Kenya Beauty…

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Hi Everyone!

I need to get back into the swing of things with writing posts. I have been meaning to share with you all some things that I learned about “beauty” while I was in Kenya.

I had a wonderful opportunity to talk to several women. But, one woman in particular I got to have a sit down interview with and we talked about all things “beauty” Kenya style. Here are bits and pieces from our interview. Enjoy!

Name : Molline Mwangi

Education: Graduated from Daystar University in Community Development and a minor of Psychology. Went on to start a fashion school and is currently enrolled there.

Molline seemed to really have an interest in beauty, fashion and designing. She told me that many of her inspirations for clothing and designs come from nature. She also get’s inspiration from magazines, tv, internet, current trends and other things around her. One of the main goals at the fashion school she goes to is to create pieces that are comfortable, stylish and yet suitable for an African climate.

When I asked her “in her opinion” to place these three in order of importance for a Kenyan woman out of makeup, hair, fashion she said:

1. Fashion

2. Hair

3.Make-up

(Molline also listed “skin” and how the skin looks is more important to most women she knew than make-up was.) I find this very fascinating.

I had an extensive talk with Molline about skin. She told me that many girls/women are turning to lightning creams and lotions to try to get their skin-tone the shade that they’d like it to be. I asked her where she thought that these women get the ideas to change their skin color. She said, “t.v, internet, music videos, celebrities.” It’s very interesting to me how women in western culture like to “tan” their skin to make it look darker, and in Africa and other countries women are trying to “lighten” their skin. (We all should be happy with what we were given!)

Molline said many women will pay pretty good money to get weaves, extensions etc done to their hair and that make-up was not as important or desirable. The popularity of make-up in Kenya did not seem to be what it is here in the U.S.

I don’t know a lot about beauty and fashion in Kenya or in Africa on a whole. But, it was very fun to talk to several women while I was there. It was a pleasure to interview a fashion student Molline and I will continue to be interested in beauty culture around the world.

Love LO

Royce Writes …Kenya, A week in

Hey Everyone!

These are my husband Royce’s thoughts on Kenya so far. This is a Guest Post written by him…

 

It has been almost a week since Lauren and I landed in Nairobi.  I have been getting progressively more stuffed up every day until this morning; I am thinking this is due to the air pollution, dust and pollen I am not used to.  The air pollution has been noticeably greater than anywhere I have been before and so has the ground pollution.  All the pollution still can’t diminish the beauty that can be seen nearly anywhere you look in Kenya.  The tropical trees, amazing small critters and variety of people that are all crammed into Nairobi ensure each day I see/experience something new.

 

Today we will be viewing even more of the splendor Kenya has to offer, but what I am most looking forward too is visiting Nairobi’s biggest slum tomorrow.  I have been on a quest of sorts to understand differences between the average Christian in Kenya compared to one in America.  So far obvious cultural, economic and historical differences have been seen, but the substance and depth of the average Christian are strikingly similar.  After having visited with many lecturers, professors, educators and pastors it has become clear that many Kenyans (like Americans) are nominal Christians at best.  The tendency towards mere religious practices (showing up to church on Sunday and knowing “Christanese” for example) is rampant among Kenyans.  This has been a bit of a shock to me because African, Latin American, South East Asian and any other marginalized Christianity (as seen from western eyes) has been glorified by those around me and in my own life for its authenticity and ability to live out the most real form of Christianity.

 

But tomorrow when I go to the slum and visit with people there I hope to see how Christ’s kingdom is being ushered into one of the poorest areas on earth.  I know the Trinitarian God of creation is at work in the slum and I am excited to see his church following.

Royce

 

Discoveries at the Athi River Campus…

Hey Everyone!

It’s 3:47 PM Kenyan time and about 6: 47 AM Minnesota time. It is almost half way through my BIRTHDAY. Yes, today is my birthday!! I will write all about what we have done today, but I have a little break in the day so I wanted to share a bit about what our day was like yesterday.

I left off telling you all that I went to sleep because I felt a little ill…but had a full first day at Athi River Campus of Daystar University. I woke up yesterday morning and went to eat a wonderful waffle breakfast at Dr. Masso’s (a daystar faculty’s) house right off campus. Most of the roads around campus are dirt, and since it had rained the night before, a lot of roads became like a mudslide. I heard that before Royce and I came to Kenya there had been a long drought and it was very dry and hot. The last three days we have been here it has rained…so it has been very nice.

