Nairobi Orientation

We are in Africa!! The thought still makes me smile :) We arrived last night and because of a little switch up, it was thought that we weren't coming until 6am this morning, but we saw someone with an AIM Mayfield guesthouse sign who was there to pick up others going to the guesthouse and they said they could take us. So we called our Kenya shortterm facilitator who talked to him and knew him, so we trusted it was safe and packaged all of our bulky bags along with those of a family of six plus an adventurous solo traveler's bags in the back and on top of the church-sized van to the guesthouse. Since they weren't expecting us for the night, they didn't have room for all of us at the normal quarters so Alyssa and I stayed in a room still inside the complex but through the yard, under some clotheslines and around the corner to a place where the workers normally stay. I think the innworker was sad to have us stay there and we felt bad that he felt bad, because as we are learning, hospitality is so important to Kenyans, especially when you are from america, that they want to give you the best and do anything they can even at their own expense. But we didn't mind one bit! Infact it was kinda cool to experience that, and the quarters were not at all bad, it was simply a small room with cement floors and regular walls, one bunkbed with a mosquito net, and a side table. This morning we got moved to the room they prepared for us and we feel as though we are in luxury, the room is like an american room with four beds and a Kenyan touch! The guesthouse very much has a feel of like a camp on the lake, only Africa style. The three from my team and a girl we met at orientation who will be spending the next six weeks in the Nairobi slums, Kibera, (the second largest slum in Africa I believe) is staying with us too! It is absolutely beautiful here and the people are wonderful and warm! They feed us well and at Atlanta orientation we all bought the water bottle that filters itself so we can drink the water wherever we go. We are getting over jet lag fairly well and more excited than ever for the days to come even as we prepare for hard times. The Kenya shortterm facilitator (He is american but lives here) came to meet us this morning and took us for a walk to the local grocery store, market, and walmart type store here in Nairobi to get anything we needed. He also took us to a local coffee place "the mug" where I had Kenyan coffee for the first time and where he told us a vast amount of information (we have packets to study too) all about the culture, etiquette, people, health, safety, importantance of spiritual life and guidelines, etc. etc. and answered many of our questions! He is very friendly and had so much incredible advise that we would have never known had he not told us! At Siyaipei we will have a Kenyan facilitator who is a native Kenyan and who will be the go to for all questions on local culture, prices, etc. We have met many missionaries here at the guesthouse and it is like an amazing family, everyone being believers and many of whom are passing by on thier way back to or on their way to North African countries, and are amazing to talk with and learn from. They all are so wise, I feel like a sponge that can not seem to soak up enough of thier words. This afternoon we are going to go outside and study our books, practice Kenyan culture, work on our swahili, have tea time (a practice we hear almost all people from Kenya observe, setting aside a time to simply sit, chat, and drink chai!) and then watch Lion King!! Also fun fact, today is a holiday here, like Kenya independence day! Dont worry, although we are living quite well here, when we get to Siyaipei we will be living in what many here call "the bush," although they say it is rural, they also say it is not far at all to the nearest town which has most things we need! This only makes us more excited and we are much anticipating Siyaipei!! :) We will be going to experience Nairobi church sunday and heading out to Siyaipei on monday! Anyways, I could talk for hours already but I must conclude. I hope and pray that all is well with all of you!