What I know now about Kenya

Here are some things that I didn’t know about Kenya before we left.  Now I know that:

• There is hardly any city planning: When you get on a new highway (which are rare here), you find that there is little to no median.  This means that if they ever wanted to expand the road at all, they would have to knock down the buildings on the side.  Also, there is no shoulder to pull off into if there was a problem.

• Paving stones are cheaper than cement here: When a new apartment building pops up, they usually have a paving stone driveway.  Why?  Even though Kenya exports cement, it is easier and cheaper to simply lay down paving stone, and then if you need to make repairs, you just move the blocks out of the way and put them down again when you're done.

• Anybody can be an entrepreneur: You will find that if someone doesn't have an official job, but they’re still healthy, they will sell things (usually food) on the street. Common items include little packages of nuts, soft drinks, and fresh produce.

Here is one of many streetside stands.

• People are very friendly: People in Kenya smile easily, and they are naturally hospitable. For example, we went to a children’s home a couple of hours away, and the founder/mom to the kids invited us to stay at her house, even though we were pretty much complete strangers.

Here we are with the 'mom' in the children's home - you can
see that the children gave us necklaces and bracelets that they
 made themselves.

• English isn’t really the national language: I thought that English was what everybody spoke, but that is not true.  If a Kenyan walked up to somebody in the market and asked to buy something, they would speak in Swahili, and the person in the market would respond in Swahili as well.  They generally only speak English among Americans and Europeans, or in schools.

• It is colder here than I thought: I expected Kenya to be pretty warm.  After all, some of it is desert and it’s right on the equator.  However, since Nairobi is in the highlands, it is cooler, especially at night, when it is actually nice to have on a sweater outside.

• Motorcycles are everywhere: The road traffic is probably at least 10% motorcycles, and they are aggressive.  For example, in Nairobi they will drive into the opposing traffic, then duck back into their lane at the last moment.  Some cars will also pass recklessly.

This is the size of Kenya compared to eastern
United States - you can see why it's nice to
fly when you need to go far.

• Kenya is big: I thought Kenya was a smallish African country, but it would take a couple days to drive across it.  Not only is it big in area, but since the roads are in poor condition outside of the city, it takes longer to get anywhere.  You have to fly to get most anywhere fast.
  
  

• Most of public transportation is very informal: Matatues, or small buses, take the brunt of all public transportation in Kenya.  There are hundreds of matatu companies that will take you all over the country in these rickety vehicles.

• The Chinese are building here: I had heard that the Chinese were investing in African building projects, but I didn’t know they were doing it on such a massive scale.  They have helped fund the construction of a bullet train between Nairobi and Mombasa (a coastal city) and are thinking of continuing it to Uganda, with Chinese workers and money.  This may seem good, but guess who owns the track now?  You guessed it, the Chinese now have the liberty to do what they want to with it, at least for the present.

This monkey was right on our street -
that is a straw wrapper you see him chewing.

• Monkeys are everywhere: Even in the city, you will find monkeys.  It's kind of like seeing a squirrel or a rabbit in the United States.  The locals are used to them, and I'm sure they thought it was funny that we took so many pictures of something they see regularly.

~Kyle

Mother to 108 Kids

The laundry area

It was 10:00 when we pulled into the dirt parking lot for the Mothers of Mercy Children’s Home.  We were expecting something like New Life - a nice stone building with a large yard.  Instead, we were greeted by a large building made of corrugated tin.  There were kids everywhere: on benches, at tables inside the building, and doing chores around the compound.  There are 108 kids under the care of the Home, between 4 and 18.  In part, there are so many because they will never be adopted.

The children get a cup of milk 3 or 4 times a week.  All
of the milk they drink comes from these cows.

 
When we first pulled in and stepped out of our car, we were greeted by Charles, who is the assistant administrator.  He gave us a full tour of the compound, everything from their barn (with 4 cows and a calf) to their laundry area, where we saw kids hand-washing their own clothes.  He also showed us their dormitory and community medical clinic, where German specialists fly in regularly to treat a long line of patients.  Teachers also offer sewing and woodshop classes on Saturdays to kids that want to build these skills.


Everybody was very excited to see us.  Many of the children came up and greeted us, especially when we joined them in the mulitpurpose room (dining, crafts, dancing etc. happen in this room).  They were doing embroidery with string, sewing needles, and paper with designs on them, along with some other crafts.  I joined them, and was soon swarmed with people looking at my watch and asking me what time it was.

