Happy Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Message from Kenya -- One of "OUR BOYS" at the Joseph Waweru Home School sent this email...
Hi Bev First i miss you alot. Secondly thanks alot for the far you helped me reach. I may not be able to express my joy but let say thank you very very much.May God see what you have done in my life the far we have come.The road to success is paved with alot of challenges but we need not quit coz winners and determined people never give up...I Love to be in this organization despite the challenges it faces but i believe it serve as a turning point for people like me....Pass my greetings to all the well wishers who have been helping us both financially and even spiritually by there prayers.We thank alot the help they have been offering to us.May God bless them as they sacrifice so that we may we get what we couldn't be able to get. Blessed are who remember the needy.Blessed are your families and your hearts.

What a wonderful way to create a Happy Thanksgiving!

Caring for Kenya Benefit Concert with Boom, Bang, Twang - Bangor Daily News

Caring for Kenya Benefit Concert with Boom, Bang, Twang - Bangor Daily News

2010 WISH LIST

Many people ask us what we need in Kenya. The joy of donors to clean out their closets or shop for items to bless children in Kenya is admirable and the list of wants is always endless. Though luggage is limited, we carry all that is allowable.
This year I asked our staff to prioritize their wish list of items they would like us to carry to Kenya in January.

Just in from Cate in Kenya at the Joseph Waweru Home School:
Home shoes, school shoes, book bags-back packs, warm jackets/sweaters, work gloves, aprons, shorts, home trousers, T-shirts, socks, medical supplies-deworming tabs, first aid kit, piritons,(I have a question in about this one.),hand sanitizers, kitchen supplies-jikos, hot pots, pot holders, hard sufurias (not sure what these are), covers, wooden cook spoons, pencils, pens, rubbers(erasers), paper, hats-warm ones,
Ohh,how can we forget about good old Cate? She wants Dental floss, CD player,wall hooks (glue on) ,Manchester united jersey or scarf ( a soccer team).
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Bev's additions to the wish list to carry - shake, solar, wind up or battery flashlights, Bibles, children's books, plumbing snake,
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Peter's list will be along soon.

If you want to donate any of these things for us to carry, please get them to
Expanding Opportunities
84 Payson Road
Brooks, Maine 04921
before the end of December, 2010 and we will carry as much as we are able.

THANK YOU -- BLESS YOU --

YEAH!! YEAH!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!! We are now secured on Global Giving!! -- It is all thanks to you donors! What a great surprise on returning from a good day at the
Common Ground Fair

Yeah! we secured the number of donors - now we need $1025.00 to secure a position on Global Giving and and additional $1,500 to meet our project goal! I see the FINISH LINE!! Please give us a final PUSH! http://ping.fm/pVVRg

Only 10 more donors and $1,665 to secure our place!! http://ping.fm/NafcG Please donate at least $10.00, $45.00 and we send you a Maasai Bracelet.

There is still more time on Bonus Day. Please donate at least $10.00 at http://ping.fm/ABRfM

YEAH! 29 Donors now!! Only 21 more to go!! Please help us meet the 50 donors we need for this Challenge by giving at least a $10.00 donation! http://ping.fm/vfy5j

Updatehttp://ping.fm/xyxai We are still at 24 donors. We need 50 to complete this challenge, please give at least $10.00 to help children in Kenya and allow us to post any of our projects on GlobalGiving. Thanks

Two organizations have now completed. - Please help us complete this Challenge. http://ping.fm/eop45 I will stop posting this as soon as we have met the Challenge. Please donate at least $10.00.

Saturday night! Before you head out - go to http://ping.fm/1UFEx and donate $10.00 for African Children to eat then go have a good time.

Thank you again. We now need 28 donors to reach our 50 donors. You can read the lightly edited words of one of our children in the Home at http://ping.fm/gRJDO click on reports. Please consider feeding a child for a week by donating at least $10.00.

