I am finally here!

When I was fifteen God told me I would go to Africa- I had no idea when. I had opportunities the last couple of summers to go but God would tell me not yet. So when I found out about the race I asked God “is this it? Is it time to go to Africa?” Yes it was time! 

 Being in Busia, Kenya at church this Sunday, filled with beautiful Africans singing music (which sounds like a choir of angels) I stood in complete excitement and joy that I was finally in Africa. I have no Idea what God’s plan is in me being here, but I can tell you it has only been a few days and the people are beautiful and the way of life is simple- yet hard.

Today we walked to the market to help Chef Lucas (who is our amazing cook for the month) buy food for our team. We started to walk to the market, which was only a “short walk”- we quickly found out their short walks are not short, after an hour and half we finally made it there.   It was right at the border of Uganda and Kenya, so guess what I did? Yes I got to be in two places at once- one foot in Kenya and one foot in Uganda (well very close, it was no man’s land). After we bought some bananas, pineapple, mango, potatoes, onion, garlic, watermelon, pepper all for less than $10USD- the freshest, juiciest fruits and vegetables you will ever have.

After this venture, we came back to our place and I helped Chef Lucas make Chapatti. Rolling the dough out and frying it- so good J I want to learn how to make ethnic food for when I get back home.

I then decided a shower would be a good idea, but a shower is not easy. I first had to boil some water and filled a bucket with half hot water and half cold. Then try to figure out the best technique for bathing and not wasting my one bucket of water- it was successful but I still need to practice.  

So;
Day 1- hand washed clothes with water from the water well and saw a live chicken being prepared for dinner.
Day 2- I was in two countries at once, had my first bucket shower, made chapatti and experienced a Kenyan market.
Day 3- Carried 20 litres of water from the well (twice- which I realized I really need to build up my muscle up-ha), I also attempted to hand saw wood, and dig holes (we’re making an office for the church- I will tell more in my next blog), I ground beef for dinner by hand, and rode a bicycle back home (which is like a taxi, you just hop on the back- we had two of us hop on the back of one bike- it was an experience since it was in a thunderstorm)

Being here is showing me how to serve without complaining, after seeing how everything is done manually here with all their sweat and tears but done in such love I have such a respect for these people.

We have all experienced so much already and it has only been a few days, so excited to see what else this month holds.