Archives
December 2006
Dec. 29, 2006 - newyearcoming |
 Here we are, waiting for the New Year to come! Who knows what blessings it will bring. I'm reflecting on the past year, and hoping that this new one will turn out better for us all. 
We've had a slow down in real estate here, but it looks like after the New Year, things will be picking up again. Interest rates are still single digit and better than last year at this time. Buyers should be happy! Sellers will need to be realistic in their pricing now, as the market has shifted. They will see appreciation, but not as much as it has been in the past few years, in my view.
We've had some sickness in the family, and a recent death, but mostly we can look back and find we've been happy about our situation in life. Are we planning any changes? I'd say yes, but when life interjects it's self on you, who knows what you'll end up doing! That plan may just be out the window. Sometimes it's a nice surprise that comes your way, sometimes not. It's always a surprise!
 One thing for sure, some one will be taking a ride in the St. Louis RE/MAX balloon in 2007! The winner will be notified on New Year's Day and if they accept it, I'll be updating everyone on this blog. If they don't want to participate, it will go to the next person chosen in the random drawing.
I wish you all Good Luck, Health, Happiness and a Prosperus New Year! |
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Dec. 18, 2006 - Christmas In Africa |
What would it be like to have 119 roommates, rice and beans practically every day, clothes that hardly fit with holes every where and be the happiest person in the world because someone came to visit you? This is just a taste of what it’s like at the Children’s Orphanage. This trip Ihave been trying to organize for about 2 months came and went. There were a total of 6 of us that brought clothes, coloring packages and some other tid-bits like gum and plastic rings (thanks Aunty Karen and Cous Dani).
We went to give them gifts for Christmas and they were the happiest kids just for the smallest of things. And if you had a free hand, they would come and grab it and hang on to you as tight as possible. I met a little girlnamed Jane, and we played with a tire pushing it back and forth with each other.
There was also a little boy although I never got his name. He grabbed both of my hands, climbed up my legs and did a flip off of me. When the other kids saw this they came over and were pushing each other out of the way like they didn’t want to share me. It was time for lunch and the other kids went, but this particular boy would have done it all day if we didn’t force him to go eat. Although we couldn’t communicate because of the language barrier, I think laughter was a universal language that day :o) I think these kids had a great time although I’m sure they will forget us because I
think they get visitors every so often. I’m okay with that, but my
point is I know I will not forget them as they have made a bigger impact on my life than I think I will be able to make on theirs.
Seems like a majority of the work I have put in to some of the
ministries has not been able to be used. This is a frustration but a common thing in a 3rd world country. Some of the work Krystle and I did at TULIP was not able to be used because of computer problems. It has been a bit frustrating, but I am learning to just accept and be patient. And it’s not all bad as I’m sure TULIP will be able to use the things we did for another time. The display I spent time putting together was never able to be used because it was too windy the day we went to Nairobi Chapel with the girls to promote their work to support raise for the girls to go to school. Even the
plans for the orphanage were tweaked due to our transportation circumstances (we got there about and hour and a half late). It’s things like these that is teaching me patience.
Krystle and I went to get our visas renewed and got to experience (yet again) “Kenyan authority system” but this time we were favored. When we went to Tanzania they stamped my passport 2 months and hers 3 months. So actually Krystle was okay ‘till January but not me...YIKES! But what this lady did was renew my visa for a month (with out making me pay) and I have to go back in January with Krystle. She even renewed it for a month and 3 days saying, “you came back on the 16th” which was absolutely not true but saying it out loud as if stating a fact for us all to believe. In my head I
was saying, “keep it shut, keep it shut” as for me and Krystle not to
spoil my “Irish luck.” Supposedly every thing should be fine when I return in a month, but since the system works however they want it to according to however they feel that day I’m a bit nervous. Please pray it all works out okay in January with no hassles or problems.
