The Countdown

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Kenya comes to Canada!

I guess Kenya came to Canada this summer, when Mary and the Bishop came and did a tour. I didn't get to see them, though.

I spoke at First Baptist's Women's Prayer Breakfast last month on my trip. Took some souvenirs to show and filled a whole table. I talked for a long time. :)

Last week, I took two of my young adults up to Saskatoon for CBM's Hunger for Change seminar, about the world food crisis. Two of the speakers were Sam Mutisya who we spent quite a bit of time with on our trip, and Dr. Judson from India who was in the same course with us at Lukenya. So amazing to see them and visit.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

the animal update

We saw elephants (only in the orphanage, not in the wild), giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, a rhino in a pen, about three different species of antelope, buzzards, lots of birds, lizards, baboons and monkeys, hyenas, a cheetah (which I got to pat!), a few lions in a pen and one glorious wild lion.

I almost forgot! We saw lots of camels on the road to Garissa, cows and goats everywhere, and sheep and dogs, which all strangely looked alike...



This was at the Giraffe Center; we did see many more giraffes (twigga in Swahili) in the wild later in our trip.

a blessing?

Here's a funny story from our time in the town of Machakos. We walked from the ABC guest house into town to find phones (with no luck, although there were a couple of places to go online) and to look around. Some of us were tempted to take a three wheeled taxi just for the experience; I got a kick out of the bike taxis - for 20 Kenyan Shillings (ksh) you could ride on the back of a bike on the little rectangle cushion. We saw many people taking advantage of this mode of transportation - the ladies seemed quite at ease riding sideways in their skirts, even. Twenty ksh is about 3 Canadian cents.

The funny part comes in while we were waiting for the rest of the group before we made our way back. There were about five of us waiting, and we were approached by an elderly lady. She spoke no English, but showed us a letter from the government authorizing her to raise funds in public (legit begging) for the care of her three children, who all had disabilities. A couple of us had some cash on hand that we gave her, and she was grateful and cheerful and talking our ears off (not in English!) and then started spitting down her shirt! Beth explained to us that the older generation spits to give a blessing; knowing this we could do nothing but laugh as she shook each of our hands and spit on them, too.

Monday, June 16, 2008

brave coward

A story from our last full day on the ranch: The owners of the ranch have a pet cheetah. We drove out to see her, and about half of us took the offer to go right in her pen. She had just finished eating (actually the keeper took away her meat so she'd 'play' with us!) She came right up to me and I got to pet her - so amazing! She mostly avoided the people (I think she was a little ticked at losing her supper) but some of the others got to pet her through the fence. So that's where the bravery comes in, although I don't think it took much bravery - I really wanted to play with her! The coward part comes in when we got back to the camp and I screamed and jumped out of the washroom because there was a gecko in our shower. Yeah. I showered in the morning instead. Ick.

Today was the first day back into routine - I meant to go into work, but Madeline was sick this morning and stayed home sleeping on the couch. So I got stuff done here and did some baking and some work from here - I guess part of routine is dealing with whatever comes up each day. The hardest thing I had to do today was plan the week's menu. The last 5 weeks have been full of Kenyan food that I didn't really enjoy and restaurant food - I thought I'd be happy to get back to making my own meals...

Now my mind is trying to figure out how to tell my stories and show my pictures. I don't have time to do a big elaborate scrapbook, but I should at least get some pictures printed off so I have a few to show when people ask. If you're on facebook, I do have one album up, of the Canadian Adventures of the giraffe I brought home. I'll make an album of Kenyan pictures there, too. I think I'll be able to put a link on here to that.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

I'm writing this one from my own computer in my own home.

Feels strange. I am so happy to be with my family, but it is hard to know that I won't see my new friends tomorrow and the next day and the next. We've been together day in and day out for so long now... didn't realize I'd get quite so attached. Hopefully the promises to keep in touch will be kept.

This morning we did our presentation for the CBM chapel, and I think we did a pretty good job of painting a picture of our experience through the stories we chose to tell.

Sean took the day off work tomorrow and we're letting Madeline stay home from school so we can have some time as a family before she heads off to Brownie camp this weekend. She had a great time in Winnipeg both with family and making new friends, and she is looking forward to seeing her friends here, but family comes first. It will be a good day.

The time in Toronto at the end wasn't as hard as we thought - being in Canada but not home yet was tough, but we kept busy with debriefing and preparing our presentation, and with being tourists and having fun together. We went to Niagra Falls the first afternoon when it was important to stay up and fight the jet lag, and had way more fun than we expected. Three of our friends had never been there, and we went on the Maid of the Mist boat - the one that goes right up to the falls and gets you drenched... good times. We also got in a little shopping - Leona took me to the shops we don't have here and played my personal shopper. Lots of laughs there, too.

More later...