 After I did embroidery for a while, we pulled out the games we brought (Uno and Spot-It) and we instantly had a crowd.  However, we had to keep order in the Uno game because people would just place down random cards whenever they wanted to.  Eventually we found order in the chaos, but it was still the most heated Uno game I’ve ever played.

After the games, we went inside another room to eat.  We were given a different meal than the kids, which we gladly ate because we were given rice and they were given ugali.  Ugali has the consistency of a cross between mashed potatoes and playdough.  It is ground white maize and is a staple in Kenya.  The food was very good, and we were full when we finished.





We brought many books in to donate.  Rockrimmon Elementary as well as a few friends generously donated stacks of books (THANK YOU!).  After lunch we read to the younger kids.  It was fun to see how excited they were about reading books, since they had very few in their library.  Some of them wanted to point out every single picture they saw, even when they had no idea what the word was for that item.  For example, one of them called a guitar “thrum thrum thrum”.
Overall, I think that our Saturday was well spent going to the home and encouraging these kids.  I enjoyed it and so did the entire family.  I hope we go back soon.

Their kitchen- check out the pot of sukamawiki (like kale),
another staple for Kenyans.  It is often eaten with shredded
carrots and cabbage. They have one refrigerator for 108 kids
and the only thing it was fresh milk.  Most of their vegetables
come from their plot of land.

One of the rooms in the girls dormitory. The home has
the capacity for 120 kids.

Leah, one of the 3 "mamas" at the home.  She also teaches sewing.

To see a video of the reading time, click here:

To see a video of a Saturday afternoon pastime at the Home, click here:

Field Trip Highlights

Kenya is an amazing country with so much to see and do.  Through our family read alouds, research, conversations with the locals, and field trips we have learned so much about their 43 tribes, food, history, animals, economy, politics, and many other aspects of Kenyan culture and life.

We thought we would pick a few pictures to highlights some of the fantastic ways we've been able to experience hands on learning:

Nairobi National Park:  It was amazing to see the animals in their natural environment and riding in the safari jeep was so fun for the boys.  It's the only African National Park in the world that is surrounded by a big city. 

Kenyatta International Convention Center:  Used to be the tallest building in Kenya.  People are able to go to the top and see 360 degree views of the city. Including the Ngong Hills and Nairobi National Park.

If you look closely you can see the traffic mayhem at the bus terminal area 

Trip to the Masai Market:  One of the most aggressive markets I have been to, but I boys were wise and kind.  They looked and compared prices until they found just what they were looking for.  Seth is very excited about his spear and Joel his carved rhinoceros.

The market about a 10 minute walk from our house:  Every day hundreds of stalls are set up with items varying from fruits and vegetables, to clothes, to kitchen items.  You can have your shoes washed, your knives sharpened, or have freshly trimmed sugarcane.  

The boys were infatuated to see him use his machete to trim the sugarcane

 The Bomas of Kenya: a cultural center where a dance group performs dances from the various tribes of Kenya. It was amazing to see the rhythm of these dancers and how they incorporate dance into so many of their celebrations and rituals.  The costumes were beautiful as well.  They also have acres and acres of land where the huts from the various tribes and regions have been replicated.  The boys loved exploring these and imagining living in them.

Foodplus Supermarket:  After trying various grocery stores, we have landed on one that fits well into our routine.  Good thing we are eating simply here, because the carts don't hold much!  They have outlawed single use plastic bags, so it's really important we remember to bring our reusable bags to the store!  We always learn something important about the culture when we go shopping!

Karura Forest:  One of only a couple green spaces for walking in Nairobi.  It is not free, but it was well worth the effort to get there.  This is where the resisters hid out when they were working to overthrow the colonial government.

All Saints Cathedral, downtown Nairobi:  We decided to go here for Easter and we were moved by their worship and their history.  They have taken an active role in combating corruption, preaching the gospel, and taking the lead on important societal and moral issues for nearly 100 years.  They have 4 services on a Sunday mornings and even when it's not Easter we sit shoulder to shoulder with others on the bench.

Building relationships with new African friends:  We are so grateful for new friends that have invited us into their homes for dinners.  We have enjoyed their company and the yummy food!  We have had wonderful conversations where we have learned so much about the history and culture of Kenya.

