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.
The Countdown
Friday, April 18, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)