Mom and Dad, I regret to inform you that I will no longer be coming home in August.
I am in Africa. My life is amazing.
This month I am doing ministry at a blind school. The students here are either totally blind or going blind. The school teaches them how to be self sufficient and prepared for their future. We are working primarily with the students at the secondary school, so from 14 years old to 18. There are quite a few Albino students here, as they typically are visually impaired. Here is a quick breakdown of how this last week, one of the most wonderful of my life, has looked:
Day one: Our squad landed in Nairobi and the vibrant culture met me with open arms.
Day two: We arrived at our ministry and met our contact, Captain Leonard, a big black Kenyan with a deep voice, fatherly tendencies, and an evident love for God and service. He introduced us to the students at the secondary school for the blind. We immediately gained hundreds of new friends, eager to learn about our culture, country, families, friends, hobbies, dreams, goals, beliefs.
Day three: Our team went to sort the rocks out of the rice that the students would be eating and found ourselves surrounded by a multitude of young men. They wasted no time in challenging us with their questions: “What can you tell me about the illuminati?” “How does African infrastructure compare to that of the US?” “What were some of your misconceptions about Kenya before you came?” “What do you think about the political standing of our country?” They then proceeded to share with us what some of their ambitions include: “I wanted to fly a plane but I cannot because of my eyesight, so I would like to be an electrical engineer so that I can fix the planes instead.” “I want to be a lawyer after I go to University” “I would like to be a politician so that I can improve our Country” “I would like to be part of the Salvation Army so that I can help the people in need” “I would like to be a teacher for the blind”.
Day four: We got up early to help a man who moved to Kenya from Kentucky build a green house for the school. While we are a team of seven girls, we truly enjoy getting our hands dirty and doing manual labor. We dug ditches and trenches and hoed the dirt, and watched as professionals crawled around the pipes above us in a dangerous fashion to pull the covering over our beautiful new structure. Again, we found ourselves surrounded by the students, being watched by those who could see and listened to by those who could not. We spent time in the evenings with the students in the prayer room, listening to their underrated African child voices praising in the purest fashion.
Day five: Listened to Shari preach on Faith at the student's morning chapel, and nearly cried as I listened to and watched the students sing. This is a thing that every person must experience first hand! Finished our work on the greenhouse. Spent the rest of the day 'being free' as Captain likes to put it. Socializing, befriending, loving on our new pals.
Day six: Went to the primary school for the first time and saw tiny visually impaired students. Became friends with a group of students from the University in Nairobi. Did the 'white girl' equivalent of African dancing. Got back to the secondary school in time to watch some of our friends play soccer with a ball that has bells inside of it to help them locate it. Accompanied Captain to his Rotary club meeting where we met many interesting individuals.
(Jacenta, Gladys, Steph and I watching futbol)
Day seven: Listened to MORE amazing singing by the students in their moring service. Went to the primary school accross from the secondary school and preached (for my first time ever) at their service. Danced with the African children. Watched the tiny visually impaired 5 year olds guiding their totally blind classmates accross the lawn. Learned how to type in Brail, thanks to my new friend, WIlson. Learned about a new game called "Goal Ball" which is "the blind man's volleyball". Fell even more deeply in love with the students.
(The primary students)
(Wilson and I going to learn Brail)
(Some of the girls playing Goal Ball. Those who are only partially blind have to cover their eyes)
So, mom and dad, you can see why I will no longer be coming home. Sorry!
xoxo,
Sage