Our landlady, Judy, her husband, and granddaughter.  She has been so
 responsive to the issues we have had in the apartment.

She made a wonderful meal of traditional Kenyan food:
Ugali (looks like mashed potatoes), sukuma wiki (sort of like kale),
cabbage and carrots, goat (our 1st time- really yummy), and beef. 

The area coordinator for Moms In Prayer, Liz, invited us
over for dinner with her family.  She made us quite a feast: curry, fish,
beef, and chipati.(a cross between naan and a tortilla).  It was so great to
learn more about the political situation from them. 

We met David while we were volunteering at New Life.  They invited us for
dinner and we had a wonderful time. This week I will also be helping to train
Sharon and 3 other women in leading Moms in Prayer Groups!

Lake Naivasha, in the Great Rift Valley (about 2 1/2 hours from Nairobi):  We spent two nights at a place on this beautiful lake.  We hiked Mt. Longonot one morning and took a boat trip on the lake the next morning.  

At night the hippos come out of the water to graze

Hiked to the top of Mt. Longonot, elevation 9, 100 feet.  We also walked 4 miles
around the crater rim.  It was a tough hike in parts, but worth the effort! 

Part of the rim and inside the crater

The boat we took is on the right in the picture.  At times I was a
bit nervous when the boat got close to the hippos!

View of the Great Rift Valley.  It was incredible to see something that we have
only read about in books! 

National Museum: We spent most of the day at this museum.  They have a wonderful exhibit on the history of Kenya and another one on the incredible archaeological finds made mainly around Lake Turkana.

We've never seen so many birds in our lives!  Some of them
we have seen in the wild in the National Park and at Lake Naivasha.

Hotel Rooftop Pool:  Kevin traveled to Rwanda last week and it is our tradition that I plan a surprise of some kind for them when he travels.  A friend told me about this hotel that has a warm pool where we could pay a day fee.  Although this wasn't education, it was the perfect surprise for them, and a great break for me as well!

Arboretum:  After going to church, we spent Mother's Day here.  It was great to let the boys run and we always learn about a new slice of Kenyan culture when we are here.  There are families having picnics, preachers preaching to listeners sitting on the grass, young people playing games, monkeys eating trash, and several photo shoots going on- one today was even making a live music video.  Parts of the park are peaceful and quiet and parts are definitely full of life and activity!

Click here to see how lively a place the arboretum is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cRmKHOtJ9U

Dig In, Be Patient, Persevere

The bag of unmatched socks

Walking back to the laundry area at New Life an old set of bathroom mats lay limp over the bench with a brush laying on one and a Tupperware, with scraps looking like bits of oatmeal, sat on the ground below. “The boys,” she said in a kind voice, “can do this,” as she pointed at the mats. “Pick off as much of the peeling rubber as you can.” The next time we volunteered, the laundry worker led us to a corner of the work room where she preceded to dump out a third of a four foot tall sack filled with stray infant and toddler socks. “Please find as many matches as you can.”

My boys are being reminded of an important truth: work is not always fun or rewarding. Sometimes it’s picking little pieces of rubber off the back of a mat. It’s sorting through hundreds of socks, in a cramped corner on the floor, to find just 25 pairs. It’s not what we would choose or how we would do it if we were in charge. Our backs start to hurt, we get bored, and honestly a part of us wonders if it’s really worth it or making much difference at all. Part of me wanted to just offer to buy a new rug, who wants this anyway in a bathroom with potty training toddlers?

Thank you, New Life, for this real life illustration of submission and service. We are raising our boys in a time and culture of quick replacements, a search for personal fulfillment and “fit”, and a pull on our time from every direction.

Then my sweet son reminded me, “Mom, maybe it’s for the guest bathroom”. Straight from the mouth of the teenager who sat at Joel’s side picking little pieces of rubber off the back of a bathroom mat. Did they love the job, no. Was it tedious and at times uncomfortable, yes. Yet for nearly two hours they diligently brushed and picked at the semi-flaky, disintegrating rubber, all the while without an utterance of complaint.