THANK YOU!! Only 31 more people to meet our requirement for 50 donors! If you have not donated please consider at least a $10.00 donation.
http://ping.fm/FPU6a It takes about 3 minutes and does sooooo much! Then tell your friends... THANKS

THANK YOU! We are now in position 16! We CAN do this. If you have not yet donated please join in with a donation of at least $10.00. Help us win this CHALLENGE! http://ping.fm/gpsRl

We are still in the running!! Help us get to the top! We are number 35. Please give at least $10.00. It is quick and easy and does SO MUCH! http://ping.fm/VX2Iw

I'm Back! Donors took a holiday too. We dropped our position, please consider donating at least $10.00. http://ping.fm/27S4R It will help so much more than you can imagine!

ARGH! Dropped below position 20. Off line for the weekend. Please share the post with friends and consider giving at least $10.00 http://ping.fm/a894o

The Global Giving Challenge! Help Children in Kenya; Help us raise funds for all our projects; Help us gain matching funds and awards. Please Give Now! http://ping.fm/okeS9

The Global Giving Challenge! Help Children in Kenya; Help us raise funds for all our projects; Help us gain matching funds and awards. PLEASE Give Now! http://goto.gg/6107

The Global Giving Challenge! Help Children in Kenya; Help us raise funds for all our projects; Help us gain matching funds and awards. PLEASE

The African Child - A Moment in Time - Bev Stone - Monday, August 30, 6-7:30pm, Belfast Public Library, Belfast, Maine - Come on down!

The Real Kenya by Katy Corcoran

This Blog is actually a reflection by a traveler on a recent Missions Trip to Kisumu, Kenya. It was shared by my friends Wayne and Mary Lynne\ McLemore and shared with you by permission of Katy. The words in BOLd are my accent.
The Real Kenya by Katy Corcoran

I have two experiences that I want to share with you. They are very different experiences, but both are very real. I believe it is important for people’s eyes to be opened (as mine were) to the reality of the living conditions of and people in Kisumu, Kenya.(many other places in Kenya as well)
Poverty. On Monday, our team hosted the first pastor’s conference of the week at Pastor Joshua’s church. We started out the morning, as usual, with children arriving to the conference several hours before it was to begin. They were so anxious and excited to hear our stories about Jesus, sing songs, play games, etc. The morning was quite normal. Katie, Jandy and I taught the children “The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10” and two new songs, “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and “God is so Good” with hand motions. Larry told the children the story about the four friends who cut a hole in the roof so that their friend could see Jesus. The children also taught us several new songs and games. We let the children have some free time to play soccer, football, or Frisbee. Then, it was time for lunch. The children in line began pushing and shoving to be the first for lunch. We settled the children down and began to serve them lunch. Then the team members went to eat their lunch. As we were finishing lunch, we saw some children by the fence. There had been leftovers and one of the boys had obtained a plate. Five boys began fiercely grabbing for the food on the plate. They shoveled hands full of rice in their mouth at a time. Then they began tussling over a water bottle that a church member had given one of the boys. I was witnessing the effects of true hunger and poverty at that moment. They had pushed and shoved to be first in line because they wanted to make sure they received food. They shoveled hands full of rice in their mouths because some of them had no idea when they would eat next. They fought over the water bottle because they do not have clean drinking water or containers to collect water. I will never forget that scene. I wanted to tell that story because it is the reality of the poverty in Kisumu. The houses and shops are mud and stick walls with dirt floors. There is no running water. Most people do not have electricity. Their clothes and shoes are tattered and torn. There are few jobs. There is little money. There is very little food. That is their reality.
Love and Jesus. I was overwhelmed every day by the outpouring of love from the Kenyan people, and how they loved to talk about Jesus. Saturday, Mary Lynn and Wayne hosted a luncheon for the Kenyan pastors and our team. Each of the pastors greeted us with a handshake, smile, and hug. I sensed these pastors truly and honestly loved each one of our team members, although we had just met. We showed the Jesus’ film on Saturday night. The members of Pastor Joshua’s church all greeted us with hugs, handshakes, kisses, and smiles. Every adult we met at each of the pastor’s conferences was the same. They would go out of their way to make us feel welcomed and loved. Each child would want us to shake his/her hand. The children wanted us to hug them and hold their hand while we sang. They wanted to sit in our laps. The children didn’t know us, and I could sense that they loved us. This happened the entire week that our team was in Kisumu with everyone we met. I realized that they loved us and showed love to us because we are their brothers and sisters in Christ. I was challenged to show my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ unconditional love and support as I was shown in Kenya. Also, they were all excited to talk to us about Jesus. The children would ask us to tell them Bible stories during their free time. They would cheerfully recite their memory verses and perform songs for us. The adults would inquire about our salvation experience: how old were we, what church, how our life was changed, any challenges. They would share all of this information with us also. They would ask us how God has blessed our lives. They would share earnestly how God has blessed their lives. They would share about hardships and how God overcame them. They would ask about our church in America and tell us they would be praying for us. And they would ask us to pray for them and their church. Through all of the conversations and experiences I had, I was challenged to speak more openly about Jesus and my relationship with Him.
Of course, there are countless other experiences I could share, and it was difficult to narrow down. But I know that I am a different person because of my trip. Prayerfully, I touched at least one life while I was in Kenya. And I strive to touch many other lives at home…

