TOP 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014

Welcome to the New Year - 2014!  A fresh start; day one, what better time to make changes in one's life than at the commencement of a brand-new year.  In keeping with tradition, I have reviewed the past year or so and have created a list of intendments.  So without further ado, here are my TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS for 2014.

# 10:  NEVER SHARE A TOILET WITH A ROCK HYRAX.

#9:  NEVER ASSUME A NAME YOU RECOGNIZE IS THE REAL DEAL.
     

#8:  RECONSIDER THE OLD ADAGE, "EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER" WHEN YOUR GRANDSON FINDS A SNAKE, ESPECIALLY AN AFRICAN SNAKE. *


















  

 #7:  DON'T POP THE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING YOUR LAND ROVER.















 

#6:  NEVER GO TO A HOSPITAL THAT OFFERS BOTH SERVICES.

 #5:  ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN FORMALLY
INTRODUCED BEFORE KISSING A GIRAFFE.

#4:  WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING GRANDCHILDREN,  ALWAYS BE COGNIZANT OF THEIR IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS
TO AVOID MISUNDERSTAND-
INGS LATER.

#3:  TRY TO DETERMINE BEFORE ENTERING IF THAT IS A MISSPELLING -OR- IS THAT WHAT THEY SELL.

#2:  ALWAYS ASK FOR REFERENCES WHEN HIRING A LOCAL FUNDI (CRAFTSMAN).

#1:  AND THE NUMBER ONE NEW YEAR RESOLUTION - WHEN TAKING PICTURES OF GRANDCHILDREN, ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS SUCH AS THE PLACEMENT OF HANDS.











HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ...There is more to come.

*The snake was really a rubber one.
















     

Pillow Talk

Before we left for Kenya in November, Jeff contacted us and asked Mom if she would mind working on a project while we were visiting.  What would be the project?  Make some pillows for their front porch furniture.  Sure, Mom loves to sew and she would have something to do between scheduled activities.

When we arrived in Kijabe, our luggage contained forms for 6 pillows and 3 bolsters.  Some of those forms can be seen at the right. Obviously, they couldn't be packed inside our checked-in bags in their pictured size.  Solution?  Put them in vacuum bags and suck out all the air.  The idea really worked well.  In addition to the 9 forms, Louise brought out 60 yards of cording for the pillows and existing seat cushions.

Jeff set up a sewing area in the second floor landing.  There was room for the sewing equipment  shown at left as well as for a work table, not pictured.  The sewing machine and adjacent equipment was already here.  Batting for the pillows was purchased in Nairobi.  The Maasai blanket material, on the corner of the table, used for the pillow covers was obtained from dukas (stores) in Kijabe and a sewing supply shop located in a mall in Nairobi.

After many hours and days of measuring and cutting material, stuffing in batting, installing zippers, and sewing;  not to mention material changes, pattern alterations, and sewing redo's, the project was completed and the pillows in place.  The picture at right shows the final outcome including recovered seat cushions.  The Maasai blanket material adds a colorful touch to the relaxing front porch area of the Hazard house.  Now Grandma can turn her attention to inside pillows and some curtains. A seamstress' work is never done.

As is true for all pictures, there is a story behind this one.  When we attended the Christmas Craft Fair at the race track in Nairobi, Jeff saw a pillow similar to the one that Lisa Hovingh is holding.  The asking price seemed a bit high to Jeff, so he left the booth with the idea of going back later to hopefully negotiate a lower amount.  Upon returning, Jeff attempted to haggle a new price.  The proprietor was firm.  Jeff then asked if he could buy the covering sans the pillow form.  No, sorry, all or nothing.  Not to be deterred, Jeff formulated an idea in his mind as we left.

After arriving home,  Jeff showed Grandma a mock-up of the pillow design he had seen at the Craft Fair booth.  Could Grandma make one similar?  Of course, no problem.  A snip here, a cut there, a zigzag stitch everywhere and soon Jeff had the pillow he had tried to buy.   However, after completing the project, Grandma thought that this would make a wonderful Christmas present for Lisa.  So-o-o, at the Hovingh house the Sunday before Christmas, Lisa opened a present from Grandma and Grandpa Hazard.  Imagine Jeff's surprise when he saw his pillow!  Grandma quietly assured him that she would make him another one.

Jeff soon came up with a new design for not one, but two pillows.  Grandma made them and they are now outside on the front porch making a statement to all who visit the Hazard home.

