While on the World Race, I will be missing a lot of firsts. Many weddings and new beginnings as families come together, especially for Kristin and Vivian. First steps, first words, first solid food for Seth. First time Annette led our small group. First day of more school. Still in exchange, through the World Race I have experienced some unimaginable firsts:
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First steps on African soil, red Kenyan dirt more specifically
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First New Years Eve celebration with worship under an African moon
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First taste of crocodile meat at Carnivale
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First bumpy ride in the open bed of an old green army truck rolling along red dirt roads
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First songwriting attempt
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First night sleeping under a mosquito net that I can’t sit up under
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First time building a school classroom with wooden beams and tin sheets
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First time removing dirt to create a floor for the classroom with a bucket with a giant hole on the side
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First African print wrap skirt
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First breakdown during a tuktuk ride (tuktuks are African taxis with three tires)
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First experience praying for a mother who lost one of her twins at birth
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First time fetching water from a local spring where the cows bathe in rural Motosiet
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First time praying live on Imani Radio 88.8 (Faith radio) to 7.2 million listeners
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First time photographing a 5-hour long African Christian wedding from unlocking the gate to the bride to the reception
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First meal with ugali (Kenyans’ staple of cornmeal and water)
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First round of applause just because I come from Chicago, the land of Obama
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First African baptism in a muddy river in rural Lukhome
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First theological discussion with local African pastors
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First dazzling African sunset over a field of sunflowers in Kiminini near Mt. Elgon
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First drive down country roads waving to the local children, who have never seen a “muzungu” (white person)
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First time yelling “Wako wapi?” (Where are they?) in response to children yelling “muzungu” as we drive by
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First time I’ve been called a “muzungu”
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First encounter with another Asian in Africa (a missionary from California)
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First scar from falling out of an African tree I climbed
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First African dress, a generous gift of a sister at Kitale Growth Church
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First time I’ve been offered pop or Kenyan chai as a gesture of hospitality in homes and schools
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First taste of fresh guava fruit
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First steps in sandals made from recycled car tires
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First doctors clinic encounter with malaria patients (please pray for our host mother and son)
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First clear starry night view of Cassiopeia and Orion’s belt
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First sunrise peaking over banana trees
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First time empowering 1,200 high school boys to find and follow God’s dreams for them and their community in Africa
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First time I was locked out in the middle of the night after going to the outdoor bathroom
I smile and laugh at most of these firsts. When I look back, I will know that I am right where God wants me to be, experiencing Him in the stars, street children’s smiles, and juicy guava.
