Seek ~ Grow ~ Love

Swahili Lesson

My Swahili name, given to me by our Kenyan MOHI friends: Akinyi Nafula

It means, Akinyi - very early in the morning; Nafula - in the summer


If you look closely, you can see our lesson on the board!

Matatu - little van like bus

Mungu akubariki (aku-ba-ri-ki) - the Lord bless you, singular

Mungu awabariki (a-wa-ba-ri-ki ) - God bless you, plural

Asanti sana - thank you very much

Jambo - hi

Naenda (na-en-da) - I'm going

Nyumbani (n-Yu-mba-ni) - home

Nitakuombea (ni-ta-ku-om-be-a) - I will pray for you

Tafadhai fanya hivyo (ta-fa-dha-li fan-ya hivy-o) - Kindly do that

Kunywa chai (kun-ywa chai) - take tea

Chapati - cooked and rolled tortillas, really good!

My experience in Kenya was moving and inspirational on many levels.

I am increasingly convinced the best way I can continue to help is to celebrate and encourage all of the people living and serving in Nairobi, support the work of Missions of Hope International (MOHI) and sponsor children. The change that takes place here is long-term. The approach taken by MOHI is good, authentic, relationship-based and sustainable.

If you want to learn more about getting involved and supporting the work of MOHI: http://mohiafrica.org/

You can support the work of Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF) and their partners around the globe at: www.cmfi.org

Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all.

Galatians 6:9-10

Now What?

Our new found friendships and the deep human bonds formed through service are not easily broken. We are strengthened individually, and collectively, through our time together in Kenya.

Now we embark on the journey home to reflect on all that we have seen and experienced, to cause some change in our lives and the lives of those around us, to embrace some new layer of service, hospitality, compassion as we move forward in our respective lives in the States.

Forever moved and happily transformed.

Sarah & Lynnette

Happy, healthy, enriched and forever changed.

Katie & Sarah

It's good.

Our Final Hours

Our final hours in Kenya add another dimension to our experience. We have a lovely time visiting with the Redfords and wind down our experience at a fantastic outdoor dinner.

All is going smoothly, perhaps too smoothly. Out of nowhere, a torrential rain storm dumps monsoon quantities of water on us – drenching our dinner experience and causing an electricity outage. Now we are dining by tiki light and listening to the gushing sounds of rain!

(I am making this sound nice; almost quaint in a rustic, romantic way... It is also true to say we were freezing, tired and had 18 hours of travel ahead of us!)

We hastily conclude our dinner and pile into the van for an precarious commute to the airport.

This was earlier in the week, don't we look rested!?

There are no street lights, the streets are not really fully paved... What happens when you ‘just add water’?

Well, driving gets interesting! We had an exceptional driver who navigated us safely through the flooded streets, terrible city traffic and pitch black dark-of-night to the airport – just in time for our flight! Well done Wellington!

Kazuri Bead Factory

Kazuri is Swahili for “small and beautiful”

The Kazuri Bead Factory began 30 some years ago as an effort to provide employment means for single moms. Now, this is a vibbrant business employing hundreds of women (and a few men!) to make beautiful, handcrafted, beaded jewelry. These items are sold through retailers around the world.

We toured the factory, interacted with the workers and shopped extensively in their store – all in the name of supporting economic empowerment, of course!

Giraffe Park

When you visit a giraffe park, you expect to see giraffes – that we did – up close and personal!

They are beautiful creatures that gracefully move their very large forms through the trees, saunter up to see us and even eat food right from our mouths!