Here's a quick clip of some of our celebration last Sunday of Agape's 20th Anniversary!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
A Home Visit to Tanzania
Brian and Steven have been with us at Agape for about a year and a half. Strangely enough, Brian is Steven's uncle, even though they are only about three years apart in age. We've struggled in finding viable options for reintegration for the two boys, so we were really excited to recently learn that Brian's maternal grandmother (Steven's great-grandmother) was living in Tanzania.
Now, crossing the border into Tanzania is both easy and difficult. It's really easy if you do it illegally, but much more difficult if you cross the border by the rules. To make things much more difficult, I had a distinct desire not to end up in a jail cell on child trafficking charges, so we had to make sure that we had all of the right paperwork in hand prior to crossing border with two Kenyan children. After a bunch of paperwork, we finally got everything straight and were ready to head to Tanzania.
Agape does around 130 visits a week to children's homes all over Kenya, and almost all of these visits are done by Agape's Kenyan staff using public transportation. Because of the distance that had to be traveled, plus the border crossing, I volunteered to drive so that the trip could be completed in one day. We departed Kisumu around 7:30 AM and arrived at the Tanzanian border at 10:30 AM. We were making great time . . . then the border!
The border is not terribly impressive. I had to pay a guy 150 shillings ($2.00) to go into the border area where I was guided to park in front of an immigration building. A man then approached me and began assisting me in visiting the different offices and filling out the required paperwork to cross the border. For foreigners considering a border crossing into Tanzania, here's a list of what you will need:
Once I had all of my paperwork straight, we were now ready to cross over into Tanzania. About this time I realized that the Kenyans and Tanzanians were crossing the border without showing any paperwork at all . . . they just walked across! On the Tanzanian side of the border things went more smoothly. It was just really expensive! $100 for a 3-month visa. The Kenyans with me didn't have to pay anything, though.
We also had to buy Tanzanian car insurance when we arrived, which was a surprise. I tried to convince the Tanzanians that I didn't need their insurance, but I was quickly overruled. So, with a new insurance sticker, we drove on to Brian's and Steven's maternal home in Tarime, Tanzania.
While the terrain of Kenya and Tanzania are very similar, what struck all of us was the different styles of house in Tanzania. Every house that we saw in Tanzania was made of brick (a rarity in Kenya where most rural house are made of mud and dung) until we arrived at our destination . . . and found a very traditional Kenyan home.
Now, I have been in many Kenyan homes throughout Nyanza and Western Provinces, but I have never seen a compound quite like this one. The compound was surrounded by a 10-foot fence made of sticks and logs - it looked more like a fortress!
One of the unique things about this compound was that the enclosure for the family's cattle was located inside the compound. After speaking with the family more we learned that Brian's grandfather was murdered by cattle thieves, so it helped us all to understand all of the family's security precautions!
Upon our arrival, the family was thrilled to see the boys. Here is a short video of our initial arrival in the compound:
Here is another video showing a 360-degree look at the family's home:
Within this video you can see the granaries built into the walls of the compound for the storage of corn to make ugali, Kenya's staple food. When we arrived, Brian's grandmother insisted that we stay for a meal. Soon, a chicken was chased around the yard and eventually slaughtered for our meal.
The photo above really shows such an incredible contrast - a traditional Kenyan home with a cell phone tower in the background. You see this throughout East Africa - modern technology right next to traditional living.
We ended up leaving the grandmother's home at 4 PM and amazingly made it back to Kisumu not long after dark at 7:30 PM. Thank you Lord for a safe trip!
Please pray for us as we continue to seek the Lord on whether this home may be a good fit for them. Also, please pray for Brian and Steven that God would draw them to this home if this is where He wants them. Lastly, pray for our wisdom considering that Brian is HIV positive. We want to ensure that wherever we place him that he can receive proper medical care to stay healthy!
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| 460 Kilometers Round Trip - About 3.5 hours of driving each way. |
Now, crossing the border into Tanzania is both easy and difficult. It's really easy if you do it illegally, but much more difficult if you cross the border by the rules. To make things much more difficult, I had a distinct desire not to end up in a jail cell on child trafficking charges, so we had to make sure that we had all of the right paperwork in hand prior to crossing border with two Kenyan children. After a bunch of paperwork, we finally got everything straight and were ready to head to Tanzania.
