Because it is another side of Malindi

One day while sitting in a restaurant in Malindi I began to wonder if the Italians who vacation there ever see the other side of Africa. Malindi’s main tourist population is Italian and the locals tell us that they also buy and sale land there. The resort we stayed in was owned by an Italian as well. What would it be like to come and vacation there, flying in and out of Nairobi, getting a taxi, visiting the resorts, the beaches and the fine restaurants in the area but never experiencing a piece of poverty, struggles and hopelessness that surrounds the town. Even the children who beg outside of the resorts seem to be professional. They are dressed nice and have perfected a “wail” when told we will not feed them. I felt somewhat judgmental of the “Italians” until I stepped back and realized every time I get off a Cruise Ship and tour in Mexico or Jamaica I too am missing the essence of what that community is all about. I only see what the locals want me to see. Because we are working with the local people here and are in tune with the reality of this country I was able to see the needs in this tourist community.

Several people in our group felt a pull to explore further and to see if this is an area that TI would like to expand in. And if they did what would that look like? It is exciting to always see what God will have for TI and to be able to sit back and watch things happen. We will see!

Because it is good to visit again

Another trip to visit Ruth’s family and sew in Jua Kali

We ventured again to visit Ruth’s family in Turbo as Daniel did not have the opportunity to visit them on our first trip. I decided I would go alone the day before in order to spend the night in Jua Kali with Sally again. She wanted to learn to piece quilts. Again, there is nothing like sitting in front of her shop and sewing. The children gathered around my sewing machine to be with me and talk and the older people walked by and stared. I don’t know why I get such a kick out of it. Maybe it is because I get to be a white person in a Kenyan’s world. I love being there, chatting with Sally, eating her wonderful Kenyan food and getting to experience village life.

The next day Daniel arrived with one of interns, Hannah and Jared, a staff member and off we went to meet Ruth’s family. Such a delight to be there! Her mother, brother, sister and great grandmother are delightful and going a second time allowed me to process a bit more. It seems I can no longer imagine that Ruth ever lived in Africa and when I realize she did I am beyond grateful she is home with me. It is such a hard life here especially if you live in the village. No water, electricity, stores, transportation. You must walk to get anything you may need and the living conditions are marginal; a mud hut and a fire to cook on. It is so hard to live here. Always hungry and no guarantee there will be food tomorrow or a way to make money. In my eyes it looks hopeless! In their eyes, it is daily life.

Because it is BAD

BAD (Boy Appreciation Day) and Date Night with the girls!!

A few weeks ago the girls decided they wanted to have a day to honor the men on the compound! They decided to put it on the weekly schedule just as BAD and let the boys try to figure out what it was all about. They told them that on Sunday they did not have to do anything but get up between 9:30 and 10:00 and be ready to eat a great breakfast. The day would be planned around anything the guys wanted to do and they did not have to cook or do dishes that day. In the morning the girls had made a sign and put it in the dining room explaining what the day’s schedule was. They made them an amazing breakfast and Scott even said, “this is better then the Nugget buffet”. They were taken out to lunch, sodas were bought for them during the soccer match and dinner was steak, potatoes, vegetables, and a sundae bar for desert. All of the girls wrote each of the men on the compound notes of affirmation and presented to them at breakfast.

The girls decided they wanted to honor the guys because the guys have made them feel special. They have protected the girls, gone the extra mile to always make sure they are safe, have gotten them where they need to go, have insisted the girls always eat first and have made each of the girls feel special. Many of the girls have never experienced men who are willing to act like men and it has changed their perspective on what a man should act like. Some of the girls lives have been forever changed.

Well, in Malindi the guys decided they wanted to honor the girls and do something special for them. They told them in the morning to be dressed up and be ready to go out at 7:00pm and they did not need to bring any money. That day the boys made sure the restaurant would be appropriate they bought them roses and they too got dressed up for the girls. At 7:00 the boys went over to the girls’ house and presented each of the girls with a white rose. They had “tuk tuk’s” waiting at the resort gate and off they went to a wonderful evening of being honored and cared for by the men. Some of these girls have never been on a “Date” such as this and all of the girls felt special.

It has been such an honor for me to be with these young people and watch them care for one another. They have cared for one another without the expectation of anything in return. They are no romances blooming. They simply care for one another and appreciate what the other has done for them. They enjoy spending time together as a large group and have grown very close. They will miss each other desperately when they part but they will never forget the relationships formed while in Kenya.

Because it is good to vacation.

We are in Malindi for a week. All the interns and staff minus Meredith and Sean.  We are staying is a beautiful resort thanks to Julia’s parents and I would say each of us feel like we are experiencing a piece of heaven here. It appears the town is mostly visited by Italians and the resort we are staying is owned by an Italian. We have rented two condos each having two bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen with a fold out couch in the living room. It has an amazing pool that we visit several times a day and a nice little town with a beach within walking distance. We have snorkeled twice since being here. I just can’t believe I have gotten to snorkel in the Indian Ocean!! Amazing!

It has been so nice to see Daniel relaxing, getting a break and enjoying himself. I am not sure he will make it to the United States this year so it is a blessing to get to vacation with him. The interns and staff are also having so much fun and relaxing as well as looking at ministry opportunities. I am excited to see what the future will bring.

On our first snorkel trip I got to experience many of the interns first experience snorkeling. It was delightful. Jared played in the ocean for the first time while here and several of the interns have never had the opportunity to vacation like this. So much delight is in getting to experience people’s “firsts” with them. It is nice to get a chance to rest but all are excited to get back to Kitale and complete their last month in Kenya.

We leave on Monday to return for two days in Nairobi, picking up Michael Bishop, and than onto Kitale. It will be nice to be “home” and back to work.

Pictures will follow when there is a better connection.