Installment 38

Installment 38
“What time does the 1:00 flight leave for Nairobi? I asked. “It will be leaving at exactly 3:00” Notaclue, the airline airstrip operator answers. “But it is after 3:00 now” I say. “Yes, it will be leaving Lodwar (another town) at 3:00 on the dot” Notaclue says with a straight face. “OK, then, what time will it be leaving here for Nairobi” I press. “The schedule says it will leave at 1:00 sharp” he says. “So, what time should I be at the airstrip?” I wonder out loud. “Don’t be coming any later than 4:00” he replies. So, at 4:00 Jeff drops me off at the strip and I begin to wait. A little bit later I get a call from Jeff; “The flight is delayed until 6” he informs, “I will come get you and we can eat at English Lady’s, which isn’t English Lady’s any more.” He comes, and we drive towards El’s, (about 15 minutes away). About 10 minutes in, we get a call from Carla, who is at EL’s saying that some other confused passengers just got a call from their travel agent informing them that the plane was at the strip and they needed to get there fast. “Aha.” says Jeff, “we can beat them back to the strip.” Going like 60, Jeff delivered me back to the strip, with my elevated adrenaline from going like 60, around, thru and everything but over….(and maybe that too), bicycles, piki pikis, and donkey carts…..just in the nick of time to not see the airplane….which ‘is coming’, and is ‘already there’. By this time, Jeff is speaking Swahili of some sort. And I am praying for his soul. Now you may have caught me in some exaggeration in the past, but this time it’s all true….including doing the ‘leave and return’ thing twice. Shortening an otherwise boring story, I finally said my last goodbye to Jeff (who seemed relieved) at 5:00, because the airplane ‘is on it’s way’. Oddly enough, and I know you won’t actually believe this, but almost immediately thereafter, the plane came at 7:00. Lucky for me, I had an 8 ½ hour layover at Nairobi, which had been modified to about 1 ½ hrs, so I didn’t have to wait so long…. So began my transition back to the 21^st century, and my journey home….and because the flight from Nairobi, for some strange reason, started in Africa, and therefore TIA applied, we were held in Amsterdam for about 45 minutes while they rechecked our passports…..before we were allowed off the plane. And after only 9 hours in the air in conditions that they won’t allow chickens to endure, the mood, as you can imagine, was quite joyous, with many versions of Swahili being shared.
Now, about my time in Africa. If you haven’t been there, well, you haven’t been there. I started the journey, really, shortly after we got home from our October trip to Africa. Having enjoyed the ‘food’ and ‘roads’ so much, I told Sandy that I just had to get back before my body completely healed. January 31, I was back consulting with Victor and on my way. The rest you know….and some of it is true, but I’m not even sure what parts. It started off with a hard 1^st night in Kenya, but progressively got worse….just kidding. Traveling alone was different, and other than being alone with 400 other people, I seemed to take it ok emotionally, even with the problems that I encountered. Once at Instep, I suddenly remembered that the place is over-run with kids, and had a wee bit of buyers remorse….and had to re-hone my evasion skills. But all that is old news. When I got there, there was some things going on with the staff, which at the time added some stress, but worked itself out and has rebuilt a strong base for the future. Being the only ‘visitor’ at the Home for the whole time, J & C felt obligated to give over all the emotional stress to me, so they could continue their idyllic life of self indulgence. So, let’s recap a few of the notable things that the past 2 ½ month have presented, and you have been able to live vicariously through my incredible words.
The Building Project:
This was much more taxing on my psyche than I had anticipated. Having worked in the construction industry for almost 40 years, I kinda thought that I could handle a couple of buildings. But then TIA infiltrated and I soon came to the realization that maybe no building could ever be built in Kenya. Just getting a decent contract with Jackson, who has no license, no insurance, no bond, but fortunately also has no assets that we could use as leverage. And then there were the suppliers….yeah, remember….’the materials are coming in fact they are already there’……tomorrow. This could have driven me nuts, had I not already crossed that line. Over and over, we had promises of delivery, only to be disappointed…..me, not Jeff….he somehow knew what would happen…..he is amazing. The rain was coming and “I” had a schedule to meet. I really had a hard time with that, but looking back, God had His timing and somehow, enough materials arrived and we made the timeline that had been established….and I was able to leave feeling that “I” had been incredibly amazing. Fortunately for all of us, God provided Jackson and he out performed all our expectations, getting 2 buildings thru stage 1 in the time he said it would take for 1.…another miracle, me thinks. So, I leave knowing that some progress has been made, and I wish that I could take some credit, but I was waaaay out of my league,,,,, only thru the Lord‘s grace and mercy was anything accomplished. The clinic even has some walls, both exterior and interior started….pretty cool….sometime I might share some pictures of the progression.
