In Kenya!

Chamague!

In Kipsigis that is the traditional greeting. It translates to “Do you love yourself” and the answer (Mising) means “yes, very much.” I’m enjoying getting back into Kenyan culture, even if I find myself a little out of my depth. Being out of my comfort zone is challenging, which is good for me, even if it makes my knees knock together sometimes.

I arrived in Kenya last Tuesday and was so glad to be met by Amy Bemm at the baggage counter! They’d lost one of my bags and having someone to help me figure out all of the crazy that had to happen to get it sent out here was such a huge blessing. Once we’d gotten all of that sorted we headed off to shopping and lunch and (at last) the long drive to Bomet. Luckily I slept through most of the three hours and enjoyed the nap tremendously. Once I arrived I spent most of the evening unpacking and settling in. Last night I hung the last of the pictures that needed to get put up in my room so it feels very much like home in here. It’s so fun to look next to me and see pictures of my family hanging on the wall.

Life in Africa is, by necessity, slower than life in the states. I’ve decided that I’m going to enjoy the time that it takes to do simple things and to find God in the mundane work of washing dishes, bleaching vegetables, hanging wash out to dry, and doing daily battle with the internet. Being thankful for small things and being faithful in doing them has been my greatest learning curve this week and one I think I’ll be working on mastering for a long time yet. I have been blessed with a very neat roommate (a necessity as I can be a major slob) and somehow knowing that Carolyn will appreciate it if the dishes are cleaned up makes it infinitely more enjoyable to do it. Since so much of my time has been spent puttering around the house I’m very thankful that it’s been so pleasant!

I have especially enjoyed my time with the kiddos around the compound. Everyone is bigger than they were last year, most notably Hannah who is getting tall and lanky. My days of being taller than that girl are numbered and I’m glad she’s 4 so I’ve still got a few years of height and weight advantage while tickling left! The three new babies at the Bemm house are tons of fun – Joshua Shadrach (Shaddy), Elizabeth Mercy (Ellie) and Esther Gloria (Esther). Each has their own wonderful quirks and personality and I’ve enjoyed hanging with them in the little nook between the Bemm house and the apartment made by a little valley. The cuddles are quite wonderful.

As for life at the hospital I hope to begin regularly attending Morning Report and rounding (sometimes) as well. Watching surgeries is a great passion of mine, especially cleft palates and stuff in the eye ward. Opthalmology is wonderful because you give someone back their sight, which is incredibly rewarding. Things continue to move along research wise as well and I’m slowly ticking off my list of people to meet with, documents to compose, and things to do before getting started on the study itself.

Well, it’s off to make some Thai Curry for dinner. Indian food is easy to come by here and I’m sure that by the time it comes to leave I’ll have developed a huge appetite for curry. :)

In Him,
Joanna