The Final Chapter - Reminiscing

You would think it would end there, but it doesn’t. When I got home Ben had left a wonderful letter for Jay and I. It was great, and shared his feelings about how he really felt about his trip to Colorado. The next night I was eating alone with the dogs and my phone rang. It was Ben calling from Florida on a friend’s phone. He said he missed me a lot and missed “home”. Even a few days later he called again from Africa and I talked to his wonderful girlfriend, Faith. Since then Ben and I text once a day and have become really close friends… sharing life challenges.
There are some things you realize in the moment. I realized that they were friends and even family. However, even if you realize something, there is a big difference between knowing it and feeling it. With the emails, the phone calls, the effort into staying in touch makes me feel it. I can tell you that the ending words of this blog may not be very impacting or life changing, but this experience has been one for me that I have done my best to put into words.
I am a different person in some little ways. Spending 3ish days with complete strangers, having them turn into family, and saying goodbye hours later has made me into a better person.
Yes, I blessed them with food, shelter and fun times. But they blessed me with so much more than they will ever know. You see, hosting is hard work. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, driving… the list goes on. I am exhausted. But the greatness of being a blessing makes up for all the hard times. I am so blessed to be able to serve in this capacity.
Thank you for reading and sharing my experience. Leave a comment if you visit… I would love to hear what you have to say about my New Friends Adventure. Oh, and I am hosting some little kids from Tanzania next month, so stay tuned for more about that!

New Friends Chapter 6 - Already Goodbye

Monday morning. Boxers and coffee. That is what I think about Monday mornings with Africans in the house. Oh, and praise music… can’t forget that. However, this morning was a bit more quiet, more concentrated, more sad. This morning they were going home. I tried to keep the mood chipper, and when they got to work they had a lot of farewells to give, and people to hug. I worked through the couple hours trying to focus on the important tasks staring me in the face. The two hours I had went by too fast and soon I was racing around, trying to find everyone to get them to the airport.
Once in the car we sang our usual praise music on the way. I had downloaded Ben’s favorite song “Mighty to Save” by Big Stuf and he repeated that over and over until Sammy was about ready to kill him. This ride I had my hair down and it was all over the place. (That is one of my biggest pet peeves. Hair in my face.) But I was feeling so blessed that it didn’t matter. The closer we got to the airport, the sadder I became. I had hosted staff before and I knew it was coming. Mostly because of the empty house, and the fact that friends became family over a couple days… and they were going so very far away.
I managed to keep it together until we arrived at the airport, got them checked in, and on the way to security. They both had too much luggage and we had to pay extra. I noticed that all the little things that would have gotten to me, didn’t. I was just graced to still be in their presence. Up until the security line, I portrayed one that was confident in seeing my friends again soon (you know, it would be in March!) but at the security gate I could do it any longer. As Ben prayed and thanked God for me and Jay, I prayed safe travels and thanked God for them… and then the flood gates opened. I knew it was coming. And this hard exterior that I (sometimes unconsciously) put up about me crumbled into the weak, dependable and vulnerable person I really am inside. They both looked a little shocked, but graciously (thank goodness) didn’t make me feel weird about it. I watched as they walked through security and I selfishly prayed that they didn’t get through. When they had cleared and barely visable, I saw them wave goodbye and they were gone.
Tucking my tail between my legs, I left the airport biting my tongue and walking as fast and steady as I could. When I got to the car I let loose of the emotions of my new family leaving me for around the world. It was my selfish moment, but at the same time I thanked God for the blessing of being able to love such wonderful people and show it with hosting them. I decided I was too tired to go back to work, but I couldn’t get myself to go home to an empty house. So, I called Meg and went to sleep with her in the dark solumn basement bedroom. There I slept and was able to digest my emotions with the dearest friend in my life, as well as get some sleep.

New Friends Chapter 5 - Impact?