No Rain!! A wonderful evening in Belfast for hte Street Festival. Thank you all who bought Iced Tea and sweets to help the Camp forest Campership fund.

Hold off the rain! Belfast Street Festival is tonight starting at 5 pm. Expanding Opportunities will have its Bake Sale outside the Working Art Gallery on Main Street. Aina Moja Shop will be offering 20% off!

Thank You for your support at the Bake Sale today. We will have a REPEAT performance at the Belfast Street Festival on Monday starting at 5 pm. See you there!! How about a slice of Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake

BAKE SALE!!! Iced Tea and Baked Goodies Benefit Expanding Opportunities - outside the Working Art Gallery in Belfast, Maine Saturday - Aug 20! STOP BY -

WANTED: Book Bags - While you are preparing for BACK TO SCHOOL - The children in Kenya are in need of Book Bags - New or Used. - If you can help - Call 1-207-722-3708; email info@expandingopportunities.org; or ship to Expanding Opportunities, 84 Payson Road, Brooks, ME 04921

The Micky Challenge - Use PayPal? - go to http://ping.fm/6CZy7

Join the Micky challenge on Facebook http://ping.fm/FQ6dP
Donate at least $1.00 to Help us sustain the Children's Home.

Announcing Service Journey 2011!
You can volunteer at any time but between January and April you can serve in Kenya and have an African Adventure with Bev. Visit www.exop.org/journey for more information or email info@expandingopportunities.org

Aina Moja will be at the Cultural Survival Bazaar at Kripalu in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, July 17 and 18. Hope to see some of you there! For a preview visit http://www.ainamoja.com

Camp Forest will have a float in the July 4th Parade in Brooks, Maine. Past, present and future campers are welcome to ride or walk with us. Everyone else come and watch the annual festive atmosphere of a small town in Maine.

Volunteer Meeting at Belfast, Maine City Park, July 24, 4:30 pm at the Gazebo. Current volunteers and interested potential volunteers are invited. FMI 1-207-722-3708 or info@expandingopportunities.org

Adam Stone of Camp Forest will be at the Belfast, Maine Library on Monday from 6 – 7:30pm. He and Bella Luz Maldonado will have hands on demonstrations for children, and discuss about the importance of immersion in nature. Camp Forest is a wilderness Day and Expedition Camp in Brooks, Maine, blending the Amazon Rainforest, African Bush and the back woods of Maine while teaching hand on survival skills and love of the forest.