As a finishing touch for the front porch, Jeff rigged up special lighting to create a relaxing ambiance to augment the surroundings of the outside seating area.

Tonight is New Year's Eve.  We're attending a Scottish celebration to ring in the New Year.   May you and yours have a fun and safe New Year's Eve.  Thank God for His blessings and protection for the past year of 2013.  As we enter 2014 with all our hopes and plans, remember Proverbs 16:9 - "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."

In 2014 ... there is more to come.

Holiday Competition

During the Christmas "vac" (vacation) at RVA, those still on campus have an annual competition that involves creativity and food.  The Gingerbread House Competition.  Families compete in various categories with viewership voting determining the winners.  The Hazard family competed again this year.

The guys decided to fashion a "Landy Rover" as Ian calls them from graham crackers.  Pictured here are Ian and Jeff hard at work on their project.  A wooden toy Land Rover serves as a model for the creation.  Jeff is using a dremel tool to cut fenders for the "gingerbread" Rover.   The greatest obstacle to success facing the craftsmen is the continuing temptation to eat the "parts".

The girls' creation was a "work in progress".  Their conception changed as they worked.  Here Joyellen, Emily Wiarda, and Megan work on the new design.  Not pictured is Lyndsey who worked on the project also.  In the round jar is red licorice made by Red Vine.  The African Hazards really like the Red Vine.  The American Hazards prefer the Twizzler brand of red licorice.  Both are available at Meijer.  Try them and let me know which you prefer.

The Land Rover takes shape.  The spare tire on the bonnet (hood) is an Oreo.  The roof rack is constructed  of pretzel sticks.  The luggage is candy bars.  The front lites are M & M's, regular and mint.  The four tires  are also Oreos.  The various sections of the vehicle are "cemented" together with a special recipe of icing.

The girls' final design was a log cabin with outside choo.  Red Vine licorice outlined the roofs.  The snow was coconut sprinkles.  The logs were cinnamon sticks.  M & M's, Skittles, and Reese's mini-cups provided accent pieces.

The completed Land Rover.  The Red Vine licorice are pipes on the roof rack and a snorkel used when crossing deep water.  A gas can is made of a candy bar.  The spout is a piece of pretzel.

In this close-up shot one can see the slits cut in the graham cracker with the dremel tool to simulate a front grill.  The winch is constructed of pretzel pieces and the cable on the winch is made of gum.  The ground over which the Land Rover is driving is made of granola.  The greenery is the spice Rosemary.

Up close view of the girls' log cabin.  In following the rules of construction, everything in the display is edible.  The snow on the ground is popcorn.  Rosemary is also the greenery next to the house.

One of the rooms in the cafo was used for the display of competition entries.  Following are several pictures showing the variety of ideas  built by other RVA families.

A small village with lake.  This entry took 2 days to construct.  Remember, everything in this creation is edible.

Winnie the Pooh.

The Gingerbread House.

Neighborhood house with snowman in the front yard.

A Christmas Train.

People circulated around the room viewing all the entries.  Shortly after everyone had seen the creations,  ballots were distributed.  People were asked to vote for their favorite "gingerbread house" in various categories.  Surprise!  All entries won in their respective divisions.

The evening concluded with food and fine fellowship.  The adults participated in a Christmas quiz while the kids watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  And what happened to the Gingerbread Houses?  I can't speak for all the creations, but as for the Hazard household entries:  the girls nibbled some of theirs and threw the rest away.  As for Jeff and Ian's Land Rover;  Ian took it out into the back yard and smashed it.  The difference between boys and girls I guess.

More to come ...

The Leopard of Malewa

We have visited Malewa several times over our many journeys to Kenya.  This is the beautiful area where Jason, Joyellen's brother, and his wife, Lisa, and 3 children live.  Whereas Jeff and Joyellen live on the edge of the Rift Valley with forest around and above and a picturesque valley below, Jason and Lisa live in the bush of Kenya.  The bush, where Sikes monkeys run across your roof early in the morning to eat berries from a tree growing next to your house;  the bush where a poisonous puff adder snake slithers across your lawn;  the bush where tree hyraxes interrupt the quiet of the night with their combination sounds of a deep creaking noise followed by cries which sound like a human baby;  the bush where a genet cat will pose for you in a tree late at night despite a bright flashlite illuminating the scene;  the bush where a leopard takes up residence in the area and can be often heard and sometimes seen.

