I went to a chuch service tonight. I hadn't been to a church service for over two weeks and this was the first one I've been to in Kenya.
The attendance was small, but there were plenty of children lined up against the back wall to watch the "muzungos."
It was lightly sprinkling when we walked from our host's house to the church. And when we stepped inside, it truly began to rain. We met all the children and sat in our seats to wait for the service to start. Listening to the rain on the tin roof of the church, some of us began singing softly
"Rain down
all around the world we're singing
rain down
rain it down"
I had thought the rain was coming down pretty hard before, but now it was dumping out of the sky like a thunderous waterfall!
It had become so loud in the church it was impossible to hear Pastor Daniel as he attempted to lead us in prayer. So he shouted to us that we would wait for the rain to slow up a bit.
All I could do was smile in the presence of God's love. The rain blessed my heart and washed it clean just like it was washing the world outside.
Finally, the rain slackened enough for us to hear eachother and the service began. It felt good to praise God with other Christians because that makes it feel like home, even if home is on the other side of the world.
There hasn't been to much problem with the language barrier since most of the people here speak English as well as Swahili and the local tribal language of which I have yet to hear a name.
I'm also doing my best to pick up Swahili.
Ndiyo-Yes
Hapana-No
Asante sana-Thank you very much
And there are a number of words I've already learned and forgotten. I'm sure I'll learn them again tomorrow.
The trip from Nirobi(Sp?) was about 10 hours long and very bumpy. And it contained a number of what my team mate Emily called an "out of seat experience."
On the plus side I learned to take pictures of moving scenery. It's just georgeous to see!
Sometimes the land made me think more of Kentucky than what I thought Africa would look like. God continues to break my expectations.
And when I least expected it, (and when my camera was stowed safely away) we passed zebras! They were not a huge herd off in the distance, just about ten of them right by the road! Then we passed them and they were gone. And we saw no more.
I was sad for a moment until Kayla and I saw two babboons just chilling on a rock. They sat there like they were just chatting to pass the time.
And then I got a glimps of some wart hogs trotting around on their stiff little legs.
So over all, it was a eye opening trip!
Sorry there aren't any pictures this time. I will post more later. When I have time to wait on this slow internet connection.
Being here in Siaya is kind of similar to my experiences in Jamaica and Haiti. And it's totally different. I think the biggest difference is in me. I'm not a child just following along with my family any more. I'm an adult who made my own decision to come on this journey. I had an idea what was going to happen. And if I wasn't sure of something, I knew that I didn't know and I wanted to go anyway.
Not that I ever didn't want to go with my family, but then it wasn't my choice. It just feels different. I'm not complaining about having to share a tiny little room with two twin beds and four other girls. Or the sweatiness, or the bugs, or the interesting food. It's all something I got myself into. And regretting my decicion is not something I've even thought about. This is the life I've chosen. At least for eleven months. And it's so worth it.
God's already started doing things in me and in this place. I can't wait to see what's next!
