God's Creation
Yesterday was the last Saturday of VAC. Since I'm ready for the new term I decided to hike off campus and finally find the waterfall. I made it to the river and followed it for quite a while. Eventually I ran into a old shepherd who directed me. He was pretty shocked that I was there, but I was thankful that he didn't switch into English to talk to me.
When I was sure I was lost I came across three kids grazing their cow. The 10 year old and her little brother led me 25 feet to an amazing lookout and the edge of the waterfall. With all the rocks it was hard to see the water actually falling so eventually I asked if they would led me to the mouth. It was a little scary to watch a 7 and 10 year old climb around on the cliff.
At one point I choose higher ground because I am much bigger than a 7 year old, which meant I was much closer to the edge - in my mind. Either older brother joined us at the mouth and we all just watched the water. I asked to head back to the first view and after a few pictures they 10 year old asked me to sponsor her at school. We have been taught not to because it sets a president, so I explained that I already teach 190 students and that seemed to help.
On the way back I realized quickly that I was not headed on the same trail I had used to come. Thankfully, I found myself on a road and eventually ran into a wonderful Kenyan old lady who said she was headed to the big road I needed. I was pretty excited that she didn't switch to English either. As I mentioned my Swahili is limited, but I still had a wonderful time listening to her. She talked to me and everyone else we met on the way. I know enough that I was able to figure out her legs were hurting her because of her age and that she wanted to go slow.
I also figured out that she planned to take me as far as the slit in the road and then point towards my home while she went into town. It made me smile that she told this to every person we met. Kenyans are very communal so they talk about everything with each other. At one point we picked up a farmer who was out trimming trees with his machete. He walked with us for a bit too.
When we finally made it to the fork in the road the older women (Mama Wamboi) told an older man of her plan. He switched into English to tell me it was okay for me to spit off. I wondered how she was going to say goodbye if no one who new English helped her. I kinda hoped she was just stop and gesture and send me on my way, but she must have been worried I wouldn't get it and end up coming with her.
I said thank you in Swahili and she said, "God bless you." That one I hadn't heard before and was glad the man translated. It was a wonderful thing to hear from an older women.
About 45 minutes from school I came across another elderly shepherd. With his machete in hand he quickly told me she was a shepherd and not to ever be afraid of shepherds even though they often have old clothes on. It was so sweet of him to reassure me. I did my best to listen and speak in Swahili. After a bit he asked me for new boots. Since I had not money with me and was still pretty far from campus I explained that I would bring him boots if I ever saw him again. Kenyans often tell people what they want to hear but don't intend to follow through. It's part of their shame culture. They feel it's better to lie than to tell someone no. As much as I don't agree with this, I felt okay telling the man something we both knew would never happen.
About 30 minutes out I remember that I was suppose to leave for the airport to pick up students at 4:00 so I quickly made it back to change, pack some dinner and get ready. It turned out that we left 30 minutes later, so I had plenty of time to rest before we left and I was glad I had gotten to enjoy the day hiking.
It took 2 hours to get to the airport, but it was wonderful to listen to a missionary biography on audible while watching the countryside that I have come to know. I wondered if our staff driver would want to talk, but we both just sat and enjoyed the quiet of the ride. At one point the locks on the back doors of the bus wiggled open and we had to pull over so I could close the doors. Although it was fascinating to run through a bus on the side of the road to pull the doors back closed, I told the bus driver I was glad it had happened now and hoped it wouldn't happen on the way back when we had all the luggage in the back.
When we arrived my job was to go in and collect the kids. I went through security and they were quite confused why I was entering through departures. I thought they would have been more familir with adults coming for Unaccompanied Minors, but they finally directed me to the counter and chairs I needed. After a short wait the first wave of kids came out. Once we collected bags I let them go get food since we had a bit of a wait for the next group. It was a little strange to let 5 students leave by themselves to find food, but I trusted the fact that they had been through this airport numerous times, are responsible and would stay together.
About an hour later we had everyone and were headed onto the bus. Somehow we picked up three extra kids on the list, but with the ability to call school we made sure they were accounted for and we had exactly the number of people to fill the bus. Thankfully, we made it home safely.