Agape does around 130 visits a week to children's homes all over Kenya, and almost all of these visits are done by Agape's Kenyan staff using public transportation. Because of the distance that had to be traveled, plus the border crossing, I volunteered to drive so that the trip could be completed in one day. We departed Kisumu around 7:30 AM and arrived at the Tanzanian border at 10:30 AM. We were making great time . . . then the border!
 |
| The Kenyan side of the Tanzanian border. |
- Passport
- Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination
- $100 US (2003 or newer bill) - 3-month multiple entry visa
- Original Vehicle Logbook (Title)
- Tanzanian Car Insurance - 3,500 KSh ($45 US)
- Payment to Kenyan Paperwork "Helper" - 500 KSh ($6 US)
- Payment to Tanzanian Paperwork "Helper" - 500 KSh ($6 US)
 |
| Kenyan Cybercafe |
Once I had all of my paperwork straight, we were now ready to cross over into Tanzania. About this time I realized that the Kenyans and Tanzanians were crossing the border without showing any paperwork at all . . . they just walked across! On the Tanzanian side of the border things went more smoothly. It was just really expensive! $100 for a 3-month visa. The Kenyans with me didn't have to pay anything, though.
 |
| Winnie, Brian, Steven, and Julius - Brian's half-brother |
We also had to buy Tanzanian car insurance when we arrived, which was a surprise. I tried to convince the Tanzanians that I didn't need their insurance, but I was quickly overruled. So, with a new insurance sticker, we drove on to Brian's and Steven's maternal home in Tarime, Tanzania.
While the terrain of Kenya and Tanzania are very similar, what struck all of us was the different styles of house in Tanzania. Every house that we saw in Tanzania was made of brick (a rarity in Kenya where most rural house are made of mud and dung) until we arrived at our destination . . . and found a very traditional Kenyan home.
 |
| The compound was surround by a 10-foot fence to keep out cattle thieves. |
Now, I have been in many Kenyan homes throughout Nyanza and Western Provinces, but I have never seen a compound quite like this one. The compound was surrounded by a 10-foot fence made of sticks and logs - it looked more like a fortress!
 |
| Inside the Compound |
One of the unique things about this compound was that the enclosure for the family's cattle was located inside the compound. After speaking with the family more we learned that Brian's grandfather was murdered by cattle thieves, so it helped us all to understand all of the family's security precautions!
 | |
| Inside the compound #2 |
Upon our arrival, the family was thrilled to see the boys. Here is a short video of our initial arrival in the compound:
Here is another video showing a 360-degree look at the family's home:
Within this video you can see the granaries built into the walls of the compound for the storage of corn to make ugali, Kenya's staple food. When we arrived, Brian's grandmother insisted that we stay for a meal. Soon, a chicken was chased around the yard and eventually slaughtered for our meal.
 |
| Winnie, Steven, and Brian wait as a meal is prepared. |
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| Some of Brian's and Steven's family members. |
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| One of Brian's & Steven's aunts cooks a meal for us. |
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| One of Brian's and Steven's nieces. |
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| Our meal: Chicken, Soup and Ugali (corn meal) |
 | ||
| Brian, Steven, and their family! |
The photo above really shows such an incredible contrast - a traditional Kenyan home with a cell phone tower in the background. You see this throughout East Africa - modern technology right next to traditional living.
 |
| Corn drying on the shoulder of the highway. |
We ended up leaving the grandmother's home at 4 PM and amazingly made it back to Kisumu not long after dark at 7:30 PM. Thank you Lord for a safe trip!
Please pray for us as we continue to seek the Lord on whether this home may be a good fit for them. Also, please pray for Brian and Steven that God would draw them to this home if this is where He wants them. Lastly, pray for our wisdom considering that Brian is HIV positive. We want to ensure that wherever we place him that he can receive proper medical care to stay healthy!
Friday, June 14, 2013
One Day, Two Broken Arm Surgeries
As crazy as it might sound, Agape had to take two of its own for surgeries on their left arms yesterday.