Usually I would get up in the morning, fix some food and have a cup of Kenyan coffee. However, not this morning. Since the boys were going to church at New Life with the church groupie friends, I slept in. I had instructed for them to be back at 5 for dinner with my parents. However, mom was tired, so I decided to have them over to my house. I had not yet told dad about Ben and James knowing each other, and I was strangely anxious of how the night would go. Would dad see the importance of going to Kenya? Would he WANT to go instead of being pressured to go? I felt like the weight of the world was bearing down on me as I prepared to be what seemed like a whole bag of mashed potatoes (yum). Sammy got home right on the 5 o’clock dot, and my parents were there at 6. There was only one problem… Ben was nowhere to be seen. A friend had taken him up Pikes Peak. I figured they would drive… they took the Cog. Now, those of you that are local know that the Cog is a great thing, but it takes forever. They waltzed through the door at 7 pm. I tried to be cordial. It was not Ben’s fault - he had no idea. But that guy shoulda! Didn’t he know what big of a night it was for us?! Not only did the dropper-offer-offender break my only rule, but then he didn’t leave. He talked with Sammy and played his guitar. I was livid. But I had to remember that it was not about me. God would work it how He planned it. I couldn’t force my dad to feel needed in Africa. I couldn’t convince a fire to start in his heart for Kenya and his student there. It was God’s work to do. I had cooked the food and opened my home. The rest was up to Him.
We talked about James and Ben and where they lived. We talked about Africa and what there is to do and see. We talked about culture. We talked about wealth. We looked at photos. I wish I could tell you that my dad had tears in his eyes. I wish I could type right now that my dad is excited about going to Africa. I wish I could tell you that he has written another letter despite not getting the recognization that he is coming to visit. All these wonderful things I cannot say. The only tid-bit that I got was when I asked mom and she said she didn’t think he was dreading going as much now. I didn’t know what to feel… you know, when someone doesn’t share the same interests it sucks, right? Well, when someone doesn’t share the same passion it is 100 times worse. Through the disappointment I was feeling at that moment, I had to step back and come to realize this was not the end of God’s ideas. Heck, it might even be the beginning. Maybe, just maybe, since he was not dreading the trip as much, he wouldn’t let other obstacles get in his way of going. Perhaps the most pivotal point of the dinner with Ben and the ordained appointment was far deeper than anything I could have possible been able to comprehend. With that, I will end this post. Feeling defeated yet a glimmer of hope at the same time.

New Friends Chapter 4 - Uninvited

This was no ordinary dinner. This was a Kenyan dinner with all of their Kenyan friends that were following God to Colorado Springs. I was planning on the easy drop off. You know, like dropping of a child, waving them goodbye for school. This was very far from that. Because if we dropped them off and left without greeting one which was receiving the guests it was considered rude. We rang the doorbell and waited. Now, I knew the family we were leaving them with – a very Godly couple – Barrack and Ruth. In typical Kenyan time, they were not home yet. So we sat outside and had an intriguing conversation about ants in Kenya. Did you know when they bite you they leave their head in your skin? Ouch! When Barrack and Ruth got home we went inside and had another conversation between two scupltures on the mantle of the fireplace. How one woman was from a different tribe than the other. Since I am gleening every bit of information on Africa that I can, I didn’t get that he was kidding until someone bluntly started cracking up. Joke’s on this white American! Little did I know that after we “dropped them off” at Barrack’s house that we would have to take them over to Emily’s which is where all the fun was supposed to be. Loaded up and to Emily’s we went. Again, once we arrived, there was no “dropping off”. So we went inside, greeted Emily and John and sat down on an oversized chair in the family room. We just waited until we had been there a bit and our presence wore off. I knew that we had not been officially invited to dinner. We were the ride. But, OH how I wanted to stay. I could smell the eclectic food being prepared and the laughter and conversation drifting through the house was more than welcoming. Meg and I got up and prepared to leave, but ALAS! Emily was surprised that we were leaving. “Oh no you don’t. You don’t have to eat all the food, but you must try it!” I sheepishy explained that we would love to stay for dinner, but didn’t want to impose. Did they have enough food? Enough room? Again, in true African style, she just laughed at me. “Go sit and enjoy yourself until the food is ready.” I happily retreated into the family room back on my comfy chair. It was then when Ben came out of the garage with the all too familiar camcorder on his eye, filming every precious minute of his experience. It was at that moment I felt completely and utterly at home. I had only been there about 30 minutes.
The food was great. I cannot remember what anything was called. Some grits-like mound of white stuff, great beef marinated in cilantro and peppers… rice with meat, greens, and steak with wonderful salsa sauce. I ate and even went back for seconds to Ben’s delight. After dinner we sat outside and hat hot tea with cream and sugar. I could feel the bug bites, but I didn’t care. Just listening to them talk was wonderful. I longed to be in Africa and know about the places they talked about and see the culture. The night had to come to an end and Ben was dying to see Batman. However, it was sold out, so we decided on bowling. The night ended in singing worship in Swahili and English and with a wonderful prayer. In a group of friends that I barely knew, it was here I felt cemented in family. That I could spill my deepest regrets, my darkest fears and be accepted. It was a feeling I have to say I have not felt often before.
Bowling was great. Of course, it took a blow to Ben’s ego when I won the 3rd game and we decided to quit and retreat home. It was late, Meg and I were both tired. But going to bed was out of the question. Ben wanted to watch a movie. Not any light, short movie, but TROY. Are you serious!? Not only that, but he is one of those movie friends that cannot watch something alone. He was so afraid that I was going to fall asleep that he came loaded with a decorative pillow as ammo. Oh, and I was not alone. Meg was also bombarded… at one point he came over and sat behind her on the couch to ensure awakeness. Now, this is what cracks me up. Meg and I are both awake and HE gets tired. Just as simple and easy…”I am sleepy. It is time for bed.” Upstairs he went and that was it. Meg left and I went to bed, completely exhausted.

