Karibu Kenya! (Welcome to Kenya)

It's really the little things.

Love these folks already!

It’s funny how flying makes you feel deep, thoughtful, and sentimental....and also really giggly. I've barely slept or ate in almost 24 hours and the silliest things are making my day (or night? Jet lag has taken it’s toll).

On the flight to Istanbul, there was the cutest little boy whose IPad was obnoxiously loud and he kept popping up over the seat to stare at people. It was adorable and cracked me up. In one of the meals there was a salad that was literally 5 leaves of lettuce, a half a cherry tomato, an olive, and a slice of cucumber. I’m not sure why, but I thought that was hilarious & it was delicious! That will probably be my last salad until May L

Once we arrived in Istanbul we actually got to walk down stairs coming out of the plane like the President or celebrity and we were able to be outside and breathe Turkish air! In the airport, we got to try authentic Turkish delight for free and Paige found Wi-Fi and was able to update people on our safety via Facebook. The funniest part of the layover in Istanbul was listening to Jake pronouncing Swahili words (shout out to Kaitlan for making flash cards!) in quite the accent…if you know Jake I’m sure you can guess which accent I’m taking about J

Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Credit: Paige Alston

Once in Kenya we moved into our new rooms. Paige and I were placed in Patience Hostel with one Kenyan named Vienna. She has been great so far and has fun laughing at the questions we silly Americans have.

The next day after we were able to sleep in, we discovered that many in our group had bed bugs. Apparently there has been an outbreak in Africa, but not to worry, they fumigated the hostels. I only had three bites total when many others in our group were covered. I’m sure we will all laugh about this one day.

The Dulous that helped our group all weekend/week with orientation was absolutely amazing and I thank God for them. Dulous means 'student leader' in Greek and they are the kindest most welcoming people I have ever met. They are so patient and devoted to us and making sure we have everything we need.

We have enjoyed so many get to know you games, heard so many riddles, and played so many rounds of hide & seek! It is a blast! The people here are hilarious and have such great senses of humor. We also have learned a lot about Kenyan time...which means basically, you get where you get when you get there and that is that. Whenever we have plans that get changed (basically every day) we just say "Karibu Kenya", or TIA (This is Africa). 

Photo Credit: Dara Veenstra

Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool. Soaking up some sun outside of the pool. 

On Sunday, they took us for a hike (which ended up being miles) to some huge rocks to climb and have Sunday morning church (devotionals, sharing testimonies, and worship) on the top of the rocks. Let me just say that everyone in this group is amazing and obviously here because of God and I cannot wait to get to know them even better. This trip would be totally different if one of us wasn't here. I feel like each one of our personalities are such an asset to the group as a whole and I am almost never without a smile or cracking up at Tyler being spontaneous or joking about being Wzungo (white people) and how much we have to learn.  It is so great to have so many photographers on this trip as well. I cannot say enough about how much I love everyone already. We will be forever family and bonded in ways I can only imagine.

Kenyan boy who decided to join us on the rocks. 

I could get used to worshiping on a mountain... :)
Photo Credit: Dara Veenstra

Classes. I am taking Public Speaking, an African history course with our group, a one-credit seminar with our group, African Society and Traditional Religions, African Philosophy and Religion, & Christianity and Islam in Africa. So far I have attended African Soc. and Trad. Religions & Public Speaking. We debated gay marriage in Public Speaking which was interesting because Kenyans are VERY against gay marriage. It is very taboo and looked down upon... especially for men. In African Soc. and Trad. Religions we talked about evolution and someone asked if human kind originated in Africa, why there were white people? What an interesting question to encounter, esp. when you are the only white person in the class. Haha. It is so interesting to hear the African perspective on controversial topics we have in America like gay rights, Obama (who is basically a HUGE celebrity here), and Christianity.

During one of our free times (which are many here), our Dulous took us right outside campus to the equivalent of a strip mall to get fresh smoothies and juices. They were amazing! The food here is great! None of us have gotten sick…yet J It is a lot of rice, goat meat, and salad (cooked coleslaw with onion and carrots basically). They have different meals almost every day, but the same ones on the each day of the week. So far my favorite is spaghetti with ground meat and cilantro! YUM!

Fresh Smoothies & Juice
Photo Credit: Kaitlan Spencer (kaitlanspencer.wordpress.com)

On Tuesday we went to our first Chapel. It was amazing. The message was about change and my favorite quote from the sermon was “The Gospel afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted.” We sang songs in Swahili and English. It was truly something I will never forget. Later that night I went to the Worship Night/Revival where we worshiped and listened to the different campus groups like Sing Africa. So amazing!

