Kenya Missions Trip February 2012

February 17, 2012

Dear Friends and Family –

We are back!  Heather and I are home and recovering from the jet lag from our whirlwind trip to Kenya.  It was an amazing trip and I am so thankful for your support and prayers. 

God was very evidently at work in the ministry of Care for Aids in the Nairobi area.  Heather and I (and the rest of the team) were SO privileged to get a glimpse into all that God is doing through this ministry.  We were able to learn about the ministry and participate in several aspects of it. 

Care for Aids is a program that partners with the local church to offer a Care for Aids center.  This center employs a Kenyan spiritual counselor and a medical counselor to guide clients who are HIV+ through a 9-month program of education and care.  In addition to learning how to take care of themselves physically, the clients are discipled spiritually. They are also “empowered” by seminars on how to start a business, farm, raise animals, and many other things that could help them take care of themselves and their families. 

CFA (Care for Aids) is all about restoring relationships and community. When a client is diagnosed as “Positive”, they are rejected by their community, their family, and often lose their job as well.  Upon receiving the diagnosis, they are inclined to just curl up and wait to die.  CFA lets them know that there is hope – they can become healthier, grow in the Lord, have a meaningful work and life, raise their children, and restore the relationships with their family and community.  These lives are transformed by this program and the hope that it offers them.  We worked with Cornel Onyango & Duncan Kimani (Kenyan pastors & CFA founders) and the American representative, Caleb Davison.  We served with Chuck & Terri Bateman, Ashley Humble, and Angie Albee from our church.

We were so blessed by being able to go with the counselors to several client homes for their weekly home visits.  We were able to see the sewing business that Veronica has started.  We visited Rose, whose daughter Carol has been in the program.  Carol cannot walk but you can see the joy on her face as we came into her home.  Rose has lost her husband and another daughter but she kept talking about the blessings that God has given her despite her losses.  Marietta lived in a small rental home (maybe about 6 – 10 feet square for four people to live in) but she has learned to have a “kitchen garden” in feed sacks outside her home and to raise rabbits to help take care of her family.

Medical Counselor Esther with Heather

We also got to sit with the spiritual counselor, David, and the medical counselor, Esther, at another church while clients came to them for their weekly visits.  I was SO blessed to be able to pray with these precious people and help hand out their weekly food gifts from CFA.  I was particularly touched by a woman whose husband had abused her and left her when she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.  She is my age exactly and has children my children’s ages – 15 & 13, in addition to a younger child who is 8.  Another lady was 23 with two children aged 7 and 5.  She was not married and never got to go to school since her parents couldn’t afford the uniforms.  She was not a Christian yet but was definitely seeking the Lord and learning about Him through this program. 

Care for Aids has great standing in the community and is able to refer clients for hospital or medical care for illnesses that come up due to their lowered immune system.  They also help them get to a hospital to deliver their children so that the babies are not automatically born with HIV as well. So far, 100% of the babies born in the program have been HIV Negative!

We were honored to hand out diplomas to the graduating class of 80 in Ruiru.  It was a blessing to hear the stories of how the Lord and the ministry of Care for Aids has transformed their lives!

Guess what else we got to do? We got to help cook dinner and eat in the home of Ann.  Ann is married with 5 children and she and her husband had taken in two other orphans.  Two of Ann’s children were also HIV+.  Her oldest child, Mary, was 13 just like Heather and spent a lot of time holding Heather’s hand and playing with her hair.  Heather got to make balloon animals (with Chuck, another team member) and play with the kids.  What an amazing experience that was!

On Friday through Sunday, Heather and I got to head off to Rift Valley Academy to visit some of our church’s missionaries – Jon, Susan, Caroline & Ben Stocksdale.  The amazing blessing of this is that they are also our family (Susan is my husband Bruce’s sister)!  They have been in Kenya as missionaries for over 20 years and we’ve never gotten to visit them until now!  They serve at a K – 12 boarding school for missionary kids. Their ministry supports many other missionaries and enables these missionaries to serve in places all over Africa because they have a safe place to send their kids to be educated and loved.  We met a couple of these missionaries who are serving in truly dangerous places (such as Muslim countries in North Africa).  It was a blessing to be in their home and to tour the campus and the other related Africa Inland Missions/Church ministries such as Kijabe Hospital and Moffat Bible College.