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

back in Canada

The guest houses and towns we've been in for the last couple of weeks have not had computers and internet available, or phones, or even much hot water... While I wish I could have kept you all more up to date, the freedom to visit and play games together in our free time was a better use of it than taking turns using a computer.

Now we are back where we started, in Toronto (and here I am on the computer...) We left Kenya at midnight on Monday, arrived in London (a two hour time change) in the morning, went straight through to our connector and arrived in Toronto at 11:30 am (a 5 hour time change). So it's 10 PM here now, and I'm feeling like it's time to go to bed - our bodies have wanted sleep for a while now, but we spent the afternoon going to Niagra Falls to try to re-acclimatize ourselves to the time.

I will get back on here when I can and fill in what we did over these last few weeks, and once I'm home again I'll add pictures, too. For now I'm going to collect my laundry and hit the sack... I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Friday, May 30, 2008

black and white

some things are black and white.
like zebras.
i saw 3 today, at the side of the road as we drove by.
we drove a fair ways today, so i was hoping i might see some today.
so cool.

some things are not black and white.
like the conflict here in kenya.
we visited a church in the rift valley that was used as an idp (internally displaced people) camp.
we heard stories from the ones involved in making that work, and later had a good talk with our group about what the post election violence was all about and how it affected them.
i won't begin to get into it all here, but it was a good day of learning and understanding.

one thing that struck me was that in the town we were in, there are 40 denominations, and the pastors of them all meet together.
when the first wave of people came needing somewhere to stay, they came to the aim (africa inland mission) church because it has been used for that purpose twice already in different conflicts.
the pastor there called the other pastors, they met together, and planned what they could do for the people.
how is that for unity and being the way the body of Christ is supposed to be?
that impressed me.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

A Great Day

We went to Eastleigh yesterday morning. Eastleigh is part of Nairobi that has terrible roads, garbage, too many people in too little space and lots of poverty. There is also a very high concentration of Muslims in this part of town. The Eastleigh Community Center is where Aaron and Erica spend a lot of time, and is their favorite place in Kenya. We turned off a road that would shock many of you into a compound where the whole atmosphere changed. A big sign on the wall says something about restoring hope, and that is what they do. They have a school for children, many of whom are orphans, and they have training in trades for young people and adults. They promote entrepeneuralism and have seen great things happen through their projects and training - it was exciting to hear stories of some of the people that have come through their programs.

We toured through and saw where they teach hairdressing, seamstressing and fashion design, auto mechanics, pottery... that one brought back lots of great memories from the Fort and the pottery shop there. The potter James had made us each gifts - mugs that say 'Praxis Kenya.' It was so generous of him, and perfect as a momento, because I was keeping my eyes open for a mug for my office anyway!

We put in a couple of hours of good work, prepping and painting two rooms in the school - I've mentioned before why they needed the work. I was on the painting crew because they needed someone to fill in, and it was satisfying to actually be doing something that was helpful and work instead of just observing and learning. I think we all felt that. Plus the kids were fun and loved attention, so that put us all in cheerful moods.

We had the afternoon off because of a grad in the CBM field staff family, and had a good Canadian afternoon. After a lunch of pizza (Tristan's 9th birthday treat), five of us hit the mall to call home from the one phone in the one internet cafe, and while we took turns with that we mailed postcards, picked up random things at the supermarket, returned things at the shoe store - normal errands, not touristy stuff... then we hit up Java House for takeout on the way home (read 'Starbucks' or 'Second Cup'). Had some brownies and chocolate cake from there too - spoiled our supper, but it was worth it!

After supper we generally stay in the dining room and meet, and one of us shares our story. Last night I got volunteered, and it went well, I think - it's hard to do that without fighting tears. It was a smaller group because some of the girls were out with friends, so it was a more intimate setting - I liked that, and I had some good talks with people after.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

the photo again...



Thought I'd re-post this photo and tell you who is who.
Christine, Danson (Dau-son), Mary, Joseph, Beth, Rose, Joseph, Samuel. The first 4 are ABC and the second 4 are ACC&S.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the vice president was staying at the Nomad Palace in Garissa the night we stayed there...

to market, to market

last friday: We went to the massai market that happens every Friday afternoon at the local mall. One whole level of the parkade is set up with vendors hawking their wares (at very inflated prices for muzungus - white people) but we had "our Kenyans" with us and they helped us with the bartering process. I really enjoyed that, and since we were told it might be our only chance to shop for souvenirs, I bought lots. The other great thing about that mall is the internet cafe with the cheap phone. There's only one, but I got my chance to call home... and I've been waiting all week to get back there tomorrow.

monday: Our quick journey to Garissa began. It's 5 hours away and we stayed one night and came back yesterday. The drive was not too bad - we saw lots of camels and goats and cows and nomadic people and their makeshift homes. We passed through Mwingi, which is where Jess and Dave were a couple of years ago. Nice to be able to see what they saw.

