Habari! That is another greeting meaning "how are you?"
So much has happened within the last week! It is hard to believe I left home over a week ago! We are all safe and healthy for the most part; it is cold and flu season here. I caught a cold and have had many sneezes, but it is almost gone now. Orientation has come to a close. I've learned so much about the culture, I am so excited to go out and learn more! Brian and Deb have been wonderful and they have been our "Momma and Poppa".
Last time I wrote you, I was with a smaller group exploring Nairobi and bartering in the city market. I found I am terrible at bartering because I'm afraid I'll be too mean (ha ha). However, I quickly learned that the Kenyans love to take advantage of wazungus (white people) especially if they are tourists. Once I spoke some Swahili to them, they were a little bit more reasonable. That was exhausting. BUT next time we are in the city, those shopkeepers won't know what hit them! My game is on.
One thing I love about Kenya is that the people are very welcomeing. Everyone I have met has greeted me with a thousand "karibu-sana"s (very welcome). I went to a church just outside of Ngong town and they invited us to take chai afterwards. Sure, in the city they see money when they see us, but the pastors and everyone at the Senta (even the Masai pastors) are great. Kenyans are the most relational people I have met or seen. Most of them have cellphones, but they use them to chat and interact with eachother rather than for gadgets and games. I will be getting used to their concept of time - they are more focused on catching up with a friend who is passing them on the road than getting somewhere on time. I am looking forward to that!
I have already mentioned chai. Kenyans drink chai at least 3 times a day. Yum! After a week of it, I am pretty sure I won't get sick of it. The food here is not as bland as I was told ( picky Paula! ;)). There is a lot of cabbage, rice, meat (with lots of fat), and ugali (maze meal...like grits) - I like it all...minus the fat on the meat. Sukumawiki (sp?) is a dish made of kale and other veggies. No one on the team likes it...my mom feeds me kale, so I'm the only one who doesn't complain. Mom, I hope you're happy.
I feel like there is so much more to tell you all! Unfortunately, I will have to move on.
Our 3 week assignments were announced last night! We are going all over Kenya in pairs. My assignment partner is Beatrice, an Elementary Ed student from Montana State. We will be with Pastor Felix, his wife, and their 2 year old daughter, Blessings. They live in Kwale (which is on the coast not far from Mombasa) and have started a school with 10% Christian students with the rest Muslim. Bea and I will be teaching the kids, providing devotions, and sometimes preaching at Pastor's church. The goal is to build relationships with the Muslim families through the kids, build trust, and share the gospel with them. I have already met the Pastor and he's great! We leave tomorrow morning at 5 am.
I feel good about it. I love my parner, and I am excited to see how God will stretch me. Honestly, I was a little disappointed I wasn't going to an extremely rual area where I would take baths from a tub of cold water... Call me strange if you want to. And I was a little disappointed when I didn't get an orphanage, but my fellow UNC friend, Sam, promised me to give all my love to the children she will be working with in the Haruma slum. Lately, my heart has really desired to go back to a slum and love on the children there. Maybe more to be developed..?
BUT, Kwale will be a challenge that I know God wants me to take. I will be working with kids all the time! Yes! This morning, we were commissioned, annointed with a little oil, and prayed for. It hit me that this will be a difficult 3 weeks with out the other teammates and with out my family. Kenya's population is about 80% Christian, 10% Muslim, and 10% Hindi; so whenever I have been asked to "share a word from The Lord" it has been well accepted because most of them go to church. The Muslims obviously won't be very accepting.
Prayer Requests for me and my team:
Homesickness
Physical sickness
Good relationship with Beatrice
Boldness to evangelize with Muslims
Strength to "press on"
A good fit with Pastor Felix and his family
For me to always say "yes"
And for us to integrate with the culture as much as possible (we need to study more Swahili among other things).
Well, I will hopefully write you at the end of those 3 weeks (if not before, depending). Please keep praying! I love and miss you all!
Bwana Asafiwe!
Missy