"If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." J.K. Rowling (shared with me- i pass it on)

TAKE A SEAT
The dreaded words of Kenya
TAKE A SEAT
Five minutes Five hours – all the same
TAKE A SEAT
No action appears to be happening
TAKE A SEAT
Lunch has come and gone
TAKE A SEAT
Alone on the bench
TAKE A SEAT
Crowded like sardines in a can
TAKE A SEAT
I grow old and cobwebs gather
TAKE A SEAT

TAKE A SEAT
The dreaded words of Kenya
TAKE A SEAT
Five minutes Five hours – all the same
TAKE A SEAT
No action appears to be happening
TAKE A SEAT
Lunch has come and gone
TAKE A SEAT
Alone on the bench
TAKE A SEAT
Crowded like sardines in a can
TAKE A SEAT
I grow old and cobwebs gather
TAKE A SEAT

Introducing The Expanding Opportunities Visa Platinum Card

Introducing The Expanding Opportunities Visa Platinum Card

News from Kenya: our collaborating CBO in Rabondo got a request for further information from the Safaricom Grant for the Distance Learning Center! Pray for positive results!

News from Kenya: Our collaborating CBO submitted a grant application for building the Ariemet-Kulea Girl's Rescue Center! Pray for a positive response!!

Tuesday-be in the first 5,000 people to download the tool bar and we get $5,000! Click this link.
http://ping.fm/okAw7

http://ping.fm/S7xkc will donate $1 for each toolbar that is downloaded from each unique IP address to the user's designated cause, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES - up to a maximum of $5,000.
2. The contest runs from May 19th at 12 noon to May 21st at 12 noon Eastern.
Just spread the word and get your supporters to add our toolbar to their browser and for each download, we'll donate a dollar to your cause! It's that simple! Keep in mind, there's a $5,000 limit, so make sure your supporters are some of the first 5,000 people to get to the site!
The good news is that once people download your toolbar, your organization, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES, will make money virtually every time they search the web or shop online at any of our 1,400 partner stores (from Amazon to Staples). They may even save money as the toolbar also links to coupons and free shipping offers.

MEET US at the Green Festival in Chicago Booth 326
http://ping.fm/I9nXQ

ASANTE SANA! African drumming, dinner, dancing,
and musicLocation:U.U. Church Belfast, MaineTime:6:00PM Friday, May 14th -- Great Night!1 Great fundraiser for our boys monthly support!!

ASANTE SANA! Benefit Drumming, Dinner, Dancing and Music. May 14th, 6-10 pm, Belfast, Maine at the UU Church on Miller St, Entrance $10.00, Optional Buffet $8.00. See you there!

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY - Save 40% - One Day Sale Only at www.ainamoja.com

Be sure to stop by the Camp Forest Lemonade Stand on Saturday 10 am - 10 pm in Belfast, Maine.
The Free Range Music Festival
http://ping.fm/hZElg

ONLY 4 weeks UNTIL CHICAGO GREEN FESTIVAL!
Mark Your Calendars! May 22, 23 at Navy Pier. FREE TICKET OFFER!! http://ping.fm/uvuZM

Super day at 2 schools. Any SDA's or others out there want to help out a school? The MERE SDA School in Kenya is a great school that needs lots of help in several ways. Contact info@expandingopportunities.org for more info.

The Coastal Journey begins tomorrow! Keep us in your prayers and on your mind as we negotiate Kenya's long and speeding road to Mombasa and back! Kwaupanga here we come! www.exop.org

No choice about marriage and risks the murder of her child at birth. Please read http://ping.fm/Y1DvK Support construction of the Ariemet-Kulea Girl's Rescue Center. www.exop.org

ASANTE! Megan has just delivered a wonderful donation from Nicole for the boys. We were able to buy buckets, towels, uniforms, sandals and cups!! ASANTE!!

