Kenya Hands of Hope

As I grow older and contemplate the days remaining in my life, I find the lures and pulls of this world becoming less desirable. I begin to more fully understand the meaning behind the words of Jesus when He said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21).

Or when the disciple Peter quotes from the book of Isaiah saying,

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." (1Peter 1:24-25).

Our time on this earth is limited and all that remains once we've slipped the confines of this earthly tabernacle is our legacy of faith. And so I find myself asking the Lord to use me as a vessel with which He can pour out His love on others and to help me become a "living sacrifice" for Him.

"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." (Ps. 141:2)

And so God, knowing the "desires of my heart," answered my prayer. There are many times I've had to question God and ask Him if a particular situation or circumstance was from Him...but this recent prayer was answered by a "Voice in the Wilderness"... (Isa.40:3)... a cry and a plea that pulled my heart-strings and spoke to the spirit residing there. "Please help our little slum school in Nairobi!" Need you ask a teacher with a heart for missions twice? I wanted to find out more about this little school and what I could do to be of service.

And so I became involved with Kenya Hands of Hope, an organization not only sharing the Good News of the Gospel, but helping Kenyans with both their spiritual and physical needs. In a drought-stricken nation, this includes helping those without shelter to have homes built, providing adequate mosquito netting to prevent the spread of disease, providing school supplies, Bibles and books. It means being "God's hands" to a hurting group of people.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Since that time I have come to know some amazing people doing the work of God in Africa. Below you will find a photo of David, a young man needing assistance to continue with his schooling. His father, Martin, a peasant farmer, wanted better for his son but did not have the funds for the upcoming tuition. Working together with another friend, we were able to supply the needed funds. A recent email informed us of the journey from Kenya to Tanzania to get the funds to Martin and David. Life is so much more complicated when you have to deal with border blockades, tribal clashes, lack of transportation, joblessness, hunger, illness, and disease. We take so much for granted here in our country and more often than not, forget the God who bestowed so many blessings upon us. In Africa, their faith and hope is strong. They know that their very existence depends on God. They live with joy despite their many hardships.

Above is a photo of David (seated) and a younger brother outside their home in Tanzania. David will be able to attend advanced schooling this term because of funds sent to his family through Kenya Hands of Hope. His tuition for the year came to approx. $300 U.S. dollars. We sent a little extra for school clothes and supplies. A little goes a long way in Africa!

Once David's schooling was taken care of, we were again reminded of the little slum school in Nairobi, Kenya. They continue to be in great need of supplies for the school children. I shared some of these photos with my 2nd grade class this spring and they immediately wanted to go home and donate some of their toys to the school. I was not able to make this a class project since the school year was rapidly coming to a close, but should I find myself in a classroom next year, I hope to share more about the Nairobi Slum School with children here. The disparity between schools is starkly evident. We have so much to be thankful for.

This is a photo of two school administrators outside the Nairobi Slum School. Upon hearing that a group from Kenya Hands of Hope would be going to Kenya this fall for the upcoming fall Holy Days, a friend and I began researching what kind of school supplies would be easiest for them to transport, and as a teacher, those I knew could be helpful to the teacher and students there. After some online research, we decided upon white boards with blank surfaces, writing surfaces, and surfaces designed to help with telling time and parts of the body. It took time to find the companies that had the best constructed teacher and student white boards, ones that would be durable and stand up to the test of time. We are also helping to supply dry erase markers and felt erasers. These supplies will be sent to Kenya Hands of Hope and delivered to the slum school this fall. It's so wonderful to be able to help personally in this way and to know exactly where and to whom your money and supplies will be going to.

Here you see a glimpse inside the little slum school of Nairobi, with the teacher and some of her students. They are in need of so many of the little things we take for granted. My goal is to continue to work with this organization as I'm able. I realize that I am not in a position to help others in the manner of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett -- I can only "bloom" in the garden where God has planted me. That being said, I also am reminded of the "Parable of the Talents" as told by Jesus. The "Master" gave each of his servants a certain number of talents of money, each according to his ability. Two of the servants went out and multiplied the number of talents, reaping the praise from their Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" The third servant was fearful. Instead of multiplying what he was given, he buried the talent of money in the ground. That servant had the original talent taken from him and did not share in the praise and reward of his Master. I take this as an example to follow. Although I have struggled with finances in my own life, I have so much more than the brethren in Africa. If I am faithful with what God has given me, He will not only bless me, but bless others through me.

"For we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:10)

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2Cor. 9:8-11)

"We are each a part of the body of Christ." (1Cor.12:27) "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (vs. 26).

