Plan, Do, Check, Adjust

As we hit the 3 month mark here in Kenya it is a good time to reflect.  A few years ago, I was taught a simple way to reflect: Plan, Do, Check, Adjust.  So, let’s use that model and see how things are going!

There were a few things that we wanted to accomplish by selling our things and moving to Kenya.  I will list them below and then give an update on what has been done towards that item.  

1. Follow our dream to live abroad. ACCOMPLISHED!
1. For over 5 years we have talked about wanting to pack up and move our family abroad for a while.  This would accomplish a few things, many of which will be mentioned below.  As a point, I would mark this point as accomplished.
2. Spend more time with family. MUCH IMPROVED!
1. The last few years I have worked a lot, many weeks were spent with 70-80 hours of it being consumed with work.  In addition, I felt like “I always had to be on”, meaning connected.  Checking phone calls, messages, texts, emails, etc.  This was very much my own mismanagement and not the requirements of the job.  As we all know there are 24 hours in the day and with so many of my hours being dedicated to work, my family received less than they deserved and needed.  Being able to step away and not have a “job” has helped increase our family time together.  Time with my kids, time with my wife, time with my parents, all of these have increased dramatically.  In addition, I am actively trying to reteach myself time management so that I can keep a strong balance in my life.
3. Nourish existing international relationships and create new ones. IMPROVED!
1. Relationships are built with time.  There is nothing quite like a face to face cup of tea or bottle of beer to help create or strengthen a relationship.  This trip has helped build our relationships in Kenya and we have created new ones as well.  Unfortunately we had to leave many of our loved ones behind at home, but some of those have been strengthened as well by a letter or a package in the mail, text messages, Skype calls, emails and more.  
4. Build and live in a traditional mud home ACCOMPLISHED!
1. While it took more time and money than we planned, I am typing from inside of my mud home.  It is very nice and we love it.  We are very happy here and are making memories that will last a long time.
5. Homeschool our children PROGRESSING!
1. Jodie and I value life experiences an enormous amount!  Having said that we also value school learning.  Our trip has allowed us to do both and we love watching our children learn and grow.  Whether it be the upcoming safari, working on plants, discussing the weather, hiking, jump roping, or working on IXL for Math and Language Arts or Reading Leveled books from Reading A - Z our students are learning every day and we are playing a huge role in it.
6. I wanted to help others find projects they enjoy
1. Jodie
1. Women’s group (Freedom from Fistula)- Helped by meeting and discussing with them and provided money for them to purchase maize at wholesale and sell for a profit
2. SOAR-Kenya Academy- Jodie helps by volunteering two times per week.  She also has helped by connecting her friend who wanted to help to SOAR-Kenya and that paid for their high efficiency stove.
3. Jodie has worked with many of our neighbors by mudding our house and our neighbor’s house.
4. Jodie helped guide the travelers from YWAM Madison
5. Jodie has joined and helped with an international homeschooling group here in Kenya
2. Marquite
1. Marquite has helped by job shadowing and assisting our professionally trained chef.
2. Marquite has helped by volunteering at SOAR-Kenya and in the nearby community by working with and children.
3. Marquite has helped one of her friends go back to school by fundraising for his school fees.
4. Marquite is currently fundraising for another friend to go to college.
5. Marquite has planted hundreds of trees.
6. Marquite has helped mud our house
3. Natalie
1. Natalie helps at SOAR-Kenya twice a week
2. Natalie has led the charge on the planting thousands of trees
3. Natalie has helped to care for baby cows, grown cows, rabbits, chickens, goats, and our dog
4. Natalie has also helped our chef in the kitchen
5. Natalie has helped mud our house
6. Natalie loves to play with the kids at the local playground
4. Phillip
1. Phillip loves to play with the kids at the local playground
2. Phillip also loves to play with our animals especially our dog Nala and our rabbits: Jack and Winnie
3. Phillip has invited numerous kids over to play Legos with him and now has a whole room dedicated to Legos!
7. Planting Trees PROGRESSING
1. We have planted over 40,000 seeds which are progressing nicely and hundreds of seedlings which are also doing well.  Both at the International Village and around our community.  We hope to have thousands more seedlings soon as soon as the long rain season comes and stays for a bit.
8. Farming (Animals and Vegetables) LEARNING
1. One of our biggest challenges has been farming.  The weather is dry and watering takes an enormous amount of money and effort.  Our cows are hungry and the feed is very expensive because it is the dry season.  Our baby cow fell down the well and died.  Our eggs in the incubator never hatched and the person who sold it to us has left us high and dry.  Many of our chicks have died for numerous reasons. And more…  However, there are also positives: our kids have learned to love and care for animals.  They see the work that it takes to care for animals and understand that sometimes animals die.  They see water as a valuable resource and not as something that just comes out of the kitchen sink.  They see food as a resource that takes time and effort to grow and not just something we get at the grocery store.  
9. Develop the International Village
1. We have made many improvements to the IV compound:
1. Finished cementing the banda floor
2. Created an oven plaza with a mud oven and a small sitting area
3. Constructed a large mud house
4. Planted hundreds of more trees
5. Added a pump to the well and solidified water access with two sources
6. Added a small fenced in area for the chicken coops
7. Improved the fence with calialia
8. Added a door to the kitchen
9. Added another table to the banda and numerous benches and shelves throughout the IV
10. Added rainwater collection stands and barrels to the kitchen and banda
11. Added a tree nursery (again)
12. Added a gate to the shamba
13. Completed a well cover
14. Hosted two parties from AirBnb (4 different countries represented: Uganda, Egypt, Denmark, and Austria)
15. Hosted a missionary group from the US (7 different states represented)
10. Take my family on safari SCHEDULED!
1. I am so excited to have my family and especially my kids in the van for a 3-day Masai Mara safari!  I cannot wait to see their reaction when they see their first Lion or Cheetah, Hippo, and herd of Elephants.  I am excited to hear their questions and have discussions about the nature that surrounds us!

Wow, that sure seems like a lot.  I would also like to say, that this by no means is an all inclusive list of what we have done.  I have tried to keep it to our original plan to see how we are doing.  Other things that people may be wondering about: 1) We have not been able to do as much green technology projects than we originally planned and 2) Money is being spent at a faster rate than originally planned.

Having planned, done or are doing, and now checked the plan it is time to adjust or re-plan.  What is next?  What will the next few months bring?  Here are a few things that we are looking forward to:

1. More time with family, more time learning together, continued farm learning, etc.
2. Planning a re-entry into American life
1. Return date
2. Job
3. Schooling questions for Natalie and Phillip
4. Adapting what we have learned for American life
3. Are we able to revisit other places we have helped in the past: Sri Lanka, Pierce City MO, Joplin MO, Moore OK, Houston, New Orleans, etc

In closing, know that we are very happy with how things are going.  We love Kenya, the weather, our friends, and of course the adventures.  We also certainly miss some of the things back home especially our family, friends, and comfortable surroundings.  As we consider: What Next?  We will work hard to be true to our faith, consider our family and friends, and function within our financial restraints.  I wrote an email a week or so ago and it had something like a personal mission statement, so we will also consider that in our decision making process.  I will close with that:

I want to be the Christian husband, father, and son that God has intended me to be, to empower others to realize and pursue their purpose in their lives, to build and nourish global friendships, and leverage these friendships to show love to people across the globe.

Thanks for your continued support and love,

Phill and the Klamm Fam