breath.  I survey the beautiful lush valley I find myself in- this is rural Kenya.  The soil is a deep red clay with a thick variety of vegetation flourishing from it’s richness.  The temperature is a pleasant seventy-something with a cool breeze passing through.  I’m on my way to visit a childrens home (www.amcckenya.org) I’ve been involved with the last few years, and my friend Nick currently lives and works there assisting in the implementation of an income generating project.  I turn back around to follow Nick as he leads Betsy and I up the winding path out of the valley.

It was our first day in Kenya and already the adventure had begun.  After landing the night before in Nairobi, we spent the night with some very welcoming friends and discussed Kenya’s current situation over breakfast the next morning.  We then squeezed into a mutatu (a minivan modified to seat around 15 passengers which serves as public transportation in Kenya) and headed out of town to up-country.  We met up with Nick in a town called Thika, and he took us the rest of the way to AMCC.

We arrived just as the kids were getting out of school.  Being in a rural setting, people of fair skin like ours (muzungu’s) are a rather rare sight and immediately the throng of running children, as if magnetically, lined the path next to us.  Although quite overwhelming, there’s something fun in being a celebrity of sorts.  Our evening was spent touring the childrens center, taking a little hike to a nearby waterfall and cave, and concluded with the children singing and praying passionately before eating a basic meal of ugali (ground maze) and beans.  The next morning we traveled to a family’s farm where they fed us a delicious meal and welcomed us as their own children.  We accepted this as a great honor, but they jokingly reminded us this meant we had to help on the farm.

We made the journey back to Nairobi and met with Adam, the executive director of The 1010 Project, who took us to the house we will be staying at the next few weeks.  The house belongs to Fred, the country director for The 1010 Project, and is located in the eastern edge of Nairobi.  Although everything is constructed using cement blocks and tin sheets, the warmth and hospitality of the home is felt throughout and I have likely consumed gallons of chi tea in my first few days of being here.

As I sit her on my bed and finish typing this as the sun sets outsie my window, I wonder what this coming week with hold and what stories I will have for my next post.

Travel Days

As Betsy and I sat in the Denver International Airport awaiting to board our plane for the first leg of the journey to Chicago, we grabbed a bite to eat and scored a few fortune cookies in the process.  Betsy’s fortune read a fitting “To reach distant places, you 

have to take the first step”, mine simply read “Ask Your Mom”.

Today at 5pm central time, we will depart the windy city and cross the pond to London.  After a short layover we will fly south to Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya.  Over the next few days we will visit A-Gah-Pay Mercy Childrens Center and visit our friend Nick who is serving there.

This is my last post from the states, next time I write, will be from Kenya Africa!  Thanks for all the prayers and support that have made this experience possible.

I’m Anti-Malaria

Just a quick trip to my local wearhouse pharmacy and 30min later I have a months supply of Anti-Malaria medication.  I’m told that just one pill a day keeps malaria away.  The total cost for this potentally life saving drug – $6.50 (and I don’t even have insurance).  Unfortunatly this process isn’t as simple for everyone in the world. 

 ”We live on a malarious planet. It may not seem that way from the vantage point of a wealthy country, where malaria is sometimes thought of, if it is thought of at all, as a problem that has mostly been solved, like smallpox or polio. In truth, malaria now affects more people than ever before. It’s endemic to 106 nations, threatening half the world’s population. In recent years, the parasite has grown so entrenched and has developed resistance to so many drugs that the most potent strains can scarcely be controlled. This year malaria will strike up to a half billion people. At least a million will die, most of them under age five, the vast majority living in Africa. That’s more than twice the annual toll a generation ago.” (Stopping a Global Killer by Michael Finkel)

Isn’t that crazy?!?!  This is a preventable disease we are talking about!  I’m no expert on the subject but if you’re interested, a fascinating read is the above article published in National Geographic two years ago.

Photography + Kenya

Sierra Leone 2006

It has been nearly three years since I returned from Sierra Leone after those life changing four months with Word Made Flesh.  I have attempted to shape my life around many of the ideas and convictions I formed there.  I have placed myself among the urban poor here in Denver, living in a low income neighborhood, and leading a weekly prayer gathering focused on global issues.  As my love for photography has grown  I’ve wondered how I can use photography to aid those in poverty. A few months back I began working with a local nonprofit, The 1010 Project, stepping into the role of lead photographer and graphic designer. The 1010 Project is a 501(c)3 that provides income generating grants to indigenous development partners in Kenya.  Volunteering for them, I can’t think of a better marriage between my gifting and passions.

The 1010 Project has decided to take a staff trip to Kenya this June as most of the interns and volunteers have never met our Kenyan partners.  The 1010 Project’s tag line is “Join the Story,” and I want to become a storyteller for the Kenyan partners.  So, I’ve been asked to be the photographer and videographer to aid in our advocacy work in the United States!

This such an exciting step for me to take as I connect my skill of photography with my heart for those in poverty.  I would love for you to join me on this journey.  This blog will be a place for me to share my thoughts and stories along the way.  And don’t hesitate to chime in once in a while.