Construction work; that’s what we have done this past week. Through your financial support we have been able to build an office and classroom for the church we are partnered with here in Busia. We were also able to help finish the building that a previous World Race team started in January. A team of builders was hired so what is there for us foreigners to do? We were told by our contact, the pastor of that church, that just our presence was what they needed. 
To watch one of us try to saw through a post or shovel cement was the entertaining morale that made work for the builders more tolerable. They would let us help knowing that we couldn’t do it nearly as well as them, but they wanted to watch us make fools of ourselves none the less. Ok, so we were there for a good laugh, what else?
The church has a preschool in it and the children are precious. They can’t speak any English but love to mimic every word we say. Simon says is a perfect game to play with them while they were on recess. The teachers were grateful to have others there to entertain the children on breaks. How great it is to be able to go run around a field, make funny faces, jump, spin, and laugh, and have it all be in the name of work. That is the amazing thing about children; they are just so much fun. 
We have already been here a week; time is going by so fast. In just these 7 days we have played with the kids, “helped” with the construction of the new building, pulled water from a well to bathe in, cook with and wash clothing in. Yes, we wash our clothes by hand in buckets. Oh, and let’s not forget the chickens that the 12 year old slaughtered and I helped pluck. Today was another new adventure for me…I got my hair did. Instead of braids I got twists in my hair…around 130 of them. Hopefully this will help with the maintenance of my hair while I am in Africa.
Life here is hard work but yet care-free. They don’t stress over the little stuff, and the big stuff doesn’t faze them like it would in America. The joy I witness and experience around these amazing Kenyans is contagious and very thought-provoking. What is it that keeps a smile on their face? I hope that throughout my remaining time here I will be able to learn some lessons about the joy they have that is truly a gift straight from the Lord.
