On Friday and Saturday Matt was in Nairobi for work with MIDI. Matt took his computer along, so that he could do his work. Logical enough. However, this presents a problem for me back in Najile. Matt's computer is the only computer that works with the cell modem. When Matt's computer is gone, that means no internet for me. By myself in Najile, I would have enjoyed having internet access to waste time on facebook, read up on various parenting and baby articles, write emails, etc. Instead, God gave me that time to reflect on our work here and re-read a good book I didn't fully understand the first time around. It's a very thorough development book that Matt read for his masters. He liked it, so I also read it during his masters. But, when you're someone not going through all the development classes, and learning the jargon and debating the issues everyday, you miss a lot. Having now lived development for a couple years, it's making a lot more sense.
The book is called Walking with the Poor. As defined by the author himself, its principles and practices of transformational development- looking at holistic understanding of poverty and development and how it fits with our faith. If you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it.
As I've been re-reading, there have been some passages that have struck me. One such passage is from his narrative theology of the Bible (Chapter 2). The author discusses how we, the world, are all created, fallen and being redeemed- but that all 3 are ongoing and inseparable. I enjoy this way of viewing it. That we are always created by God, we are always falling and struggling with sin and we are always being redeemed by our loving God and Creator. The parts are not distinct from one another, they are continuous and inter-related.
I also like the application of this. Again in 3 parts, again connected and ongoing. I'll just post the whole quote:
p. 45 "God at one and the same time upholds a given political or economic system, since some such system is required to support human life; condemns that system insofar as it is destructive to full human actualization; and presses for transformation into a more human order. Conservatives stress the first, revolutionaries the second, reformers the third. The Christian is expected to hold together all three."
God upholds, condemns and presses for transformation. Most of us are probably inclined toward one or the other, yet, we are called to bring together them all. They are not mutually exclusive, but incomplete when taken alone.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Teacher turned preacher?
Today was an unusual day at Najile POMC church. Normally attendance averages about 150 people, with about 60-70 kids. Due to a variety of events taking place at other churches, attendance was much smaller, about 60 or 70 total. However, the unusual part was the ratio of adults to children. For every 1 adult, there were 6 children.
So... we had children's church for church. The entire service lasted about an hour. I was the preacher, with the help of Matt and Mama Faith (the other Sunday School teacher & translator when I need it). I used the lesson I had planned for children's church, which was from Luke 9 and Mark 10, on "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" when Jesus invites the children over and says the least of these is the greatest. I had planned to focus on Jesus' love for children and how He, as an important person, didn't ignore the children, but instead welcomed them. Instead it became more of a talk about what makes a child an example of what we should be as Christians. Following Jesus' example in those passages, I ended with a blessing on the children. Short. Simple. Quality preaching? Not really. But I have now done my first sermon.
So... we had children's church for church. The entire service lasted about an hour. I was the preacher, with the help of Matt and Mama Faith (the other Sunday School teacher & translator when I need it). I used the lesson I had planned for children's church, which was from Luke 9 and Mark 10, on "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" when Jesus invites the children over and says the least of these is the greatest. I had planned to focus on Jesus' love for children and how He, as an important person, didn't ignore the children, but instead welcomed them. Instead it became more of a talk about what makes a child an example of what we should be as Christians. Following Jesus' example in those passages, I ended with a blessing on the children. Short. Simple. Quality preaching? Not really. But I have now done my first sermon.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Osiwuo
Osiwuo is Maa for wind. It is often used to describe the big dust clouds that the wind whips up (that look like little tornadoes).
When we first moved here during the drought, the weather would look hopeful for rain, but instead the changes in weather would lead only to crazy strong winds blowing really hard for hours on end sending up large clouds of dust and wipping everything around, uprooting plants, even knocking over trees and parts of homes. It's crazy. It's happening here again. The short rains didn't come in October and November. The land is parched. Everyone is looking for rain. Yet instead we are immersed in strong winds blowing many hours of the day.
Matt and I believe God is saying in the powerful winds that "He is coming. He is going to shake this place. Nothing is going to be left untouched and unchanged, even you."
