Lessons I'm learning

Some things I'm learning in Kenya:

1. Fill the Katadyn water filter hours before you need clean water.
2. An individual who is directionally challenged in America is still directionally challenged in a city with streets all at right angles.
3. Forget the germs and hold onto whatever you can grab in the city bus or you will fall down. A pause of one second is apparently sufficient for the nationals to board or exit the bus.
4. Food tastes different in Kenya. Mangoes are better.
5. Stoves do not light without a match or lighter.
6. Kenyan people are really good with names. I am not.
7. Nakumatt, the local Wal-Mart, is not selling things at a discount.  A 400 gram box of granola costs 379 shillings which would take a person on almost 19 bus rides.
8. The weather is very comfortable--60s and 70s and there are many flowers growing around the compounds' walls. I love flowers!
9. It is possible for an apartment to be without water for days in the capital city even though the bill is paid.
10. Bucket showers can get an individual surprisingly clean.
11. Men do not wear jeans in Nairobi. Dress pants and crisp button down shirts are the standard. Neither men nor women wear shorts.
12. Cell phones and SIM cards are cheap and everyone has them. Today I watched a man pushing a bicycle with containers literally stacked about 10 feet high on the back of it.  He almost dropped the bike and it's cargo in the rain soaked street to answer his cell phone.
13. It is light from 6:30am-6:30pm year round.
14. I've not seen any of the famous Kenyan runners, or anyone running at all, for that matter.
15. Cadburry chocolates are almost as good as Hershey/MnMs.
16. Every Kenyan I've met so far speaks Swahili and English beautifully. 
17. Kenyans and Sudanese people often hold your hand for a long time when meeting you for the first or second time.
18. Every apartment complex, church, home and sizable business outside of the mall is protected by a gated and guarded compound.
19. Greetings are VERY important and older women are addressed respectfully and universally as "Mama".
20. I'm am not a natural language learner. The Swahili greetings I've learned I've already forgotten with the exception of Jambo!
21. When you are looking down at your cell phone instead of at the road, you might trip over a monkey.
22. Kenya is considered a "Christian" country like the US.
23. It takes a lot of behind the scenes work to keep a missionary team well equipped practically, physically, medically and emotionally.
24. People not only drive on the left side of the road--they walk on the left side of sidewalks. I "shout" that I'm an American by veering to the right still.
25. The largest denomination of money in Kenyan shillings is 1000, the equivalent of about $13.  The smallest is a half-shilling, worth less than a penny.
26. It is not OK for a woman to go out alone after dark and that is only one of many security issues.
27. Most of the sizable businesses in Nairobi are not owned by Kenyans but by people from India.

I have much to learn.

From the air over Sudan

Within two hours I will have my feet planted on Africa soil at last.  My heart is joyful, my spirit is worshipful of my gracious heavenly Father who allowed me to come, and I am in great anticipation of the education and work ahead.  Right now I am flying over southern Sudan perhaps not far from my new home in the village of Doro.  Night has fallen and the landscape is dark--so unlike flying anywhere in the US where you can always see the effects of electricity and automobiles.  I ponder the evening activities of the individuals living their lives 37000 feet below.  I have thought so much of them over the past four and a half years!  Soon I will live among them!  The realization of my long awaited dream has me humbled and teary eyed.  Who am I that I should be able to live here and share my life and faith with these people. Thank you Father for allowing me to be part of Your plan among the Sudanese.