Wow! I cannot believe it has been so long since I have updated you all. Let's just say, between being sick two weeks ago for three days and having issues getting logged into my blog, it has been difficult to write an update.
So, without further ado, I will try and fill you in...
As I said earlier, I got really sick about two weeks ago. I am thankful that it was the first time since I have been here that I have had to stay home from work because of illness. I would have to say, one sickness in three months is not bad! Apparently I had an ameba (sp?) but I do not know for sure because I didn't go to the hospital. My supervisor is a nurse and so she just diagnosed me via my symptoms (one of which was looking like I was 5 months pregnant! No lie!) and got me some meds which seemed to do the trick! The amazing thing about getting sick is that you realize how much you take being healthy for granted! The other thing I learned through being sick is that you become more aware of how little control you actually have over your life. There is nothing like being violently ill to make you feel completely out of control. It is comforting to know that the Lord truly is over ALL and He ultimately has the first and the last (and everything in between) say in our lives!
Besides being sick, things have been pretty normal. However, I am getting really sad because Elf is leaving to go home in two weeks! I know that her family and friends miss her (as she misses them too!) but selfishly I wish she could stay...or maybe another option would be to clone her! I have learned so much from that woman and God has used her in a mighty way to radically transform me. I am so thankful for her and I know that wherever she goes she will be a blessing and a vessel of TRUTH to all who come into contact with her. Please pray for me as I process her leaving...Also, please pray for Eva and me. The dynamics here will no doubt change as Elf leaves and so we need prayer to be considerate with one another and to adjust in a way that is unifying and glorifying to God. We will also be moving into another house at the beginning of December.
On a happier note, I have the opportunity to do a couple of really fun trips with Elf before she leaves. At the end of this week, Elf, Eva, our friend and co-worker Melissa, and I are traveling with one of our Kenyan co-workers to his up-country home for the weekend. Everyone in Nairobi has an up-country home, where they are originally from. I believe there are over 42 tribes represented in Kenya and so everyone has a home of origin depending on what tribe they come from. For example, our friend Dennis is from a tribal group called Luho (sp?) and his up-country home is about an 8 hour bus drive from here. It probably would not take 8 hours if the roads here weren't so bad. We are really looking forward to seeing a different part of Kenya and meeting our friend's family...and of course, eating all the guavas we can manage!
Once we arrive back in Nairobi, Elf and I leave the next day for our vacation! Elf really wanted to make sure she had an opportunity to travel a bit before she went home because there is no telling if she will come back to Africa. Originally we wanted our vacation to be Elf, our friend Melissa, and I but our supervisor did not want more than two of us off work at once. So, Elf decided that she wanted to go with me since it is my half way-ish point. We are going to a remote island, where there are no cars, called Lamu...feel free to Google it, it is such a cool place! We will be staying at a little hostel there just meters from the water. We are looking forward to relaxing on the beach, reading, exploring, and just spending some last-minute quality time with each other. It's weird because realistically speaking, this probably will be the last time I see Elf...ever. It's funny how life works like that. You meet people all over the world and often times they are just in your life for a season, yet their impact will last a lifetime.
I am glad I was able to fill you all in what has been and will be happening. I won't be back in Nairobi until the 11 of November, so it might be a while until you hear from me. However, after going up-country and to the coast, I will have much to share in my next newsletter! Please pray for safety on the roads and for health so that we can fully enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime experiences! Thank you so much.
Until next time!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Signs, Phrases, Isms and Comic Relief!
The girls and I have been wanting to write down all of the funny signs we have seen throughout our time here. There are also so many different phrases that we have come across that mean one thing here and then mean a completely other thing back home! So, Elf, Eva and I sat down and compiled a list of random, funny things that we wanted to share with you all back home! The list is not exhaustive but I hope you have fun with them!
1. "A test you will never forget."- Found on a menu in an Ethiopian Restaraunt describing an item of food.
2. "The Exciting Hotel."- A name of a hotel we saw on the side of the road.
3. "Flashing." For example, "Flash me."- A phrase used when you call someone and hang up. This technique can be used to give your friend your number but is most often used when you do not have any credit on your phone and so you call your friend, hang up and then they will call you back...this way your friend has to pay for the call and you don't.
4. "The Scrape Shop."- A store in Kibera that sells questionable goods!
