Kenya: Week 1

     Our journey started a week ago, May 13th, as we headed to the Atlanta airport with friends and fellow interns. Hiccups in our plans were immediate as we quickly realized Kaleb's yellow immunization card had been left at home. Luckily, a friend was able to break into Kaleb's truck and bring it quickly to the airport with time to spare before we had to board the plane. Funny thing is, we have not had to present it to anyone thus far on the trip. The trip proved to be grueling in our spoiled American minds. We experienced a lot of turbulence on the first flight causing nausea that lasted for the next few hours I suppose. Once we landed in Amsterdam, we tried to get comfortable for the 7 hour layover. We managed to find a comfortable spot in the airport and got a little rest. Our next flight into Kenya was much more comfortable than the first. We were both free from nausea and were able to sleep periodically. Finally, after one more short layover and flight, we arrived in our destination, tired and dirty nonetheless. We immediately connected with our hosts and headed for our home for the next 6 weeks. It has taken us several days to recover from the flight, lack of sleep, and lack of appetite. Jet lag quickly set in and had us all out of sorts for the rest of the week. Thankfully, we are both feeling back to our normal selves.
     We have both greatly enjoyed getting to know our hosts and their family in these first few days since arriving. Most of our time so far has been spent with them and discussing the summer. We have enjoyed several good meals and have learned some fun new games. I am sure Kaleb will be excited to introduce them among our friend group, being that he will have the advantage of improving his skills over the summer in order to dominate when returning to the states.
     Here is a little recap of our past few days:
     Thursday: I was invited to a ladies lunch at a great local pizza place where I was able to meet
     some local ladies. This group meets every week to encourage one another in evangelism, particularly
     among cousins. After lunch, we went with our host to a local Baptist school, sat in on the high
     school class he teaches and went to the chapel service afterwards.
     Saturday: We had planned to go with a local team to do door to door evangelism in a nearby cousin  
     village, but we were rained out.
     Sunday: We attended a local Baptist church where a local doctor/church member preached a much
     encouraging message on who we are as the church. Being visitors, we were asked to stand and tell our          
     names and what we were doing in Kenya (imagine if we did that in the states). Of course, I let Kaleb
     speak for the two of us. We were welcomed so warmly and were able to meet several church members
     and pastors.
     Monday: We went with our hosts to the larger town nearby to run some errands. We were dropped off
     near some tourist locations so we could see the city and practice getting around the town on our own.
     We were obviously thought to be tourists (not many white people in Kenya) and were bothered and
      annoyed by many locals to come into their store, buy things from them, or let them take us around town.
    We have quickly learned to ignore or say no and keep walking. Our adventure in town proved to be more
     frustrating that we had thought. Although most people in Kenya speak English and we were able to
     communicate with others well, we did not know our way around, often could not find street names along
     the roads, and had no way of really knowing if we were being gouged with prices. Overall, we made our
     way around, ate at a great Chinese restaurant and were able to return safely to our smaller village. That
     evening, I got to attend Zumba with the wife of our host and boy was it interesting.
     Tuesday: We were invited to the same local church in what we were told was beach ministry. We
     assumed we were going with some locals to the beach to do evangelism, but it turns out these locals
     who work on the beach meet every Tuesday to have prayer, be encouraged, and share how they are
     ministering at the beach in their current jobs. Kaleb was to be the speaker for the short meeting; however,
     he did not know this until asked to come up and speak at that very moment. He did a great job sharing
     and encouraging them, even without any notice or preparation.

     We have plans the rest of the week for myself to go with the wife to her ESL class on Wednesday to help and  meet some of the local ladies she ministers to. Thursday, we have been invited to another small village nearby by another pastor who would like us to come to his school and share with the students there. Thursday afternoon, we are to speak in the chapel service at our host's school. Luckily Kaleb is not shy to speak in these types of settings and I will let him take control of these opportunities. However, it is not uncommon for women here in Kenya to speak and give testimony just as often as the men, so I am afraid I will not always be able to allow Kaleb to speak for the two of us (scary). Saturday, a team is scheduled to do more evangelism among cousins, granted it does not get rained out again.

     In closing, we have made it here safely, have everything we need, and are living fairly comfortable. We are growing accustomed to many strange bugs, large lizards, and cold showers. We are quickly convicted by our spoiled American privileges and pray that we would be humbled in these minor inconveniences so that we may be refined, sharpened, and used in sharing the hope that is in us. Please pray for our upcoming evangelism outreaches so that new relationships may be formed among cousins, that the truth would go forth and land among fertile soil.