Dear Family and Friends,

If you would like to help the hungry and hurting brethren of Africa or the little slum school, please make note of the organization and address below. Indicate whether you would like your donation to go to: A) the little slum school or B) the general fund. This non-profit organization will send you a receipt upon request for tax deduction purposes. I will continue to update you about my involvement with Kenya Hands of Hope.

Kenya Hands of Hope
Director: Bill Goff
120 Stage Road
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087
*Receipt available upon request

And now dear ones:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23-24)

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Heb. 10:24)

"Just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in the grace of giving." (2Cor. 8:7)

May the Lord bless you and reward you for your love and generosity towards His little children in Africa. I pray that His work will abound through us!!


Dorothy

Tales of a Teacher

Inauguration Day 2009

Professional books and teaching supplies have been boxed up and safely stored away...computer files and emails deleted from the classroom computer...cupboards, shelves, and desks cleaned in preparation for the new school year...and memories of a year of teaching tucked into the recesses of my mind; available to retrieve whenever a smile is needed. It's been a full and rewarding year...my first full year in the classroom...teaching a group of bright, active 2nd graders!

Who knew when the the classroom door first opened last fall what the year would bring. Children bounded in, eyes wide with anticipation and nervousness. Although excited to begin my first full year of teaching, I, too, wondered what lay ahead. Who knew that we'd have to deal with the death of an aunt... an uncle... a grandmother. Who knew that one student would move away, a new student would arrive, a baby sister would be born, divorce and even the prospect of homelessness would affect us.

I did not realize I would be at school every morning by 8:00 a.m. and leave many evenings at 8:00 p.m., using my weekends to grade assessments, projects, homework packets, and report cards. I was surprised by the number of personal issues students had to work through with one another, and how much time I would be spending as a counselor and mediator. Much of my year was spent contemplating effective classroom arrangements, setting up classroom meetings, and building classroom community. As a substitute teacher you are afforded opportunities to watch teaching styles and try out classroom management techniques. When you finally have your own classroom, you pull out your bag of tricks, only to find that "one size does not fit all." You throw out some things, keep what works, and ask advice from colleagues. You learn to be flexible and to change if change is needed. As a teacher I found myself always growing and evolving, which is why teaching is never boring! Everyday is a chance for redemption and new beginnings.


Who would have thought when the school year started how much fun we would have! In particular I remember the time during a health lesson when we were discussing the amount of sugar in soda drinks and how it was possible to make your own carbonated drink from 100% fruit juice and carbonated seltzer water. As I went to take the top off the carbonated seltzer water, carbonation forced the water to squirt high into the air. We all went silent for a few seconds and then the whole classroom, myself included, burst into laughter! Or how about the time I was in the middle of teaching a lesson when a squirrel (who had come into our building foyer from outside) raced through our classroom in an attempt to find its way back outside. Or the time in science when we made rocket balloons and we decided to have the boys race against the girls. I was trying to emphasis that the race was all in fun, so there would be no hurt feelings. Spontaneously, some of the girls decided to get construction paper and make signs to hold on the sidelines saying "Go Boys" and the boys made signs saying "Go Girls." It became an opportunity to have fun and cheer one another on. Or how about the time I read the poster wrong at school for the dates of "Crazy Hair Day" and "Hawaiian Day" and our class ended up being "Crazy-Haired Hawaiians?" The laughs were many!

There were a few tears. Students were quick to offer tissues when I read them a story, "Thank-you and Good-bye" that always makes me weepy. We had to deal with sadness and hurt feelings during the year. In the end, I hope my students knew how much I cared for them and how much I will miss not being there with them next year.

I hope my students know how proud I am of all their efforts this year. During this Presidential election year we learned about good citizenship and the voting process. We gave "I Have a Dream" speeches and learned how to sing and perform "We Shall Overcome" using sign language. We learned about poetry, Reader's Theater, and performing for others. We learned how to research our cultural heritage and to share what we learned with one another. We learned about compassion and that "There's Nothing Wrong With a Three-Legged Dog!" We also learned how to set goals and reach those goals!

I wish I could share with you some of the hundreds of photographs taken that chronicled our year, but in order to protect the innocent (and some of the guilty -- *smile*) I will not be posting them online. I anxiously await the scrapbook one parent is making me this summer.... pictures of many smiles and lots of good times. I know that I will always treasure this scrapbook and the memories of my first full year of teaching second grade. I learned to be counselor, mediator, nurse, mother, field trip coordinator, cheerleader, and much more. I learned to know my students and their strengths well. They taught me what it means to be a teacher and for that I will be ever grateful.


"Teacher Dorothy"

Autumn Reflections

To everything there is a season
And a time for every purpose under Heaven…
I find myself transfixed in time and space



Having slipped from the summer of adulthood
That long, seemingly endless chasm of time
Busy days filled with energy and sunlight


Stretching late into warm, sultry evenings
Always active…
Always vibrant…
Always healthy…
Never peering into the distance
Building my life, my family, cherished memories
Until one day the sunlit days of summer
Begin to shorten


Progress seems slow at first, changes barely perceivable
Green leaves begin slipping into garments of
Brilliant yellows, burnt oranges, fiery reds…
Preparing for the morning chill that a new day brings
How did I find myself here so quickly?
The passage of time slipping away
Like the grains of sand in an hour glass
Until the sand begins sifting through the
Narrow glass opening
At a faster rate…
Quicker now…
Less remaining than before
I begin to notice the passage of time
The changing seasons
Before winter brings darkness and cold

And the blood in my veins thickens with icy crystals
The season of my parents’ abode
That soon will be mine
When they move on
My heart already cries out for them
In my aloneness and solitude
Winter will soon be mine
But for now I notice the autumn changes
I pay closer attention
My vitality…
My vibrancy…
My life…
All slowly prepares for hibernation
I sense the impending chill
For myself and others around me
Do others sense it too?


Only fading photographs tell the story
Of what once was
During the spring and summers of my life
Now gone…
As I prepare to walk into my autumn season



I watch as the leaves begin to slowly…
One by one…
Drop from their sturdy branches

Slowly drifting…
Swirling…
Spiraling downward…
Sometimes caught dancing on the wind
Sometimes landing gently on the ground
But always detaching…
Separating…
Always falling…
In their season
The world prepares for winter
My soul prepares for winter
May I find myself in readiness
When my winter season finally arrives


Ready for dormancy…
Rest from my labor…
Following the examples of my loved ones
Who have gone before me
With courage…
Who have faced the icy breath of winter




And who hope for the return of spring
And resurrection to new life
I, too, will wait and hope
To everything there is a season
And a time for every purpose under Heaven.



Dorothy Lund
written Autumn 2004

Flight

Above the Azores I flew as a goshawk flies

Stopping here and after there.

On the Azorean sea I sailed

And like the small sea-fish,

I entered here and there.

Upon the Azores I walked by road,

By path, by track,

And lost myself,

In love with this unknown

Paradise - the Azores!

By Diogenia De Bettencourt Lima


Dorothy
Praia da Vitoria, Terceira, Azores

Ruas das Memorias

I woke up about half an hour ago, disoriented, and not quite sure where I was. It took me a moment or two to get my bearings. My feet won't be touching the polished marble floors at Elmiro and Alice's home in Porto Martins. I won't hear the lively conversation at the kitchen table as my family begins the day with cafe, pao, queijo, and various fruits. Instead, I'm back home in the Pacific Northwest. It is overcast outside and I hear the rain beating against the windows. Although I have numerous errands to accomplish, it is a good day for working on my final thoughts and reflections. It won't take much effort for my mind to wander along "ruas das memorias".... or streets of memories .... all I need to do is close my eyes and I am there, back enjoying our final days in Terceira.

The streets were lively for the final days of the festas. I especially enjoyed the "old time" parade from the early agricultural days of the island. Decorated carts pulled by cows and horses clicked against the cobblestone streets. Men, women, and children dressed in native costumes and carrying baskets of grain, bread, chickens, and other goods paraded down the streets while musicians played lively tunes.

Another entertaining event during the final day of the festas was the bullfight on the beach. My dad used to tell us the story of how he was chased into the water and lost his camera during one of these events many years ago. I thought about Dad as we watched the four bulls, one at a time, loosened on the beach. Today they are held tethered by a rope to keep them from causing too much trouble. Still, you need youth and exuberance to outrun the bulls on the beach. We chose to watch from a distance, a safe location near the marina. We had a great view and plenty of good conversation and laughs!

The final night of the festas was a grand celebration. Twenty minutes of the most gorgeous fireworks exploded over the marina/harbor of the praia. The fireworks were choreographed to music, and you could feel the vibrations throughout your entire body. My aunts and uncles thought it would be nice to say good-bye to the praia on the last night by driving up to the town's outlook point -- Serra do Facho. From the beach you can look up at the high ridge and see the glowing statue watching over the praia. From the top, you can look down and see the lights of Praia twinkling and feel the evening breeze caress your face. We sat on the overlook's stone fence and took in the sights and sounds of the praia below, each quiet with our own private thoughts and reflections on this final evening. Each of us wanting to say good-bye in our own way. We blew one last kiss to the praia before departing.