I’ve been mixed up in my days and actually been thinking this last
week, “I don’t want to return home back to working.” I have been enjoying this time off since everything has basically shut down for 2 weeks for everyone has gone home to “shags” for Christmas. We aren’t going to Yoland’s or Bob’s shags, we will be in Nairobi. Krystle and I have been to a couple of “end of the year” parties for Lifespring and CCP. Pastor Bob is kind of like my Kenyan dad and one day I was getting a bit of a lecture (but a real kind and small of a deal one) on “minimizing mistakes.” I accidentally took a picture of the airport (we are staying at Airport View and Wilson Airport is
behind the house…it’s the busiest airport in East Africa and you know I love to watch the planes) so I was told I was lucky to not have another Tanzania/Kenya border experience. Anyway, I think I may have had another “need to minimize my mistakes” experience at the Lifespring party. I was sitting with Pastor Bob and Gabriel (he is another staff member) and respect is a very important thing here, especially with Pastors. Example: I can call Pastor Bob, “Mr. Bobby, Bob, Mr. B,” basically anything I want at home.
But I definitely can not call him anything but Pastor Bob at church! So at the lunch party I said to Pastor Bob, “do you wanna roll” and he looked at me in confusion cuz I guess it was all jumbled together “doyouwannaroll.” They like to make fun of the way I talk all the time. But he finally gotit and said jokingly, “we say ‘Do. You. Want. A. Bun? We call them buns.’”
So my genius, very respectful mind responds with a mouth full of bread, “in America we call these buns” as I am rubbing my right butt cheek. Oopsies!
I can’t believe Christmas is a week away. Still, it does not feel like itbut I am looking forward to spending it with Bob, Yoland and their very dear family. I think we may be going to one of the national parks or something.
The day after Christmas Krystle and I will be heading to Masai Mara (not sure how to spell that) but we are going on a Safari to one of the best places!!! And then we will be going to the coast. I am looking forward to that. Next time I write I will get to tell you all about the lions and zebras and hopefully cheetahs that I saw :o) I wish you all a Merry Christmas with special times with your loved ones! God bless you all and Happy New Year as well.
Travel safely and baraka sana!!!
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Dec. 8, 2006 - Week 1 in December Africa |
Happy December to you all!
It feels like it’s been forever…hope you are doing very well! I have good and bad news. The good news is I did not have to go to camp. The bad news is I feel bad about it (of course)! The 2,500 shillings the youth had to come up with was not possible for all of them, plus some other details about the place we were supposed to go did not work out.
I got up enough strength to go down to Kenyatta Market and interact
with the street boys. It actually happened like this. One night I was walking to Pastor Bob’s house and a boy was asking me to sponsor him (to go to school).
I didn’t want to just hand him money so I kept walking. He then said
he was hungry so I bought him a loaf of bread and milk. The next day as I decided I was going to Kenyatta Market with a purpose, I came across this same boy (Peter). I was so excited to see him, and I think him to see me. “Do you remember me” he asked. I told him I was going in to Fairlane (a small supermarket) to buy food for all the street boys and he wanted to assist me. The whole time he was trying to communicate he was hungry but did not want food, he wanted shoes!!! I didn’t get it ‘till half way thru our shopping. We delivered the food to the street boys (and girls, but mostly boys). At first everyone was so excited…I wish you could have seen their faces. They were giving me thumbs up and five and came over to greet me. But then I was really sad when they started fighting over the food. Peter tried to get everyone to get in a line to get the food but it got too crazy and dangerous and said it was best to just let them be. My prayer was that they would know that was from God as that is the whole reason I am here and how I got here. So then was the next stop: Peter’s shoes. He knew exactly where they were and what he wanted as he was eyeing them for a long time, but never could afford them. His friend came with us but was so high off glue (I could smell it this time), could barely walk or even say 3 words. As we walked (to Kibera – the slum behind where I stayed) he told me a bit about him and I told him a bit about me. He is 17, lives with his older brother who sometimes washes cars for a job and sometimes doesn’t make enough to pay rent (in Kibera). He wants to be a pilot or business man but has not started high school cuz he has no money to go. He does not know where his parents are or if they are alive, they left him when he was a small child. As we got closer to where the shoes were you could tell he was getting so excited as he began to walk faster (and Kenyans walk so slow).
