I don’t mind talking to strangers. In
fact I quite like it. I never really listened to the “don’t talk to strangers� rule. But I don’t normally trust people
enough to meet them once & then immediately go over to their homes. That’s
just not safe…especially when you are in a developing country & a city that
is nicknamed “Nairobbery.�
But let me tell you a little story…
A group of
us ladies were at the mall in Nairobi, Kenya looking for some internet so we
could talk to friends & family. We found a fabulous coffee shop called
ArtCafe. Right before going in, we met a woman named Naoma. Kirsten, asked her
if she was American. Turns out this woman is indeed American. ( Not all “white
people� are Americans…its actually quite weird to run into an American.) But we
chat briefly about why we are in Kenya & ask if she recommends any good
spots for internet. Turns out the ArtCafe was the place to be. However that day
its internet was down. We finished up the conversation, thanking her for her
time & advice, and then leaving her with my prayer postcard from the trip.
The 5 of us
ladies nearly cried (seriously) as we sat in leather chairs listening to jazz
& pouring over the lush menu of choices. We thought it was the closest
thing we’d get to American culture & we called it our Christmas. We enjoyed
the moment, sipped our coffee & savored our food. (I had penne pesto
Chicken…delightful!)
A day went
by & I checked my email…only to find that Naoma, the lady from the mall,
had already gone on my blog & posted a comment inviting us all over to her
house for American snacks, a Christmas tree, a fireplace, & a place to just
relax!!!! I told the others & we were overwhelmed with such
gratefulness.
After
another day & a few email exchanges, four of us piled into a taxi &
headed towards Naoma’s house. Yea I know it’s utterly UNSAFE to go over to a stranger’s house in the middle of East
Africa…even if she is American & looked super fun! (P.s. This was the cutest mom. She was so bubbly when we met her
in the mall & just so friendly.) But
still…you never know. So………I did a little stalking—or maybe we should call it
wise research. I just goggled Naoma & her email. I got her blogspot &
read a little bit about her. I soon learned that her husband worked for the US
government, so I knew it was a safe thing. (See mom…no worries! J )
The front
gate man was expecting us as we rolled up in our taxi. We pulled through the
gate & Mrs. Lee was waiting for us outside of her driveway. It was sweet!!!
The four of us piled out of the taxi as our eyes gaze at the house we were
about to walk into…an American home. We greet Naoma, introduce ourselves again, meet her young
boys, & then walked into the house.
Now
remember we have been gone from American for 6 months. And while I’m not
outrageously homesick, I do sometimes miss the littlest, randomest things.
So we walk
into their home & I was overwhelmed with “home� & gratefulness. The
fragrance of Christmas filled the air. There was a Christmas tree directly
beside the fireplace and Christmas music softly played in the background. I was
so excited, so grateful, so overwhelmed…I just broke down & cried. Seriously. It was a real home. She
even had the Willow Angels Nativity set & a china cabinet in the dining
room.
(Hooray for fireplaces & cozy homes!)
We quickly
started a load of laundry in a real WASHING machine & Dryer. We hadn’t
seen one of those in 3 or 4 months! Our underwear would finally be
CLEAN…more than handwashing. Then we all sat in the living room where the
coffee table was filled with American snacks. Oreos, Nutter Butters, licorice,
& chips and salsa. We sat there snacking & chatting with Naoma.
Afterall, we don’t know each other. 🙂
Later Mr.
Lees came home from work & we all had dinner…chili with cheese, sour cream,
& cornbread. It was such a wonderful dinner sitting around the fireplace.
Yes we are in KENYA…and it’s about 70 degrees…but it was a real fireplace.
Exhale.
I tell you
what…this was an evening of favor & joy. We
just happened to meet this wonderful American Mom in the Mall in the middle of
Nairobi, Kenya. And then she is crazy enough to invite a bunch of strangers
over to her house & family. And we are crazy enough to go. This family’s
open hearts and love was a blessing to me. Getting a few hours in an American
home, with an American mom & dad, and talking about God & life…was much
needed relaxation & celebration of Christmas!!!
***Thank you Lees Family for having
us over, baking us cookies & dinner, letting us wash clothes, & for
loving on us. Thank you!!!!!!!!!