The festas over, we spent one final afternoon in town saying our good-byes to shopkeepers and friends. We set about packing our suitcases and wrapping our "treasures" carefully. Included in my treasures is a small gold charm from my Tio Armando with the Portuguese inscription: Remember your tio. How could I ever forget you tio! The drive to the airport was a difficult one. Looking out the car window I tried to memorize every little detail....knowing that soon I would only be able to rely on my memory. Hugs, kisses, tears, and "I love you's" flowed, along with promises to return one day soon. Then before we knew it, we were sailing skyward on SATA Airlines headed for the east coast and family I have not seen in over thirty years!

The three days in Connecticut with the De Castro family were a joy! I remember my older cousins well, despite the passage of time. The younger cousins were all grown up with spouses and children of their own. We all gathered together for main meals and stories about growing up in the Azores abounded. My older cousins remembered me as a baby before leaving Terceira. They were between 5 and 9 years of age at the time. We got to hear funny stories about my mom as a young girl too. There were many laughs to go around. My brother James took cousin Durval to see a Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park while we girls drove with Maria Bela about an hour to Fall River, Massachusetts. There we shopped in Portuguese groceries and markets for products to take home. Lisa has been the "keeper" of the family Portuguese recipes, quizzing our aunts and cousins about "how much of this" and "how much of that" to use. She also purchased a Portuguese cookbook. I'm expecting to have an occasional sampling whenever I'm out visiting Mom in Seabeck. Thank you to our cousins for a wonderful time on the east coast. I hope and pray it won't be as long before I see you all again. I'm thinking of you all .... Durval and Maria (Paul, Steven, Mark, and Karen), Maria Bela and Tia Conceicao, Balbino and Clotilde (Philip), David and Nelia (David, Christina), Herminio and Linda (Michelle), Manny and Kim (Adriano, Christian), your wonderful spouses and all the littlest cousins too! We will never forget our tias Inez and Leontina.... we miss you and will see you in God's Kingdom one day.

We all experienced mixed feelings about our return trip. It was wonderful to come home to the beauty of Washington State and to all that we know as "home". Yesterday we called Tia Alice and found out, that while it's overcast and rainy here, it's sunny and beautiful in Terceira. It rained for us the day we left and we've come home to rain. The rain is calming....cleansing....
soothing....comforting. It reminds us of home. But down the streets of our memories, there is another place we call home and it beckons to us too. If you catch me with a faraway look in my eyes, it just may be that I'm thinking of my island home, my Terceira. It may be that I'm thinking of the cheers of the Portuguese people as the plane touches down on the runway and hoping that one day soon, I'll be cheering again too.

Dorothy

aka: Maria Uma da Silva

Adeus Ilha Terceira

By the time this is posted to my blog site, we will be nearing the end of our stay on Terceira Island. This thought leaves me with a heavy heart, as I know I will be leaving a part of myself behind. There will always be a tug on my heart to return, and God willing, maybe I will be able to one day. In the meantime, I’m planning to spend my last couple of days soaking in the sights, sounds, and scents of our beloved island…memories to tuck into the recesses of my mind when I need a special “treasure” to gladden my heart.

I want to thank Captain Tim Stoner for the memories of Lajes Air Force Base. Because of his generosity, we were able to tour the base and see where my father worked many years ago when he was stationed at Lajes. Just a block or two off base, we saw the small little home (#10) where my mother and father lived after they were married and where I spent the first few months of my life. I also saw the chapel where I was baptized as an infant on base.

I also want to thank Senhor e Senhora Henrique Mauricio for making me feel so welcomed at church services today in Praia. I first made contact with Senhor Mauricio through email. He explained to the congregation today (about 25 members) the story of how we first communicated after I found his name and email address during an internet search. At first he thought my letter was junk mail and he almost deleted my message. After opening it, he discovered that I was visiting relatives on Terceira and wanted to find a church family I could worship together with on the Sabbath. It amazed him to have someone write him from so far away and he eagerly shared the story with everyone.

Because they had recently moved their services to another location, I didn’t have the new address. So after calling and making contact, he met me at a known location and drove me to the church. This was an interesting story too. He told everyone that he was expecting a blond American woman to get out of a car with an American license plate. Instead, I hop out of my uncle’s rental car from Terceira, and behold….I’m Portuguese!!