They were very nice and stylish. Thank you for being a part of this with me, as he would not have shoes with out you! He had a smile from ear to ear and just kept thanking me. It is so frustrating here to see the cycle of poverty…there is so much need and I want to help but sometimes it just seems not enough…like the need is greater than the help offered. I hope I run in to Peter again.
To be smart here means you are pretty and getting hit on. Sometimes I
hear, “you are so smart!” So you can get “the eye,” you can get, “madam, sista, how are you, come greet me” (yet still ignoring them) “why don’t you look at me?” “Are you married, you need a black husband.” Basically, these guys come up with anything to say to you.
There was a woman’s conference we went to. On the way there it was
just me,Krystle, the tao and matatu driver. They decided to pull over and take a “weewee” stop. So I got in my brilliant mind (told you I was smart, haha) to get in the drivers seat…I started honking the horn and to see these guys’ faces as they were peeing in the distance was priceless. They came running over, the driver was telling me to scoot over but they were laughing too. Then as we left I turned up the radio as if it was my car and gave them some hand sanitizer!!!
There is a gecko in the Niemeyer’s house that I was told “it is your
friend” as it eats the mosquitos. I’ve seen it before and then I saw a baby one. There is not 1, there are many!!! The baby was on the floor of my bathroom (I don’t know why all the lizards are attracted to my room) and I decided to get into a cup and ask Krystle if it was indeed a gecko or could I throw it out. She told me it was a gecko and to just leave it. So then I was thinking, “I’m not keeping it in my room” so I took it downstairs and dropped it on the floor in the living room. As I began to walk away all I could think was “the mom is probably watching me and getting furious and going to attack me in my sleep cuz here baby is gone!” So I went back, put it in the cup and put in right back where I found him.
I have become a celebrity in Kenya. I went to a park to just have some
peace and quiet. As I was sitting there observing and thinking and
praying I was yelled at by a couple of guys to “take pictures” for them. Well they didn’t want me to take pictures, they wanted me to be in a video they were “making for their church” dancing to some gospel music. I agreed and just copied what they were doing…just a simple little dance, then they let me be and I went back to my spot under my tree. Then as I began to leave this family (at least I think it was a family) of like 3 or 4 kids, a man and 2 women approached me. They asked me if I could get their picture with them. I agreed but asked why and the man told me something like, “the kids like you people.” So, I got a picture with all of them, then the two
ladies,then one of the guy (I think he was the one who really wanted the picture)and then one of just me! When I got to Yoland’s, here and Pastor Bob (I’ll be calling him Bobby from now on) were telling me I am going to be on tv cuz they do that dancing thing to put on tv here! We’ll see.
I was supposed to move to Yoland’s (and Bobby’s) next week but decided
to move a week early. I love this family and am dreading saying good-bye to them. There is never a dull moment and enjoy every second there. Msimbi,as I have mentioned is the funniest person on earth, continues to make me laugh and smile. And the boys too of course, they are all a joy to be around.
Well this is long enough so I will end now. Thank you again for your
prayers and support and being a part of me being here! Hope your
December is off to a good start.
Tuanane, Megan
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Dec. 4, 2006 - Africa #5 Hyenas, Monkeys and Lions, Oh MY! |
email # 5 10-19-06
Sema everyone, sema?! I hope and pray everyone is doing well. Thank you guys for sharing some of your prayer requests…It is nice to know what's going on in your world and to "lift you up."
We got back from Tanzania Tuesday early morning. What should have taken about 7 hours took a little over 14. The ride there was real smooth…a ladies broken chair about 5 inches from my face, bumps just here and there and about 60 stops. Okay not 60, maybe 15. When we got to Tanz we had a little time to rest, get cleaned up in a nice cold shower (it actually felt nice as I was so nasty sweaty because the bus does not have a.c.) and then we were off and running…
We went with the Lifespring worship team so basically we didn't do much. I think the main focus of the trip was to encourage Jesse and Joel and just help in small ways. Friday night there was a "concert" that was supposed to be from 8-12 PM. Well since we were on "African time" it didn't start until 10 and we got home about 2 AM. We listened to people singing in Swahili and sermons in Swahili. After the bus ride and since I understand their language so well it was real easy for me to stay awake. But some dancing and soda helped with that problem. Krystle and I actually got up on stage with our "Lifespringers" for 2 English songs…I basically stayed away from the mic and lip-sinked.