We met a fellow named Mohammad who shared his story with us. He was raised with one parent a Christian and one a Muslim, and it was very interesting to get his perspective on faith and God. It gave us lots to talk about, and some good insight into ministering to Muslims. (Bottom line, very hard.)

tuesday: We had a quick visit to a TB clinic that CBM has a part in, and saw what they do. CBM supplies funds to provide daily meals for the patients so they are strong enough to handle their medication. Then we had a quick visit to the school that is another project CBM partners in to meet the lady who runs it and spend half an hour in the classes.

We have 3 days set aside for Muslim ministry - tomorrow is the third one, when we get to play and paint. We have 4 days each to connect with each of the denominations CBM partners with. Today we went to the ACC&S headquarters and school and cathedral in Thika, an hour down the road, and met the students, headmaster and a number of people on the executive, including the moderator (head). We had lots of time to ask questions and then had lunch together. Friday to Sunday we will be with the ACC&S, visiting projects we partner together in, and then Monday to Thursday will be with the ABC. The last few days are for debriefing and relaxing before we head home. Although we are just at the halfway point, it does feel like the end is in sight.

Mary, one of our ABC friends on the team, is not well and is leaving tomorrow to head home to recuperate. (She is the wife of the Bishop of the ACC.) Hopefully she will feel well enough to join us again soon.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sunday night

The weekend has been good. It's been a break between the intensity of the course and the travelling and experiences of the coming week.

We saw the elephants at the orphanage in the Nairobi National Park - they brought out the 7 little ones (from 7 months to 2 years) to give them their bottles and let us watch for a while, then the 3 older ones (between 2 & 3 years old). The littlest one was the cutest. I got some video of them... We also saw pumba there - warthogs. Then we did lunch at the Karen Blixen gardens (That name will sound familiar if you know the movie Out of Africa). Then to the big treehouse in the Giraffe Center to feed the giraffes and get slimy giraffe kisses. Didn't get quite as many photos there, as my battery was wasted from the videos. When we get back to Toronto, though, we are going to put all 8 of our photos on one CD so we can have a copy of everyone's shots. That will fill in the gaps nicely.

Today we went to a church service that was multi national, and not too unlike what we'd see at home. Even the size was similar, except this church met in a tent - it's a big permanent structure that reminded me of a circus tent - only the colors and the flags were missing. The next two Sundays we will be going to churches in our partner's denominations. Next Sunday, one of our guys has been asked to preach.

After lunch we had some different options for our free day - I elected to stay here and do some laundry and read and rest. There were a few of us who stayed, and it turned out to be a great day. I'm not tired of always being with people, but some preventative measures are good - hopefully we get enough down time like that so we don't all get sick of each other.

I'll fill you in on the next couple of days since we'll be gone - tomorrow and Tuesday we will be in Garissa which is 5 hours away. While we're there we will spend some time with a Muslim man who converted from Christianity, we will teach in a school - each of our groups will have about 45 minutes with about 15-25 students. We're adapting a Bible story to tell, and will fill the rest of the time with questions, songs, and games. We're also working at the center they do ministry out of; two groups will be priming a couple of rooms for painting, and the other two will be playing with children. (I'm in the play group.) The rooms need to be painted because during the conflict, the center housed a lot of children whose parents left them there to be safe, and that many children living there for that long left the rooms very dirty. So we get to help fix it up.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We're leaving today for the next leg of our adventure. Some of the people on our team feel bad that we are not roughing it more - contrary to what I thought, we get to drive by the slums - we won't be in them, and we are going to Garissa where they work with Muslim Somalis, but we are not going to the Somali refugee camps. And they are putting us up in the nicest places in each town - we'll see how those end up, but I'm pretty sure we'll be mostly comfortable. Preparing for anything sort of left out the possibility of being comfortable. I am okay with it, because we will see and experience lots and we are here to learn. When we get back we can figure out how the reading and this class information and what we saw all goes together.

Supper is at 7 here. Lunch is at 1, and there is tea mid morning and mid afternoon (drinks and snacks). Supper last night was out in the bush, which was awesome! I guess every Thursday they do supper out in the bush and have entertainment - music and dancing. The have the buffet all set up and move all the tables and chairs and umbrellas from by the pool and have a bunch of bonfires going... I was glad I wasn't one of the ones who got pulled up to dance! It was a really good end to our time here.

Our praxis team finished class at noon - the rest are preparing for a couple of days in the field applying what they have learned about project development, but we are done. We spent the afternoon talking about the work with Somali Muslims we'll be seeing and doing next week and preparing for that - we are in 4 groups of 4 for the next while - I'm with Kristen from Acadia, Rose from the ACC&S and Danson (pronounced Dau-son) from the ABC.