I have officially done laundry by hand. It is not as hard as I thought, but it has rained a lot the past two days so my clothes have gotten multiple washings on the line J Haha.

That is all for now. Tonight is more worship & tomorrow, I kiss a giraffe.

Nakupenda, Jess

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!

On Your Mark: 
These past five days were spent saying many goodbyes. On my last day of classroom observation in Chicago Ridge, I received "advice" and many cards from the fourth graders in the class I have been observing since September. They decided to surprise me at the end of my last day and lined up to read their cards out loud and smother me with hugs. What a blessing those children are. My desire to become a teacher has never been so affirmed before. The next day, my family threw me a little going away party. Talk about delicious food!

I got an apple from a student :)

So blessed with going away gifts from my students, family, and friends. 

Get Set:
Packing. What an experience. It is so hard to pack for the unknown. Here is a photo of my life (for about 3 months) in two 50 lbs suitcases, one carry-on, and a back-pack:

I packed light right?

Go:
Thus begins the journey of a lifetime. I am nervous. I am excited. I am frightened to leave. I am ready to go.

"I know Who goes before me, I know Who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side."- Chris Tomlin 

The beautiful thing about studying abroad is that I have no clue what to expect! The sights, the smells, the people, the food, the culture- everything will be new to me. Yet, I know that I can fully expect that this experience will challenge me and make me grow- and that is what I want. Studying abroad is one of the coolest experiences I have ever had the privilege to take advantage of, and I haven't even stepped outside of the country yet! It has already began changing me for the better and I hope you all look forward to meeting the new and improved 'Jess' in May because I cannot guarantee I will be the same one you sent to Africa when I get back. 

The next 104 days will be spent with friends (new and old), families, professors, and the occasional giraffe. It will be filled with much laughter, many tears (joyful and sorrowful), beautiful smiles, the occasional sunburn (OK probably more than occasional for me), stomach issues (hopefully not), shouts of joy, praises to God, and some deep self-reflection.

I want to look back on this trip and know that I made myself step outside of my comfort zone and followed God's will for my life. I most nervous about the culture shock and the things that will be out of my control-like the elections in March. I am most excited for the wildlife, the theology courses, making new friends, and church!

I will not have an address in Kenya and my phone number will be different so please only contact me through email, Facebook, and this blog. I will be in touch as soon as possible with some potentially funny travel stories & group pictures! :) Please be praying for our group as we head out into the unknown on this amazing journey!!

(If you want to check out what the weather is like where I'm at, use The Weather Channel online for daily weather updates!)

One Week Left

Today marks one week left in the States! I have been spending lots of quality with my family, church family, and friends. I am so blessed to live close enough to Trinity so that I could continue to complete student observation hours in Chicago Ridge over break. I have also been able to visit my friends at Trinity and participate in and attend Outcry (weekly worship service led by Trinity students).

Tomorrow is my last day student observing and it is going to be hard saying goodbye to all my fourth grade friends. They have been a great first class to observe and have made me smile everyday I am with them. I can only imagine how hard it will be to say goodbye to everyone else. At least I have the comfort that it is a "see ya later" and that I will be reunited with you all in 3-ish months :)

As I prepare my heart for this journey, I have been trying to soak up every moment with my loved ones and have had the most encouraging advice given to me from many amazing people. After hearing their stories about how God has moved in their lives and how they hope He moves in mine, I am more than thrilled to embark on this journey. In fact, like I have alluded in my first post, I believe it has already begun!

I want to share a few verses, videos, songs, quotes, and prayers that people have shared with me or have been on my heart a lot lately. I hope you are as encouraged by them as I am! (Feel free to watch, listen, and read any or all of them- just click the links).

Psalm 121

Philippians 4:13

Psalm 139 (v16)

"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." (This is the quote on my ring that I wear every day). 

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. -Thomas Merton Prayer

God of Justice- Tim Hughes

SEP Kenya-This film tells the story of how Special Education Professionals (SEP), have been able to give hope and improve life for children with special needs in Kenya.

Heshima- Heshima is the Swahili word for dignity. This program is the kind I would want to start or work for. One that not only helps the children, but also helps educate the community about special needs, and helps the parents provide for their families and for their child's education. 

Hope you are encouraged!!!