The last day of our trip was amazing. We got to do a conference to train and encourage the Kenyan counselors and pastors who have a Care for Aids center. They are always pouring out to others so we encouraged them with ways that they can fill back up with the Lord so that they might have the strength to continue to serve. 

The grand finale was so enjoyable – we got to go on a safari at Lake Nakuru National Park.  We saw so many animals – Zebras, Giraffes, lots of gazelles and deer, birds, and LIONS!  We saw two females and 6 cubs then a while later, we saw two male lions cross right in front of our safari van! 

As in so many trips where you go to serve others, we received blessings that seemed so far above what we were able to give.  Heather got a glimpse of the world of poverty and suffering beyond what she had ever seen but we still got to see the joy of Christ in the lives of these people and the hope that they were receiving from the Care for Aids program.  We visited homes and churches located in slums and saw the wealthy homes of diplomats and businessmen just a block away from such poverty.  The contrast of rich and poor in Kenya is striking.

Most of all, we were SO blessed to be prayed for and sent by all of you!  You have had a part in enriching lives and encouraging missionaries and Christian workers by sending Heather and I (and the rest of the team) over to Kenya.  Thank you for your part in this work!

God bless you and thank you again for the support you gave us!

In Him –

Brooke (& Heather) Marsh

Henna Hair Day!!!

Today was the day!  My Mehandi Body Art Quality (BAQ) Henna arrived yesterday and I couldn't wait to give it a try.  I have died my hair for several years (since it started getting "natural" aka gray hightlights) with whatever was on sale.  My sister in law mentioned that she was dying her hair with henna and indigo to avoid using the strong chemicals on her hair but to still cover the gray.  I thought that sounded like an excellent idea and went to the Henna for Hair website to read up on it and place my order. I ordered a set of two 100 g packets of Ancient Sunrise henna.  I wasn't sure whether I would need two packets or one.  The instructions said to use 100 g for short hair and more for longer than shoulder length hair.  Once I saw how big the packs were, I decided to go with one pack.

Here's what I did.  I got the kit and read that it had to "cure" about 12 hours to activate the dye in the henna.  Here's my recipe:

Pour the packet into a glass or metal bowl.  Add 1/2 cup of something acidic.  I used 1/4 cup of "lemon grenande" lemon juice (you know, the ones that look like a plastic lemon) and 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.  It formed a thick paste which I covered with wax paper and left to sit overnight.

This morning, I added more liquid to bring it to a cake mix or yogurt type consistency. You can use more lemon juice or tea or things like that. I used 2/3 cup of Lipton tea and 1/3 cup of purified water.  I also added 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 1/2 cap of tea tree oil.  The lavender and lemon cut down on the strong smell of the henna.  I must admit it looks pretty yucky and green and icky.

I applied the paste to my roots first and then put thick clumps on the rest of my hair.  I made sure to cover the edges but wipe it off my skin with a wet cloth whenever it got on it so it wouldn't stain.  When all the hair was covered thickly, I put on a shower cap (you can also use plastic wrap) and left the henna on for 1 1/2 hours.  It wasn't hard to leave it on since I made it like a brownie mix and it wasn't runny at all.  The directions suggested to leave the henna on for 1 - 4 hours so I decided to try the low end this first time.

I rinsed it out in the shower (don't be surprised if the water runs really muddy and green).  It took a while to get it all out and for the water to run clear.  I added a little conditioner after and rinsed again.

I got out of the shower to a beautiful red head of hair!  It is supposed to get deeper for a few more days and stay for 6 months or so.  I'm guessing I have to do the roots every so often but we'll see.  Pictures are posted below.

This is the goop.  Looks yummy, huh?

BEFORE:  You can't tell but the color is a mousy blondish red.

AFTER:  The color is a beautiful clear reddish blonde.