Saturday we went to Lake Victoria…this lake is amazing. I believe it is the 2nd largest lake in Africa, touching Uganda, Tanz, and Kenya. We took a boat to a little island that had caged and uncaged animals, and sadly is not kept up very well. We saw a hyena, a lion that was so thirsty when it saw our water bottles came running up (in the cage of course). Even with this cage a bunch of us ran back away from him. We gave it water and I even pet it's head. I looked straight into his eyes it was so *AWESOME*! He could tear you to shreds in 2.5 seconds but was so gentle…so neat. Out of cages were monkeys which took food straight from my hand, another gazelle and a wildebeest. On another day we went to a resort where there was a "beach" to the lake. Krystle and I and Eric went swimming and were on our way to go far to exercise before we were warned about crocodiles. I guess the week before someone was eaten by one…we decided to stay close.
Sunday we went to Jesse's church which was real small but had a lot of passionate people. Again,
I felt like I was just there, which maybe isn't a bad thing, but I tried to encourage Jesse in many ways. He is a great pastor and has been a bit discouraged and homesick. I can relate to that!
After church we went out to lunch and had pizza. Sawa, okay, these African's are so back-wards to us. I told you before they eat everything with their hands. They were eating pizza with a fork and knife!
I was so shocked and would not conform…I ate with my hands! I also, that night, rolled my first chipote…it was almost perfectly round they were impressed. Next it's actually making it from dough!
Our bus ride home was even better than our ride there. The Tanzanian roads are actually really nice…very smooth. And we began in the day time so I was able to see the land and the mud huts. They seriously are in the middle of no where, with out electricity, surviving! I wonder how, but obviously they do. By the time we got to the border it was dark and we wanted a picture of us crossing over the gate (there wasn't a sign of Tanz or Kenya)…so we got a pic. Then Gerald, a guy from the worship team, wanted his picture with Tanz in the background…so I took one. To make a long story short a cop harassed us to try and get a bribe for my camera, which he didn't get. Thank God for the 2 guys that were with us and know how cops here work. Power trips and sometimes drunk. After flashing me his rifle gun, getting told there is a law against ignorance, Gerald getting dragged by his shirt and words that don't make any sense to Krystle, we made it across the border.
In my head I felt a bit bad because I feel like I just went on a mini vacation. But then I remind myself that taking freezing cold showers while praying, "thank you God for water," washing my face in a sink with cockroaches and sweating like a pig at night because there it's so hot is NOT really a vacation.
I am thankful to be back to black boogers from diesel and dirt, catching matatus and the slow Internet. I really was thankful for the trip :o)
Tomorrow we will be celebrating "Kenyatta Day." For that we are going with Joyce's family to murder a goat and eat it. Chafua Roho!!! Nasty!
Looking forward to your emails and responses.
Thank you guys for your encouragement. Have a nice weekend!
Megan
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Dec. 3, 2006 - Africa Week 4, Struggles, Sadness & Funny Stories |
Habari za asubuhi - good morning my rafikis. And if it's not good morning, well, I don't know how to say good afternoon yet. I have the day off so I thought I would take a moment to update you guys.
We are going on our 4th week now…it is definitely going by fast. I still struggle with some things but am doing my best to "get out of self" and make the most of this blink of an eye, 6 months moment. I guess it's natural to struggle with homesickness, feeling insufficient (as this is my first time doing anything like this) and just trying to understand the difference in a vastly different world. I just don't want that to be my focus. God is teaching me a lot through these struggles and I pray that I keep them with me here and when I return. For example, it is frustrating to me the inconvenience of everything here, vs. the states where if you want anything you can basically have it at any moment. And in this, maybe I have been replacing God with those things…I would have a relationship with God at my convenience, and not going to Him for everything. I hope this makes sense.
