This crazy thing we call time

A few days ago I was reading my cousin's blog and there was something that she wrote that really spoke true to me. The concept of time is something that continues to baffle me. I wish I could control it but I know I never can. I could go on and on talking about it but her words sum it up perfectly so here they are: 

Time seems to be rushing by me. Like I’m floating down a river, taking in the beauty of the surrounding countryside and unexpectedly the scenery begins to change and the river’s current picks up. The new scenery is beautiful too, but I didn’t realize I was coming to this new section so quickly. I’m suddenly wishing that I could swim back up stream to catch a glimpse of the all the beauty I’d been taking for granted (did I really think it would go on forever?), but the currents too strong; I can‘t fight it. -CJ

Random thoughts on my current life:

• I went out for Sushi downtown last night with a couple friends and now I'm very inspired to try as many local restaurants as possible. I think we all are actually. The problem with this inspiration is that it completely conflicts with my budget so I'm going to have to work out a compromise with myself somehow.

• It's been raining nonstop here for the past couple days and there isn't any bright sun in the forecast. Most people don't like this weather but I am rather enjoying it. The only problem I had with it today was that I wanted to curl up with a fuzzy blanket, a hot beverage, and some knitting needles or a book. Unfortunately class tends to get in the way of that fantasy. 

• I am very excited for this weekend and trying to be diligent with getting things done in preparation for being out of town but other wonderful things, such as writing this blog, are perpetually getting in the way. Why is it that after 1am I cannot possibly get any school work accomplished but as soon as I begin doing things on facebook, blogging, or anything else unacademic I am extremely productive. This is a phenomenon that I don't really care to investigate or change. 

• I am not a fan of doing laundry in a campus dorm. Mainly because of the whole having to pay for each load problem. This is especially problematic when you only have $.36 left on your Hokie Passport after paying for three wash loads and have to scrounge around for quarters before it's time to move everything into the dryer. 

• Having conversations with people is quite possibly my favorite thing ever. Especially when it involves making ridiculous lists, asking random passerbys to give their opinions on them, and when it's all over not having any idea that over two hours have passed. 

• When I start to get overwhelmed by everything that I am involved in right now, I just remember how blessed I am to have all of the opportunities I've been given. This is the life I've been given and it would be repulsive for me to take it all for granted, which I do everyday. I am incredibly blessed. 

Here's a quote that I recently found and really like. I will most likely write more about it in the future but for now it's just food for thought: 

"Community is the opposite of thinking that wherever I am, I would be better off somewhere else." 

-Peter Block in Community

Mungu Anakupenda

Midst

Is it strange that every single time I read or hear someone say the word "midst" that I think of my wonderful Kenyan friends? I heard pastors and other locals say that word many times and I just can't stop their unique pronunciation from continuously ringing in my head. 


I am sure you are probably thinking, "What in the world is so memorable about how they say this little word?" Well, I will do my best to explain. The typical american says the word "midst" as a one syllable word where the "d" and "s" blend together. In Kenya the word is broken into two syllables and the "d" and "s" are completely independent from each other. It sounds something like, "Mid-ist". It's just not quite right when it comes out a pastors mouth as one syllable. 

Outside of the church where I first heard the word "Mid-ist" in Bondenni. 

That's not the only thing I've been missing about Kenya. In fact I could make a whole long list that would most likely bore you to death so I won't do that to you, not today at least. I know I can't leave you hanging like that so I will attempt to quench your curiosity by sharing two more examples with you. 


It's really the little things that make me realize that I'm in a different continent, both geographically and culturally. For example, many times when leaving a group of people or person I have to restrain myself from calling out "Kwaheri". Sometimes it slips out and then I have to explain to a room of confused people that it means goodbye. Something else that keeps trying to slip through my lips is "Bwana Asifiwe". Just today I was in a meeting and after someone finished sharing something I had to press my lips together to prevent myself from exclaiming, "Bwana Asifiwe!" Saying "Praise God" just does not have the same meaning to me anymore. It has become cliche in this culture but in Nairobi, Bwana Asifiwe exclaims that no matter what the situation, God deserves to be praised! It is said often as a reminder that things are God's doing and that he gets all of the glory from it. In the mid-ist of a Kenyan telling a life-relating story, they will interject "Bwana Asifiwe" at least once every minute, sometimes multiple times in a row if they think the meaning hasn't sunk with you yet. 


I never would have thought that these would be the things that I would miss. Don't get me wrong, I miss my lovely friends there as well. Maybe these words resonate with me so much because they are a constant reminder of all of my Kenyan brothers and sisters. 


