A Squash Banana

Sorry for my delay in posting. The internet is very poor in Kijabe. I have a few things to tell you all, but I shall space it out a bit. The topic for today is language learning. The first thing I learned to say was 'asante sana' (thank you very much) and I was promptly told to leave the 'squash banana' off the end! Language learning is very tough, especially when trying to do so properly instead of just a pigeon version of it. But it is very important: Language learning IS ministry. I have to remind myself of that when I feel stupid or want to give up. They've given us a great method for learning it, which essentially involves finding a tutor, learning a phrase or two a day and going and applying it immediately. Everyone seems to laugh at us and all our stumbles over words but I've learned to just laugh right along with them. It seems laughter is never derogatory here. In that sense, its been more fun to learn the cultural cues than anything else at this point. I even asked if it would be ok to outright laugh when we get the inevitable marriage proposals. They told me it was and also to tell them "you don't have enough cows for me"

I've found that a good talking point for a lot of Kenyans is politics. When I tell them I'm from America (something I can say in Swahili) they all want to know about Obama and what I think about him. They all say they are related to Obama because he is Kenyan. One even told me that I was Kenyan because he was my president! Big laughs at that! In most of the world its a bad thing to be American, but not here!
They also are very into their own politics as they have just instated a new constitution. I am here at the dawn of the Second Republic of Kenya. I bought a paper today just to commemorate my being here. Everyone is very excited about it here. I hope it does the country even half as much good as they expect it to.

Pictures in the next post, I promise!

Address

Sorry this has taken so long to post. There is really no excuse for the delay. Things will take about 3 weeks to get here.

Rebecca Postma

AIC Kalacha

PO Box 21028

Nairobi, Kenya 00505

East Africa

Also, I'm at 32 Loginye Road Nairobi Kenya right now if you want to give Google Earth a try. Apparently you can see the entire house very clearly including the yard where we just played some football (that's soccer for you American folks!)

Correction:

I am jet-lagged. I thought jet lagged meant sleeping at odd hours of the day. So far that hasn't really been the case, though I did go to bed at 8 last night. My jet-lag has manifested itself mostly in my entire body just feeling 'off' I'm not all that tired, but I'm definitely not as spunky as normal and move just a bit slower in general. I'm excited for my body to adjust.

There were a few opportunities to get out and interact yesterday. Steven took us downtown on a matatu which is essentially a 15 passenger van that is jam-packed and starts moving a bit before everyone is actually sitting down. Then we walked through downtown at a decent pace and he pointed out all these government buildings including the old American embassy. There were also a few neighbor kids who came over to play with the little Scottish boys. They seemed a little hesitant around all us extra white people, but it was fun for me to help them feel more comfortable.

All systems Go!

After 18 hours of flying, 5 hours of layovers, 3 security checks and hopefully enough sleep, I've arrived in Kenya! To be honest, I don't really know how jet-lagged I am. I slept almost all of the last 8 hour flight from London to Nairobi, though I was sure to eat the meals given out on the plane! and then I slept pretty solid all night long. There was the call to prayer at 5 am that I definitely didn't sleep through, and was quite alert by 7 am this morning. I plan to stay awake all day so as to get on track with the time here. Up until about an hour ago, I wasn't quite sure of the day, much less the time!

I met Emma right before getting on the London plane. She is my teammate. She has a strong English accent, and we continually have to stop mid-conversation and explain what we are talking about. It is so wierd that we speak the same language but still have to translate! She seems very laid back and pretty mature for just coming out of secondary school. I hope we become very comfortable around eachother so that we can be an emotional and spiritual support for eachother. Pray that this happens at a natural pace.

Right now I'm staying with the hospitality missionaries here in Nairobi. Their house is essentially a constant flux of missionaries. In this house right now are Scottish, German, English, and American. Actually this house is the home of some Bolivian missionaries that are currently on furlough. So the decor is an odd mix of South American and African influences. The house is quite full right now, and their really isn't enough space to even look through my luggage. I felt a bit embarrassed last night, feeling I am the typical American with too much stuff, but this morning at breakfast, I heard of other stories that were far worse (47 bags for a family of 3!) Now that is ridiculous!

I'm anxious to learn the language and get involved! But so far all I know is Asanti (Thank you) which is to be my response to Karibu (welcome). And I've hardly talked to any Africans. Until that happens, I think I'll just feel out of place, instead of at home in God's work. Pray I get opportunities to do so soon. We will be in Nairobi till Friday or even Monday, so this time of limbo could be very long otherwise. But we are right near Kibera Slum, the largest slum in the world, so the opportunities are great if we are given the chance. Also pray for emotional strength and rejuvenation after many good-byes and getting used to not having your amazing support and encouragement so close and tangible. Thanks to all of you who continue to pray and support me from such a distance. You mean the world to me!

Orientation Week & Testimony

August 2-4 was orientation in NY. I had a very small orientation group, which threw me off a bit, but the community was awesome. I loved hearing the stories of how my fellow missionary friends came to the point where they are at now, to share our hearts for Africa with eachother and to encourage eachother in our journeys. I left the orientation feeling very blessed, prepared and excited to hit the mission field. Most people leave the orientation with a direct path to Africa. However, I am in the midst of waiting an extra 2 and half weeks. Its been somewhat awkward, but mostly a blessing to have this extra time to indulge in the fellowship and encouragement from so many people who surround my life. Please be in prayer that in 10 days, when my departure date is actually here, that I still feel the readiness (in full) that I felt last week.

During orientation, we were giving a guideline for sharing our testimonies concisely and in the African fashion. I only find it appropriate to share mine with those who will be praying for it to be delivered to and welcomed by open hearts.

My Testimony:
Greetings from Fellowship Church in Greeley Colorado! My name is Rebecca and came to know Christ when I was 16 years old. I feel very blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and to have many examples of strong faith to follow. My family had many struggles growing up, and when I was young, I chose to see those struggles more than the faithfulness that God had shown us threw all of those events. When I was older, my faith was challenged by a Mormon. I chose to face those challenges directly by seeking the truth without assistance from parents or pastors. And, indeed, the Truth of the Bible was been made evident to me! Soon after this I confronted the fact that my sin put Jesus on the cross and a new idea that he would have died even if it was just for me. Furthermore, through a song about heaven, God spoke assurance into my life that I would be with him forever. I always doubted whether my faith and God's hold on me would sustain me until my death. Since these words of comfort (nearly audibly spoken!), I do not doubt Him for a second. My biggest struggle now and throughout my life is trusting in God's provision. I love the name of God: Jehovah Jireh (the Lord provides). Clearly he has proved himself time and again but I still need the reminder. Psalm 146:3 &5 are the verses I call to mind: Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.... (but)Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob. I love that:"the God of Jacob" as this is a reference to a man who literaly struggled with God. My struggle is not in vain, God is not done with me yet!