A few Days in Nairobi

I’m learning about Kenyan culture as I roam about in Nairobi, and the sociologist in me wants to know more, so I ask. Today we went to a market within the community we are staying at where the Owino’s live. The four white girls wondered around the market with Lorna looking for samosas, which are little triangular pockets filled with something like taco meet and seasonings. I got my third marriage proposal (in the last 24 hours) at the market, as well as a samosa and a Coke. It was the second Coke I have had in Kenya, though it was not in glass this time. It was still pretty good, though I have many good memories of Coke in glass bottles, and not all of them are in Liberia. If coke tasted this good in America, I would drink it, and they would not have a need to change, such as they did in creating Cherry Coke, because the original is so tasty. The sugar in it makes it taste less strong, and it also is not quite as carbonated, so the bubbles do not overwhelm the taste.

As we travel around the country I have notice that few women have babies with them as opposed to Liberia, where many women carry babies on their backs. The women here who do have babies ether carry them on their back or front with a piece of cloth called a lasso that goes over one shoulder and under the other to create a sling. They also use this cloth to wrap their heads and to wear around their waist. It is the traditional way. I have seen woman carrying babies in front packs and baby carriers as well. Kenyans have access to birth control and just like in the rest of the western world; educated people tend to have fewer children.

Kenya is in many ways, is trying to be a part of the western world. There is such a push for modernity, and it shows in the way people dress. In town many people dress in business casual attire. Women walk around with high heels and large earrings. Many woman wear tailored dress pants and men often wear business suits, or polo shirts and sweaters. The people are quite smartly dressed. You see skirts on women as much as you see tailored pants, or snug jeans.

The Bishop’s children, 10 year old Esther, and 17 year old Ian are also teaching me about Kenyan culture. Their older sister Greta (19) has been missing for over a month now, and the family hardly speaks of her. The authorities have been notified, since she failed to come home one evening after being in the city for college. Esther says that they don’t talk about much because it makes them all very sad. I pray for a miracle for Greta to return to her family.

Last night during devotions, the Bishop spoke of God granting us the desires of our heart. It was a bit hard for me to hear him speak about it with so much faith and passion, a man who has a missing child. I’m sure the deep desire of his heart is for her to come home. Life is a peculiar thing. I’m learning much and loving it at the moment.

The Bishop wants me and Lacey to stay a month longer. I would if changing tickets wouldn’t be such a hassle. I do like this country and her people, but I am not sure I will ever return, as opposed to Liberia, which still has some of my heart, though I do still have about 2 more weeks to fall in love. But I am really trying to enjoy every moment. It’s not every day I get to write from Africa. =)

Being here really makes me miss Liberia. I want to go back and work there and adopt some babies! It's all in God's hands!

Blessings from Kenya!
Laura

I'm in Kenya

I have been in Kenya almost a week now and the days are flying by. I have been southwest, past the equator, and back to Nairobi. We will be in the coast next week. I love Africa! I love her people and her children. I am convinced now more than ever that my calling is to serve God's children. And Africa, you will always hold a special place in my heart. What comes next, I haven't a clue. But I do know it will be good, and God will be there. I'm not worried. I know what I love and believe what is right and true. I'm just getting my feet wet here and in the ministry we are doing. It is going to be quite a ride! I'm ready!

God is really moving in a big way. I was elated to open up my email box this morning and receive word that my dad, who has been unemployed for the last 15 months, got a job! It is with a place very close to my parents house. My mom drove by it a few months ago and felt she needed to pray about my dad getting a job there. So he stopped in one day and handed them his resume, but heard nothing. About a month had passed, and they called him this week for an interview. It went well and they called him the next day to tell him he was hired. He starts Monday, and just in time too, because our foster baby's mother just relinquished her rights, and we are told the father should soon follow. Wow! God's time is never late! I'm finally getting that little sister I have prayed for for years! So many things on my prayer list are being checked off. I'm praying a job for me will be next.

