Fun Times!

Quick advice for living in Kitui:

While brushing your teeth over the toilet, do NOT put your glass of filtered water on top of the tank of the toilet (which is sloped downward). It will in fact fall and shatter against the toilet bowl!

Disclaimer:
Yes, I brush my teeth over the toilet.

No, there is nothing in the toilet while brushing your teeth.

Yes, it was strange at first, now it is completely normal.

There is one sink in our house, which is in the kitchen, and that sink is strictly for the washing of utensils, not for washing your face or brushing your teeth (or so I have been told).

Nzambani Rock:
I have had the privilege of getting closer to some of the awesome women that I work with. As a result, we have had some fun times together!

Two weekends ago I went with MaryJames and Harriet to Nzambani Rock, one of the tourist attractions in the area.

Nzambani Rock from the bottom

View of the valley from on top of the Rock

Mary James (left) Harriet (right)

Kitui is very similar to Fresno in that it is in a valley. Nzambani Rock is in the middle of the valley, so when you climb to the top you can see the entire valley (Ukambani land, or land occupied by the Kamba tribe). Although the hiking wasn't too difficult (and believe me, I was in the mood for a good hike!), it was such a beautiful place to be, and the company (along with all the snacks) made the trip an excellent one!

Birthday Party:
The next activity I got to do was go to the birthday party of Mutheu's daughter Emily. This was particularly special because Emily turned 6, and my niece Serena is turning 6 tomorrow! It was a blessing to be able to celebrate Emily's birthday with her, and to celebrate my niece's birthday in my heart.

Mutheu and Me!

Emily and her birthday cake

Mary James and her baby Jaden

It is a joy to get to know the women that I work with. Although it is sometimes difficult to understand the cultural differences, they have all been so gracious to me in overlooking my blunders and misunderstandings. I praise God that he has placed these women in my life, and that his love is GREATER than any cultural boundaries that we have constructed here in this world.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"

-Ephesians 2:4-6