Elijah's Latest Stats

Weight: 6950 grams (15.3 lbs)

Length: 68 centimeters (26.7 inches)

Head Circumfrence: 44 centimeters (17.3 inches)

A Typical Day with Josiah

First, Monkey enjoys riding up and down the driveway.Enough tricycle, now it's time for the dump truck - ladybug combo!Monkey is given a front row seat to the upcoming action.Hi Mom! Aren't dump trucks the best?!So many leaves, so little time.It takes a lot of leaves to fill up a dump truck!The time has come to travel to a new leaf-picking spot.Mom, stop taking my picture! Can't you see I have work to do?!

Wow! This is pretty comfy!All this excitement has worn Elijah out.Oh look! More leaves to pick!Now I must circle the house repeatedly!

What's wrong with treadmills in Africa?

~ Look closely.... What's missing? ~ I'm at Swahili Language school which happens to be equipped with a full gym - a true surprise.

Take a good close look at those two treadmills. What's missing? Need a hint? Remember that this is Africa... Still can't figure it out? That's okay - I missed it the first time too. The power goes out all the time here, just like in Nairobi. Sometimes it's just a brief blip and sometimes it's out long enough for the school to turn on their generator. To protect expensive equipment, there's a time-delay surge protector on the wall there behind the treadmill. We have those on our refrigerator, washing machine, and so on to protect the equipment from surges and spikes when the power is restored. It usually delays anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes after power stabilizes before powering up whatever is connected to it.

Now, if you happen to be jogging on a treadmill at a reasonable clip, 15 minutes into your run and the power goes out what do you suppose happens? Yup, that treadmill stops cold. It's a little bit disconcerting. That happened to me the Monday I arrived at language school. I didn't fall off when the track stopped but I did run into the control panel. And you have no way of knowing how long it'll be before you can resume your run, so I moved over to the cycling equipment which does NOT plug into the wall.

What do you suppose I did on Tuesday? You guessed it. I figured there was no way I'd be so unlucky twice in a row and I would really pay close attention so just in case the power did blip again I wouldn't come down on the console. Well, about 10 minutes into a run I got distracted daydreaming and sure enough the power blipped. Crash - into the console I went. Back on to the stationary bike.

I haven't tried again. And the power hasn't blipped again during my workouts for the rest of these two weeks. Figures. So let that be a lesson for you - if you have a treadmill, don't just protect the equipment with a time-delay circuit. Protect the runner too by putting a UPS on that thing!

-Shauen

Washing the Car

Getting back into Swahili

~ The main campus of MS-TCDC from the reception desk ~ My first 2-year term in Kenya and Tanzania was supposed to be dedicated to language and cultural learning. Two years is almost enough time to really become comfortable in a new language and culture. Unfortunately, the plan changed and it's been all I can do to try and squeeze some language learning in between everything else on my plate. So with only a few months left before home service, Krista and I decided I should go back to language school for an intensive course to give me the necessary nudge.

After a bit of research we decided on MS-TCDC, a school of Danish origin that focuses on training in development studies as well as language learning and a variety of other topics, located near Arusha, Tanzania. I've just arrived here for an intensive intermediate Swahili course. The facility is phenomenal, with well-manicured lawns, fresh and clean rooms with excellent daily housekeeping services, exceptionally good food, campus-wide wireless, a basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court, and a gym full of exercise equipment! My family is remaining in Nairobi while I'm here for two weeks and I already have the college feel, with a detailed schedule, a cafeteria, and over 100 students currently on the campus for ~ My dorm-style room with desk, lamp, and private bath ~ a variety of courses, seminars, and functions. It's a pretty cool feeling although it's going to be very hard to be away from my family.

Every day I'll live according to the following schedule:

7:30am - wake up
8:00am - breakfast
8:30am - morning class
10:00am - morning tea
10:30am - late morning class
12:30pm - lunch
12:45pm - nap
2:00pm - afternoon class
4:30pm - exercise (skipping afternoon tea)
5:00pm - study, keep up with urgent email
7:00pm - dinner
8:30pm - study 'till bedtime

~ The tables in the dining facility are set for lunch and dinner ~ The tea-time thing is very common for schools in East Africa and it's a nice break although having those extra cups of milky tea with ginger and masala spices and at least one spoonful of sugar do tend to add quite a few extra calories without you even noticing! I'll be skipping the afternoon tea and heading straight for the gym. To keep me focused I'm really trying to take a nap in the afternoon too - just like my boys do back at home!

