Reality Check

Charlie talked to one of our (American) friends living in Kenya this morning. It didn't sound good. While I have been aware that things would need to settle down some, I am now feeling that it will really take change of large proportion for us to be able to return at the end of March. The way things are today, we would not be driving up country from Nairobi. He says the guest house and hotels in Nairobi are already full. Several of our colleagues have moved to town away from their homes in the highlands outside Nairobi. Others who were in Kenya for a meeting were sent back to their homes in neighboring countries as the meeting was cancelled. While we are not hearing (or asking for) any official word, the signs are there. A lot needs to happen in 2 months in order for us to return. What does God have in store? I'm confessing a little anxiety as we seem to be stepping toward uncertainty. However, I am excitedly expectant because I know whatever it is will be for our good and His glory as long as we are faithful and obedient.

Kenya

How sad it is to see what is happening in beautiful Kenya. It is difficult to read the new stories, but even worse to watch the videos. Many of us are praying for peace. It's a very sad time for Kenyans everywhere as once peaceful people have turned on one another in a shocking display of hate and anger. It brings tears to my eyes and I can't help but wonder what it will take to end it all.

what i like about U(sa)

People always ask me what things I miss most about America. From the comfort of this recliner in this cozy cottage with fireplace, it's a pretty easy question to answer. We return to Kenya in 2 months. Here's what I'm enjoying now that I won't have then. The fireplace. Graham crackers and fresh milk. TV shows with actors that speak American English. Yes, I know TV is mostly not good, but it is so relaxing just to listen to people speak your mother tongue. Hearing language spoken the way you grew up listening to it says you're home among people who understand you...even if they really don't...it's just a sort of facade that feels good. The reverse...being surrounded by no one who speaks like you is a constant reminder that you are a stranger in a strange and different land. All of those type reminders are the reason it is good to take a break every few years and visit home soil. It's like I saw on "Raymond" yesterday (which comes on for several hours every afternoon. I'm a junkie for that show, I don't know why) Anyway, he was trying to tell his wife how it was going to be living right across the street from his parents as opposed to miles away. He flicked her on the nose and she says, "ow". He explains that even though that is annoying, if it only happened once in a while, every month or so, it's not so bad, is it? Then he starts flicking her on the nose repeatedly, pow, pow, pow. See? Now that's annoying. Well, it's not annoying living overseas. And it's not bad hearing people speak differently than you do. Or not having American television. Or Walmart. Or graham crackers or any of another million things. On their own, no big deal. But when you start piling them ALL on and watch them multiply exponentially over a period of several years, all of a sudden you realize the need to go somewhere, suck in a big breath, let it out and go "whewwwwwww." Exhale. Then after a few months, you wish you were back in the other place. And so it goes. This will be our 3rd term in Kenya. I think it may be the one that qualifies you as a real missionary. I've no idea. No one has handed me a manual that tells me those things. I wish they would. It would be interesting to read someone else's perspective. That's why I love reading missionary biographies. It is a minority population segment, a culture within a culture, that I think is best understood as all cultures are... by those who have lived it.