On Sat. I was at an African wedding. It was an experience I will not forget. I was there to help Joanie take pictures. We started off at the bride’s house and took some pictures while she got ready. She stayed in her room so that no one could see her. There were 22 in the wedding party so there were lots of people to get ready. The wedding was to start at 10:00. They were still getting ready at 10:00. Then all of a sudden there was cars coming to the house with their horns honking and women singing. That was the sign that everything was about to get started. Everyone but the wedding party left the house. There is a gate into the house grounds. On the other side of the gate the ladies were singing that they wanted to get the bride to go. On the house side the ladies were saying it is not time yet. This went on back and forth for about 20 – 30 mins. Finally the outside ladies were let into the grounds. Then they continued to sing at the door of the house that they wanted to see the bride. Finally the bride came to the door. They had a prayer with her and then walked to the vehicle that was going to take her to the church. Because the ground is dirt they placed a blanket on the ground so that her dress would not get dirty. A tradition as they travel to the church is to have a pickup truck drive in front of the bride’s vehicle and take pictures along the way. Well this job was mine. I stood in the back of the truck and took pictures of the vehicle all the way to town were the church was. It was about at 10 – 15 ride. It was a very interesting drive. Not only were people watching the event on the way there was a white person taking the pictures. We arrived at the church and the wedding got started at noon. That is two hours after it should have. The service went until about 1:45. After the service we spent time taking pictures of the couple with everyone with any connection to them. So that took some time. Then we headed over to the place they were going to have the reception which was only a few minutes away. Once we got there we waiting for the wedding party to get there to take more pictures. Once that was done around 3:30 they started the dinner. Most of the people that had come and were waiting for the couple to get there had already eaten. The reception was outside with tents for shelter. The wedding party danced themselves around before sitting at their table to eat. They did not have much time to eat before they had to get up to receive gifts that people had brought. Those that had gifts brought them to the front and were each given to the couple. Once that was done they cut the cake. They fed each other a piece. Then they shared some with each other’s side of their family’s and then some for Joanie and me. Once that was done we took a few more pictures and then it was pretty much done. We left around 5:30 happy to have been a part of the celebration but ready to rest. Joanie and I went for something to eat when we left and I have attached a picture of me holding another baby. There just seems to always be one around.
On the Sunday we had an opportunity to go to Nairobi for two days to attend a church conference of one of the local pastors. It was defiantly a different experience then I have ever been a part of. The worship style was very charismatic. It defiantly opened my eyes to see God work in many different ways including in my own life. It was exciting to see and feel God move is such a new way. It was defiantly a highlight on my time here.
I also had the opportunity to attend two pastors’ prayer meetings. It was good to be a part of. Once you go over getting up at and out the door by 6:15am it was a wonderful way to start the day. There is nothing like praising God first thing in the morning with other people.
Well the rain has really come which is such a joy here. I usually try and get this blog up by Sat. but due to the heavy rain we had most of the day and between the hydro being out and the internet down it has been delayed. We have been very fortunate to have not experienced too much delay due to hydro being down. It has been kind of nice but I am told that is not the norm.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Saturday, 7 April 2012
New Friends
One of the sayings in Kenya is that nothing is broken. Everything can be fixed or used for some other purpose. This is not just a saying it is true and I continue to see it in action. Joanie’s fridge had stopped working while she was gone so when we first got here a new one needed to be purchased. What do you do with the one that is not working? Well you use it for storage in your home. So a Kenyan was very happy to take it to their home for that reason. The cord on my cell phone charger had some exposed wires so it was not working. We would just go get a new one. Here someone takes it for 10 minutes buts the wire’s back wraps it in tape and it is good to go. Joanie’s cell phone was not working when she returned. She was told in the US that she needed to get a new one. Again it was with a Kenyan for 15 minutes and it has worked just fine ever since. We so easily through things out at home and buy a new one when most of the time if the effort is taken it could be fixed or used in some other way.