The places we are going to each week are starting to take some shape. At TULIP, the girls are really starting to open up to us. I am helping tutor them, although I think it's more the other way around. 3 of the girls are preparing to take a really big test in Nov. to pass high school, I believe. They are really bright, and I just basically guide them in their studies. And sometimes we help with lunch, lead devotionals and hang out with them when they are sowing (doing life skills)…I now have a life skill, I made a bracelet. Out of 6 of the girls, I believe 3 or 4 have lost a parent or both. And some have even lost some siblings. There is a lot of hurt in that house, but there is also a lot of hope. You can see they are glad we are there…some of them even thank us. Part of my frustration is being places and not feeling able to help…feelings of "what am I doing here, I don't know how to relate or help." A few people have encouraged me that maybe I'm here to offer love, smiles and hugs. I do pray I make a difference here, that these people would see Jesus and be encouraged that He loves them.
I had a sad experience last week with CCP. I went out with a social worker and the first house we went to the mother had TB, along with another child (so in my head I'm thinking, don't breathe, don't breathe) and then her 1 year old son had been sick for about 4 days. We took him to one of the clinic's (it's like a miniature hospital, very miniature) to get some help. He was so dehydrated he was sleeping with his eyes open as there was no fluid to help him close his eyes. I do not know if he is alive today. We then had to go to the other clinic (a bigger one), both of these are in the slum. And there were tons and tons of sick people waiting…looking very sick and worn down. Grace, the social worker I was with said that most of them probably had Aids.
On a lighter note, I saw the "great rift valley" last Saturday. I went with Pastor Bob and his friend to see Sande and Ladoma compete in their last cross country meet. As we drove, we were above the rift valley, then in it, then above it again. It was beautiful. I even saw some zebras, and I think gazelle. It was about a 4 hour trip, one way, and a big chunk of that time was spent on horrible dirt roads while your body is bouncing all over the place. I also need to mention that they have speed bumps on those roads. Quanini? Why???
I got my phone pick-pocketed last week. I thought it just dropped out of my pants in the matatu, but after speaking to some Kenyans I have come to accept that most likely it was stolen from my pocket!!! Krystle and I, it's quite funny actually, were in a serious conversation on the matatu. We passed our stop and ended up in the middle of "South B." We knew where it was, just never been there. As soon as we got off the mat, I was like, "where is my phone, where is my phone." And Krystle looked at me then took off running for like 3 seconds and then figured she couldn't save my phone. These guys on that mat were overly friendly, helping us with directions of where we needed to go, and kept switching seats with me. I'm thankful it was only a cheap phone, and not anything important. Getting on a matatu or citi hoppa (bus) is quite humorous. Yesterday as Krystle and I were waiting to get on a hoppa - it truly was a challenge. Imagine over 50 people, all black and then 2 Muzungu girls, pushing and pulling their way on to a bus, sometimes as it's moving. There is no "girls first here." It's "better luck next time" if you don't catch it. And the day before that we were catching a hoppa (minus all the people) but it was moving as we were getting on, Krystle knocked the conductor in the head with her bible as I got slammed in to the door behind her. I wish we could send a video of it all!
Another humorous story…we were on our way home and are waiting to catch a mat in "South C." As I'm writing this I can see some of you being concerned about the names of these places and sounding ghetto. It's just the name of an area of town on either side of Mombasa Rd…it's not ghetto at all :o) So we caught a mat and it was backed up with traffic…the worst I've seen it. So this chizi Matatu driver is going around traffic, facing oncoming traffic, driving on the sidewalk, everything. In my head I'm thinking "Yes, keep going around all this traffic!!!" I think I even turned around to Krystle and said, "This is my type of driving!" Honestly, I wanted him to keep going around all the traffic, even though after a while it was seeming a bit dangerous, especially when people on the side walk were dodging this chizi man! Then we caught another mat, and these guys had a system in the mat and bumping it with a neon green light inside. The guy running the mat (the one that collects our money) let me hang out the sliding door with him for a few seconds. It's what they do, so I wanted to experience it for myself :o)
Oh, and also a lady was trying to get her chicken back in her purse as it kept trying to get out. I have one thing to say…only in Kenya! :o) So we finally got to our destination, YaYa (it's like a mall), and all the stores were closed, well, almost all. So we got what we could and left and were hurrying home as it was getting dark.
