When people ask me what Kenya looks like, I refer them to the Lion King.
In particular, the ten acres of land owned by Visible Grace look like they were lifted directly from the (cartoon) set. Wide, flat expanses of tough, dry grass. Acacia trees marking the horizon. Broad strokes of white clouds across an enormous blue sky. Singing hippopotamuses.
Um...yeah, so the point is, 'the morning report' is (catchy, sticky) song from the Lion King. Also, I decided to try and articulate what a typical morning in Kenya is like.
ahem.
This morning I woke up at 5. 5 AM. It was disgusting. (Side note: I've been practicing trying to guess the time based on the quality of light that comes in the windows. I have a clock, but I feel like an internal clock is a good skill to hone. So far I've been within the hour, which is no small task when you wake up after traveling for 28 hours and you're not even sure what day it is.)
5am in Kenya is much louder than it ought to be. For one thing, the birds are awake. Very awake. For another, the first run of buses is barreling down the main road, honking their horns to make sure we are all aware that There Is A Bus Here.
We are aware. Very aware.
When I lived in Mbita (the village on Lake Victoria where I taught kindergarten in 2003 and 2004), I had a ridiculous sleeping schedule. I was violently allergic to one single flower that grew there, for one thing. For another, we slept with the windows open (it was HOT) so the hippos, monkeys, birds et alia woke me up whenever they damn well pleased. (Like: 3am.)
In Mbita I'd usually crawl out of bed and read, or hop online (the line was faster then?) or lie in bed and think about how many hours I had left before I had to head to school. Somehow I stayed in one piece even on 4, 5 or 6 hours of sleep (and teaching, in case you were wondering, expends a LOT of energy!) Generally, once I was up, I was up. So: I kept weird hours in the village.
But in Nairobi I usually sleep pretty well. Sure, there's the usual bout of jet lag (two years ago, I would pass out at like 6pm every night for the first week. and then of course be wide awake at, you know, 11pm). But once I've acclimated I actually sleep better than I do in Portland. Which is lovely.
But this morning I couldn't sleep. I was UP. Like more awake then I thought was physically possible for such an inappropriate time of day.
Susan recently moved into a one-bedroom flat to save money. This puts a damper on my usual schedule of reading in bed and...well that's just about the only hindrance I can think of. Point is- this morning once I knew I was Officially Up (as in, not falling back asleep anytime soon) I grabbed my phone, my Bible, my book and a shawl, crawled over Sound Asleep Susan, shuffled into my slippers and tiptoed out of the room.
Morning: it smells different here. I can't put my finger on it. Almost-rain in the air. Charcoal fires. Then the deafening silence that comes with country life- birds, cows, goats.
First, like a good African, I made tea. Bring water to boil. Bring milk to boil. Add tea leaves. Stir. Susan has a gas stove, which is nice. (I've often said life in Africa is similar to going camping. The water and cooking sources in particular. Also, the pervasiveness of mud when it rains.)
I settle onto the couch with my book and a cup of tea but then I decide to check on our laundry, which we hung outside yesterday to dry, and see how it's doing.
How it's doing is getting rained on. Not any heavy rain that will go anywhere but a light, dusting mist that I never knew was possible here. Just enough- just barely enough- to keep our clothes damp.
I lean over the guard rail on our balcony, squinting into the dawn-ish light, staring at the road in front of me and trying to see Kenya the way I would if this was my first trip here:
tarmacked road
dust-coloured tarps covering aluminum kiosks
stalks of maize
muddy side roads
buses
chickens
tin roofs
laundry, everywhere (a clothesline extending from every building)
Soon, the road will be full of children walking to school (mismatched uniforms indicate public school; buses indicate private), people heading to work, trucks carrying who-knows-what, and bus conductors yelling at EVERYONE.
But for now it's relatively people-free. Only the birds and myself are awake.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
new Visible Grace newsletter- Ashby is headed to Kenya!
Off she goes...It’s finally here--Ashby’s Kenya Trip 2010! After a brief stay
with friends in Chicago, she'll board a plane and disembark on
May 3rd in Nairobi, Kenya, where she’ll spend eight weeks
connecting with friends, volunteers and Visible Grace's Kenyan board. Along with visiting the land, she’s hoping
to make progress toward acquiring the building permits
needed to begin construction on the site. She’ll also be
teaching a community health and nutrition seminar.
It’s a big undertaking, and like any valuable venture,
does not come cheaply. If you’re able to help cover an
amount of the trip costs (about $4,000 total), it would be an enormous blessing and an integral part of propelling Visible Grace forward.
Lights...Camera...Action:
Also very exciting: Jon Rosing and Chad DeHeart (check out
greatfishmedia.com) will be joining Ashby in Kenya for a week
in May in order to gather footage for a Visible Grace video.
Ashby is VERY excited about this video, which will be a huge aid
in promoting Visible Grace in the future. Please pray for
Ashby, Jon and Chad as they travel to Kenya this month.
Pray:
One of the challenges we are currently facing is the attempt to get
permits in Kenya so we can start building classrooms and homes.
We believe corrupt members of the Kenyan government are waiting
for a bribe. Instead of giving in, we would like to start a chain of prayer
across the United States, asking God to move in Kenya and open
doors for us. We believe God is capable of working a miracle for His glory,
and Ashby would love an email from anyone interested in being part
of a prayer team. 
The Beat Goes On...
Last month, Visible Grace hosted its first benefit concert with Sixteen Cities
and several other Portland-area bands. It was an enormous blessing for
Ashby to participate with so many people who gave of their time and talents
for such a great cause. We are incredibly thankful for everyone who played
for, volunteered for or attended our benefit concert––THANK YOU!
Funds Via Fairway
Lights...Camera...Action:
Also very exciting: Jon Rosing and Chad DeHeart (check out
greatfishmedia.com) will be joining Ashby in Kenya for a week
in May in order to gather footage for a Visible Grace video.
Ashby is VERY excited about this video, which will be a huge aid
in promoting Visible Grace in the future. Please pray for
Ashby, Jon and Chad as they travel to Kenya this month.
Pray:
One of the challenges we are currently facing is the attempt to get
permits in Kenya so we can start building classrooms and homes.
We believe corrupt members of the Kenyan government are waiting
for a bribe. Instead of giving in, we would like to start a chain of prayer
across the United States, asking God to move in Kenya and open
doors for us. We believe God is capable of working a miracle for His glory,
and Ashby would love an email from anyone interested in being part
of a prayer team.
The Beat Goes On...
Last month, Visible Grace hosted its first benefit concert with Sixteen Cities
and several other Portland-area bands. It was an enormous blessing for
Ashby to participate with so many people who gave of their time and talents
for such a great cause. We are incredibly thankful for everyone who played
for, volunteered for or attended our benefit concert––THANK YOU!
Funds Via Fairway
Visible Grace will be hosting its first annual golf tournament on July 17
at Eagle Landing Golf Course in Portland. It’s a chance to golf, eat, drink,
make friends and learn more about Visible Grace––all while raising money
for the project in Kenya! Get involved as a player, sponsor a golfer (per hole
or as a flat fee) or help us spread the word! Contact Ashby for details about
getting involved in what’s likely to be one of the best-dressed fundraisers in VisiGrace history.
Your Ball Gown Awaits
at Eagle Landing Golf Course in Portland. It’s a chance to golf, eat, drink,
make friends and learn more about Visible Grace––all while raising money
for the project in Kenya! Get involved as a player, sponsor a golfer (per hole
or as a flat fee) or help us spread the word! Contact Ashby for details about
getting involved in what’s likely to be one of the best-dressed fundraisers in VisiGrace history.
Your Ball Gown Awaits
Our 6th annual auction will be on October 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
in Lake Oswego, Oregon. We are looking forward to this event, which is our
main fundraiser each year. As always, please contact Ashby if you would like
to attend, donate items or help make this year’s auction fabulous!
Get Involved. Here's How:
in Lake Oswego, Oregon. We are looking forward to this event, which is our
main fundraiser each year. As always, please contact Ashby if you would like
to attend, donate items or help make this year’s auction fabulous!
