Karibu!
It means "welcome" here in Kenya.
Have you ever gotten into something, and understood the main idea,
but not the details? Spiritually, at this point that is how this last week has
been. I got to experience A LOT of Africa in the last few days. It was moment
to moment and wonderful for each part of it; however, as I am now thinking
about what to share, it is difficult to covey each thought God put into my head
during the last few days. The cool thing about God is He lets you learn by
living. This week I got to see some of the most beautiful habitats and some of
the worst. I was enthralled by the beauty of the rainforest, and broken over
the living conditions of the poor, but in all of the scenery around me, I came
unbelievably close to missing the theme found in all the details. Out of all the
animals, plants, landscapes, and tin shacks, everyday, we stare at the most
beautiful, chosen works of art by Our Father: Humans. All of what God made is
good, but the humans are His chosen, holy, and beloved masterpieces. It’s hard
to grasp sometimes. And sometimes we’d rather praise God for the mountains
majesty rather than the beauty in His reflected image, but wow, what a great
God! He chose us. I suppose the best attitude to associate with any situation
is one of gratitude. Our God does big things and little things. Let us shout
praise to His name for the life He gives each and every one of us on Earth and
the Life He gives in Christ Jesus.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen
people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience.”
-Colossians 3:12
“Simple
gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day.”
-Harriet Crosby-
“Blessed be the Lord, who
daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah”
-Psalm 68:19 NKJV
A lot has transpired over the last week of my adventures to and in
Kenya, so this is just a brief and objective summary this week. I hope that as
I begin to get settled and God provides new opportunities that you will see His
great work changing me and the people here as I write. For this first one, it is
not as personal as it is informative, so please forgive me. Also, the Kenyan ladies have asked me to speak at one of their retreats on July 21st, so if you have any stories or suggestions for a lesson, I would be blessed by you sharing what you have learned. Love you all in
Jesus so very much!
Monday-Wednesday:
I flew from ABQ, NM ---> St. Paul, MN ---> Amsterdam,
Netherlands ---> Nairobi, Kenya
3 Continents in 3 days = a lot of rejuvenating sleep on planes and
unlimited chances to invent new forms of self entertainment. I hope you know
which activity is dripping with sarcasm. Yes, it is only one of the two
(LOL)....Anyways I made it safely to Nairobi on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday:
My friend from Kenya who is associated with CRF picked me up from
the airport early that morning. My connecting flight to Kisumu was a good 10
hours away, so we got on the bus and went into the city. We ran a few errands
downtown and then went to my friend's university. I tried my first Kenyan
dishes, chapati and bahiji. They were interesting haha. We left school to go
back to the airport, but because of political events and protestors, our
mototu (spelling?), small crammed van, got stuck in a 3 hour long traffic
jam. I missed my flight by 2 hours, and had to get a hostel in Nairobi. I
didn't sleep much that night, but Thursday I did catch a quick morning flight
to Kisumu.
Thursday:
I got into Kisumu! My host family and the main missionary family
with CRF were out of town, so Cody an intern from Atlanta teaching at the
orphanage day school came and helped me get settled in. We then went into the
Nylenda slum to visit the school. A combination of the smells and the sights
were similar to what I had read about, but visually I had no past reference to
compare to this kind of poverty. We maneuvered around the streams of waste in
the middle of the rocky road until we got to a fenced off compound where the
school, clinic, and church of Ringroad/CRF ministries is located. The kids were
in uniform and out playing. They were quick to greet us monzungus (white
people) and it was great for me to meet many of the kids and staff, too.
Friday:
The next morning Cody and I went back to Ringroad for the game day
with the kids. I had the most fun playing games with them, and teaching them
new games and songs. They had endless questions about the United States. We
played for a long time, and then took a street boy to Agape Ministies for Boys.
They take in kids abandoned on the street and take care of them and introduce
them to Jesus.
Saturday:
Cody, me, and friends went to another town called Kakamega to
explore the rainforest there. It was awesome! We climbed a mountain to look
down onto the forest, journeyed through thick brush to discovered waterfalls,
and got stranded in a hut in the African bush. We ate fresh cut sugar cane and
sat in the mud huts to keep from getting wet while the boys went to find a way
out of the forest. Then we all stayed in a hostel and hung out in the local
places with our Kenyan friends. It was a lot of fun.
Sunday:
Today, I got back from Kakamega and finally got to meet my host
family. We had a relaxing lunch, and took Jasmine who is 4 to swim. I am
excited about this new week ahead and the rest of the summer.
