Thursday, April 1, 2010

Back Home in Indiana!

(MY LAST POST...at least I think so.)

Relatives met me at the airport to welcome me home.


First things first--go see Dad in the hospital!


Then dress up my nieces in Gabra garb.


And let my sister carry her youngest around Gabra-style!



Thank you all for caring about me and my Gabra friends. Your support and prayers have meant so much to me. I'm not planning on continuing this blog since I'm not in Kalacha anymore. What does the Lord have for me next? Anin imbekhu. (I don't know.) Right now, all I keep hearing is "Be with your family."

So that's where I'll be...
...for now.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Back safely. :)

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm back home in Indiana, safe
and sound. I got to see my dad in the hospital and have been getting
loved on by my family.
It's good to be home.
*sigh*
Love you all,
-Barbara

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Leaving Kalacha


The time has come for our team to leave Kalacha. (Sunday, March 14)



We've been encouraged to see new life, both physically and spiritually, during our time here.



Several of our friends were baptized this month!



We, the primary colors of Kalacha! Here, it's cool to be dressed in the same things. :) There are times I think God has made people 'primary colors' that make more colors (the fun ones) only when they mix with each other.



Here's to new beginnings.

Please pray for us (my team AND our Gabra families) as we are all transitioning.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Be Still


Every morning, I wake up to this.


Throughout the day, the hot sun beats down on the land.


Off in the distance, Tullu Dimtu and other mountains give variety to the horizon.


As the sun sets, I usually sit outside my home on a little stool, sipping tea, playing guitar, watching the trees and homes turn into silhouettes.


(Chalbi Desert sunset)

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10


Perhaps this blog entry tells you more about my time in Kalacha than others I've done. You see in these photos no people. Just land and sky. Dry and hot. Rocks and sand. Dust and thorns. Whatever beauty you can see in these things is all that's left in me. I've been soaking it all up and being transformed by the desolation I feel on a daily basis here. You can see from other teammates' blogs that my time in Kalacha has been very different from theirs. They've spent much of their time laughing, learning, conversing, and growing. I've spent much of mine crying, hiding out, withering, and clawing the ground to keep moving. At least...that's what it's felt like.

This week I think I reached my breaking point.

My team has gone off on a trip and I remained behind, primarily to have some alone time and get rejuvenated. When they return, their blogs will be colored with adventures and smiling faces and tell you things that your curious minds want to know about life in northern Kenya. I'm sorry I have not done such a good job at doing that for you these past 2 years, but breathing and remembering to eat have seemed to have taken priority.

Thank you for being there for me and showing me grace.
If you think of it, please pray for me.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

One thing I've learned about myself...


...this year is that I am NOT adventurous. I guess everything's comparative, but I think in my case it's a fact. I, Barbara Bandera, am not adventurous. If you want adventure stories of Kalacha, please go to Charmyn's blog. I'm still working on surviving! :) If my pictures don't load right now, well, you'll just have to wait longer! I have no patience for electronics today.
(How's that for a vague posting?!)