start here...
We drove back to Emali and met up with the others. It had been a beautiful day and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way from what we did. We laughed: for instance when Paul was being made an elder, the speech by the chief was translated as the women in their traditional garb ‘looking very ok’; so when it was his turn to reply he said how welcoming everyone had been and the women looked very ok and the men too. We cried: for some it was at the first meeting with their child and parent; I was so excited to have instantly recognised Tom that I didn’t cry until later, as I was telling his father how humbling it is that something so small in New Zealand can mean the difference between a bad life and a much better life in Emali.
One of the things that has really hit me over the last two days, in visiting the people today and listening to the people at the project offices in Emali and Nairobi yesterday, was how we are not just impacting the lives of individual children, nor their immediate family alone, but the whole village community. I would not be surprised if our letters are treated like the epistles of Paul and circulated around for everyone to read. I had not appreciated that before and I will definitely take more time to read the project reports we get about all the community work going on in Emali (which I tend to skim over as being less relevant).
The second aspect, which I was more prepared for, is the spiritual one. We have been told a few times and I have read in the past how CCF is not a Christian organisation with the focus on evangelising. (In fact, it started as the ‘China children fund’ and changed its name when all foreign organisations were kicked out by the Chinese government.) But many of the people here are Christians and it is wonderful to be able to share spiritual things with Tom’s family. As I said earlier, I am not sure how many of the rest of the group are believers, but I do count the relationship between Tom’s family and me to be special because of that bond. While the others are also told, you are part of our family, Tom and I really are brother and sister in the spiritual sense. Some of the people’s sponsored children and families are Muslim, for instance, so this just makes me all the more thankful.
All in all a perfect day and I praise God for it.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tom’s house and family (27 May, part IV)
start here...
We made our way back down to the vans and organised ourselves into them, one van per family to be visited. Ian and Beryl came along with me; I really felt for them because they didn���t get the same opportunity.
We passed Tom���s school (Sambuli primary) on the way to his house and once gain were greeted with a Maasai welcome by the whole village, about 40-50 people. Tom���s mother Jacinta (who writes the letters to me) was one of the first to greet me and I gave her a big hug. We all shook hands and danced our way back to the house.
Me with Tom's family in their house
They invited me inside to sit on the bench, so with Tom and his three brothers sitting beside me we took some pictures and I gave them their gifts. They loved the puppets (although one of the eyes was picked off within about ten minutes, so I hope they can fix it!) and I think Jacinta especially appreciated the Bible storybook that I had for Tom. After that we moved outside, with the furniture and gifts and all the kids. We prayed and then had some speeches. The project zone chairman and secretary spoke about how they had been waiting for a sponsor to come, because they receive all this support and things that help the community but they don���t really know who it is that is helping them. The secretary also said that from the letters they had assumed that Bridget was a man ��� which made everybody laugh. I got up and gave a short speech, again thanking God, as they had already done, for bringing me to them and said something like if it was not for Him I would not have been able to help or to come. (I got a bit tearful.) Ian said a few words also, thanking them for the welcome. Then they presented us with gifts: a necklace and earrings for Beryl and a full Maasai outfit for me ��� skirt, blouse, belt, bracelet; all exquisitely embroidered with beads. It was only when I got back to the hotel that I looked at the belt and realised (because of how the buckle holes were worn) that it must have been somebody���s that they gave up for me. I knew this sort of thing was going to happen, that I would be given the widow���s mite (as it were), but the only response is to accept it.
Outside Tom's family's house, after being dressed in a traditional Maasai outfit
We closed in prayer and then Jacinta and some of the women gathered around. She told me how they all loved Jesus and had been praying for my journey. I said how much I admired their faith, and that many people in New Zealand have so many things that they think they don���t need God. It was a very special moment, to realise these women are my sisters in Christ and to be able to share that with them. Being ���made��� a Maasai helped as well, I think, to show that I was just one of them ��� human.
After this we took some more photos, with the family and with all the women, then they escorted us all back to the vans, singing all the way. Jacinta provided a summary translation (praising God for bringing me), although I could hear the words ���Iesu��� and ���Niuzilan��� on a regular basis.
We made our way back down to the vans and organised ourselves into them, one van per family to be visited. Ian and Beryl came along with me; I really felt for them because they didn���t get the same opportunity.
