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This is a trip about hope. It’s not about religion or having all the answers. It’s about us connecting and encouraging those who find themselves without hope. Mother Teresa once said:
We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.
Whether we find ourselves sitting in the home of someone who is sick, or encouraging local entrepreneurs in their quest to strengthen their communities, we hope that our encouragement crosses racial, tribal, and religious boarders. We have seen this already at work in the different people who have made this trip possible- people of all walks of life. So thanks for following along. I know Matt has been hard at working creating map where you can locate us regularly- so enjoy!
Heading out to a place like Kenya relocates us and puts some of the greatest needs in the world right in front of us. We must keep in mind, however, that issues of poverty, education, violence, and racism exist on our streets as well. Our hope is that this trip not only empowers the poor and struggling people of western Kenya, but us as well- to live into what we hope for the world.
Tension – Week 1 – Economy of Love from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.
HUGE thanks to the extremely talented people who put on this classy event. Both events combined raised over $2,000 to support the team and projects in Kenya. Again, to all who came out and have encouraged us in this process- thank you!
All photos by
Jeannine Mengel
Illula is the other ELI development center we will be staying at. Like Kipkaren, there is a children’s home, training center and a variety of other projects geared towards breaking the cycle of poverty in the region. Here are a few images from last year….
Several photos taken by Jordan Baxter
Today is a big day in Kenya as voting begins on a new constitution. Our prayers are for peace as we think of our friends that live there and our upcoming trip.
Understanding the past event…
What’s at stake today…
Here are a few images from the 2007 events by our friend Micah Albert:
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“I’m always suspicious of simple solutions to complex problems.” Those are the words I hear repeated by a colleague of mine pretty routinely. It’s a turn on a phrase I am apt to repeat: “Complex problems require creative solutions and dedicated people.”
I’ve been thinking about the issue of complexity and the role it plays for someone who is passionate about solving problems plaguing communities and organizations. Kenya, like some of her sisters in East Africa, wrestles with a number of problems that inspire Western interest: hunger, infrastructure, clean water and curable diseases.
Continue reading →
Kipkaran is one of the villages we will be serving in. You can find it on our map. The Empowering Lives center there teaches courses in sustainable agriculture, is home to the Cheboiywa Health Clinic, a school, and a children’s home housing 96 orphans. Through the work of the Cheboiywa Health Clinic near the village, ELI is able to treat common ailments and injuries, educate families about preventative health, vaccinate them against frequent illness, provide malaria programs in local schools, bring new babies into the world in a sanitary environment, and so much more. Lots of great things going on here. Can’t wait to go back.
Below are a few images of my time there last year. Ron and I (Ryan) are the only two returning. The rest of the team will be getting there first look at the work being done in western Kenya.
