Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:12:42 -0800 (PST)
From:	"STACY HARRIS" <salexanderharris@yahoo.com>
Subject:	STACY IN KENYA

Jambo, (that means Hi in Swahili)

Upon arriving in Kenya I was greeted as a long lost family member.  I was hugged, fed well and attended to like I was a prince from a foreign land.  They call me the miracle man because they say it is a miracle that a man like myself will come to help the people of Kenya.  I will be sending photos soon as the internet service here is not up to American standards and I am going to have to go to a special place, but look for them soon as the children we are feeding and helping are so beautiful you must see their faces.  I believe I will ultimately adopt some of them as I plan to stay in Kenya for a long time.  I was even blessed with a paying job for I want to do so much I realized I must get a paying job so I can do more and stay as long as I like, for this is my new home. I work for a Christian television network. I started yesterday and I will be moving into an apartment.  You can see our work at www.familykenya.com  This is a dream come true as those who know me know I love to work in the television industry and to work for a Christian group. It is a blessing. Now I will be able to do even more than I anticipated.  Every time I go to church they beg me to speak. They have asked for someone to come and teach them the word of God and how to be good Christians. The spirit of God in Kenya is amazing as people with so little are so happy. 

I have about 35 children whom God has put under my wing.  I hope to get the photos soon.  They are mostly young age 1 to about 7 but there are several older ones.  It is amazing how disciplined they are and to watch them wait patiently for their rice and beans.  I told my new family that we are going to treat them to pizza this Sunday as many have never had anything but rice and beans. It is sad, yet they are so content and peaceful, I have to get you the pictures.  I know some of you are trying to send items to the children, whatever you can send is good.  They need everything from food to clothing.  It does get cold at night so yes you can send warm clothes.  At the orphanage the children are in good hands but the children at the church have nothing.  It is called Mount Zion Church and it is in one of the poorest areas of Kenya, you can smell the sewage and you can see the poverty. It is just like one of those videos on TV and this is where God has sent me to minister.  So anything you can send is a blessing for many of these children have no homes no parents and the government is unable to provide for them so they are on their own.  They are targets for predators and all the bad things in life so my prayer is that one day I will be able to open my own house for these children, the problem is their are so many and they latch onto me and they just want to be hugged, they want me to take them home so don't be surprised if I send you an email with photos of my new children.  I do not know how it will be done but I believe God has a plan for these children.

If you want to send things it is best to use DHL shipping services.  They have offices all over America and you can reach them at www.dhl.com and get all the information you need.  There are two offices in Nairobi, one is down town but the other is on Mombassa Road this is closer to where I am and to the church.  If you send items sent them C/O Stacy Harris and I will be able to go directly to the office and pick them up.  This is much more secure than the Kenyan postal service and UPS and Fedex do not have the facilities that DHL has in Nairobi.  Please email me with the information so I can know when to expect the items, for these children are so beautiful and they are in such great need.  You can also contact me by phone.  I have two numbers I can be reached at  (011) 0720-275-053 is my home number and (011) 25-472-078-1381 is a cell phone I use.  I will soon have my own cell phone but I can be reached at these numbers.  Either Maggy or Rebekah will answer or I will answer as I live with a bunch of beautiful Kenyan women and they take care of me very well so there is no need to worry about my well being They are the best. They cook, clean, and wash my clothes as they are all sisters and I am now their family member.  When I get my first check I am going to move to a nicer part of town and I am going to bring them with me as they deserve to live in a better part of town.

 Everything I thought I knew about Africa I have had to throw out the window.  It has only been 2 weeks and it feels like 2 years.  They Kenyan people are such a friendly and peace loving people that I am convinced all the stereotypes of violent Africans are made up by the media At least in Kenya they are peaceful, there are no guns, except the police who carry m-16's.  I hate to admit it, but I feel safer in Nairobi than I do in many American cities. My biggest worry is pickpockets so I keep my money zipped up in my pocket.  The US military is here and it is a blessing. They have set up in the north and are dropping food to the flood victims and they are also working with the Kenyan military in case war breaks out in Somolia which is to the north of us.  It made me feels so safe knowing the US marines are here.  The US embassy has given me special emergency numbers that you only get when you arrive. They do all they can to make you feel safe.  Today is Independence Day in Kenya. They were freed from the British in 1963.  I thought this would be a European dominated country but it is not.  They hate the British for they were treated like slaves for many years and when they kicked them out it was their day of liberation.  They have latched onto America as this place is more American than European and after watching the Independence Day celebration I can see why.  They love Americans in Kenya it is such a good feeling.

