Bossman...

Yes, it's the long awaited blog entry on bossman, better known as Kendell Kauffeldt, Country Director of SP Liberia (oh, and my husband for the past 19 years...!!!someone give that man an award!).  This is Kendell's 7th year as the CD of SP Liberia-I think he is the longest standing CD that SP has and maybe ever has had!  So who is this larger than life CD?  I have not mentioned him very often in my blog-but he is running in the 10km (I signed him up...with his permission of course!), and is the leader of SP Liberia.  Here are a few facts about bossman:

• Born in Kitwe, Zambia grew up in Zimbabwe as a missionary kid-went to MK school, rift valley academy in Kenya for his jr./sr. year.
• Likes his hamburgers with only cheese and mayo...
• Unfortunately, he is a fan of Liverpool, NY Giants, Toronto Maple leafs and the NY Knicks...(don't even get me started on his team selections!)
• He will break out in some old Pentecostal chorus at random times during devotions...
• He has a metal plate and 5 screws in his ankle and only 1/3 of his left kidney...
• At one point in his life he could dunk a basketball!
• He is a Gaither's fan and of the 80's band Boston...

Ok, that gives you a little picture into this complex yet laid back guy. Kendell is a gifted leader-I don't say this because I am his wife, I say this because I hear it from other people.  He works long hours, cares deeply for our staff, and most important is focused on the vision of what SP is doing here in Liberia.  He can often be heard saying "My goal is that through our SP projects every person in Liberia (that is 3.6 million) would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel"  When he first said this-I thought, dude, you're nuts!! We are just a small organization how can we reach everyone? Well, 7 years later our SP projects have directly impacted over 1 million people in Liberia...I guess he is not nuts but just has a lot more faith than I did!

Bossman at work

Kendell and exercise...hmmm...well, lets just say oil and water get along better.  Kendell was and is a great athlete.  Growing up in Zimbabwe he played rugby, cricket and basketball-he was even awarded one of the highest basketball awards for all of Zimbabwe.  At MK school in Kenya-his rugby powers are legendary as were his basketball skills.  At University he played varsity basketball-and then a couple of years after he graduated from University he coached the women's varsity basketball team.  One year-he had the girls do an intense off season workout program.  He told them-"If you are discipline and do this I will do it with you"  I almost fell out of my chair...BUT he did!  In about 3 months he lost 40-50 pounds!  Mercy!  He dropped to just over 200 pounds!  As many, of you know Kendell is a big guy-standing almost at 6'5" and weighs probably in the area of 260lbs.  Good thing he is a 'gentle' giant :)

I like it when Kendell runs and exercises-not because I think he should lose weight because really, for his size he only needs to loose a few more pounds, but it's for his health.  I want him to be healthy-I know the stress of his work- and I know that exercising can help him with that-he might say it doesn't-but it does!  I also want him to be around for while-to be able to play with our sons when they are older-and even his grandkids (gulp!).  We are so opposite in so many ways-exercise being one of them for sure!  Sports, we love-my knowledge of sports is what attracted him to me, (must of been because it wasn't my looks!) and we still argue about who knows more about sports...I totally do by the way.  But when it comes to actually 'playing' sports-well that's where our paths part..

Running in the wind and rain!

Training for the day done!! The man can sweat-oh!

I asked Kendell a couple of questions this morning in regards to the SP Liberia staff running and our projects. 

Bev:  Bossman, what do you think of our staff starting to run and running in the Aug. 28th race?
Kendell: "Wow! I am surprised they have gotten on board like they have and I am proud of them for doing this - it's been great team builder!"
Bev: How have you seen SP Liberia projects help Liberians recover from war?
Kendell:"It has helped Liberians in 2 ways, the first being the impact spiritually: new believers, pastors being trained, churches being empowered these projcets have had an incredible impact on the country.  Physically, income generation through our livelihood programs, women being able to read through our literacy programs, our WASH and health projects...the impact has been massive-and I am sure we will never know just how much SP has impact the lives of post-war Liberians."

This morning as Kendell did 2 laps (5km) in the early morning wind and rain I was impressed, two weeks ago he wouldn't have said he couldn't run 2 laps.  Unlike me, he doesn't enjoy running-which makes it even more impressive that he is running!  This morning as he was leading staff devotions he told everyone that he was praying the the Lord would come back before Aug. 28th so he wouldn't have to run...I just shook my head, good grief!  HA!  Oh well, you gotta love the bossman for trying,  for his committment to SP and our staff- and still leading by example after all these years.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Team SP look'n good!

Team SP is ready! Well I hope so :)  Today we had a team picture with our Team SP shirts on-everyone who was registered got a shirt.  Of course as soon as some staff saw the cool shirts they wanted to register for the race...right...so I told them they have to register for the race first-then maybe get a shirt!!  Everyone got their shirt put them on, then we took some pictures-then I collected them all back-that's right everyone gets their shirt back on race day at the starting line!! 