So when I hear the wind I get excited and in awe of God's power and pray that this place will be transformed. That the winds would wipe out not only the seedlings of selfishness and power-hungry-ness, but that it would rip out the roots of greed, injustice, laziness and desire for power that are so deeply rooted. That nothing not of God would remain. And that He would start with us.
I also then pray for cleansing and refreshing rain- literally and spiritually- that this place so desperately needs. For new life and new growth, new hope, new patterns of living, new seeds of faith and work ethic, and discipline....
When we first moved here during the drought, the weather would look hopeful for rain, but instead the changes in weather would lead only to crazy strong winds blowing really hard for hours on end sending up large clouds of dust and wipping everything around, uprooting plants, even knocking over trees and parts of homes. It's crazy. It's happening here again. The short rains didn't come in October and November. The land is parched. Everyone is looking for rain. Yet instead we are immersed in strong winds blowing many hours of the day.
Matt and I believe God is saying in the powerful winds that "He is coming. He is going to shake this place. Nothing is going to be left untouched and unchanged, even you."
So when I hear the wind I get excited and in awe of God's power and pray that this place will be transformed. That the winds would wipe out not only the seedlings of selfishness and power-hungry-ness, but that it would rip out the roots of greed, injustice, laziness and desire for power that are so deeply rooted. That nothing not of God would remain. And that He would start with us.
I also then pray for cleansing and refreshing rain- literally and spiritually- that this place so desperately needs. For new life and new growth, new hope, new patterns of living, new seeds of faith and work ethic, and discipline....
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
HEAT
While most of you are thinking longingly of warm spring days and all that great summer sunshine, I am jealous of your snowy days and cold nights.
Our car has an outdoor thermometer that we like to check on our drives to Ngong. Early this morning before the sun had risen it was nice and cool for a change, at only 12 degrees celsius (53 fahrenheit). But on our drive back mid-day, we checked the temperature again, 40 degrees (104 fahrenheit). That heat has been the norm for the temperatures here throughout January. We've regularly gotten over 40 (the threshold for really hot) and the hot months are just getting started- February is the hottest month of the year. Basically, we don't expect to cool off anytime soon.
So when you wish for warmer weather, think of us, because we would gladly welcome a little chill.
Our car has an outdoor thermometer that we like to check on our drives to Ngong. Early this morning before the sun had risen it was nice and cool for a change, at only 12 degrees celsius (53 fahrenheit). But on our drive back mid-day, we checked the temperature again, 40 degrees (104 fahrenheit). That heat has been the norm for the temperatures here throughout January. We've regularly gotten over 40 (the threshold for really hot) and the hot months are just getting started- February is the hottest month of the year. Basically, we don't expect to cool off anytime soon.
So when you wish for warmer weather, think of us, because we would gladly welcome a little chill.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Health- Maasai style
Over the past few weeks I've been struggling to beat a head cold that just won't go away. Because of that I've been going everywhere with my box of tissues. Today when I went to blow my nose, Isaac and Esther told me to stop using tissues because it will make me more sick! They said there are lots of small particles in the tissues that get into your nose and make things worse. They recommended I should switch immediately to using a handkerchief, preferably a damp one. Do you think tissues make you more sick? Maybe....
This prompted me to think about other Maasai medical/hygiene approaches. Here's a few of interest:
Maasai have excellent dental hygiene- they use a particular tree branch as a toothbrush and can regularly be found brushing away for shiny white teeth
The solution for all things sickness is to drink 'eilata' or cooking fat. When you need to take medicine, in particular traditional herbs, you take the meds, not with water, but with fat.
Growing up I always remember eating chicken soup and saltines and drinking juice with ginger ale whenever I was sick. We all have those 'sick foods' we'd always have. Here, other than fat of course, everyone eats 'oloshoro' or porridge. It's basically water and sorghum flour mixed with a little sugar heated to taste. It tastes pretty good. But, it's so thick, that I have spent half an hour drinking to only finish off barely a centimeter off the top of my cup!