5. "Sorry." -What people say to you in just about any adverse circumstance. It is especially used if you are walking on the street and you trip. Everyone around you will say, "sorry." It is kind of nice because though it is completely pointing and laughing worthy, no one does!
6. "Take Care."- Advise given just after you have hurt yourself or if there is the potential that you might hurt yourself.
7. "Poa" (Po-ah).- A shang (slang) phrase that apparently means "good" but is definitley an appropriate response to any question or greeting. When in doubt, say, "poa."
8. "Jolly Escort."- Name of a matatu (public transportation) we saw on our trip to the safari. All matatu's have names across the front of them. They are very personalized to the driver. Here is my question for the day, "If you were a matatu, what would your name be and why."
9. "Maybe I like that."- A phrase that one of our good friends uses to mean he really likes something. He never says definite "yeses" to anything but now we know he means, "yes" when he says, "maybe."
10. "Missionary Fashion".- When Elf and I first arrived we made it our goal to reach the highest level of missionary fashion. This ever-growing, envy of all, fashion is characterized by ankle-length skirts, over-sized t-shirts with no brand names, knee high athletic socks, and tennis shoes. Elf and Eva achieved the highest level of this fashion last week when they purchased straw hats equipped with an elastic chin strap and flower! They purchased them in order to keep the sun off thier faces and the chin strap was necessary in case the wind were to make them fly off thier heads! The key to missionary fashion is always to remember function over fashion!! And of course, don't forget your petticoat (slip that you wear under your ankle-length skirt)! You too can join the many missionaries around the world by bringing this fashion to your own home town! You will be the envy of all of your friends and do not be surprised (if you are single) if you recieve endless proposals for your hand in marriage!
I believe i will stop there! We hope that you enjoyed a little window into our lives here in Kenya. I promise you, if we could not laugh, i think we might go crazy! I am so thankful for these girls that never cease to keep me laughing!
1. "A test you will never forget."- Found on a menu in an Ethiopian Restaraunt describing an item of food.
2. "The Exciting Hotel."- A name of a hotel we saw on the side of the road.
3. "Flashing." For example, "Flash me."- A phrase used when you call someone and hang up. This technique can be used to give your friend your number but is most often used when you do not have any credit on your phone and so you call your friend, hang up and then they will call you back...this way your friend has to pay for the call and you don't.
4. "The Scrape Shop."- A store in Kibera that sells questionable goods!
5. "Sorry." -What people say to you in just about any adverse circumstance. It is especially used if you are walking on the street and you trip. Everyone around you will say, "sorry." It is kind of nice because though it is completely pointing and laughing worthy, no one does!
6. "Take Care."- Advise given just after you have hurt yourself or if there is the potential that you might hurt yourself.
7. "Poa" (Po-ah).- A shang (slang) phrase that apparently means "good" but is definitley an appropriate response to any question or greeting. When in doubt, say, "poa."
8. "Jolly Escort."- Name of a matatu (public transportation) we saw on our trip to the safari. All matatu's have names across the front of them. They are very personalized to the driver. Here is my question for the day, "If you were a matatu, what would your name be and why."
9. "Maybe I like that."- A phrase that one of our good friends uses to mean he really likes something. He never says definite "yeses" to anything but now we know he means, "yes" when he says, "maybe."
10. "Missionary Fashion".- When Elf and I first arrived we made it our goal to reach the highest level of missionary fashion. This ever-growing, envy of all, fashion is characterized by ankle-length skirts, over-sized t-shirts with no brand names, knee high athletic socks, and tennis shoes. Elf and Eva achieved the highest level of this fashion last week when they purchased straw hats equipped with an elastic chin strap and flower! They purchased them in order to keep the sun off thier faces and the chin strap was necessary in case the wind were to make them fly off thier heads! The key to missionary fashion is always to remember function over fashion!! And of course, don't forget your petticoat (slip that you wear under your ankle-length skirt)! You too can join the many missionaries around the world by bringing this fashion to your own home town! You will be the envy of all of your friends and do not be surprised (if you are single) if you recieve endless proposals for your hand in marriage!
I believe i will stop there! We hope that you enjoyed a little window into our lives here in Kenya. I promise you, if we could not laugh, i think we might go crazy! I am so thankful for these girls that never cease to keep me laughing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
