It has been a dream of mine to visit Kenya. Ever since I was a child, I’ve wanted to visit this place, and so I’m finally here. Ever since I had first visited Africa in 2005, I’ve wanted to come back, and so this is a fulfillment of a dream. One of the main reasons, is that this is the land where some of the Massai warrior tribe lives. I’ve wanted to meet a Massai ever since I could remember. This place has a lot of potential to be one of my favorite places on the race.
So far, Kenya has been all that I can imagine and then some more. It is just as beautiful as I thought. The people here are really quite amazing, so hospitable and friendly. We stayed in Nairobi for two nights, as we had a much needed rest from the amazing, but emotional, turmoil from the last week in Ireland, (which consisted of the Awakening and Team changes. . . more on that later.) And I was able to meet up with some very dear friends from my home church. I didn’t realize how much I needed that. It was like a little taste of home, and it really couldn’t have come at a better time. As much as I absolutely LOVE my O squad family, it was nice to see some old familiar faces that I had some history with.
So after some quick and heart wrenching goodbyes, my new team (Team PULSE) left on an 8 hour African bus ride (which nobody can accurately describe. You just have to be there) to Kisumu, which is the third largest city in Kenya. Yay. At least we’re on the map. But that doesn’t mean hot showers.
This month, we’re going to be working with Pastor Elisha of Deliverance Church. He is always smiling, and seems to absolutely love us, which is good, since we’ve only been here about three days. I’m super glad to be working with him and his family, who has taken very good care of us already. So far, we’ve ministered to two different schools, and I had the privilege of not only getting to speak, but also leading six young Kenyans to a new found faith in Christ. Wow. I never really expected that to happen. Seriously. I think I’m still in shock over it.
We’re staying in a ministry house in the city, which has been a blessing. Every day youth from the church come and make us lunch and dinner, and they have even washed our laundry. (Hand washing seven people’s laundry is no small task, mind you.) It has been really cool, and even though the showers aren’t hot (yes, I’m shallow about water temperature), I really think I’m going to like it here.
Enter funny moments.
The first day we got here, one of my new team members, Anna Mathews, (who’s from South Carolina) steps on a baby chicken that had somehow managed to find its way into the ministry house. Chickens seem to just waltz right in whenever they want. The baby chicken survived, so it’s all good, but we have since warned all the neighbors to “Beware the one who talks funny. She kills chickens.”
Laughter never seems to be far away from this team. Even I join in on the fun.
Just last night, as we were eating dinner, the local cat took it upon itself to try and get dinner from Tyler (another new team member,) by climbing up into his lap. Tyler wasn’t too happy about that, so eventually, I grab the cat by the nape of it’s neck, and go to the door to toss it outside. As I am doing so, I look up, and notice a Massai Watchman standing just outside the door.
Standing there, in shock, elated, because I’ve finally come face to face with a Massai Warrior, I do the only thing I can think of doing.
I ask him, “Is this YOUR cat???”
Voracious laughter ensues from my teammates, as I proceed to introduce myself to the Massai, who doesn’t actually speak a lick of English. So awkward a moment couldn’t have been had any other way. This Massai is very sweet. He just likes to sit and watch us play cards. I think he’s just enthralled by all the “Mizungu” or “White people.”
I think I’m going to like this place. Hopefully, I’ll have more awkward moments to blog about later.