We passed Tom���s school (Sambuli primary) on the way to his house and once gain were greeted with a Maasai welcome by the whole village, about 40-50 people. Tom���s mother Jacinta (who writes the letters to me) was one of the first to greet me and I gave her a big hug. We all shook hands and danced our way back to the house.
Me with Tom's family in their house
They invited me inside to sit on the bench, so with Tom and his three brothers sitting beside me we took some pictures and I gave them their gifts. They loved the puppets (although one of the eyes was picked off within about ten minutes, so I hope they can fix it!) and I think Jacinta especially appreciated the Bible storybook that I had for Tom. After that we moved outside, with the furniture and gifts and all the kids. We prayed and then had some speeches. The project zone chairman and secretary spoke about how they had been waiting for a sponsor to come, because they receive all this support and things that help the community but they don���t really know who it is that is helping them. The secretary also said that from the letters they had assumed that Bridget was a man ��� which made everybody laugh. I got up and gave a short speech, again thanking God, as they had already done, for bringing me to them and said something like if it was not for Him I would not have been able to help or to come. (I got a bit tearful.) Ian said a few words also, thanking them for the welcome. Then they presented us with gifts: a necklace and earrings for Beryl and a full Maasai outfit for me ��� skirt, blouse, belt, bracelet; all exquisitely embroidered with beads. It was only when I got back to the hotel that I looked at the belt and realised (because of how the buckle holes were worn) that it must have been somebody���s that they gave up for me. I knew this sort of thing was going to happen, that I would be given the widow���s mite (as it were), but the only response is to accept it.
Outside Tom's family's house, after being dressed in a traditional Maasai outfit
We closed in prayer and then Jacinta and some of the women gathered around. She told me how they all loved Jesus and had been praying for my journey. I said how much I admired their faith, and that many people in New Zealand have so many things that they think they don���t need God. It was a very special moment, to realise these women are my sisters in Christ and to be able to share that with them. Being ���made��� a Maasai helped as well, I think, to show that I was just one of them ��� human.
After this we took some more photos, with the family and with all the women, then they escorted us all back to the vans, singing all the way. Jacinta provided a summary translation (praising God for bringing me), although I could hear the words ���Iesu��� and ���Niuzilan��� on a regular basis.
Lunch with the Maasai (27 May, part III)
start here...
After that initial meeting and conversation we were ushered back to the vans to head off for the Maasai lunch. We gave Tom the option of travelling with his father or going with me, and to my surprise he went with me. We got in the van and I showed him the bag of gifts I had, then gave him the soccer ball to pump up. He attacked it with gusto and for the first time he seemed to relax a bit.
It was a long drive out to the Maasai, on some roads, dirt roads, and eventually what seemed like animal trails. There were four of us in the can, with three children, so it was pretty cosy. Paul had pointed out that many of the children might not have ridden in a vehicle before, and we were told a similar thing at the school earlier, that many of the children had not travelled as far as Emali.
We finally arrived and were greeted by the Maasai. This involved some line dancing (for want of a better word) and the whole tribe filing past us and everybody shaking hands with everybody. We are learning new words all the time: ���karibu��� in Swahili and ���sopa��� in Maasai is ���welcome���. I even experienced the ���African handshake��� which was quite touching as it is only used among close friends. After this we climbed up the hill a little way to where they had a marquee and seats set out, and food cooking. The food was simple and good ��� stew, rice, meat, some vegetables like spinach and cabbage. By this stage Tom and I had been reunited with his father and our interpreter, so we continued the conversation about African culture.
After everybody had eaten we went to the top of the rock on the hill, which Tom���s father told me is called Kimpas. We took some photos ��� the view was spectacular ��� and I gave Tom my camera to take some snaps for himself. His smile was getting bigger all the time.
Then we were treated to some tribal dancing and Paul was made an honorary elder of the tribe, much to everyone���s amusement.
Paul being made an honorary elder of the Maasai tribe
After that initial meeting and conversation we were ushered back to the vans to head off for the Maasai lunch. We gave Tom the option of travelling with his father or going with me, and to my surprise he went with me. We got in the van and I showed him the bag of gifts I had, then gave him the soccer ball to pump up. He attacked it with gusto and for the first time he seemed to relax a bit.