Daudi's Case: Daudi is one of our reintegrated boys, and during a home visit two weeks ago, our staff member found out that Daudi had dislocated and fractured his arm after falling out of a tree. To make matters worse, his family decided to use traditional African medicine to attempt to treat the injury. A local healer cut his arm in different places and rubbed herbs into the cuts. By the time our Agape team member found Daudi, a week had passed and his arm was badly infected from the cuts, still dislocated, and still fractured. We immediately took Daudi to Jal Aram Hospital where they began to treat Daudi. For the past two weeks, the hospital has been treating the infection so that they could operate, yesterday being the day of surgery.
Ted's Case: On Tuesday, one of our vehicles ended up in the ditch outside of Agape's front gate. A tow rope was tied to the truck in the ditch, and as the truck was being pulled out Ted, one of my managers, made the mistake of trying to push the truck from behind. The truck shifted, pinning his left arm to a tree and snapping both bones in his left forearm. Pretty nasty! The surgeon had to put a plate in each bone of his forearm yesterday evening.
We praise the Lord that Daudi and Ted made it through their surgeries well. Both will remain in the hospital for a few days as they recover from surgery. Please keep both in your prayers as they recover!
Daudi & Ted
Daudi's Case: Daudi is one of our reintegrated boys, and during a home visit two weeks ago, our staff member found out that Daudi had dislocated and fractured his arm after falling out of a tree. To make matters worse, his family decided to use traditional African medicine to attempt to treat the injury. A local healer cut his arm in different places and rubbed herbs into the cuts. By the time our Agape team member found Daudi, a week had passed and his arm was badly infected from the cuts, still dislocated, and still fractured. We immediately took Daudi to Jal Aram Hospital where they began to treat Daudi. For the past two weeks, the hospital has been treating the infection so that they could operate, yesterday being the day of surgery.
Ted's Case: On Tuesday, one of our vehicles ended up in the ditch outside of Agape's front gate. A tow rope was tied to the truck in the ditch, and as the truck was being pulled out Ted, one of my managers, made the mistake of trying to push the truck from behind. The truck shifted, pinning his left arm to a tree and snapping both bones in his left forearm. Pretty nasty! The surgeon had to put a plate in each bone of his forearm yesterday evening.
We praise the Lord that Daudi and Ted made it through their surgeries well. Both will remain in the hospital for a few days as they recover from surgery. Please keep both in your prayers as they recover!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
The Reverse Milk Carton Experiment: Do You Know Me?
Growing up in the US, we all used to see pictures of missing children placed on the back of milk cartons with the statement "Have You Seen Me?" Well, we have the opposite problem at times when dealing with Kenyan street children. We have the child, but we have no clue where the family is located. Ian is a great example.
When Ian was small (we're guessing 5 or 6), his parents took him for a visit to his grandparents' house. In the middle of the night, Ian began missing his father, and decided to go look for him. The local police found him wandering the streets of Maseno about an hour outside of Kisumu. Instead of taking Ian to the local chief to attempt to find his family, the police chose to take him to Kisumu and placed him Children's Remand Home, the equivalent of Juvenile Hall in the US.
While at Remand, the local government forgot about him, and Ian spent four or five years sitting in this government home. In early 2010, Remand approached Agape and asked if we would be willing to care for Ian because they lacked the resources and structure to attempt to locate his family. Agape agreed, and in March 2010, Ian became an Agape boy.
Over the past three years, Agape has attempted to locate Ian's family in Maseno but has been unsuccessful thus far . . . an unusual experience for our Kenyan team, who in the past five years have located over 1,000 children's families. Ian and another boy named Willis are the only two boys in five years who we have yet to find their families.
Hence, the "Reverse Milk Carton" experiment; over the next few weeks we are planning to canvas the Maseno area delivering flyers not asking "Have You Seen Me?" but instead asking "Do You Know Me?" We plan to leave flyers with local schools, churches, and with local government offices. We also plan to leave the flyers with local chiefs and village elders who can share the flyer with their constituents during community meetings called "barazas."