New Friends Chapter 4 - Cowboy Life

Friday was a little on the “down low” side as they were at work with me and then went to hang out with the Mill in the evening. I saw a bit of them before I left to my Island Party (lia sophia, my friends!) and Ben danced and got “jiggy wit ‘it” before we left, in particular, he was dancing in the garage. Meg and I were laughing so hard! After the party I snuck back in the house and was up early for an eventful day. Now, Saturday was supposed to be OUR day – the whole day – the deserving host day – but of course, that wasn’t going to happen. Big surprise. At least I got to have them until 5pm until they were to be dropped off at a friend’s house. So we got dressed (and I must tell that Ben ended up wearing my shoes – haha) and headed out to see the horses. I could feel it in my bones that this one was going to be good…
Americans are scaredy-cats, really. We have little kids that are afraid of horses and their grown adult parents are worse. Even those of us that are experienced always want to ask questions and test drive the product, even if it comes from a trusty source. They want all the directions and even another plan if things go differently. I am ready for these kinds of riders! Not the ones that fearlessly jump on and want to go running off into the sunset screaming “YEE HAW” on a horse they don’t know. Let’s just say the Kenyans can run fast, and boy can they ride fast. I was being the “American” afraid someone would fall off, but my trusty steeds took them all around without an issue. At the end of that hour we meandled home for some hearty cowboy stew and then got ready to see the beer gardens! (Or as some of you know it, Garden of the Gods.) We visited the Trading Post and tried on all kinds of hats (Ben and Sammy even modeled a pink sun hat for us), took some more pictures and rushed over to drop them off for dinner at a friend’s house. Little did I suspect that we would not be dropping them off…

New Friends Chapter 2 - Divine Appointment

I have been talking about going to Africa for almost 5 years now. Since my dad has sponsored a boy in Kenya for 11 years, I decided that would be the place to go. Forfeiting my desire to go to Uganda or Tanzania for a week, we decided on Kenya so the rents could meet James. Now, with this hard economy, don’t think for an instant that it has been easy. We have been saving for years and I even had to rob the savings to pay for surgery for my girl, Cheyanne which delayed the trip another year. But through it all, I said that we would get there, and I told mom and dad to be saving up as well.
I should have known that when the one year mark hit everything would be challenged. All of a sudden the rents didn’t have enough money to go. No, strike that… didn’t want to sacrifice anything to go. Dad was worried about his joints and getting blood clots in his legs. He had written and told James he was coming and didn’t get a response. Everything was a mess… they were trying to back out. I had numerous conversations with them (mainly dad) about how important it was to see James and poverty so he could be changed. He wants to just write a check – but he can write checks later, and even probably more when he gets back. It is not about dumping thousands of dollars into yourself. It is about seeing the Kingdom of God in a different light. About changing your heart and becoming more like Jesus. I have such a passion for the children I sponsor… they may never hear “I love you” or “You are special”. I can say that to them. I can give them hope when nobody else can. I was finally able to voice what I felt one night just to come to find out that the whole conversation was a waste and I was just talking to a liter of Vodka. I was devastated and knew that it was only 7 months until the trip… they hadn’t registered and might not…because of nothing short of insecurity and a pinch of ignorance.
When I learned that an LDP student and his chaperone were coming to stay with me from Kenya, I was excited. This is exactly what I thought might encourage them to want to go to Kenya. I told them that they would have to meet and go over some trip stuff. They agreed, and I was impatient to see what would happen on the dinner night they all got to meet and talk about things.
Anywho, given that immense background, this is what is amazing…
Ben and Sammy came to my desk and were surprised by all the child photos. I sponsor three kids and write to 35, so being awed by the (seemingly) hundreds of kids was somewhat expected. All of a sudden, Ben looks at a lone bookmark with a child photo and says “I know him!” Who was it? Low and behold, my dad had given me a bookmark of James to pray for him. I had stuck it up on the wall and thought little of it. However, it was an appointment with God. Ben had grown up with him and shared his project. He knew him, he was friends with him, and BEN was my dad’s connection. I had to fight back tears all morning.

