We went to Kitale this weekend and I learned more about Kenya. Some of it was new information and some of it was finally realizing that what I saw was what Kenya really is.

The trip to Kitale took us through some beautiful countryside. There has been a lot more rain up north and things were green and lush. We traveled through the Rift Valley for a while and then onto the western side, almost to the border of Uganda. We saw lots of mud-walled, thatch-roofed huts. For me, this was Africa as I had always pictured it. Some of it was picturesque, but more often it was sad because of the poverty that was evident. And there were the ever-present dukas, or shops. Dukas are ugly to these American eyes. They are rough shacks with tin roofs painted with garish advertisements-some well known like Coke, others Kenya-centric like Blue Band Margarine and Omo detergent. And wherever there are dukas, there is lots of trash. Until this trip I kept thinking that somewhere I would see a nice tidy store “just like in America.” This trip made me realize more fully that Africa is not “just like America”.

Africa does not look like America, does not smell like America, does not operate like America, is not at all like America. I think this is a step in the culture shock process; to quit expecting America. Even when people tell you not to expect America and you read about what to expect, it just takes time to realize it is totally different. I hope I can now begin to better accept Africa on its own terms rather than to have to comment on why there were 5 attendants in the gas station bathroom, but no tp and no working facilities. If I don’t expect “American”, I will begin to appreciate Kenya for what it is. Comparison is dangerous. At first it can’t be helped, but I pray that I can get past that stage.

Let me try to share some of what Kenya is without using comparison. Kenya is seeing hundreds of people walking along roads because cars are only for the very rich here. Kenya is meeting someone whose little girl is dying of malnutrition. Kenya is being thrilled to hear raindrops on your tin roof. Kenya is being asked to sing at a church you’ve never been to because you are going to be a guest there. Kenya is wondering what the milk will taste like today. Kenya is almost daily requests to help someone who really needs help. Kenya is baboons in your front yard. Kenya is a cold shower because the fire to heat the water wasn’t big enough that day. Kenya is 4-foot tall geraniums. Kenya is watching your son eat flying ants. Kenya is an adventure!

In Kitale we visited with a missionary couple that our home church also supports, although we had never met them. As we neared Kitale, I thought about the interesting things you do because you are a missionary, like visiting people you have never met before! But it was a great visit with lots of female fellowship for me while the men folk went golfing. This couple runs a pastor’s training school geared for men who cannot financially manage going to the usual degreed Bible schools. A wonderful work.

The boys continue to flourish here. JT has begun to feel the rub of living with 8 of his classmates, but those are lessons we all need to learn somewhere along life’s way. They have both grown at least an inch since we left home too-maybe it’s this great mountain air?! They both got great grades this half term and are progressing with their music. They’ve made good friends and love the dog, Jessie. They have also both commented on how long ago the states seems_They were very patient and self-controlled on the arduous trip to Kitale, even commenting on what a neat adventure it was. We’re just down right proud of these sons of ours!

And we are down right proud to have such faithful family and friends as all of you. Thanks for your prayers and love and notes.

Nancy