Community groundnuts...

Last year was my first year living in Atlanta. I had an amazing experience on the campus of ACC and I look forward to returning there again very shortly, while perhaps seeing you.

One of the core values of the college is community. A major theme throughout the previous year was "Finding your place in a transforming community." The premise is that:
1. We have been designed and called by Christ to be living in community.
2. That community should always be growing, developing, and transforming more into the image of Christ.
3. When those two things happen, there will be personal growth as well as communal growth in the emotional, social, and spiritual realms.
More could be added to that list, but that is the general idea, or at least my interpretation of it.

So throughout this past year, the concept of community has been a focal point of my life as a person and as a student. I have come to believe that every human being has an innate longing for a sense of community; the feeling that they belong somewhere and that there is a role for them to play.

I went to Kenya with a lot of unanticipated ignorance about the people. Thankfully, much of my ignorance about Kenya, really Africa in general, was dispelled by my experiences. In hindsight, I went to Kenya ignorant of the community that I would find there. Essentially I did not expect to find community among poverty. How I was wrong...

The people of Kenya, the people of Nairobi, the people of Mathare, the people of Huruma, the people of Kosovo, the people of Bondeni, the people of Kibara, the people of Eastleigh... they are living and breathing in community. Perhaps I saw so much of Christ this summer because I saw so much of His community fulfilling what it was intended to do. I witnessed communities feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and providing for the poor, though they themselves had very little.

Through living life in these communities for eight weeks, I find myself even more convinced that there are more things that unite the human race than divide it. The same problems I find in my community are present in the Kenyans communities, the scales are merely different.

Yet even amidst differing scales, there is a core necessity for community. I think of one experience I had in Mathare that sums up everything I am trying to say (and perhaps failing to)...

One of my favorite things to buy from the slums was groundnuts, which are peanuts to us. The nuts were freshly roasted and delicious, therefore I bought them occasionally throughout the duration of a week. I had just bought my pack of groundnuts for five bob, seven cents, and I returned to the Pangani center. I was sitting outside eating my nuts while some kids played in the school yard. A little girl came over and sat down next to me. She opened her hand so I poured some nuts into it. She then proceeded to go to every child in the school yard and place a nut in their hand. She saved the last one for herself. Immediately I was amazed by her act of generosity. How easy it would have been for her to eat them all, and no one would have known.

Yet she chose to share; she emptied everything she was holding in her two, small hands. And that is essence of community. Community is living in a way that we become willing to empty everything that is in our hands, saving the very last thing for ourselves.

And with that I open my hands and ask, "Who would like some groundnuts?"

Walking trees...

It has been an interesting first half of the week. Adjusting back to American culture is going to take a little bit more time than I originally anticipated.

As for this blog, I am going to attempt to backtrack in time by posting in the order that I would have during my summer in Kenya. I may have kept a list somewhere... that does not mean I am a dork.

Regardless, I think back to my first week in Nairobi. I think back to my first walk through the Mathare valley slums. The poverty was absolutely hallowing to me; the homes, the trash, the smells, the noises, and the sights. It was overwhelming in every sense of the word.

Yet I also remember that in one week of working in Mathare, I adjusted to the things around me. The houses did not appear to be so small anymore. The trash did not heap that high. The smells faded after a few minutes. The sounds did not ring in my ears. And the magnitude of the slums decreased in size.

I think of the story in Mark 8 when Jesus spits in a man's eyes. Christ asks him, "Do you see anything?" He [the man] looked up and said, "I see men. They look like walking trees." The story continues until the man sees everything clearly.

My initial immersion in the slums only allowed me to see the physical conditions. The people, they were just blurry objects passing by me. However, after one week I stopped seeing so much of the environment and I started seeing more of the Kenyans.

Even now that I am home, I know there are some people that I am merely seeing as walking trees. But the goal is to see them clearly. Isn't that always the goal?

Where to begin...

I feel like my contribution to the blog is being resurrected after two months of being dormant. The opportunities that I did have to post satisfied my cravings, however now it is time to play catch up.

