This past weekend I went to Nairobi. I was able to attend Deliverance Church Southlands and reconnect with a pastor I met while on The World Race. After church, Pastor Joseph, along with his wife and adorable daughter Patience, took us to a place called Bomas of Kenya. Bomas is a Swahili word which means “homestead”. At this cultural center you can walk to mini-villages from each of Kenya’s major ethnic groups. The houses are build as they were traditionally by the tribes ancestors. Bomas of Kenya also has traditional dances and music which is a cultural experience.
As I was thinking back over my week and remembering the fun and educational experience at Bomas, I got to thinking that many people have no idea what my boma or”homestead” is like. Many Americans visualize Africa as being a place where everyone lives in huts, much like the ones I saw at Bomas of Kenya.
Some people who have been reading my blogs, may wonder if I live in a tent like the people I serve in Camp Tumaini. While there could be some benefits to that, it is not safe for our team to live in tents in the camp.
Our home is in a nearby “town” called Kijabe. If you have been following my mission work over the years, this is a familiar name. Kijabe is also home to RVA (Rift Valley Academy), where I was a missionary teacher for over two years. It is a challenge to find housing in this area. The men of our team stay with a man named Dan, while the women stay in the upstairs corner of an old radio building, that is being used as offices for the AIC Church, which we converted into an apartment with a lot of character. 🙂 I bet no one would have guessed that!
Since the building was not made to be a house, our kitchen is very interesting. It consists of a sink, a bookshelf pantry, and a two-burner stove-top set on a table. And I mustn’t forget the electric kettle! It certainly is put to good use (when we have electricity). We are very blessed to have a toilet and shower, even if they do not always have water. Even with the lack of modern conveniences a house in America has to offer, this place is home to me.
