The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.

Those of you who know me can appreciate my love for the unexpected, or at least the pleasant unexpected things in life.  The turns in the road we didn't expect or prepare for but nonetheless are here and ready to be celebrated just the same.  Day 3 was a rough day for me in Korah.  If you haven't yet, you can read more HERE.  

So, leaving Korah that day was dreadful.  My heart was broken, I had become attached just in time to leave and  worst of all, there was no fix for the pain and despair I witnessed...well, none that I could offer anyway.

I have been home a few months now and still when I think of Day 4, I can't help but grin and get tears in my eyes.  It ranks top 10 best days of my life for sure!

When we were  preparing for Africa, there was a lot of  questions of "why?".  "Why me?", "Why now?", "Why Africa?".  I tried to listen and just rest in the fact that this opportunity presented itself so perfectly and if there is anything I know about God, I am confident it was all intentional, a part of the plan.  

It didn't answer  "why?" but I felt more at peace with it.  I also felt more excited to GO, I wanted to try to  figure out the "why?" to see what was in store for me.

Before we went, I tried to dream up what the answer could be...why did God want to put me in those streets?  I can't put my finger on what made me feel this way, but I had a strong feeling like I was being brought to Africa to somehow help with kids who had poor vision.  

Let's face it, for the past 3 years Blake's vision has been an uphill battle for us with all of the exams, new prescriptions and visual therapy.  It has been a HUGE struggle for us and if I had a choice, it would have been something we never had to deal with.  With all of that said; we are SO extremely blessed to have the amazing doctors, ability to get a prescription let alone several, and the means to afford the visual therapy despite NO coverage at all from insurance companies...the blessings are HUGE in even this less-than-ideal situation.  When I started thinking about where we would be if Blake never had glasses, I instantly thought of Africa and from that moment, the connection in my heart was made.  My son could not function without glasses.  There must be children in Africa with vision just as poor, or even worse and worse yet - with NO ability to get help, NO ability to SEE.

I was prepared to go out there and see kids with poor vision and visible struggles.  I was prepared to see eye turns and squinting.  I had NO clue how I was going to help.  I knew NOTHING about the services even available in Ethiopia, let alone the cost or process and THEN you add  the fact that these children are mostly orphans with no guardian or caregiver...it was a bit overwhelming to say the least.

I knew one thing; I was ready to help HOWEVER I could.

There was already the start of a vision and dental care plan being started in Korah so I felt somewhat armed and able to give additional ideas and  find out HOW I could help support the cause.  If the end result was getting the kids of Korah seeing their world, I was all in.

ENTER DAY 4, when it all became clear!

That morning, we were doing our VBS.  I had seen my favorite kiddos and even met new children I had never even seen before (the good news was spreading through the village that VBS was going on and more kids came day after day!).  I was mid-conversation with another child when  out of the corner of my eye, this little girl fell down.  She caught my attention, but nothing appeared odd at first glance.

I began to watch her more and more closely and I saw her fall down at least four times.  I went over near her and she reached for my hand.  When I went to hold her hand, she winced.  Her hand had a cut that was swollen and infected, no doubt from a fall.  So, the only way I knew to help her was to walk her to the clinic and get her hand cleaned.  As we started to walk, we had to exit the  VBS building which meant taking a step down, out of the building...she extended her foot out extra far and "felt" her way down the step.  I took note.  As we walked through the "courtyard" towards the gate she stumbled over a rock, then another.  I took note.  And then, the moment that I will never  forget...we reached the street and she started walking and then she stopped suddenly as a van passed us.  That was the FIRST time she had stopped or even slowed...it became VERY clear, it was the first thing she could see.

Not even a minute after my revelation, the tears were streaming down my face.  My heart broke for this sweet girl.  I pictured her life just trying to walk from her home to the clinic or the VBS...how many times had she fallen and gotten back up.  How many cuts have there been and how many had gone untreated?  How do you help care for yourself as a child in a village where children are their own caregivers when you can't even see.  

The tears were un-stoppable and as we made our way into the clinic.  As I passed the members of my team and we made eye contact, they knew something special had happened.  Was this the "why?".  Maybe my purpose wasn't changing the vision system or lack there of in Ethiopia, maybe just maybe I was brought to this ONE sweet girl to help in her in a way that I could.

