Be Careful!! Asante!

Hello Everyone!

Thank you so much for the many messages. I am using someone else's internet card so this will be another short post. I have disconnected from the internet as I type and I hope this will work. I am still learning my way around this technology. I cannot respond to everyone right now and the blog will be the easiest way to stay in touch. Do know that I appreciate the messages though. Also know that I am quite happy to NOT be in -41 weather!!

I am fairly rested although this morning I awoke at 2:30 am and had some trouble falling asleep. I am sure my internal clock will readjust eventually. Everyone here is so gracious and I have been welcomed generously. Asante is thank you and Karibu is welcome. I have heard both phrases often here and I am sure I will become a more gracious person by the end of my time here. I find myself saying asante many times in a day.

I have been lucky enough to get to mass yesterday and today--the mass is at 7:00 am and is only a short walk from the Catholic Guest House (Tumaini House). Today the pastor's message was on the Gospel of Mark 6:45-52 and seemed so pertinent to my journey as I prepare to leave for the IDP camp. The reading is the feeding of the fishes and loaves (my friend Liz in MPLS called me a fisher of people when I saw her) and I got a new spin on it from the homily. The priest talked about how the people were being organized into groups of 50s and 100s and when we organize we must be careful. We must make sure that we do not only want to give but that we are ready to receive as well. That everyone has something to give and everyone has something to receive and in this way we are all blessed. How beautiful. I will be careful in this regard--not that I don't realize that I have much to receive from this experience.

A funny story: yesterday I tried to take a shower but could only get ice cold water....oh, well, since it is not 40 below here I dived under and braved the cold! Later I found out there is a switch that turns the hot water on so this morning I relished the warmth. Live and learn. It won't be the last lesson I have.

Yesterday the staff oriented me to the work that they do. They have many good projects of which I will write more about as I see them. The staff prayed with me yesterday and I feel well protected in that regard. Elizabeth not only works for CAPI but she is a pastor and I think she can move mountains with her words.

The next four weeks will be a French immersion for me. Hopefully I manage somewhat. I have found out that I will be returning to Nairobi January 31 so that is earlier than I had expected.

CAPI is part of a gated compound that has a school so as I sit here I hear the laughter of many children as they are on break. Apparently one of the women who works elsewhere within the compound has some ties to one of the Deaf Schools. I will meet her upon my return in February. I will have much more to say but for now I should end since I do not want to use too much time here on this card.

Asante for your prayers, thoughts and good wishes. I can already tell that this will indeed be the experience of a lifetime.

peace,

Suzanne