1. Where were you again?
This month we were in Nakuru, Kenya.
2. What was the name of the ministry?
We worked with Bliss women and children’s ministry, the Well of Jacob church, and Pondamali church.
3. What did you learn?
The local Nakumatt is Africa’s version of Wal-Mart and I was sure glad to stock up on some things while we were there.
That chameleons freak the local Kenyan’s out like nothing else, but they are the coolest pets!
I learned that the best version of Ribena is peach and blackcurrant.
I learned that kids love calling us “Mazungu! Mazungu!” Which means, “look, look! White person! White person!”
4. No really, what did you learn?
I learned a lot about African culture in general. I learned a lot about how leadership can make you feel isolated, but that gives you the opportunity to take everything to God and rely on him for wisdom and strength. It was one of the hardest months for me personally and I’m still processing through a lot of what “I learned.”
5. How was the food? Best meal?
The food was great, better than I was expecting. Anne, our host mom, cooked amazing food, mostly from her own garden. There was a lot of chapatti and beans but we had great flavors! We loved her egg sandwiches in the morning and the avocados are the size of a small football, no joke.
The place we would go on our off days was Guava café and Sisma. Guava’s veggie burger and carrot cake were amazing! Sisma had an amazing salad and fresh apple pie.
6. What do you miss from home?
I miss my bed. I miss sleeping on a comfortable mattress.
7. What would you like to say to the people (stalkers) back home?
Be thankful!! Be thankful. Be thankful for all that you have. We have had to play the thankful game pretty often this month. The thankful game is when you feel like you have nothing nice to say about what is going on, when you feel like you are up to here with the circumstances. So you sit there with your teammates and go around and say things you are thankful for.
“I’m thankful that we don’t have to walk for 2 more miles.”
“I’m thankful we get to sing with the kids”
“I’m thankful for beans.”
“I’m thankful for a day off tomorrow.”
7. What was the hardest part?
There were a lot of cultural barriers we had to work through. I have been struggling between knowing what is just different culturally and what is just wrong theology. In general it was a hard month and I had to work though some situations I’ve never been in before but I’m sure it will be a great story later.
8. What was your favorite memory?
We got to make smores with the family we stayed with. They had never had smores before and it was so fun to have a bon fire with them. Also the Maasia tribe also came to the church and did some traditional dancing. It was great to spend some time fellowshiping with them.
9. Most dangerous thing you did?
We were doing a crusade at church and it started POURING, like African pouring. It started to flood within 30 mins and we had to drive home in the worst floodwaters I’ve seen. Water came in the car and I was so scared several times that we were going to get swept away. It was dark and seven of us were crammed in our contacts tiny Toyota hatchback. But hey, we survived.
10. Any "Firsts" this month?
I saw zebras, giraffes, and monkeys just chillen in the fields as we drove by. We found a chameleon when we were walking and kept it for a pet for a week. I also saw a baboon when we were driving by.
11. What are you looking for God to do next month?
We had our 8-month debrief and it was so amazing to have time to get poured into and refocus on finishing strong. It was amazing to have a squad wide perspective change and for all of us to pour in even deeper. We have 3 more months to go and we are all choosing in. Choosing to move forward with more joy, love and Jesus!