36 of the 70 SP staff running on the 28th!

The excitement is growing as the staff ran around like kids with their new shirts!!  After the photo shoot it was training time!  Almost everyone went out to do their laps around ELWA...

Heading out for the training run!

It has POURED all day, I mean build an Ark type of tropical rain storm.  However, when it was time to our training run the rain stopped and the running began.  After everyone got done their training run, including bossman and yours truly, it started to rain again!

These next 2 weeks are going to fly by-and soon it will be race day.  Before then, I hope to share with you more about our staff and our projects.  Our office is one of the largest field offices that SP has-with over 300 Liberian staff and approx. 15 ex-pat staff members and over 35 projects!  When we first arrived in 2005, the office was in our house and we had 3 staff-and I think 3 projects.  There is no way we would be where we are today with out God and without the staff that you see in that picture.  They are some of the hardest working people I know-and have been through so much.  God led them to SP-and is using them each day-what a privilege to be a part of!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia



Same distance-different runners...

A marathon is 26.2 miles.  No matter how you look at it a marathon is not a marathon unless the distance is 26 miles 385 yards.  It wouldn't be a marathon if it was 25 miles, no, it is 26.2 no more and no less.  Although the marathon's distance of 26.2 miles is the same-the runners who run it are all different.  Runners jog or walk up to the starting line, confident, scared, relaxed, worried, calm or excited-every runner is different. Every runner runs for different reasons, to loose weight, to accomplish a goal, to raise money for a cause-everyone has their own reasons.  As every runner gathers at the starting line, heart pounding, mind focused, we all bring our reasons, our feelings and our story with us. 

I have shared on this blog, many times why I run-and recently I have shared why some of our staff are running.  Today I want to tell you about our other marathon runner-Samuel Tedoe.  Tedoe (as we at SP Liberia call him) is one of our many amazing Liberian staff.  He has been with SP Liberia for a few years and is one of the most reliable drivers and overall staff members that we have.  He drives over some of the most challenging, brutal roads on this earth!  But he does more than just drive-whatever project he is driving for he always helps-if we are off checking on our project sites talking with beneficiaries-Tedoe is there helping with translation or anything else-he know what it means to serve.

Tedoe the trusty driver and amazing runner!

Tedoe comes to the marathon starting line with a story that is unlike any other SP runner. Tedoe did not leave Liberia during the 14 year civil war-he stayed and endured the fear that we have never experienced of literally running for your life.  In 1990, when he was just 16 years old, he and his brother, his brother's wife and his brother's aging mother in law fled from the intense fighting in Monrovia.  They decided to go towards Kakata-approx. 45 miles NE of Monrovia.  There were no cars available and so they were going to have to go by foot-however, the elderly lady would never be able to make the distance.  So Tedoe put the lady in a wheel-barrel and pushed her the 45 miles to Kakata.

If that was not hard enough-when they arrived there was a rebel checkpoint at the entrance of the town.  Tedoe had collected limes from a lime tree on the way to help keep the elderly lady hydrated.  He had put them in his pocket and as he approached the checkpoint rebels asked him to empty his pockets to search him.  When they saw the limes they got very upset and accused him of stealing and started to threaten him.  The checkpoint was at the top of a hill that leads into Kakata-they made Tedoe roll down the hill, back up again, and roll down again and again as they kicked him in the back and stomach-threatening to kill him. As rebels were discussing whether or not they should kill him, a rebel leader arrived and told them not to kill Tedoe.  He had said to Tedoe, "We won't kill you-but you have to take this old lady with you!"  Tedoe said he would.  They let them go.  Tedoe was able to hire a car and go with his family south, to Grand Bassa to their home where the war was not as bad.

45 miles.  Running/walking as he pushed a lady in a wheel barrel. Fleeing for their lives.  I have never had to literally run for my life. Never. And I pray I never have to-I pray no one has to especially Tedoe.  21 years later-Tedoe, with a smile on his face can't wait to run the marathon. Tedoe is a strong man of faith and his life is a testament to his trust in God.

26.2 miles the same distance Pheidippides ran in 490 BC to tell of victory of a war. 26.2 miles-the same distance Tedoe-who survived a war- will run on Aug. 28th. I guess some runners are similar-Samuel Tedoe and Pheidippides both running from war...who would have thought.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Change...