This is the guest house where we all stayed while visiting Jason and Lisa.  The home is owned by the CEO of Heart of the Bride, the parent organization for which Jason and Lisa work.  Heart of the Bride helps support the House of Hope orphanage which is owned and operated by Joel and his wife Susan in the nearby city of Naivasha.  Joel is a graduate of RVA.  Jason runs an experimental farm operation designed to raise food, both flora and fauna, that will help provide food for the orphanage in an environmentally safe way.

This picture shows the outdoor grilling area and the comfortable back porch convenient for afternoon tea and restful reading.  Our bedroom window is to the far right and as you can see is next to the tree with the monkey- friendly berries.  A couple mornings we were awaken by Sikes monkeys romping across our roof to have a breakfast of berries.  When they jumped down onto the roof, the sound was similar to a bowling ball dropping onto an alley and rolling toward the pins.   Who needs an alarm clock?  TIA!

This is the view out our bedroom window.  What a way to start the day!  The circular enclosed area is a fire pit.  Due to the goodly amount of rain this season, the yard and surrounding garden areas are green and lush.  Notice the natural arch in the background formed by the branches of two adjacent trees.   Members of our daughter church, The Journey, from Muskegon have made several short term missions trip to work at the HOH and stayed in this house.  Great place to relax after a hard day's labor at the orphanage.

 Many of the plants surrounding our guest house yard were planted after the wild bush growth was cleared away.  Hard work has given way to beautiful results as displayed here.

An advantage of living in a sunny, tropical area is that one can enjoy beautiful plants and flowers year 'round.  There is no winter when plants die or go dormant waiting for a renewing Spring.  Hence, they can grow healthier and bigger.

One afternoon Louise and I had come over to Jason and Lisa's house from the guest house.  We had just settled down.  I had taken off my "bush shoes" and put on my sandals when the cry went up, "The dogs have treed a leopard!  Anyone who wants to see it come on!"  Jason, Jeff, Andrew, Aaron, and Laura answered the call.  Did Grandpa and Grandma want to come?  Sure, why not?  No time to lose.  "Come on!"  Off we went.   One problem.  No time to change shoes.  We both left for the bush wearing sandals.  At least I was wearing socks.  We hurried across the yard of the neighboring cottage and across two shambas (small gardens) before entering the bush pictured above.  We were soon walking on a path barely visible.  Eventually, we were practically crawling on our hands and knees through and around a tangle of branches and vines. The sound of the three barking dogs grew louder.  Suddenly, we arrived at the spot where the leopard was treed.  The dogs were agitated and constantly moving and occasionally barking under a particular tree.  Jason, Jeff, and the boys and Laura were crouching low and looking up and pointing to some upper branches of the tree.

Jeff pointed to an area up in front of me.  "There he is.  Do you see him?"  Oh sure, I can barely lift my head up in all this underbrush and entangling vines and branches.  My camera is dangling from my neck further pulling my head down.  For the past 15 minutes I have been intently focused on the ground and now I'm supposed to see an Africa animal God created to be camouflaged up in a tree.  I managed to aim my camera in the general direction of Jeff's pointing arm and finger.  I flicked the camera to manual focus and began to search the forest canopy for  the elusive leopard.  Suddenly, there he was.  I took careful aim, held my breath, and triggered the shutter.  The picture above is the result.  The leopard's head is to the right and turned away from my view.  The leopard's right flank is pictured from shoulder down to his rump at the lower left.  At this moment, Jason's three dogs decided that enough was enough.  "Let's get this guy down from the tree and have a go at 'em."  They started to bark and growl in a cacophonous unity and jump up and down beneath the tree.  You can imagine the reaction of the leopard.  HE DIDN'T LIKE IT!!  Now things start to get dicey.  The leopard starts to change his position on the branch.  There is a rustling and movement of branches.  I can't see him anymore.  Suddenly, from what I would judge was a distance of some 20 feet away, the leopard emitted a rather loud, menacing growl. Jason, still crouching, looks our way and says calmly, "You might what to back up a bit."  DO YOU THINK?!  Louise and I begin a strategic withdrawal.  Laura is nice enough to lead the way for us.  We've hardly moved what I would consider a safe distance (mainly, back at the house) when Jeff yells,  "Dad, bring the camera!"  Where?  Back to from where I had just retreated?  Laura saved me from a developing quandary.  She offers to take the camera to Jeff.  Great idea.  Better for a girl experienced in the bush to head back toward a leopard than a city slicker in sandals (but I was wearing socks!)  I handed the camera to Laura and she slipped silently back into the bush.  How did she do that?  Louise and I continued our withdrawal.  Now I have no built-in compass.  I definitely was not sure as to the proper direction back.  Louise, on the other hand, confidently forged ahead despite having a stick poke her in the foot, drawing blood.  (Oh, great, a trail for the leopard to follow.)  At one point, my shirt was snagged by a protruding branch and my forward motion was halted.  Louise came back and disengaged my shirt.  Ever the seamstress, she examined the rip and informed me that she could repair the tear, but it might show a bit.  As she is talking, my mind is thinking, "What if the leopard had leaped down from the tree and is now beating a retreat toward us?  We would be between him and his escape route.  THAT WOULD BE AWKWARD!"  Fortunately,  that was not the case and Louise led us to safety.  (Medical update:  Louise's foot is fine.)

