Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 8:  May 21, 2007
Dear Friends, I am so sorry that I am late in updating all of you!  This month has been very busy for me.  The past four weeks has been filled with travelling, meetings, and hosting guests.  It has made the time go by quickly!  I am really looking forward to being back in the states in two weeks. I'm sure the cadets are very excited as well.  It will be so nice to see this session get commissioned.  They are all dear to my heart. I am struck lately with striking similarities and stark differences in culture.  A friend of mine was ill a couple of weeks ago, and I accompanied her to the health clinic. As I sat in the waiting room, I observed the people surrounding me.  (I was the only non-Kenyan there).  I watched as two brothers in front of me started fighting.  The older boy punched the other one and then quickly made himself look innocent as mom turned to see what the commotion was about.  Then, the younger boy pushed the older one off the chair.  I guess sibling rivalry has nothing to do with culture. On Saturday, I had the privilege of taking some guests on home visits in the Kibera Slums.  One visit changes your whole perspective on the world.  It is estimated that one million people live in these slums.  The tiny metal shacks are packed tightly in, and one has to walk on "pathways" about one foot across to get around. We visited one home in which 9 people slept.  This "home" is about 12 feet by 10 feet.  They do what they have to in order to survive.  As we passed one home, a little boy was playing in the dirt outside.  He had three broken brush handles, and as I got closer, I realized he was making "Vroom, vroom" noises and moving them around.  I instantly thought about my twin nephews (they are 4 years old) playing similar games in their living room.  In completely different contexts, children play the same games.   Last week, I had the chance to attend the single officer seminar in Nairobi.  Many of the single officers here have to live in rural areas with very little support.  My experience as a single officer is completely different, but similar themes kept surfacing.  We all need emotional support, healthy relationships, and fellowship.  There is a negative stigma placed on single people in Kenya.  One is expected to get married.  I was touched by the older women Majors who have faithfully served for years without questioning God's call on their life.  It is a much harder situation than I find myself in, yet they serve without complaint. My parents often give me updates on how Daisy Duke is doing in their care (my basset hound).  Very few people in Kenya have pets.  Dogs are either wild or for security only.  The reality is that most people cannot afford to keep an animal that doesn't benefit them in some way.  It is not unusual to find cows, goats, sheep or chicken on Salvation Army Corps compounds.  They are kept to assist with milk and meat.  The officers think it is humorous when I take pictures of the animals and sometimes talk to them.  I'm sure most of you would find it funny as well.  However, when there was a mouse in my office a couple of weeks ago, I was not as gracious.  I shrieked, ran out of the office, and burst into tears.  For those of you who don't know, I'm terrified of mice. It is irrational, but real.  My Kenyan co-workers couldn't help but laugh at me.  They laughed the whole time they were checking my office to make sure it was gone. As I continue to ponder how all people are alike, I adapt to that which makes us different.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to broaden my world view in this way.  I think all people want to be loved, accepted and cared for.  We are all created by and loved by the same God.  Therefore, within the cultural context, I pray God uses me to be loving, accepting and caring.   My verse for this week is: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."   - I John 4:7 I love you all and I will see many of you soon! Armida