It was a long drive out to the Maasai, on some roads, dirt roads, and eventually what seemed like animal trails. There were four of us in the can, with three children, so it was pretty cosy. Paul had pointed out that many of the children might not have ridden in a vehicle before, and we were told a similar thing at the school earlier, that many of the children had not travelled as far as Emali.
We finally arrived and were greeted by the Maasai. This involved some line dancing (for want of a better word) and the whole tribe filing past us and everybody shaking hands with everybody. We are learning new words all the time: ���karibu��� in Swahili and ���sopa��� in Maasai is ���welcome���. I even experienced the ���African handshake��� which was quite touching as it is only used among close friends. After this we climbed up the hill a little way to where they had a marquee and seats set out, and food cooking. The food was simple and good ��� stew, rice, meat, some vegetables like spinach and cabbage. By this stage Tom and I had been reunited with his father and our interpreter, so we continued the conversation about African culture.
After everybody had eaten we went to the top of the rock on the hill, which Tom���s father told me is called Kimpas. We took some photos ��� the view was spectacular ��� and I gave Tom my camera to take some snaps for himself. His smile was getting bigger all the time.
Then we were treated to some tribal dancing and Paul was made an honorary elder of the tribe, much to everyone���s amusement.
Paul being made an honorary elder of the Maasai tribe
Meeting Tom (27 May, part II)
start here...
By the time we were on the road again back to the CCF office, we were about half an hour late. Nobody there seemed to mind too much (after all, we see many people on the streets just sitting, not doing anything). I think we were more concerned, because it meant we got less time to spend with our sponsored children.
When we arrived they were singing the same song as the day before:
Happy we are, happy we should be, happy forever more
Singing together, praising the Holy Lord, oh-h He will not fail
I recognised Tom and his father instantly and that was really exciting!
We made our way in and found our respective children and their family members who had come, and the interpreters from CCF helped translate back and forth. Tom was very very shy and I must admit I couldn���t think of many questions to ask. His father asked a lot of questions about New Zealand, how people work, the school system, the food, and some quite profound questions about what people think about Africa and how I felt as a person visiting them; also about poverty in New Zealand and how many people there are Christians. I asked what Tom���s favourite subject at school is (Swahili), what he wants to be when he grows up (a teacher), and what his normal day is like. That was an interesting one. He gets up and prepares himself for school. He goes to school from 8 am until 2 pm, when he goes home and has something to eat if they have any food. Then he helps his mother by fetching water etc. Paul had said to ask them how long it takes to do things like fetching water, so I did. There was some discussion (I suspect because Tom probably doesn���t have a sense of time yet) and I was told, ���Not long; the water is from a pipeline close to their house, so only 15 or 20 minutes.���
Photo of me and Tom, taken at lunch
By the time we were on the road again back to the CCF office, we were about half an hour late. Nobody there seemed to mind too much (after all, we see many people on the streets just sitting, not doing anything). I think we were more concerned, because it meant we got less time to spend with our sponsored children.
When we arrived they were singing the same song as the day before:
Happy we are, happy we should be, happy forever more
Singing together, praising the Holy Lord, oh-h He will not fail
I recognised Tom and his father instantly and that was really exciting!
We made our way in and found our respective children and their family members who had come, and the interpreters from CCF helped translate back and forth. Tom was very very shy and I must admit I couldn���t think of many questions to ask. His father asked a lot of questions about New Zealand, how people work, the school system, the food, and some quite profound questions about what people think about Africa and how I felt as a person visiting them; also about poverty in New Zealand and how many people there are Christians. I asked what Tom���s favourite subject at school is (Swahili), what he wants to be when he grows up (a teacher), and what his normal day is like. That was an interesting one. He gets up and prepares himself for school. He goes to school from 8 am until 2 pm, when he goes home and has something to eat if they have any food. Then he helps his mother by fetching water etc. Paul had said to ask them how long it takes to do things like fetching water, so I did. There was some discussion (I suspect because Tom probably doesn���t have a sense of time yet) and I was told, ���Not long; the water is from a pipeline close to their house, so only 15 or 20 minutes.���
Photo of me and Tom, taken at lunch
The school visit (27 May, part I)
start here...