Maybe if a problem is too large to solve, you just start with one small solution to one piece of the broken puzzle.  And, I guess if you can't see the rocks, you focus on the Vans. You do what you can.

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.

Fitting that the first person I saw outside the clinic doors was Andrea.  She was holding two children of her own that needed medical attention.  

I waited to talk to the nurse and tried to compose myself.   I laugh thinking about that sweet innocent girl and  what she must have been thinking as I held her hand,  sobbing.

As I talked with the nurse and expressed my concern and passion, the nurse informed me that she was also HIV+.  I will never, ever forget the feeling of helplessness when the nurse explained to me that she feared her needs were far beyond glasses.  She prepared me for the fact that, it may be much worse for this sweet girl.  Glasses weren't a  fix all but glasses was a start...one step in a journey that may or may not be 1,000 miles.  It was what I could do.  The nurse, Kayla helped me figure out roughly how much an eye exam and glasses would cost and told me that she did have a mother and if I left the money with Kayla, she could get word to her mother that there was money at the clinic for her to go to town and see an eye Dr.  Andrea offered within seconds to cap off whatever I was short.  

We left the clinic for the same dreaded walk back to VBS, this time with a dressed hand and I just remember praying silently the whole time that God would help this sweet girl.  He would help get the message out, get her to the Doctor, help Kayla prioritize the money that was left and that even though I was nearing the end of my time there, that THIS one step would be a success for this girl who had touched my heart in such a special way.  

......words can't express how these photos make me feel:

BEFORE:                                                              

 AFTER:

I just got this email THIS MORNING!  Bafta got to the Doctor, got her new glasses (and was THRILLED by the way!)

AND, the BEST words I have read in a LONG time

"He said everything looked good she just needed glasses".

It may not be the only answer to the "why?" but, it's one step in the journey of 1,000 miles...I am sure.

 

The kids of Korah...

One of the hardest things to share about my trip..So there, I warned ya!

If you missed my first post about our trip Click HERE

Or, my second Click HERE

Now, my next 'story'...The Kids of Korah.

It feels like more than a year ago when Andrea and I sat down over wine and pasta to choose which trip to go on.  There were several options.  Each one a bit different, different focus, different locations, different times.  In my mind, we chose this trip for one reason...Teshome.  I love Andrea and Teshome is Andrea's sponsor child.  I have been able to hear about Teshome for a long time.  I got to hear about the first time they met and see the pictures, hear the stories.  I love his smile.  I remember one of the first letters he wrote her and how he asked so sweetly "when you come to?".  I was beyond thrilled and excited to JUMP at the chance to meet the boy that has a permanent place in her heart because he, in turn, has a permanent place in mine.  And, don't even get me started on that smile...

All of the trips went through Korah, but this one..Korah was our focus!  We got to go to Korah 4 mornings of the trip and basically put on a Vacation Bible School for the kids there.  A little bit of skits, a little bit of crafting, a little bit of teaching a basic lesson of Gods love.

First, a bit of back story on Korah.  Almost 80 years ago, Korah was a village that was established because of Leprosy.  Two American doctors heard of the spread of leprosy and went to request land to build a hospital to help the people suffering from it.  King Hale Selase agreed to give land, but only if it was furthest away from the town to keep the lepers away from the other people.  There, the ALERT hospital was formed.  The people of Ethiopia use to believe people that contracted Leprosy were cursed.  Once their disease was discovered, people in other parts of the country were put in separate huts and there were attempts from their own families to set them on fire.  After the communists took over the reign of King Hale Selase, the military wanted the lepers gone.  They would even send their military out to kill those people.  These people had been cut off from any type of food, water, shelter..they had NOTHING provided to them.  Their only survival was to send the kids to the trash dump, which is right next to Korah, to find any kinds of scrap food or any objects of value to sell in the village.  Survival.  This is still the common practice today.  Korah is a village of severe poverty.  HIV is prominent and, so are orphans.  

So, Monday was the first day we were going to Korah.  I was very nervous.  I knew it would be probably the poorest place we went.   How do you prepare yourself for what you can only imagine will break your heart?  I remember I was SO nervous about my reactions to the smell.  Would the kids smell?  What would it look like?  