So this weekend we are doing more touristy things around Nairobi, then head out to Garissa on Monday (Sean says when you use Google Earth, you can totally track where we are). Tomorrow we will get to go to the elephant orphanage and the giraffe center. I'll update you on all that once we've been there!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

zzzzzzzzzzz

So much for not feeling the jet lag. Sunday was ok, but we've all been pretty tired for the last couple of days, and waking up at night... We have spent both yesterday and today sitting in class all day, too, which doesn't help. 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. That's a long day, but the stuff we're learning is good. It's similar to our Carey courses at Westhill in that the Community Development workers can sign up for the series of 10 classes and earn a certificate (from Carey) in Integral Mission. It's all very practical development stuff. It will translate to Canada, but is pretty specific to work here mostly. The 10 courses will all be in Kenya over a couple of years, and then they will offer it in India and then Bolivia maybe.

It's getting to be winter here, so while the sun is hot in the middle of the day, the mornings and evenings are cool. Nothing to complain about, but not much different than home (although probably cooler!) so don't be jealous about us being in a great climate...

Mike got sick last night and went in to the hospital this morning - he's got a bacterial infection. They caught it pretty quick and he's already feeling better, but you can pray he gets fully better and that no one else gets sick on this trip. While they were on their way back they saw giraffes and gazelles. Lucky! Today I saw a really big frog.

We generally pair off at meals and sit with people we don't know, so we're having a great time meeting all sorts of interesting people.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Finally in Kenya!

Habari! (That's hello in Kiswahili)

We had two uneventful flights over - Air Canada from Toronto to Zurich, which had great technology, and Swissair from Zurich to Nairobi, which had great food. We all have gained about 5 pounds so far... With the time changes, it felt like one long day instead of two, so jet lag hasn't been much of an issue. We are now 9 hours later than Regina, and 8 hours later than Winnipeg, so while I write this at 9:45 PM, you are all probably just leaving church.

This first week we are at a retreat center just outside of Nairobi, and it's pretty cushy - by preparing ourselves for anything, we thought about all the discomforts we might have to endure, but didn't consider staying in a hotel setting with comfortable beds, showers, plenty of food, a pool and free internet.

We arrived at the airport at dusk, and so drove (on a crazy road with crazy traffic) here in the dark - this morning was our first experience really seeing Kenya. The vegetation is great - so lush and colorful.

We have met our 8 Kenyan Praxis members, and have spent much of today looking at our cultures and what the differences are - it's been a great orientation for us to the country, and a great chance for us to have good conversation and get to know each other.

The course that we are participating in here is one of the two parts of our experience - the other is visiting the different development projects in our last 2 weeks. This course is us joining about 50 other development workers in CBM partner countries. That's much bigger than I thought it would be. There are people here from Kenya, Rwanda, Angola, India and Bolivia - a few you might know are Ana Salamao from Angola who was at Westhill for Missions Encounter last month (she's sitting next to me on the other computer, actually!) and Ivan Gutierrez from Bolivia who has visited Westhill, and who led our STEP team that was in Bolivia. Gordon King, Director of The Sharing Way, who was at Missions Encounter is also here.

This course is the first in a series that will lead to a Diploma or Certificate for these development workers that is offered by our favorite cutting edge Seminary, Carey.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

A Good Start!

A few minor disappointments have been outweighed by a pretty good day.

The disappointments:
*My email on this computer is not working, so I couldn't send a note home to tell Sean I found the suprises he hid in my suitcase... (but I could phone, so that wasn't a big deal.)
*There was a typo in our information and 6 PM is not when we leave Zurich on Saturday, but when we arrive in Nairobi - so our stopover there is brief. Oh, well. That was just a suprise bonus anyway.
*The toothbrush in the travel pack I bought sucks. (Here's me rolling my eyes and laughing!)

We met the last of the team this morning and have been getting to know each other all day - we had a chance to share about ourselves this morning, but then in between orientation sessions and over meals there's been lots of talk, and what a bunch of great people. We're all very different, and while we've been warned that a couple weeks in we might be sick of being with the same people all the time, (and who wouldn't!) I'm sure that we are going to have a good time together.

There are two guys and six girls. One girl is German, and one is Bolivian. Four of us have travelled lots and four haven't been off the continent (a couple not even out of Canada.) Both the guys and three of the girls are married, and one of the guys has three kids (ages 7, 9 and 11 - imagine them all hanging off his legs telling him not to go...) Two are 23, three are later 20's and three of us are 35. Most are just students, but one is a full time pastor as well as a student. Their names are Claudia, Leona, Candice, Heather, Kristie, Mike and Craig.