Please pray that through these efforts someone will recognize Ian so that we can reunite him with his family after 7 years!!!
Do you know this boy? He went missing from Maseno District in 2006. If you know him, please call: 0725588316.
When Ian was small (we're guessing 5 or 6), his parents took him for a visit to his grandparents' house. In the middle of the night, Ian began missing his father, and decided to go look for him. The local police found him wandering the streets of Maseno about an hour outside of Kisumu. Instead of taking Ian to the local chief to attempt to find his family, the police chose to take him to Kisumu and placed him Children's Remand Home, the equivalent of Juvenile Hall in the US.
While at Remand, the local government forgot about him, and Ian spent four or five years sitting in this government home. In early 2010, Remand approached Agape and asked if we would be willing to care for Ian because they lacked the resources and structure to attempt to locate his family. Agape agreed, and in March 2010, Ian became an Agape boy.
Over the past three years, Agape has attempted to locate Ian's family in Maseno but has been unsuccessful thus far . . . an unusual experience for our Kenyan team, who in the past five years have located over 1,000 children's families. Ian and another boy named Willis are the only two boys in five years who we have yet to find their families.
Hence, the "Reverse Milk Carton" experiment; over the next few weeks we are planning to canvas the Maseno area delivering flyers not asking "Have You Seen Me?" but instead asking "Do You Know Me?" We plan to leave flyers with local schools, churches, and with local government offices. We also plan to leave the flyers with local chiefs and village elders who can share the flyer with their constituents during community meetings called "barazas."
Please pray that through these efforts someone will recognize Ian so that we can reunite him with his family after 7 years!!!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Spousal Violence Against Men Causes Jiggers . . . Wait, What?
When reading Kenyan newspapers, you will sometimes come across articles that really make you laugh. Case and point, the May 2nd issue of the "Daily Nation", one of the more reputable newspapers in Kenya, published an article entitled "Study ties jigger menace to battery."
Now, jiggers are definitely a menace in Kenya. I wrote a blog post back in July of last year (http://theagapepages.blogspot.com/2012/07/jiggers-warning-this-is-gross.html) detailing the nasty business of jiggers, small fleas that lay eggs under the skin. But do men whose wives beat them run a greater risk of getting jiggers? You decide:
My conclusion: A single Kenyan man (or a man whose wife has abandoned him) has a greater chance of getting jiggers because most Kenyan men will not involve themselves in domestic cleaning. People get jiggers because they don't sweep the floors of their homes regularly.
Ahadi Kenya, "The Anti-Jigger Campaign," gave the above-pictured victim of jiggers and spousal abuse a chain saw as a symbolic gesture of empowering men to overcome domestic violence and jiggers. I hope he puts that chainsaw to good use in sweeping his home.
Jiggers in the feet of one of the Agape boys.
Now, jiggers are definitely a menace in Kenya. I wrote a blog post back in July of last year (http://theagapepages.blogspot.com/2012/07/jiggers-warning-this-is-gross.html) detailing the nasty business of jiggers, small fleas that lay eggs under the skin. But do men whose wives beat them run a greater risk of getting jiggers? You decide:
(Click the photo to enlarge the article.)
My conclusion: A single Kenyan man (or a man whose wife has abandoned him) has a greater chance of getting jiggers because most Kenyan men will not involve themselves in domestic cleaning. People get jiggers because they don't sweep the floors of their homes regularly.
Ahadi Kenya, "The Anti-Jigger Campaign," gave the above-pictured victim of jiggers and spousal abuse a chain saw as a symbolic gesture of empowering men to overcome domestic violence and jiggers. I hope he puts that chainsaw to good use in sweeping his home.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
An Agape Funeral - Brian's Story
Our family had been living in Kenya for about four months when Brian first showed up from the street at Agape in December of 2011. From the outset you could tell that Brian was a little different both physically and mentally from the other Agape boys. While Brian always had a big smile on his face, he really didn't make many friends on campus. Quirky would be the best way to describe Brian when he first arrived. We took the Agape boys to a local pool during that school break, and Brian's stomach was obviously swollen and distended, which led us to seek medical help to find out what was causing his swollen abdomen. Early on we learned that Brian suffered from chronic malaria and his spleen was severely swollen as a result.