Day 1 was easy and incredibly tough all in one.  Day 1, these precious children were just precious children.  Day 1 the smells of the village were TERRIBLE (I am happy to say, they got better each day that passed).  It was a day of learning and boundaries.  

 While some of the children know some English, the language barrier is a difficult hurdle to overcome.  You want to give and share love with these kids who don't often get any signs of affection or love.  You want so badly to share with them your feelings of nothing but the best for them, but they don't understand a word you are saying.  Well, except "whats your name" and "how old are you".  Those two questions were pretty much the starting points with any child.  They want a relationship, any relationship.  They want to hold your hand.  They want to hug you.  They want to say "I love you" because it is one of the few things that they know how to say!  They call you "mom".  They ask for "candy".  They are kids.  Simple.

Day 1 was quick, easy and a day I will NEVER forget!  I learned so much that day.  I got so many questions answered.  I was introduced to my first "squatty potty"...things really got real.  I finally got to see what it looked like and replaced the imaginary images in my mind.  It was good.

Day 2 was good.  Happy.  Fun.  

Day 3 was bittersweet.  My favorite memory from Day 3 was after a craft that we did during VBS.  As part of our craft, we handed out a small mirror to each child to decorate with stickers and a verse on the back.  Seeing the peoples faces as they looked in a mirror, some for the very first time at their faces...it was a moment I will never forget and one that I will always cherish.  

Leaving Day 3 (wednesday) was probably the most emotional part of the entire trip for me.  Tomorrow was IT.  The last day in this beautiful place where I had given my heart to these kids.  Those kids I met on Monday?  I knew them now.  I knew their stories, their siblings, I had heard about their families or lack there of.  Each face was more than just a face, it was a story.  A story that for 4 short days, I got to see first hand and be a part of.  It was a gift and now, I had to leave.

 Yabsara and Henok...both have a special place in my heart forever.  

(More on Henok later...that's another post in itself)

As our team piled in the van at the end of Day 3 and we backed out of road to Korah, I lost it.  I couldn't even fathom tomorrow being my last day with these kids.  I think it was the first time it all sank in and all at once, I was heartbroken.  I didn't want to leave.  These kids made a huge impact on me.  As I gathered myself Andrea put her hand on my shoulder and said "This is why you're here".  I remember in that moment wishing I hadn't come.  Wishing I hadn't become vulnerable to this love that they so desire and that I can't give.  Wishing I hadn't seen with my eyes images that I will never forget and problems that I.CANT.FIX.  It hurt too bad.

Funny, the dreaded Day 4 turned out to be nothing but joy and blessings!  Not one tear was shed, not one regret even crossed my mind.  It was the BEST day of my whole trip!  I hate to leave you with a teaser, BUT Day 4 deserves a post all on its own.  Day 4 is THE REASON I WENT.

I promise to write that blog quicker than this one...this one took some time.  This story isn't one I can share easy.  

I am glad I went.  Glad I met the "kids of korah".  Glad I gave all I could give those 4 days because, it was only 4 days for me...but it still means the WORLD to them.  

Falling short

I got home from Africa 22 days ago...22 days have passed and I STILL am not ready to explain my trip.  It's so weird to me.  Normally, I can find words for anything (many would say - too many words at times)...and for this, the most significant trip I have taken, there are NO words.

No words that will explain what we saw, what we smelled, who we met, how we helped.

The truth is, I haven't posted because I KNOW my blog will fall short.  I know there is no way possible to express my experience and my heart to get people to truly understand that journey.  

Knowing that I can't share everything...I am hoping what I really do want to share comes out.  So, here's to non-ramble, heart stirring writing...

Day 1 - Gotta start somewhere

You know what's funny?  I don't really know where the real Day 1 is...between that trip to DC, 5 hours there, 14 hours to Africa, huge differences in time zone, etc.  For me, travel days don't count because I didn't journal them SO Day 1 is Sunday ok? 