We have 8 students in our class and they'll break us into two groups for the duration of the course, switching teachers after the first week. Pray for me!

-Shauen

The Smell of Home

Josiah & Elijah (wearing his last new outfit from Grandma)I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about my Mom's laundry detergent that distinctly smells of home. It's not that she uses any special laundry detergent, in fact, I believe she uses Tide, but whatever it is, after clothes go through her washing machine, they smell like home. I never realized this until we moved to Uganda. Then one day, we received a care package from my parents that had a new shirt for me. I pulled it out of the box and was immediately struck by the smell of home. I kept the shirt in my closet, taking a deep whiff now and then. Finally, one day I wore it. I was feeling especially homesick that day and wanted to be reminded of home. I started crying (I was newly pregnant with Josiah - I blame my hormones!), I actually had to take the shirt off after a while. I couldn't escape that wonderful, torturing smell of home.

My Mom was able to visit over Christmas and was here when Elijah was born. She brought with her clothes for both boys, especially a lot of 3-6 month clothes for Elijah because we didn't have very many. She of course washed everything before bringing it. As Elijah has slowly grown out of his 0-3 month outfits, I have been pulling out these new clothes from my Mom. As I dress Elijah in his new outfit, I can't help but smell him. He smells wonderfully of baby and home. I have been rationing these outfits, trying to make them last, but today I finally dressed him in the last one. I smelled him as much as I could, knowing that after this day, I would no longer have that smell of home. I don't cry now, maybe because I was able to see my Mom so recently or maybe because I know we will be going home on our home service in about 5 months, or maybe I am too busy chasing around my two boys to have time to cry! Thank you Mom, for always taking the time to wash the clothes you bring/send to us - it means more to me than you'll ever know!

-Krista

The US Embassy and me

Some people think Americans have a privilege to go into any US Embassy in the world and feel right at home. While the US Embassy certainly does feel a lot like America (automatically flushing toilets imported from America, etc), citizens don't actually have any right to just go to the Embassy for a visit. The truth of the matter is that a regular old US citizen like me is pretty low on the priority list. I don't even know who our Ambassador is. I don't have a seat reserved on any evacuation plane should such an event become necessary although they will "assist" if possible. I don't get whisked out of the country through my Embassy if I break the law in Kenya. I don't have any pull with Kenyans trying to get Visas to America. And no, there's no McDonald's in Kenya - not even at the US Embassy cafeteria. But they do take care of us as much as they can for which we are wonderfully grateful.

This month we received our quarterly "American Citizen Services Newsletter" from the US Embassy in Kenya. Here's what our Embassy can do for us (pasted from the newsletter):

What Can Our American Citizen Services Unit Do For You? We Assist With the Following:

BIRTHS: We can issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which functions as an American birth certificate.

ARRESTS: We can visit you if you are arrested,  provide you with a list of lawyers, contact your family members or friends (with your permission), describe the trial process, and check on your welfare throughout your imprisonment.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:  We can help coordinate air evacuation, provide a list of hospitals or doctors, contact your family and friends (with your permission), and visit you in the hospital.  In some cases, we can help  arrange a loan for emergency medical care.

SENDING MONEY:  We can help your family  members or friends send emergency funds to you.

EMERGENCY RETURN TO THE U.S.: We can help Americans in distress find ways to return to the U.S.

DEATH:  We can notify the next of kin, help the family negotiate the disposition or possible repatriation of remains and personal effects, and assist with death certificates.

FEDERAL BENEFITS: We can act as liaison for your Social Security and Veteran Affairs benefits.

TAXES: We share information about filing U.S. taxes.

SELECTIVE SERVICES: We can help you enroll.

VOTING: We can help you with absentee voting.

NOTARY SERVICES:  We can provide notary services including notarization of affidavits.