We put Brian on medication to treat his swollen spleen but over the next two months Brian ran back to the streets twice. From February through October, Brian managed to settle down and only ran away to the streets for a 2-week period during that timeframe. He even successfully stayed with his aunt in Kisumu during one of the school breaks for a 4-week period.
Then, Brian got really sick. One day at Agape, he developed a serious fever and lost consciousness. We rushed him to the best hospital in Kisumu where he stayed for a week and was treated for another relapse of malaria. Upon his release from the hospital, though, Brian's quirkiness escalated to semi-dementia. One minute he would be laughing, the next crying. He became somewhat violent towards the other Agape boys. In the US, we probably would have taken him for mental evaluation, but in Kenya such medical care does not exist.
Over the next few weeks, Brian went through a few cycles of jumping, then returning back to Agape. At one point we attempted to reintegrate him back home with his family with the hope that this would help him, but he stayed at home less than a day and returned to the streets. The police eventually arrested him and placed him in Remand (Juvenile Hall). While in Remand, Brian had another relapse of malaria, and Remand chose to take him to "Russia" Hospital, the local government hospital. After a number of weeks in the hospital, Brian died last Sunday night of complications associated with his chronic malaria.
We don't know whether Brian knew Jesus as his Savior or not, because of his lack of lucidity in the last few months of his life. We do know that Brian heard the Gospel message constantly while at Agape and pray that he came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. I had the opportunity to share Brian's story with the Agape boys on campus, many of whom knew Brian well. The dangers of the street are so real. Please pray that Brian's death may serve as an example for our Agape boys on the realities of life and death and their status as sinners in need of a Savior.
I had the privilege to attend Brian's funeral at his rural home south of Bondo, about 1 1/2 hours outside of Kisumu, and I was able to bring a few of Brian's friends from Agape with me.
Brian, during his first week at Agape in December 2011.
We put Brian on medication to treat his swollen spleen but over the next two months Brian ran back to the streets twice. From February through October, Brian managed to settle down and only ran away to the streets for a 2-week period during that timeframe. He even successfully stayed with his aunt in Kisumu during one of the school breaks for a 4-week period.
Then, Brian got really sick. One day at Agape, he developed a serious fever and lost consciousness. We rushed him to the best hospital in Kisumu where he stayed for a week and was treated for another relapse of malaria. Upon his release from the hospital, though, Brian's quirkiness escalated to semi-dementia. One minute he would be laughing, the next crying. He became somewhat violent towards the other Agape boys. In the US, we probably would have taken him for mental evaluation, but in Kenya such medical care does not exist.
Over the next few weeks, Brian went through a few cycles of jumping, then returning back to Agape. At one point we attempted to reintegrate him back home with his family with the hope that this would help him, but he stayed at home less than a day and returned to the streets. The police eventually arrested him and placed him in Remand (Juvenile Hall). While in Remand, Brian had another relapse of malaria, and Remand chose to take him to "Russia" Hospital, the local government hospital. After a number of weeks in the hospital, Brian died last Sunday night of complications associated with his chronic malaria.
We don't know whether Brian knew Jesus as his Savior or not, because of his lack of lucidity in the last few months of his life. We do know that Brian heard the Gospel message constantly while at Agape and pray that he came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. I had the opportunity to share Brian's story with the Agape boys on campus, many of whom knew Brian well. The dangers of the street are so real. Please pray that Brian's death may serve as an example for our Agape boys on the realities of life and death and their status as sinners in need of a Savior.
I had the privilege to attend Brian's funeral at his rural home south of Bondo, about 1 1/2 hours outside of Kisumu, and I was able to bring a few of Brian's friends from Agape with me.
Isaiah, Kerry, Geoffrey, Brian, and Jason line up to go to the funeral.
Brian's home near Nyanza - his casket is displayed at the front of the house prior to the funeral.
Brian's family graciously served our Agape boys a big meal.
A short video of Brian's casket being carried forward for the funeral service.
Brian's family is Catholict, and the four ladies and one man above conducted half of the service . . .
