Karibu Kenya!

On Tuesday, Anna and I went to Nairobi early in the morning to catch the bus to Bungoma.  We met our fellow teacher, Katie, and a friend of our host family, Daniel there who made the 8.5 hour journey with us.  It was incredible to see how many people were walking the streets of Nairobi at such an early hour in the morning!  I don’t think I have ever seen more people in one place in my life!  During the bus ride, we saw a variety of types of Kenyan landscape, architecture, people, and animals.  Forests, highlands, savannahs – all contribute to the beautiful country of Kenya.  We even spotted some wildlife grazing in the savannahs on our way – zebra and gazelle!  (Not to mention the many donkey, sheep, goats, and chickens :))  On one of our rest stops, I had the pleasure of buying a delicious mango for just 20 shillings as well as using my first long drop toilet.  Having never been in a developing country before, I was surprised to see the amount of garbage piled everywhere and the number of people in every town, street, and even field!
There are so many things you take for granted or don’t even think about not having that many people in the world have never had. 
            - trash collection
            - running water
            - refrigerator/freezer
            - inexpensive fuel
And the list could go on and on.

We arrived in Bungoma town on Tuesday evening, exhausted and overwhelmed by so many new experiences.  The sugarcane farm on which we are living is owned by the Lubanga family.  Anna, Katie and I live in hut 1 which has 4 bunkbeds to accommodate us.  During the day it is generally hot here, but at nights it cools off considerably.  As I’m writing this, I’m wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, but earlier today I was very warm in a t-shirt and skirt!  Maybe this is the reason that I lost my voice two nights ago and am feeling a bit sick?  Praying for quick healing so that I am able to fully engage and actually talk with all of the wonderful people here!

The past three days we have been at St. Teresa’s High School in Kabula.  I am working with one of the French teachers, Mme. Santina, who teaches Form 1 and Form 2 French (Form 1 is 9^th gr., Form 2 10^th gr., etc.).  I will be observing in Form 2 every week and start teaching Form 1 on Wednesday, so I’m looking forward to that.  St. Teresa’s is an all-boys boarding school (there are a few Form 4 girls, but it is phasing into a boys school) with around 600 students.  It is very striking how respectful, attentive, and diligent the students appear to be!  No side conversations, no getting up while the teacher is talking, no complaining.  So far I am quite impressed!  All of our colleagues at the school have been so friendly and inviting, everyone introduces themselves and welcomes us to Kenya and to the school, “Karibu Kenya, Karibu Kabula, Karibu St. Teresa’s.  You are very welcome here!”  Everyone truly is so warm, inviting, and helpful!  I’m so thankful to be in such a beautiful place with beautiful people.  God has created such beauty and diversity in the world!  His beauty is reflected in so many ways and I can only wonder at His infinite wisdom, beauty, and creativity!

Tomorrow we plan to go into town and buy some necessary items – i.e. a rain jacket and rain boots, since it rains for some period of time every day and gets quite muddy!

I pray that all is well with each one of you and that you are enjoying the beginning of spring!

Much love,
Heather