So I question, where can I even begin to describe my summer? Much has happened to me these past two months. I have been healthy. I have been sick. I have been rested. I have been tired. I have been frustrated with God. I have been at peace with God. I have had pieces of myself cut away. And I have had pieces of myself added. Boiled down, I have had a lot of growing pains this summer.

I will take the advice an English professor gave me once. She said that when you do not know where to start, just write. Write anything and the rest will surely follow.

Write anything. Ok.

Well, I am in a place right now where I still feel like I should be in Kenya. I wake up in the morning and half expect to roll out of my bed at Ufungamano (our hostel). I have heard that once you cross the Atlantic ocean, for the rest of your life you feel like you are on the wrong side. I concur.

Much of my heart has been left in the country of Kenya and in the slums of Nairobi. However, I rejoice in the fact that there are strong Christian leaders there; the ministries I worked with this summer did not end the day I left. Instead, they started long before me and they will continue long after me.

Really I believe that Kenya is an up and coming country; I believe that God is going to heal the calamities of their land. It is a big vision considering the dire poverty and rampant disease, but it will come to pass. King Solomon said, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time..." And that is my first thought when in comes to Kenya; it will be beautiful in time.

My image: Kenya is like an old and beaten wheel barrel that has fallen over. It is just waiting to be picked up and used again.

For my supporters...

I am home. I am safe. I am well. I cannot wait to share my experiences with you in this coming semester.
Also...


...Mwangi and I thank you tena na tena (over and over) again for the support.

Standing exactly...

All summer long I have felt like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Yes, I have missed many things from the States (family, friends, etc.). However, I have come to realize that nothing I would have experienced at home would have been greater than this summer abroad. Nothing at home would have produced the same fruit in my life. It is worth poor health, hunger (for real food), and homesickness to hear God in the way I am hearing Him in this country. I have never been more quiet, and Christ has never been so loud. Over and over again I have said to myself, "I am standing exactly where I should be right now."

Is anything better? May you be experiencing the same sensation.

This summer has been ridiculous. God has been moving in so many different ways. He has been changing lives and pouring into the life of every single camper i have seen. For those of you that do not know i am working at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, Georgia. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Foundation. But i digress, Christ has been ever present in so many lives this summer. The first week of the summer we had a camper who had a drug addiction and since coming to camp and turning their lives around has not touched any kind of drugs since. Then this past week a friend of that person also struggling with drugs had the same thing occur in their life. These are just a few of the things going on with the Kingdom this summer. We have elementary campers that are abandoning their hearts in worship and giving all to God. Things that i didn't get until college they are understanding. then the middle schoolers bring it up to an even higher level. They are continually seeking to grow in God. While our high schoolers for the most part are living a life almost all of us could be jealous of. I often wonder who taught them their faith for it is very childlike in its tendencies.

Through this summer my life has been forever changed because i know that he is in my life. I have truly realized how glorious God's creation truly is just a glorious and beautiful creation. There is nothing like being under a waterfall with rushing waters puring over your head. Then jumping off a ledge 30 feet up into water stirred by a beautiful waterfall. It is such a glorious thing to be a part of. That aside, this summer has been eye-opening just to see that a young youth can worship with all of their heart and understand it much more than i ever did at that age.

I need not just ramble and i am sorry that i havent blogged earlier and i promise to start blogging more and more often.

But just remember to keep us as long as others needed in your prayers. All ministries this summer are going to do wonders that are unheard of. Just make sure to continue spreading the love of christ even if you are at home.

Yours In Christ,

Sean Carroll

Just a glimpse...

This is the scenery from the fourth floor of the Hope Center that I work at everyday in Kenya. It is just a glimpse of the conditions of the Mathare slums that surround the Center. There are at least five other slum districts within general Nairobi area.

Do not be fooled by the sight though. I went to the most beautiful church in the world in these slums; tin walls, a tarp roof, and wooden benches. What could be more right?

I am absolutely confident that this is one of Christ's favorite places on earth.

