What I thought Kenya would look like was very much based on my time spent in Egypt years ago. I expected serious heat, dry roads, vast fields of tall grass, mud huts and women in tons of jewelry. Apparently my view was very skewed by television. Kenya is the greenest place we have been since Guatemala. We are nestled up in the mountains where it rains nearly all day, everyday. The temperatures feel much more like football season is about to begin playoffs.
One of the first things we did upon meeting our contact was asking where we can buy warmer clothes. My pack is full of tank tops, shorts and thin Thai pants. This is not a wardrobe conducive to the weather we are experiencing. Luckily, there was a market with piles of second hand clothes. Based on the tags I assume they are second hand from the states and Europe. I found an awesome pair of grey sweatpants, two plaid flannels, a stocking cap and three pairs of those tall socks the kids wear for sports. Some nights I bundle up, zip up in my sleeping bag and use a wool blanket to keep warm.
Nights can be very noisy here. There is a cow staying only ten feet behind our room. Next to her shed is a chicken coop, where a mongoose likes to raid every so often causing the dogs to go crazy. I’ve never known the life of living on a farm. I think it’s louder than living in the city.
The ladies and I have had a great time getting to know the pastor’s wife, Jane. She’s an amazing cook with such limited resources. We usually eat some kind of potato, cooked kale or cabbage, beef, and ugali. We “take” hot tea with milk all day and for every meal. It’s very delicious, I may actually start liking straight up cow milk. I’m a bigger advocate for eating organically than ever before! I’m going to need my mom to hand over that green thumb when I get home to start a garden.
The children living here have been in school for most of the day, so we haven’t had too many opportunities to get to know them well. This week they will have a long break, so we have planned a week of VBS activities. Selfishly, I like that we are using a RFKC theme and stories. I’m going to really miss being a part of camp this year. However, spending everyday living alongside these 14 orphans is like being at camp for a month.
