Kenya Arrival & Graduation
My Dear Non-Existent Readers…
I went to Africa a couple months ago, and started a LONG post about it. I have broken it into sections and will now publish it for your reading pleasure. Have a great day!
I arrived in Nairobi at 8:35 PM on March 3, 2010. I left Nairobi at 10:50 PM on March 10, 2010. I arrived, and was greeted by my long time dear friend, Sammy and his entire family. With the kids having flowers in hand, we exchanged hugs and laughter. Arriving at him home in Ngong, I settled in, took a shower, ate dinner (which I was not hungry but could not refuse – and glad I didn’t when I saw the mangos!) and retired for the evening. I will spare you the long, unforgiving details of two 10 hour + flights that it took to get to Kenya.
The following morning, I woke early to meet my brother Ben. You see, Ben is the reason I went to Africa. He and Sammy stayed with me two years ago and we immediately bonded as family. He was completing the Compassion LDP and the ceremony was the very next day. I surprised him as he didn’t know I was here. Sammy and I snuck into the coffee house that morning and he just stared at me, like I was a ghost or something. We had breakfast at Java and then proceeded to go to rehearsals and meetings that the students were having. Ben just kept looking at me in disbelief. He went from being happy to being mad at Sammy for not telling him I was coming. Sammy is the ultimate secret keeper! After the meetings, Jen Rose, a smart and beautiful girl rode the bus home with me to get my computer so I could do some work at the office. The ride to the house was okay, but I swear, I don’t know why all the time when I have to get on public transport there is only room in the FAR back and as a big girl; it is very embarrassing to have to squeeze through. We walked to the house from the main road, picked up my computer, and then walked back where we hitched a ride on a larger bus with loud music. This bus was much cheaper and much more fun. Arriving back at the office I was able to log on and work for a bit. Then, we had the communion and feet washing ceremony, where I washed Ben’s and others feet. I could tell he loved having me wash his feet! It was a great night. Sammy took me home for dinner and I shortly went to bed. The next day was graduation… I was so excited. This was the day we had all been waiting for!
Morning came swiftly. I got up, got dressed and headed out to graduation. Watching the rehearsal and everyone in their gowns was very moving. I took photos all day with Sammy’s camera – I actually messed up and thought it was a student’s camera so I took tons of photos of him – LOL – SORRY SAMMY! Anyway, the raw emotion was overwhelming for the students. For some it was 18 years that they were in the program and they were saying goodbye. Goodbye to their friends, goodbye to the security of Compassion, and goodbye to their mentors. While some were happy and ready for the change, you could see the stress on others and the sadness in their heart. Large tents littered the Compassion grounds full of friends, family and staff. The white and blue Compassion colors radiated in the sunlight, as if directly beaming blessings from heaven above. The ceremony was long, about 3 hours. We heard from pastors, staff, and many other important guests. The students were given their diplomas and lined up for many photos. I was even called to the front to accept a gift for traveling all the way for graduation. After hats had been thrown, there was food and celebration. Shortly after, Ben and family left for a great party at his mother’s house. It was a wonderful time. Food galore – goat, rice, mango, and other African assorted food was piled high onto each plate. It was then that Ben had a great surprise (of course I knew about it)… he was going to propose to Faith. Right there. I had the ring and Stush started to play African Queen… Ben got down on one knee….and YES! WOOHOO! More celebration, dancing, singing, speeches and more. It was a time of rejoicing. Having to get back for Sammy’s curfew, we left and started the trip back to Ngong. Of course, we got stuck in the jam for about two hours. When we arrived home, I played with the kids and then went to bed, exhausted. The next day held even more adventure. I could feel it in my bones.
I went to Africa a couple months ago, and started a LONG post about it. I have broken it into sections and will now publish it for your reading pleasure. Have a great day!
I arrived in Nairobi at 8:35 PM on March 3, 2010. I left Nairobi at 10:50 PM on March 10, 2010. I arrived, and was greeted by my long time dear friend, Sammy and his entire family. With the kids having flowers in hand, we exchanged hugs and laughter. Arriving at him home in Ngong, I settled in, took a shower, ate dinner (which I was not hungry but could not refuse – and glad I didn’t when I saw the mangos!) and retired for the evening. I will spare you the long, unforgiving details of two 10 hour + flights that it took to get to Kenya.
The following morning, I woke early to meet my brother Ben. You see, Ben is the reason I went to Africa. He and Sammy stayed with me two years ago and we immediately bonded as family. He was completing the Compassion LDP and the ceremony was the very next day. I surprised him as he didn’t know I was here. Sammy and I snuck into the coffee house that morning and he just stared at me, like I was a ghost or something. We had breakfast at Java and then proceeded to go to rehearsals and meetings that the students were having. Ben just kept looking at me in disbelief. He went from being happy to being mad at Sammy for not telling him I was coming. Sammy is the ultimate secret keeper! After the meetings, Jen Rose, a smart and beautiful girl rode the bus home with me to get my computer so I could do some work at the office. The ride to the house was okay, but I swear, I don’t know why all the time when I have to get on public transport there is only room in the FAR back and as a big girl; it is very embarrassing to have to squeeze through. We walked to the house from the main road, picked up my computer, and then walked back where we hitched a ride on a larger bus with loud music. This bus was much cheaper and much more fun. Arriving back at the office I was able to log on and work for a bit. Then, we had the communion and feet washing ceremony, where I washed Ben’s and others feet. I could tell he loved having me wash his feet! It was a great night. Sammy took me home for dinner and I shortly went to bed. The next day was graduation… I was so excited. This was the day we had all been waiting for!
Morning came swiftly. I got up, got dressed and headed out to graduation. Watching the rehearsal and everyone in their gowns was very moving. I took photos all day with Sammy’s camera – I actually messed up and thought it was a student’s camera so I took tons of photos of him – LOL – SORRY SAMMY! Anyway, the raw emotion was overwhelming for the students. For some it was 18 years that they were in the program and they were saying goodbye. Goodbye to their friends, goodbye to the security of Compassion, and goodbye to their mentors. While some were happy and ready for the change, you could see the stress on others and the sadness in their heart. Large tents littered the Compassion grounds full of friends, family and staff. The white and blue Compassion colors radiated in the sunlight, as if directly beaming blessings from heaven above. The ceremony was long, about 3 hours. We heard from pastors, staff, and many other important guests. The students were given their diplomas and lined up for many photos. I was even called to the front to accept a gift for traveling all the way for graduation. After hats had been thrown, there was food and celebration. Shortly after, Ben and family left for a great party at his mother’s house. It was a wonderful time. Food galore – goat, rice, mango, and other African assorted food was piled high onto each plate. It was then that Ben had a great surprise (of course I knew about it)… he was going to propose to Faith. Right there. I had the ring and Stush started to play African Queen… Ben got down on one knee….and YES! WOOHOO! More celebration, dancing, singing, speeches and more. It was a time of rejoicing. Having to get back for Sammy’s curfew, we left and started the trip back to Ngong. Of course, we got stuck in the jam for about two hours. When we arrived home, I played with the kids and then went to bed, exhausted. The next day held even more adventure. I could feel it in my bones.
posted by Nic at 3:22 PM
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