We woke up Sunday to breakfast at our guesthouse...wait, first let me show you our guest house.

our "family room"...where coffee was served every morning.  A place to congregate, meet others not on our team, and work together on team projects.

the "dining room"...where we ate breakfast and dinners when we didn't eat out.
It is also the spot of an intensely fun and wild night of pictionary that bonded our team forever.

and then, one of my favorite rooms....our Suite.

it was like girl scout camp only "funner".  1 queen, 3 sets of bunks, another twin, a balcony, and a large "kitchen" that we used as our suitcase storage.  7 girls...lots of snoring, laughing, and welp, a few spiders!

Ladies and gentleman...our shower!  It was an interesting shower...hot water not guaranteed.  See that little white tank on the wall?  That's the water heater you turn on - when there's power!  To the left of the shower the SHINTABIT (Amerak for Toilet!)  I kid you NOT - that word I could remember ;) :)

And, lastly...our view at night.

All in all, I LOVED our guest house!  The first day was a bit of a culture shock..I walked up the uneven porcelain stairs a few moments after hearing the word "no wifi" and had a moment of weakness....it was A LOT to take in.  Probably comparable to an inexpensive hotel or motel here but, the guest house is like a Ritz in Ethiopia and I felt blessed and even a bit shamed to have it "so good" and seeing what was around us.

_________________________

Ok, so Day 1..Sunday.  We went to church after breakfast.  It was one of the highlights of our week!  The Beza church was AMAZING!   It is also an English speaking church and I would assume one of the wealthier churches in Ethiopia.  Worshiping together, in a church full of mostly locals, looking around and seeing the Ethiopians that are doing well financially, seeing families together, watching their culture and our culture mesh into a perfect worship and service...it was the PERFECT way to start our trip!  Oh, that music!!  During tough moments later in the week, I would pull energy from that worship or remind myself of the sweet families I saw that day...not everyone is terribly poor in Ethiopia, not every mother is alone, not every kid is an orphan and that was refreshing to see!  

here is a quick glimpse of some of our worship time...but, it doesn't do that day justice.

As God would have it, there was a missions team singing at Beza that day and guess where they were from....DENVER, CO!  I kid you not!  I traveled over 8,000 miles to see a band play from Denver!  We had a chuckle at that one.

From church we went to lunch...one of my FAVORITE places all week!  It was called Sishu and was very modern and stylish!  They had american burgers and fries and Sprite and Coke in bottles.

Sishu:

After lunch, we went to a village called Bole.  The women of Bole, make beads and I even got to try my hand at bead making!  My bead was good and the women kept it for a necklace!  Mission Ethiopia buys the women the clay and then their job is to make the beads and then Mission Ethiopia sells them for money for the women of the village and their children.  While moms working, the kids get to play outside.

These kids have friends to play with, playground equipment to play on and mommas who love them and work hard to provide what the can.

my buddy that afternoon.

Soccer - it's a Universal language.

After watching the women make beads and playing with the kids we were asked to see two of the ladies homes.  These houses was something I wasn't prepared for.  Dirt floors, walls made of sticks and a mixture of mud and manure and SMALL.  About the size of my dining room.  

One of the women we visited was the mother of my little buddy.  We came in and she asked us to sit down.  Andrea and I sat there, on her bed (blankets on the dirt floor).  It was a moment I will never forget.  Our whole team gathered and asked her questions about herself through our translator.  Then, she asked us to pray for her.  When we asked if there was anything specific she would like us to pray for, her response left me in total shock "nothing, life is so good".  Speechless.

I will talk more in depth about this as my posts go on, but to hear this women so content with her life...it brought me peace.  In a whole new world, seeing a whole new way of living and circumstances I am not even sure how to look at let alone live in and to hear her total contentment and peace...it was aw-inspiring.  This moment has helped me A LOT on my journey post Africa.  If I remember how hard they have it, if I think too long about their beds, their houses, their income, it's too hard BUT, when I remember that this is the only life they have ever known it makes it easier.  They don't know what we have, that kind of living is completely unfathomable for them.  It is something they never think about, never wish for because ignorance is bliss and they are happy where they are.  

 see the house?  it's a duplex.  It did have a BEAUTIFUL view.

End of Day 1 - total and complete aw and success!  

So, how was Africa?