A month earlier, this same leopard was spotted by Jason.  He was able to get a wonderful picture of the cat which provided us with a great adventure.  At right is the leopard that was only about 20 feet from us in the bush.  We had met the Leopard of Malewa and lived to tell about it.  Some African adventure, huh?








Will write again because ... there is more to come.

Safari Adventures in Malewa

Saturday, the 21st, we journeyed to Jason and Lisa Hovingh's home located in Malewa, about 45 minutes NW of Kijabe.  This is a beautiful area of Kenya as photos is future posts will show.  As we experienced many adventures on this trip, too many to include in one posting, I'll start with the Christmas Church Service hosted by J & L.

Upon arriving at the Hovingh's, we unpacked our belongings in the guest house which I will show you in a later episode.  Then we set to work because the next day, Sunday, the 22nd, Jason and Lisa were expecting approximately 100+ people from their church for the morning Christmas service.  We see here Ian doing some last minute grass trimming by pushing a classic hand powered lawn mower.  I told Ian that purists in America maintain this type of mower is the best for cutting grass.    I think he still would have preferred an engine powered machine.

Rows of chairs were set up in the yard to accommodate the church goers the next day.  There is an interesting story behind these chairs.  They were donated by a Hindu man in memory of a family member to Jason and Lisa's church to be used in the youth center.  Jason said to me, "I love it when God uses non-believers to help Christians."  Praise the Lord!

Sunday morning, members and attendees of the Naivasha International Church descended upon the Hovingh residence.  A capacity crowd was present for the service as seen at the left.  This was the seventh year that Jason and Lisa opened their home and yard to the church for the Christmas Service.

 The service began with traditional Christmas carols accompanied by the "Kijabe Karolers".  From left to right: Megan, Claire Murphy (who is three and therefore only practiced), Heather Murphy, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Dahlman, Lyndsey, and Jeff.  This group was formed just a couple of days before their debut appearance.  Thanks to technology: computers, iPads, music apps, etc. and good ole fashioned last minute rehearsing, the team performed well and the service began on a good "note".

The children's sermon was presented by Kim Arensen, in the red top.  She is the wife of Shel Arensen, seated in the front row right wearing the safari hat.  He is the editor of "Old Africa" magazine which publishes photos and stories from East Africa's past.  I thoroughly enjoy reading this magazine and purchase as many issues as are available whenever we come to Kenya.  Kim's message dealt with the many Biblical prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah.  The children participated by reading selected scripture and placing related symbols on a piece of flannel.

The main message was given by Birney Mascher, pastor, of the church.  He presented an interesting three point sermon.  (Even ministers in Kenya give "3 point" messages.  This must be an international phenomenon.)    Birney's parents started the church in Naivasha.  I enjoyed talking to Birney very much.  His parents are German;  his wife is British;  and he has spent a lot of time in Canada.  Missionaries are truly international individuals.

At the conclusion of the service, the "Kijabe Karolers" closed with a couple of traditional Christmas songs and then Jason dismissed the congregation with a word of prayer and a blessing for the food to follow. People had brought a smorgasbord of food to share with one another.  Jason had grills available including an open pit fire for the cooking of a variety of meat brought by the congregants.  Fellowship is always special around good food.

The grill in the background is an old fashioned barrel grill made from a 55 gallon drum.  The grill in the right foreground is a massive 5 burner Kenmore grill.  The grill master dressed in the red shirt is Kevin Smith, a missionary who lives near Jason and Lisa and is an RVA graduate.  He bought the grill on sale in the States and then had it shipped in a crate bound for other missionaries in Kenya.  He converted it to use Kenyan propane and regulators.  He transports it on a trailer along some of the roughest roads I've ever seen.