. . . and Solomon, a Pentecostal minister from Kisumu conducted the other half.
A short clip of a few ladies leading everyone in a song during the funeral program. (Sorry, it starts out sideways!)
Some of the friends and family members at the funeral.
A short video of Pastor Solomon preaching in Luo - a great example of Kenyan preaching! (sorry another sideways starter!)
The lady in white, Brian's Catholict Sunday School teacher, conducted the burial service.
A short video of singing prior to Brian's burial.
Four men quickly buried Brian's body while the congregation sang a few songs.
Pastor Solomon led the group in songs as the grave was filled. This is a great example of what Kenyan worship sounds like.
Pastor Solomon led the group in songs as the grave was filled. This is a great example of what Kenyan worship sounds like.
Please pray for our Agape boys and girls!!!!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Reuniting Street Boys With Their Families
On Wednesday, I helped Olgah, one of Agape's social workers, take three of our boys for home visits in Eldoret. It was a tough day!
Random Photo: The Transition Boys lining up for class.
Using public transportation, the trip to Eldoret can take as long as 4
hours, but using my truck we were able to make the trip in about 2
hours.
Olgah stands with Nicholas, Steven, and Hesborn, the three boys we took for home visits.
Sabatia is one of my favorite villages to drive through, because of the huge trees that line the road.
Standing Room Only!
We found Steven's stepfather who works as a piki driver (motorcycle taxi), but sadly he was unwilling for Steven to stay with him. Steven's mother left the stepfather back in 2009 and hasn't been seen since. The stepfather felt that he would be a big joke if he took Steven back into his home after the mother had left him. He was able to provide us with Steven's mother's phone number, and she has agreed to come and get Steven. Please continue praying for Steven; his mother is a hairdresser in Nairobi and is very unreliable. She wants Steven to stay with her family in rural Kenya, and Steven would rather be on the streets than stay in the rural home.
Downtown Eldoret
Hesborn with his little sister, Beatrice.
Hesborn's mother, Hesborn, and Olgah (holding baby Beatrice). Hesborn was reintegrated last year but somehow found his way back to Kisumu. He happily returned back home to his mother. Please pray that he will stay home this time!
Children playing in an Eldoret slum near Nicholas's home.
Nicholas' story is a sad one. Olgah took him to where his mother had been staying but the door was locked. They were able to find Nicholas' aunt nearby who shared that Nicholas' mother had moved to another area. Olgah and Nicholas were walking to meet with Nicholas' grandparents at their home when he decided to run away. He sprinted off into a cornfield, leaving Olgah yelling after him. Please pray that Nicholas will decide to go back home or will come back to Agape.
Hey! No fair! Eldoret has a Starbucks!
On our return trip we came across a nasty accident in the mountains outside of Kisumu where a large cargo truck hit a motorcycle and bicycle. The motorcycle driver was badly hurt but refused to leave his motorcycle. The second man was unconscious and bleeding badly, so we laid him in the backseat of my truck and took him to the hospital in Kisumu. Please pray for this young man; there is a strong possibility that he will not survive his injuries.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Back at Agape!
After three months in the US, it was awesome to be back at Agape this week, spending time with both my staff and the Agape Boys. Here's a few photos from the week:
The boys in the Transition Class sing a song. These are our newest boys from the streets of Kisumu.
Having a blast on the tire swing after school.
Joshua & Geoffrey hanging out.
Kelvin giving his silliest face.
The transition class doing a team building exercise.
A group of fundis (builders) chip rocks to the proper shapes to be used in a retaining wall.
Joshua Odhiambo
Collins Oduor
Benta, Jectone, George, Richard, Paul, & Peter
Boys goofing around playing hopscotch.
A toy truck made by one of the Agape boys.
One of the new Agape boys finishes mopping the classroom after class.
Crazy Boys!
Kisumu'ed at Standard Chartered Bank attempting to pay school fees for a boy (I wasn't successful).
In Kondele, meeting two younger street boys with Pastor Joel. They said that they would come to Agape later in the day, but they haven't shown up, yet.
A few older street boys in Kondele; by the time they reach this age (16 and older), it is very difficult to get them off of the street.
Checkers after class!
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