PASSPORTS: We can process your application for passport renewal, add pages to your passport, or report and replace a stolen or lost passport.

TRAVELING AND LIVING IN KENYA:  We maintain information about Kenya at www.travel.state.gov  regarding safety, security,  Kenyan visa requirements and more.

CRISES:  We assist citizens during incidents of terrorism, civil unrest, or natural disasters.

Other Sources of Assistance

KENYAN VISAS: Only Kenya can allow you to enter the country. Contact Kenyan Immigration directly at +254 (0)2 222022 or dis.immigration@go.ke.

AMERICAN VISAS: E-mail our visa units at VisitorVisaNairobi@State.gov or ImmigrationVisaNarobi@State.gov

BUSINESS DISPUTES:  We can provide a list of Kenyan lawyers that may be able to help.

LOCAL SERVICES: We can give you a list of Kenyan hospitals, attorneys, and security firms. Please check the internet for your other service needs, such as banking and loan information, shipping, and document translation.

PAYMENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT: With your permission we can contact your friends and family to request their assistance.  

AUTHENTICATIONS: Please contact us about fraudulently obtained or forged U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.  For other document authentications, please contact the authority that issued them.

SCHOOLS OR BUSINESSES IN THE U.S.: The best source for information often comes from the institution    itself.  Please check their website as well as reputable rating institutions like the Better Business Bureau or U.S. News and World Reports.

FINGERPRINTS:  For fingerprinting related to petitions that are filed locally, please contact USCIS directly at USCIS.public@dhs.gov, or at +254 (0)20-363-6111.  For other U.S. Government fingerprinting matters, please  contact the U.S. Agency requesting them.  You can also have your fingerprints taken at any Kenyan police station.

RENEW OR REPLACE A DRIVER’S LISCENSE: Please contact the issuing authority directly. 

That's not too bad. I appreciate it and I've made use of several of these services for our family over the years. Thanks, Uncle Sam!

-Shauen

Birthday weekend is under way

Every few years my birthday (April 10th) falls pretty close to Easter. Which can be pretty cool except when my birthday is on Good Friday or Holy Saturday. That makes for an introspective day of celebration. But this year my birthday is just after Easter. Krista, being the awesome cook that she is, surprised me this evening with a special drink to kick off my, as she put it, "birthday weekend."

Krista made me a decaf caramel chocolate latte from scratch! That, of course, starts with making caramel from sugar and vanilla beans (in their pod, mind you). Then she has to make the chocolate sauce from cocoa powder and sugar. Then she whipped the cream. Then she added a decaf Starbucks Via (thank you, supporters from St. Andrew's-Cape Girardeau who bring us Starbucks). It was amazing. And I'm not disappointed in the least that she didn't make the decaf coffee from scratch too - I'm sure she could if she had to.

Yay Krista! Yay birthday weekend! What is she working on in the kitchen now? I'll keep you updated as the culinary masterpieces are presented.

-Shauen

Seriously? You forgot the butter!?!

Here's how the conversation might play out in the States:

Husband: I'm home from the store.

Wife (unpacking): Where's the butter? Did you forget the butter?

Husband: Um... They, uh, they didn't have any.

Wife: Seriously? You forgot the butter!?!? I was going to bake!

Husband: *sigh*

'Course, in Nairobi, it plays out completely different.

Husband: I'm home from the store.

Wife (unpacking): Where's the butter? Did you forget the butter?

Husband: They didn't have any.

Wife: *sigh* I'll find a substitute.

Last year Kenya was out of ketchup. For three months. Not that ketchup is an essential, mind you. But finding empty shelves happens remarkably often. It's like a super-efficient just-in-time supply chain except that it's often not-quite-in-time. The more remarkable thing, I guess, is that we do have access to ketchup or butter most of the time - not all of our co-workers across Africa have such privileges.  The consequences will stick with us for years to come - it's hard to resist keeping 5 bottles of ketchup in the larder. Just in case, you know?

-Shauen

Update on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 11:44AM by Shauen & Krista

Butter is once again available in Kenya! It's "rationed," limited to 2 packages per customer at the grocery store. But it's back. We were only out of butter for 3 weeks. It just happened to be an important 3 weeks.

