Welcome to the club!!! I know how old you are but won't say a peep. Just I know....Happy happy birthday my friend. You have been occupying my thoughts alot lately but I have been feeling, well stupid and tired so I haven't written for a few days. I have been loving your stories and wish each one was longer. I can't wait to hear in more detail when you are recharged. Everytime I start to become aggravated at having to cram a family of 4 (soon, not yet) into our little condo, I go back and look at your pictures and am so thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed on me and my family. I was particularly moved when you were talking about opportunities that are available to us. I would love to have a continuing dialogue with the folks who have been reading and following your journey. I would love it if we of like minds pooled our energy for positive change. I will keep logging on and reading what all you folks have to say and what ideas you have. I have also really enjoyed reading everyone else's comments-I have read each and every one. All of my love to you and to all who have followed (some whom I have known and most who I haven't).
Love and Peace, Kelly Jo
Checking in again Hi Kim! I was behind on your entries due to internet problems. I'm caught up now, and have shared with Gene and the kids as well. I continue to be amazed and moved by all you've shared. Blessings on the rest of your journey. By the way- I know how old you are...mum's the word. Love you, Jan
You can count on me to help! I have enjoyed all the pictures, but like the others, I have cried over them too. I can't wait to see you when you get home.
Solutions Kim, Thanks for sharing your journey with us. You've enlightened us all. You have some great ideas. I'll do whatever I can to help. There's still time for everyone to sign the One campaign petition to end world poverty, just go to their website to find the petition. Take care Kim.
Kim,
You did it again. I am moved to tears by your words. Thank you for helping me remember the things in life that are truly important. I sit here tired because I worked all night. Now I think of how fortunate I am to work in am amazing hospital where we take things like cleanliness for granted. I have so many thoughts in my head and can't wait to see you when you get home. Please be safe and see you soon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
LOVE
tina
Happy Birthday!!! And what a birthday it is! This is one that will go down in history. You should be proud to shout your age from the rooftop. What stories you will have to share with your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren... I hope you are relaxing and enjoying your day. Have a safe journey home.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hi Kim! What a great place to be celebrating and I hope you get a chance to do so :-) Still reading and enjoying your commentary and photos!
~ Lynne
Great pics, etc.! Just came across your blog on the web. I haven't been back to South Africa since 2001, but Joburg is my kind of city and I hope you're enjoying it. Great cityscape pics too (Joburg, Harare, etc.).
girl u r Bless! kim I hope you are doing well take your medicine!and drink plenty of water and if you need some resources call daddy at Za place! I see you working towards your next adventure love you always.fay
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!!!!!!! Well I still haven't figured out the time difference, but I think that it is officially your birthday (26th). I remember well, since I was there. Who would of dreamed that you would celebrate your birthday in South Africa. Your Dad and I are just beaming about all that you have accomplished on this journey. We know that God has kept watch over you and give thanks and praise daily for your continued safe journey. Your journals and photographs have inspired many and this is not a surprise. You given of yourself to others, unselfishly, your entire life. Kim you and your family are our "Special Blessing".
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mom and Dad
When you find time ... you must share your journal with your pictures with people and organizations in a position to help. I would suggest sharing with all the fraternal and the
sororities; the Links and other organizations and African American churches. I don't mean sharing with the local chapters, but with their National leaders. When you talk about $5.00 to send children to school, one whole chapter could send many children to school if nothing else. Love to you. Take care
"Side By Side" This picture suggests to me the words of an old song ... "We ain't got a barrel of money ... we may be ragged and funny ... but we travel along side by side. I trhust you plan to write a book when you catch your breath after you return home. I know your love for your own kids is even greater because you are not with them. Take care.
"An amazing journey" Hey Kimmy,
What an absoultely amazing journey (both physical and spiritual)!!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! Be safe. Love, Cindy
Amazing! A real safari! How absolutely amazing. You last entry reminded me of a program in China started to provide education to girls there (they too only need $5 - $15 a yr. to go to school) as they are not normally allowed to attend school before boys. I will hook you up with the program when you return to the states. Maybe it could be a model for something you start for Africa. It too was started by a few caring people who wanted to make a difference.
Keep the photos coming...
LOVE,
Valarie
You are writing a Book Kim, Your blogs and pictures are becoming a book we all must read. Jesus told us, "The poor are always with us." But he went among them, touched them, cared with and for them. We often don't. Not because we are bad or make some clear-edged and conscious choice not to. But just because we don't. Your "book" not only invites us among the poor. It has and holds us amongst the poor. The three boys. Their eyes. The small part of their story you know and told us. They are with us and we with them. And when we feel our hearts open, we can finally become fully human. You, like the nun you found who was praying, are an angel. Love, Jim
I'll skip two I'll skip two beers at the bar next time and cover one of those children. Education is the only chance the kids in most of Africa have. Teach them love one another first (and hopefully avoid the terrible diseases that rob them of their health and ability to learn) then teach them to work together to improve conditions for everyone. It really causes one to reflect on Jesus' words "The poor will always be with you." Be safe and take your meds.