 I do not want to mislead you into believing Kenya is free from violence, for our apartment like most, is secured by a 20 foot wall with barbed wires with a security guard at the gate.  This is because there is a lack of police presence outside the main area of Nairobi.  There are plenty of police in the wealthy neighborhoods, but not in the middle and lower class neighborhoods, but it is generally safe and you simply take the same precautions you would in any major American city.  Nevertheless, Nairobi is a truly beautiful and amazing place.  In the center of town you can see American style Skyscrapers and hotels, yet it is distinctly African.  Large corporations dot the landscape as they sit side by side with authentic African merchants with hand made products, everything from hand made tools to hand made furniture. The Kenyan people are gifted craftsman.  In the midst of apartments and business' you can look up and see vultures and other exotic birds perching above, just like you are in a national geographic film.  Oh how I will get you the pictures as soon as I can get on an upgraded computer, as they are not up to speed on Internet service.  As we walk down the street, we must always make way for the cows and goats as they walk side by side with the people.  In Kenya the Maasai Tribe is allowed to walk and graze their cattle anywhere in the country it is the law of the land and everyone respects the Maasai.  I am living with Kikuyu tribe members and as I become part of the family I am going to have to perform some tribal ceremonies, that will discuss at a later date.  I was shocked at some of the things they want me to do, like killing and cooking a goat, but when I checked the bible it is very scripturally accurate, so I asked to be a part of the tribe and I am going to have to deal with what I asked for.  I am having nightmares about killing the goat, and I will definitely send pictures when this happens.

 As I sit in our apartment, we have all the amenities of America and we are not even in one of the better neighborhoods.  As a matter of fact, the Kenyan people love Americans, but unfortunately there are only a few of us here.  I have not seen one yet personally, but I know they are around.  We have cable TV, not to the extent of America, but you can see reruns of American programs like Oprah, Tyra Banks and many American movies.  They have embraced the American culture especially the African American culture; sometimes you cannot tell you are in Kenya when listening to the radio because many stations play only American music.  They have all the things Americans have, including shopping, but it is limited as the jobless rate is at about 60%.  That is the biggest problem in Kenya there just are not enough jobs so people sell just about anything on the street corners.  I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the supermarket, they have everything I need and more.  I am still amazed that you can be in a completely modern facility and two blocks away there are makeshift tents with people selling hand made good.  One side of the street has valet parking, and on the other you can see the raw sewage running down the street.  This is such a beautiful place, yet so much work to be done.  I love Kenya.  I even visited a place called Village Market. It was just like being in America.  I felt like I was at home.  Even in our apartment I feel like I am in America until I look out the window and see the cows and goats walking down the street.

 I am still in awe of the beauty and the poverty, it is a juxtaposition of good and bad.  I look at the people and I could be in any American city.  It baffles me how much Kenyans look like, dress like, and even act like African Americans.  I know now that the media does not give us the whole story and I thank God for bringing me here to see with my own eyes the reality of Africa.  On my first Sunday I attended church at Mount Zion, in one of the worst slums in Nairobi, and this is where God has called me to minister.  The people embraced me and the children looked at me strange, for most have never seen an American.  It makes me laugh because they all think I am white for many have never seen a white person and I have to tell them that I am black just like they are.  They laugh when I tell them this and they say you must be a pointie This is the term for half black and half white, so we laugh about this a lot.  It was so awesome, they smiled and they laughed and although many had no shoes or shirts, yet they were still happy.  You can smell the sewage and animal dung outside the small structure made of tree limbs and metal scraps.  I am so glad it did not rain for we would have definitely gotten wet.  In the midst of all this poverty, I was amazed to see the joy of the Lord in these people.  These great and mighty children of God embraced me with the love of God.  We sang, we danced, we prayed and we praised God like we were members of a multimillion-dollar ministry.  When the offering plate went around it reminded me of the lady in the bible who gave a penny and Jesus said she was more blessed than the others because the penny is all she had.  When the plate was finished being passed, I have never seen so many pennies in a plate, but it was full of blessing because that is all they had.  The deacons with tattered and dirty shirts, the beautiful choir, some with no shoes, the children, oh how precious these children are, sat quietly and attentatively during the entire service.  To my surprise, sister Naomi, the leader of the church asked me to share the word of God with the people.  I was nervous, afraid, yet excited all at the same time.  God gave me a word for the people and when I was finished they asked me to be their pastor.  I do not know if I will be their pastor but I will be their friend and I will always help Mount Zion Church for it has changed my life.  The spirit of God was so alive in this church it is hard not to help as God is going to do great things for these people because they are faithful and eager to learn about Jesus.  Kenya is 75% Christian (maybe more) and they love the Lord Jesus.  They want to learn more about God and now that I am here they want to learn more about America.  When I told them that they looked just like African Americans, they stood to their feet and began to cheer with great joy, as if I was throwing out $100 bills.  I do not know if I will accept the call to be their pastor, but this will be my home church for it is in one of the worst areas of Kenya yet the love of God is so strong.  These are the righteous people, children of God who simply need a helping hand.  I love these people and they love me.  I did not cry like I thought I would because in the midst of all this poverty the Kenyans are so happy I could not help but to rejoice with them.