In orientation today we learned about CBM, about the Sharing Way and their work in Kenya, and about the expectations for the class side of things, among other things. Tomorrow we learn more about Kenyan culture and cross cultural communication before we head to the airport. There's a lot of great people that work out here, and it's been enlightening to get a sense of what CBM is all about from the HQ and the people who are hands on involved in these great things.

I think my favorite part of the day might have been after lunch when we took a bit of a hike through an amazing wooded path just minutes down the road from the office. Very cool.

Don't know when I'll write more, but good bye till then!
Thanks for reading.

PS - they have chapel here on Thursday mornings with all the staff, and they did a pretty cool comissioning for us.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

day one...

Not much to report yet, but the hotel has free internet access and a computer, so here I am... The flight was fairly uneventful except for the one random time I looked out the window and saw St. James! That's the part of Winnipeg my family lives in - I looked out and recognized what I was looking at. Fun to tell Madeline that I saw her from the plane. She was out riding her bike when I called from the airport, having fun with her cousins. Her first two days at the new school have gone well - she says everyone is nice and friendly and she's made lots of friends already. No suprise there! And they're going on a field trip tomorrow to the Symphony.

I've met four of the others on the team, and we'll meet up with the three from here in the morning. I'm sure I'll have lots more to report after our full day of orientation tomorrow - until then, good night!

Monday, May 12, 2008

it has begun.

I said good bye to the kid today. (sniff, sniff) I know she's going to have a great time there with family and making new friends, and we've never had any attachment issues ever (see ya, Mom!) but she's mine, and I'm not going to see her for a while. Must be that built in attachment thing that parents get...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

emailing...

I was asked tonight about if I'll be able to get emails while I'm there. I do not expect to have a lot of access to a computer, and when I do I won't be on for long. That means that I won't be checking all 5 or so email addresses... The one I will check is carolynandsean@yahoo.ca and then I'll try to update this blog. Don't expect too much, though! Probably I will add lots to here once I'm back and have the time (and the access to technology) to tell all my stories.

I am so encouraged by all the excitement people have for me about this trip. I feel so loved!

The Flag of Kenya

Switzerland will be #12!

I've never been to Switzerland, but it's on my list of want-to-go's. (It will be the 12th country I've been to!)

I got an email today that was full of details about what to pack and our schedules for orientation and debrief times in Toronto. So no new news about what our time in Kenya looks like, but some good info anyway. I'm giving myself just a couple more days to finish these last two assignments then I'll be in packing mode.

The email did say that Friday at 6:15 PM we fly to Zurich Switzerland, and we fly from Zurich to Nairobi Saturday at 6:10 PM. I checked online for the arrival time (they included the flight # for the flight to Zurich) and it arrives at 8:05 AM. So that means we have all day to explore! I'm a little bit excited about that!!! (Translation: I'm quivering in my chair with excitement and have already looked up scrapbook shops there...)

Our orientation includes meeting everyone on the team and the crew at CBM, considerations for our academic work, cross-cultural communication and overview of Kenyan culture.

The debrief time is mainly a day to prepare a presentation which we then share with the CBM office.

***FYI - the first 11 countries are Canada, USA, Mexico, Holland, Italy, Austria, Germany, England, Venezuela, Portugal and Barbados.***

Friday, May 2, 2008

a link

Thought you might like to check out the blog of the Kenny's, who we will be with in Kenya.

http://fourkennys.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 1, 2008

it's getting closer...

In two weeks I will be in Toronto, have met the others, and started our orientation!

I haven't heard any more details, but I have to pick up Malaria pills next week, so hopefully I'll get the itinerary details I need in order to get the right amount in time.

I'm feeling okay about the timing. I still have some work to do on my course, but the end is reasonably close, and I've got my 'to do before I go' list made and a few things already crossed off. One of the more exciting things was booking Madeline a flight home. My flight home from Toronto touches down in Winnipeg, so I booked her onto the flight I'm on. I doubt I'll even get to get off the plane and see Mom, but it'll be great to share that last leg of the journey home with Madeline.

I realized something today. I was on my way to work, and I was wondering what to pick up for supper (I'm usually pretty good about doing up the menu for the week and getting all the groceries in one shop, but these last couple of weeks have been a little slack) when I realized that I DON'T HAVE TO COOK FOR A MONTH!!! I'm pretty excited about that.

Friday, April 18, 2008

tea.

This morning, I'm having tea from Kenya. Jess and Dave brought it back for me when they went.

Funny - I was just going to write a little about having the tea and thinking about the trip more now that it's getting closer, but as I was taking a sip, I thought, this is from there. And now it's flowing into me. And just as I am affected and changed by what I put into my self tea-wise, how changed will I be when it's the whole experience that I allow to enter into me?

I know that this experience will change me. How much and in what ways I don't know, but I do know that God gave this to me and that it is part of his plan for my life, and I am fully aware that he knows my life's purpose way more than I do!

