Tag Archives: toys

Ohhh, bubble wrap!

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How many of you have sat popping bubble wrap?  I admit I love doing it!  While packing for our last trip in 2008 we wrapped several things in bubble wrap, so when we unpacked that was pretty much the first thing the kids took from the garbage pile!

bubble wrap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all I  heard that day was pop, pop, pop!  Then when it was all ‘popped’ out they rolled it up, used the tape from the boxes and made balls.  They are pretty clever and use whatever is around to make toys – whether that be empty water bottles, boxes or bubble wrap.

When we move to Kenya I’m hoping to start an arts and craft program at Nice View Academy, either after school or on the weekend.  I remember with my own children having such a fun time talking while making crafts, so I’m excited to spend time with the kids at Nice View doing the same thing!

Remember the beanies?

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Been thinking about our kids in Kenya – well, that isn’t really news because I think of them every day.  Remembering their smiling faces always brings a smile to my face and going through my pictures helps too.

We had some teens from the US donate beanie babies which we were able to hand out during our last trip in October 2008.  I usually carried them in a book bag so I would have them ready whenever a kid showed up, which was very often!  When Chuck went to hand our neighbor one she didn’t look too happy.  We were the first “whites” she had ever seen and Chuck’s also a big guy, so I can imagine what was going through her mind (who and what is this thing?)  He got down on one knee and held the beanie baby out but she just wouldn’t take it.  Finally he had to give it to mom and have her hand it to the little one. 

 Will she take it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This young boy is also our neighbor and a student at Nice View so he had seen us before and knew that we liked to hand out fun things to the kids – along with school books, backpacks, pens etc.

A beanie baby brings smiles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was so fun to see the differences in reactions and we only had one little one who just wouldn’t take her beanie penguin!  No matter who tried to give it to her.  Plus we had to bring out the snake after everyone saw that these were just toys and of course it was a boy who wanted the snake! 

What joy such a small thing can bring a child.  I pray those beanies are still bringing joy and comfort to the children.

Movie night at the Academy

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Every Saturday night while we were in Tala, Kenya we would set up our projector/dvd player/speakers and have a movie night. We found the kids love action movies and they really seem to enjoy slapstick humor (falling down and such nonsense as that!)

We would also have snacks – one night we had crisps (chips) and soda, another night would be popcorn and juice then another night would be biscuits (cookies) and milk. Now being a mom the cookies and milk were ok with me as the milk didn’t have as much sugar, but the kids voted the popcorn and soda the winner snack hands-down!

After the first couple of Saturday’s we found many of the adults at the Academy (teachers, night watchmen etc.) would show up just about the time the snacks would be handed out and the movie started!

It was so neat to see the kids enjoy a “night out” even if it was in a classroom with a sheet for a screen and sitting three to a desk! We’ve heard from Gideon and Pauline that the kids are anxious for us to come back so we can again start our traditional Saturday night movie time.

If you have any DVD’s (PG-13 or below) you’d like to donate please send them to Saved By God’s Grace at 4410 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite #7, Glendale, Arizona 85308. Thank you!

Toys for Kenya!

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More people helping the poor is always a good thing and we are always humbled as to how people get involved.

We are in the process of working with the Academy of Cinema and Television (A.C.T.) for a toy drive. With the extreme poverty in Kenya, toys may seem like a non-important item. But for our children in Kenya it not only lets them know they are cared for but that they are worth our efforts of getting toys to them.

The simple act of giving them a toy of their own puts a smile on their face and that is priceless.

This video gives you an idea of what the nursery students were playing with and this was the only doll for the entire class. This was taken in February 2008 on our first trip to Kenya.

On our last trip in October 2008 we took with us several dolls, trucks, Frisbees, jump ropes etc. But as many of you know, toys don’t last forever. The A.C.T.’s offer of having a toy drive is wonderful and we look forward to partnering with them in this effort.

More info to come…

Beanie Baby madness!

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The Beanies have been a great success – thank you to all who dontated those cute critters! I feel a bit better by handing out those instead of sweets all the time. While we were staying with the Brooks’ (thanks Kate and Johnny again for your hospitality!) we played a game with the Beanies and everyone received one. In Tala I had one little girl who cried when I tried to hand her a Beanie. Then the older kids saw that she was scared of it so they decided to run after her with them and scare her! I hope she eventually got over it so she could play with hers.

Again we were without electricity for a couple of days in which time my computer battery and phone battery both went dead. But that’s life in Kenya and it reminds me that all around me people are living without running water or electricity on a daily basis. It makes me think of how we take those items for granted – we expect water to come out of the faucet, we expect the lights to turn on when we throw the switch, we expect the refrigerator to be full when we open it. Everytime I eat here I pray for those who have nothing to eat and ask that I be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s push to help. Please remember those who do not have in your prayer time and perhaps pray for God to show you a way to help.

Always love the weekends!

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Another wonderful weekend. We played all afternoon on Saturday with the kids. This guy, Nicholas, fell asleep outside the window where the music was. The ground isn’t a preferable pillow, but who can argue with a kid and where he wants to fall asleep! Then Milkah was getting her hair undone and ready to be washed and plaited. I helped undo it and it’s a job! You use a thorn from the bushes and slowly undo the braids. But then she had big hair and we teased her all afternoon! She makes me feel at home because she’s the only one around here who gets sarcasm and can give it right back. Chuck had a little powwow with the boys, so with this picture I also got the progress of the building. They are getting it ready to pour the cement next week. Then we prepared for movie night. We watched Shrek and they all loved it. But they are asking for another movie like the “Sassy” movie (Homeward Bound). I do have one so maybe next Saturday. This week we had sodas and chips for a change instead of popcorn. The projector is working great! And now they anticipate a movie every Saturday night. I’m not sure what will happen when we leave; I guess I’ll try to teach someone how to plug everything in in the right order. With the power converter and everything it’s a little more involved than just plugging stuff in.