What's the Plan? Asperger's and Homeschooling

This article was written by me and previously published in the Autism and Asperger's Digest in January 2010.

WHAT’S THE PLAN?

“What’s the plan for today, Mom?” asked my 13-year-old son Daniel. He always wants to know the plan. Daniel has been homeschooled for the last two years so every day is a little different for him. He asked me if I could put a calendar on the living room wall and write down what he is doing each day. I thought that was a great idea – even if not every home has a big calendar in the living room. He likes to cross off each day as it is completed so he knows what day it is and what is coming next.

His case of Aspergers is pretty mild so not everyone notices it. Most folks just think he is a little different or odd – a little loud or a little quiet or a little “off”. The ADHD just adds a little excitement to the already unpredictable mix.

Daniel used to go to the private school where I teach. Like many kids with ASD, he is very bright in some areas and has challenges in others. His teachers were so good to work with his unusual behaviors and learning challenges and to help him learn what he could. However, each day when he came home, he was done. He was worn out. The challenges of figuring out the social rules (or not figuring them out), dealing with the sometimes overwhelming sensory input, and learning to flex with the schedule changes in class took all he had. All he wanted to do each evening was come home, go to his room alone and work on building things. He didn’t have anything left for homework, for his family, or for other interests.

Daniel’s ADHD also made private school a challenge for him – the distractions of buzzing fluorescent lights, tapping pencils, and chirping birds outside the window were often too much for him. His disorganization academically caused him to continually forget to write down assignments or to lose assignments he’d already done. Most of the feedback he received regarding education and learning was negative.

Finally, in the middle of 5th grade, he hit a wall. He was depressed and tired and neither his teachers, counselors, nor I could figure out what to do. Fortunately, at that time, I met a friend who has a son with ASD who was homeschooling. A light bulb went off in my head. We began homeschooling at Christmas two years agao and we have been doing it ever since.

Kids with ASD often need to learn at their own speed and that’s what homeschooling allows Daniel to do. He learns at his own pace and about the subject matter that interests him. He also likes to have more time with his dad and me. He attends homeschool events like science classes and chess club and develops his social skills a little that way. The homeschooling kids that he meets seem to accept him just the way he is. The best thing, however, is that he is smiling, relaxed, happy, and creative again without the stress of “regular” school.

We have met many other parents of children with learning challenges at homeschooling events. It is a blessing to be understood. Last week at science class, Daniel had to leave the room when the presentation got too loud. I wasn’t there but another mom who has a child with sensory issues was – she just looked at Daniel with his hands over his ears making his way to the door, realized that the noise was the issue, smiled at him and watched him through the glass in the door until the noise was over and he came back into the room. At the homeschool Boy Scout troop, the leader watched Daniel for a few minutes, asked me if he was “on the spectrum”, and upon hearing my answer in the affirmative, said they’d be glad to have him in the troop. It is wonderful to be accepted despite your differences and that is what we have encountered in homeschooling.

One of the most important skills for any child to learn, especially one with special challenges, is the skill of lifelong learning and self-teaching. Some children can lose the love of learning that they are born with due to the pressure and stress of traditional schooling. Daniel was one of these children. Homeschooling has freed him to learn the way he learns best and to begin to desire to learn new things instead of being forced to do so. The removal of distractions and environmental stress has caused learning to be a joy instead of drudgery.

Homeschooling is not for every ASD child but it is one of the many options we have to educate our children in the way that is best for them. Each of our children is different – different gifts, different challenges, and different personalities. We, as parents, have the responsibility of figuring out which option is best for our children at different times in their lives. Homeschooling is the option that is working well for us right now.

In addition to the blessing of moving at his own pace, Daniel is discovering areas of interest and he has the time to focus on them. He has decided that he loves chess and enjoys drawing Manga and cartoons. One thing we thought we’d never see is a love for reading. With the extra time he has, Daniel has begun to read.

So, for our family, the answer to “What’s the plan?” is homeschooling for now. There are so many educational options for kids with ASD and we are thankful to have discovered the one that is best for Daniel right now. As he gains educational and social experience, he may decide to branch out into the world of traditional schooling again in the future.