So I drink this cup, literally and figuratively, accepting his will, and holding on to curiosity and a little apprehension about what he is going to do in me and through me because of it.

Monday, April 14, 2008

A month to go!

It's only a month till I go!

I have to finish up two assignments, start and finish two more, as well as a bunch of reading before then. Yikes.

I've got all my shots, and today I got a letter in the mail that our plan does not cover that. Bummer.

I got an email last week with some information! I was going to copy and paste some exerpts, but it's all good info, so here it it, along with a picture of the Kenyan half of our group:



The Kenyan Praxis students meet together for an overnight last weekend. They were fully briefed on the Praxis program, the schedule, their suggestions to the schedule, their assignments as they will be guest and well as host. The Kenyan delegation is made up of 2 men and 2 women from CBM’s Kenyan partners, the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) and the African Christian Church and Schools (ACC&S). These students were chosen by their church leaders to be a part of this program. The suggestions and advice that follow are partly a result of our time together. Please understand that we send the following suggestions not as restrictions but as cultural clues that will prevent a good deal of embarrassment on your part. Kenya is a country of many cultures and traditions and the rules change as we move from a Kamba culture to a Kikuyu culture and again in the Somali culture. The rules also change as we move from an urban setting to the rural settings.

Most of our Kenyan students have not seen much of their own country. They will be seeing Somali culture in Northeast province for the first time along with you. These students have not seen much of each others churches and culture, so much of what will be new for you will be new for them as well.

1. Canadians: Appropriate dress in Kenya

In many ways, Kenya is a formal culture. You will find that your Kenyan colleagues and hosts will share a heightened since of modesty and demure. In crossing cultures, we as Canadians need to be aware of this in order to avoid embarrassing situations for both ourselves and our Kenyan hosts.

For Men: You will be expected to wear long pants and a collared shirt. In worship settings, most Kenyan men will wear a jacket and tie, but this is not required of you. Sorry, but other than on two of the days -- no shorts.

For Women: You will be expected to wear loose fitting pants and/or skirts that go below the knee, and a top that covers your shoulders (sorry no tank tops) and has a modest neckline. For worship settings, a long skirt or dress (ankle length) is most appropriate, but a knee length skirt is acceptable. Sorry, no shorts other than on one or two of the days.

Both Men and Women: You are coming at the end of the long rains (March-June): It will rain, so we suggest a light rain jacket (a light quick dry shirt is also a wonderful thing to have!). The evenings can be cool so bring along a sweater or warm fleece. Your feet will get wet, so non-cotton socks and good footwear is important.

Footwear: Sandals are very appropriate, especially during our week of course work. But for the remainder of the trip, you will be doing a lot of walking over rough terrain where sneakers or hiking boots are needed. Your practicums will include walking through slums, farms, and other areas where muddy roads and open sewage will be a reality. It is wise to bring along an old pair of sneakers or boots that you can washout or even leave behind.

Luggage: We suggest you limit your packing to a single suitcase as you will be continually on the move pack and repacking your things into a van. A sturdy backpack is a good idea for a carry on, as it can be used as your day pack while traveling in-country.
As you are allowed a second piece of checked luggage by the airline, many people will pick up a large woven basket here in Kenya, while shopping in the markets and use it to pack souvenirs and gifts. A sturdy Turkana basket costs about $30 and the airport will plastic wrap it for you on your return for about $5.

Laundry Service: You will periodically have opportunity to use laundry service at some of the guest houses, but you will go at least a week without being able to do laundry. You may want to pack a few quick drying garments that you can hand-wash let dry over night. Laundry can cost as much as $10 a load, but it requires time for it to dry on a line as drying machines are not a reality here.

Books: By now you have all received your course texts for Praxis. You will not be required to bring these with you. Though you will want to bring a note book, Bible and a good novel to read and share!

2. Canadians: Gifts for Kenyan Hosts

The African Praxis team will be giving to each member of the Canadian team a gift at the end of our time together. This is part of African culture which is very generous to guests. Therefore, it would be appropriate at the end of our time together that the Canadian delegation would also have a gift ready for the Kenyans. We mention this not to force the issue but to prepare you and also to discourage each of you from bringing your own individual gifts.

There is one word of advice that we gave to our Kenyan students that is most appropriate for you our Canadian guests. That word is to come to learn, to enjoy yourself and to allow God to use this experience to speak deeply into your life and future.

**************

The other news is that this past weekend was Missions Encounter in our church and sister churches. Two of the three guests that were here are going to be in Kenya while I'm there; it will be nice to see familiar faces. One is the director of the Sharing Way (part of CBM) and the other is an Angolan lady who works as part of the Sharing Way's African team. She will be taking this same class I will be - I guess the first week when we are in class is bigger than just our group. I was told that there would be people from India, Rwanda, Angola and Bolivia there as well as from Kenya and Canada. There is a girl from Bolivia who is part of our group - she is the other student from Carey - so that may be who they're referring to.

