Goodbyes

As a missionary in Kenya it is customary and encouraged to hire house-help. Our house help is Shuke. She is the sweetest woman I have met here, and possibly anywhere. She understands more English than most, but if she doesn't understand she'll still smile, nod and probably laugh. She is known in the community for her honesty and generosity. We are leaving all our donations with her to give where it is most needed Two weeks ago she made chapatis for us, and I stayed to learn how! Actually, she taught me to make Anjera, Chapatis and Tortillas all at once! It was great spending so much time with her and sharing with eachother about our families. This was in some ways my goodbye to her. She had us over for lunch (on my birthday!) and gave us traditional Gabra cloth dresses as a goodbye present to us.

There were alot more events in the last week that all helped us to say goodbye. Here are some of those stories.
The youth put a party on, which mostly involved fingerfood chapatis, beef and spaghetti. The party was also a welcome back for the chairmen of the youth who had been gone to Secondary School. An odd thing about being the guest of hon.or -- they essentially serve you food and then leave you completely alone till the eating is done. Only then can mingling happen.
Another day we went up to David and BJ's camp in the Huri Hills. They are white nomads who own tons of camels, sheep and goats. They had a 2 day old camel calf that had a very protective mama that got right in Emma's face! We also slept outside under the stars right next to all the sleeping camels.
The very last night we walked around and said a few more formal goodbyes after playing a game of pingpong with Duub. I'm not sure Duub understood that it was our last day, but he really enjoys pingpong so I don't think it matters! Then we ran into the two pastor-friends we made, Stephen and Benard. They so graciously helped us with the last bit of painting the living room in our house. They didn't mind one bit becuase we paid them with cookies and swimming!

Now we are in Kabete waiting for conference to start on Friday. I believe there are even plans for a Thanksgiving party tomorrow!

Miscellaneous Joy

We had prayer retreat in Kurungu last week. People from all over Northern Kenya came to it. It was very refreshing for me to take a step back from Kalacha and reflect on my time here and what God has been working in me personally as well. I have been able to come back with a renewed sense of ambition and purpose. Every day since has been filled with activity and ministry. Thanks to all who have been praying. We only have 2 weeks left in Kalacha and my biggest prayer request is that as we depart we show the love of Jesus as perfectly as we can, and that God gives them understanding about the shortness of our visit.

I've really taken to learning as much Gabbra as I can even though it is only 2 more weeks. I know all the greetings now, but I have to prepare myself before using them because it is still very complicated. The other day Asako was coming towards us and I prepared myself to greet him. He beat me to it though and said 'Hello'. Since I was prepared, I still said 'Bara ki'. He responded first in Swahili 'Nzuri' but then realized it was Gabra I said so he switched and said 'eh Bartu'. 3 languages in 3 seconds= Awesome!

I'm developing a Kenyan Accent. I apologize ahead of time to any and all whom I use it on when I return! I use it on Emma quite frequently now, and she 'tells me off' for it! Her accent and mine are both becoming quite obvious when we teach spelling to the children. Emma will say the word spattering with a lazy 'r' and the kids will spell 'spattaing' but then I will say it with a lazy 't' and they will spell 'spaddering'. Lately we'll let them choose which accent they'd rather listen to!


On Monday a fish lorie (truck) from Lake Turkana got stuck in the Chalbi Desert. It was in the clay layer of earth underneath the sand. Eddie went to free it and he was paid in fish! So we've had plenty of meat lately! The fish lorie was still stuck on Thursday though! It kept sinking deeper and deeper! The whole thing nearly spoiled on the desert! This is even more ironic because the Gabbra people do not eat fish. They think only sorcerors eat it! A few of the locals still smuggled it into town though!