The pastor at the church we attend (Dennis), his wife (Allison), and their two year-old daughter (Angela) had us over for dinner at their house on Friday, as we wanted to get together before they left for the US for the next five months. Allison is from the states, and Dennis is Kenyan but went to seminary in Texas, so it’s been wonderful to get to know them since we arrived, as they’ve made us feel right at home. They’ve given some good tips on how to watch sports, shop for veggies, and get various American foods that we’re bound to crave. Also, Dennis is 6’7”, and apparently they have a good tailor who can deal with men of our dimensions, so that’s good to have in the back pocket.
We arrived at their third floor apartment and were hit by the aroma of rosemary and garlic, two aromas what we’ve been missing for the last five weeks. Allison told us that she was preparing spaghetti bake and cheesy garlic rosemary bread. We definitely were ready for a completely western meal, and it was goood. We learned some more details about how Allison and Dennis met: she was working as a missionary in Kenya for several years, and he was at seminary in Texas before they met each other. He went back to Kenya after seminary, and they met and got to know each other for a few months before she returned to the US. They dated long-distance, and eventually got engaged and married in the states, before moving back to Kenya to head the church in Diani. I know that my and E’s long distance relationship was tough at times, but the US to Kenya takes the cake. It’s very obvious that people at church respect them both so much, and they really do go well out of their way to make everyone feel like family, from Ukunda residents, to long-term wazungu like us, to German’s on holiday for a week. We and the rest of the church are going to miss them while they’re gone, but we’ve met many other wonderful people through the church and it’s great they finally get to go back to the states for a few months. Allison has not been home for 3 years and in that time they adopted their daughter Angela (Dennis’ biological niece); they are so excited for her to meet her maternal extended family and we wish them a safe journey (they left today).
On Saturday, E and I headed to Msambweni, where the hospital is located. However, our intent was relaxing/fishing, rather than work. We boarded the two matatus necessary, and after a 90 minute journey, were there by around noon (of course, we did a long run on Saturday beforehand). We had planned to go fishing but couldn’t reach our contact so we settled for walking to a pretty amazing beach, which was much more deserted (read: fewer beach boys to harass you for money) than Diani beach. I very smartly forgot my book, so E read me a story entitled “The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You A Happy Birthday” (her latest book). One beach boy did find us and though we usually ignore them, we dispatched him to procure coconuts, and he was happy to oblige. Those who grow up on the coast are adept at climbing coconut tree, and within 10 minutes, he was back with four fresh coconuts, which we promptly enjoyed. I’ve attached some pictures, and as you can see, save some seaweed, the beach is absolutely pristine, and basically deserted.
After the beach, we met up with Chris in Msambweni, and he drove us the short way to his house in town. Chris and his wife Jamie live with their five children in Msambweni. Originally from Texas, they have been in Kenya doing missions work since April of 2009. They work among the Digo people in Msambweni where almost 100% of the population is Muslim. To say their jobs are a daily challenge is an understatement. The kids (ages ranging from 13 to 3) and are homeschooled, so Jamie and Chris were very interested in hearing about my experiences with homeschooling.
They welcomed us with a very American meal of burgers, chips, veggies and dips, and chocolate chip cookies. We ate at a leisurely pace, discussed our relative paths in life, and enjoyed watching the kids dart in and out of the room. We also lamented the relative lack of American football here (they’re huge Cowboys fans), and agreed to figure out how to watch a few games together in the coming months.
I’m not sure exactly what we were expecting upon arriving, and I don’t think that this is quite it, but we couldn’t ask for a better start of our trip. While it is difficult and frustrating sometimes dealing with the constant assumption that we’re rich and should give money to everyone who crosses our path, it has been very easy to find people who are willing to offer us friendship, invite us into their homes, to feed us, and to genuinely try to get to know us. At the hospital, at the school, and at church, people have been equally welcoming, and we’re feeling less like foreigners every day.
M
It was wonderful to talk to you both yesterday. We stayed with lots of missionaries when we traveled in Asia, and they are a great link to the culture - and it's always nice to meet someone on common ground with whom you share the same cultural assumptions. And tastes in food! After a month of Asian cuisine (which I generally like, altho we ate a lot of rice and bananas) and warm Cokes (blech!) we were thrilled with our first American meal on foreign soil. After that experience, when we've had foreigners for dinner in the States, I try to do some research on their home cuisine and cook something they're familiar with. Even if it isn't quite what they remember, they're always grateful that you gave it a shot! (If they're just visiting, not staying long-term as a student or something, I have the opposite strategy: cook something really American.)
ReplyDeleteVery hot and dry here - no rain, and 90 degrees predicted tomorrow.
love you!
McMom
PS - Did I tell you that Baker and Julie consumed those huge smoked bones that I mentioned? I was initially horrified when two-thirds of them had disappeared after half an hour or so of devoted gnawing, and I waited for them to exhibit some signs of distress, but neither of them blinked, so eventually I gave them back the middle piece and they like chewing on those - the ends were softer, I guess, and they ate them outright. The bones were at least 8 inches long to start with.
Hi kids! It's been interesting to hear the tone of your experiences and how the reality of living in a place versus visiting it begins to set in right about at the six weeks mark. Your new friends sound wonderful and I love hearing how you are adapting. Plus, the pictures make you seem closer and that's wonderful. Honestly, you have spoiled us and I hope you know you now will probably need to keep a blog going forever? :-)
ReplyDeleteComing up on that one year anniversary - any plans?
Love you,
Mom/L