The other special guest was a man who was telling us about his work in refugee camps in Kenya, and he showed pictures and video from the very places I'll be in a month. That was pretty exciting, to get an actual visual. We sat with him at the lunch, and he and Sean swapped stories about fixing vehicles.

I think this might be long enough for today; I should get to that paper. Today is so beautiful that I might curl up on the deck in the sun with the textbooks instead.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

will we see animals? and other important questions

I had lunch today with Dennis Shierman, who is CBM's Western Canada Rep. He was in town and spoke at a missions night at our church Sunday night. That was informative in itself - hearing how global discipleship and integral mission are so important to them, and seeing other ways that CBM lives that out.

Things I learned (in no particular order):

*what to wear - as representatives of CBM and Carey, to be modest and conservative, and have skirts, especially for any formal stuff, or Sunday mornings, or if we're doing a presentation or anything like that. I guess I need to check my closet and see if there are any skirts in there!

*animals - because of the strictness against combining missions work and tourism (from the auditors point of view) we won't be "going on safari," but we will have opportunities while we're there to see giraffes, elephants, zebras and the rest. One place we'll be staying at has a balcony where you can sit for an early morning coffee and watch them going by. I am really looking forward to that.

*responsibilities - I had asked about our roles on CBM's behalf once we are back, and what they might expect of us, and the answer was nothing really. They are content to educate us, and let God do the work of changing us, our perceptions, and how we live and minister in light of what we've learned and experienced.

*observation / participation - we'll be doing some of both.

Our syllabus and itinerary are still to come, so I still have things to learn before I go, but talking to Dennis was a good chance to make a more direct connection with CBM. We talked about a lot more that - I'll let you know if I think of anything else to pass on.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

ouch...

I went to the Travel Health Centre for the first time today, and came out with three puncture holes and various diseases running through my blood teaching me how not to get them later. That's how it works, right? I go back in a month for more shots and to get some malaria pills to take when I'm there, and I've got a few capsules in the fridge to take in the meantime for something else. The fun part is that it's all optional. Do I want the rabies vaccine, too?

Nine weeks from today. It's coming closer! Here's a bit more of what I know itinerary wise... We'll be in based in Nairobi (staying at a retreat centre) for our first week. The second week in Kenya Aaron and Erica Kenny will be taking us to Eastleigh and Northeastern Province for us to experience Somali culture and Muslim outreach ministry. "In Garissa, we have a wonderful connection with a school for vulnerable children being run by a group of Muslim women. We hope it will be a stimulating experience for you to be a part of intergal mission in a Muslim context. At present, we are preparing an opportunity for you to enter this community that should stretch you in the practical ways that we share the way for Jesus." That's from an email from the Kenny's, who we will be working with while we're there. I should say, they'll be working with us. I'm under no delusion that we are going to help or make a difference in any way - I hope we do, but I know we are going to be stretched and learn so much more. I hope that all the cultural differences make it easier to be completely open to see Jesus and learn, not tougher to filter it all.

I have read one of the texts - Missions in the Third Millennium. I am aware of changes in approaches to missions in only a limited way - I studied it in college, but have not had too much first hand knowledge or read many books on it since. I'm more aware of changes in how church is being done and approached, and some of those changes are similar to changes in how mission is being done. It was a couple of weeks ago now that I read this, but the primary impression that is still with me is that we are not doing enough. We think sending money to 'let the nationals do it' is enough, but there is a lot more too it than that. It's messy and complex - just like all of life... I'm finishing up another course, then I can get started on the next book for this.

One goal I have for myself is to learn my African geography... I love maps, but there are a lot of countries in Africa. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Maybe.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

ha ha - joke's on me!

In some of the back and forth emails the question of our books came up, and we were told we would get our texts by the end of March. Yeah, our texts. The same ones I ordered in January and have already been reading. Who's the keener?? (here's me shaking my head...) Oh well, I've got two other classes on the go right now, so I'm having to be pretty strict with my homework, and what gets done and read when - I'm glad I got them early. After I get back, I'm going to try to remember to do only one course at a time!!

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Team

More information has been trickling down...

The team from Canada will have eight people on it. Six women and two men. Carey has two students, McMaster Divinity School has three, and three are from Acadia Divinity School. We've been given each other's email addresses, and have started to introduce ourselves, but so far I've only heard from the three from McMaster.

I have heard from a couple in Africa who will be in communication with us from now till we go with all the things we need to know, and we have heard as well from the man who will be our team leader there. His email was fairly informative: he said there will be a group of Africans along with our group of Canadians, and that they are being selected as representatives from their churches. So they will not know each other either, but will be coming together for this project.