**video at the bottom of the page** sorry for the LONG post!

"So, how was Africa"  The question I have gotten everyday since I have been back.  Also, as I am finding, the hardest question to answer..it leaves me speechless (yes, me!).  

How can you put into words what our trip was?  What we saw?  The remarkable things that happened?  What I learned?  

Honestly, I am still digesting some of it!  

There will have to be a series of blogs about my trip because I am not sure there is a space limit on blog posts but if so, I would max it out.

For today, I want to focus on our group.  The 10 strangers that over the course of 10 days became friends.  From Day 1, I felt super comfortable with every one of them and I know that each one was placed on this trip and in my life for a reason.

10 new friends and lots of laughs was such a huge blessing.  Being half way around the world and away from my family and friends didn't feel lonely.  

We had two mothers on our trip with their kids; Angela and Jesse and Mindy and Kate.  We had two Fathers with no kids, but looking out for us all.  We had two young girls, both in college and already doing such amazing things with their hearts, and then...we had three crazy girls from Colorado.  It truly was a great mix!  

I am not sure I would have ever been bold enough to go on a missions trip, 8,000 miles away by myself...I was SO thankful for Andrea opening my eyes and inviting me on this trip!   10 days with a bestie was WONDERFUL!  We were bunk mates.  She took the top bunk and I took the bottom...watching her legs dangle from above as she woke up every morning and wanted to get down, quickly became my favorite start to the day ;)  No ladder for that girl!  No really, they didn't have one BUT even if it did...she may have chosen to shimmy down anyway.  

April, Andrea's  friend, also came with us!  I can't believe I never met her before!  We are kindred spirits and she kept me laughing each day!  That girl is funny.  I love her honesty and her true interest in learning the culture and lifestyle everywhere she goes.  She was a ray of light on this trip and I am excited to continue our friendship at home!

Angela and Jesse are an amazing team...just how a mother and son should be!  Jesse has an amazing heart for God and this was his 4th missions trip to Africa!  4th!  And, he loves it! He lives so boldy while he is there...he loves Ingera (a main dish in Ethiopia), his family's sponsor kids are his brothers, he is respectful, honest and kind and just a sweet hearted spirit.  Angela is a great mom and was a wonderful leader!  She did a great job rolling with the unexpected, making sure we were all comfortable and safe and really making the trip the most it could be for each of us.  We all have different hearts, and she went out of her way to make sure they were fulfilled in the end.  oh!  and that girl can tell a story!!

Brian and Eric were the men on our team.  They both made sure we were safe and comfortable.  They were also the two that were the first ones I saw on my roughest/most amazing day (story to come later).   Watching the kids with them was amazing!  Watching them lead us (both physically and spiritually through stories or even our bible studies) was an awesome experience.  Watching Eric and Andrea's relationship as sponsor parents with similar goals was great!  What a blessing for Andrea!  

Mindy and Kate...have a great relationship as mother and daughter!  It was fun to see the two of them have fun together!  Having this experience for the first time together...WOW!  What a cool memory!  The story of what brought them to Africa and Kate's passion to go was one of my favorite things to hear.  I loved watching God work through these kids!  No one is too small, too young, too old, to Go Be Love.

And, lastly sweet Brandie and Liz...these two were friends already as they went on a missions trip together last year.  It was refreshing to watch these girls.  They are each on the college path and watching them in that stage of life, take time to give so big to others made me smile.  I was not in that place at that age and man, I wish I was!  They each had their own place...Brandie's place?  Well, its just Ethiopia ;)  Pretty sure that girl will end up there one day and I am so happy I get to see it all play out!  Liz, holding those babies at the orphanage.  It was her place.  Watching her love and hold those babies was precious.  

Each of our teammates brought something to the table for our team.  It was a perfect fit!

So, now that I have given you a mini glimpse into our team...I have to find a way to put our trip into words!  A near impossible task, but I will try!

For now...pictures are worth a thousand words so here is the video montage we made for our last night.  We watched as a group and reflected on our week together.  Each of these pictures is a story to us; a memory and a journey.  I hope this will help give you a quick glimpse into our week...boots on the ground, hearts open to GO.BE.LOVE.

Video too big...shocker! Click HERE to watch!

Countdown to Africa!

