All of my previous trips have followed the model set by John DeFore on his twenty-something trips. It's a model that works well for visiting, but I needed a new model, one that allows me to get to know my workers better, and understand more fully how our orphans and widows really live. So on this trip I will stay longer at orphanages, often overnight. I will stay fewer nights at hotels and I will drive myself as much as possible. I plan to always have a Kenyan with me, for translation and to act as a guide, but this trip will be more about Tim learning what it means to be Kenyan.
There are some practical goals as well, the Vocational Training Institute is almost ready to open and I will need to put on my manager's hat to finish that project. I know that Thomas will have done a great job with construction, but it's hard to know really how much is done until you are there. There are also two new orphanages that need to be seen, and God celebrated for the healing of His world that will happen there. We will have a workers meeting and cover countless details about orphanage operations, so it will be a busy trip for sure.
The flights over this time have been easy, no delays or problems. Its hard to be confined for 17 hours, but in a way its good. It creates a place in time to punctuate just how far from home you are. A container that separates my American life from my Kenyan life. I always feel the anticipation build especially on this last flight; a whole new world awaits on the other side of that aircraft door.
I'll blog as often as I can, but it probably wont be daily. Time and cell phone network coverage will be the limiting factor.
Sunday Afternoon
Yesterday was a lazy day, as I had planned. My only goal was to get some driving time in with Mbuvi, so I can feel comfortable behind the wheel in Kenya. He guided me into Nairobi to the Village Market. I didn't realize we were going there when we left so I forgot to get money from Maureen. We both had a little, though so we bought some essentials for Maureen and I drove us back to Kamulu. I think I did great driving, but Mbuvi said I take the bumps too fast. We had no annoying passengers to complain on this trip, so maybe he's right. I have to get used to slowing down for potholes. I tried to explain to him that Americans aren't afraid of holes, but he wasn't buying it.
Shortly after we got home, the power went out for the rest of the day. We laid around talking, had dinner and went to bed early.
This morning we worshiped at their new church building they call the "octogon". It's a cool place; sings really well. I always enjoy their worship, not because it connects with me necessarily, but because it really connects with the Kenyans. They worship with all their hearts as those who had been redeemed should. Not very many back-row card-punchers in Kenyan churches.
Tomorrow we will meet with John Kariuki, the new principal at the training institute and the skills teachers here at Made in the Streets. They have been teaching some of the subjects that we will for quite a while, so I'm eager to get to see their operation in more detail and ask questions. Be Blessed!
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19 Feb 2012 |
3 comments:
Praying for you, your, health, your safety, & that God moves in you & thru you in some mighty ways as you show Christ's love to our Kenyan family. Looking forward to keeping up w/ you thru future blogs! :)
Feel like I'm with you, Tim...thank you for the update and lifting you up today and the days ahead. Love ya!
Sounds wonderful!! A Mzungu driver in Kenya... those aren't very common, but I'm glad KWO now has one of our own! I'm so excited to hear about the progress of the training center and of the new orphanages. Praying for your trip daily!
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