Where I'm supposed to be...

Sometimes when I find myself discouraged, tired, stressed, or lonely, I look at this picture. I remember why I am so very far away from home this summer. I remember why God has brought me here. I am convinced that there is no where else I am supposed to be right now...no where else but in Africa-Kenya-Nairobi-Mathare.

This will continue to be home for the next five weeks.
It is good to be home.

Quick...

I have a quick minute to post for ya'll.

1. As of Thursday, I am here safe and sound with my teammates. We spent two days traveling by car, bus, and plane through Chicago, London, and finally Kenya.
2. Nairobi is great and the adventures in the city are endless.
3. I am staying in a hostel run by Christians which is right next to the University of Nairobi; it's a great location. We can walk into the city anytime we want. And we also have a great opportunity to minister to the students.
4. The Kenyans are beautiful, warm, and welcoming.
5. I love my team. We are carrying each other through these experiences.
6. I am almost fully adjusted to the time change. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night here and it's only 10:30 at home.
7. My days are really busy working at the Mission of Hope International center in Pangani.I love it.
8. The Mathare slums break my heart. I will post pictures, however they will not give the poverty justice.
9. I see God moving in Kenya. The people have such faith and hope that their nation will be restored once again. I am endlessly humbled by them.
10. I have zero complaints. I feel so thankful for this opportunity and for the people praying and supporting me from home. Don't worry much about me. I have a flock of people here who are quickly becoming my family.

Be hearing from me soon :)

life lessons from some monkeys

My little "Cabin Monkeys," as they dubbed themselves, waiting for canteen.

Craft time! We made popsicle stick houses to illustrate our mission, which was Casas por Christo.

Camp was an amazing time. I was a cabin mom for five VERY energetic little girls and the craft director for the whole group, which was geat fun, because little kids+glue+paint=chaos. They were so proud of their little houses, even the ones that didn't exactly end up looking like houses.

When my girls wouldn't go to sleep the first night, I wasn't sure what I'd gotten myself into, but watching them interact with each other, I realized that their spirit is what the world is missing.

They came into camp knowing maybe one or two other people from their churches, but they just jump in and make friends, no matter what. I had one of the most outgoing, talkative girls in my cabin, as well as one of the shyest, and they were best friends by the time we left. There's hardly any pressure to impress anyone or be something you're not, and they just love everyone they meet.

More than that, watching them sing praise and worship songs during our sessions and at campfire, you can feel the joy just radiating. It's a pure and unquestioning faith for them; it's not about what they can get out of it, or what God can do for them. They just love him because, as my girls LOUDLY sang coming back from campfire, "Jesus Loves Us."

All my girls drew me pictures the last day and then rubbed body wash on them so they would smell good, and a few of the boys even painted individual popsicle sticks for me.When two of our kids got hurt at the pool in a freak accident that required five stitches and two staples, every kid asked how if they were okay, and my girls said a special bedtime prayer for them, even thouht htey didn't know them at all. They just love people-it's excellent to watch.

I wish we could all just remember what it's like to be kids sometimes...

Swinging away...

So I figured it was about time I put up a new blog. I dont have any cool pictures like Bethany, sorry.

Summer is still crazy with class and internship but I am still really enjoying working at Christian Financial Resource. Last weekend I got to travel southeast to River Run Christian Church - Brevard campus. This was a cool experience for me because I used to work as a student volunteer for the originial church plant River Run in Oviedo, FL. Well in the past few years RR has grown and were able to reach out for this "daugher" church in Brevard! I got to see some old friends and see the work that the Lord is doing down there. They have revamped an old building and made it into quite an attractive location.

The following day CFR put on a state-wide ministers golf tournament. Again I enjoyed this because some of the guy I went to school with at Florida Christian are now youth ministers and showed up for this event. I was teamed with a father and two sons from Venice beach, and had a great day talking with them. The father actually had a voice that sounded exactly like Pete van Weren's (Braves announcer) so that put me at ease and at home! Our team actually won second place, but I found out that day that its true what they taught me in business classes. You do need to learn how to play golf!

