While we have many things to be thankful for, you are at the very top of our list! Thank you family, friends and neighbors for the comments you post on our blog. Being so far from home, your prayers and words of encouragement are both needed and appreciated.
Today (Monday), we attended one of four distributions happening in our project area. You would be impressed at the thoroughness of the plan that is utilized at each distribution! Before the beneficiaries arrive, the food is piled up in stacks of 5 bags of maize, one bag of split peas (to “split” five ways) and 5 bottles of oil. The beneficiaries wait patiently in a long line. Once their identity has been verified, 5 beneficiaries at a time are ushered to the distribution area. They carry, but mostly drag, these heavy (50 kg) bags to a designated area where they divide up the split peas. In these photos, you will see each of us trying to help some of the recipients open their sacks with Annie’s scissors or Harry’s pocket knife. Previous beneficiaries know enough to bring along a razor blade or knife and some even use their teeth! (The really experienced ones know how to get the string to unravel – we are learning!)
After this, other family members are allowed to join the household head who has the official card, to load up the supplies. The slide show below will amaze you with their ingenuity in finding ways to take their goods home – often a very long distance away.
It is such an incredible joy to see their happy faces despite long, hot waiting times. They express their gratitude in a variety of handshakes, hugs from the really spontaneous ones, or both! They are effusive with their verbal thanks (in limited English or in Swahili) to all the Canadian donors and to God. “Bwana Asifiwe” (praise God) is heard a lot here!
Although we certainly missed spending time with our family this Thanksgiving Day, we felt richly blessed to be part of God’s family here in Kenya. Sharing in the joy and gratitude of these 400 households was a wonderful way for us to spend our Thanksgiving Day!
WOW! the pictures are coming back beautifully- thanks for sharing- happy to see you ,Harry wearing a hat!! way to go and I know it’s hot- the gratitude these folks have in spite of so little is really amazing. They are teaching us to always live with a thankful heart no matter what the circumstance! Have a blessed day Harry and Annie! We continue in prayer for you and the work you do in Christ.
Thank you Harry and Annie for giving us some more insight into the intricacies of your work. Some great pictures as well – nice to see some “action shots!” 🙂
Bwana Asifiwe for your commitment and service to the people of Kenya and wishing you continued blessings!!
Everytime I read your blog and see the pictures we’re inspired and envious of the work you’re doing and where you are. Thank you again for sharing your experiences, it is so interesting to see the different ways that people carry their “goods”. It made us think … we really don’t appreciate our car the way we should. Happy Thanksgiving and good health and strenght to you till we hear from you again!
Very good coverage. Neat to see you helping the African man open a bag Annie. It looks like you are really enjoying yourself Harry, keep smiling. Nice shot of the homemade wheelbarrow. The women are dressed so beautifully, I can’t get over how they can carry all that weight on the top of her head. That’s a beautiful picture of the woman in blue and the young boy loading food onto their donkeys . keep up the good work! We love you ,your brother Dick
Thank you Annie and Harry for doing something that most of us wish we could do but are constrained by circumstances to stay home. I WILL be more grateful for the richness we enjoy here in Canada and will do what I can, right here, to share what God has given us responsibilty for. Pictures are great – love the candid shots. What did You have to eat for Thanksgiving? – bet it wasn’t turkey.
What a blessing you are! Actually, you have always blessed others, but now you’re really blessing. Wait a minute–can one really compare blessings? Anyways, I love your blog, and am so proud to be your sister. You are an inspiration! I’ll bet the people there love you, just like we all do!
Harry & Annie – what an amazing blog, I look forward to your continued updates.. Thank you so much for sharing.
As we sat down to ourThanksgiving dinner I could not help but think about this blog, how very fortunate we are in Canada. My thoughts and prayers are with you both as you undertake this amazing and inspring work.
The photos you are taking are astonishing, and the ingenuity of the people you are assisting makes me smile and cry at the same time.
Thank you both.
SJ
You both look well, and I know you are thankful to be able to do this very necessary work. We continue to give thanks to God for what you are doing and that He has given you the ability to do this well. Loved the pictures. It’s true what they say, a picture speaks a thousand words!
Hi Annie and Harry. Thanks so much for the wonderful accounts of your experiences and the beautiful colourful photos which really give us an insight into your work, the surroundings and the people who are so dependent on you. Why am I not surprised that you both look like you are thoroughly enjoying what you are doing.
Your blogs remind me once again how much time, effort and patience some people need just to feed their families a very basic meal. I hear Jane Goodall speak the other day, and one quote which has spun around in my head. “the world has enough resources to supply all the needs of mankind, but not enough to fullfill the greed of mankind.” He has his eye on you both, as you give that cup of refreshment so needed in that part of the world.
Blessings and love, luciena
Dreamt about you last night: we were visiting Mom and bringing her a Thanksgiving dinner. I broke one of your dishes but you said it didn’t matter. There are so many more important things in the world. Made me realize how important your mission is in Kenya, also how happy you both look helping the people receiving their portions of food. We send our best wishes of encouragement and know that this is probably the highlight of your lives! And one month is almost over. The blog is wonderful; thank you!
The ladies balancing those heavy sacs on their heads: how’s THAT for head-tail connection?! 😉
xo,
Cristina