Upon our arrival in Kiminini, Kenya, my team and I were
immediately welcomed and received by our contact, his family, and the entire
community. From the moment Pastor Barasa greeted us at the bus station leading
us to believe he was an overly inquisitive stranger off the street, we knew
this month would be fun. We are living with Pastor and his family in their mud
home, which shares property with farmland, a church, and school. We are slowly
finding our place in ministry both in and around this small community, but are
still in the first stage of that. This is our longest month on the race thus
far, which I see as both a blessing and unfortunate. It is a blessing because
it is taking a while to get comfortable in ministry, and unfortunate because we
are all tired. Five weeks in one place sounds like an eternity when you are
tired and are battling
to keep your mind in the present, only thinking about the day at hand.
Our front yard as the sun is setting.
Nevertheless, I have met countless amazing people whom I am
blessed to live alongside this month, and have already begun building awesome
relationships with. I have also scared numerous children with my white skin.
One of which in our first few days here asked his mother why I painted my skin. The good
news is, David and I have finally become friends now. People either love us or
fear us, but either way we are an attraction everywhere we go. I have never
felt so loved having the words “white people� or “Mzungu� shouted at me before,
and have never shaken so many hands in my life. As glamorous as it may sound, it
isn’t easy. Some days, it would be nice to go somewhere and not be recognized
or followed, to just be invisible.
Some of my little friends who aren’t scared to death of me.
In almost two week’s time, I am beginning to
learn the ways of a Kenyan lifestyle and have learned so much through the
process. My idea of what being “blessed� looks like has been hugely redefined.
Blessings don’t come in money or material things, but the things that matter
most in life, the things that will never leave you. . such as God’s love,
and the earthly family He has blessed me with. I have also been humbled into
being taught the ways of simplicity in life and the hard work thatcomes along
with it. This is one of the first months where we are truly experiencing what
it is like to fully live life in the country we are in. I have been taught how
to cook, clean, do laundry, and live how my new family lives. The only thing
that keeps my training from being complete is “my hands are too soft�.
Hopefully by the end of the month I will toughen up a little bit.
Lighting the fire on the stove.
Learning to carry water like Kenyans.
Like I said in my previous blog, this month is bringing
change in many forms. This is both scary and exciting at the same time. I am
excited to see how this month unfolds in all aspects, but know it won’t be easy
at times. Pray for unity, as we are a new team in a completely new
environment. Also be in prayer for us as
we are diving into ministry more each day.
Check back for updates about what ministry looks like in
Kenya!