In the office I have days that I get the "intern" jobs like stuffing 3000 brochures or doing "grocery" shopping, but then I also have days that I am putting portfolios together, designing brochures for new campaigns, and going over financial reports.

All in all I am really enjoying this opportunity, and looking forward to what God has in store the rest of the summer!

popsicle sticks, mountains, and fireworks

reading everyone else's posts here makes me feel pretty silly.

they're doing amazing things, all over the world, and i'm still in little Peachtree City.

BUT i guess i believe that even if i'm not thousands of miles away, or if i don't have some amazing job, what i do can still change the world, even if it's one high schooler at a time.

when i was little, i used to go to camp in the summer with the kids from my church, and since then, i've wanted to work with the kids at that camp. tomorrow, that finally gets to happen. i'm working the first-timers camp this week, which means i'll be spending the next three days with 1st and 2nd graders as the craft director. we're building and painting popsicle stick houses since our mission is for Casas por Cristo. i also get to take three of my high school girls as my helpers for the week.

after camp, the summer just sort of jumps into insane gear, from the cabin trip, to Kentucky, VBS, middle school camp, July 4th, the beach retreat, CIY, and then back to school :) it's a never ending stream of packing, unpacking, and doing laundry, but i'm so excited. for the first time in a long time, i feel like i'm where i need to be; that what i'm doing might actually have an impact on someone else.

i have no idea what's coming, or how things are going to turn out, and i'm thrilled to pieces. God's got it figured out.

so i'm praying for peace and patience, strength and courage, energy and excellence.

bring on the campers, i'm so ready!

Differences...and the life

As I am sure all would realize culturally I am in another world. I am really being stretched and am beyond thrilled because of this. My eyes are being open to so much and i feel like my relationship with God is growing to a whole new level because of this!
The language barrier is one of the hardest things to deal with. I am use to conversation and using it as my way to help others but the majority of the time i am with people who know as much English as I know Arabic. The Coffee house is the only place where i can use my natural gifts; and is one of my favorite times during my week, so far.
Another huge change for me is the dress and the reason for this. While men can wear whatever they wish, the woman need to be covered at all times in public. When going out for everyday things like walks, or going to the center for teaching aerobics the least I should wear is long capris and a shirt covering all of my upper arms. Of course no one can make us wear anything but culturally it is horrible to wear less. In aerobics I and my sister-in-law wore shorts, which the woman were wow"ed" by. They did not know they were even in existence for woman. When we (American woman) are in direct contact with people we are establishing relationships with, we are even more covered. Typical dress is pants and a long sleeve shirt that is long. Did I mention this is in 105 degree weather?
Although it is uncomfortable with the extreme heat I have learned to appreciate the coverage in the clothing we wear. This is due to the way men view woman here. Woman are things to be owned, American woman are looked at as the highest prize. This is not in a honored way where the woman are held in high esteem but in a way more degrading than I can even begin to explain.In the states woman are use to going to Wal-Mart and have men make comments or stare. My brother says this, as disgusting as this is, in the mind of those American men, is slightly a compliment because they only do this to woman they find attractive. With the men here, it is different and you can see it by just the look in their eye. When they stare they are raping you and conquering you in their minds. You can't make eye contact with them and make them stop looking because first of all,that only makes them feel like you are inviting them to continue and second of all, even other men can not make the Arab men look away with eye contact.
This was beginning to overwhelm me a little (culture shock) but in the midst of this I have been going through the best mentoring I have ever been under, from my sister-in-law! Then God truly has shown me more of Him. I feel more whole than i have felt in years. I can see God and things he is calling me to in a clear light. So through a time where logically i should be feeling more down and oppressed emotionally I am quite the opposite....
What I should and long to write next is all the amazing ways God is through all this and the greatness he is reveling to me about himself but I can't. The words just don't exist and the restrictions i have limit my choice of stories to explain. So this post is cut in an unfinished way, maybe only for God to work more...

