Chai Runs In My Blood

Hello everybody!!! Habari! (This means how are you). This is now my fourth day in Kenya, and I am writing this entry in a cybercafe. I took me about 20 minutes just to log on to my blog page, so I am afraid that this blog is going to have to be very short (we only get 30 minutes).

A lot has happened since I have arrived here. The Kenyans are so wonderful, so much more welcoming and inviting than Americans are. The culture in Kenya is very much relational and spiritual. The pace is very slow, and time does not matter as much. Unlike in America when we just say "hi" and continue walking, Kenyans want to have a conversation with you, even if you are a complete stranger. They love to get to know you and hear about your family and culture, and they love sharing about theirs as well. I have found this very refreshing, but also kind of difficult. I am not the kind of person that walks up to random people and starts conversations. The Kenyan's english is British, so it is very difficult to understand them sometimes. I have often found that when people on the street are talking to me I don't know if they are speaking English or Swahili! I have loved the people that I have met so far though.

Yesterday we went to Nathare Valley in Nairobi, which is one of the major slums in Kenya. It was definitely something that I have never experienced before. The houses are made of tin, and often the roofs are so low that they only go up to my shoulders, if even that. The houses are very close together and have only one room in them. The streets are filthy and covered in trash. The kids were absolutely adorable. The first English phrase that they learn in "How are you?", so when they see white people, the little children all start chanting "How are you? How are you"? They love to take your hand and walk through the streets with you.

If I had more time, I would tell you all about my feelings and the spiritual battles I have been facing, but I will not be able to go into much depth. Hopefully I will be able to next time. All I can say is that honestly I have not been feeling much sorrow over the things that I have seen, which has been unexpected. I have discovered that I observe, and I ask questions, but I do not feel much emotion over the things that I have seen. I don't necessarily see it as a really bad thing though. I am learning that we each respond to things like this differently. God has made us each to be individuals, so it is ok when we don't all feel the same things. I do love Kenya and I am excited to see more, especially finding out what my assignment is going to be.

Oh yes, I know many will be wondering about the food, especially my family. The food is actually really good so far. We have two chai tea times a day, one being in between each of the main meals. Tea time comes with food, so I am always full, especially since the main meals are so huge. I would usually eat half of what they people serve me, but I have been able to finish everything. Except for the yams during one of the chai tea times. The server gave me two big pieces, and I could only finish the first one and get a little bit into the second. I was starting to gag and feel sick, so I decided it wasn't worth the fight at the moment. The chai by the way is very good. I actually kind of look forward to drinking it now. It wasn't that great the first time I tried it, but it has started to grow on me. That is good since we have it so often!

Well, I have to meet up with the rest of my team soon, so I will update my blog again when I find out what my three week assignment is. Until then!!!