this place is beautiful but crazy. things here are and aren’t quite what I expected. some days I feel as if I have stepped back a few hundred years. some days I feel things are right where they should be. one day im taken aback and humbled by what people don’t have and how they do things. at the same time – I wonder why I think I have things figured out – or why my way is the right way. who am i to say what is backwards or crazy? I should know by now – that I have nothing figured out and that my ways are not usually the right ones, so why do I so many times feel this? I think the more I stay here – this may subside.

society here is a bit weird for me. separation is something that I have never felt really comfortable with – and here with the whites it seems completely normal and acceptable. most whites here employ cooks, housekeepers, guards, gardeners, etc.. I feel like this is a good thing and blesses people with jobs and hopefully some sense of purpose. but from what I can tell – most of the time they are just treated like hired help. I personally plan on trying to build relationships with people and treat them the same way that I would treat any of my friends, no matter if they are working the farm or hold some ‘respectable position’ somewhere. some of the people here seem to have a problem socialising with the people who hold different jobs and whom think they are too good to be at a party with people who are ‘just help’. I guess my point is this: if someone doesn’t come along and think that things are wrong and try to make some sort of change – it will perpetuate. there have been talks of having dinner parties, or just gatherings for tea – and when it is mentioned – there is talk of not inviting certain people for worry that they wont feel comfortable. honestly – I think it all crap. and some of the excuses I have heard is that – maybe the guys who work the farm wont feel comfortable coming into our home for dinner. maybe they will feel like they have to invite us to their homes. maybe the white guests will feel like they cant be themselves around the guys who labour for us. I say that they can get over it. I say that maybe the reason that they wont feel comfortable is because we haven’t taken the time to invite them in before. I say forget how things are – and try to break out of these petty ass ways. and its not like – this would be invading and trying to change someones culture and making it like ours. its treating people like the people and children of god that they are. they are made in his image exactly like we are. they are called friends of Christ – just like we are. can inviting them in and getting to know them this way be so bad? the time for separation and the like has passed – and in fact should never have been. as Christians – we cant afford to act this way – and I believe that it is wrong. jesus would have never played these games – and we shouldn’t either. the sheer meaning of being a Christian goes out the window when these things start to happen. and I never want to succumb to that. maybe this goes in the face of many well respected people here – but once again I will choose to say that I don’t care. I don’t want a part of that. the god that I love and choose to serve just wont put up with that. so thanks but no thanks - ill choose to go with my heart on this one.

once again – not really sure where to start. not in a bad way – just don’t know what all I want to talk about. trying to keep this thing updated is something I want to do – but not something that I am very good at. today was a long day as it was the last day for the team here was going to see the kids this year. we had something of a carnival for them – and tons of gifts. I huge Kenyan feast for the kids, and there were lots of hugs as well as tears. I on the other hand will be here – so I got to stand on the outside and see things from other peoples eyes in a way. one thing is for sure – and that is the love that is there. these folks on this trip love those kids. and those kids aren’t really sure about much – but they know that they love them as well. you could see it in their eyes. you could see it in their eyes every day really – but it seemed a bit magnified this afternoon. but im not surprised. I wont ever be able to think about Africa again without thinking about most of those faces. but my time here isn’t quite up yet – so those thoughts will be saved for another day.

we leave tomorrow for safari and I am very excited. it will be a much appreciated break – for we have had some long days the last week and a half. friday night I return – then get on another plane for western Kenya on sunday. will be back in lemuru I guess around wednesday. then the real work begins I think. the farm is on its way to be running. the month of july will be getting things ready to go. we hired a guy to be the farm manager – and he is super cool. good things are going to happen. just crazy how things are starting to go – and how god can put together the most random pieces and make them fit. guess it shouldn’t really surprise me. not sure who all will be living with me as of yet – but right now an austrailian couple, kalen (my co-worker) and AB will be there until he leaves in august. seems like there is another guy I cant remember his story who will be there as well. the house is amazing and I am very excited about moving in soon. initially we will be growing mostly veggies, and will move into chickens, cows, maybe goats, and loads of other things. strawberries, and a few other fruits as well. it is a very exciting thing. new beginnings. also there is a cheese making facility across the street - and the cheese is amazing. that excites me too.

there are some other things I want to say at some point – when I get my thoughts in better order. but until then – ill try to keep things updated. and more pics ill post soon. just a matter of doing it I guess. but ill write more when I return from western Kenya. oh yeah – I found out today that ill be going to Zanzibar for my birthday… so excited…

saturday is here. got to sleep in a bit and woke to coffee and an omlet. things here have still been really busy - but not in a bad way. today we are off to the farm where i soon will be living - and hosting all the boarders from the center in a picnic.. im pretty sure football will be involved as well as lots of eating and chasing all the kids around. im pretty excited - its a beautiful day. the weather here is amazing. its their winter - and it feel so nice. never gets above about 70ish and they say in the hottest of summer its only about 10 degrees more. we are almost at 8000ft here - and the mornings are cool and the nights as well. just enough to wear a pullover and shorts. my kind of weather. as much as i love praha - the weather here just is so nice compared to there.

