MY BIRTHDAY WISH…. 25 years today!

It’s my 25th Birthday today!! February 17th. Well, you might be reading this on the 16th because that is when I will post it, but for most of you, you will read it on the 17th .

I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful family. A family who has always believed in every dream and every wish I have ever had. They have always supported me through the crazy ups and downs that life takes. I am very happy to be surrounded by amazing people and married to my best friend. 

In my 25 years, I feel lucky to have gained strength and maturity while living in New York City for 3 years, spending half a year in Vancouver, BC as a newlywed, and traveling to Kenya on a mission trip last year. I want to see more, do more and most of all just try to enjoy each day one by one. 

I have gained large amounts of courage and learned a lot in the past year. I am happy to say that I am now proud owner of my own company Lovelo Beauty LLC. I am so grateful to all of you that have been supporting my beauty endeavors, and creative ventures over the years and I ask this one thing of you today on my birthday…

PLEASE go over to my Lovelo Beauty Facebook Page…Click  “like”  and post it on your wall for others to discover if you feel comfortable doing so, tweet it, or pass it on in some way.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovelo-Beauty-Makeup-Lashes-and-Beauty-Blog/168179293250807  This will really help me out!! As some of you know, I love to write and I have had a beauty blog for over 2 years now. I would love to continue and keep this up and your support means the world to me. 

Thank you all so much for your LOVE , I feel very blessed.

God Bless you all.. LOVE LAUREN

(C) Lovelo Beauty 2012

Kenya Beauty…

Image via Wikipedia

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

Nairobi Church Services and Inspiring Faith

Hi!

One of the most amazing things about this trip was to be amongst great people. Almost everyday we met between 5-15 new people. So each day we were communicating from people from all over. Some of the students that go to Daystar are from surrounding places, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Etc.

A special thanks to Jan Korbel and Frank Msambya who work for Daystar U.S in Nairobi. They were amongst the first people we met and the last people we were with before we left. They helped us feel welcome. Jan drove us around, planned our meetings and invited us into her home for dinner. We were very blessed to have such wonderful company.

I think the thing I was most excited about was meeting so many Christians in Kenya. Many of those that we met with had a real LOVE for Jesus and a real passion to do his His will. I was inspired by the dedication, commitment and zeal the students and alumni of Daystar had for going to school and doing really great things throughout Africa.

When we asked current students about their dreams and goals after college they were all very courageous , heart tugging dreams. I could tell that most of these students were very sincere in how they wanted to do good things in their home countries and were very thankful for their education

We attended 2 church services and 2 chapel’s while in Kenya. One thing I truly admire is the music! So much vigor, so much life, excitement and passion is behind a lot of the praise music in church’s in African culture. I love that!!! Singing, dancing, lots and lots of praise and excitement. I wish more churches in the U.S had that much “life” in their praise music!

Little boy who danced in the isle through the whole worship!

LOVE LAUREN.

 

 

 

 

Glad to be Home, Grateful for Africa.

Hi Everyone!

It has been a few days, and I apologize for not getting a chance to write any these last couple of days; we have been in route home and were in the Masai for 2 days with no internet or barely any electricity.

Good news is I’m home now, and although I want to get back to blogging about beauty, I know I can’t stop  telling you all about Africa. I still have a few more blogs to write to tell you about my travels.

Great Rift Valley- Africa

First off, I am very happy to be back in Minnesota. But, so grateful for the experience Royce and I got to have.  This whole trip was about learning for me.

I had no strong expectations going to Kenya. But, it was similar to some of the things I had always pictured in my mind. I knew I would feel like a minority, a little out of my comfort zone, and I did. But, every person we came in contact with there made Royce and I feel so welcome. It is there tradition to shake hands, and say “karibu” which means welcome.

This trip was uncomfortable, exciting, and rewarding. The more I travel the more I realize when I step out of my comfort zone I gain the most knowledge, and personal growth. The things about Africa which are:

• Faucet water is not clean in Nairobi; you cannot drink, or brush your teeth from the tap. It is important for your health to buy bottled water.
• The air pollution is outstanding.  I noticed both in Vancouver and here how fresh the air smells. Many times my nose burned a bit from the polluted air and it left me craving cleaner breathing air. Garbage, gas, the air just seemed thicker in Nairobi.
• Driving is pretty much chaos when you’re used to driving in the states. The roads are always, busy, bumpy and there isn’t as much “order” to driving in a straight line down a lane. People drive on the right side of the car and there are two lanes, but you don’t always abide by them. You drive on the side that is smooth…and avoid oncoming traffic.
• Everything is gated. If you own a home or business there is usually a gate with a guard for security purposes.
• Must sleep with mosquito netting. Not as much in Nairobi, I heard Malaria is not as much of a problem there…but we still had netting and were advised to use it at all times.
• Airports are not as efficient, clean, orderly or comfortable as in the states.
• Animals in Africa tend not to be pets. People don’t have dogs or cats that live indoors. It just doesn’t happen. And, if you see an animal on the street, a stray cat or dog you are advised not to pet or touch it for fear of disease or rabies.
• Internet is not as easy as it is in the U.S. We had to buy a modem which you put money on and it counts how much data you use. So, that means, I couldn’t upload as many pictures, videos or write a lot of emails because it would use a lot of data. Here in the U.S we can have unlimited internet time if we have a wireless connection.Which is not always a good thing, but true.

There were probably many other things I encountered. But, these are the major ones I can think of. I loved the experience, so I am not trying to be negative. I am trying more so to be informative of what to expect if you decide to go to Nairobi or a surrounding African country someday.

This journey broadened my world view. It enlightened me about other cultures, helped my geography (lol) and made me grateful.