Blessings from Kenya!

On My Way To Kenya... Kind Of

Yesterday I left Chicago, Midway, fulling intending to be in Brussels, or en route to Kenya by now. I was up early, traveled to Midway, boarded a plane for Atlanta. Upon landing in Atlanta, quickly got to the gate to board my plane for Brussels, only to find that I, as well as a few others did not yet have seat assignments, and the flight was overbooked. We were not going to get on. After the initial panic subsided, (thanks to my friends and their prayers and encouraging texts)and an hour working with an international ticket agent, I had a new itinerary, an amenities kit, food vouchers, and a hotel voucher.

Thankfully, my team had not yet left Ohare, (I was going to meet up with them in Brussels) and responded to a text, so they got the heads up that I would not see them in Brussels, and to check email for further notice. Hopefully they did by now.

So, along with the two others, who also did not get on the plane, we found the bus to our hotel. I'm so thankful I packed a change of clothes in my cary on! Now in a few hours, I will be leaving Atlanta for Amsterdam, and then fly to Kenya. I have yet to leave the US and this has already been quite a trip!

Please pray that I will make all my connections, and that I won't have any other issues with my travel.

I'll let you know how it goes. This is going to be quite an adventure, I can tell. It already has been!

Blessings!
Laura

Big Families and Homeschooling

The chatter of children is going on in the next room. I have spent the last two weeks playing mom to a family with 14 children. I didn't even realize they had that many til I was talking with the oldest a few days ago. I just knew they had a lot of kids, and not all of them still lived at home. I am glad I could help as their mother was away, but am just as glad as the kids that mommy gets home tonight. I miss her too! And I'm glad we will have a day together to talk before I leave.

But I have really enjoyed homeschooling 6 of the kids, as I have been here. I better understand and appreciate the homeschool lifestyle now. I wasn't sure if I could do it, or would want to, but now (whenever I do have children) I hope to homeschool them. This family had a friend from out of town visiting as I have been here, to help them with the family business. This homeschooled young man was quite a gentleman. I was so impressed with him. I was shocked in a way by his chivalrous ways. I wondered at first why he kept lingering behind me on a walk. It took me awhile to realize he was opperating under the rule of ladies first! That is kind of sad, I know. And I was even surprised at how much I appreciated that he was that way. He was a true southern gentleman. I would love to know more like him.

At one time in my life I wanted to have my own big family. Now, I'm not so sure! It also makes me feel like my own family, with 7 kids and a foster baby, is small... The first 4 of us are adults. The three boys and the baby are the "kids." I miss that baby!

Life is so full right now. I keep reminding myself that I prayed for this. I'm not complaining, but I do miss the days when I could get away and spend some time with God at that little pond, I call Grace. I knew those days would be short lived. It was great while it lasted, and God and I talked through a lot there.

My desire to seek God and learn is only growing. I can't get enough! And it has me questioning where I am in life and who I want to seek out and learn from. Even what kind of church I go to. I don't seem to get a whole lot out of church lately. I have been to quite a few in the last few months, as I have been in different places, and I have yet to find one where I really feel challenged. But God is challenging me. I am growing so much in my faith now, and at the same time I am having all these adventures. I am hardly making any money, I don't have a stable job, and I am traveling. But I am really enjoying life right now!

Now the house is quiet. The kids have gone up to bed. This must be the time all mothers look forward to. Too bad I'm too tired to really enjoy it. Oh well! I leave Buffalo for Indiana tomorrow night. Then I will be home for a few days before I leave for Kenya. Maybe I'll get some time to sleep then, between packing and spending time with family and friends. So much to do! And I pray I will come back and get that ministry job with a paycheck that I feel God has for me. I just have no idea what I will be doing or where I will be.

Life can be a crazy thing. God is answering some of my prayers loud and clear. It's so cool! I love this. And I get to go to Africa in less than a week! I'm so excited to see what Kenya will teach me. I feel so alive. This feels so right. Life is good!

Laura