I was able to visit some of the outreach organizations that PACE works with. The first one I went to was Victory Nursery school. This is a nursery school that is located in one of the major slums just outside the town that I am in. It is run by a pastor and his wife. They live right there and teach to kids ages 3-5. They have about 75 kids that are taught in two rooms. There are school fee’s required for this kids (about $3 a month for us) but if the kids are not able to pay that is fine they are still welcome to come. These kids love when white people come. I spent a good 15 – 20 minutes playing with them as they swarmed around me wanting to hold my hand or arm whatever they could get a hold of. So as you can imagine I turned it into a tickle session. It was a great time. After being there we went to another school just up the road. This one was set up by another pastor that works with a tribe that is getting smaller. These kids were much different than the first ones. None of them wanted to come and talk to me. Within their tribe they are taught not to talk to anyone. So the visit was short but I got see their classroom and talk with the teacher a bit. There are about 50 kids ranging from 2 ½ to 10 and they are all taught together in one room with just chairs. The teacher has a one year old girl that she carries on her back while she teaches. They are in class from 8 – 1 every day. I also spent some time at Goshen which is located about 15 min’s from home (but takes 30’s due to road conditions). There a local pastor has sent up a location for the elderly that meet twice a week to worship and be fed porridge. They meet at 11:00 and finish around 1:00. Some of the elderly that meet start walking at 7:00am in order to be on time. They come from very far. They had a time for prayer requests and a few shared that they are looking after their grandchildren because there children have left them with them. It is a hard life they have with no family to help to take care of them. But you would never know it when you are with them as they are always happy and were so glad that I would take the time to be with them. I think it was me that was more blessed by being there. I have attached some pictures of all these visits.
This week the rains finally came. Everyone is in good spirits as they are able to start planting their gardens and fields. So this means the weather is a little cooler and damp but not to complain as the rain is needed. For the most part so far if rain is going to come on any given day it comes in the later afternoon or evening. So you have most of the day without rain.
The kids at PACE were also done school this week and are going home for a three week break. They will return on May 2. They are all very happy for the break.
It has been a great week and I look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.
Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
I was able to visit some of the outreach organizations that PACE works with. The first one I went to was Victory Nursery school. This is a nursery school that is located in one of the major slums just outside the town that I am in. It is run by a pastor and his wife. They live right there and teach to kids ages 3-5. They have about 75 kids that are taught in two rooms. There are school fee’s required for this kids (about $3 a month for us) but if the kids are not able to pay that is fine they are still welcome to come. These kids love when white people come. I spent a good 15 – 20 minutes playing with them as they swarmed around me wanting to hold my hand or arm whatever they could get a hold of. So as you can imagine I turned it into a tickle session. It was a great time. After being there we went to another school just up the road. This one was set up by another pastor that works with a tribe that is getting smaller. These kids were much different than the first ones. None of them wanted to come and talk to me. Within their tribe they are taught not to talk to anyone. So the visit was short but I got see their classroom and talk with the teacher a bit. There are about 50 kids ranging from 2 ½ to 10 and they are all taught together in one room with just chairs. The teacher has a one year old girl that she carries on her back while she teaches. They are in class from 8 – 1 every day. I also spent some time at Goshen which is located about 15 min’s from home (but takes 30’s due to road conditions). There a local pastor has sent up a location for the elderly that meet twice a week to worship and be fed porridge. They meet at 11:00 and finish around 1:00. Some of the elderly that meet start walking at 7:00am in order to be on time. They come from very far. They had a time for prayer requests and a few shared that they are looking after their grandchildren because there children have left them with them. It is a hard life they have with no family to help to take care of them. But you would never know it when you are with them as they are always happy and were so glad that I would take the time to be with them. I think it was me that was more blessed by being there. I have attached some pictures of all these visits.
