Prayer

Kenyans can PRAY! oh wow! Today, all of the employees from all of the different MOHI centers in Methare Valley got together for prayer and worship. It was awesome! The service was over three hours, but it didn't feel that long at all (well, except that I had to go to the bathroom, otherwise, it definitely wouldn't have felt very long!)

It was really cool praising with all of them. Which reminds me, I don't think I ever wrote about the first church service here, at Hope Center (at Pangani school). It was awesome! That was the first time that it hit me... I'm in Kenya! We were singing a song in English, then they sang it in Kiswahili. I knew what they were saying and when, but it was in a different language. Then it really struck me "I'm on the other side of the world... praising God... with a totally different people... in a different language... and yet, we are together." It was awesome and eye opening. It makes me want to worship in every language in every country around the world. The connectedness one feels to the people and to God when praising (and to home even), is crazy!

Other news: Soc work is going great! I got to go back to Joska with Isaac finally! I played football with 4 Red and 4 Blue. I have decided to adopt all of them :D (so between 40-60 kids)... I can handle that many, right? Anyway, they were the same boys I had with me the other Saturday when I met Baracka. He joined us too. I was soooo happy to see him again! Tomorrow, we are also going back to Joska. I think I am the most excited about that. I could live there! Anyway, playing with them again was a blast! I found out that Baracka and James are both sponsored. I plan on talking to James more though, hopefully I can see him this week. Rapheal in SW gave me some good questions to ask James to try and build trust (as well as a recommendation to bring candies!) Anywho, there is a boy, Evans, who has been clinging to me a bit at Joska. I think he's twelve or so. I was a little sad today that we couldn't go out there (prayer instead), because Isaaz at said we were returning. Fortunately, I will be out there for church tomorrow to see them, so Evans won't be disappointed. I do catch the students asking "will you be back" a lot at Joska. I think, because they are sort of the golden children (the older ones, away from the slums, some about to go onto high school... truly amazing stories every one) the short-term mission trips (week long ones) always drop by there to check it out... so, these kids see tons of people who "care" about them for a day, but then disappear. I know short term mission trips are valuable, and I know that I personally remember children from Mexico (Poncho in Mexicali, and Michelle from the orphanage)... but still, these kids deserve more. It hurts me a bit to think I only have 6 more weeks to be with them, yet I know that can be a lot of time to a child. Anyway, sorry this is sort of scatter brained... I happen to be talking to my mom at the same time :)

Anyway, my point is that I have a long(er) time then the week missionaries, but shorter time compared to, say, a full time missionary. So, I'm torn on what to think, how involved to get, what I can promise... can I say I'll be back? I don't know that yet... although, I have already brainstormed how to save up 2000 for the flight, and the cost of staying here if I lived with Doug and Jenifer (haha, shhh, dont tell them!)

Finally, some funny stories about the people I'm working with: last night, Doug and Jenifer took us out to Ethiopian food, where we ate with our hands... it was sooo funny to watch some of my fellow interns eat the food!! Also, Julius, our driver, had never had it before. When I talked to him today, he said it was amazing, but so many spices! He prefers Kenyan, but says he is excited to try pizza. Yesterday in soc work, Isaac named me the Head of the Dept. while Josephine (the real head) was out. Today, he made me pinky promise that I wouldn't go back to the US, but work full time here. I told him he would need to tell my mom... he said that wouldnt be a problem. Hah. Raphael has taken it upon himself to teach me Kiswahili. He's going to quiz me by asking me each morning how the weather is, how I am doing, and then asking me where I am going, if I am hungry, if I would take tea, etc. I'm pretty excited though.

Overall, I am very settled in, with morning routines and everything, as well as a snacking ritual when we get back from the centers. It really does feel like home. Isaac didn't have too hard of a time tricking me into agreeing to stay. I told him I can return in two years to be the real head of dept. if he wants, but we'll see about that ;)

God bless. Take care! Will write more soon!