Update on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 5:33PM by Shauen & Krista

Just to keep you up to date. The one day that we were able to get two blocks of butter from a friend was the only day butter was at the store. By the time we got to the store it was gone. About two weeks later I saw butter again - imported from England at nearly twice the price of the now non-existant local butter. But if you need butter, no price is too high (according to Krista, the chef and baker)!

This is not the site you're looking for

search terms that brought people to thetrumps.orgDear visitor to our website,

Thank you for using a search engine to find us. You may not realize it, but like most websites, our website logs "referrers" and search terms which is very useful for allowing us to see how people find us and get to our site. For example, a bunch of people get to our site by typing my name into Google - that makes sense, right? So, dear visitor, while you're most welcome, I'm sorry to be the one to inform you that this website won't tell you anything about Donald Trump's sons' hunting vacation in Africa. If you wonder how you got here after you searched for "photos of the trumps vacation to afraca" it's probably because there are Trumps in Africa, we do have photos, we do go on vacation from time to time, and frankly we've been here a lot longer than those other ones. But we're not the Trumps you're looking for. While you're here, though, look around a bit and make yourself at home. We've even got lots of pictures of us with animals when we were on vacation. But they're all nice and alive-like. Sorry. Oh, and you misspelled "Africa." As for you, other guy searching on "shauen the," it's eating me up what you were going to type before you accidentally hit enter: shauen the brave? shauen the really good husband and father? shauen the fierce? shauen the missionary to afraca? Maybe it's better we don't know. I might have had to make fun of your search too.

-Shauen

February Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of February 2012 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• General Medical Clinic
• Pastoral Leadership Institute - International
• Family Visits - Part II
• Photos in Focus: On Safari with Family

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For ongoing physical and spiritual healing for the patients seen at the General Medical Clinic in Menzamwenye
• For a safe journey to Ghana for a joint retreat with Lutheran Bible Translators

In Praise

• For a healthy and mutually beneficial partnership between St. Andrew’s and the ELCK
• For the  opportunity to go on safari with our family and see so much of God’s amazing creation
• For successfully navigating the Kenyan and American paperwork to procure Elijah’s US Birth Certificate, SSN, and Passport

  If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - February 2012 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

January Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of January 2012 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• One Year Later - A New Beginning
• Our Family Visits Kenya
• Preaching at the Arch-Cathedral
• Photos in Focus: The Trump Boys

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For relief from the administrative work currently occupying much of Shauen’s time
• For Josiah to continue to adapt well and sweetly to being a big brother
• That 2012 would be a year of rapid development in Shauen’s Swahili studies

In Praise

• For our Mom’s visits
• For the official paperwork completed thus far and the opportunity to put all things in order

  If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - January 2012 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

December Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of December 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Introducing Elijah Thomas Trump
• Bringing Partners Together
• Dedication of ELCK Hospital in Kisumu
• Photos in Focus: Elijah Thomas Trump

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For a safe recovery from delivery for Krista and Elijah
• For Josiah as he adapts to being a big brother
• For the developing partnership between Tanzania’s LCEA and Kenya’s ELCK

In Praise

• For Krista’s good health and the health of Elijah
• For Elijah’s baptism on Christmas Day—the greatest Christmas gift ever
• For the dedication of the ELCK’s new hospital

  If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - December 2011 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

November Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of November 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Why We Don't Own Property Here
• Thanksgiving
• Field Film
• Photos in Focus: Halloween and Thanksgiving

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For Krista and Baby Trump as we (hopefully) approach delivery in December
• For Krista’s Mom as she travels to Kenya to be with us and help with Josiah and the new baby

In Praise

• For Krista’s good health and the health of Baby Trump as he prepares for life outside the womb
• For a wonderful Thanksgiving and Halloween celebration so far from home
• That the huge expense of underpinning the foundation of our home is not our responsibility

  If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - November 2011 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

Field Film - Greeting and Update

October Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of October 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Kakuma Refugee Camp
• When There is no Road
• Congregations Planting Congregations
• Photos in Focus: Pokot, Turkana, and Kakuma