“Make an impact, use your gifts, make the most of your time,” all ring in our ears. I’m not saying these things are in and of themselves wrong, but do we need to turn up the volume on an alternate message? “Dig in, be patient, persevere”. Instead of always measuring success by how we use our gifts, what if we gave the gift of submission to what’s been asked or required, the gift of hard work to an unfulfilling task, and the gift of choosing to see the benefit of the work. So much of what society seems to be needing right now isn’t a specific gift, it’s a

~Hand

~Decision
~Time
~Willingness

Similarly during times of “rubber picking” in our lives, the opportunity for transformation ignites. A life-long foundation can be laid within us as well. It is a silent and sometimes painful growth. Will I serve myself or others? Will it be my way or will I open my mind and heart to others? A foundation and pattern of self- sacrifice is being laid that will have its reach into one’s marriage, parenthood, work, and community. I’m not saying we never pursue and nurture that which is life-giving and expressive of how we were created. The routines of infant care don’t last forever, yet in the midst of it don’t discount the value of the seemingly mundane.
Dig in boys, there will be times and most likely seasons in your life when you feel like day after day, you are picking rubber. Times when you are looking for matches and those you find, pale in comparison to what is left undone. I pray this is not all of life for you, but when it is, hold fast knowing it is not a waste.

I’m reminded of the relentless cycle of feeding, changing, cooking, bathing and cleaning that fills so much time while caring for infants. It can be tedious and mundane. Yet, just at a time when it looks most monotonous from the outside, the greatest growth in brain development is occurring in the baby and a life-long bond and a foundation of security is forming. As a parent you choose to focus, not on the messes cleaned up, but on the way you catch the eye of the little one you love and the smile that beams when it is you who picks him up from a sleep.

Is the illustrative work of sorting through hundreds of socks, to only see most of them returned to the bag, the work we would choose? Most of us don’t consider that type of work “good”, but I’m wondering if there is a greater good that comes from submitting to it.
It’s the greater good of

~resources preserved

~a deepening trust gained as we persevere without knowing the final outcome ~a break from the weight of needing to “be someone” and prove our worth ~encouraging others who are also “searching for matches” in an overwhelming pile ~reminding our heart and mind that we are not at the center of our work or service

New Life didn’t just need us to do that work- our hearts needed to do that work.

Encounter with the Monkeys

  This weekend we went to a gorgeous camp called Camp Carnelley's.  Camp Carnelley's is on Lake Naivasha.  Lake Naivasha is located in the huge Great Rift Valley.  We stayed in a room (that was called a “banda”) that looked suspiciously like a shipping container.  The “banda” had two bathrooms, made of earthen walls, and two bedrooms.  Bushes, inhabited by beautiful birds, surrounded the banda.

         On Monday, we decided to go on a “boating safari” where we saw many many hippos and birds of all types.  We saw two hippos challenging each other by opening their ginormous mouths and showing each other their huge incisors.  They made a loud, deep roar while they were doing this.  After the boat ride, we couldn't go back to our room because we had already checked out.  Therefore, we got our food and sat down for a picnic at an old picnic table.

         While enjoying our lunch, we watched some monkeys running around eating junk out of the trash cans, which I found pretty sad.  After some time, a monkey started to take a sudden interest in our lunch.  Moments later monkeys surrounded our table, making noises that sounded like a battle cry.  Suddenly, one darted forward, that later, we learned was a diversion.  Immediately after, another one darted at our food, grabbing our last apple.  Dad tried staring him down, but the monkey ran forward again and grabbed a whole bunch of chips.  At the same time, another snatched up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  We later laughed at the thought of a monkey eating sticky peanut butter. 

         Mom screeched so loud I’m surprised it didn’t destroy her camera lens.  A fisherman came running armed with a stick and a fishing pole ready to fend off the enemies.  The monkeys finally ran away.  But, after a little bit they started to come back and mom said “We are GOING to move.”   

~ written by Seth Wilson 

Click to see a really funny video

A symphony in a sanctuary

On the shores of Lake Naivasha, a symphony surrounds me.  Fluttering birds with patches of iridescent blue, yellow, rust, and black dance across the sky.  The gentle wind blows and the calm water, encircled by ancient mountains, shimmers.  The lush green grass meets the swaying bamboo whose firework-like tops glisten in the sun.  Even the dead trees house abundant life.  Peace and beauty fill this place.

Yet just outside of this haven, this natural place, sits hundreds of cinder block homes in rows, one front door not more than 15 feet from the next.  A solitary window in front lets in the only light this tiny row house receives. Under the front eeves, laundry lines hang in tight parallel lines to hold the families’ washing.  A tiny red dress hanging on one caught my eye, a stark contrast to the wall of gray.  “A baby lives there”, I thought to myself. 