In the US we often find ourselves looking for the new miracle health foods and diet regimes to lose weight and shrink our stomaches. Here it's the opposite. Maasai have a special concoction of herbs and animal fat boiled together for the purpose of expanding your stomach to make room for more meat. From personal experience, I think it makes more room by forcing you to clear out all things previously located in your stomach...
This prompted me to think about other Maasai medical/hygiene approaches. Here's a few of interest:
Maasai have excellent dental hygiene- they use a particular tree branch as a toothbrush and can regularly be found brushing away for shiny white teeth
The solution for all things sickness is to drink 'eilata' or cooking fat. When you need to take medicine, in particular traditional herbs, you take the meds, not with water, but with fat.
Growing up I always remember eating chicken soup and saltines and drinking juice with ginger ale whenever I was sick. We all have those 'sick foods' we'd always have. Here, other than fat of course, everyone eats 'oloshoro' or porridge. It's basically water and sorghum flour mixed with a little sugar heated to taste. It tastes pretty good. But, it's so thick, that I have spent half an hour drinking to only finish off barely a centimeter off the top of my cup!
In the US we often find ourselves looking for the new miracle health foods and diet regimes to lose weight and shrink our stomaches. Here it's the opposite. Maasai have a special concoction of herbs and animal fat boiled together for the purpose of expanding your stomach to make room for more meat. From personal experience, I think it makes more room by forcing you to clear out all things previously located in your stomach...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
twos, doubles, pairs, twins- we're blessed.
So we decided the time has come to officially announce our pregnancy on our blog.
Our original plan was to not say anything until the babies were born and then surprise announce it with pictures. In Kenya, it is culturally appropriate to not talk about pregnancy. People figure it out as you grow (and everyone in our community can now tell very clearly with me!), but I think there is a respectful quiet, because of not wanting to assume that all will be ok with the pregnancy. Once the baby is born there is much rejoicing, but pregnancy is much more subdued. You wear baggy clothes to hide the bulge, only mention pregnancy in terms of your own health, etc. But after our visit home for Christmas, we felt like we couldn't talk about our visit or 2010 without mentioning the babies.
And yes, it is babies. We are having twins. This was unexpected. I went in for the first ultrasound, and was suddenly very nervous when the technician asked, "are you ready to hear some news?" Well no, I wasn't ready to hear any news. I started thinking of everything possible thing that could go wrong in a pregnancy and didn't want to know, but the technician asked me again, "are you ready to hear some news?" What am I supposed to say? So I said sure. Then with a big smile he announced we were having twins. I was in complete shock. What?? Twins? I never expected it. We didn't think there were twins in the family. Later we learned there are in fact twins in my family and in Matt's!
Are they boys or girls? We don't know. We have been accused of pretending not to know so that we don't have to tell people, but we truly do not have the slightest clue of their gender. We tried to find out, but the babies were moving too much facing backwards and Kenyans don't place much value on finding out, so our technician said we won't find out. We're still hoping to know before they come, but we're making sure we have boys and girls names and Maasai names, just in case.
How is my health? How is medical care in Kenya? I am doing very well. I would call this an easy pregnancy. I never knew I could be so tired, but am thankful I have had few issues throughout. I have a team of obstetricians who are very knowledgeable, based out of an excellent hospital in Nairobi. MCC will cover all our expenses and we are confident in the care we'll receive, with friends who have already had children or other medical procedures done there.
We are incredibly blessed and know that God has been with us in this entire process. We are thrilled to enter this new stage of our lives and thankful for the support of MCC, family and friends.
Our original plan was to not say anything until the babies were born and then surprise announce it with pictures. In Kenya, it is culturally appropriate to not talk about pregnancy. People figure it out as you grow (and everyone in our community can now tell very clearly with me!), but I think there is a respectful quiet, because of not wanting to assume that all will be ok with the pregnancy. Once the baby is born there is much rejoicing, but pregnancy is much more subdued. You wear baggy clothes to hide the bulge, only mention pregnancy in terms of your own health, etc. But after our visit home for Christmas, we felt like we couldn't talk about our visit or 2010 without mentioning the babies.
