Because Peter and I can't clearly understand each other, often our conversations are like trying to solve a mystery. We work really hard to talk slow and motion with our hands and pull out the small English and Swahili phrases that we each know. And sometimes we are left staring at each other frustrated because we have no idea what the other one is talking about. Take yesterday, for instance. I went to juvenile with Popo for devotions. And of course, without exception, things were disorganized there. Some other random man had also come to do devotions. But no worries, Popo and I sat and listened and added some things at the end and sang some songs with them. I realize when I hear other people speaking to the boys, that not everyone is cut out to minister effectively to them. Alex and Popo have been blessed with being really hilarious and because of that they can easily get the boys' attention and get them to listen. When this other man was speaking every few minutes he would pause and say, "you, why aren't you listening? you, I'll kick you out. you, you're being disrespectful, etc." obviously you have to ignore some of this stuff or you'll never get anywhere. anyway, he mostly had them listening I just don't know if they were really letting anything sink in. And at one point he kept talking about how God wants to make you rich (and not in the spiritual sense). This is a common message that I hear a lot, even last time, and it really bothers me. I think God wants us to bless others and live in a way that we are able to share and help others, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, after this I went with Popo to the Salvation Army church in Kibera. There was no room inside so we were just standing outside until the pastor came and insisted that I couldn't sit outside. I really didn't want to go in b/c it appeared that Popo was getting left outside. But Popo made me come in, and I had to sit in the front of the church and Popo was given a seat on the stage, which made him feel really uncomfortable too. I had no idea what was going on because the entire service was in Swahili, so Popo kept texting me updating me on what was going on, "They're praying for the pastor b/c he's having surgery", etc. I know...texting in church...bad right? I would never let myself do that in the U.S.
Anyway, back to Peter. I came home and the house smelled like smoke. I asked what the smell was and he said he didn't know. I thought it might be coming from outside b/c people are always burning trash. And I had Peter start cutting vegetables to make lunch. Then a few minutes later I found a very burned towel in the trash. And I said, "Peter, did you catch something on fire?" After much struggle with communication I got the basic idea that he was cooking chips (french fries) and either the grease caused a fire on the towel or he accidentally got it caught in the flames. And to put it out he had thrown water everywhere. Everything was wet: the floor, the dishes, the flowers in the window from Popo's graduation. I wasn't mad about the fire. I mean let's face it: I do silly klutzy things like that all the time. But the fact that he lied to me about nothing happening was really irritating. I don't know if he thought I would be mad or what. I was also concerned about getting the floor dry because i fell down yesterday from it being so slippery and I don't want Peter to fall. I feel bad that he is in the house a lot by himself. I've been trying to work with him on his math and writing his letters, but I feel limited by what I can do because I don't speak Swahili. His English has improved though. Ashley talked with him on the phone last night, and she could tell a difference from when she left. Peter has a doctor's appointment this afternoon, so we'll see what happens.
i was with the street women this morning. everyone, (meaning Alex, Rachel, Tall, and Julius), is in Mombasa (not sure if I mentioned that), so I was there by myself. Popo had other things to do today. I arrived and there were 3 women for about 45 minutes. I talked with them as best I could. Mama Vincent arrived and that helped because her English is perfect. She hasn't done drugs for the entire week and she has moved into a house! She looked very clean and nice today. Praise God! The pastor never came, and I thought he wasn't going to show. So mama Vincent and I went to buy food. I never knew where they got the food from, but I learned today that it's a little nearby "slum" restaurant sort of. It's just this little tin structure down the road from the church. I thought maybe I could get food and eat with them too, but it was really really dirty...worse than most places I usually eat, so I decided maybe not. I got chapati though...somehow it seems cleaner to me b/c it's been fried and isn't sitting in a dirty dish. Probably isn't...just a mental thing. We went back to the church and of course now there were 7 more women and the pastor and all sorts of kids. They spent forever arguing about coming on time, etc. And the pastor just sort of lets them talk and discusses it with them. Finally I said, "um, are we still talking about coming on time?" (i wasn't sure b/c the conversation was in swahili) They were; and I said, we need to move on. you know the rules and the consequences and that's that. and finally they finished up this discussion and moved on to the Bible. Seriously, do we need to have this same conversation every time? Follow through, please! I watched the babies while they talked. And can i just say that watching 6 kids under the age of 3 is really hard to do by yourself. One girl peed her pants and it was all over the cement and she was playing in the puddle. Mugo, one of the babies, is super mean to the kids. His mom is never around. And everyone punishes him by hitting him, which in turn just makes him hit the other kids.
By the way, I should have been saying how thankful I have been because lately I've been taking lots of hot showers! I think because we've been having less people staying at the house that there's more hot water to go around. It doesn't stay hot super long, so you have to be snappy and turn it off while you're shampooing your hair, but it does get hot. The water situation is still iffy. Usually it's off during the day. But on Friday I came back and there was no water at all, and we hadn't stored up any extra as we normally try to. I barely had enough drinking water to brush my teeth, and there was absolutely no way I could wash my face. Popo got up early and nicely asked the landlady to fix the problem. She didn't have water either and so somehow she pumped water into the storage tank. The water tanks are on the top of the building in a large black container. But we store water in some kind of cistern underneath our apartments. there's an opening for the cistern right by the gate where you enter into our compound. So I don't know if she pumped it from there or what but it was quite glorious to wake up and be able to take a shower.
Lately people keep making comments about my nationality. Several people have asked if I'm from China or Japan...seriously people? One girl told me she thought so because my eyes were small. And then as I was walking the other day, someone said, "hello miss. where are you from? Egypt?" Rach and I are always trying to guess where other mzungus we see are from. We're usually able to narrow it down pretty easily based on what they're wearing or how they're talking. it's strange though b/c when white people see each other here, it's like we're uncomfortable or something because we never maintain eye contact. People look away instantly almost as if we don't want to acknowledge the fact that we stand out.
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