We ran in to a guy, Jared, and to make a long story short, he accepted Christ that night :o) I've never seen anything like it and was just totally reminded of how big God is and how his timing is so perfect and precise. So please pray for Jared and that he would get connected with some good Christian men.
At Lifespring, I am assisting to organize/plan a camp for the youth. I am excited as I've already been able to give some input with my experience at camp before (thanks UCYC)! :o) And I am also supposed to be in charge of going to an orphanage on Christmas with gifts for the children…these would be donations for the kids that people from the church contribute.
Krystle and I got really excited to watch March of the Penguins so if you would like to send us some mail I'm sure that would be quite entertaining for us :o) I feel like I have so much more to write…words cannot capture what happens here. The funny things, and the sad things. This letter is getting quite long now so I'll be going now.
Mungu aku Bariki - God bless you.
Please let me know how we can be praying for you…we are praying for our friends and family on Thursday's.
Love always, Megan
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Dec. 2, 2006 - Africa #4 Heading to Tanzania,Struggles & God |
email # 4 10-10-06
Word up to all! I pray all is well on your side of the world. I feel like I just wrote, but it will be a while 'till my next letter as we are going to Tanzania, Thursday through Monday. We are going to support a guy by the name of Jesse who Krystle interned with when she was here before. And also just helped with the church he is working with and in any way they are in need. I'm excited to say I've been to Tanzania, but I honestly am not excited to go to another "strange" place. But it's only for a few days, if God can get me through each day here He certainly can get me through another unfamiliarity. So please keep us in your prayers for safety and I guess just that I would be excited and put my heart in to all that we will be doing. Please also pray I would continue to adjust…or simply, get used to the fact that I am here right now and make the most of my time here.
One of my biggest struggles is learning to BE rather than DO. I got to speak with a very wise woman named Joyce. This was an answer to prayer…she is like a counselor at the church…she's just really good with listening to people and helping them sort through what's going on. This was really the first time I got to talk to anyone about all the change I've been experiencing, my frustrations, just everything. And it seemed that so much came back to Being vs Doing. Most everything we are doing here is to BE with Kenyans…no, for instance…building a house for a family, painting a church, feeding the homeless…in other words Doing. By Being we are Doing. Everyone here is so relational. Most, and I'm saying more that people in the states, would drop what they are doing and be with you in whatever way you are needing it. Maybe, that is because they don't have much money and money wouldn't solve their problems anyway. I'm not sure?
I'm enjoying the 2 hours I have with the 3 girls at TULIP. Ann, is 15. Lillian, is 19 (and kinda like the big sister in the house). And Mercy, she's 18. These are the girls that I'm "tutoring" for their very big and important test coming up Nov. 1. I also led the devotion (for all the girls) this last Monday and also last Tuesday. Seems like each week we are there, they start sharing more and opening up. :o)
I am relating my experience here in Kenya to a crooked shopping cart. Ya know those ones you push that never go straight because of the one messed up wheel? Yes, that is what it's like here. Krystle and I went shopping Saturday which was an all day event. Trying to get a mat, trying to get money out of the bank, trying to rent a movie and getting groceries. What should have taken no more than 2 hours, took us about 7!
I really enjoy the public transportation here. It teaches me patience. It also gives me pleasant smells to my nose. One ride home smelt like a citrusy b.o., and with loud reggae music vibrating on my butt as the bass speaker was under my seat. At least there was some citrus smell in there, instead of straight up b.o. Of course I'm being sarcastic, but seriously sometimes you can't do anything but laugh. I love that on the mat's and busses there are paintings or stickers (on the outside and inside). I think it's like the owner sharing their personality with Kenya. I see a lot of verses, from the Bible, which I think is just so cool. My favorite was seeing a picture of Bart Simpson and in writing above it "With God, All things are possible."