This week the rains finally came. Everyone is in good spirits as they are able to start planting their gardens and fields. So this means the weather is a little cooler and damp but not to complain as the rain is needed. For the most part so far if rain is going to come on any given day it comes in the later afternoon or evening. So you have most of the day without rain.
The kids at PACE were also done school this week and are going home for a three week break. They will return on May 2. They are all very happy for the break.
It has been a great week and I look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.
Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Friday, 30 March 2012
More New Learnings
On Saturday we have our first afternoon showing movies with the kids at the school. Most of them have class in the morning and then have the rest of the afternoon and evening free. So we showed them back to the future one and two. It was interesting to sit with them as they watched it. The movies are in English so most of their reactions are due to the activity happening instead of the words that are being said. The boys really liked them because of the car. During the second movie I stepped out and had a tour of the girl’s dorm. I brought some family and friend pictures from home so I showed the girls them. They are always interested in seeing were you have come from. I also had some pictures of snow to show them. This they can’t understand. They don’t know how people can live in such cold temperatures and I was asked if people die because of it.
On Sunday Joanie and I went to the city to get some supplies. It is about an hour and a half drive. There are many small towns that we drive through on the way. It is always amazing to see everyone walking and know that it is not just a couple of blocks that they have come from but most likely an hour or more. It is also amazing to see the little children (as young as 4 or 5) walking on their own without an adult. I have asked if there is any fear of the child being taken and the answer is no. They would rarely hear about of that happening. Young kids often have to walk to school for over an hour without an adult.
Another thing that I need to get use to is writing everything on paper. There is a printer here but it costs a lot to use so rarely is it used. Also if you want to ask someone a question or forward on an email in most cases you can’t do it as very few people have a computer. So you write out what you are looking for. Also when I receive information from someone it is written out on paper even when it talks a few pages. I have to keep reminding myself that this is all they know. Even if I think it is easier to type it out that is not an option for them. It is amazing how you can get use too not actually having to talk to anyone to get something done at home. Here that is not the case. You need to get up and talk to them. This of course is not a bad thing. It shows once again that everything here is about relationships. Talking and interacting with each other is very important. More than we would ever do at home.
I continue to be amazed by the children and their happiness. The High School children wrote exams this week to end their term. Each day after exams I would ask how they went. Some would say they were hard but no one would express they wish they didn’t have them. Kids here are grateful for the opportunity to be given this education. It is a good reminder to be grateful for of what we have and not to take advantage of it. There are so many things that we enjoy in Canada and assume we will always have them. Here that is not the case.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
Isaiah 43:2
On Sunday Joanie and I went to the city to get some supplies. It is about an hour and a half drive. There are many small towns that we drive through on the way. It is always amazing to see everyone walking and know that it is not just a couple of blocks that they have come from but most likely an hour or more. It is also amazing to see the little children (as young as 4 or 5) walking on their own without an adult. I have asked if there is any fear of the child being taken and the answer is no. They would rarely hear about of that happening. Young kids often have to walk to school for over an hour without an adult.
Another thing that I need to get use to is writing everything on paper. There is a printer here but it costs a lot to use so rarely is it used. Also if you want to ask someone a question or forward on an email in most cases you can’t do it as very few people have a computer. So you write out what you are looking for. Also when I receive information from someone it is written out on paper even when it talks a few pages. I have to keep reminding myself that this is all they know. Even if I think it is easier to type it out that is not an option for them. It is amazing how you can get use too not actually having to talk to anyone to get something done at home. Here that is not the case. You need to get up and talk to them. This of course is not a bad thing. It shows once again that everything here is about relationships. Talking and interacting with each other is very important. More than we would ever do at home.