The First Week in Jordan

My first week in Jordan has been very full and very good. This time last week, I was getting off my 2nd plane, having being up 34 hours, and going through a hour of questioning at the airport I was met with my nephew running into the air port (against the rules) into my arms. This was beyond amazing and made everything worth it! I spent the night and morning in Eliat, Israel with my sister-in-law and nephew. We went down to the beach and I could look over the water and see Jordan to my left, Egypt to my right and Saudi Arabia straight ahead. It was truly awesome! We WALKED across the Jordan-Israel border which was about a block of sand with high fence on either side and on the sides men in towers (with guns) guarding the border. To say the least , it felt very surreal.
My first day in Jordan ended with going to the LIFE Center, where my brother works, and getting to help with one of their programs. It is a coffee shop night where the English students can come and practice their English in conversation. I talked with 2 different groups of woman and enjoyed it so very much! They even helped me a little with Arabic which they love.
Last week I got to visit at an Arabic woman's house as part of my work, also. It was a great time to experience their culture and see these woman more relaxed in a setting outside the center; they can let their hair down....literally. I am so excited to further the relationships with the woman.
My coming has been "for such a time as this" my sister- in-law told my mom. Because of all their responsibilities, I am able to help bring a load off with all that I am able to do. The prayers are called out over the city (on speakers) as I write. I am reminded of the bondage that is here and what a hold it has on the people. I have never experienced it to this extent before. This country is truly in need of our attention. It is 9:00pm where y'all are and 4am here so I better write more later!

Ok go...

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes."
Isaiah 58: 6-12

This has been my favorite passage in preparing for Kenya. It is written on my heart. I am ready to go rebuild the deserted ruins. I have an early flight tomorrow morning to Indianapolis for training. After six days, my team will be hopping a plane to Nairobi. The adventure has thus commenced and I hope to share it with you as much as possible.

Ready? Yes. One, two, three.

Ok, go!

Digging support...

Support:
(1): to promote the interests or cause of
(2): to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate
(3): to argue or vote for
(4): assist, help
(5): to act with
(6): to bid in bridge so as to show support for
(7): to provide with substantiation, to pay the costs of, to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of
(8): to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for, to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans, to maintain the price of by purchases or loans.
(9): to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage
(10):to comfort,to keep (something) going

I have experienced a lot of irony and surprises in terms of my support (spiritually, emotionally, and financially) for Kenya. One ironic thing has been receiving my support. The individuals and families that I expected to support me the most have not. And the individuals and families that I never expected to support me have done so abundantly. Maybe ironic is not the best word.

This is what I know... I have felt an overwhelming crowd of people surround me in this adventure. There are faces in that crowd that I have known for years. There are faces in that crowd that I have just recently met. And there are faces in that crowd that I do not know at all. And more, there are faces that are missing from the crowd; faces that I wanted to be a part of this adventure that took no interest.

But nevertheless, I am in no lacking of support. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who have decided to journey with me to Kenya. My supporters: You have promoted my interests and causes for this summer. You will be my advocate while I am gone. You have assisted and helped me get there. I can act in Nairobi because of you. You have bid in bridge so as to show me support. You have provided for the basis of my existence in Kenya. You serve as my foundation. You have kept from me fainting, yielding, or losing courage. You have been my comfort which has kept me going these past few months. ACC has contributed much to all of these things.

Support. I thank you endlessly. Can you dig that?

My future pictures...

My CMF recruitment officer Phil just got back from Nairobi last week. He went over there with his wife to help set things up for my team. His pictures make me excited.

Only five more days until I leave for training!

How I spent my summer "vacation"...

Vacation? Not this summer. I left school before most were done with finals, got two day at the beach then started my internship May 12 at Christian Financial Resources, Inc., in Lake Mary, FL. I had been hired just two weeks prior and was excited to have a job that I could actually put to use all the craziness that I had just "learned" in the past year.