The ���hotel��� we are staying at is right on the main road, so we all got woken up at about 4 am from all the trucks going past. This made for some cranky people by the end of the day but I���ll get to that. I had offered to go around and knock on everyone���s doors at 6.30 to wake them up but there was really no need!
After breakfast we drove to the Mulala primary school and were greeted by about 700 children. The principal took us to the staff room and introduced all the teachers, after which we had to introduce ourselves like yesterday. Then we each went to different classes, I went to year 7. The guy I was with was a bit of an idiot ��� using broken English to talk to the kids (���New Zealand only four million people���) and being sarcastic ��� I told them how I went to university for seven years and he piped up and said it was because I was a slow learner. Oh well, his problem���
Video of children dancing
Then we all gathered at the assembly area outside and were treated to some dances by the parents (!) and the older girls. After that they had trees for us to plant, which is apparently an important symbol to acknowledge distinguished visitors. It was more moving than I had anticipated, as this little boy unwrapped a seedling, held it out to me, and we both lowered it into the ground and pushed the soil around it.
Planting a tree at Mulala school, with help
The ���hotel��� we are staying at is right on the main road, so we all got woken up at about 4 am from all the trucks going past. This made for some cranky people by the end of the day but I���ll get to that. I had offered to go around and knock on everyone���s doors at 6.30 to wake them up but there was really no need!
After breakfast we drove to the Mulala primary school and were greeted by about 700 children. The principal took us to the staff room and introduced all the teachers, after which we had to introduce ourselves like yesterday. Then we each went to different classes, I went to year 7. The guy I was with was a bit of an idiot ��� using broken English to talk to the kids (���New Zealand only four million people���) and being sarcastic ��� I told them how I went to university for seven years and he piped up and said it was because I was a slow learner. Oh well, his problem���
Video of children dancing
Then we all gathered at the assembly area outside and were treated to some dances by the parents (!) and the older girls. After that they had trees for us to plant, which is apparently an important symbol to acknowledge distinguished visitors. It was more moving than I had anticipated, as this little boy unwrapped a seedling, held it out to me, and we both lowered it into the ground and pushed the soil around it.
Planting a tree at Mulala school, with help
Emali (26 May, part II)
start here...
After the meeting at the project office we made our way to the Kindu ���hotel���, which is probably pretty good by Emali standards. It has running water and electricity ��� and not much else. The light in my bathroom doesn���t work, so I have to shower with the door ajar. But I would be really disappointed to be staying in a Hilton (a la Israel trip 2006).
Penthouse suite at the Kindu. Just try not to step on the floor...
We had some food (well, everyone else did ��� it was 9 pm by the time it was served, and I just wanted to go to bed), after we had discussed the schedule for the following day. We start by going to one of the schools, then it���s off to the project office again to meet our sponsored children. From there we go to lunch, with them, for a Maasai barbeque. Afterwards some of the group get to go with the children to visit their houses. Only six people are able to because of the locations involved, and I am one of them, so I am very thankful about that.
I think the thing I am most looking forward to will be to pray with Tom and his family. They opened and closed the meeting yesterday with prayer and I made sure to give a hearty ���amen��� ��� given that very few other people in our group are Christians. Wouldn���t it be awesome if they were able to notice that these people in Emali have something that they do not.
After the meeting at the project office we made our way to the Kindu ���hotel���, which is probably pretty good by Emali standards. It has running water and electricity ��� and not much else. The light in my bathroom doesn���t work, so I have to shower with the door ajar. But I would be really disappointed to be staying in a Hilton (a la Israel trip 2006).
Penthouse suite at the Kindu. Just try not to step on the floor...
We had some food (well, everyone else did ��� it was 9 pm by the time it was served, and I just wanted to go to bed), after we had discussed the schedule for the following day. We start by going to one of the schools, then it���s off to the project office again to meet our sponsored children. From there we go to lunch, with them, for a Maasai barbeque. Afterwards some of the group get to go with the children to visit their houses. Only six people are able to because of the locations involved, and I am one of them, so I am very thankful about that.
I think the thing I am most looking forward to will be to pray with Tom and his family. They opened and closed the meeting yesterday with prayer and I made sure to give a hearty ���amen��� ��� given that very few other people in our group are Christians. Wouldn���t it be awesome if they were able to notice that these people in Emali have something that they do not.