I continue to be amazed by the children and their happiness. The High School children wrote exams this week to end their term. Each day after exams I would ask how they went. Some would say they were hard but no one would express they wish they didn’t have them. Kids here are grateful for the opportunity to be given this education. It is a good reminder to be grateful for of what we have and not to take advantage of it. There are so many things that we enjoy in Canada and assume we will always have them. Here that is not the case.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
Isaiah 43:2
Thursday, 22 March 2012
New Learning
On Sunday I attended my first real Kenyan service. I say real because it was long. The first service was in English and was to start at 9:00 but ended up starting at 9:15 (which is also normal for Kenya). That service was over at 10:15. Then the Kiswahili service started. It did not finish until 2:30. As you can imagine it was a long time to sit especially when you have no idea what they are saying. The church was celebrating 55 years since it started so there were also some extra things going on. Once the service was over we eat lunch together and then I was taken home.
Children here start school at age 3 (baby class). Then they move to middle class ( J-K ). Then top class (S-K). These three classes are in an area of their own. I was able to spend a morning with them. They start around 8:00. I sat in with the middle class. At 10:00 they break for portage and time to run around. They are back in class between 11:00 – 11:30 and the go for lunch around 12:30. After lunch they have some more time to run around and then they all go down for a nap and then get ready to go home at 4:00. The teacher asked if kids at home have a nap in the afternoon and I told her no. She was a little surprised.
I am trying to learn how to entertain myself while not at PACE. It is amazing when you don’t have the option of TV or going out how your mind can wonder. I am learning to lean on God more and take this time to become closer to him. This can be a struggle as I am a people person and get my energy from them. There will be times when I am around people a lot and I need to learn to enjoy the quite times. Quite is good. I am just not use to it. So I keep seeking the Lord and what he is looking for from me while I am here.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it work so that your may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1 : 2 - 5
Some people have asked what kind of food I am eating here. For example on Sunday we were serviced, rice, potatoes, cabbage, a little meat and some chapatti (like a flat bread). It is all served together in one bowl and usually a lot unless you catch them before they fill the bowl. Which most times they know we don’t want as much. Some of the other things I eat are pasta and beans. When we eat at home we try and avoid these things. We made spaghetti sauce last week so we enjoyed that for a few days. During the week when we are at PACE sometimes I eat what the kids eat every day which is rice or corn maze with beans. Can’t have beans every day. I will let you guess why.
Children here start school at age 3 (baby class). Then they move to middle class ( J-K ). Then top class (S-K). These three classes are in an area of their own. I was able to spend a morning with them. They start around 8:00. I sat in with the middle class. At 10:00 they break for portage and time to run around. They are back in class between 11:00 – 11:30 and the go for lunch around 12:30. After lunch they have some more time to run around and then they all go down for a nap and then get ready to go home at 4:00. The teacher asked if kids at home have a nap in the afternoon and I told her no. She was a little surprised.
I am trying to learn how to entertain myself while not at PACE. It is amazing when you don’t have the option of TV or going out how your mind can wonder. I am learning to lean on God more and take this time to become closer to him. This can be a struggle as I am a people person and get my energy from them. There will be times when I am around people a lot and I need to learn to enjoy the quite times. Quite is good. I am just not use to it. So I keep seeking the Lord and what he is looking for from me while I am here.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it work so that your may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1 : 2 - 5
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Let the Fun Begin
Sunday was my first day to attend church. It was good. There is lots of singing from the kids and adults. I just love to listen to them sing. They have such joy. Because Joanie and I were there a lot of the service was done in English so that we could get something out of it. Normally it would not be. It was nice for them to show that kind of consideration. After church we had a chance to go to Irugu’s (He works at PACE) parent’s house. Back in Canada the ride to their house would take a half hour. Well it took over an hour due to the road conditions. I don’t think I can ever explain what they are like but just know that I was glad to get out of the vehicle when we got there. We were driving a Rave 4 type vehicle. There was two adults and to children in the back seat and two adults with a 3 year old on the drivers lap. No danger at all. That is called driving Kenya style. One of the main reasons for going was to give Irugu’s dad a hear device that Joanie was given in Canada while she was home. His dad has not heard well for a very long time. You would have to yell right beside him for him to hear. It was so amazing to watch as he put this device on and to watch him be able to talk to people across the room. I felt very blessed to be a part of it. While there I also got to hold a one month old baby. It was a joy. The parents also have orange and lemon trees. We got to pick and take some home. Nothing like having them right off the tree.