Change.  Ok, let's be honest-everyone who LIKES change raise their hand.  Seriously, we all know that change is inevitable but not easy!  I am not a huge fan of change, I get set in my ways and unless I HAVE TO for the betterment of the planet or my over all life-I will not change.  Case in point...last week I had to change email addresses for work, which meant opening and using the microsoft outlook icon that has been in cyber slumber on my desktop.  Ugh...However, I am blessed with a techie friend, Joni, who was willing to walk through the painful steps with me.  Poor Joni...she had no idea that I would turn into a groaning, grumpy, kicking, complaining, deep sighing 30 something-who was acting like a 5 year old who didn't want to put a dress on for church (flashback!).  But I did it...(well, Joni did really :).  In her words "Bev, you really don't like change do you!"

Change plays a huge role in our projects.  How?  Our projects are guiding people through the many different changes that they are going through since the end of the war.  Changing behaviors towards water and sanitation, changing attitudes towards woman and learning, changing farming practices to yield more rice, changing attitudes towards donating blood, these are just some of the changes our projects are bringing to Liberia.

Changing health and hygiene behaviors..

Changing the attitude towards donating blood!  SP staff member Danielle and I donating at the recent Monrovia blood drive.

As we all know change takes time.  There have been many stories of how people's attitudes have changed, like the village who forgave the rebel who had burnt their community (see earlier blog 'The power of forgiveness').  But that change comes from God changing people's hearts-and that is the true change that we want to see throughout Liberia.  A change of heart.  Last night I overheard President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (on our security guards radio) say:

         "The change we must make must begin in our hearts"

True change comes from within-how many times have we heard that?  Even though it just sounds like another 'saying' it is true-unless we have a change of heart-it will be hard for us to change our actions.

Training is going AWESOME!  This weekend Jeremy Kilday is down for our monthly program managers meeting. Jeremy is the project manager for our construction project at African Bible College University, in Yekepa.  I had a chance to to talk to him about the race-he is running the marathon-and the changes he has made to train and the changes he has seen at ABC University (one of our SP projects). 

Bev: What made you want to run the marathon?

Jeremy: This is my first marathon.  There are a few reasons I decided to run in this race.  I’ve thought about running one before but never thought the timing was right.  I’ve wanted to run it to see how mentally tough it actually is.  I tend to try to test myself and my resolve whenever I get the chance.

What it came down to for the Liberia Marathon was my staff.  I am working with over 60 guys.  They are hard workers and have earned my respect time and time again.  Several of them are working to raise money to go to school.  While running one evening,  I thought the marathon would a way to raise support to help those who had passed the entrance exam to attend ABCU.  It is something I can do to show my appreciation for their hard work and give them something back for the time they had given to re-build the University.

Bev:What are some of the changes you had to make to train for the marathon?
Jeremy: There have been a few changes that have taken place to help me train-including a better diet and focus on my daily and weekly schedule.  The major change I have had to make is my mornings.  Instead of rolling out of bed in time for devotions, I am up before 6am and getting ready to go for my run.  Once the sun comes up, I am off with one of our current students, Samuel, who will be running with us on the 28th.  That brings me to another change...I have gone from encouraging Samuel to keep going our first week running together, to trying to stay in step with his pace!

Bev: What are some of the changes you have seen at ABCU?
Jeremy: The changes at ABC are pretty big.  On Aug. 28th the same day of the race, the University will start all four classes, Freshman to Senior for the first time since before the war. The campus has come from destruction to reconstruction-and now into a phase of growth and expansion.  I'm glad to be a part of this phase and to see the excitement of what possibilities the future holds for the University, the students and the staff.

Change is not easy.  But when we have a change that starts in the heart-it can be easier. We can't change people only God can. God is using the staff of SP Liberia to bring change to Liberia-to transform and change the hearts of people!

I will be posting more pictures of our staff in training and of Jeremy as he tackles his 20 mile training run on Saturday!  Stay tuned...

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Time to Re-Focus...

We are more than half-way through 2011.  WOW!!!  Do you ever feel like you have to re-focus half-way through a year?  Upon returning from vacation, we definitely did-it was time to re-focus on the big and little things, so we could finish the year strong!

Keeping things in focus...SP Communications legends-Ryan Smith and our own Joni Byker!

For me the little things are like, flossing my teeth every night before bed and eating a healthy breakfast.  The big things are, re-focusing on my PhD so I can finish it by the first week of Oct., planning a new training schedule, organizing and preparing for the work I have this fall (3 teams and 4 visitors from Aug 24th-Oct. 5th!) and of course re-focusing on our projects and the work that our amazing SP Staff is doing.  Many of our staff have just returned from home leave or vacation and feel re-focused and ready for the last few months of 2011. 

Everyone at SP Liberia is re-focusing-project managers are meeting with staff to encourage the progress that has been made and discuss what is left to do- we are going to be having a couple of 'staff retreats' to help our staff focus spiritually, looking back at how God has blessed us this year-and looking forward and committing the rest of the year into His hands.  Re-focusing means getting back to the main reason we do what we do and making sure that in the midst of the busy work schedule we don't loose that focus.

