We are enjoying our first Saturday in Machakos. Machakos is the small Kenyan town where we are going through Africa-Based Orientation. We are somewhat isolated on Scott Christian University’s campus where we are staying in a dorm. It has been good getting to know others who have been serving or are on their way to serving in various places in Africa.
Hannah, you're not in Michigan anymore!
An African Perspective
We are also being challenged by the information presented in our sessions. Duncan Olumbe and W. have been giving us cultural values and discussing African worldview. It is so helpful to be given a different perspective on missions and the church. Duncan is specifically interested in helping Africans become missionaries. With Hope Africa students, the potential for cross-cultural workers is huge.
While we are in our sessions, the kids have their own age-specific lessons on African culture. They are enjoying learning some facts about Africa as well as doing crafts and spending a lot of time in the sunshine. We are eating some interesting foods but the kids are doing a great job in beijing of finding something they like and not complaining. We eat in the same dining room with the Scott students and are getting to know some of them and their stories. And as you can see in the photo, they are having some uniquely African experiences (thanks, Alicia, for the photo).
Take A Hike
This morning we went for our breakfast of corn flakes, milk, chai, orange slices, and boiled eggs. The whole group then hiked
Samuel and Joel in woods just before summit of Mt. Iveti
toward Mt. Iveti (approximately 7000 feet compared to 5000 ft here in Machakos). Samuel and I made it to the top with about 15 others. It was a 4 hour adventure and we had many local children along for the walk. There were some amazing views over the valley below as we walked through coffee plantings and terraced fields of maize.
From Grandma T:
This looks fantastic, Way to go Sam! Love ya, Grandma T
From Reed & Virginia Beard:
Joel and Janette,
Thanks for this update. Our Missions Committee met this past Sunday and you were certainly in our thoughts and prayers ~ and you are every day.
God’s best to you!
Reed and Virginia
From David Kratzer:
It is exciting to think about what God is doing in you through such experiences as these. May God change you, and change us as we join our hearts with yours, as you learn solidarity with your African brothers and sisters and learn to look at life and the world from their perspective.