I met a student at Daystar University, communications major named Winnie. While Royce sat in on a Homiletics class Winnie showed me around campus. We went through the library, on site dorms, gardens, and all classroom areas. It is one of the most beautiful scenic campus’ I have ever seen. Royce and I were astounded by the geckos and lizards. I have pictures! Birds fly around the campus everywhere and they aren’t the kind I’m used to seeing in Minnesota. They’re all brand new. High Rocks are another animal we were amazed by. Look them up! They look like giant squirrels without a tail! About 5 times the size of the average squirrel, groundhog size.

Next, we met with a group of scholarship students from Daystar. These students were all those who received aid scholarships from the U.S. These students were probably all in their 20’s and 30’s and when asked to share what their goal’s and dreams were after graduation they all had absolutely HUGE dreams. When they were speaking I was just so amazed at the honesty, dedication and respect they sounded to have for their education and country. I feel as though most American 20 year olds…you ask them their dreams and goals and they will tell you they want to get a job after they graduate. Not, I want to help orphan children, or start a school for the uneducated, poverty stricken people of my country. These students had PASSION. It was very inspiring.

On our ride home from Athi River, we picked up about 7 staff members from Daystar who got stranded because their bus broke down on the way back.

By the time we got home I was exhausted. But, I had a young woman waiting here for me. We talked about the “beauty culture” in Kenya. It was very interesting and beneficial for me. I think you will all enjoy hearing about it and I will share that in another post.  I will try to post later tonight about what I did on my birthday in Kenya!

LOVE,

Lauren

 

Children Capture our Heart’s on Valentine’s Day

Sa Sa! (This means What’s up in Sheng which is a slang version of Swahili)

There is so much to tell you all from today that I don’t even know where to begin. I feel like we’ve been here for at least 5 days because of all the people we’ve met and things we’ve done. But, this is only the end of day 2.

Today was Valentine’s Day as you all know and I’d like to share with you how Royce, Pat and myself spent our day.

 

The first major thing we did today was meet with a man named William Eyika. He is a graduate of Daystar University and is doing many good things for his community. Twenty years ago he started a school for children ages 4 through about 18 in a slum area of Nairobi. There is a separate school for the Elementary students and High School students.

One of the things that I noticed about all of the students at both elementary level and high school level is they are very respectful and very curious.

I think the thing that was hardest for me about this visit was that they treated us like we were kings and queens.  We drove into the school in a car, in a place where there were so very few. When we would get out of the car the students would stare. The principal would introduce us as very special guests and told the students to sing for us and clap. It was a wonderful and warm welcome but the thing I struggled with is the fact that they treated us so highly and said it was an honor when really the honor was for us. We were so blessed to see these students, get to peek in on their daily school life, answer questions for them and take pictures with them. It’s life changing. It’s not the kind of school life we see in the U.S.

We are so very fortunate to have the kind of money and freedoms we do in America. I loved these kids and could have spent all day talking to them about their passions and dreams and answering all of their questions about the U.S.

 

Later this evening we went to a place called Java House. I hear it’s one of the most American type restaurants/coffee houses in Nairobi. And, there are several of them all over. We went to this restaurant with a Daystar graduate named Eric Kadenge and his wife Winnie. It was the perfect way to end an evening. We talked to them about a lot of Kenyan culture including wedding customs, beauty, fashion, and wild life in Kenya and daily life. Winnie is expecting her first child in 4 months. When asked how long she would be out from work she said 4 months. Women who give birth give a very nice maternity leave as opposed to Americans who get about 6 weeks. She also told us that children couldn’t enter daycare until they are 2 ½ or 3 years old.

I really wish in the U.S we gave women/mothers longer time to spend with their newborn children. I think that is very important.

 

Asante (this means thank you in Swahili). I am thanking you all for taking interest in our journey and for your prayers. I feel blessed to be here right now.

 

I have many photos and videos to share with all of you but will have to upload them when I return. They take up too much Internet data here. For now, I will post a couple pictures with each post.

 

We have lots of exciting things ahead.

