Segovia, Spain

Today I toured a town not far out of Madrid. The roman aqueduct was constructed at the end of the 1st century. The Cathedral was built in the gothic style in the mid 1500´s. And the Alcazar castle has been around since the 11th century with updates happening with each successive resident.

Madrid

My first day out in the town!

Gatwick and Ryanair

Yet another delay. I guess its to be expected. Especially with cheap Euro airline Ryanair. So I leave at 10:30pm instead of 9pm getting me in at the fresh hour of 1:30am to Madrid.
Gatwick is kind of a weird airport. Out of the way as well. You don't get a gate number until about an hour before you leave. So we're all just in the common area.
Well, I did just get a water and magazine so I at least have that.
Til Madrid!

Eating ugali!

Kisii

Last week Sasha and I stayed the week with missionaries in the town of Kisii,Kenya. Lovely week! Great service (bible studies and I did a presentation or two-ok, just one- with a mixture of english/swahili) and GREAT FOOD! After 2 weeks with Kenyans eating a bit too much carbohydrates for our tastes, we were so happy to have a good variety of food- yummy salads and fruit, pancakes, coffee, carrot cake, stromboli, fried chx with mac and cheese,squash, lasagna. It was a treat.
So we got a taste of what its really like to live here that week. Which was actually quite nice. The people are friendly and are easy to start up Biblical conversations with. The toughest part is that because of the crazies that come out at night, they can't preach (or really be outside at all) after 6pm-ish. The missionaries solution? Watch a lot of movies! Hey, you can only study and read for so long.
Outside of the city (Nairobi, Mombasa) you really don't see women wearing pants at all. They told us that up til 2 years ago in Kisii that a women wearing pants in town would be stripped naked!
Other than the picture with the missionaries in their home, I've included 2 pics of our afternoon in nearby Tabaka. this is where the soapstone items are made. Awesome pieces! If it weren't stone and weigh so much I would have loved to buy more because it was really incredibly cheap.
Shelley, she was truly a pro at bargaining. I've seen a lot of people do it well and I think I'm alright myself. But Shelley is in a league of her own. It was fun just to watch her. She knew what everything was really worth so it helped having her along.
A third missionary couple that lives there are in the circuit work here in Kenya. It was interesting hearing from the wife about the different tribes here and how you can tell which tribe they are from by their name. There are like 42 tribes here in Kenya and it is a big part of life. in fact, they introduce themselves by saying where they are from/their tribe.
Before entering the circuit work, this couple was assigned to Sudan for awhile. The work there is open to preach to the Christians. Because more so are in the south, the branch office is actually moving from the capital of Khartoum to a southern town (i forgot the name of). She explained to me how they preach there. They go up to a home, introduce themselves and ask their name. if the name is a Christian name, they proceed with presentation. If its a Muslim name, they ask if they know of any Christians in the area. And if the householder asks them any questions, they are allowed to answer. But they themselves can't take the initiative in the conversation. Only answer. If they don't ask anything else, they have to move along.

2 days in Cairo

My head is spinning. What a packed 36 hours I've had here. I'll post pictures this week sometime.
But in the meantime, in brief, here's what I've done-
Friends of a friend met me and picked me up yesterday at the airport. They showed me around a few spots of the city, took me up the Cairo Tower (187 meters high)and we ate some good food (although Deborah and I nearly froze to death with the AC-come on people. need you put it up that high???) Then we spent the rest of the evening with more of their friends (ask me personally and I'll give you more details of that)
Today I paid for a tour of the Pyramids (just as cool as you'd imagine they are), the Egyptian Museum (WAY cooler than you might think- over 300,000 artifacts. And I saw lots of mummies!), and the big market-Khan el Khalili (YET another shoppers paradise I've visited)
So at this point my head is throbbing but it was a great day. I just headed out for some cheap (because I've spent all my money at the bazaar) good egyptian food. And now I'm ready for some rest.
A few observations-(getting a little distracted by the men cheering at the soccer game here in my hotel! i think the floor almost shook!)
They told me yesterday here in Cairo you smoke about 40 cigarettes a day of second hand smoke- I believe it! I swear everyone and their 10yr old son is smoking. I had to tell the guy at the bazaar today that I DIDN'T want to buy the t-shirt with the camel smoking for my 5yr old nephew. Why put the smoking camel on t-shirs that small????
Speaking of the bazaar, those men can work it. They are clever tying to get you to spend more. They keep layin on the compliments (oh, you are such a beautiful woman) Yea, I don't fall for that boys! I want this and this and this and I want it for 50 pounds, no more! So save your lame compliments for the next gal.
The city has 20 million people! Wowser! There joke is there are 2 wonders of the world here-the pyramids and the traffic~
And the drivers are very communicative with each other. They ask for directions while driving. My taxi driver got in a fight with a motorist about who had the right of way-quite heated! (and speaking of this, i'm glad i had been trying to learn arabic numbers the 2 days there because otherwise i would have had no clue how to find out the taxi fare from this guy. he no english, me no arabic!)
The city really is a drab color. Everything kind of has that smog look to it. They tell me the city was formed in 960 (or so) but the pyramids date back around 2500 (or so) BCE.
Everyone offers you something to drink. The hotel, a shop, a jewelry store. Part of their hospitality-tea, coffee, cola.
Ooh, I got to see a presentation of making papyrus. I videoed it!
Pretty nice people in my brief experience. When they ask where I am from, they all tell me they like Obama (oh my goodness was that a big thing in Kenya! Because you know, his father was Kenyan. So his picture is up everywhere there. And I'm told by some other foreigners that it just reaffirms in their minds their preexisting theory that all black people originate from Kenya :)Its a big tourist area. So everyone is treated well (as long as you spend the money!)
Ok, i really need some advil now (and I just jumped up in my chair after the screaming from another goal) So off to my room!
Next stop-London

Mombasa and the Sign field

It seems older, more interesting buildings than Nairobi. It is the 2nd largest city and located on the Indian Coast. 50/50 Muslim Christian (I've gotten so used to listening to prayer callings and singing of the Muslims I know what time it is when they start. "oh, 7pm already!")
It was first invaded by the Arabs than later conquered by the Portuguese. And later still by the Brits. Lots of pretty mosques around. And hotter than Gehenna! We stayed with a fairly well off by Kenyan standards witness family (they have 2 cars!) Young boy liked to "impress" us with his tails of torture at school (teachers still allowed to use corporal punishment) Small 6yr old daughter definitely a princess but still charming none-the-less. Odd young witness brother showed us around. Kept asking questions like "how is it being surrounded by Africans"? "was it hard for neutrality with the black americans during the Obama election?"
Got ripped off a bit buying souvenirs but they were the first ones I bought since I arrived.
Affluent territory-talking to gardeners and gate keepers. So to preach to the Muslims they use the special track. And they also talk about family and security. We heard how one Muslim woman studied the Bible there and progressed to the point that she wanted to go out and tell others the good news. Well, she husband would have none of it. He killed her and buried her in the backyard.
They did tell us that there aren't many terrorists tolerated in the country though. Kenya depends a lot on tourism from safaris so they need western relations to be good.
The Indian Ocean there-the warmest ocean i've entered by far.
I preached one day with 2 brothers in sign language. We chatted with 13 deaf people that day!Man were my feet tired at the end. Found 2 older deaf brothers that have 3 other deaf siblings living and some nephews as well. Lots of the deaf worked at kiosks in the city center. I am told many deaf there are followers-they will go where other deaf go. So this has happened with our meetings sometimes. But not all have pure motives.
I was impressed the following weekend back in Nairobi just how many deaf came to the sign lang meeting. Nice showing. Maybe 20 or more. Saturday meeting was hard to understand for me but Sunday I stared to get it and even commented.
The sign for happy in Kenyan sign looks like the chicken dance :)

Final thoughts on Kenya

Well, after waiting for years to be able to visit Africa, I made it. And the 3 weeks breezed by. Really the whole trip came together so well. And the fews things that went wrong kind of just added to our overall experience. And its already over.
Sasha and I are just discussing how its so difficult to put into words our overall experience there. something its really hard to describe unless you've been there. So for now, I'll just let the pictures speak for me. And who knows? Maybe later I'll add more of the humorous stories.
It was definitely an incredible experience and I'm happy we were able to take it.

Concierage Alice

Alice-our personal chef, travel agent, personal assistant, concierage and basically anything else we need. Almost every arrangement we have made has been thru her. We want to stay in Nairobi-she has family there. Mombasa? A friend there. Go to a national park? A brother-in-law with a car who can take us. A neice in Bethel that has invited us to stay 2 nights before we leave. And I'm told if my arrangements in London fall thru, she has a sister there too!
Jehovah's organization is such a wonderful thing. Its so great to be a aprt of a worldwide brotherhood. WE come across the world not knowining anyone, and we're welcomed into one's homes and fed and given a place to sleep. Its a unique thing among Jehovah's witnesses you dont' hear about among other religions. We are truly united in belief-same watchtower lesson being considered, same assmebly discourses. And we can trust each otehr because we live by the same moral code found in the Bible. It's a nice feeling.
A funny story on this topic-Alice tells us that a man in her village has a nice hotel nearby. and he wonders why the mzungus (white girls) aren't staying there. She tells him because our brothers and sisters are putting us up in the village. So he starts spreading a rumor around this small village that the white girls have family here. Well, this was a shock to them all. But Alice explains we are a spiritual family Jehovah's witnesses. The man says, "oh, I didn't realize you were close like that."

Search Work in a Slum

So...as you all know, I just haven't had much of a chance to do new posts here in Kenya. They do have a lot of internet shops, but we were often accompanied there by locals. So I was always brief. And then my computer AC adapter broke so I couldn't even write them and send them later. Anyway, I'm at the bethel home in Nairobi tonight before I leave early morning. So I'm gonna try and send a couple more entries. No pics though because there is no USB or SD port here.

Going back in time 2 weeks ago-

Well, my first week has already flown by in Africa. What a week it's been. I've been to the biggest slum in Africa (yes, ALL of Africa!), went to a national park, saw some animals, and helped set up an assembly.
First off, to the slums! On Tuesday I made arrangements to accompany the sign language congregation in their search work for more deaf. Little did I know the location that day was WAY across town in Kibera, the largest slum. I was brought there by a young brother I assumed would be joining in our work. But no, he was just bringing me all away across town and went back to school work. I felt so bad-it was SO FAR (just one of many times here I've felt treated like a princess. It's embarrassing but they're just trying to be helpful and hospitable to us.)
So this place was such a maze- I have no idea how they keep track and don't get lost (I'm pretty positive I would search for hours unsuccessfully for a call). It's huge!There is one main "road" entering it. From above it just looks like a sea of tin roofs. No running water or lights but somehow TV's and cell phones everywhere (you see the priorities). I would have LOVED to take some pics but not exactly the kind of place you want to whip out the camera. But considering, pretty orderly and not too dangerous.
I guess it does get aid work there since it is such a well known big slum but nothing makes much lasting effects. All the kids would follow or stare at me and say "mzungu (foreigner) How are you?" I thought it was cute til a missionary tells me it is derrogatory since they are making fun of white people. We found 2 deaf men and talked with another deaf woman who already studies the Bible with a sister. One deaf man seemed really interested that the brother come back and visit him. He was just working in this slum. He told us he's single because while pretty, the women in his village have the virus (HIV).
This used to be a veterans lot from WWII I'm told. But popl has grown and its cheap so many people reside here. We did another visit of a deaf return visit. He works in a restaurant and we tried to explain to the owner (maybe his dad I couldn't tell) how helpful it would be if he learned sign. As of yet there are no publications in Kenyan sign but they are currently working on something in translation. There is 1 cong and 5 groups in the country. So they use the Enjoy Life brochure a lot to teach them with its many pictures it's an easier way to get them to understand.
It's so touching to see the loving concern Jehovah is showing to the deaf ones. All over the world our brothers are working hard translating material into sign languages for them. And I've seen personally how these formerly overlooked, often teased individuals blossom with this attention. They gain friends, confidence, and a hope for the future. And of course most importantly friendship with God. It will be interesting to see how the work here will progress in the future when the DVDs become available.

Assembly

While Sasha and I visited a small visited a small village, they had their special assembly day. They actually construct an assembly hall behind a kingdom hall with posts and plastic gunny sacks. So we helped them construct and clean on Saturday. And attended the assembly on Sunday. I was like a 5yr old just listening for the 5 or so words I knew and ticking on my paper every time I heard it. But the bethel speaker took pity on us and started announcing which scripture they would read in not only Swahili but English as well.

Tsavo East National Park

Kenya-Karibu!!

After an 18 hour flight delay (perhaps a prelude to what traveling in Africa will be like) I made it! At 1:30am. Ouch! But thankfully Sasha (a friend from back home in Cass Lake that is here with me) was waiting with a few local witnesses. Was I ever happy to see them. Part of me was trying to be prepared for them not being there since I was SUPPOSE to arrive at 6am the morning before. I was struck by the contrast from the huge and bustling Bangkok terminal-this one was so petite and hardly anyone there. Plus, its out of town a ways so it seems quite remote.
We are staying with a witness sister that is a school teacher. She has a modest house on the school grounds here. And she lives with 3 of her 6 daughters (2 are already married) and her brother. Its very convenient that it is not too far from a kingdom hall that is where the sign language congregation meets! That made me quite happy to hear.
Sunday after sleeping 5 hours I managed to get up for the English meeting at 8:30am. I was feeling pretty good hoping to stay on for the sign lang meeting at 11am. Wrong! Half way thru the English meeting the tiredness attacked me quite forcefully-I barely kept my head up there yet alone for 2 more hours in sign where its dead silent. Wasn’t gonna happen. Next week! But I did get to meet a few in the congregation and one deaf guy too. So my hope is to preach with them some this week.
And…that was basically all I did on my first day here. I really crashed! In and out of sleep all day. I went along to the market to buy food for dinner. We ate ugali (which is a staple here in Kenya). Its made out of water and maize flour. They eat it with their hands and dip it in their vegetables (pea plant leaves which are cooked like spinach). And their was some unidentified meat too(sometimes its better just to eat and not to ask). According to Sasha, this has been her meal everyday here so far. Breakfast was white bread with butter and honey (as has been our lunch too, but we bought some 8 grain bread to vary it up and oranges). So lots of starch is what they eat.
We did chat a bit with the sister last night and another brother from Mombasa (on the coast here). Learned more than we cared to know about the trials of being a teach at an all-boy school for adolescents 13-18. And we also found out what some of the spiritual hindrances are for people in Kenya. Higher education is a big draw for many here. There is a lot of family pressure especially when you are a good student. And that’s about as far as I heard before I crashed yet again;)
Today we got a cellphone to use while here and I got my money exchanged. Did some hand washing.
The 3 daughters at this house seem to SLEEP all the time. I’ve been kind of laughing with Sasha about it because it seems that they stay in bed almost all of the day. Hmm. They are 18 yr old twins and the other is probably about 20. Not sure what is up there.
Well, tomorrow I am hoping to go out with the sign language group in the ministry to preach to the deaf. Should be fun. And we are also hoping to make it to bethel tomorrow or Wednesday.
Until the next time, Mandy