I've been here for about a month now, so I feel as if I've learned a few things y'all might want to know. Here are a few rules/things I've learned about Kenya so far:
1. Don't drink the water. You'll most likely get a parasite.
2. Showering can only do so much, your feet will never be clean. Never.
3. African time is much different than American time. Go ahead and add about 2 hours to whatever time they give you. Example: Last Sunday we were told we would be eating lunch at 2. We sat down to eat around 4:30.
4. There is ALWAYS room for one more. We take Matatu's everywhere, they are 14 passenger vans and our team of 22 has learned to fit semi-comfortably in them…sometimes we take on an African or two as well.
5. Wasting food is not an option. Here, if we don't finish they will eat our scraps and the concept of a food fight is completely foreign.
6. They answer yes or no questions with their eyebrows. It's a little weird at first, but you get used to it…especially after you've sat there and stared at them trying to see if they heard you or not.
7. If you're going to the market take an African with you or you will get ripped off.
8. If you want an adventure, race the bodas.
9. Boda drivers can be paid to come in last.
10. If you are walking down the street and hear a hissing noise behind you it's most likely a boda driver trying to pass you.
11. Trying to get a recipe on how something is made is close to impossible seeing as though they don't use measuring cups. You can get the ingredients, it will just take a lot of guessing until you get close to the right consistency.
12. Expect the power to randomly go out at least once a day, usually more.
13. Always carry a head lamp.
14. African hands are so tough. When they say something is "not hot," that generally means it's scalding and you'll most likely get burned. PG's wife said "your hands are like new borns, white and soft." She also said that Mzungu's don't fill their tea cups up all the way because our noses are so long that they will get burned by the tea.
15. The milk here is unpasteurized and only as cold as room temperature…on a good day. With that being said, I've have tried it once and that was enough.
This is just some of what it is like here in Kenya, and I cannot wait to share my experiences with you all when I get back. This has been a good week of ministry filled with a trip to the orphanage and soccer with the street kids again. I ask that you continue to be in prayer for my team as we finish out the second half of our ministry here in Kenya. With a month down our team is beginnning to feel homesick, so pray for comfort not only for me, but for all of my teammates as well. We continue to listen to God's voice for what he wants us to do while we are here and pray that all those we come into contact with feel His love through us. Thank you so much for all the prayers!
2 Corinthians 12:10 "For when I am weak, then I am strong."
