Life in Kisumu has been pretty unexplainable. So many random
things happen all the time that all we can say is T.I.A… This is Africa. I have
become very interested in learning more about the culture here, especially
after hearing some of our new friend’s testimonies about tribal life vs. city
life.
My team got to visit a local orphanage two times in the past
week, and I absolutely fell in love with those kids. It’s a very young crowd
being cared for there – newborns to 4 years is pretty much the age range. This
is the only orphanage in the country that has a unit for disabled children as
well. We got to play with the kids, feed them, change them, put them to sleep,
and pray over them. I felt such a peace when we were there – God is definitely
blessing and protecting these children. If I could just hold babies every day
for the rest of my life, I’d be happy.
We’ve also been continuing to visit secondary schools. It
really has been amazing to see how the Holy Spirit shows up and takes over. No
one on my team enjoys public speaking, and this month has definitely been far
from our comfort zones. But that’s the very reason why we are here – to abandon
or comforts and follow where Christ would have us go. And He’s led us to the
schools of Kisumu where we have no choice but surrender to Him because nothing
within our human bodies can do this on our own. Nothing within myself can stand
in front of a hundred teenagers and preach the Word. Absolutely nothing. God
has been equipping us with the words to share, and that is beautiful. When we
are naturally gifted at something, it’s easy for us to take even some of the
credit. Thank God that He brought me to a place in ministry where I can’t ‘get
by’ on my own.
and feeling at ease with the people who are on my new team. We will only be in
Kenya for another week and then we head off to Uganda. After a month in Uganda,
we’ll pioneer for the first time as we ask the Lord where to go. Prayers for
these months would be much appreciated! We want to follow as God leads and we
know He has gone ahead of us preparing the way. Thank you!
The taxis here are vans with random labels on the outside. We’ve
ridden the Jay Z van, the Obama van, the Bob Marley van, seen the Tyra Banks
van (which actually has a picture of Alicia Keys on it),and the “facebook” van. Each of these has blaring
music which corresponds to the artist painted on the outside, and cusion on the
ceiling. At night, some of them turn on flashing neon lights which makes them
into “rave van”.
restaurant has “Chicken Maryland” on the menu.
Apparently this is the city that Obama’s father is from. All
the kids tell us to “Say hi to Uncle Obama for me!”
We sleep on beds this month (yay!) with Dale Earnhardt
sheets beneath us and a mosquito net above us.
Kenyan tea is positively delicious. Between Ireland and
Kenya, I’ve drank more tea in the last month than I have in my entire life. I
love it! Ma, this is just one of the ways I’m discovering how alike we are J
The first Kenyan child I held was a two year old girl who
ended up peeing on me as she stared at me. I think she was probably scared of
my mzungu face.
Our night guard, Lazareth, is a Masai. The Masai are a
Kenyan tribe that are quite fascinating. He doesn’t speak any English, but
always hangs out with us while we play cards. He has killed 3 lions, a buffalo,
and a cheetah.
Asante Sana means thank you very much. Which means in the
Lion King, when Rafiki says “Asante sana squashed banana”, he’s saying “thank
you very much squashed banana”. Simba means lion. Rafiki means friend.
Chickens try to lay eggs in our beds.
We’ve seen wild hippos in Lake Victoria! We rode in a boat
on the lake and got to see the hippos, birds, and papyrus trees of the region.
People greet you saying “I’m fine”
A kid asked me if I am a part of Illuminate because of the
two earrings in my upper ear and since I am from the East Coast.
The kids we meet usually ask us questions about the U.S.
school system and government and if movies are real.