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For the safety and well-being of God’s people in Kakuma Refugee Camp
• For the people of Naurien, that God continue to encourage and sustain them
• For the continued growth and faith life of the congregation on the mountain top

   And we praise the Lord:

• For the successful visit of New Hope of Mooresville, NC
• For Krista’s good health and the health of Baby Trump as he prepares for life outside the womb
• For Shauen and the team’s safe travels to remote areas of Kenya in October

  If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - October 2011 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

September Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of September 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• ELCK Partner's Consultation
• Swahili Continues
• A Note from Josiah (21 months)
• Facts in Focus: The Swahili Language

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For a successful visit for a new Congregation Connect Partner, New Hope Mission Church of Mooresville, NC
• That the ELCK continue to grow and flourish as a church
• That we are able to have a recognizable and excellent Thanksgiving celebration

  And we praise the Lord:

• For Ruth, Shauen’s Swahili teacher
• For Krista’s good health and the health of Baby Trump as he prepares for life outside the womb
• For the Bible Study Krista recently began attending

 If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - September 2011 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

August Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of August 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Vacation Bible School on the Kenyan Coast
• Give Clean Water Now
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Photos in Focus: Josiah at VBS

Our prayer requests this month include:

• That the Gospel seed planted in the children who attended VBS be nurtured and flourish
• That the adults who heard of Christ and His works or saw a depiction of His Gospel in a film show come to faith
• That the burden be eased for those who walk miles to fetch water every day

  And we praise the Lord:

• For the success of St. Andrew’s first team trip to Kenya
• For the Spirit’s work in those who professed new belief in Christ and that they be encouraged in their new faith and protected from harm
• For the work and vision of givecleanwaternow.org

 If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - August 2011 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

July Field Notes Published

Field Notes for the month of July 2011 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Goodbye Jeff, Hello Tim and Megan
• Appreciating Our Volunteer Coordinator
• Pastoral Leadership Institute - International
• Finally Settling in to Nairobi
• Photos in Focus

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For our GEO missionary Jeffrey Ross as he returns to seminary in the United States
• For a successful orientation and beginning for our new GEO missionaries Timothy and Megan Dooms
• For a healthy pregnancy
• For a successful resolution to our ongoing conversation with the Kenya Revenue Authority

  And we praise the Lord:

• That Shauen has been able to begin language study again
• That we are able to stay in our current home and signed a good lease
• For the good work of Catherine, our Volunteer Coordinator

 If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - July 2011 (1.02Mb in PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

red24: Power Rationing

Red24 is our international personal security advice and response provider. They monitor security activity, incidents, and factors in the region that could have security implications. They then send notifications to their clients of any events that could jeopardize the client's security along with advice to optimize the client's personal safety. Red24 is but one of the ways LCMS World Mission keeps its people safe on the mission field. Today we received the following notification from red24:

Kenya: Authorities are set to impose rolling blackouts across parts of the country as of 27 July as a means of dealing with an ongoing energy supply crisis. The areas likely to be worst affected by the blackouts include the capital, Nairobi, as well as the Rift Valley province and western parts of the country where power rationing is scheduled to take place daily between 18:40 and 21:30. Areas in Nairobi to be particularly affected include the Baba Dogo area which will be subject to power rationing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; the industrial area on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and the North Rift area on Tuesdays and Fridays. Authorities further indicated the possibility of regular power outages in parts of western Kenya due to problems in transferring electricity to the area. Power rationing is set to remain in place until at least mid-September. A severe drought in East Africa has led to water shortages at some of Kenya's hydroelectric dams which are believed to be responsible for the bulk of the country's electricity supply. Clients in Kenya should anticipate disruptions to electronic-based services such as banking, fuel dispensing, internet and telecommunications. Furthermore, visitors to the country should be aware that the blackouts may increase levels of criminal activity, particularly in large urban centres such as the capital, Nairobi. As a precaution, travellers should refrain from walking alone after dark and ensure that their places of accommodation are secured at all times. For further information and/or advice call red24... 

Overall this is a fairly mild alert - we've received far more serious ones in the past. But it's never pleasant to hear you may be subject to planned power outages in addition to all the other ones!  -Shauen