Day 13 –
Bleating of
goats, humid heat, and noise from the television aroused me around 8 AM on
Saturday morning which is late for the household. My senses still remember the
sounds and taste the world held around me. We were now used to getting up
around 5:45 AM for school when the temperature was cooler and the sun was just
showing its face. I felt a little guilty when I walked out into the living room
where the breakfast was sitting on the table covered. It was likely prepared
two hours beforehand. Bea and I ate breakfast while thanking Mama that she let
us sleep past six. We had nothing scheduled and Pastor gave us permission to
rest the whole day which I hadn’t done in a very long time. My mind instantly
thought of things for me to do to occupy my time. Playing with Belssings was on
the list and writing in my journal, but I also was focused on preparing sermons
and devotions for the next school week. Tasks again. That was where my
Americanized mind rushed to first. Those characteristics were soon to be
challenged by my Kenyan family at home and at school.
Laundry came after chai. Hand washing wasn’t the difficult part; it was trying to actually have clean clothes as a result. I began to feel inadequate next to Kenyan women who have done hard labor day by day since they were old enough to talk. Also, I was starting to feel like I was a bother to my host family. Mama did everything for us, got up early and cooked, prepared chai and lunch for me while at school, and prepared dinner, a bath, and chai after getting home from a long day at school. I was the one wanting to be the servant and serve them. One thing about me you should know: I have loved doing hard physical labor, working with horses, and being strong and athletic. I have taken pride in my physical strength and independence; Kenya was quickly putting me right back in my place. This was the day that I truly recognized this part of my character that I could not ignore.
After laundry, Caleb (Madame Phoebe’s son from next door) came over and played with Blessings. Those two were hilarious to watch. Typical brother and sister. She was bossy and he was being…a boy. Caleb loved my camera and I allowed him to take it around the house and shoot photos while Bea and I wrote sermons and devotions. She was preparing for her sermon she would give the next day and I was feeling the nerves for her. While we were working, Evans and Grace came by to visit. My heart felt glad to have our friends with us. I was pleased to know that Grace was moving across the street from "our" house so we would get to see her more. She was quickly becoming a good friend.
This Saturday was rejuvenating as we were able to process and refocus our eyes on Jesus instead of the differences around us. God was the constant and our refuge.
Laundry came after chai. Hand washing wasn’t the difficult part; it was trying to actually have clean clothes as a result. I began to feel inadequate next to Kenyan women who have done hard labor day by day since they were old enough to talk. Also, I was starting to feel like I was a bother to my host family. Mama did everything for us, got up early and cooked, prepared chai and lunch for me while at school, and prepared dinner, a bath, and chai after getting home from a long day at school. I was the one wanting to be the servant and serve them. One thing about me you should know: I have loved doing hard physical labor, working with horses, and being strong and athletic. I have taken pride in my physical strength and independence; Kenya was quickly putting me right back in my place. This was the day that I truly recognized this part of my character that I could not ignore.
After laundry, Caleb (Madame Phoebe’s son from next door) came over and played with Blessings. Those two were hilarious to watch. Typical brother and sister. She was bossy and he was being…a boy. Caleb loved my camera and I allowed him to take it around the house and shoot photos while Bea and I wrote sermons and devotions. She was preparing for her sermon she would give the next day and I was feeling the nerves for her. While we were working, Evans and Grace came by to visit. My heart felt glad to have our friends with us. I was pleased to know that Grace was moving across the street from "our" house so we would get to see her more. She was quickly becoming a good friend.
This Saturday was rejuvenating as we were able to process and refocus our eyes on Jesus instead of the differences around us. God was the constant and our refuge.
More notes on Kenyan culture:
Kenyans usually speak in circular patterns and they don’t get to the point very quickly. Example: sermons are circular - there is no direct point until the end. Yet, they are very blunt and straight forward. Not wishy-washy. I really admire that in them.
Kenyans usually speak in circular patterns and they don’t get to the point very quickly. Example: sermons are circular - there is no direct point until the end. Yet, they are very blunt and straight forward. Not wishy-washy. I really admire that in them.
