| Meet the McIntyres

1/8/13

11:50 pm

I feel like not an hour goes by that something crazy doesn't happen. Our team has endured more adventures on this trip than I imagined could be packed in to two weeks. This group of people really is an incredibly combination of personalities and hearts; I can honestly say I gained something from every single person here. We had our final team debriefing tonight after dinner, and went back to the beginning to look back on our highs and lows.

Of course, we started with Ekubo, and I immediately started to tear up. Randy and Kerry said they enjoyed our prayer walk through the village. Gail loved feeding the kids on New Years, and Teryll appreciated that we REALLY lived the Africa experience. I just thought of Zziwa and Moses and how amazing it is that they started with so little and are now so successful. Those two are the tangible picture of the light at the end of the tunnel. They give me hope. They embody Africa. Moses said "we are not poor- we are rich because we are happy." That struck me more than anything. I feel like the American culture constantly focuses on the negative: in the media, in the workplace, in our relationships, in our faith. But here, all these people have hope and love, and that is all you need.

Then we talked about Return and how great it was to cheer up not only the kids but the staff. We all let our insecurities go and danced our hearts out. We really got to see what urban poverty looks like, and how much broken homes are the source of all the problems there. It is a sad cycle of men having several wives and leaving them with all their children and their problems. The children here are often forgotten and discarded as a nuisance or a worker. It breaks my heart to hear their stories, but I need to. That's why I'm here. Not for my comfort, but to change the way I live my life.

We briefly talked about the Haven and our forever long bus ride. Teryll jokingly said that we didn't need to debrief about the Haven because it was a day of rest. Randy stepped in and said "hey, I gained a daughter there!" (Aaron and Chelsea got engaged at sunrise by the Nile riverbank) He also said that they witnessed a beautiful baptism! :) Aaron looked at me and said that hearing my testimony and seeing me get baptized was really empowering to him and he knows I'm going to do big things. That meant a lot, because he's really not the mushy type. We also said that in retrospect, the bus ride really did bring us all closer. The day afterwards, we got right off the bus and went straight into missions and no on complained. We had nothing and still gave so much. It was all God, because I was running on fumes for sure. I'm very thankful for that whole experience.

I loved hearing the stories of faith at Haven of Hope and Amazing Grace. Many people here have such blind faith that they take in 25 orphans with no money and just know God will take care of it... AND HE DOES. He certainly has here at Fiwagoh, and I will continue to pray for all of these ministries, their successes, and the successes of their children. Fiwagoh is truly awe-inspiring, and I wish every ministry adopted this model. They are a family of 210+, eat together, play together, worship together, and grow together. The children here are incredible: brilliant, gifted, loving, giving, hardworking, and self-sufficient. It just doesn't get any better than that.

We finished debriefing with a prayer and our sincerest thanks to Merrill and Michael. Michael told us that this trip should affect our daily lives in some way, and if it doesn't, there's something wrong. Even if it's just turning off the water when you brush your teeth. Do something. Brian reminded us to remember that there is a difference in a time for prayer and a time to DO. Now is the time to do. Now is the time to make the changes that really matter. Donate $20 to a ministry instead of a nice dinner out. Sponsor a child monthly instead of drinking $4 red bulls. So true. I'm thankful that I have all these people to hold me accountable. I don't want to say goodbye... AK

Team debrief

1/9/13

10 pm Nairobi

Well, we're on the plane for Amsterdam. I really don't know how to process leaving. This morning was pretty excruciating. Leaving Fiwagoh was incredibly tearful- I couldn't stop hugging Teresah. She was crying like a baby and it really got me. Catherine is not a girl of many words, but she was crying as we said goodbye and wouldn't let me go. She handed me a note- actually several notes- as we left, and the first thing I read was "my dear mother." I couldn't handle it. I haven't cried that hard in years. I so wish I could take her home and make her smile every day, but I'd really rather come back to her home than go back to mine.

This trip has transformed everything about me. It's hard to believe it has only been two weeks. This place feels like home and these people feel like family. On the bus to Nairobi, we "concluded" our trip by sharing encouraging words with one another. It was so very meaningful and emotional. Michael started with me (because I'm his favorite, duh) and said he has really enjoyed watching me grow through this trip. He said he admires my acknowledgement of this trip as the catalyst that really changes my life and that he knows God has big things in store for me. Merrill (who I truly adore with every fiber of my being) told me that she loves our friendship and truly values my "realness." She said she could always tell what was on my heart because I'm not afraid to show my weaknesses or be vulnerable around others. Carol said that it has been awesome to be a part of my journey and that she was so honored to baptize me in the Nile River. Conrad told me that he has been watching me try to follow the Lord since March and is amazed at the changes I've made. He said he used to see my posts and just know I wasn't "getting it," which is true. I have seen so many miracles in the last two weeks and I think they have really put things in perspective for me. I will never "get" God. His goodness is impossible to fathom. I can't define Him or fit Him into an organized box, but that is where the beauty lies. God blurs the lines of my black and white life. God blurs the lines of religion, politics, everything. People often forget the third part of the Holy trinity. The Holy Spirit in God is bigger than any religion or denomination. Our world is not an accident. It is overwhelmingly beautiful and redemptive. It is people that cause problems; not God. We may define Him differently, see Him differently, talk to Him differently, and worship Him differently, but He is still God. The great I am. Any God that can bring 3 orphans home after 6 years living on the street is good enough for me. The words of encouragement went on for over 3 hours, and was really touching to see. Selfless people that do not do things for recognition were recognized. Lives were shared, boundaries were broken, and tears were shed. This team is really very special, and is another reason I can no longer doubt God. Just the fact that we weren't even supposed to go to Ekubo and weren't supposed to have Merrill and Michael as our leaders is proof enough for me. God knew where we needed to be and who we needed to be with and made it happen. We had a fun afternoon feeding giraffes and shopping in Nairobi, and are finally headed for Amsterdam.

It didn't really hit me that we were leaving Africa until we got off the bus at the airport. Almost immediately, many of my apprehensions about going back to America came into play. We went straight to dinner at an airport bar/restaurant, where I was surrounded by alcohol. It kind of freaked me out because I hate flying and alcohol calms me, so the fact that I couldn't have any just stressed me out even more. In addition, people immediately turned on WiFi and started checking facebook. I was instantly at a table with four iPhones instead of four friends. I am not at all looking forward to the technology frenzy I'll return to.

I have really learned the value of the simple life. People here in Africa say what they mean and mean what they say. There are no miscommunications because of text message nuances. If you want to see someone, you go to their house. If you love someone, you tell them. If you are sad, you cry. It really is just that simple. Yes, life in Africa can be complicated and heartbreaking, but you just can't argue with its simplicity. The people are grateful, joyful, and more humble than any other.

I don't know yet where this knowledge, appreciation, and love for Africa will take me. I do know, however, that my life will never be the same. I know that I will value every blessing, giving thanks to God at every turn. I know that I am leaving a very large part of my heart here, and that it won't be full again until I return. I just need to figure out how... AK