If you are interested in learning more about homeschooling a child with special needs, there are some website resources you can explore:

· A to Z Home’s Cool - http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/autism.htm

· Autism Link on Homeschooling - http://www.autismlink.com/pages/autism_homeschooling/

· Yahoo Group on Homeschooling Aspies – http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolingaspies/

You can also contact your local or state homeschooling group to make contact with other parents who are homeschooling children with special needs. Happy Planning!

Aspergers Self-Awareness

My 15 year old son has only recently become aware of what Aspergers is.  He knew he had the "label" about two years after he got the diagnosis.  Before that, he had an ADHD diagnosis and he wanted to stick with that diagnosis since he had just gotten a handle on what that meant and how it affected who he was and how he acted.  In the last year or two, he has begun to really understand it and it seems to help him make sense of who he is and how he relates to the world around him.

A book that really helped him begin to understand himself is the Blue Bottle Mystery by Kathy Hoopman.  It is a pretty simple "mystery" for younger kids but Kathy does  an excellent, entertaining, and informative job of laying out some of the main characteristics of Aspergers in a way that my son reallly understood.  Some of the characteristics she covers are: sensory issues, social awkwardness, difficulties with understanding others (being literal), not liking change, and unusual movements. 

Now I hear my son saying things like - "There are too many people in my room.  I have Aspergers and I don't like that." or "Please leave it in that place, I don't like it out of order because I have Aspergers."  He knows the he can improve on some of the things that he does.  For example, we were outside riding bikes and a neighbor boy fell off his bike and got a gash in his head.  Instead of asking if he was okay first, Daniel said, "That wouldn't have happened if you had been wearing a helmet like you are supposed to."  I told him that his timing was off - that he should have asked how the boy was and, once he knew he was okay, suggest kindly that he wear his helmet next time."  Daniel took the advice well and said he knew he had a problem with timing. 

He also became very agitated when his two much younger cousins were over at our house.  He really wanted to show off his massive Lego collection and let the boys play but he struggled with things being out of place.  I had to stay in the room with him a lot of the time to help calm him and "supervise" the boys so that he was able to share with him.  He wants to be kind and share but it is still a struggle for him.

However, if you were to ask him if he wishes he didn't have Aspergers, he would answer with a definite NO.  He likes who he is, quirks and all.  To him, the advantages far outweigh the challenges.  As a mother, I am really glad to hear that!  My perspective is often so much different.  I see the academic struggles, he sees a boy with an amazing visual memory who can learn almost anything.  I see a boy with social challenges, he sees a boy with the perfect number of friends (most of them also have Aspergers).  I see a boy who doesn't always read the social cues, he sees a boy who doesn't have to worry about what he does or says in public (within reason!) and who is not affected by peer pressure.  Only occasionally does he worry or wonder about life as he grows up - things like being socially acceptable enough to find someone to marry and have kids with (he loves kids and is really good with them) and what he will do for a living if he can't be a video game tester.  : )  (He did a really good job at Vacation Bible School last year with the four year olds!)

Right now, he is talking about taking his current area of focus (Christian comedy) and being the first (we think) Christian comedian with Aspergers.  That'd be pretty cool!  He also wants to talk to a first grade class about Aspergers since one of their class members just got diagnosed with the same thing.  That amazes me when I think of the shy boy in 5th grade who bailed on playing Joseph in the school Christian play because he just couldn't go out in front of the audience, even though he didn't have lines. 

We have tried so many interventions over the years - many of them experimental and proven only by anecdotal evidence - Neuronet and Braincore are a couple of them.  We've tried more common interventions like tutoring and writing lessons.  We've educated him at a private Christian elementary school, unschooling, homeschooling, homeschool "school" and schooling via videos.  Somehow, the combination of those things and the person God made him to be (genetically and experientially) have contributed to making him an amazing young man that I am proud of.  I know he's not perfect and so does he but we both know that God made Daniel the way he is on purpose and He has great plans for Him.  I'm so thankful that Daniel sees that (to quote Veggie Tales) - God made him special and He loves him very much!

All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13