On Tuesday I started my first day at PACE. My hours will be from 8-5. The first day was very busy and I just dove into what was asked of me. For the first few weeks we will figure out what my schedule will look like and were I may spend my time. As I had predicted I think it will take some time to adapt to the way things are done. I am no longer working in a structured office setting. I will have to show much patients as I learn. I have also spent some of my time helping in the kitchen helping. Washing dishes, sorting through beans and rice for stones before they can be made. It is very tedious work but there is good fellowship that can happen while you are doing it. It also helps to understand what they need to do every day. I have also helped to serve the lunch to the kids.
Friday night I spent the afternoon and evening with the youth for a praise and worship time. It was so great to be with a couple hundred youth singing and praising God. Their singing is amazing. It was a late night but I was glad to be able to spend the time with them.
It has been a busy week and I am feeling more and more at home as time passes. I have attached a few pictures. One of me holding the baby and the other is pictures of the main street in the town nearby.
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Week One
Well my first week here has been good. The weather has been great. Only rained a few times but not for very long at a time. But once the sun goes away a light coat is needed. Kind of like spring or fall in Ontario. As we sat watching a movie last night we both had blankets on. We tried to remind ourselves that we are living right on the equator. Something didn’t seem right. But we 8000 feet above sea level which makes this area a little colder than what you might think of for Kenya. Much of the week was spent unpacking and getting settled in the house. One day we went to the city (about 1 ½ ride) to get some supplies. The ride is so beautiful. It is very mountainous with green (more brown these days as there has not been much rain) hills. There are many smaller towns that we drive through and it is always interesting to pick up on different cultural things. When we were on our way home the kids were coming home from school. It was not unusual to see 3-4 year olds walking along the road by themselves coming home from school. I asked if there was any fear of them being taken and the answer was not at all. I also saw a cattle crossing sign which made me smile.
Another fact that I have learned which some may have already known but Roasters don’t just crow when the sun comes up. They can go on all night as I have witnessed since I got here. I am getting used to hearing chickens, rosters, cows and dogs while sleeping.
I was also able to go over to PACE for the first time and see some people that I knew from my last time here. It was so good to see some familiar faces and to connect with them again. It gave me much excitement to start my work. I will officially start on Tuesday so I have the weekend left to relax a little before the work begins.
I also experienced my first visit to a small Kenyan hospital to pick someone up. We went into the place where the child was staying. The “room” with two beds was like a small cement cubical. Not much room and not great beds. We also go to see the doctor and see her treat the child we were picking up as well as her one year old sister. This was interesting to observe as nothing was sanitary. It was very hard to take it all in. Though the conditions were not that great I was reminded that if it were not for this these two children who had really bad coughs and a high fever may have died. So you become very grateful that this was available even if it was not at the standards we are use too.
So I a slowing getting use to and comfortable with this new home of mind. There are new a great challenges happing all the time and I continue to look forward to walking through them.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22Monday, 5 March 2012
I am here
Well it is hard to believe but I am here in Kenya. Travel went well. We spent Sunday in Nairobi and didn't arrive home until about 5:50 pm. When we got here there was not hydro and it stayed off for the rest of the night. So we jumped right into the culture. First night in the dark. That was interesting. Today was spent doing some unpacking and visiting as people dropped it. This morning I took a motor bike taxi with some one else from here to town to get some food. That was an experience. I bet you wish you good see that. So I am trying to jump right into the culture. The weather here is good. No snow which make me happy. It is warm in the sun and a little colder once it goes away. The rest of the week will be spent getting settle and then the real work will begin on Monday. More later.
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