so thursday we spent the morning in the slums of nairobi. its called kibera - and there are over a million people living in one square mile. there are over 50k orphans alone. this was the main site that the post-election violence took place back in january. it was quite a sight - and i didnt really know what to make of it. raw sewage runs through most of the streets, and houses are about 10x10 with usually up to 10 people in each house. there is one outhouse per 50-60 families. needless to say - it was something i have never seen before. we met with a pastor at a church, named raphael. amazing guy. they have so many really cool minitries there - including one to help women learn a trade. they have a sewing school - and dont charge the women anything - because most cant afford it.

anyway - i will post more later but for now here are a few pics...
and yes i am aware that this is a few days late.





the boarders at the orphanage


patricks farm


me and patrick

well its been about a week since I left mississippi. so much to say that I am not even sure where to start.. ill see if I can just describe what we have been doing over the last few days..

got into brakenhurst around 9ish on friday night a bag short , a bit tired, but here. I couldnt really tell much about anything since it was dark – but the weather was beautiful and cool. when we left the terminal – there were so many people waiting for us to help and to greet us. the kenyans who were there were probably some of the friendliest people whom ive ever met, and although I didn’t realise it at the time –they are quickly becoming great friends. upon arriving at bracken – I started to see how beautiful this place is. the stars were to bright. its so nice to be out in the open among so many new plants that I don’t know.

then I got to meet the team who is here these first 3 weeks. I only knew a few of them – but now I feel as if I have known them all my life. I think our numbers are around 20 total people – of which include about 4 of my new coworkers with global connections. so many things to take in – that it has been a bit crazy. but really fun.

and I headed to bed…

and I have my own cottage.

saturday we headed to patricks house. patrick is the guy who runs the childrens center. his family lives on the most perfect farm that you could ever dream of. his mother has a house there – as well as patrick and his wife with their 5 children. the 35 boarders from LImuru Childrens Center met us there – and we got to meet the children for the first time. they were so cool. we hiked around the property and just got to know them – while just taking it all in. huge fields of cabbage, flowers, and other veggies were as far as you could see to the bottom of the valley. then on the other side of the property – tea fields. but the kids.. man – they were so cool and helping me to try and learn a bit of kswahili. so much fun. I even had my own personal photographer – as one of the kids grabbed the camera and just was taking pics of everything. he probably did a better job than me. getting back to the house – patricks mom told us how she started the center/orphanage. needless to say – we all were impossibly moved. she was so thankful for us – and I felt the same way. such a wonderful lady and family. and we said our goodbyes.

sunday we went to church at the local church – a 5 min walk from bracken – and had a great time. they were so welcoming and loved having us there. I didn’t understand much that morning – but that didn’t stop us from having a great time and feeling the joy that they felt. I haven’t met so many people ever who are so happy – and have so little. at least we think its little.

I guess that leads me to my next observation. ive never been to a place like this anywhere. ive never been somewhere among a people who are so joyful among so much poverty. im not even sure how to describe how the scene looks. narrow roads filled with people walking, growing crops on the roadside, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep and chickens roaming free on the road. the occasional cars passes flying by (on the wrong side to me..) and stores (read - shacks with holes in the sides and maybe a tin roof) with people trying to scratch out a living, lining the streets. then all of a sudden you come to compounds with huge walls and guards and the most beautiful house you could think of. complete with monkeys in the trees and more flowers than you can name. im not doing this any justice – so I think ill move on for now.

monday we were at the newer center all day working. we had several projects going – and got most of them done. played with the kids and hung out with the workers.
tuesday we were at the original center – and it was so much fun. I got to help cook, as well as wash clothes and play with the kids. once again – everything is so different. the ladies who work there and live with the kids are so cool – they just make you smile with one look. then – you get to talking to them and you cant help but just light up. amazing people – and so happy. man it makes me think about so many things. they helped me smile. they were so excited to know that I was staying – and I am not sure ive had so many hugs in a really long time. they were so excited that I was going to be a part of the family! things are gonna be a lot of fun. I spent the rest of the afternoon showing off the football (soccer) skills that I did not have – then we left for dinner at about 5.

and today was spent seeing and helping at several different places that im sure ill be seeing more of in the weeks to come. and as I spend more time there – I will write more. one was an HIV/AIDS support program that my new friends Duncan and Cornell run. the other was a feeding program that an older English lady has been running for a really long time now. I was blown away – and I am so excited to just jump in and see what can happen. but more on that later.

ill be here at bracken until I think the 12th. internet is limited a bit – but I can get on this some. I should get a phone number on friday – and maybe ill know my address soon too. ill be moving to the farm soon – and it is amazing. seriously – it looks like something from the movie out of Africa. we have about 10 acres to farm, an amazing garden and space for hogs, chickens and cows. we even have avacodo trees in our front yard… im so stoked… I promise pics soon.. I miss you all – and if you have not been to africa – you really should. your heart will be blessed.