Get Involved. Here's How:
DONATE • Any amount is great! It accumulates and helps us get to Kenya,
build the school and other great things! How, you ask? Why, mail a check,
give online through Facebook/ PayPal or buy a Visible Grace t-shirt, of course.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT US • We need a
solid network of people who care about kids in Kenya. Casually drop us unto conversation, blog or Facebook about us, follow Ashby’s travel blog, or buy
her a coffee and ask her questions! She’d love to tell you more about what
we’re doing (especially if she’s caffeinated).
VOLUNTEER • Live near Portland? Help us organize our fundraisers! Live somewhere else? Host your own! It’s easy. Contact Ashby if you are interested
and she’ll give you details.
PRAY • We need prayers; for money, for God’s hand to work in Kenya and
to bless our efforts here in the USA. Pray for the kids of Kenya, who are
being oppressed and attacked and deserve a fighting chance. Pray for
Ashby, for her physical health and safety as she travels. Pray for our US
and Kenyan boards, and pray for our volunteers, who do so much to keep
Visible Grace going strong.
Thank you, as always, for all that you do. We appreciate your support
so very much. With love, grace and peace, Ashby and the Visible Grace board
build the school and other great things! How, you ask? Why, mail a check,
give online through Facebook/ PayPal or buy a Visible Grace t-shirt, of course.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT US • We need a
solid network of people who care about kids in Kenya. Casually drop us unto conversation, blog or Facebook about us, follow Ashby’s travel blog, or buy
her a coffee and ask her questions! She’d love to tell you more about what
we’re doing (especially if she’s caffeinated).
VOLUNTEER • Live near Portland? Help us organize our fundraisers! Live somewhere else? Host your own! It’s easy. Contact Ashby if you are interested
and she’ll give you details.
PRAY • We need prayers; for money, for God’s hand to work in Kenya and
to bless our efforts here in the USA. Pray for the kids of Kenya, who are
being oppressed and attacked and deserve a fighting chance. Pray for
Ashby, for her physical health and safety as she travels. Pray for our US
and Kenyan boards, and pray for our volunteers, who do so much to keep
Visible Grace going strong.
Thank you, as always, for all that you do. We appreciate your support
so very much. With love, grace and peace, Ashby and the Visible Grace board
Friday, January 22, 2010
Visible Grace Benefit Concert- February 27th
Happy 2010, everyone! If you haven't seen it yet, check out our new and improved website! Take a minute to look around- we're pretty excited that it's up to date!
Thank you to those of you who sent in end-of-the-year donations- we are very thankful for your generosity! Visible Grace is slowly gaining momentum and I am encouraged by the support of our donors. There's a lot going on in VGland...
Susan Kimani is keeping very busy over in Kenya, plowing through the mountain of paperwork, applications, permits and appointments that are required before we can begin the building process. We wish her luck- dealing with the Kenyan government is a study in patience and inefficiency. Susan, we are thankful for you!
Meanwhile, here in the US we are doing everything we can to raise the funds necessary to begin building. Once Susan has conquered the paperwork, we'd like to have money to send her so we can break ground! Our goal for 2010 is to have a home built on our land in Kenya.
You can help us reach our goal!
Here's how you can help:
~Become a monthly donor (email me: info at visiblegrace dot org)- this is the best possible way to help Visible Grace bring in a steady income!
~Join our group on Facebook and follow our page, and give donations online, and invite your friends to join our cause! Facebook is an incredibly easy and ubiquitous way to spread the word about Visible Grace.
~Buy a Visible Grace t shirt- email me (or leave a comment) for details! (or see this blog post.) Adult t shirts are $20.
~Our SIXTH ANNUAL AUCTION is on the calendar- Saturday, October 23rd! Stay tuned for details.
and finally...
We will be having a benefit concert on February 27th!
The details:
Saturday, February 27th at 6:30pm
Our Place Christian Church in Hillsboro
$15 or $10/per for groups!
Five local bands, including 16 Cities
Buy your tickets here, and pass the link around!
This is a great opportunity to spend a few dollars, have a good time, and make a huge difference in the lives of a group of children in Kenya who desperately need advocates. We are on their side- come find out why.
