The biggest differences between Destin Florida and Kenya Africa….
*Roads: Hwy 98 traffic’s got NOTHIN on Kenya. The roads here are terrible. And Mema and Papa, if you though the ride to Atlanta was crazy, you’d die here! PEOPLE DRIVE NUTSO!
*Sqautties: Our “facilities”. Let’s put it this way….America’s worst port-o-potty is Kenya’s most luxurious squatty potty.
*Minority flip-flop: While African Americas are a rarity in Destin, White people are clearly a rarity in Kijabe. Though we’ve joking tried convincing the children here that we’re Chinese, they’re pretty set on calling us Muzungu or “white people”. It’s a nickname we’re learning to accept and respond to. Ha.
*Animals: There’s no dolphins, sanddollars, seagulls, sharks, or treefrogs here. It’s all goats, cows, giraffes, monkeys, zebras and sheep. All of which can freely meander across the road at any time they please.
*Church: HOURS long here. While we’re used to an hour and a half with worship included before we start thinking about where to go for lunch, here, every age bracket of each gender is expected to “praise God with 2 songs”. They also expect the Muzungu to present some songs, much to our hesitation. We’re not nearly as rhythmically and musically gifted as these people. While we’re used to hiding our voices behind guitars, drums, pianos, and keyboards, here, they simply lift their voices and dance to the beat of one drum/drummer. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. And Mom, I’m sad that my first black church experience had to be in Africa. I totally fit in here. When I get back to RH, Canaan Baptist HERE I COME!
*Food: I MISS MAC n CHEESE!! ( I don’t think cheese exists here) Meat is rare. If we want meat, it’s pretty pricey and we’ve come to find out that we have to kill the animal ourselves. So we mainly stick to cabbage, vegetables, and starchy corn products. Ugali is a popular dish here. It is simply corn meal and water. Cheap and filling. Some of our boys, however, are having trouble swallowing this change….literally…poor Ryan. ha
*Housing: They weren’t kidding when they said “hut to hut” instead of “house to house” evangelism. Homes here aren’t made of sturdy bricks encasing a solid woodwork frame and insulation. Homes fora family of six-eight are typically a 12′ by 12′ clay building with walls made from mud and cow dung and roofs made from straw and sometimes, for wealthier families, tin. Rain could demolish a home in a matter of minutes if heavy enough. Yet somehow, more innovative ways of building have yet to be adopted here.
*Transportation: There are no luxury BMWs or Range Rovers here my friends. If all 11 of us plus our 2 drivers aren’t all crammed in a van or a safari land rover sitting on top of each other, then we’re utilizing the great gift from God of…..our feetsies. Everyone walks. Everywhere. Coming from someone who hates to sweat…it’s been quite an adjustment. Dad, I’ll be coming home in the best shape of my life!! Cuz we’re not simply walking on just flatlands here. It’s hills. Rocks. Mountains. I’m so grateful that my athletic team here has put up with me so far. City girl turned nature girl. HA. Who would’ve thought??
Around the world and back,
Britt!
