New Beginnings

Jan 12, 2009 (I had to look at my ticket to see what day I would arrive as I am definitely disoriented in knowing what day/time/place I am at!) It is currently 9:05am in Michigan, but 5:05pm in Kenya (we are 8hrs ahead of you).
I’m on my way to Kenya! It still hardly seems real, even though I am currently on a Boeing 777, 2,628 miles away from Nairobi. My travels thus far have been quite nice- my entire family and Caitlin all drove into Chicago to escort and say fare-thee-well from O’Hare Intl. After checking in (bags weighing in at 51 & 49.5 lbs with a 51 lb. limit (thank you God)) and hugs all around, I went through security at O’Hare and boarded easily, but had to wait over an hour in the plane for better weather before departing to Newark, NJ. The minute I sat down after going through security, I pulled out that precious little photo encouragement book from my community group friends in Kalamazoo, reflecting on how my “story” began so long ago, and where/how God has brought me to this point of serving in Kenya for 3 months. “Thank you God for all the people you’ve blessed me with, and your unconditional faithfulness. Grow me and make me fall more in love with You than ever before! Giving up (humbling) yourself, you became obedient to death, even death on a cross. I want to follow in your footsteps, but am so weak. Change me God.”
Newark, N.J.- Got a little stressed there as I had to get a new ticket, but made it to my gate with minutes enough to charge my cell phone and call home on roaming (thank you Daddy). My last cell phone call/text messages for a while; I look forward to that “freedom” from cell phone. From Newark to London I met a most pleasant young man named David Ley who was returning to London from break in Newark. He kindly pointed out the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and the river that separates NY from NJ. (Can anyone say “Facebook friends?!) He was very kind, and even saved a breakfast for me to have when I woke up (as I was sleeping when they passed it out). I may get to meet up with him on my 5 ½ hr layover in April for a super fast tour of London; we’ll see….
Arriving in London was a bit stressful as my heart sunk at the loooooong security lines I had to get through in 1 hour. Had to give up my contact solution-bummer. Met Austin Klint on the plane (I was one of the last to get on b/c of the lines). SO good to know we’re together now, and soon will be meeting Dan and Suzanne in Nairobi.
I’ve been people watching like crazy, hopefully on the sly, but I am so interested and curious as to what makes people who they are; traveling provides abundant opportunity for great potential stories of the imagination! ☺
Caitlin Williamson- you are so cute! I have truly enjoyed each of the 3 letters (and dark chocolate!) addressed to me for various points throughout my journey. It is going to be hard to wait for the many other “random” envelopes all tied up with a brown ribbon, but I love it! I already opened the “when I miss you so now” and was just reflecting on our friendship and the ways it has grown over the years. I am thankful for you!
Looking ahead- Whether it feels like it or not, I will very soon be settling into my home for the next 3 months near Bomet, Kenya at Tenwek Hospital. As Caitlin reminded me, I pray my awareness of the needs in Kenya are heightened through living in the midst of this African continent and prayer for these people and their needs become part of who I am. I pray I serve with a heart of humility and wisdom from what God has taught me thus far in life. I pray for my 15 students and their families, that I am a blessing to them. I pray I become a changed person who loves God more and knows Him well. Pray that these things are laid on my heart daily and know that I love you and thank God for you (names are running through my head as I write this of all the countless people God has brought in and out of my life for whom I am so blessed to have called friend.)
Jan 14
Yesterday (Tuesday) Dan, Suzanne, Austin and I left the Mennonite guest house and visited the “Meijer” of Kenya which is Nakumartt and also visited the dukas (roadside shops) where I had my first experience with bartering. Yikesabee! I spent my first Kenyan schillings (borrowed from Suzanne) on a shawl type wrap and some souvenir gifts. Lunch was at a lovely outdoor “Java house” (Kenya’s version of Starbucks) and then Suzanne bought me beautiful orange/red flowers from the fresh fruit/veggie store (Zuchhini’s). After helping the Haywards grocery shop for the next 6 weeks, we drove from Nairobi to Tenwek Hospital—a 4 hr, bumpy, dusty ride filled with catching up the Haywards on “home” stuff and quiet moments of soaking in all that makes Africa what it is. We saw the Rift Valley, zebras, speed bumps (aka cows), and swirls of dust from passing vehicles on our road. In Bomet (the nearest town to Tenwek), I got my first 5,000 shillings from the ATM (about $66; currently 79ksh=$1). Met lots of people I’ll be interacting with over the next weeks and months-medical students, med. Residents, doctors and their families (my students), Kenyans and more! On name/face placement overload!
Wednesday (today)
Woke up this morning after an ok night of rest in the guest-house (my home for the next 3 months). I’d woken up around 12:30am and couldn’t sleep b/c of jet-lag, so I listened to a sermon on my iPod until sleep once again claimed me. Woke up to a full day! Granola cereal w/ dried papaya and pineapple was breakfast, then a 3 minute walk to the Haywards for Chai (tea, milk, sugar-yummy!), traditionally served daily at 10:15 am. The rest of the day was mostly spent going through curriculum w/ 2 families (Haywards and Crognales). The reality of what I’m undertaking is beginning to hit hard. I’ll have 15 students among the 6 families that are here. We safari Fri-Sun. at Massai Mara, and school begins Monday- no time to stop! Tomorrow I meet with 2 more families over meals~the Whites and Roberts~ which allows time for that initial get to know each other/curriculum stuff. I am still waiting on my lost luggage to arrive from British Air! Neither of my bags made it, so I am living with what my carry-ons held and washing undies in the sink. ☹
Worth Noting
1. Suzanne took me for my first introduction of the school room today and we opened the door to such a stink- of dead animal! Turns out there were 2 dead shrews in the bathroom and a live shrew munchin’ away on his past buddies. NASTY! A wonderful Kenyan gentleman cleaned it all up for me and the room is now back to normal. Whew…
2. The driver’s side of vehicles is opposite of what it is in the States, and today a new friend offered me a ride down the road and I definitely hopped into the drivers side—he let me! Embarassingly funny! (too bad it was a stick or I might’ve just driven us. However, I’m already on information/new learning overload, so that lesson shall just have to wait….)
Asante sana (thank you so much) for taking the time to read of my Kenyan Adventures thus far. Nina soma Kiswahili (I am learning Kiswahili) day by day. Thanks for those notes Michelle! They’ve been helpful already!