New Friends Chapter 1.5

Bright and early the next day I snuck out of the house to workout with the best trainer in the world, and came home to a wonderful sight. Now, most guests don’t usually come down to hang out in the kitchen in boxers, let alone when they had barely known the host for a day. Not these guys… there they were… drinking coffee half naked and talking like they had lived there for years. I loved it. I do not drink coffee – it does not like me – and for an even better reason, I am high-strung without caffeine in my waking hour! Anyway, I just had to accept a homemade cup of Kenyan coffee, started some Christian music and headed upstairs to get ready. Off to work to get there at 9, we were on time and ready for a great day at the “GMC”. Now, before I continue with this amazing portion of the story, there is a background I must tell.
Aaah, but again the clock ticks 11:20 and I am tired. Boxing wiped me out today! So you will have to wait until tomorrow to hear what happened. I hate to suspend the suspence, but I must. Goodnight dear friends!

New Friends Chapter 1

Since April, eh? Has it really been that long? Please accept my apologies, dear friends!
Have you ever had someone come along and change your life? Even better, do you know that even before they come they will change your life, yet you have no idea how much they will knock you off your feet? Better yet, have you ever prayed so hard about something and then seen it explode into marvelous color right before your eyes? I had one of those experiences last week. Let me take you though what I dare to call the best four days of my life…
Field staff. If you are from Compassion, you know these two words. I had a college student Ben (LDP) and his chaperone Sammy from Kenya at my house for their much needed break of their summer speaking tour at Bigg Stuff Camps in Florida. They were supposed to arrive on Wednesday, but due to a delay with weather they came in smack dab in the middle of the most anticipated work picnic of the year. I went to pick them up at the airport at 12 – oops… let me give you a little history here first… There was a church group that recently went to Kenya and met these guys, so I knew I would be fighting for time. However, it was clearly communicated to me that this was to be their vacation time to rest. I knew they would want to do lot and see a lot, so I knew I would have to lay down the Chladek law. Anyway, when they arrived at the airport there was already a church groupie there waiting for them. She took Ben to my house and I drove Sammy (the chaparone). It was great getting to know him on the way home and I looked forward to meeting Ben and seeing what he was all about.
After they met the dogs (Chey and Sammy hit it off) we headed to the picnic where most people had already left. Hung out there for a bit while I restled off more church groupies trying to convince them to swim , which I am sure they were dying to do after being in Florida for 7 weeks – I am rolling my eyes here, you just cannot see it. After the picnic we went home and played Wii until it was time for the festivities at The Flying W Ranch. Now, those of you that know me know that I worked there for a very long time, married my boss and had to leave. I go to the W ONLY to entertain visitors… and I had no idea that a college kid from Kenya had such a love for country music. I had never heard anyone yell “YEE-HAW” with such an accent… and they even won the left-over beans for coming the furthest. After that we headed over to see an old friend of theirs and ended up getting home around 11. We all slept well to say the least. Reflecting in bed upon our day, yeah, it was a life-changing night for them. I stress the words “for them”. Tomorrow held something even better.
But, it is late and my eyes are burning. So the second portion of this story will have to wait. Maybe it will become a sequel like the last post I never finished. But I promise to finish this one. I owe it to myself to do so.