Seems like God is placing a few people in our paths to share Jesus with them. We seriously don't even say anything at first, they come up and approach us. It's neat! We have become friends with this guy Geoffrey who works at Java. Did I mention Java yet? This place is so good…they have Muzungu food and I love it there. They have everything from ice cream to quesadillas to hamburgers. Although, I tried a bite of Krystle's hamburger and didn't like it. I don't know if it's that every time I try to eat meat here, I get a picture of a huge piece of cow hanging in the window of a kiosk with flies all over it or they just put different seasonings in it. It tastes different! Anyway, we will now enjoy going to Java more now that we met Geoffry and he wants to learn more about God.
Things around the house: operation egg Krystle was not successful. I've had in my head for about a week now a way to get Krystle back…she did something to me, I can't remember, just being sarcastic or something so I told her I would get her back. So I had an egg up stairs, she was walking up stairs and I aimed for her head and chucked it. Well, it hit her shoulder and part of her arm and then hit the ground. I guess I'll have to think of another way to get her back :o) It has been a joy being here with Krys and even though this part of my life has been the most difficult, she is really helping me cope. And of course, your prayers. I could not be here and make it through with out you guys. Thank you!
Please continue to give us prayer requests. I always look forward to praying with Krystle and lifting you guys up to Jesus. I can always feel His presence here with us. Have a great week and will be in contact soon…
Love always, Megan
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Dec. 1, 2006 - #1 Africa, Finding My Way |
e-mail # 1
Habari my rafikis - hello, how are you my friends?
I'm a bit behind on e-mails but now am at a place w/Internet access(although it's extremely slow and testy) so will be able to communicate a bit better for the next 3 months 'till we move again.
There is much to share so I will do my best to write so you can get a good picture in your heads :o)
This is what our typical week looks like. Monday's and Tuesdays - we will go to TULIP - Tumaini Ladies Integrational Program. This is one of the more dangerous slums called Korogocho. Some of the things we'll be doing - leading devotionals (there are currently 7 girls living at TULIP), tutoring, doing house visits (in to the slum), sports and life skills (such as sowing, which they will probably teach us that, not the other way around!). TULIP is a program for girls 12-19 years old that get mentored and built up because of their background and where they come from. The slums smell real bad and there is trash burning everywhere…to get rid of it they burn it.
Let me give you some info about the slums in Nairobi (I believe there are at least 10). It's usually 1 room that is 8ft by 8ft (a room would be separated with sheets) constructed from mud and old and rusty iron sheets. Everything gets done in this tiny room…they bathe and then use that water to clean. They use small trash bags for the toilet and then toss it anywhere outside. There is extreme limited access to resources and basics needs like food, medicine, education and security. There is joblessness and a high level of crime, drugs, prostitution and violence. 70% of Nairobi's population lives in the slums, but occupy only 2% total area of Nairobi. The rent is usually 100 shillings per month-this is just over $1. Pray for Nairobi, and that we can make a difference here. And of course for protection but we go in the day so I don't feel scared.
I believe I mentioned in my 1st e-mail about people selling stuff on the street…well they call these kiosks and they are everywhere. In the slums, and even the nicer areas. It's how a lot of people make a living (so as the girls are sowing, this can be something they sell to make a living). I mostly see people selling fruits and veggies, nasty fish with flies all over them (looks like fish jerky), clothes, shoes and even bed frames. Oh I can't leave this out for your minds-cow legs with the hooves cooking!!! Ugghh!!!
Okay (sowa), now to Wednesdays. We go to CCP (Chosen Children of Promise). This is an orphanage in another slum called Kawangware. The day we went it was raining a ton. So we were sliding all over the place almost like on ice but in mud as we walked from house to house with the social workers. Our shoes literally were caked with mud. Mostly in the slums the kids yell, "how are you?" over and over and most don't even know what it means. And they will keep shouting it louder and faster until you respond either verbally or by waiving. The Kenyans have the best smiles. They will stare at you and when you say something or smile they get a smile from ear to ear. At one point Faith (the Kenyan social worker I was with) and I walked by a little girl (oh, by the way, there are people walking around everywhere all the time along with chickens, dogs, cats, goats and sheep and this girl started yelling "muzungu, muzungu (white person), come look at the muzungu" (but said it in Swahilli) and all these kids ran out and started waving. They love to come up and shake your hand.