We are looking forward to a wonderful evening full of great music, an update about Visible Grace, and spending time with our friends! Please put this date in your calendar, invite your friends, update your twitter and facebook statuses, tell your mom, ask your wife out on a date, email your boyfriend, carpool with your roommate and buy your tickets now! We'll see you on February 27th!
Thank you to those of you who sent in end-of-the-year donations- we are very thankful for your generosity! Visible Grace is slowly gaining momentum and I am encouraged by the support of our donors. There's a lot going on in VGland...
Susan Kimani is keeping very busy over in Kenya, plowing through the mountain of paperwork, applications, permits and appointments that are required before we can begin the building process. We wish her luck- dealing with the Kenyan government is a study in patience and inefficiency. Susan, we are thankful for you!
Meanwhile, here in the US we are doing everything we can to raise the funds necessary to begin building. Once Susan has conquered the paperwork, we'd like to have money to send her so we can break ground! Our goal for 2010 is to have a home built on our land in Kenya.
You can help us reach our goal!
Here's how you can help:
~Become a monthly donor (email me: info at visiblegrace dot org)- this is the best possible way to help Visible Grace bring in a steady income!
~Join our group on Facebook and follow our page, and give donations online, and invite your friends to join our cause! Facebook is an incredibly easy and ubiquitous way to spread the word about Visible Grace.
~Buy a Visible Grace t shirt- email me (or leave a comment) for details! (or see this blog post.) Adult t shirts are $20.
~Our SIXTH ANNUAL AUCTION is on the calendar- Saturday, October 23rd! Stay tuned for details.
and finally...
We will be having a benefit concert on February 27th!
The details:
Saturday, February 27th at 6:30pm
Our Place Christian Church in Hillsboro
$15 or $10/per for groups!
Five local bands, including 16 Cities
Buy your tickets here, and pass the link around!
This is a great opportunity to spend a few dollars, have a good time, and make a huge difference in the lives of a group of children in Kenya who desperately need advocates. We are on their side- come find out why.
We are looking forward to a wonderful evening full of great music, an update about Visible Grace, and spending time with our friends! Please put this date in your calendar, invite your friends, update your twitter and facebook statuses, tell your mom, ask your wife out on a date, email your boyfriend, carpool with your roommate and buy your tickets now! We'll see you on February 27th!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Visible Grace Newsletter Nov 2009
Hello everyone!
I hope you are having a wonderful autumn. Here's what's going on with Visible Grace:
A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in this fundraiser. Without people to donate items, volunteer their time, and attend the evening, we wouldn’t have an event!
THANK YOU for donating your resources so generously!
We are looking forward to an even more successful auction in October 2010. Stay tuned for a date!
Our goal:
Our current obsession is doing everything within our power to get a school and children’s home started in Kenya. We have been working toward this goal for a long time, and we pray that God blesses our efforts and makes this a reality.
We are currently discussing the best way forward with our team in Nairobi. We are thankful for the money we raised from the auction, and we want to spend it as wisely as possible. We are excited about what this next year contains for us.
We need your help to make this happen! Please consider partnering with us financially on an ongoing basis. We are always thankful for your generosity.
Coming up:
~We are putting together a Christmas list. Would you like to make a donation to Visible Grace this holiday season?
~We are rescheduling our concert for early February of 2010. Please consider attending! It will be a great evening. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more details!
~Our T-shirts are still for sale through my travel blog: ashbyinkenya.blogspot.com
~I will be traveling to Kenya this May!
New developments:
~Our website has been updated! Check it out: www.VisibleGrace.org
~Portland videographers Jon Rosing and Chad DeHart are planning to travel to Kenya with me in May. They will be shooting video in Kenya and helping us put together a video that can be used for fundraising and promoting Visible Grace! Let me know if you are interested in helping support them financially!
We need your help:
~We are always looking for monthly donors. Please consider giving to Visible Grace; your support is very much appreciated. A year-end donation will be tax deductible for 2009.
~We are looking to start a grant-writing team. If you have any experience in this area, please contact me. We are also in need of volunteers of all kinds!
~Coming soon: our Christmas wish list!