I walked into the building monday morning, met the boss Darren, who instructed me to follow him to "my office." I followed expecting to go to some dinky desk cubicle or something, but oh no I have a REAL office. Definitely a good start. For those of you that dont know what CFR is, its a non-profit financial company created to help churches get loans to expand or build. We also do IRAs and CDs for Christians all over Florida... and beyond. On Sundays I travel around to different churches in the state, promoting our business, and helping fellow Christians invest their assets, while at the same time, helping build Gods Kingdom. Pretty cool business.

Im also taking three summer classes at a community college here, so "summer vacation" does not apply to me. Sad thing is, Im actually looking forward to things slowing down when I get back to ACC!

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts...

I am quite possibly the worst over-packer you would ever meet. Seriously, it can be bad. A one weekend trip translates to seven outfits for me. I mean, you never know what you will be doing while you are away right?

Let me break down my trip to Kenya for you a little bit. The trip is ten weeks long. The first week I will be in Indiana for training. Weeks two through eight (and a half) will be in Nairobi. My last four days will be spent being debriefed in Indiana. If I were to pack my normal amount, I would need at least ten suitcases.

That certainly is not possible with this adventure. I am allowed one fifty pound suitcase, one twenty pound suitcase, and a backpack. In addition to my clothing and basic necessities, I need to bring gifts. I have gifts for my host missionaries. I have gifts for my national family. I have gifts for my language assistants. And I have gifts for the children in the city. I have started putting my gifts in my suitcase, as you can see.

You can call me a wise woman, because I am coming bearing gifts ;)

Going native...

One of my goals for the summer is to become a little less American (after helping people of course). My teammates and I will be staying in a guest house for 80% of our
trip and the remaining 20% will be with a national family. It is safe to say that we are going to be roughing it compared to what we are used to. There will not be standard American accommodations such as air conditioning or even toilets. My electric usage will be limited as well as my internet and telephone capabilities. I am leaving my technology at home, and I am going to take different approach to life these next few months.

Basically, I am getting ready to go native; heart, soul, and hair!

Piles of peace...

Life has been moving in the fast lane since school ended. You may be aware from my previous posts that I am going to be spending the summer in Nairobi, Kenya. There is a lot to accomplish before I leave for my big adventure... in eight days!

I have been spending these past two weeks in preparation mode. So far I have successfully gotten all of my required immunizations. I have also bought gifts for my host missionaries, my national families, and my language assistants. In addition, I have a big pile of toys, games, and candy for the children in Nairobi. Yesterday I took care of my banking information to make sure I could use my Visa card in the city. Today I had a paper notarized with instructions regarding my remains should I pass away on my trip. There are still some details I need address before next Wednesday.

Other than preparing logistically for leaving, I have been spending a lot of time preparing my heart for Kenya. I realized when I got home from school that I was not at peace about my trip yet. Therefore, I have been meditating on peace daily. Like it says in Ephesians 6, I have been putting on the shoes of peace. Already I feel myself gaining immense peace about this summer.

I am not sure how consistently I will be able to post on here this summer because of the limited internet access I will have in Nairobi, but I can offer some glimpses of what preparation looks like for me. This is the beginning of just one pile of things going to Kenya. The piles are growing, kind of like my peace.

sweet summertime

so it's been a week and a half since my last final, and i think i'm busier now than i was before! :) all of last week was consumed by helping with the golf tournament to raise money for our student mission trips to Cincinnati and Kentucky(which i'm going on). the tournament went off without a hitch, so now my sights are set on my first trip of the summer-First Timers Camp at Woodland!

it's funny-i never imagined that i would be where i am today. it's been a hard year, but i know this summer holds something big for me. God's been all over my life lately; making things make sense and just reminding me that there's something bigger going on here than just me. i'm getting to impact the community, and it's pretty cool; getting to see God's hand in the happenings around me.

i'm excited; i guess that's the only way to put it :D

Welcome to the ACC Summer 2008 Blog!

This is the place for students, faculty and staff to post about what they're up to this summer. If you have any questions about the blog, contact the Student Development Office!