Thursday's and Friday's we will be at LifeSpring Chapel (where we will be going to church) and looks like I may be doing some work to help with the youth. LifeSpring is made up of a huge tent (like a green circus tent but squarish), gravel for flooring and plastic chairs. It also reeks, but not as bad as most everywhere else, with b.o. The bathrooms don't have toilets but holes to where you have to squat.
(The weekends we have off :o)
I have adopted a new nickname - "chizi." This means "crazy." Pastor Bob's family has given it to me. For a week we stayed with them. His family has really made my transition here a lot easier. His
wife Yoland is my favorite person here, in fact I am calling her my Kenyan mama. Their kids are the best…Sande, he is 9. I am helping him play his trumpet. I am surprised how much I remember. In fact,
I wonder if the reason I did play (since I just loved it sooo much when I did play) was to be able to connect with him in this way. Ladoma (or Doma we call him) is 7. He and I have a special handshake. The 2 boys and I play football (soccer) together. And then there's Msimbi whom I'm certain is the funniest person on this whole earth (she is 3). This family is filled with laughter and joy and I already love them dearly. We will be back with them in Dec. through March. We ate with them all week so we ate Kenyan food. Most everything we eat is the same just sometimes something new mixed in every couple of days. Chipote is like a tortilla only thicker, sweeter and oilier. And ugali that is like a tasteless thick grits. Both you eat with like stew. I also had goat, but like 2 small pieces as I don't like the idea of it.
The food here is not too bad, but I'm getting used to it. One night I was helping peel potatoes with a knife. Rose (Yolands cousin, a very awesome girl our age and we are becoming friends) is peeling
one after another so easily. I say to her and Yoland, "Do you guys have a potato peeler?" "No, what's that?" Then after about 5 hard working potatoes, "okay, give Megan the potato peeler now!" .
Krystle and I ordered pizza last night and I was so excited that I was jumping up and down in the kitchen with her. Then we went bowling and to play foosball and pool with some people from Lifespring. I was the champ over all, except pool but Eric only won by default. They were quit impressed, and I enjoyed kicking the Kenyan's butts (especially the guys as they are the same anywhere - they don't like to lose, especially to a girl).
The kids speak with little British accents and the adults are a bit hard for me to understand. Our first night at Pastor Bob's we were tucking our mosquito nets in our beds. Mine was very small and all up in my face. Krystle's was nice but her bed smelt like pee (aka in Kenyan talk, wee). She said, "just think of it as camping." Well some of you know how much I just love camping but I think after this trip I might actually enjoy it :o)..Then at 5am every morning and like 4 other times in the day the mosque is yelling out over it's microphone across the city it's gibberish. We decided that in the states that would be a disturbance of the peace! Krystle said the first morning, "how rude!"
Now Krystle and I have been learning our way around town on matatus. They are like taxis but with like 14 people. It smells of diesel, b.o., rarely do you get a breath of fresh air. If I lived here I would want to be a matatu driver. I could honk my horn continuously, come inches away from other cars, people and drive around other cars if they are going to slow. When we get close to another car I yell to Krystle, "whack!" as I want them to hit the car. Well, just the other day we got "whacked" from behind - but not hard at all. If you want to get on a matatu, you have to be rude. Otherwise you'll just stand there waiting for your number all day. You literally have to push people out of the way and somehow shove yourself on there before it gets full. And if you have to cross the street to catch another…well here we don't play dodge ball like in the states - here we play dodge cars! It's really not bad, in fact it's actually really fun for me.
I apologize this is so long but hope you are getting a good picture. Please pray for me to adapt well to the culture as someone from church asked how I was adapting and I couldn't get the words out as I was so upset. It's been challenging to do the work they've assigned as I feel lost in it - not knowing how to do things that don't have much structure. And I’m also being challenged in a way that I'm not able to see or talk to my friends and family so easily. Please let me know how I can be praying for you!!!
Love and Blessings, Megan |
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