After 24 hours on planes and nearly 50 total travel hours, we are finally made it! On Thursday we finally got off the plane and came to our hostile. Milimani Backpackers, which we would be living in for the next two days (three nights) in Nairobi. We felt like kings here! We had bunkbeds, hot water running water for showers, amazing food, and even a television (which we watched part of a very scratchy and probably bootlegged version of the Lion King on)! Unfortunately, we were restricted to our cozy little compound and were only allowed to visit a small internet cafe called the Java House the check our emails. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful and relaxing time! By Saturday, we were so ready to head to Busia!
We took a 9 hour bus ride to Busia and on the way we passed through the Great Rift Valley! It was stunning! So breathtaking that I couldn't even turn away to take out a camera! I'm sure on the way back I'll get lots of photos though! When arriving in Busia, we headed straight for Deliverance Church where we will be helping out the most. Half a dozen street children greeted us with smiles, hugs, hand holding, and 'How are you?'s. which is the extent of many of the children's English. Though I was in a similar position, only knowing a few words in Swahili… 'Habari' meaning 'How are you?' and 'Mzuri' meaning 'fine'. (I have picked up a few more, but my Swahili still needs some work! Soon after putting down our stuff, it starts bucketing. Even though we didn't get dinner until around 9:00 pm, the rain was so amazing, especially how it crashed onto the tin roof! We could barely hear the person sitting next to us.
Church on Sunday was a bit lengthier than most American churches, around 4 hours, but it was very fun and different. They have a translator who speaks immediately after the Enlisgh speaking pastor (who probably needs an Enligsh translator as well haha) and their passion is obvious by their enthusiastic shouting back and forth. The music was also great fun! There was lots of dancing and just a general feeling of love and kindness within this community. Their hearts are so clearly present during the music and you can just feel the love pouring out. Even after, there were about 100 people in the church that day and almost every one came to say hello and shake your hand. I came to Kenya thinking they would have nothing compared to Americans but it quickly became clear that we are the ones lacking. There is so much hope and love in their eyes it's overwhelming and so humbling.
