June 2017
Kenya was not what I expected or assumed it would be. The people, animals, lifestyle, views, everything were so fascinating and so above and beyond what I could’ve dreamed. I made so many life-long memories/friendships and took so much joy and love home with me. I’ll never forget the children and the way they treated holding your hand like the world’s biggest accomplishment, or the way they had close to nothing materialistically but happily gave their little bit to you and shared with each other, or when one of them would catch your eye and you’d smile at them and they’d get so happy they covered their huge smile with their hands and turn away blushing. I’ll never forget watching Kelvin read English words and how proud he was. Or Nairoko’s look of pure astonishment when I hugged her. Same with Luca when I carried him on my back. Besides the children, the people were (mostly) so amazing. I loved when we’d drive up on a wild animal and David would tell us these random but awesome facts about it no matter the species. And Julius’s lion story was the coolest thing ever. We met this woman on the line (digging the trench) named Jacline and over a day I got to know about her past, kids, job, and life there which is one of many examples of the relationship we all built with the people. As far as struggles go, the blatant sexism was insane. A man laughed at me when I said I believed all humans were equal. And we learned men aren’t above hitting their children, or their wives.. Another man described to us how it’s the woman’s job to build the house, as well as get the water and make the meals, both tasks that take multiple hours. And when addressing groups, they address everybody, and then women, who have to sit in a different area. The hardest part is that none of this is bad or wrong to them because its all the women know. But they carry themselves with such grace and pride and beauty nevertheless. When I return, I hope I really get to know them. On this trip the biggest spiritual times happened for me not in any of the churches, but on the safari. Just looking at the other side of the world, the vastly different but equally beautiful and breathtaking nature, landscape, and wildlife was the coolest thing. I think I actually got a lot out of it spiritually that I still haven’t fully noticed but will continue to unpack as I deal with everything that happened and focus on what matters.
-Lindy