Thank you for your continual support.
Peace to you,
Ashby Rauch
I hope you are having a wonderful autumn. Here's what's going on with Visible Grace:
Our 5th Annual Auction was held on October 24th and it was a great success. We raised over $24,000! Because of the economic climate this past year, I was not sure what to expect, and I am very pleased and very grateful for the outstanding results. 
Photo of our live auction.
Photo of our live auction. A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in this fundraiser. Without people to donate items, volunteer their time, and attend the evening, we wouldn’t have an event!
THANK YOU for donating your resources so generously!
We are looking forward to an even more successful auction in October 2010. Stay tuned for a date!
Our goal:
Our current obsession is doing everything within our power to get a school and children’s home started in Kenya. We have been working toward this goal for a long time, and we pray that God blesses our efforts and makes this a reality.
We are currently discussing the best way forward with our team in Nairobi. We are thankful for the money we raised from the auction, and we want to spend it as wisely as possible. We are excited about what this next year contains for us.
We need your help to make this happen! Please consider partnering with us financially on an ongoing basis. We are always thankful for your generosity.
Coming up:
~We are putting together a Christmas list. Would you like to make a donation to Visible Grace this holiday season?
~We are rescheduling our concert for early February of 2010. Please consider attending! It will be a great evening. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more details!
~Our T-shirts are still for sale through my travel blog: ashbyinkenya.blogspot.com
~I will be traveling to Kenya this May!
New developments:
~Our website has been updated! Check it out: www.VisibleGrace.org
~Portland videographers Jon Rosing and Chad DeHart are planning to travel to Kenya with me in May. They will be shooting video in Kenya and helping us put together a video that can be used for fundraising and promoting Visible Grace! Let me know if you are interested in helping support them financially!
We need your help:
~We are always looking for monthly donors. Please consider giving to Visible Grace; your support is very much appreciated. A year-end donation will be tax deductible for 2009.
~We are looking to start a grant-writing team. If you have any experience in this area, please contact me. We are also in need of volunteers of all kinds!
~Coming soon: our Christmas wish list!
Thank you for your continual support.
Peace to you,
Ashby Rauch
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
5th Annual Auction this Saturday!
You are cordially invited to attend our 5th annual benefit auction, this Saturday at 6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hilton in Lake Oswego. Tickets are $30 and all proceeds go toward our building and well-digging fund.
If you did not receive an invitation, and or have not yet RSVP'd for this event, and are interested in coming, please let me know! It will be a fun evening and we'd love to see you there. Your support means a lot to me...and you'll love some of the items we have for sale. (For example a week's stay in Hawaii!)
See you there!
If you did not receive an invitation, and or have not yet RSVP'd for this event, and are interested in coming, please let me know! It will be a fun evening and we'd love to see you there. Your support means a lot to me...and you'll love some of the items we have for sale. (For example a week's stay in Hawaii!)
See you there!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
t shirts are here!
order your Visible Grace t shirts today! they look great; we've received tons of compliments on them...order one for your friend, your dentist, your bus driver...
(please note: youth white t's with teal ink are on back order)
(please note: youth white t's with teal ink are on back order)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Benefit Concert CANCELLED
Well. Because we never like things to get dull around here, we have decided to cancel/reschedule our benefit.
Burlap to Cashmere was in a car accident this morning. They are fine, but they missed their flight, and were unable to get another flight in time for the concert.
We have decided to reschedule for another date, because we were really looking forward to this event! If you have already purchased a ticket, you are entitled to a refund, but we really hope you will hold onto your ticket and attend the concert when we reschedule.
We will let you know more details once we have them.
Please let anyone know who may have been planning to attend this evening!
Thanks, everyone!
Burlap to Cashmere was in a car accident this morning. They are fine, but they missed their flight, and were unable to get another flight in time for the concert.
We have decided to reschedule for another date, because we were really looking forward to this event! If you have already purchased a ticket, you are entitled to a refund, but we really hope you will hold onto your ticket and attend the concert when we reschedule.
We will let you know more details once we have them.
Please let anyone know who may have been planning to attend this evening!
Thanks, everyone!
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