Greetings from Nairobi!

We continue to enjoy great weather lately with sunny skies and warm temperatures.  I'm told there is more snow in the North East U.S. and wonder what you are all contending with.  Now that I am in a country that has never seen snow, I miss it terribly.  Though you may all be thinking I'm nuts, I've learned that it is all about Point of View.  From my viewpoint, those of you who live in areas where there are distinct seasons are lucky.  The view from under one or two feet of snow may not be as positive.

This past week, we hosted a group of young adults from a school in Norway.  These 30 students came and completed projects at Kabete Children's Home, Nairobi Girls Training Centre and Variety Village.  Their enthusiasm for the schools and the children  was contagious.  On Tuesday, I brought them to the Kibera Slums.  As many of them returned from home visits, they were sullen, crying or contemplative.  One young man talked of his distress and hurt over the living conditions he witnessed.  It struck me that I seem to be no longer affected by what I see in Kibera.  My point of view has changed.  I now look at it through eyes of someone who has seen it countless times.  I know what to expect; I know what it is like for those surviving there.  I still want to help make a difference, but the shock and awe of the situation has worn off.  I'm not sure if that is a good thing.  I'm scared that this perspective will leave me apathetic.  How do you get back the viewpoint of someone witnessing this extreme poverty for the first time?

I'm also contemplative about others' point of view.  Though I have tried my best to assimilate and adapt to the Kenyan culture, I always look at situations with my worldview.  Being on time for an event is generally not important in the Kenyan culture.  A 9:00am starting time could mean anytime before 12noon.  Just because punctuality is important to me does not mean it is the right way to live.  My experience here has slowly permeated the boundaries of my life to make me a more flexible person.  I have to constantly imagine myself looking at a situation from someone else's point of view.  This makes me look at myself as others might see me.  What do I want them to see? 

I hope that when a child sees me approaching, they see someone who loves them and will try to protect them.  I hope when one of the centre managers gets a call from me, they feel support and expect Godly guidance.  I hope that when I meet adults around the country, they experience friendliness and unconditional grace.  I hope that when I am alongside my co-workers, they sense cooperation and easy conversation.  I know that is not always how others view me, but it is something to strive for.  I want to live my life as a reflection of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Armida LaMarr

Armida LaMarr
Captain
Social/Education Secretary
Kenya East Territory