Dancing Grandmas and Avocado Wars

With ABO being two thirds done, I’ve settled into a comfortable routine here. We leave next Tuesday! I’ll be at RVA in a week, PTL. =) It continues to be cold here – I am wearing every long-sleeved shirt and jacket that I own at the moment. I unfortunately turned in my sweatshirt for washing on a rainy day and it hasn’t been sunny enough yet to dry it off . . . I’m COLD! I’ve also been dragged out on some long runs with Meghan, who is training for a half marathon when she gets home. I’m not quite used to 5+ miles in this altitude. Helps me sleep well at night. The food . . . is . . . passable . . . but we had another birthday today so cake and ice cream for all! Woohoo!

Highlights:

We went back to the same school this Sunday. I couldn’t help it, I got on my ‘teacher voice’ and did a little talk on respect before we launched into our lesson . . . and guess what, the lesson went perfectly and everyone was attentive. No more reading the newspaper or waving sticks around while someone else is talking. I also enjoyed a precious time after with a bunch of girls, chatting about life in Kenya versus the U.S. and learning new Swahili words. Unfortunately all I remember is “suti ya Mungu.” Literally “suit of God,” . . . or naked. Clever.

Today was our “cultural scavenger hunt” in Machakos town. My group was intent on winning the prize for the best relational experience . . . and I think we might have done it! Sarah, Meghan and I were browsing through the market for some sisal baskets when I spotted a strange looking instrument. When I asked how it worked, I got a great demonstration from Mama on how to shake and sing. This demo snowballed into a full-out song and dance fest with maracas, tambourines, and the original washboard-tambourine combo I had spotted in the first place. Mama, her old mama, and the three of us busted into some praise songs, complete with African dance moves (or so I attempted) – and I got the whole thing on video. Meghan promises to upload it for me when she gets back to the states. We are crossing our fingers for the prize tomorrow!

A Prayer Request:

We found out today that a former RVA student died from hear t issues. He was a sophomore from Wheaton and out here for an RVA reunion when he fell sick. His family is very involved in AIM and this will affect the extended AIM family a lot. Please pray for his parents and four siblings. We had a sweet time of prayer this afternoon, but then were encouraged to rejoice in his salvation. It is a reminder of how fragile life is, but how great is our assurance in our Savior.

And another story:

This afternoon I was lying on the grass with two other girls, just chatting and watching the clouds go by. Suddenly, I heard a whistle and a thud – and a shooting pain in my forehead. As we looked around for the perpetrator, our DIRECTOR, Loren, peeped sheepishly out of the kitchen window and announced that he meant to startle us, not knock me out with an AVOCADO. I found said avocado, and after examining the dent my head had put in it, tossed it back at him. It, being quite rotten, splattered a bit against the bars of the kitchen window. Loren grabbed the remains and hurled it right back – and score! Green ghostbusters slime splashed across Megan’s jacket. Gross. It’s a good thing he didn’t hit my last clean jacket or we would’ve had world war 3 – avocado style.

OH – the black stone – love to my researchers. It is actually a cow bone, treated with a milk and charcoal regiment. When placed on a snake bite, it sucks the venom out. These are for sale here if you want me to special order one. (Martha?) The zapper is a ‘missionary special’ that involves a motor of some sort and a hand crank and an electrical charge that neutralizes venom. This is totally not proved by doctors but totally reliable in the missionary world. Hopefully I’ll never have to use either.