Sleeping with Grandma - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

Shortly after the Fourth, our team traveled to the city of Eldoret, where we would meet our ministry contact. From the minute we arrived, Pastor Patrick and his family greeted us with loving arms, complete with some of their infamous team and donuts.

TEA AND DONUTS?? I definitely wasn’t expecting this in Africa.

As we were drinking the chai like tea and eating the delicious, triangular homemade donuts, we were given the grand tour. We walked around the camp, which consisted of two small mud huts and an outside common area in between- which is where we found the kitchen area, the fire for cooking, the well to draw water, and the outhouses of course. We also found out where we would be sleeping. We all couldn’t fit in the side bedroom with the “extra beds,” so Grandma insisted that a couple of us come sleep in her room. She happened to have an extra mattress, so Julia and I decided to go in there. Little did we know- she was going to sleep on the little mattress and let us sleep in her bed!

At first, I felt extremely bad…but I’ve quickly learned that there’s no fighting with Grandma. Plus, that’s just the culture here. They LOVE to give up everything for their visitors and bless them with tons and tons of food, tea, and love.

The past couple of weeks have been quite the adventure living in this completely unknown world of zero Internet connection and no running water.

I’ve learned that drawing water out of the well could actually be considered an intense arm workout.

I’ve also learned how to successfully take a cold bucket shower without screaming the second the cold water hits my body.

I’ve learned how to wash dishes outside at night with no light other than my head lamp.

I’ve learned that the weird noises in Grandma’s room at night are only parts of the mud wall crumbling down around me… not animals trying to attack me.

Even though I’m not necessarily a cat person, I’ve learned to love their little kitten Georgina… I feel much safer from the mosquitos and flies that buzz around my ear in the middle of the night with her cuddled up beside me.

I’ve learned how to fall asleep listening to Grandma’s intense snoring.

I’ve learned how to get extremely creative with my wardrobe that I’ve been carrying around for 7 months…. ANYTHING GOES IN AFRICA.

I’ve also learned to abide by their dress code of wearing long skirts, by soaking the only 2 skirts I brought on this trip in a bucket of detergent filled water, so they at least “smell good” the next day.

I’ve learned how to wear socks with my chacos to avoid the intense cracking that happens on my heels.

I’ve learned how to tie my scarf into a cute little head wrap, to avoid the greasy hair look from not washing my hair every other day.

And most importantly, I’ve learned how to get over the fact that I’ve gained a few pounds- due to the fact that they make us eat not 1, not 2, but THREE servings at every meal.

Despite the rustic living conditions- I can honestly say that Pastor Patrick and his family have completely spoiled our team this first month in Africa. Despite the mud floors and the bags of clothes piled in the bedroom corners- I have felt at home here in Kenya. This isn’t just a place where we’re staying for the month- they have treated us like family. Whether it’s helping with their little baby Manuel, or assisting in the kitchen with making homemade chapati and cutting vegetables up for dinner, or walking Jeremy to school in the mornings and celebrating his 5th birthday party, or going shopping with Patrick’s wife Amy in the market, or laughing with Grandma about how she wants us to pray for her to find a man…. I have truly felt like a member of their family. Their love has been such a blessing this month and has truly helped me push through the homesickness part of this Race with endurance, laughter, and joy 🙂

I’ll write another blog on our day-to-day ministry later this week, but here’s some photos in the meantime of home sweet home: