Wednesday
We share our office space with CHOICE Humanitarian. One of their "interns" (she actually hates that she's been termed that) asked a couple of us to help her with an art project in a local village called Samburu. Of course we jumped at the opportunity. And after a half a day of not-so-effective communication (long story...and you might be noticing a trend here!), we were on our way.
We went to a school where the headmaster selected about 25 students to draw some pictures for us, so that CHOICE can auction them at their next major fundraiser. I never thought it would be so difficult to get children to draw! Most of the kids I know love drawing so much that they have had at least one or two creative forays on their mom's white walls. But it seemed like a totally foreign concept to these kids. They just sat there, markers in hand, staring at us. We finally had to have the teachers who were translating spell out what they needed to do...and it wasn't until we started drawing with them that they really got into it.
In the end, we got some pretty good pieces, which hopefully, with some altruistic art appreciation, will fetch more than a few bucks for the auction.
The best part of the day was trying to get the children to smile. All of their drawings of people portrayed them frowning. We couldn't quite figure it out--until we started taking pictures of them. Then we realized that they just don't smile on demand. You have to work for the "cheesers." I think a lot of it was the fact that we are a peculiar people to them and they're not quite sure what to think of us. Once we earned their trust, it all changed...they were not only smiling for the pictures, but practically mobbing us to see them once we snapped a shot.
At one point, we were all completely surrounded by about 100 students. Suddenly, we felt a little pressure to deliver some sort of entertainment. After a few attempts and failures, we finally found a game that "translated" well from our culture to theirs. I tried to post a video clip of it--but to no avail! But trust me, it was amazing!
This field trip was definitely a highlight of my experience so far. Poor Aaron couldn't break away from work and had to be creative in his diligence, as the power went out shortly after we left in the morning, and was off all day.
Thursday
The ladies went to market to pick up a gift that Abby (one of the roomies) had purchased for her mom. Regular run-of-the-mill trip, until we were intercepted on our way out of our target location by a couple of seemingly unassuming spice dealers. Abby and Nicole were persuaded to buy some vanilla spice, that isn't cheap in America or Kenya. Once the other dealers saw this, I'm sure they thought, "Jackpot!" We were then suckered into following one guy through winding streets to some hole-in-the-wall spice shop. It was actually pretty cool. There were several large baskets and buckets filled with exotic spices. My appreciation for Columbus increased ten-fold. Once the spice dealer knew we were in his clutches, he then tried to double his prices on us. Unfortunately for him, we aren't as stupid as we are white. So...some haggling ensued and we eventually walked away with some amazing spices at a very sweet price.
We rounded off the trip with a stop at Dorman's (the only legitimate pastry shop I've seen yet), and a tuk tuk ride back to the office to pick up poor Aaron, who was working late (are you noticing yet another trend here?). It was a successful evening.
Friday
Ok so, Friday maybe wasn't one of the most exciting days, but we had some interesting experiences. Aaron was in a six-hour management meeting (not the first, and certainly not the last, time this has happened). The rest of us were working in some of the vacant spots in the office (as we usually all work in the board room). While we were working, we couldn't help but notice one of our co-worker's health visibly digress throughout the day. She told us that she thought she might have malaria, so naturally we began to worry. At one point she looked like she was going to pass out. We told her she needed to go home. But, she insisted that she had to finish her work. Finally, when she was sprawled listless across her desk, we went and pulled her manager from the meeting. The manager practically had to force her to go home. Abby and Nicole offered to drive her home...and ended up taking her to the hospital. She found out she has pneumonia rather than malaria. She'll be fine; but I'm certainly amazed at the work ethic and dedication of the people I work with. Having been in HR for the last few years, I've come to realize that qualities like that are a true rarity.
Saturday
The week ended with a much-anticipated and much-appreciated low key Saturday. Aaron got up and went to work at 10:00 and didn't come back until about 4:00.
[I don't know what I'm going to do when these other ladies leave. I conveniently found a scripture I wasn't even searching for that I hope he'll take to heart. (Deuteronomy 24:5) Any outside encouragement would be appreciated. To his credit, I'm actually glad that he takes his position seriously. There's a lot of work to be done in the finance department (which is another post all on its own), and I'm glad that he's willing to do it...even if it means that this is how I'll feel in a couple of weeks.]
But...as soon as he came back, I decided that it was time for me to chop his mop on top. After a five-minute how-to video and a new pair of sheers, I felt a little more prepared than the last time I tried to cut his hair--where the kitchen scissors just didn't cut it (pun intended). Results: one hot hair-cutted hombre. But, I'm still not a pro, so I won't be posting any pics for my beautician friends' fodder. But I must admit that it might have been my greatest accomplishment of the day...maybe even the week.
Later that night, some of our other American friends came up from Ukunda (about an hour away) and we all went to dinner and glow-in-the-dark bowling. Yes, that does exist here, and despite the cramped conditions, it's actually quite legit. It was an awesome night and again, we'll be sad to see people go.
Sunday
Today I was sustained as a (the) Primary teacher and Aaron as the activities coordinator. When the branch president issued the call, he said to me, "The only thing good about our Primary is the children." Ouch! Apparently the sisters who have been serving in the Primary have never actually been in Primary themselves. So...obviously things aren't going to necessarily function like they should. After Sacrament meeting, I went to Primary and it was certainly an interesting experience. I don't want to exploit the other sisters' efforts, but it really does need some work. It's been a while since I've had to teach children. I'm excited for the opportunity, but I think it will definitely have it's challenges. I'm absolutely sure it will be a lot of fun and that I'll have some stories to tell!
After Church, Abby, Nicole and I met up with one of our co-workers who took us to an orphanage. Aaron had to go do home teaching, and so, yet again, responsibility won out. It was a really great experience. The home was started by seven women (our co-worker being one of them), and houses children who have either been abandoned or orphaned. It's actually more like a foster home than an orphanage. People don't adopt children from there, and the woman who now runs the home actually "raises" the children.
When we first got there, a group of about 10-15 children gathered together and sang us several songs. They were all about Jesus and basically how the Atonement gives us worth in our lives. Jane, the one who runs the home, said that she makes sure to teach the children about how much value their lives have and that they shouldn't hate those who abandoned them. I was very impressed and could tell that she certainly has a gift of love.
So much interaction this week with children has been so, so great. It really gives me cause for introspection on my blessings and spot checks the desires of my heart. I believe these children are the perfect example of the Lord's commandment when He challenges us to become like they are.
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