Sunset in the Masai Mara

Talk to you all soon with more about Africa

Love and God Bless,

Lauren

Stephan Olang and family…

Jambo ..Hi!

Yesterday was Sunday and we spent the day with a Daystar graduate named Stephen Olang. He invited us to his church service in Karen, which is another part of Kenya. It is always interesting to go to a different church service let alone one that is in another part of the world with a different culture.

Stephan Olang has an absolutely incredible story of faith, and he shared his story with us back at his house. He now works for the International Justice Mission in Kenya because at one point IJM  had helped him out of an extremely horrible situation.

His family was so hospitable and invited us to their home for a huge meal after church. 

 

 

It has been absolutely amazing to learn more about Daystar and their mission, ” To educate servant leaders to transform Africa”. Because ,truly this trip for me has been an amazing way to witness how education and the power of Christ can take priority on people’s lives to help make the world they live a better place. There has been so many great stories and inspiring details about people and what they are doing with their lives here in Africa. We are lucky to have witnessed so much in the last week.

The power of Jesus, the power of the holy spirit is absolutely INCREDIBLE. I am so touched mostly by how many devoted Christians I’ve met here who want nothing more than to do the will of God here on earth and do amazing things for people and the world they live.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day.. God Bless.

And, we finally saw a monkey. And not just ONE monkey. Many, many monkeys. This is one with a baby attached to it’s belly!! CUTE!

 

Monkey and baby

 

Love, LO

 

 

Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

Hi Everyone,

I think yesterday was one of the most difficult days since we have been here. We spent the day going into the Kibera Slum which is in Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa and within it live about 1 million people. It’s size is only about 1 mile long by about 1 1/2 mile wide.

Small tin “homes” line the streets crammed side by side, dirt street paths, trash thrown in mounds and mounds and people, animals and livestock everywhere. The smell is such that burns your nose it is so strong of garbage and air pollution. I found this to be the hardest part about being there.

Trash piles in the Kibera Slum, Nairobi

We went to spend time with small kids from the slums. We went to watch and spend time with these children, to just be with them. And, we brought bibles for each student above 6 .

Porridge food for kids at school.

The whole reason we got to go to this school is a man named Peter Karanja who is a Daystar school graduate. One of the wonderful things Peter is doing with his education is helping these children in the Kibera slum. It was a blessing to get to witness God’s provision through watching these children laugh and play together, get a good lunch,  clap and sing.

Peter Karanja in the front of classroom

I think pictures can say many things words can’t. And, I’d love to show you all the many many photos of Kibera and the children I took. But, I will have to do that when I get back.

Out of the many things I experienced in Kibera the Kids are what will stay in my mind. The young 11 year old girl who came up to me and wanted to shake my hand…asked politely my name, and exclaimed , “You came all the way from the U.S to Kibera! Thank you Thank you, you are good people”. I tear up thinking about that.  Or, the way the kids ate so quickly and so determined as if that might be there last meal of the day. Or, the many scripture verses , songs, and praises they had memorized and sang for Jesus. Or, the excitement in receiving their own bible.

At a later time, I’d be happy to write more about our experience.

Royce and I with some of the children...

Love,

Lauren

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

 

How I spent my Birthday in Kenya

Jambo!

It is the people you surround yourself that make your day very special. I am writing this at 3 AM Kenyan time, 6 PM Minnesota time. Once again, I wake up at 3 each morning here; can’t sleep.  Also, I find that putting my thoughts together in the middle of the night comes very easy for me.

So, yesterday was my birthday. When we woke up we went to chapel at Nairobi Daystar campus which happens to be only right across the street from where we are staying.  Afrizo, which is Daystar’s large touring singing group, led the worship service. They have come to Minnesota and will be coming again this August! God has gifted them all with such beautiful voices and to hear them singing words of glory to the Lord just absolutely makes me so happy. I couldn’t help but clap and get into the beat; their music is soulful, loud, heartfelt and happy! I loved every minute.  When I get home from Kenya I will upload videos.

Next, we went to Amani Ya Juu. I think this destination was chosen just for me. It was the perfect way for me to have a relaxing afternoon. It is a fair trade craft company run by women around the world who make gifts and crafts to sell. It is such a cute little place and we got a tour of the ladies making crafts. There were things like, handmade quilts, handbags, jewelry, kid’s toys, wall hangings, dresses, hats, scarves…etc. Amani Ya Juu (meaning peace from above) also has a little outside café that serves mostly salads, soups and sandwiches.

It was the first time I was able to order a salad since I’ve been in Kenya. You don’t want to drink tap water here, or eat lettuce, or take ice in your drinks. Most water here is not clean enough to drink and that means the same water they wash lettuce and other vegetables in. You either want to cook your food and water to get it hot enough to kill bacteria or buy things with no hassle like fruit with a thick skin you peel away.

 

After shopping and lunching, we went grocery shopping. It is a whole different experience here. Stores are busy, crowded; dirty (by U.S) standards and truly I just wanted to get out as fast as possible. I would say grocery shopping here is quite a bit stressful. Here’s what shopping here looks like. These are the snacks and breakfast items we got. Take a look at the different packaging, boxes and brands.

 

When we got home we immediately went into a meeting for Royce to find out a little more about the credentials and possibilities to teach at a university like Daystar. Jan Korbel (who has been our good friend, trip planner, escort, and works for Daystar, is an American but lives in Kenya now) surprised me with a chocolate birthday cake with caramel and chocolate drizzle. They sang happy birthday. J

It was a wonderfully jam packed day full of fun and other adventures but I’m trying to give you the summed up version. It was a very good way to spend my birthday.

Love,

Lauren

 

 

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