Here church members form two lines on either side of a table groaning under the weight of delicious foods that would be the envy of any State-side church potluck.  The Christmas spirit was evident throughout the morning and most of the afternoon.  The Naivasha Interntional Church is a growing church reaching out to the citizens of Naivasha with the Gospel of Christ.  This Christmas service and dinner afterwards is one way to encourage people to visit the church and, hopefully, become involved.  This day, some individuals came who had been newly attending the church.  Pray that they will continue and experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

As I look over these pictures taken Sunday a.m. and p.m., the 22nd of December, I can't help but think of the contrast between the weather here and that in the States.  Sun here and ice and snowstorms in the Midwest, especially Michigan.  And yet the enthusiasm of the season is not diminished no matter what the surroundings.  God came to earth to offer those beings created in His image the Way, the Truth, and the Life. By Grace we are offered salvation from our sins.  This gift is FREE.  All we have to do is choose to receive it.

Enjoy your celebration of Boxing Day.  No one really knows what the origin of Boxing Day really is.  All most people who do celebrate it know is that this day extends their work holiday.  If you are Canadian, this is your "Black Friday".  Since Kenya was once a British colony, Boxing Day is celebrated here.  No matter where you are, use this day to continue celebrating family.

From Malewa ... there is more to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS DAY from RVA !

Christmas morning came early today.  We were up and out of the house by 7:00 a.m.  For several years now, the Hazard family joined by the Dubber family has taken cinnamon rolls and chai to the guards working the three gates at RVA.  These men are away from their families on Christmas in order for the families at RVA to celebrate the birth of Jesus in relative safety.  To thank them for their sacrifice, the Hazard's and Dubber's bring them a Christmas treat and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Here, Grandma Hazard pours a cup of welcomed chai for one of the guards at the main gate.  About 4 years ago a grant from the US Department of State enabled RVA to upgrade the security level of the three gates providing access to the school campus.

At each of the gates, the Hazard's and Dubber's serenaded the guards with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".  At the conclusion of the song, we all shook the guards' hands and personally wished them a "Merry Christmas".

 Returning home, we began the Christmas present opening activities with Christmas stockings.  Everyone enjoyed inspecting the contents of their individual stockings.  After this, breakfast was enjoyed by all.  Fortified by scrambled eggs and Swedish coffee bread, we returned to the living room and began sharing gifts with one another.

Family friend of the Hazard's, Emily Wiarda, a teacher at RVA, shows an ornament she received for her Christmas tree.  She greatly appreciated the gift as she needs additional decorations for her "tannenbaum".

The guys, Ian and Jeff, show off their Land Rover shirts.  The Land Rover is the work horse vehicle of Africa.  What makes these shirts so appropriate is that the truck pictured is the Land Rover Defender 110, which is the one Jeff owns.

Lyndsey displays the Maasai style necklace she received for Christmas.  She enjoys clothes and jewelry as well as Legos.

Being a missionary far from home, items from the States are really popular.  Here, Ryan Dahlman, good family friend of the Hazard's, shows his excitement with receiving a bag of peanut butter M & M's.

While missionaries obviously wear some clothes purchased locally, at least American missionaries like to receive gifts from home which represent the latest fad or style.  Ian models his new jacket with "character" hood that when zippered, completely covers his face.  Scary looking, yet warm for those chilly days during the 3rd term.

Megan exhibits her exuberance at receiving a portable music stand.  Grandma had originally purchased a hot pink colored one.  During a phone call with Megan before coming to Kenya, she indicated that hot pink would not be her first choice.  Fortunately, we were able to switch for a more suitable color.  From the look on her face, the choice was a good one.

Jeff, for a long time, has wanted to convert Joyellen from a PC to a Mac. Recently, Ryan, purchased a new Mac for himself and was willing to sell his used one to Jeff.  We purchased a new, blue protective cover for the laptop and Jeff downloaded all new software which Joyellen could use.  Obviously,  she is excited to begin using her "new" Mac computer.  Aah!  Another "sees the light".

The gift giving was complete.  The wrapping paper was collected.  The "Thank you's" exchanged.  Now the time for family fun had come.  Out into the sun for a friendly game of Cornhole.  The Hazard's wish all reading this blog a wonderful Merry Christmas.  May your day with family be fun and enjoyable.  During your time of celebration, please stop and remember the reason for this season.  God coming to earth as a human baby to offer us all salvation.  There is no greater gift than this.


More to come ...