Then on Sunday teacher Evelyn came to school with us (she is Pauline’s niece and lives with them) and had a guidance and counseling session with the girls. She’s calling it GTGT (Girl to Girl Talk). I sat in and it lasted about 4 hours! Imagine, girls sitting that long listening to issues about menstruation, boys, their bodies, respect (I have to admit, Aretha Franklin’s song went through my head) and many other issues. The girls had some interesting questions and they are being encouraged to think for themselves, work hard on their studies and to make good choices. I liked Evelyn and teacher Jane (who is the matron and lives in the dorms with the kids) encouraging the girls to talk to them and bring up any questions they may have. Many of the girls are very shy, but with constant encouragement they will begin to feel comfortable coming to them with their issues. This was the first session and they plan on having it once a month. Evelyn said she would try to have Chuck talk at the next meeting so they could have a man’s perspective on how they should be treated as young women and what they should consider when thinking about having a boyfriend. Before leaving Chuck had one of the boys, Moses, get on the roof to retrieve the Frisbee. When he came down off the roof he pushed himself off and started to go backwards. Chuck had a hold of his feet but they both went over backwards and landed on the hard ground. Thank God there wasn’t a rock behind them! Chuck stayed on the ground for a few minutes but Moses bounced up and said he was alright. I’m sure Chuck will be sore tomorrow! Then we walked back home with Evelyn, had dinner and some good conversation with Pauline. She is a very insightful woman and I love hearing her examples to make lessons real-to-life. Except she started an example of saying “when you separate rice from the stones”, but then laughed because I had told her before that we don’t have to do that at home. It all comes pre-packaged and separated. So she had to think of another example. I’m so thankful for the family that God brought us to here in Tala. He knows all of us so well and brought us together for His purpose. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

A fulfilling Saturday!

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Saturday was a busy day, but a good day. We got over to the Academy around 10 and the kids were still having classes (they have extra tutoring on Saturday’s from around 8-1). So that’s when I updated the blog – love this internet modem! After lunch we had a home visit to Ruth Mumbua’s home. She has six siblings with a single mom. Sometime earlier in the year her mom was cooking in their outside kitchen when a wall fell on her and her son, killing the seven year old boy and injuring mom’s hip. Her husband died suddenly when her youngest was only 8 months old (now the youngest is about 18 months old) She has been struggling ever since – when we visited they had not had any food in the house for a couple of days. The younger ones were begging from the neighbors to eat and Ruth was only eating what she received at the school – which is porridge in the morning and lunch before going home. We are working with mom to see what we can do to help and how we can help. It’s a bit different here in that you can’t just give someone money or food in fear that someone may rob them of it. And it was a real concern of moms so we told her we would work something out. Ruth said they have been praying for another uniform for her – since she only has one and trying to keep that one clean all the time is hard and a school bag (backpack). We have backpacks at the school so Monday we’ll get her one – so one prayer answered – AMEN! She’s such a sweet and smart girl, she’s ranked #9 in her class (6th grade) out of 31! These are the people you are helping, not only putting food in their stomachs but giving them a reason to succeed, a reason to have hope. They are being told it is only through God’s grace that we are here helping and He is the reason to have that hope for the future.

Then upon our return we got the balls out and had the field full of kids again playing. It was great to sit and watch them playing and laughing together. I only handed out a couple of hackies and one was to Kelvin who really has skill with it. While we were watching, Moses the one on my right, wanted a picture of us together. But here once the camera is out a mob arises and you can’t get just one picture with someone! He’s such a sweet kid and loves hugs (I told him Tarrin was missing my hugs so I think he’s helping in that area!) He was walking around school the other day and he usually has a smile, but this day he didn’t so I asked him what was wrong. (Most of the kids don’t feel comfortable telling us their stories). When he said nothing was wrong I told him to talk to Ruth (being the house mom they tell her everything!) He said he hadn’t been able to reach his mom for some needed items (he is a border here) and he was very sad and started to cry. We told him we had the items he needed so not to worry about it. Ruth said his mother is very hard to reach and many times they never hear from her during the school term. So Moses is aching for human interaction and hugs which I am only too happy to give him! He’s another person you are helping with your support – he is able to live here among people who love him and want him around.
Then everyone had dinner while we got the projector set up for movie night. We got popcorn (already popped from the grocery store) and juice for everyone. We watched Homeward Bound and everyone had a good time. To give these kids an opportunity to just relax, have some popcorn and watch a movie – to just be a kid not wondering if mom will visit, not worrying about school exams or thinking about their home situations. These times are possible through God’s grace and love for us all.

Another glorious day in Kenya!

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What a day! Pauline, Ruth and I unpacked all the suitcases and organized the store (storage room). These shelves were empty until we filled them up with your generous donations! And on one wall we lined suitcases filled with clothes. Robert made several friends and showed a couple of the boys how to play hackie sack. We were anxious to see how the kids would react to Frisbees so we had to throw a couple out to them. They didn’t know how to play with it but after much practice they were doing pretty well. (I have video tape which I will not attempt to put on the blog from here!) But they played all afternoon until dinner time at which time Chuck and Robert served dinner. They were relieved of their duties by Ann (the cook) and Mutie (the night watchman) because they were serving too much food to each child and they would run out. Lucky for them Ann and Mutie saved them! Then after dinner Chuck handed out sweets to end the day. It was a busy day for all but a glorious one and I pray that God was pleased with what was accomplished. By the way, here are new additions to the Academy!