I have finished one of the three required texts - I'll write about that another day, but I will say that there was some benefit in the long drive to Montana and back! I got that done and got The Fate of Africa started. That's on the recommended list, not a required one, but it's really informative, and I hope I can get through it before we go, too.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

baby steps

I have not heard back with more details yet, but the deadline to confirm participation was a couple of days ago, so hopefully we'll hear something soon.

Until then, I have called the travel clinic and made an appointment. I have told them where I am going, when and for how long, and when I go in in a month they will tell me what shots and pills I need. Fun!

And I ordered my books (online at Amazon, my number one textbook supplier!) the night I heard I got accepted. After I did, I realized the syllabus they had attached to the application said SAMPLE in big letters diagonally across the background - oops! I hope they haven't changed... There are three required books and I ordered one of the "also recommended" ones, which is a massive work called The Fate of Africa, all about the last 50 years since independence. It looks really good - I'll be taking it and one of the texts on our road trip to Montana this weekend. (Whitefish Montana has had tonnes of powder this winter, and the temperatures look great for our trip - Snowboarding for Valentine's Day!)

Friday, February 1, 2008

Maps




and the family?

This would be an amazing trip to share with Sean and Madeline, but no, they are not going along. Sean is going to hold down the fort here, and to simplify childcare every morning and after school, Madeline is going to Winnipeg to hang out with my family there. She'll be going to school with her cousins at the school I went to when I was her age! That's a fun thing to share. She is in French Immersion here and they are not, but her teacher will send some extra french work along with her.

Another fun twist is that it's payback time. My sister Jessica and her husband Dave went to Kenya for a month 3 1/2 years ago, and I looked after their 3 boys for the month. Now I get to go check out 'their' Kenya and they get to watch Madeline for me. Such a huge world - funny to share the same destination. I wonder if we'll get to Mwingi, where they went...

Thursday, January 31, 2008

concerning safety...

Kenya has been in the news lately, I'm sure you've noticed. The December 27 election that saw President Mwai Kibaki re-elected was disputed by opposition leader Raila Odinga, and their tribes have been in a cycle of killing ever since. Travel would obviously not be recommended right now, but CBM has staff in Kenya who are keeping the powers that be informed about the state of things there. Peace is expected to be not too far off, but in the case that the country is to unstable for us to visit in May, it would either be postphoned to a later date, or more likely, we would travel to Rwanda instead.

Plus, my brother said he knew a guy and would make some calls, so I'm sure we'll be good to go!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Praxis

I'm hoping the others on this adventure confirm pretty quick - I'm antsy to find out more of the details and the next steps and who all is going on this.

Here's more info on the whole program. Praxis is a Global Discipleship Scholarship. The course is a Mission Practicum Directed Study, so this trip is actually a class that I get credit for towards my Masters. The purpose stated is that the mission practicum experience will:
- expose participants to models of Integral Mission (which I will look at more on another day,
- engage in focused discussion, reflection and study on the Biblical foundation of and vision for Integral Mission,
- encounter Integral Mission communities locally and globally, and
- encourage a wider discussion on Integral Mission with home institutions of theological education and ministry contexts.

An excerpt from my acceptance letter:
"This year, Praxis will be based out of Nairobi, Kenya with a focus on Integral Mission. The main case study will be the work of the ABC (African Brotherhood Church) which is committed to evangelism and community development. The (ACC&S) African Christian Church and Schools is an emerging example of integral ministry. Time will also be spent in northern Kenya examining pre-evangelistic ministries where the challenges to integral mission are very difficult."

Monday, January 28, 2008

the beginning

Way back in November, I got an email from Carey Theological College about a scholarship opportunity. It was available to MPM (Masters of Pastoral Ministries) students which I am (in the middle of my 7th class, and #8 is starting this weekend), and was offered in conjunction with Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM). This is the third year they've offered this Praxis program, which sends the selected applicants to various parts of the world to do a practical study program. This year the area of study is Kenya, and the subject is Integral Mission. It will look at the African Brotherhood Church and how they do Evangelism and Community Development.

It took a bit of deciding to know whether I should apply or not; it's a month long, and runs mid-May to mid-June, so Madeline (my 8 year old daughter) would still be in school, and I had a couple of other commitments during that time. Plans for Madeline fell into place, and my boss said it sounded like a great opportunity and would support the idea, so I applied.

I've not thought about it too much since, mostly on purpose so I didn't get my hopes up. But last Thursday I looked at the calendar and saw that January 31st was a week away, and January 31st was the date we would know by. Then I started checking my email a little more intentionally. I didn't have to wait long - that Friday morning I got the email. I almost deleted it, because it was from a name I didn't recognize and had nothing in the subject line... Glad I didn't!

More tomorrow!