Re-focusing on the reason we do what we do-the future of Liberia!

(check out the kid in the Habs (Montreal Canadiens) shirt!)

I feel a sense of renewed energy when I re-focus on the little and big things.  It motivates me to do everything better including train!  Our team run on Friday went great!  I was so encouraged to see our staff out running more and more laps!  Even Isaac did 2.5 miles with mom!  It was also great to see and talk with Jeremy about his marathon training.  It is going really well and Praise the Lord he hasn't had any serious injuries to hinder his training.  I want to thank all those who know Jeremy and gave to our SP Liberia team-he has been a great addition to our team and I can't wait for him to experience the satisfaction of finishing a marathon!

Pastor David Owen (SP Ministry team) focusing on the road ahead...

Re-focus.  Sometimes it means just stepping back and seeing the big picture of why you do what you do-and for who are you doing it for...As we enter August and the last month before the race-team SP Liberia is focused to continue to train hard for our projects-but most of all for the people of Liberia.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia



Don't mess with the ladies of Finance!

Before I left for holidays I was trying to think of who I could leave in charge of our Wed. afternoon exercise/run and the Friday afternoon run.  I didn't have to look to far-just down the hallway to the finance office to Dorothy and Debbie! They both have a very difficult job as they help keep us on budget and keeping after us if we are late getting our receipts or reports in! These two fine ladies have been a great encouragement to me and our staff-they can often be heard singing praise and worship songs, leading songs in devotions and recently helping out in our exercise program!

Dorothy/Debbie on a Friday run

Before I left I had a chance to interview them.  Here are a few 'snip its' of what they had to say.

Bev: Dorothy, why do you like doing exercise and running?
Dorothy: I like to keep fit.  Before I would walk up the stairs and be soooo tired, now I feel fine.
Bev: Did you exercise in the past?
Dorothy: I used to exercise a lot in highschool, but haven't since then-almost 20 years!
Bev: What does it mean to you to be part of team SP and helping raise funds for projects here?
Dorothy: I want to be able to help the less fortunate in Liberia who need our help. 
Bev:  What is your favorite SP Liberia program?

Dorothy: My favorite program is the WASH program.  When I see people drinking dirty, unsafe water it's not good.  When I go to the base office in Bopolu I always drink from the water filter because I know the water is good to drink.

Dorothy having fun in the kitchen!

Debbie is also one of our leaders in the finance office-she is full of life and loves to tease us!  Here is what she had to say about exercise and running for team SP Liberia:

Bev: What is the best thing about running?
Debbie:  I love to run because it takes away the stress of the day.
Bev: Did you play a lot of sports when you were younger?
Debbie: Yes, I used to play basketball when I was in highschool
Bev: What does it mean for you to run for team SP Liberia?
Debbie: It is really important for us to generate funds for those who are in real need and to be able to share the Word of God. 
Bev: What is your favorite SP project?
Debbie: I love the animal, small ruminant, projects.  Like the goat husbandry program-I love seeing the goats jumping around they seem happy!

Debbie hard at work!

Both of these ladies work extremely hard for our office.  Without them we would be in a lot of trouble!  Not only are they hard workers and keep our finance office in tact, they are incredibly encouraging and full of joy.  We are so blessed to have them part of our team!  While I was gone, everyone has kept up with their training and they look great!  Much thanks to Debbie and Dorothy for keeping them all on track and motivated!  Now they have to get my butt back on track-as I didn't run as much as I would have liked!

I can't wait to get back to training and writing more about our wonderful staff.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Everybody needs a little holiday...

Yes, not very often that we take a holiday all the way back to B.C. Canada-but we needed it (well Kendell did for sure!) and our boys have not enjoyed a Salmon Arm summer for 7 years!  However, the cold rainy weather greeted us...ugh-but that's ok-still great to rest a little and see family.  I even took a little time to rest and not run...well, I did run after my nephews as we played football!  And today I went for a run with my sister and my nephew Coleman (a good little runner too!).  Here are some photo's of our time.

Auntie Joni joined us for s few days-racing with the boys!

Cole and I stretching...

McGuire and Hanna running under a stretching Auntie!

Cole with his running medal from a race he entered!

Ready to go!! Love running with the family!

Our family keeps very active-my brother's boys are in basketball and hockey camp this week and they also run for their school.  In the winter all of the kids (Yeiko has 4 and Daron 4!) except the youngest 2 play hockey.  I love being able to play catch, throw a ball, skate and most of all RUN with all of my nephews and nieces!

Looking forward to getting back to Liberia and get back to training and see how the SP Liberia team is doing with their training.  I left the finance ladies, Debbie and Dorothy in charge!  I will be highlighting the two of them on my next entry.  Today or this weekend if you get a chance run with a kid it's fun and freeing!!!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia