KWAHERI KENYA…Tutaonana (Bye Kenya…See you later)

FORTY-FIVE is the number of nights I slept in Kenya.  FIFTEEN is the number of different locations where I laid my head to rest.  My lack of blogs tells you it was hard to manage time to write between all the moving, ministry, and relationship building.  

If I’m 100% honest, Kenya was not easy; yet it was so GOOD.  I’m currently back in Rwanda, and as I reflect on my time in Kenya, I’m still ready to go back.  There is still unfinished business and relationships to cultivate.  

I went into Kenya already a bit dry in my spirit.  When my friend picked me up from the airport and took me to his home where I would stay with him and his sister, he told me that God was telling him I needed rest.  As much as I wanted to deny it; it was the truth.  Leaving Rwanda had entailed a whirlwind of things especially with my friend’s wedding soon before my departure.  So the next two days at their place were pretty low key.  Some time of sharing in the word, worship, playing games, and also visiting the slums. 

If you read my other blog Karibu Kenya, you know I then moved from place to place to place before arriving at Joram’s and Elinor’s home in Kitale.  And then after a few days there, the whirlwind of traveling through Pokot to the different sponsored girl’s homes.  Then, back to Joram’s and Elinor’s for a few days of recovery, a visit from a friend, and then back to Pokot again for a discipleship class with some of the sponsored girls.  Check out the newsletter I wrote for more details on the discipleship time!  

Upon arrival back (Saturday) from the second trip to Pokot, the days remained full.  We celebrated Joram’s birthday; I played Blew It with the kids almost every night; I tried to make the most of the time with the girls at the house and other friends around.  I had a girl’s night and spoiled them with some biscuits, fruit, juice, and some goodbye messages.  By Friday, I was up and leaving again—this time to Nairobi. 

I stayed with a friend and his brother at their place in Pipeline.  I don’t know if I looked tired, or he just knew I needed rest, but he told me the first full day was rest.  The next few days were filled with getting to know people—Kelly’s brother and friend, the Pastor and his family, members of the church, and meeting up with another friend from the YWAM base.  I preached on Sunday.  I engaged in conversations that lasted until 1am.  I explored the Nairobi National Museum.  I got a tiny cooking lesson and some recipe tips.  And then it was time to say goodbye and move on to another place.

My final destination for Kenya was Esther’s home.  Esther and I have known of each other since last year on the race when a teammate was hospitalized in Nairobi.  Esther is a sister in law to a college friend.  What a joy to FINALLY meet this mystery woman who was willing to go to the hospital, check on numerous things for me for this trip, and host me for the next few days!  We became family so fast!  She lives with her daughter and another family member.  The two girls were shy at first (we make a good trio) but we all warmed up with games.  These three were fast learners and LOVED Monopoly Deal, Uno, and Blew It.  Esther’s kindness continued as she ran me to my COVID test appointment, helped me stock up on malaria pills, hosted a friend of mine, and eventually dropped me off at the airport.  

Moving from house to house to house was exhausting.  Struggling through culture shock the first week was tiring.  Constantly being around people was draining at times.  It was hard to find “me” time.  Kids were in the room roaming through your things.  There are people to talk to.  Tasks to do.  Sermons to write. Utensils (dishes) to wash.  Things to pack.  Goodbyes to say. 

It’s funny because in Rwanda I was missing people/fellowship.  In Kenya—I got my wish.  Back in Rwanda, it seems empty again and I long for quality time.  As I sit here and write this, I’m trying to figure out balance.  But I’m thankful for every moment in Kenya.  So many seeds were planted.  Seeds were watered.  Hopefully some flowers are blooming somewhere.  So many friendships were also made. 

Kingdom economy.  Sometimes we have to be all things and that requires us to adapt to where and how we live to make the best impact.  Some days I went to bed at 9pm.  Other days 1am.  I slept in quiet environments and noisy ones.  I was called muzungu more times than I can count on my fingers and toes.  I drank tea (sometimes 3 times a day—please note I am a fan of WATER, WATER, WATER), ate ugali, omena, and meat from butcher shops.  (Is it weird that I now crave ugali?!)  I slept in huts, one room houses, houses, house with chickens, and in my tent with pesky goats nibbling on it.  I used squatty potties.  I was bite by mosquitos, bed bugs, and who knows what else.  I got burnt in the Pokot sun.  I traveled over 30 minutes to bathe from river water that was peed in by cattle.  I took hot showers other days.  I went to an FGM ceremony.  I lived a “Pokot life”.  I lived a “Kenyan” life.  I traveled by bodaboda, matatu, coach buses, tuk tuk, foot, and human strength (carried across those rivers!). 

Some goat friends

Omena–dried fish

Shower

 It was hard to be served and not serve back or know your place to serve.  Some moments were tough.  They grew me. Challenged me.  Made me trust in the Lord like never before.  But these moments were worth it.  Worth it for the one Bible story told.  Worth it for one moment to love someone well.  Worth it for the smile.  Worth it for every life saved that I’ll never even know about. 

I think 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 puts it best.

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law, I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

To God be the glory for all He has done!!