I had a wonderful Sabbath with the brethren here in Praia. It’s so amazing to me that no matter where you may roam on this earth, you can find brothers and sisters who love the Lord and welcome you into their fold. God’s spirit binds you together is such a special way. The church provided me with a translator who sat next to me and translated the sermon. It surprised me that I could understand a good deal of the sermon and I was even able to sing praise songs in Portuguese. I loved that I was greeted by everyone with a kiss on each cheek. Tears welled up in my eyes when Senhor Mauricio prayed for me and for safe travels for my family. What a blessing today was! I’m thankful to God for helping me to locate my Portuguese brothers and sisters in Christ. I told them that I would keep in touch when I returned home. I will never forget this day!

This evening we attended the “running of the bulls” at the Praia festas. We sat up on a high stone fence and watched as the bulls were led through the streets, one at a time, tethered on a long rope. Vendors walked up and down the streets selling treats and balloons and musicians played their instruments between bull runs. Tomorrow (Sunday) is the final day of the festas and they will conclude tomorrow evening with the bulls on the praia (beach). We will be there!

If it’s sunny, I want to spend the morning hours walking along the waterfront and going for a swim either here in Porto Martins or on the praia. I want to spend some time alone reflecting on all this trip has meant to me. I want to capture as much of it as I can in my memory. The next time I write, we will probably be on the east coast with our cousins in Connecticut. I know the tears will flow as we say good-bye to our loved ones here. My Tio Armando worries. His diabetes is difficult to manage and he has other health concerns. My Tio Elmiro has had a kidney transplant and will be undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and it saddens us to part. The good-byes are always hard, but I’m thankful for this time I’ve had. I will treasure the memories forever, until the day we are together again.

O meu coracao sempre esta em Terceira!

Dorothy

Azores Adventures

We’ve finally found some time to chronicle our latest adventures with Tio Armando. He’s been so wonderful driving us all around the island. He calls us his “Tres Marias.”
We are Maria Uma, Maria Duas, and Maria Tres. I think he enjoys our company and I know we enjoy his. He’s always teasing us and we’re always laughing and teasing back!

The last several days have been packed with touring the island. As I mentioned in my last blog entry, much has changed since I visited the summer after the 1980 earthquake. The buildings damaged at that time have been restored and everything is looking beautiful on the island once again. We visited the Matriz Church where my mother and father were married in 1956. The church was built in 1456 and my mother remembers the 500th anniversary celebration. Today the inside has been beautifully restored. We were all quite in awe to stand near the altar where my mother and father said their vows to one another over 50 years ago.

Yesterday we hiked down a volcanic tunnel (Algar do Carvao) that is situated near the center of Terceira Island. It was formed after eruptions 3,000 and 2,000 years ago. The Azores Archipelago was formed as a result of these volcanic eruptions and walking down the cavernous tunnel felt like we were hiking down to the center of the earth. It was quite amazing! Last evening we spent at the Praca De Toiros in Angra do Heroismo watching the bullfight. The cavaleiro on horseback was very skilled. Six bulls were used during the performances. People showed their pleasure by throwing flowers to the cavaleiro. I tried to talk my sister Lisa into throwing her bra into the ring, but she hadn’t had enough Sagres yet! Sagres is the most popular cerveja on the island.

Today we went to the Museu Do Vinho in Biscoitos. Armando told us that the best wines of the Azores are made in Biscoitos. The winery looked very old and the museum exhibited antique wine presses. Grapes were growing on the vines as we walked through the arbors. It was quite beautiful. We sipped on some of the local wines and enjoyed the beauty of the area. Nobody has been able to tell me why the town is called Biscoitos…which means “biscuits” in Portuguese.

Speaking of biscuits, dinner tonight at Elmiro and Alice’s home was “muito bom”. All of the vegetables in our meals have been grown in Elmiro’s garden. The tomatoes are so red and full of flavor! He even makes his own tomato paste at home. It was very interesting watching him cut up live “lapas” or sea limpets. He cuts off their heads and eats them raw….yuck! Even Elmiro has to eat a small clove of garlic as a chaser!

Tomorrow I am looking forward to touring Lajes Air Force Base where my dad was stationed. Mom is planning to show us the small house where she and Dad lived off base with me when I was a baby. I am also looking forward to meeting my Tia Ana and her husband tomorrow night for the first time. They are flying out from Cambridge, Ontario.
The next few days hold some final adventures for us….a running of the bulls in town (tourada a corda) and on the beach included! I know I will have memories to last me the rest of my life. I know I will be leaving a piece of my heart behind!

Boa Noite,
Dorothy