I hope you enjoy reading these adventures of a young woman named Megan M. and some friends that are there on a mission to help others in Africa. It's her personal account of what she's seeing and when she has time to reflect on it. I have her permission to add these stories to my blog. Enjoy!
Subject: toilet for sale
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:43:54 -0700
It is the "short rain" season…although to an Arizona girl, and I think anyone besides those living in Oregon (mom and aunty j) would agree it is really "long rains." Last week as Krystle and I were going to TULIP we basically got poured on. We didn't bring an umbrella and got soaked. But we had a good time. I mean how often does someone walk in the pouring rain and mud for at least 10 minutes? Oh wait, that does happen quite often here.
But really, being from Arizona and the only time I had an umbrella was when I was a little girl having fun. So thinking of caring an umbrella does not come naturally to me. If it isn't raining during the day, it is raining during the nights…and it is muddy! I think God is still teaching me that having dirty shoes (and pants) is okay and I need to get over little spots of dirt, or in this case mud all over my clothes and shoes.
If something is for rent it is "to let." If something is for sale, it is either "on sale" or like normal, "for sale." On the way to the Giraffe Center there were 2 signs next to each other. One was "to let" the other "for sale." Someone scratched an "i" on the sign between the "o" and "l" on the sign "to let" so it read "toilet for sale." The Giraffe Center was a nice little place. It was out of the city…so quiet and peaceful, and clean!
If I stayed there for a week I think I would get all the pollution out of my body and actually blow clean boogers and not black ones. I got to pet, feed and kiss them. I even rode on one. Just kidding 'bout that…gotcha! But I did put some of the giraffe food in between my lips to get a kiss, but ended up getting my face cleaned. Sick, but fun. And just a couple fun facts for you: Some giraffe's hearts can weigh up to 25 pounds and pump 20 gallons of blood per minute!! Isn't that awesome?!
When saying hello in Swahili, "habari, jambo, mambo, sema, sasa" or the 45 other ways, they are all tied with "how are you?" So if you say "hi" in English to someone who doesn't speak very good English, they follow it with "fine." So I say, "hi" and the person responds, "fine." The other day I was walking from the church office to get some lunch and I passed by a man who was in his Masai tribe outfit…whatever you would call it. But he wasn't from the city. It was a bright red/plaid skirt with some kind of throw over thing on his shoulder. He had a long stick and huge ear lobes from whatever it is they stick in their ears. As we passed each other I gave him a little smile but wasn't returned with one. But it was so funny because once we passed each other we both turned our heads at the same time to get a second glance at each other. He still wouldn't give me a smile :o)
I am learning some about myself in the work place and my so called "leadership skills." I think I mentioned in another email how I am in charge of taking the youth from church to the Nairobi Children's Home (one of the orphanages). To be blunt I don't like it. Doing work here, but especially at the church office is huge culture shock and flat out frustrating. To get something printed literally takes over an hour.
When I asked for a pair of scissors I was handed some kiddy ones (and not as a joke). I have found a creative side in me I didn't know existed; I am able and really enjoy creating things on the computer…brochures (for camp coming up) and "business cards" I used today to hand out at "WAVE" (which is the youth service) as a fundraiser so we can put little packages together for the orphans. The message conveyed to me is "do as I say, not as I do" and I see so many Kenyans passing off responsibility. It's like there is a whole lot of nothing going on (and a whole lot of drinking tea) which adds to my frustration. The way things get done (or don't get done) are completely opposite of the states. If their could be a balance between Kenya (relationship oriented) and America (work driven) I think things would be nicer…but I don't think there is such a place.
Before I left for Kenya I was told by many, and agreed with them all,that "6 months really isn't that long." My first thoughts when I woke up Wednesday were "6 months is a long time!" In my 24 years of living, 6 months is a blink of an eye. But in the moment, it seems like forever!
My outlook and attitude has been changing as I am experiencing more and accepting those experiences. For instance I am able to enjoy it here so much more, but as time goes on I grow in my appreciation for home and loving America. Maybe I am becoming a bit homesick again as the holiday season is approaching and wanting what is normal to me. Frozen turkeys in the grocery store vs. chickens and roosters running around and watching them be butchered. Green bean casserole (oh my fav) that I can eat with a fork vs.tasteless ugali and "greens" to eat with my hands. The sound of Christmas music in department stores vs. reggae music vibrating against my butt. Driving around with my brother to look at all the Christmas lights at night vs. getting home in a crazy matatu (and bargaining the price) before it gets dark cuz it's not safe then. I am thankful for the weather as so far (minus the rain) it is so similar to home…I think it's actually a little bit warmer in Chandler than it is here…I am imagining people still driving in their convertibles with the tops down. I miss bragging about that to all my mid-west friends!
Things are getting a little crazy here as the year is coming to an end. Can you believe the new year is just around the corner?!? Krystle and I have been given a lot of tasks at each place we are at, but nothing more that we can't handle. But I am looking forward for things to slow down a bit and experience mzungu or "touristy" Kenya. I hope things are going well for you in "normal" land and are enjoying the end of the year. Please continue to send prayer requests. I'm sure there will be a lot of traveling coming up for some of you?
May God bless you and keep you. Love always, Megan
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