And yes, it is babies. We are having twins. This was unexpected. I went in for the first ultrasound, and was suddenly very nervous when the technician asked, "are you ready to hear some news?" Well no, I wasn't ready to hear any news. I started thinking of everything possible thing that could go wrong in a pregnancy and didn't want to know, but the technician asked me again, "are you ready to hear some news?" What am I supposed to say? So I said sure. Then with a big smile he announced we were having twins. I was in complete shock. What?? Twins? I never expected it. We didn't think there were twins in the family. Later we learned there are in fact twins in my family and in Matt's!Are they boys or girls? We don't know. We have been accused of pretending not to know so that we don't have to tell people, but we truly do not have the slightest clue of their gender. We tried to find out, but the babies were moving too much facing backwards and Kenyans don't place much value on finding out, so our technician said we won't find out. We're still hoping to know before they come, but we're making sure we have boys and girls names and Maasai names, just in case.
How is my health? How is medical care in Kenya? I am doing very well. I would call this an easy pregnancy. I never knew I could be so tired, but am thankful I have had few issues throughout. I have a team of obstetricians who are very knowledgeable, based out of an excellent hospital in Nairobi. MCC will cover all our expenses and we are confident in the care we'll receive, with friends who have already had children or other medical procedures done there.
We are incredibly blessed and know that God has been with us in this entire process. We are thrilled to enter this new stage of our lives and thankful for the support of MCC, family and friends.
Safari Pajero Jr. Style
One of our favorite parts of living in Najile is our commute to Ngong. So no, the roads aren't "good" per sa....or even really roads, but the views are spectacular. We climb in and out of the rift valley and have numerous vistas covering miles of savanna. One of the additional perks is the free safari we often are treated to. On friday while driving to work we saw zebras, gazelles, baboons, dik-diks, and giraffes. It was just amazing to see these beautiful animals just wondering across the road in the bright early-morning light. The way the glare from the rising sun hit the yellow-accacia trees made the whole scene seem nearly surrealistic-like an overexposed picture. What a great commute!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Rain is my Name
Most of you know that my Maasai name is Nalotuesha, meaning she comes with the rain. One of the most amazing signs of God's faithfulness has been that my name has held true. Nearly every time I return from a long trip, it rains. Remember that it only rains about 30 times a year here and rain is the greatest blessing in any pastoral community. Today, my name held true again. After arriving yesterday evening, we learned that it hadn't rained since we'd left, leaving the valley dry and brown. Today, it rained. It rained hard and Matt was so excited to see his newly installed gutters and tanks work for the first time. Truly God has given us the honor of being a blessing to this community.
Back
And we're back...
After a visit 12 hours short of two weeks in the States, we're back in Najile. Despite our escapades in London (which continue as BA refuses to refund the majority of our rebooked flight) we had a wonderful time home. Some highlights included (and we'll stick with the "twins" theme...)
Two baby showers which really exemplified how generous our friends and family are
Two wonderful evenings with friends in Delaware
Two days together with Kistler family
Two games of Settlers of Catan at the Hackman's
Two shopping excursions for baby paraphernalia
Two days of Wagner family time
Two (hundred) pounds of luggage
The continued growth and health of our two eggplant-sized children
Happy New Year! Its good to be back in Kenya
After a visit 12 hours short of two weeks in the States, we're back in Najile. Despite our escapades in London (which continue as BA refuses to refund the majority of our rebooked flight) we had a wonderful time home. Some highlights included (and we'll stick with the "twins" theme...)
Two baby showers which really exemplified how generous our friends and family are
Two wonderful evenings with friends in Delaware
Two days together with Kistler family
Two games of Settlers of Catan at the Hackman's
Two shopping excursions for baby paraphernalia
Two days of Wagner family time
Two (hundred) pounds of luggage
The continued growth and health of our two eggplant-sized children
Happy New Year! Its good to be back in Kenya
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