Off to Emali (26 May, part I)
start here...
We spent the morning at the CCF Kenya project office in Nairobi, which was quite interesting (although it involved a lot of talking), then we hit the road ��� literally. They are doing what felt like 100 km of roadworks. As one of the guides said, ���this is the road to heaven ��� you will have the hell shaken out of you���!
The scenery was fantastic along the way, and we even saw a giraffe in the distance ��� the first of many, I���m sure.
So after three and a bit hours we arrived in Emali to people singing and smiling ��� it was all quite overwhelming! They welcomed us and then we had afternoon tea. It was interesting to see many of them taking pictures of us, just as we were taking pictures of them. Two of the women were dressed in the traditional Maasai garments and we are certainly going to see more of that tomorrow.
Afternoon tea at the Emali CCF project office.
Then we had another one-and-a-half hours or so of talking, beginning with everybody in the room (about 50) introducing themselves. The locals spoke so softly that we couldn���t hear, so that was a bit frustrating (not that we���ll remember their names anyway) but I suspect it���s an important part of African culture, that everybody is introduced before the meeting can begin. They certainly appreciated us greeting them with ���Jambo��� (���hi���)!!
We spent the morning at the CCF Kenya project office in Nairobi, which was quite interesting (although it involved a lot of talking), then we hit the road ��� literally. They are doing what felt like 100 km of roadworks. As one of the guides said, ���this is the road to heaven ��� you will have the hell shaken out of you���!
The scenery was fantastic along the way, and we even saw a giraffe in the distance ��� the first of many, I���m sure.
So after three and a bit hours we arrived in Emali to people singing and smiling ��� it was all quite overwhelming! They welcomed us and then we had afternoon tea. It was interesting to see many of them taking pictures of us, just as we were taking pictures of them. Two of the women were dressed in the traditional Maasai garments and we are certainly going to see more of that tomorrow.
Afternoon tea at the Emali CCF project office.
Then we had another one-and-a-half hours or so of talking, beginning with everybody in the room (about 50) introducing themselves. The locals spoke so softly that we couldn���t hear, so that was a bit frustrating (not that we���ll remember their names anyway) but I suspect it���s an important part of African culture, that everybody is introduced before the meeting can begin. They certainly appreciated us greeting them with ���Jambo��� (���hi���)!!
Nai-robbery (25 May)
start here...
It was a pretty full-on day in Nairobi today. We started off by going to the Karen Blixen house. Next stop was a giraffe park, which was a bit more fun because we got to have them eat out of our hands. We were rushed through that in order to get to the elephant orphanage, which is only open for an hour every day. Lunch was at a nice caf�� and then we drove around downtown Nairobi for a bit before heading off to the markets nearby.
Feeding a giraffe
Video here
I can now say I have experienced African shopping��� they sure know how to put you on a guilt trip and they are pretty determined to get your money! First they ���invited��� me to go into the ���shop��� and look, then said what do you want to buy. Reluctantly I pointed at some small animal figurines, so they picked some out and said 4000 shillings (about $50). I said no way and went to leave, but they had the doorway blocked ��� I pushed through and they asked what price I would like to pay. I said 400 shillings and got another plea because of his small children and ���you are my friend��� etc. I saw some of the others in the group and started heading towards them. The shopkeeper and his friends followed me down the street. 1800 shillings? 600 shillings? I said 500 ��� ok, deal done.
Now I realise that bargaining for the camel ride in Jordan was child���s play compared to this!!
And there will be more to come, in Emali etc.
I need to prepare myself and decide what sorts of things I want before we get there. Otherwise we���ll get taken for a ride. But it helps to know you can haggle them down to 10% of the starting offer. Imagine if buying a house was like that...
It was a pretty full-on day in Nairobi today. We started off by going to the Karen Blixen house. Next stop was a giraffe park, which was a bit more fun because we got to have them eat out of our hands. We were rushed through that in order to get to the elephant orphanage, which is only open for an hour every day. Lunch was at a nice caf�� and then we drove around downtown Nairobi for a bit before heading off to the markets nearby.
