First impressions

(Top: My view from the office. Not too shabby, eh? Bottom: My desk)

Right now I'm sitting at my own desk in a non-profit organization in Kenya, and I love it.

For the past few days I've been getting to know my host family and host organization, Beacon of Hope. They have me doing orientation this week, so essentially

I'm spending time with all of the different departments and programs that Beacon of Hope offers.

I'd give you more details about what Beacon of Hope offers, but then I'd spoil my first article for World Next Door, which should be up sometime next week!

Check it out (when it's up) at www.worldnextdoor.org.

The director of the program, Jane Wathome, is absolutely incredible. The organization she's created is fantastic, and her attitude to ministry and community building is inspiring. I have a feeling she's one of those women I'm going to model my life after.

Yesterday I spend my morning with the Social development office, which is the starting point for those who come to Beacon for help. I think it's my favorite department so far, simply because of the people. The staff is all fairly young and excited about what they're doing, which, considering the circumstances (HIV/AIDS patients and extreme poverty) is pretty amazing. They put me to work with the revolving fund, filling out check receipts and then totaling them in the computer. It's complicated, but similar to filling out a checkbook registry. First day on the job and they have me doing math. Haha what are the odds.

In the afternoon I moved on to the kindergarten, which is filled with 144 of THE CUTEST children I've ever seen. The first time I walked through, 40 to 50 of them (not an exaggeration) ran towards me and want to hug me. Sometimes standing out is ok. I sat with them through a class and then went back to the main office.

Today I was with the youth resources center, which provides opportunities for young people in the area to use computers, a television, and a small library. In addition there are also a number of clubs run out of the office, including a very dedicated drama club. Most of the rest of my day has been spent with them, watching them practice for a competition they will participate in during July. As soon as I sat down with they pulled me towards the stage, so today I played a nurse in a very complicated play they'd written about a captain's daughter who is smuggling drugs in her uterus. Hm. Not at all what I expected. Still, very talented and fun people.

Outside of work, Kenya is incredible as well. I've stayed true to lifelong promise to myself that I'll eat anything while traveling, which in this case has included cow intestines (which were fantastic) and whole, uncooked tiny fish (bones included. Not so fantastic). I spend most of my time with my Kenyan brothers, who are 23 and 25. They already protect me like I'm their sister, and have promised to show me what Kenya's like for someone young.

No idea what that means, but I'll keep you updated.

So far it hasn't been too much of a shock culture wise, although there are certainly things to get used to. The fact that there isn't really a language barrier is fantastic, and I've taken full advantage of asking questions about relationship customs, government, foreign affairs, universities, faith, and traditions. I'm going to run out of paper I've taken so many notes already!

However, the home where I'm living does employ a servant, which I don't think I'll ever be used to. I try not to think about the fact that she is the one who cleans my room (even if I tell her she doesn't need to), cooks my food ect.

The experience is far from over, but I feel at home here. Really, I think I fit here better than I have in any other culture, which I find a little odd.

They've asked me if I'll return and I haven't really given an answer ... but I know I will. I'm falling in love with Kenya.