Well, we have been in Nairobi for nearly four days! Lots has happened given the first 12 hours were spent trying desperately to stay awake while the next 12 were spent giving into the temptation.
Let me start by letting you know that I have no idea how this Blog thing will turn out. Some of you want a play by play of what is up in this neck of the woods (or shall I say desert) while others see this as an opportunity to enter into our minds of chaos, of affliction and the turmoil that comes with living in different contexts. Hopefully, it will be a bit of both...something that both Mandy and I can use as a collection of thoughts and something that we can process, share and be supported through given the benefits of a technologically globalized world.
The first thing that Mandy and I noticed as we touched down in Nairobi was the overwhelming discrepancy in the number of white people on our plane compared to what we had anticipated. Granted, we were coming from England, what some might call the motherland, but it still seemed a but odd. As a rule, I equate travel with opportunity which often corresponds with money. We began to wonder if the 2:1 of the plane that was white was a correct ratio of the Kenyan populus but were soon proven wrong as we drove the streets of Nairobi to Gideon's house.
Gideon is our main link in Nairobi. He heads up CTM in Nairobi and provides support and leadership for grassroot leaders working in hard places. He is an incredibly talented man with a heart for serving others in his own community. Despite the opportunity that he had to advance his education and to work in Seattle, WA, he returned to his own community to build up the work of leaders that work tirelessly to enhance the lives of those that live in the slums. He has a beautiful family whose pictures we will post as soon as possible. They have opened their home to us as we transition into life in Kenya. Their house is a beautiful cement home that is less than 1 year old. We enjoy basic amenities, running water and electricity.
We are certainly taking our time in getting settled as 10 hours is tough to make up. Saturday, we ventured approximately 1 mile to the supermarket. I am told that this is one of the nicer supermarkets in town with many of the same products from the states. I soon learned that there is a large price gap between food that is traditional Kenyan food and that has been brought in through western influence. While rice, beans, potatoes and local vegetables cost next to nothing, cereal, spaghetti sauce and cheese cost nearly twice what it would at home. It was an interesting experiment thinking about how a person living on a normal Kenyan salary might develop a food budget.
The second half of our day consisted of a 6 hour birthday celebration for Gideon's daughter Samara, who turned two. It would have been an 8 hour celebration but the guests were 2 hours late:). I can role with this schedule! We enjoyed the opportunity to meet lots of friends and family as we joined Samara and her family in celebrating this momentous occasion.
Sunday, we joined Gideon and his family for church...which was held in a huge tent that looks similar to the Denver Airport. We enjoyed our first church visit to a Kenyan church and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to begin our weekly venture into new churches around the city. The afternoon consisted of playing games, drinking chai and talking technology and politics with Gideon's family. I always enjoy hearing what others have to say about politics!
I am not sure when this blog will be posted as internet connections are hit and miss during the day. As you go on in your week, we thank you for the support that you have already shown from afar and hope that you will think of this place often.
I am hitting the sleep zone and should sign off before I fall asleep typinggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.
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