First blog from Africa

Finally - a post from this "travel weary" blogger. We have now spent five days in Kenya, so I am beginning to move out of the initial stage of culture shock. Perhaps I'm a slow learner! Sunday and Monday were very tough days for me, but with the support of some wonderful people whom I refer to as my "angels", I have managed to get through it. I'd like to share with you about some of the experiences with these special people.

Agnes and Milly (ANU students) were the first people we met here on Sat. night after we arrived on campus. They are our neighbors. We sought their assistance since it was 9:30 p.m. and we needed something to eat. Needless to say, the cafeteria on campus wasn't open at that hour. Milly tracked down one of the ANU campus cooks, Simon, at his home and asked him to fix us something. Simon graciously went over to the kitchen and prepared a delicious meal which he delivered to our door at 11:00 p.m.! He also made arrangements to bring us breakfast and dinner on Sunday. We will never forget his generosity.

Sunday we went to the University Campus church. The message was delivered in English, but a lot of the music was sung in Swahili. (I need to learn more about this language.) While at church we met up with Greg and Amy Crofford (BFC members) and missionaries living in Nairobi. They invited us to go out for lunch with them and then took us to what I call the "Nairobi version" of Walmart to get a few essential food items. We were so grateful for their companionship. Even with that, I was still quite overwhelmed and walking around in a daze so to speak. Since that day they have shared DVDs, books, games and a puzzle with us to help us in our entertainment needs. We have a TV, but just a few local stations with nothing much to watch. Their "donations" have been so appreciated.

Monday was a harder day than Sunday. The reality was sinking in that we were here for more than a week or two so I needed to adjust to all of the changes (a not so easy feat for a structured, plan ahead person like myself.) That day we ate lunch at the Karibo Cafe on campus where most of the lecturers eat. While there we met several missionaries in the area who teach at ANU. It was good to meet them.

On Tuesday we met Mary, another visiting lecturer from the States who had just arrived the night before. She is living in the flat next to ours. We have already had many interesting conversations with her. Hopefully we have been a good support system to one another. Yesterday we scheduled a driver to take us back to Nakumatt (The Kenya Walmart) so we could buy more groceries. Mary shared the ride and morning with us. She has been a special blessing to me since we both like to talk!!

Because of some of the personal connections we've been making, I am beginning to acclimate to my surroundings. Our flat is small, but adequate for our needs. We even have a microwave! I had to ask around for a coffee maker though. Instant coffee just doesn't make the grade for me!

Another person who has touched my life in a special way during this time of transition is Sarah. Her husband is an administrator at the University. We met her briefly on Sunday when we were given a tour of the campus by Milly. Since then she has called me every day to see how I'm doing and even sent care packages to campus with one of the other missionaries. These care packages included items we hadn't found to purchase yet if they're available at all. I especially appreciated the chocolate chips. They are not readily available here so it is a gift of love and sharing from her.

Ruth and Mary, two of the employees at ANU have been so attentive to our needs and willing to make us as comfortable as possible in our new surroundings. I look forward to getting to know them better as time goes on.

At some point I'm sure that Lee will blog about the campus and his introduction to it. Classes begin next Monday so until then he is in preparation mode. From my vantage point I can say that the campus is like a botanical garden - full of beautiful flowers. I'm taking some pictures which we will eventually post.

This is enough for now! I'll share more another day. Please keep praying for us. I miss home and the familiar, but God is here with me and will give me a life-changing experience for sure. Please pray with me that I will let Him use me to be a blessing to someone here.