My Kenya: Year in Photos (part 3 of 3)

Although the journey into Kenya is just beginning I continue to be amazed at what God places before me. With eyes ever forward and hope heavenly, I know that whatever plans He has for year two will challenge,  strengthen, astound, and bless me.

Courageous

Where did all the fathers go? 

A leading headline to one of Kenya’s newspapers on Sunday.

The article went on to say that there has been a steady decline in fatherhood over the past years. The survey done shows that Kenya has one of the highest numbers of single mothers in Africa. It’s not enough that there are over 2 million orphans in Kenya, one of the highest number in all of Africa, but the decline of the traditional African family of support for life is fading too. While there are numerous factors for this change a point researchers all agree upon is that in Kenya single motherhood is strongly associated with greater poverty.

In church we prayed for the men of Kenya as well as Kenya in general. A positive thing to do around the world, but also an alarming call for help. Being a father is not always glamorous and standing for what is right when the path of ease calls out may be a temptation, but lasting strength comes from the Father. The battle of the mind and heart start with the decision of who you choose to follow.

“The only way we’ll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us  courageous
Lord, make us courageous”
— Casting Crowns

My Kenya: Year in Photos (part 2 of 3)

My Kenya: Year in Photos (part 1 of 3)

Rarely can photographs do justice to the vibrant colors and action I’ve tried to capture. How can you put what God has created into a small frame of contrast and color and still be true to the story? Although the attempt was there patience and understanding are still required of the viewer to look through the fuzzy frames and rough edges. I suppose it is much like God looking at us and seeing what we were created to be rather than the imperfections of our sin. In any event the photos are merely a small representation of My Kenya: year one. Thank you all for your support!

Strange Bedfellows: My Kenya

From the drone of the bush plane to the cry of the bushbaby,

Banana leaves and pine needles mingle with the wind.

Dead rats on doorsteps, horned chameleons on gates,

Laid back lifestyles, no need to be irate.

Machetes vs lawn mowers, road animals vs safari animals,

Burning rubbish by the side of newly painted houses.

Humanity photographing the circle of life,

Humanity creating ecological strife.

Equatorial sun chasing away frigid nights,

Thick red dust coats the dampness of the deafening rains.

Immediacy of now for the drivers of Nairobi,

Step out of the vehicle and “Kenyan time” takes over.

Glaciers of Mt. Kenya and beaches of the Indian Ocean,

Wealth engulfed by poverty and poverty’s struggle for wealth.

Misquotes that carry death in the night,

Screens on windows nowhere in sight.

Charge of the rhino and mid morning tea,

Donkeys pulling goods and goods driving people.

Forty plus tribes amid expats galore,

Capitalistic tendencies pushing to explore.

Walking with “twins” where few dare to tread,

Upside down gender roles curious looks surround.

Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink,

KPLC please fix our power so we can pump water to our sink.

Nakumatt, Village Market, Dagoretti and Toi,

Goats with furniture by the side of the road.

Frequenting KVC and WNS,

Doorman’s or Java which is the best?

Rhinos and ox-peckers, coffee and tea,

Pavements and pot holes, round-a-bouts and roads muddy.

Kawangware and Westlands, men with sticks and guns,

Al-Shabab explosions, protection of sons.

Churches and mosques, haves and have-nots,

Anxiety and Joy, to hospital for shots.

Symbiotic or coexistent? Seemingly strange bedfellows indeed,

The ebb and flow of my Kenya: year one.

Operation Grow

“Help me! My top hat underwear is falling off!” And Benjamin came prancing out from his room with a pair of Mickey Mouse underwear on his head. It seems that his head was bigger than his bum and his head-piece was sagging. After getting help readjusting his elevated briefs, he called out to his brother, “Michael. Now we can finish our tea party!” Having a spare pair of underwear on hand, or rather head, is always beneficial in the uncertain world of potty training.

While we in the adult world may not run around with our back-up plans on our heads, we never-the-less keep them close.  A new school year has begun, my wife is again running off to do complicated things with numbers, and I am home with two imaginative beings who never seem to tire of adventure. But this year will be different. Or so I tell myself. This year I know much better what is in store for me….no longer the novice stay at home dad. This year we will start anew and discover so much more. This year I’m in so much trouble.

Earlier today Benjamin said to me, “Pops, let’s take a nap without a pillow.” So we toddled off to pretend sleep without the comfort of the pillow. Ahh what rebels we were. There is so much we can do within the confines of our comfort. Or so we tell ourselves. We play at doing a lot of things in our lives but never get beyond the front door. Stepping out the door to embrace the uncertainty, regardless of our best laid plans, is not easy. Certainly I have my back-up plans in mind as my wife walks out the door each morning, yet certainty that they will work is another story all together. Modeling for them positive ways of discovery while allowing them free choice, when it’s reasonable and doesn’t involve swinging a machete, will certainly help them to grow into inquisitive thinkers. As a teacher I learned the value behind capitalizing on a teachable moment. I also learned that sometimes it helps to create the environment for teachable moments to occur. This year’s planned opportunities of growth include trips to an orphanage, play/help at Heshima, Bible study/play groups, and reaching out to those in need around us. Stepping out in faith is a must. It’s also a necessary thing to model. Of course if you know me at all you realize that I will also join in on a tea party and drink my broccoli strawberry soup that the lads make me from their pretend kitchen. Who says that learning and growing must always be serious?

Furthermore whatever fancy name we give to our underwear, at the end of the day, it’s still just underwear. Where we choose to wear it is what makes us stand out.