Things to Avoid in Kenya

Now that we have been in Kenya over two months, we are pretty much experts at all things cultural, environmental and...well, everything.  Our friends, Andy and Laura, are ministering in Hilton Head, SC, and everybody says "When can we visit?"   Very few of our friends (like none) have said,  "When can we visit?"  Even so, we thought it would be good to let you know what you may want to avoid if you jump on a jet for the short flight over. Our extensive experience has taught us much and we feel duty bound to share.

There is an insect here called the Nairobi Eye. What a nasty little rascal he is. About as thick as a piece of spaghetti and 15 mm long, (been here so long we use metrics). This guy is little but insidious. So what happens is, if you find one of these tiny creastures on a part of your body and if you accidentally crush them and get their bodily fluid on you, it literally gives you a chemical burn. For days you have an infected sore that is unsightly and painful. We have seen two in our apartment.  With great skill and daring we eradiated them. We crushed them with a paper towel. One of our dorm girls has a burn both above and below her knee from one of these sinister creatures. At this point we could post a shot of a red weeping sore that has been bandaged twice a day for about a week now, but does anyone really want to see that? Nairobi eyes, avoid them!

We have had much less luck dodging the next menace, the long prayer. While this species is not confined to Kenya we do have, it seems, our fair share (rampant among missionary folk).  Pretty sure that neither of us would be defined as big talkers nor long prayers. So, when we talk to God, we get to the point. He already knows all the specifics anyway.  The trick during these long prayers is to keep the eyes closed (although a peek occasionally to see other short prayer prayer warriors like you can be reassuring), heads bowed in reverence (trying not to nod off), and not to cheer out loud when you hear "In Jesus name we pray, Amen!"

 If given the choice of facing a long prayer or a Nairobi Eye we would probably take the prayer. It would be a close call though.  It might depend if we have any paper towel handy?

On the other end of the spectrum, is the elusive zip-lock bag.  These bad boys are banned in Kenya.  If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the possession of one, DO NOT SHARE!  You will never see it again! Treat it with care, washing carefully, until it no longer zips nor locks.  A proper burial may be needed upon its demise for closure.

Oh, the hardships we endure!!

Last night, at our Dorm Devotions, the girls shared about “their people”, what ministry their families were in and where they had served.  Talk about sacrifices and hardships!  Many have experienced several moves amongst several countries across the globe.  Some have been kicked out of countries because of wars, some fleeing during gun battles.  Many have lived in remote villages where the amenities of life are nonexistent.  Most have a hard time identifying where “home” the place is.  That is true sacrifice and hardship. But is it?  All the girls were able to identify the feeling of “home”, the area where God has called their family to serve, whether in one place for all their lives or many different places.  They have grasped the concept that where God wants us is where we should be.  They have lived this way of life, they have seen it modeled by their families, and they have been blessed.  What an inspiration!  Simple concept, complex in its implementation.  Is it a true sacrifice (consider what Christ sacrificed), is it a true hardship (consider what Christ endured) when we are following God’s lead?  Maybe an earthly inconvenience, maybe uncomfortable, but nothing when compared to Christ!  And the blessings promised us are beyond measure!  These young ladies have taught us a great lesson in following Christ.  We need to get out of the way and let him lead!

Now, if they could just grasp the concept that their bed needs to be made each morning. ..

Homework in our apartment.

Cloudy days

Who would have believed it? We just spent our coldest August of our lives and we are on the equator. Altitude will do that. Our school is at 7300 ft and almost all of our days have had varing degrees of clouds. In fact, last Saturday we were out early for prayer and a walk and not a cloud in the sky. By the time we finshed breakfast, it had clouded over and the clouds remained for the rest of the day. It was July when we left Michigan and we were going to Africa. So we made some packing mistakes. We were warned that it's winter over here now, but our brains just wouldn't let us reach for the sweaters. Oh well, we just wear our long sleeved stuff... alot!

As for our spirits? Mostly we have had sunny days. There is so much here to rejoice in. The kids are great. The staff is caring and supportive. The mission is clear and important. Yet we still let ourselves lose focus and have cloudy days at times. Jeff's was Sunday. He was frustrated with some detailed forms he had to fill out. This was compounded with the fact that the college football season had started and Michigan laid an egg. Somehow he thinks if he could have watched the game, the outcome would have been different.  That's a lot of pressure on one man!

For Jane, Mondays are hard. She still misses her little guys coming and filling her house, heart and arms. Mondays are the times she thinks most about what our kids are doing in the states and distance and time zones make the seperation hard to bridge.

Not complaints, just sharing. Last night before we went to sleep after a long day, we rolled over and asked each other "Are we making a difference?". Too soon to tell?  But it sure helps to clarify the tasks. Cloudy days or not, our "audience" stays the same. Col. 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Our theme for the dorm this year is "An Audience of One".  We are trying to instill in our girls that they are to live their lives for the Lord, not for others attention or approval.  The same goes for us. We are here because Christ asked us to come. That really simplifies things. That clears away the clouds.