A few of  the hundreds of
flower green houses in the area

These are the flower workers homes.  All day long they cultivate, water, prune, and cut fresh flowers to package and send mainly to Europe.  They earn around $100/month, $150 if they are lucky: the cost of around 4 dozen roses.  The warmth of the brilliant colors of a bouquet of roses contrasts deeply with the cool gray of their cramped homes surrounded by dirt.  

It is confusing and uncomfortable to live in a place of deep contrasts and a dual economy.  Many here earn $1/day.  What I will spend on dinner tonight for our family would be 2 months salary for them.  It is outrageous for me to think of spending 2 months of our wages on one meal. 

Millions of people work so hard every day.  It is not uncommon for most to work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week.  We have heard over and over again about the incredible resources in Kenya and its fertile soil.  Yet, corruption and greed, in the hands of a few has led to complex societal struggles.   

“I have a dream,” our driver shared with a light in his eye.  “I want to buy property and build a home where we can help children and where we can grow vegetables.”  In the last few years, he has taken under his care two children that are not his own. His wife and three children have lovingly welcomed them into their two bedroom home.  One, an orphan whose parents both died, and another whose mother could not feed her what her growing body required.  He now pays 5 children’s school fees, which are required even in public education.  He said so matter of factly, “When we go on vacation we just spend a bit less, when we eat at our table, we just share what we have.  A few more jobs driving and it covers their school fees, God always provides.”     

He is one of many in Kenya and around the world who are bringing brilliance and color to the gray.  He is planting where there is no life and watering what is struggling to survive.  I’ve wrestled for days now with my heart’s disposition toward not just giving, but doing so sacrificially.  

On the three hour drive back to Nairobi, I looked out the window and saw the faces of hundreds, if not thousands, who work tirelessly selling goods in markets or on the side of the road, who drive buses, work a tiny bit of land, or graze a handful of goats. All this just to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads.  

The scenery and the stories we’ve heard are daunting, really.  What difference does a single bouquet of roses make to the rows and rows of gray.  Kevin turned and said to our driver, “The founder of Food for the Hungry used to say, ‘They die one at a time, so we will help them one at a time.’” 

Many pods of hippos live in this stretch of the lake

         

   

Daily Life Q and A

Here is an "advertisement" I wrote for our apartment in Nairobi:

Our apartment is immediately above the parking area

Come one, come all!  Knoll Court apartments welcomes you to come and stay with us while you enjoy your time in Nairobi!  Knoll Court is located right in the heart of Kilimani, on the corner of Muringa Road and Ndemi Lane.  This perfect retreat comes with a view of the Masai herdsmen peacefully herding their cattle through this elegant neighborhood.  We offer perfectly-sized 3-bedroom apartments with two balconies and windows everywhere you look.  We also have free water delivery so that you can always be supplied with water for that hot shower after your day trip.  Afraid of bugs?  Don’t worry, all you have to do is spray with DOOM!®️ bug repellent and keep that electric fly swatter handy.  We have you covered with all your food needs with a convenience store fifty feet down the road that sells everything you would ever need.  Come stay with us!  To see this amazing building on Google Maps, go to this link!

To see a demonstration of our water truck delivery, you can see a video of this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InFw2oEx4hg  
The deliveries could come as early as 6 am.

Daily life Q and A:

This is me and my tennis coach playing together
at JD Tennis Academy.

Interviewer: What is the hardest part about living in your home on Ndemi Lane?

Wilson Family: Honestly, the hardest thing is that this place is not very well kept.  Most of the shower doors don’t slide very well at all, the sinks leak, and none of the bathroom windows close all the way.  Also, there aren’t any extra cups, bowls, or towels, so you have to make sure that you wash the dishes right after every meal so that you are ready for the next one.

Interviewer: What do you do for fun around your home?

This is the waterfall in Karura forest

Wilson Family: Twice a week, we go to tennis classes at a place half a block down the street.  However, we have to make sure that we don’t miss balls because we’re watching the monkeys playing on the roof!

Interviewer: Is there anything that you look forward to each week?

Wilson Family: Almost every week, we go on a field trip to somewhere we’ve never been before.  For example, this week we went to the Karura Forest, which is home to the Mau Mau caves, named after the freedom fighters, as they call them, who fought for independence from Great Britain.  Kenya received its independence in 1963.

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing with us your experience at your home!  We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

~Kyle