Hope you don't mind my bringing another need. A very bright boy is unable to attend high school for lack of $100.00. Immediate need of $70.00 for uniform, books remainder $30.00 for fees. www.exop.org donate link

Water, Water, nowhere nor any drop to drink. Anyone want to help? $67.00 buys a truck of fresh drinking water for our children's home and garden. www.exop.org donation link. Thanks!

Thorns and Dust
Cement and Steel
All covered in sunshine and smiles

Busy Busy Busy in Kenya - Garden is being harvested, goats are giving milk, struggling to pay all the high school boys' school fees, challenges being met - Keep us on your mind and in your prayers.

Arrived in Nairobi ! All is well - Warm - noisy - friendly as usual. Now to get some sleep

Got a little time on your and and want some fun reading? Check out Ellie Honan's Blog. She has been volunteering with Rabondo Community Project and Expanding Opportunities. http://ping.fm/9hw2e

Education transforms lives. Our HOME in Kenya has four in High School and three waiting. Want to help? Click a Donate button on www.exop.org Enter “School Fees” as the comment.

Show your support for the victims of the earthquake disaster in Haiti by wearing red on January 19. See the event post on FACEBOOK - http://ping.fm/XqflR?eid=251397501444&ref=mf

Forgotten People

Forgotten People

Northern Kenya is a land of vast expanses of dry acacia bush, and dusty clay, with a rugged, mountainous rocky backdrop. Hidden in its seemingly deserted and wild immensity lie many small villages, a thousand or so people in each living in small mud houses; living close to the land; in harmony and agony with the forces of nature. They are pastoralists, no longer roaming the length and breath of Africa but confined to smaller and drier spaces. In many cases they are a forgotten people. The road to their land is a crumbling hint at days long gone when there was a tar road. Now there is a small twisted and pitted path of tar in the middle of the road, more treacherous to traverse than the dirt trucking trails along the sides but beware of the deep erosion that can catapult you down the side of the mountain to be found in pieces at the bottom of the ravine.

But let us return to the people. In most areas of Kenya, you see signs of development. Buildings being built or repaired, roads being repaired and constructed, houses, people, vehicles. But in some areas, the people gather in the main building of the village, the church. Dressed in a mix of western second hand clothes or more traditional kanga and blanket, they laugh and sing and chat and cry. They are drawn close for protection, drawn close for support. The effects of global warming have reached those whose lives for centuries have been close to the land and in harmony with it. Now they suffer.

Most seek hope in their young people, in education. But where are the schools? These forgotten people have little or no access to education. They are proud of the school the Red Cross came to build and struggle to find the funds to send their child to school.

“Madam, this boy would like to speak to you”. He is 13 and in Class 5. His English is perfect. Please help me, my mother is going to take me from school to help with the younger children. Top in his class and performing better than many in more developed schools, he desires education.

Primary children walk sometimes more than 6 kilometers one way to go to school each day! Lucky to make it through Class 8, your hope dies. After Class 8 there is nowhere to go. The closest high school is 23 kilometers away! The cows and goats need to be grazed for survival. The cost of transportation and boarding school fees is beyond the means of most. The economy is in goats.

In some areas, the government Community Development Funds are active. Schools, dispensaries, and roads are being constructed and large signboards announcing the construction through CDF Funds and the constituency. In other areas live the forgotten people. Many of those who have traveled beyond their village, return to state, “We do not live in Kenya”.

The reasons for forgotten people are many: sensitive, political and remote but a key to the solution lies in education. A literate population is an empowered population. As global warming, country boundaries, governmental regulations, and even tourism have forced them to enter the larger world, so they need the tools to defend, protect and control their village. Education will allow their lifestyle choices to be theirs.

If you would like more information or to help contact us.
www.expandingopportunities.org -- info@expandingopportunities.org

DRY HOPE
The wind comes in the night rattling the open flaps of my tent. Is that rain? The long waiting dry hopes for rain. Crinkling, electric wind but no rain, moist winds teasing at the thirsty ground is picking any remaining moisture from the soil to tease another waiting ear.