Jambo!
It is the people you surround yourself that make your day very special. I am writing this at 3 AM Kenyan time, 6 PM Minnesota time. Once again, I wake up at 3 each morning here; can’t sleep. Also, I find that putting my thoughts together in the middle of the night comes very easy for me.
So, yesterday was my birthday. When we woke up we went to chapel at Nairobi Daystar campus which happens to be only right across the street from where we are staying. Afrizo, which is Daystar’s large touring singing group, led the worship service. They have come to Minnesota and will be coming again this August! God has gifted them all with such beautiful voices and to hear them singing words of glory to the Lord just absolutely makes me so happy. I couldn’t help but clap and get into the beat; their music is soulful, loud, heartfelt and happy! I loved every minute. When I get home from Kenya I will upload videos.
Next, we went to Amani Ya Juu. I think this destination was chosen just for me. It was the perfect way for me to have a relaxing afternoon. It is a fair trade craft company run by women around the world who make gifts and crafts to sell. It is such a cute little place and we got a tour of the ladies making crafts. There were things like, handmade quilts, handbags, jewelry, kid’s toys, wall hangings, dresses, hats, scarves…etc. Amani Ya Juu (meaning peace from above) also has a little outside café that serves mostly salads, soups and sandwiches.
It was the first time I was able to order a salad since I’ve been in Kenya. You don’t want to drink tap water here, or eat lettuce, or take ice in your drinks. Most water here is not clean enough to drink and that means the same water they wash lettuce and other vegetables in. You either want to cook your food and water to get it hot enough to kill bacteria or buy things with no hassle like fruit with a thick skin you peel away.
After shopping and lunching, we went grocery shopping. It is a whole different experience here. Stores are busy, crowded; dirty (by U.S) standards and truly I just wanted to get out as fast as possible. I would say grocery shopping here is quite a bit stressful. Here’s what shopping here looks like. These are the snacks and breakfast items we got. Take a look at the different packaging, boxes and brands.
When we got home we immediately went into a meeting for Royce to find out a little more about the credentials and possibilities to teach at a university like Daystar. Jan Korbel (who has been our good friend, trip planner, escort, and works for Daystar, is an American but lives in Kenya now) surprised me with a chocolate birthday cake with caramel and chocolate drizzle. They sang happy birthday. J
It was a wonderfully jam packed day full of fun and other adventures but I’m trying to give you the summed up version. It was a very good way to spend my birthday.
Love,
Lauren
