Africa Day 3 & 4

Sorry if you have been waiting for the rest of our days. I want to give you enough time to read each post before adding more since my journal is a bit lengthy.  Love you guys and thank you for taking the time to read about our trip. 

May 14,

Today we had another briefing, this time on healthy living.  It is mostly their way of introducing newcomers to the area without overwhelming them.  It was a bit slow considering this is not our first time in a different country, however it was how they do things and we need to be able to conform to different operations.  Latter that afternoon, one of the wives (Cammy) took us to a market to show us a bit of Nairobi.  The market was made of plywood stands covered in tarps and blankets to keep the sun out.  The narrow walkways created heavy traffic throughout the market.  This was good for ship-owners to catch the attention of slow moving people.  I used my opportunity to practice my Swahili; it was quite fun and plenty entertaining for the locals. 

Before we entered the market we noticed a man scoping out our vehicle after we had left it.  I could only guess he saw me using Jessica’s camera in the parking lot, and wanted to see if it was still in the car.  He followed us up the walk way and we lost sight of him as we entered the market.  Gregg had spotted the man both next to the car, and while we were in the market.  Gregg was walking behind us and noticed the man practically breathing down his neck.  He stopped and looked at the man and watched as he changed direction and continued down another avenue.  A few minutes later, the man was back.  This time he had exchanged his hat, and put on a jacket.  Gregg told us to stop, and before he could turn back around the man was gone.  The popular way to steel in Nairobi is to cut pockets with a razor blade.  If you’re good the victim almost never notices enough it.  I caught him to my left through the narrow corridor’s and hollow shops.  After that he was gone again. 

Below is a photo of the market we walked through. The man on the right wearing a baseball cap with the toothpick in his mouth is the guy that was following us trying to get our backpack that the camera was in.

No matter what we do in Nairobi it is impossible to blend in.  Primarily because our skin color is practically a glowing beckon of “rob this guy”.  The best way to blend in is by learning the language.  This tells people that you know about them, and that you have spent significant time amongst them.  I got quiet a few laughs bartering with people.  They asked for more money because they know I can afford it.  That’s when I laid it on them.  I don’t actually have a job in the U.S.  I’m a college student sent by other people with jobs to give them the good news of Jesus.  Often times the response was perplexity.

May 15,

We went to church with the Moffit family at Africa Inland Church.  It was an awesome day to be there too.  The leadership was sending off one of their own to study at a seminary in east Kenya.  When the service started they wanted everyone who was there for the first time to introduce themselves.  We took notes from the first lady do introduce herself.  The blanket statement is (Name, I belong/love Jesus, I am from ______, and I bring greetings from _____ Chruch).  I wondered what would happen in the U.S. if newcomers were asked to introduce themselves.  I think people would feel called out and offended, but the culture here wants to welcome people and genuinely know who is with them.  The preaching reminded me of the Harbor in Okinawa, not because Mark Oshman sounds as cool as a man from Africa, but because the culture challenges their believers with tough love.  The young man leaving gave a message on 2Tim 4:6-7.  He talked about how Paul ran his race, and the characteristics it takes to complete it. 

I was reminded of Matt Chandler’s sermon in Chicago.  One of his common and frequent rants on Paul he said, “I don’t care what you have done, you don’t have a thing on Paul.  This guys is nearly untouchable when it comes to living out your faith.  You can whip him with 39 and his response is “I delight in sharing Christ’s suffering.”  You can throw him in jail, “I’ll convert all your guards and most of your prisoners.”  You can even kill him, “To die is gain.”  This guy is untouchable.”

The young pastor gave a powerful and challenging sermon, and I am excited for his future studies, and ministries.

Afterward we shared chai with the head Pastor who went to seminary in the states.  Have you ever talked to someone and not known what to say?  That was us having chai with the Pastor.  We ate Lunch at the Moffits house, and talked with them about AIM Air.  Mostly it was guys talking about airplanes, and we all know how that goes.  But we did get a glimpse of what it looks like to raise a family in Nairobi.

- Joe