Jambo!
Internet can be difficult to access here so I apologize for not posting yet! I've had an amazing week already in Kenya! I don't have long, so this won't include all the details and stories but here is the rundown of what I've been up to so far...
I arrived on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning, Lesley Stevens, Laura and Sam Blackman and I all went to Kibera slum outside of Nairobi. This slum holds about 1.2 million people in 600 acres...I've been trying to find words to describe Kibera but the best I can say is the experience was unreal. It simply seems impossible that such a filthy, impoverished place exists and that people really do live their entire lives like that. First, we stopped by Kibera's "Lucky Daycare" and were greeted by a "Howeryoo" Chorus of little 3-4 yr. olds--which we would hear many times that day (Several little children will see you and begin yelling, "How are you?" over and over again, without expecting a response). It was adorable. We spent a little time in the daycare, and then headed to one of Kibera's primary schools. After meeting and talking with the staff, we met and played with the school children. On the way back to the car, Lesley and her Kenyan friend, Stella, showed us their Kibera garden that they had started several months ago. It was already flourishing!
On Friday, Lesley took Laura, Sam and I to the market and we learned how to barter from the best! :) That night the Stevens took us all out for real Indian food! It was delicious!
Saturday was spent hiking the Ngong Hills of Kenya. These were a difficult climb at times but the view was absolutely breathtaking! (I'll try to get pictures up soon!) I spent some of the hike talking to Eddie, a professional runner from Kenya. He, very patiently, taught me a little bit of Swahili along the way! That night we said goodbye to the Blackmans as they headed back to the States. They have been missed--I hate that I only had a few days with them here!
Sunday, we went to New City Fellowship of Nairobi Church...they have one in Chattanooga. Their focus is to bring together different races. It had very neat music...all different languages. Later that day, Lesley and I walked to Nokkumatt (Kenyan Walmart) and got groceries for an unexpected dinner visit from some of Michael's Kenyan friends that he knew when he did NOLS. Michael picked us up from Nokkumatt and then about as soon as we walked in the door, Kat, their british neighbor who runs safaris, walked in with 2 girls (a German and a Korean) who had gone on one of her company's safaris. The girls had been staying with several other internationals at a nearby campsite and had just been robbed of EVERYTHING...passport, baggage, money, camera with all of their safari pics, and souvenirs..it was so sad. Anyway, after they were over here trying to use the phone to call their embassies, we were in a rush preparing dinner for our soon arriving guests. Craziness! Dinner finally was prepared and the guests arrived and Kat and the girls left and everything finally calmed down and we had a great meal.
Monday, we had a "girls day". Lesley, Trisha (another local, young missionary wife here) and I spent the day relaxing at home and having lunch at a nearby restaurant. It was very much needed and enjoyed!
Tuesday, today, Lesley and I headed to Ruiru, where the other D.I.G. garden has been started. The gardens are meant to be started by D.I.G. volunteers who then teach the local mothers how to tend the garden and grow their own nutritious produce. We began preparing the garden for planting and then were extremely well fed by the "Mothers 2 Mothers" for lunch! "Mothers 2 Mothers" is a group of all HIV positive women who meet together once a week to have bible study and will soon become plugged in with the garden that Lesley has started there. We then returned home and watched the Finale of "Lost"...which I was thoroughly confused by...BUT I've only seen one episode of the show. Even as avid fans, they seemed a bit confused too by how it ended, so at least I'm not the only one. :) Hopefully I can add a few pictures in the next few days!
Thank you so much for everyone's encouragement and prayers! They have been especially needed and I am so grateful!!
Nairobi Time
Montgomery Time
