In good ways and in not so good ways. In funny ways and in sad ways:

My sister sent Grace’s sons watches. Grace has 3 sons, Macharia who is 15, Charles who is 13, and Martin who turns 10 tomorrow. After Grace took the watches home, I asked her if the boys liked the watches. “Oooh, yes,” she said as only Grace can say it. Then she went on to tell us about Martin. She showed him the watch and he couldn’t even take it. He had to run outside and jump and holler. Then he came back in and tried to take it, but had to run outside again. And a third time he had to run outside too. His joy was just too big to be contained in the house, and the gift was so big to him, that he couldn’t even receive it at first. What a difference from how most of us in western, developed nations receive gifts_ And a thought provoker for me about how I receive the incredible gifts that God gives me.

On the more mundane side of things. Stair steps in Africa continue to surprise me because they are not always of a standard height. In our house, for instance, the front stairs are about 3 or 4 different heights! The equally surprising thing is that my body knows them now and it doesn’t cause me to stumble, even in the dark. The first time I went up them I thought I would never get used to them-but chalk another one up for things I can do that I didn’t think I could do!

Milk in Africa is different and can surprise you each day. The RVA kitchen pasteurizes it’s own milk that we can purchase. The standards are a little different from most American dairies and the flavor of the milk and its shelf life vary drastically day by day. The boys will comment, “The cows ate onions again,” on a bad milk day. And on a really bad milk day the dog gets that milk and we pull out a box of UHT milk. I had heard of this kind of milk in a home ec class in college, but never saw or drank it until now. It comes in a box that just sits on the shelf or in the warm sun, or wherever. And it is good-well, usually_

Which brings us to another difference. When you order something to drink in any but the handful of very wealthy-catering restaurants, you will be asked baridi or moto (cold or warm). This is even if you are ordering a coke! Two reasons. One is that most Kenyans do not have refrigerators and are not used to cold drinks. The second reason is that many Kenyans have terrible teeth and cold drinks hurt too much.

English is different and can be surprising in Africa. First there is a strong British influence so, as my British friend Edith would say, it is proper English. However, you also have to factor in the fact that for most English speakers in Kenya, English is a second (or third ) language. There are strong influences from their mother tongue into their English. For example, I just learned about this one this week in Swahili class. Many Kenyans speak to you in imperatives: “Give me some water.” Or “You will help me with this.” I have been a bit rankled by what I perceived to be presumption. But as I learned more Swahili this week, I discovered that is the proper, polite form in Swahili. There is no rudeness or pushiness to it. And this stems from the tribal culture’s strong reciprocity. You will do this for me, because sometime I will do it for you. Or vice versa. (Also, because of this, there are no words for “please” or “thank you” in the tribal tongues. And those words in Swahili are borrowed.)

Smells in Kenya are different. There are different flowers to smell. There are lots of roses to be bought inexpensively and smelled. (Another delightfully surprising part of Kenya. Steve has given me more roses here than in any 5 years in the states because you can buy them, literally, a dollar a dozen!-Kenya ships lots of flowers to Europe) There are also the not-so-nice smells from lots of people and animals living together without the same kind of hygiene accessories we have back home. I went shopping with several ladies last week. We were walking down an alley in one of the main, bustling shopping areas in Nairobi and there right ahead of us was a gentleman relieving himself.

I know I’ve mentioned driving before, but it continues to surprise me! Last week when I went shopping there were 8 of us and all of our packages. You think very little of an hour ride with 4 in the backseat. And no, the backseats are no larger than the average backseat that I thought just barely seated 3 adults. Actually, by Kenyan norms, 8 is not many. A friend of ours recently drove to some evangelistic meetings about 30-45 minutes away. He has a vehicle that is full with 11 in it. On the way back some of the Kenyans asked for a ride. He said, “Sure!” and ended up with 26. They use the inside and outside of a vehicle with no partiality.

Mail is also a surprise in Kenya. Even when you expect something, it may not arrive. And once in a while you get something from the states in just one week! (It actually happened today!) And mail, be it snail or email, is such a delight. We love hearing from you all!

And now for a few things that no longer surprise me:

• Multiple power outages throughout the day-even when trying to prepare a meal
• Inviting yourself along on trips to town or even vacations!
• White “foam tracks” on most of my dark laundry. (Kenyans like “hi foam” detergents which, in Kijabe’s soft water, do not rinse out well.)
• How much I love it here.

Mungu akubariki,
(God bless you)
Nancy