Karibu Kenya....

..The Story Continues!

Karibu Kenya! (Welcome to Kenya)

That's what everyone keeps telling me when I meet them.  

I have had a whirlwind of activity and many things to trust God with already.

Five days before departing, I found out that my housing had fallen through.  

As you know, I am working on starting a business that will support my sister and I with our non-profit work among widows and orphans. Our non-profit, Streams of Mercy Africa, is already working in partnership with Fountain of Hope Kenya.  

When my housing fell through I prayed and asked if God wanted me to still go or cancel my ticket.

The Lord encouraged me that He had already gone before me and prepared the way.

I sent a quick email and James Waruiru, director of FOH responded right away.

He found me a couple nights at a guest house and met me at the airport with an auntorage of family and friends...a VERY Kenyan greeting!

After staying at the guest house, I realized my limited funding would quickly run out as I had to pay extra for meals, laundry, etc.

So, my FOH Family and I prayed and they began searching all their contacts.  

Before I knew it, I was in Kiambu, a beautiful farming town on a hill overlooking Nairobi City.

I have been warmly welcomed into the home of Tata (Aunt), in Kikuyu (local tribal dialect). 

When I arrived on Saturday, I was quickly taken to a field surrounded by shambas (farms) and cottages, where there were many children.  They were being given school uniforms by FOH.  School uniforms are a requirement for attendance, so if families can not afford the uniforms, children do not go to school.

After handing out uniforms the director of FOH introduced me to the children and then I was asked to share a Bible story.  I told the children to be good students and that I also was a student of Swahili and Kikuyu.  At first they were very shy, but then approached me and spontaneously started teaching me the Kikuyu words for parts of the body.

You should have seen how hard they laughed at my pronunciations!

Afterward, I was told I had made the children very happy.

Then on Sunday, finding I had reached a point of total exhaustion, slept until 1pm. Later that afternoon Tata took me around the village to meet all the widows and orphans helped by FOH.

Those who left the biggest impression on me were 6 children, in their early teens living at their shamba (farm) without a guardian.  Their parents had died of HIV/AIDS and later their grandma also died, leaving them to try to find a way to survive on their own. And yet these dear children had grown so strong in their faith that they knew they were not alone!

The rest of this week I have been meeting more family, friends, getting acquainted with my surroundings, learning how to use transportation and tomorrow will be going to Nairobi to get my foreign registration card.

Please pray that we are able to get it and the right one.

I have to go by male escort everywhere for my safety so not being the independent American is quite an adjustment for me. Although, I'm finding the fellowship has been wonderful and it's fun getting to know my ndugus (brothers). Plus, they teach me Swahili and Kikuyu.  I'm finding I appreciate them a lot.

Also, Kenyans feel really bad for you if you are ever left alone which can be a challenge for the American "personal space." 

Already, I've been offered Kikuyu husbands and Masai husbands.  Although chatter around town about my sudden appearance has been quite comical.  They don't know what to make of this "little girl" as they refer to me.

As to starting the business, things in Kenya go pole pole (Swahili for slowly, slowly).  I need to wait until people can introduce me.  I'm also composing letters to mail out and then we will follow through with personal visits.

One of the biggest things I need prayer for is that I would guard my heart against distractions.

There are many things that can pull your heart here and I need prayer that mine is only for God and His specific purposes for me.

Thanks for praying!  

I really appreciate you guys and am praying for you too!

With Christ's love,

Christy 

PS- Pictures to come!  Once I figure out how to do that here.  So check back later this week.