Thanks for listening. 
Mungu Akubariki


P.S. My family got a letter from my sponsored child today and I am anxiously awaiting when it gets forwarded to me so that I can read it... SO EXCITED! 

A Story of Mathare

Jambo,

Jambo Bwana.

Habari Gani?

Nzuri Sana.

Wageni,

Mwakaribishwa.

Kenya Yetu,

Hakuna Matata! 

This is the song that I listened to many precious school children sing for almost an hour while welcoming our team into their neighborhood in Nairobi. Listening to this song brought me so much joy but for a deeper meaning that just the smiles on their faces and the beautiful sound of a chorus of voices. It is their background and what they are overcoming that is so powerful. It is always moving to hear someone's testimony but to be caught up in the middle of it and witnessing their transformation first hand is something completely unimaginable. 

It is the story of each of these children that make them different that any other people I have been around. 

These children were born into a completely hopeless life. They have been born into a place where there has been no hope for education, a job, economic stability, guaranteed nutrition, and health care. But the list doesn't stop there. Besides the more obvious things that I have listed, these children have also been born into a family of despair. His or her father cannot find a job to support his family, and therefore is not fulfilling his need to provide for his family. More often that not, this father takes out his helplessness on his family by physical or sexual abuse. The child's mother feels like she is standing in the midst of chaos alone and helpless. A large majority of the households (if you can call a one-room shack the size of my bathroom housing multiple people with just one bed a household) are led my single mothers. It is very common in Mathare for a father to abandon his family when things get too tough or his public image might be compromised. Women don't have rights in Kenya like they do here in America. They might be the breadwinners of the family, but they can lose everything the have worked so hard for in an instant. 

There was no hope in Mathare Valley. None. If you moved there, you would never leave there. If you were born there, you would die there. That all changed in the early 2000's when an ordinary business working couple decided to do the little bit they could to provide a small drop of hope in an area of hopelessness. The Kamau's started Missions of Hope International (MOHI) and miraculously, their efforts of providing light did not get swallowed by the endless surrounding darkness. God has continued to bless MOHI and literally has "Transformed a valley of darkness into the mountain of God" Instead of the valley being filled with darkness, it is now consumed with light. Bwana Asifiwe! 

The children and families of the Mathare Valley now have a great hope because of MOHI. There is hope for their child to become one of the thousands who are now getting a good education because of child sponsorships. Through that education, the child is taught about the ultimate hope, hope that comes from Jesus. That newfound hope fills them until they are overflowing and spreading this hope like a virus to their family members and friends in the community. 

Honestly, I never understood how much of a difference child sponsorship makes and please don't tune me out on this part.  It literally makes all the difference in the world for that child. Choosing to sponsor a child will change a life. If you pass up an opportunity to sponsor a child, that is one more child who cannot escape the unrelenting clutches of poverty. 

I have seen first hand children who do not have sponsors. 

I have seen first hand the expression on those children's faces when someone chooses to sponsor them. 

I have seen first hand the priceless embrace of the first meeting of a child and their sponsor.  

I have heard first hand children and mothers talk about their sponsors and how much they love and appreciate them. 

I have seen and heard these things and been moved to action. I decided to sponsor a child my very first day working in Mathare. Even though I would consider myself a poor college student, I have been so blessed and the least I can do is sacrifice a little bit financially to begin a relationship with a child who's life I know I will be a part of forever. The impact of my simple decision to sponsor my little Brian Kioko is absolutely immeasurable. 

Me and my new sponsored child, Brian. He is so beautiful.

Please do not sit still after reading this. If what I have written has impacted you in the slightest bit, DO SOMETHING! You can sponsor a child and completely change a life, a family, and an entire neighborhood. I would love to talk to you more about this so please talk to me more about it. 

God is blessing the Mathare Valley and He is using us to do it. Without sponsors, none of this is possible. 

Kenya in the morning.... already?

Well here I am the night before my long awaited trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I honestly cannot believe that it has come up so fast and I feel like no amount of preparation can prepare me for what is ahead. Despite the feeling that I am being thrown into something unprepared, I know that I am as ready as I will ever be and I will give it my all. 


Immediately after writing this, I will go to bed for an entirely too short 5 hours of sleep. It will all be a buzz from here and it will be wonderful! Please pray for my trip that my team can do God's will while we are there and that the people we meet will be receptive to God's love. Different members from my 80+ person team will be taking turns blogging on my church's short term mission blog, http://mountainshorttermmissions.blogspot.com/, and I encourage you to check it out regularly while I am gone. 


Until I reenter the states on July 2nd,  


Mackenzie