Feeding a giraffe
Video here
I can now say I have experienced African shopping��� they sure know how to put you on a guilt trip and they are pretty determined to get your money! First they ���invited��� me to go into the ���shop��� and look, then said what do you want to buy. Reluctantly I pointed at some small animal figurines, so they picked some out and said 4000 shillings (about $50). I said no way and went to leave, but they had the doorway blocked ��� I pushed through and they asked what price I would like to pay. I said 400 shillings and got another plea because of his small children and ���you are my friend��� etc. I saw some of the others in the group and started heading towards them. The shopkeeper and his friends followed me down the street. 1800 shillings? 600 shillings? I said 500 ��� ok, deal done.
Now I realise that bargaining for the camel ride in Jordan was child���s play compared to this!!
And there will be more to come, in Emali etc.
I need to prepare myself and decide what sorts of things I want before we get there. Otherwise we���ll get taken for a ride. But it helps to know you can haggle them down to 10% of the starting offer. Imagine if buying a house was like that...
Arrival in Nairobi (24 May)
start here...
The flight today (from Johannesburg to Nairobi) didn���t feel as long as it should have, which is a big relief after yesterday.
We are most definitely in Africa, if the roads are anything to go by! Lane markings are pointless, so they don���t have any; traffic lights might as well be decoration. Along the side of the road and even walking in the middle of the road were people of all ages trying to sell various things ��� car mats, flags, hats, sunglasses, fruit, snacks, CDs, etc. They would come up to the side of the car and ask if we wanted to buy anything. Apparently this is all illegal but at least they are trying to do something more legitimate than stealing.
And the number of people walking alongside the road, even out in what seemed like the middle of nowhere (between the airport and the city)! There were tracks running all over the median barrier from foot traffic. But I expect to see a lot more.
Typical main road in Nairobi
I have a feeling that food is going to be the biggest challenge, especially when we go to Emali. But that���s only for two days.
A Scripture came to mind today, that nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4).
God is bigger than any bug there might be, so I have to trust Him that I won���t get sick.
It���s interesting to note how many in the group are not Christians. Not that the issue has ever directly come up, but just listening to what they say (alcohol this-that-whatever, swearing, anti-Israel, etc.).
The flight today (from Johannesburg to Nairobi) didn���t feel as long as it should have, which is a big relief after yesterday.
We are most definitely in Africa, if the roads are anything to go by! Lane markings are pointless, so they don���t have any; traffic lights might as well be decoration. Along the side of the road and even walking in the middle of the road were people of all ages trying to sell various things ��� car mats, flags, hats, sunglasses, fruit, snacks, CDs, etc. They would come up to the side of the car and ask if we wanted to buy anything. Apparently this is all illegal but at least they are trying to do something more legitimate than stealing.
And the number of people walking alongside the road, even out in what seemed like the middle of nowhere (between the airport and the city)! There were tracks running all over the median barrier from foot traffic. But I expect to see a lot more.
Typical main road in Nairobi
I have a feeling that food is going to be the biggest challenge, especially when we go to Emali. But that���s only for two days.
A Scripture came to mind today, that nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4).
God is bigger than any bug there might be, so I have to trust Him that I won���t get sick.
It���s interesting to note how many in the group are not Christians. Not that the issue has ever directly come up, but just listening to what they say (alcohol this-that-whatever, swearing, anti-Israel, etc.).
On the way (23 May)
{{Start here for my trip to Kenya}}
It was a super long flight from Sydney to Johannesburg, but at least I got a spare seat next to me. Flying long-haul during the day doesn’t help.
Once we arrived at the airport and found the hotel shuttle we were greeted by somebody in an event I presume will become commonplace – a man posing as a porter asking for tips. We didn’t realise that he hadn’t actually helped carry any of the bags… at least only one person actually gave him anything.
Anyway, it was a big eye-opener to be on your guard and a lesson not to take your wallet out in public.
It was a super long flight from Sydney to Johannesburg, but at least I got a spare seat next to me. Flying long-haul during the day doesn’t help.
Once we arrived at the airport and found the hotel shuttle we were greeted by somebody in an event I presume will become commonplace – a man posing as a porter asking for tips. We didn’t realise that he hadn’t actually helped carry any of the bags… at least only one person actually gave him anything.
Anyway, it was a big eye-opener to be on your guard and a lesson not to take your wallet out in public.
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