Thought you might like to check out the blog of the Kenny's, who we will be with in Kenya.
http://fourkennys.blogspot.com/
The Countdown
Friday, May 2, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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