A Lot to Tell!

Entry #9 (10/6/10)

Ah it’s been so long since my last REAL post! I have so much to tell, so bare with me ;)!

So the first things to write about are my recent church experiences here in Kenya. In September Janna, Nick, and I went to church with Frank (who is working here at the Daystar offices in Kenya for the next year, but who usually is staff at the Daystar USA campus office). He took us to his home church, which on the east side of Nairobi (in Bura Bura), so we were able to meet his parents and one of his younger brothers (he has nine siblings!). They were very sweet and they seemed pleased that we took the time to visit their church and to meet them.

Once we arrived at the church we were greeted by some of his friends and then we sat in on the senior high worship service for a few minuets. After a few minuets we headed into the pastors office and chatted with him. Then we sat in on the children’s service for a few minuets and here we each introduced ourselves and then the kids sang us a song (they were so precious!). Leaving their service Frank gave us a small tour of the church grounds, then we went in for the actual church service. We were told the service would be all in Kiswahili, so we were prepared not to understand anything! Haha, a common occurrence since being here ;) Although instead of a sermon the pastor was feeling lead to pray for his congregation, so he took the service time (about 2 hours I believe) to pray for anyone who came up to the front. It was an experience I haven’t had before. As he (and the rest of the pastors of the church) was praying for individuals the worship songs continued. I enjoyed having the new experience of seeing how the Lord was leading the pastor to pray and how he responded to that leading.
Overall the experience at Frank’s church was a good one and I’m sure if I was invited again I would go.

The next Sunday the three of us went to the Korean church that is in Nairobi. This was the first time that the three of us had to take a matato on our own and I am happy to say that everything went well! We meet Troy, Daniel, and Sarah—the three Korean exchange students at Daystar. So although the whole service was in Korean (which in case you are unaware—I don’t speak Korean) it was still a very fun experience. Since one of the days prior to that Sunday was the Korean Thanksgiving, they had a large brunch of all different types of Korean food after church—so we happily joined! It was great food and I would highly recommend trying Korean food if you have had the opportunity.
After eating we hung out at church for a bit, then Sarah took Janna and I to one of her Korean friends apartments. Once there we just hung out and talked with some of the girls from the church until we had to catch the bus back to Athi-River campus.

Okay now the second main event(s) to write about: Birthdays.
Here in Kenya the have a tradition of ‘washing’ you on your birthday. Meaning your friends throw water on you when you are least expecting it. I was told that it symbolizes washing away the old year to bring in the new year.

So my first experience of this was with my friend Goodness’s birthday. Her and her twin brother had their birthday on the 25th of September. So that night a few of us got together in the PAC court (a part of campus) to enjoy cake (which was a surprise for them) and ice cream together. Little did they know we had a big surprise for them… As they were sitting and telling us their life story (a cleaver distraction technique that one of the group members made up), there happened to be two males quietly lugging a trash can full of water behind them. After making sure their electronics were out of their vicinity they were surprised with a very cold washing! They had no idea it was coming so it turned out perfect!

A few days late was my birthday (the 28th). I spent the whole day paranoid! I knew that my friends would not let me get away with a dry day, so I was anticipating my washing the whole day! I had a long day of paranoia because my washing did not come until that evening. It was after soccer practice, while Janna, Goodness, and I were walking back to the hostels (later than usual…). As we were walking towards the dinning hall I was very surprised when Nick and Rafael (a student here at Daystar) snuck up behind me and dumped a very large amount of water on me! The whole rest of the walk back to the hostel was very uncomfortable…seeing as I felt like I had just had a huge accident in my pants and my workout shorts kept sticking to my legs, haha. But, it was a fun experience!
The rest of the night consisted of a very needed shower, dinner made by my friend Raija, and an ice cream cone that we went off campus to purchase. It was a very good day!:)

The following Friday was Nick’s birthday…although sadly Janna and I were off campus so we were not a part of it. But I heard friends did manage to get him semi wet (he was ducking out on them every time they tried!), so I am glad he had the experience too ;) Then at the end of this month (the 23rd) is Janna’s birthday…so I’ll let you know how that goes!

Okay so I know this is getting looong, but I only have one more thing to write about!

This last weekend Janna and I spent with our friend Lucy. Lucy took us to her hometown of Thika (which is about an hour or so matato ride outside of Nairobi). Although on Friday we just spent the night in Nairobi at her sisters apartment. It was nice to see where they lived (they are not much older than me, one sister is 23 and the other 25). It was a nice place, simple with the amenities that one needs. That night we just hung out. Her sister made us dinner, and we chatted for a bit, then watched a movie and then headed to bed. On Saturday we headed into Thika. In Thika we stayed with Lucy’s friend Fusta and her husband and kids (which their kids are SOO adorable). They are living at a children’s home with her husband’s mom at the moment, so we saw a few of the kids and they are super cute! That day we went into Thika and saw Fusta’s shop (which she is just getting started, she’s only had it for about 4 months) and we bought a few things from her (here and her husband make all of their items). Afterward they took us into Thika and just showed us around. Later on we had lunch at a café type restaurant, where I had chips masala (which are French fries with a type of tomatoe sauce all over them)…it was pretty good, but I think I will be very tired of chips by the time I come home! (We have them quite often on campus for meals). After lunch Janna and I went with Fusta to the grocery store to buy dinner supplies. Then we went back to their place and Fusta taught Janna and I how to make Kachumbari (a type of vegetable salad) and Pilau Masala (a type of rice). We wrote down the recipe hoping to be able to make it when we return home! The dinner was VERY good!
The next day we went to church with Lucy and Fusta’s family and then we had a quick lunch before heading back into Nairobi and catching the 5 o’clock bus back to campus.
All in all it was a very good weekend. I met some great people, learned how to cook great food, and saw more of Kenya☺

Well, that is what I have been up to the past month! I hope it wasn’t too long to get through for those of you who made it through ;)

To come: a blog about my adventure climbing Mt. Kenya (that will be happening Oct. 15th-20th). Hopefully I make it through the experience to write about it ;)

Okay Love you all and thanks for keeping up with me!
har