 I want to tell you that most things I heard about Kenya are simply not true.  Yes, there is an HIV/AIDS problem but this is due to ignorance.  It is like America was 20 years ago when people did not know how to deal with the disease.  I thank God for giving me the opportunity to educate them about the disease for they take this very serious in Kenya.  You must get tested to be married, to even get a loan and even for some jobs. There are testing centers all over Kenya and they are trying to educate the people, but there are so many people to teach.  The food is wonderful; as a matter of fact, I am going to have to start running because they feed me so much.  When they meet strangers it is their custom to give them the best so when the kids see me coming they are so happy because they know they will eat good that night.  The traditional African dishes like mokumo are so much like American dishes I have had no problem eating.  They eat a lot of fresh vegetables, rice and potatoes and meats when available, as they can be expensive when the money is short.  They eat very healthy, as we drink a lot of milk and fresh juices.  Most people have bottled water, except in the poor areas, so drinking is no problem.  You can get a coca cola on any street corner as it is easily the most popular American product, but finding a cold one can be a bit difficult.  The African dishes are very filling and taste real  good too.

 I am so grateful for the Kenyan people who have welcomed me like I am family.  The love is powerful here.  When I sleep at night I forget I am in Kenya. it is so peaceful, until I open the windows and see the cows and goats.  Kenya is such a beautiful place; it is far more beautiful than I anticipated.  The people are much nicer than I imagined and the Spirit of God is more powerful than I ever dreamed.  They even shut down nightclubs on Sunday to allow the preachers to bring the word of God.  There is so much potential in Kenya, especially for investors who want to help the needy.  Kenya is a beautiful place to visit; it is a once in a lifetime experience with safari's, 5 star hotels and beaches unmatched in the world.  There are people from all over Africa in Kenya as this seems to be a safe haven for African refugees.  You can see camps of Sudanese and Somali people and Ugandans and Tanzanians it is simply a marvelous place to be.

 When I heard the American troops were in the north to help it made me so proud to be an America.  Kenyans like all Africans just want peace because unfortunately if there is a war in Somalia it will not only bring violence but it brings poverty, disease and starvation.  It is why Africans are so anti-war and are hoping that the Americans can bring democracy and not guns because the after effects of war are catastrophic and deadly to the local people.  Just look at what war is doing to Iraq.

 Upon arriving in Kenya, I was so worried about everything from food to violence.  Yet since being here I know it is the hand of God in my life that brought me here because for the first time in my life I feel free.  I have never been so happy, even in the midst of all this poverty.  The only thing I miss is American Football, but I just went on the web and I was satisfied.  There are places I can watch but they are far away, but I do plan to watch the super bowl.  It is the call of God on my life to help my African brothers and sisters for we are all the same in the eyes of God.  They keep asking me why I smile and laugh so much and I tell them because I am finally home.  I am no longer afraid of my destiny for I have stepped out on faith and taken authority over my destiny.  I do not know what the future holds, but I do know what Jesus said  THE THINGS WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITH MEN ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD -= LUKE 18:27 

 Thank you for your support and please pray and think about the people of Kenya.  They are a blessed people residing just south of the holy land.  I see great things happening in this country.  God bless you and God bless America. 

 You can email me at salexanderharris@yahoo.com  or you can visit my website as I will be updating it soon at www.stacyharrisministries.com     The longer I am here the more I will extend my website so you can get regular information on  Kenya, but for now I have to find a higher grade computer to put my photos on my website and to allow those who want to make financial contributions to do so on the website.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, you can send checks made payable to Stacy Harris to my home address at 34 Browns Lane, Fair Haven, NJ  07704.  My mother will be handling all these transactions.

 Thank you again for your support and I apologize for not having photos available but look for them soon as they will be coming shortly.  I love you all.

In God's Hand,

Stacy