Love and God Bless,

Lauren

 

Our Jouney Begins in Kenya…

Jambo! ( That means hello in Swahili)

We made it to Kenya last night after 2 very long flights. When arrived around this time last night which is 8:40 Pm. There is a 9 hour difference, so that makes it 11:40 AM U.S time.
Our first day in Kenya has already been full of surprises, new discoveries and humble experiences. Here are some of the new discoveries:

Driving is very different here. Kenyan’s drive on the right side of the car and they drive really close to moving people and traffic. I thought I was going to get hit by a bus while driving into town today and I had to close my eyes when getting close to people in fear of knocking them over.

Holding hands and shaking hands is very common. This is a sign of trust and friendship, or a very warm welcome.

Kenya has very diverse scenery. After church today we went for a drive and I was absolutely humbled and amazed by the sights I saw. There are parts of Nairobi that are very slum like, very broken down and old-looking. But, then you can drive about 3 blocks and find a very beautiful well-kept area. The vast trees and greenery make Kenya  very beautiful.

The best experience so far has been our face to face talk and visiting church with a man named Frank Msambya.  He is a Daystar University graduate and is now one of the Daystar U.S staff members. (If you are unsure what Daystar University is, that is where we are staying while we are here and the organization Pat Mahin our other writer is associated with. We have many meeting planned with some alumni and faculty from Daystar to learn more about this Christian institution.)

Back to my story, Frank was kind enough to share his story with us and I was very awe-struck at what he has been through as a Congo refugee and finally making it into Daystar University on scholarships and devoting his life to the Lord.
The church service was full of passion and praise, loud singing and dancing. We got an opportunity to introduce ourselves and everyone was very warm and welcoming. It was unlike any church service I have ever experienced.

I will update you all with more later. Bwana Asifiwe!! (Praise the Lord in Swahili)

Love,

Lauren

Studying the Masai Mara…

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Goodmorning Everyone!

I am spending my morning researching the Masai Mara In Kenya. It sure is a whole different realm of beauty…

It’s hard for me to write about anything else besides this upcoming trip to Africa. One of the aspects besides for spending time with Alumni and students from Daystar University is that we will have the opportunity to truly take in the beauty of Africa on a Safari through the Masai Mara. It’s amazing to me that God has created such a place and all these creatures. I’m sure once I am actually there and live it , I will have a whole new perspective and stories to share with you all.

I have spent a bit of time this morning looking at videos about safaris in the Masai Mara. All I can say is…wow, we are in for an adventure. I can’t help but be in awe of all of these huge wild animals and think they are the coolest things I’ve ever laid eyes on. Watch both videos through…the little leopard cub is about the cutest thing in the whole world.

I hope you enjoyed watching what we will be doing in just about 2 1/2 weeks. Stay tuned friends…can’t wait to share all of God’s beauty with all of you!!!!

If you haven’t already seen, go read about the cleanse I am on for the next 15 days. I wrote about this last night. http://lovelo.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/glisodin-skin-nutrients-cleansing-and-detoxifying-the-body/

LOVE, Lauren

Africa update- Daystar University

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Hi Friends and faithful subscribers,

It would be pointless for me to have a beauty blog unless I believed that beauty was more than just surface level things. As I have mentioned before, I want this blog to not only be a place where I post reviews of products, fun tips and tricks and the latest in beauty, but also a place where I share things that are beautiful to me that have a deeper meaning of beauty.

Where am I going with this?? Well, Royce and I are set to go to Africa this month as I have mentioned before. We are excited to embark on a journey both for us individually as well as together. I have prayed that God open my eyes and give me some enlightenment into other people’s lives and culture while I am there.

Yesterday we got up in front of the church congregation and had them pray for us and it lifted my spirits more , making me feel more confident about our travels ahead.

I want to let all of you know that if you want to keep up with my journey while in Africa, please subscribe to this blog. (in the top right hand corner).

Here is a video about one of the graduates from Daystar University. We will be meeting with him and hearing more about his life.

We are still fundraising and have to raise about $1000 more to reach the goal that we have set. I know God will  provide and we will be able to go but if you find it in your heart and have some extra money that you’d like to give us to help support our trip here is the info.

Go to: http://www.daystarus.org/   To make a donation click on : Give/Shop. Next when filling in the blanks type in : Royce and Lauren Pavelka Africa Mission trip under the blank for project type, otherwise the donation will not go to us.

Thank you all and I will be keeping you all posted. I hope you will follow along and come along for this journey WITH me.

I will also still be writing a few beauty blogs and reviews before I leave.

LOVE,

LAUREN