Thinking of you... kim, i have been trying to write you a note every day as i follow your journey, but everytime i finish reading your entry, i feel at a loss for words. it is amazing what you are doing... i am proud and amazed beyond belief. i hope you are well... much love, melissa.
Too wise for their years This picture is amazing, as all your pictures are. Like everyone else who's written, it brought me to tears too. They look way too wise for their years and a little world-weary. All your entries just lead up to one question: where can we start? When you get back I will tell you about my friend Amy who traveled through parts of Africa as you have on another mission. Hers started when she read the articles about the myths of the old men, the virgin babies and HIV. She and hundreds of women make bears for the kids. It's turned into a fundraising and supportive effort for one particular village and their school. She's made a gigantic difference for a small group of kids and given hundreds of women the chance to reach out and care. I know you will do the same. Whatever your ideas are, you'll have a whole army of Moms behind you!!!! Take good care and keep writing!
Dichotomies: Beauty and the Beast Hi, Kim. I am still amazed at our ability to follow your trip online using all of our expensive technology while looking at pictures of primitive cultures. So many contrasts! So much beauty, faces beyond compare, yet torn clothes and blank eyes and swollen bellies. The beast is poverty but more to the heart of things, the beast is greed and self-interest of the haves for the have nots! As a consumer, I am always wanting to buy less but then, I'm in Target and my kids want a new CD or whatever. If it takes $5 to go to school for a year, I want to help you motivate every St. Louian we know to send in that $5 a piece. Can't we at least do that? Well enough from here. How are you? Did your packages ever come with the gifts? How is your health? Take care of yourself. All my best to you. Peggy
You have always been a light in my life you amaze me too! What amazing wisdom
you can almost see in to the soul.
and yet so guarded,
but not sad just wise...
as you feel sorry for them relize that they don't want your pity
they want you to see their stength and ability to survive Love ya Monifa
Kim, Kim, KIM,
This is the first Time I have been on your site I just got it from Jane...anyway, wow... I sit here with tear in my eyes just thinking how ungreatful I am... The meds and the comfort of making the choice of whether I want to live with HIV when so many don't even know the concept.Be blessed
more thoughts Like your friends who have commented, I too would like to know more. Are they related? How many things have caused them to lose their smile (illness, physical suffering, poverty, violence)? While only 3 children, their story resonates for many I'm sure. Sarah asked why they couldn't smile. I said they could, but they didn't have any reasons to smile. She was speechless; how often does that happen with Sarah? I know others have commented on how your entries have impacted them and their families. Kim, you have no idea how many conversations you have started, and as we have discussed before, just getting the talking started is a way to begin change. Since my brother commented on your house still standing, I'd like everyone to know that Toren is doing a wonderful job. While the kids miss their mom, they are happy and healthy! And Toren usually has a smile on his face too!!
Thank you Kim,
I have only gotten through a few entries, but I feel as if I am with you. You have such a gift for words. I just wanted to let you know I continue to think about you. Thanks for the good cry. Please continue to take care of yourself, the neighborhood just isn't the same without you. I know Cathy must miss you something terrible. I have enjoyed showing the pictures to Ben and Andrea and trying to explain what you are doing. take care
Tina
Tina
I haven't blog in years, but I have not stopped traveling! Along with Africa, I have been to South America, Central America and Europe, since I have last blogged. But I am really going to try to blog this next trip because it is special. Heading back to Ethiopia to work on my hospital project with my little non-profit, Medical Facility Aid. www.medicalfacilityaid.org I started this non-profit to provide infrastructure support for little poor rural hospitals in the developing world. This trip is to document my project and to help provide good basic care to some of the poorest people in t... full info
Kelly Jo
non-member comment
Welcome to the club!!!
I know how old you are but won't say a peep. Just I know....Happy happy birthday my friend. You have been occupying my thoughts alot lately but I have been feeling, well stupid and tired so I haven't written for a few days. I have been loving your stories and wish each one was longer. I can't wait to hear in more detail when you are recharged. Everytime I start to become aggravated at having to cram a family of 4 (soon, not yet) into our little condo, I go back and look at your pictures and am so thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed on me and my family. I was particularly moved when you were talking about opportunities that are available to us. I would love to have a continuing dialogue with the folks who have been reading and following your journey. I would love it if we of like minds pooled our energy for positive change. I will keep logging on and reading what all you folks have to say and what ideas you have. I have also really enjoyed reading everyone else's comments-I have read each and every one. All of my love to you and to all who have followed (some whom I have known and most who I haven't). Love and Peace, Kelly Jo