When Andrea and I met for a girls night out over a year ago and started talking about her trip and what it would look like if we were BOTH able to go, I never hesitated to say "Yes, I want to go".

Now, I am less than 2 weeks away from our trip to Ethiopia and words can't express how I am feeling.

This will be the first of so many firsts for me.  I have never been outside the US, other than a resort in Mexico, I have never been to a third world country, and I have never been the teacher rather than the student about my faith.  

There are a few things I know for sure; 1.  it will be an experience of a lifetime.  2.  it will put me outside my comfort zone in ways I never even knew existed. 3.  I will miss my kids and my husband terribly 

I am a BIG believer that life is worth living.  You can't live amazing/life changing experiences if you don't try new things.  

It has always been something I have wanted to do; going on a mission trip.  I didn't know how to go about it.  I know it was never going to be something I did by myself...well, what better way to start than a best friend going with you?!

So, we are less than two weeks away and the preparations are WELL underway!

I am SO close to being fully funded!  Just $314 to go!!

Passport - check
Vaccines - check

On our last call, we got to hear our itinerary!  I can't remember all of the details but it sounds like it is going to be an incredible week!  

Part of our time there will be spent putting on a "VBS" for the orphans...NOT exactly like your VBS here, as there will be about 200-300 kids and only 12 of us team members BUT the crafts and skits are planned!

I am so excited to go spend time with these kids and "GO.BE.LOVE".  That is exactly what we are doing...

GOing
BEing
LOVEing

If you are interested in helping us, here is what we are still looking for:

1.  Donations (of course) www.visitingorphans.org DONATE, enter info and my name KENDRA LANTERMAN

2.  1500 Bandaids for a craft we are doing about being nice to others
3.  50 Glue sticks
4.  Stickers, crayons and markers

We are also in charge of taking supplies for the clinic there...

If you want to donate money or purchase any of the following, it would be GREATLY appreciated!

-Hydrocortisone cream

-Topical Anti-Fungal cream

-Topical steroid creams

-Coban wrap

-Pedialyte

-Nasal spray

-Acne face wash/antibacterial soap

-Pill pouches – these can be found in the medical supply section at Target or Wal-Mart

-Cough suppressant (ex: Dextromorphan)

-Children’s cough and cold medicine

-“Cough n’ cold” 4 kids – this an herbal OTC cold and medicine for toddlers (HUGE NEED)

-Adult and children multivitamins 

-Travel size toothpaste

-Feminine hygiene products (pads only, no tampons)

-Sunglasses

More blogs to come as we are getting closer to this amazing journey!  I can't wait to share it all with you!

Little Love, Big Love: Mothers day, mini sessions!

Little Love, Big Love: Mothers day, mini sessions!: A HUGE thank you to anyone who donated stuff for the sales!  Thanks to you and the awesome support from family and friends with some private...

Mothers day, mini sessions!

A HUGE thank you to anyone who donated stuff for the sales!  Thanks to you and the awesome support from family and friends with some private donations, I REACHED my first goal of $2,200!!!!!!  

One of my favorite days is Mothers day, when us hard-working, kid loving mom's get a bit of recognition and love!  

This year, as most of you know by now...I am trying to raise money for a short term missions trip to Ethiopia.  

Putting two things that I LOVE together; kids and photography I have come up with a GREAT fundraiser that will hopefully get me A LOT closer to my remaining goal of $1500!

So, for mothers day, treat yourself to some professional photos of your kiddos!  NOTHING better!

Here are the details:

All sessions will be outdoor shoots, kids only (not enough time for family sessions, although I will book those as well and put towards my fundraising if you are interested) AND locations will be finalized this week and once you book a time slot, you will receive location information!

** Friday May 10th ...30 minute time slots starting at 9am, last session at 6pm. (no sessions 12-1).

Cost $50 for 5 high res, edited images of your child/children.  Each additional print $10. **If you're a MOPS momma, basically same set up as Family pics last Fall**

I am starting to book sessions NOW...message me or comment below to select your time slot.  Payment of $50 is due at time of booking to hold your spot, you pay for additional images if you select any after the shoot.

All ages welcome!  

oh, and who doesn't love a DEAL?!  Get a friend to book and you get 1 free additional image!  Pass it on guys!!