It was quite a day seeing God's creation in it's various forms. There is something to be said for the fact that God is everywhere and sovereign over all.
When I was sure I was lost I came across three kids grazing their cow. The 10 year old and her little brother led me 25 feet to an amazing lookout and the edge of the waterfall. With all the rocks it was hard to see the water actually falling so eventually I asked if they would led me to the mouth. It was a little scary to watch a 7 and 10 year old climb around on the cliff.
At one point I choose higher ground because I am much bigger than a 7 year old, which meant I was much closer to the edge - in my mind. Either older brother joined us at the mouth and we all just watched the water. I asked to head back to the first view and after a few pictures they 10 year old asked me to sponsor her at school. We have been taught not to because it sets a president, so I explained that I already teach 190 students and that seemed to help.
On the way back I realized quickly that I was not headed on the same trail I had used to come. Thankfully, I found myself on a road and eventually ran into a wonderful Kenyan old lady who said she was headed to the big road I needed. I was pretty excited that she didn't switch to English either. As I mentioned my Swahili is limited, but I still had a wonderful time listening to her. She talked to me and everyone else we met on the way. I know enough that I was able to figure out her legs were hurting her because of her age and that she wanted to go slow.
I also figured out that she planned to take me as far as the slit in the road and then point towards my home while she went into town. It made me smile that she told this to every person we met. Kenyans are very communal so they talk about everything with each other. At one point we picked up a farmer who was out trimming trees with his machete. He walked with us for a bit too.
When we finally made it to the fork in the road the older women (Mama Wamboi) told an older man of her plan. He switched into English to tell me it was okay for me to spit off. I wondered how she was going to say goodbye if no one who new English helped her. I kinda hoped she was just stop and gesture and send me on my way, but she must have been worried I wouldn't get it and end up coming with her.
I said thank you in Swahili and she said, "God bless you." That one I hadn't heard before and was glad the man translated. It was a wonderful thing to hear from an older women.
About 45 minutes from school I came across another elderly shepherd. With his machete in hand he quickly told me she was a shepherd and not to ever be afraid of shepherds even though they often have old clothes on. It was so sweet of him to reassure me. I did my best to listen and speak in Swahili. After a bit he asked me for new boots. Since I had not money with me and was still pretty far from campus I explained that I would bring him boots if I ever saw him again. Kenyans often tell people what they want to hear but don't intend to follow through. It's part of their shame culture. They feel it's better to lie than to tell someone no. As much as I don't agree with this, I felt okay telling the man something we both knew would never happen.
About 30 minutes out I remember that I was suppose to leave for the airport to pick up students at 4:00 so I quickly made it back to change, pack some dinner and get ready. It turned out that we left 30 minutes later, so I had plenty of time to rest before we left and I was glad I had gotten to enjoy the day hiking.
It took 2 hours to get to the airport, but it was wonderful to listen to a missionary biography on audible while watching the countryside that I have come to know. I wondered if our staff driver would want to talk, but we both just sat and enjoyed the quiet of the ride. At one point the locks on the back doors of the bus wiggled open and we had to pull over so I could close the doors. Although it was fascinating to run through a bus on the side of the road to pull the doors back closed, I told the bus driver I was glad it had happened now and hoped it wouldn't happen on the way back when we had all the luggage in the back.
When we arrived my job was to go in and collect the kids. I went through security and they were quite confused why I was entering through departures. I thought they would have been more familir with adults coming for Unaccompanied Minors, but they finally directed me to the counter and chairs I needed. After a short wait the first wave of kids came out. Once we collected bags I let them go get food since we had a bit of a wait for the next group. It was a little strange to let 5 students leave by themselves to find food, but I trusted the fact that they had been through this airport numerous times, are responsible and would stay together.
About an hour later we had everyone and were headed onto the bus. Somehow we picked up three extra kids on the list, but with the ability to call school we made sure they were accounted for and we had exactly the number of people to fill the bus. Thankfully, we made it home safely.
It was quite a day seeing God's creation in it's various forms. There is something to be said for the fact that God is everywhere and sovereign over all.
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