While the stress was high during the construction, it was nothing to the situation with Mama Manu. I got really emotionally involved….much more than I would have thought….being a Marine and all. It still holds me hostage to emotion when I think of that woman giving her last bit of food and her life for her baby. This is a strong memory…and coupled with the hospital, morgue, and burial,,,where since it’s planting time, I’m sure that they have plowed her grave…. it has been a real life changer for me.
And then there was Dorcas. Such a sweet little thing. Never asked to be born, but was brought into a nasty world. If you had met her, you would have been amazed at her tenacity. You’d have loved her too. When you come to Instep, you can see where she has a permanent place….also in our hearts….if you want, I will show you how long she was…..I have the string. Out of that whole thing, her mother was reunited with her family and we hear that she is doing well.
We buried 2 while I was there…with much more personal involvement than anything I have seen in the US. Life and death are much more hands on. Like English Lady said, “You know you are alive here”
So, for me, in a culture that is not push-push like in the west, I found that the adjustment to being “alive” has been hard….really good, but hard…really hard. I have been wondering how all this will affect my ‘living’ from now on. I still don’t feel ‘called’, but I don’t know if I can ever really feel at home anywhere now. I miss and really want to get home, but I already miss and want to get back to the 15^th century. Maybe, like a lot of the teachings I have had from the Lord, if I wait, it will fade, and I won’t have to confront my convictions…..you all know what I mean….don’t you? All this sounds negative, but it really isn’t…..it’s part of that ‘life’ that Christ has called us to. You remember…..we live here, but our heart needs to be with Him…we don‘t belong, but we are called to demonstrate His life to whom ever we meet…..torn…
Things I won’t miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, did I mention the roads?
Things I will miss in Africa:
Ugali, the roads, lack of technology, door locksets that were old when Charles Engles was farming, electricity outages, crappy Chinese stuff that is sold there…and they say that they are a people of pride….maybe in China,,, sitting alone for lunch, the bread, the snot, people telling me things that they know won’t happen, the dust when it’s dry, the mud when it’s wet, the toilet paper, malaria (which I didn’t get this time) the typhoid and TB and other diseases….over a million a year die of malaria in Africa.. the mattress that I ‘slept’ on, the disdain for human life by some, the people whom I’ve come to love…especially the staff, the kids….yes, the kids, the warm mornings, the sounds, the smells,,,,well some anyway, the connection with ‘life and death’. Life that is different and by some standards, not so good, but it is real life. And, mostly, Carla…..Jeff,,,,not so much…well, maybe some.
I’m still not sure why I went this time. The ploy was for the buildings, and that saw some progress, but because life is more than buildings, I hope that there was a better reason for me to be there. Someday, Jesus might share with me the real purpose for me and Africa this time. It’s a dangerous place for a person to visit….if you let it, it will confront your motivations….and that might be harder than being cooked by pygmies. By the way, where did the pygmies get those big iron pots? I know that the most encouraging times were those spent with adults, talking about how Jesus really sees us, and how much we need Him and His grace….it always seemed to go to the same place….’do we obey Him because we should, or because we love Him and want to please Him. Seems basic, doesn’t it,,,,but it’s the same argument that WE all have everyday…..isn’t it.
I can’t figure that place out, mostly because of the people. There is something deep that is going on….more than just poverty and lack of knowledge. At first, I began to think that maybe these people are just stupid and living this way is the result. After getting to know many of them, I have come to the conclusion that intelligence is not the problem….it is for me, but not for them. I met some of the smartest people there. They have the ability to solve some complex problems, but somehow can’t create solutions to the real problems facing their society. Give them a piece of pipe, an inner tube, some wire, sticks and string, and they can fix almost anything. (just wait til they find duct tape) But, work on the deep issues,,,,not happening, even tho they mostly know where the problems are. Nope, it’s got to be spiritual…it’s not intellectual, which leads me back to a main principle of this blog…“the hope is in the children“. The one thing I know, I love those people….and I hate those people….and I hate to hate those people. I know, it doesn’t make sense, does it. Just so you know, I’d give my life for those people. Good grief…this is giving me the creeps.
The other day, and this pertains to the last paragraph, I caught one of the older kids with a piece of pipe with fittings on it. Now we have spent hours talking about honesty and integrity. Me: “where did you get that pipe?” Busted Kid: ….silence. Me: “is it yours?” BK: ….silence. Me: “do you have permission to have it?” BK: “I just picked it” (read stole…earlier blog) Me: “explain ’picked it’” BK: ….silence. Me: “OK, since you like that pipe (3’ long), I think you should keep it for awhile, so until tomorrow, you can keep it with you…..at all times……when you are doing chores, eating, going to the bathroom, and yes, you can even sleep with it” BK: “awww, I don’t like it that much.” Me, (thinking) ‘you probably won’t by tomorrow’. “enjoy your pipe”. Next day about 11:00.am: Me: “Hey, BK, can I have the pipe?” BK: “please, please, please, I will never ‘pick’ again.” Me: “OK, love you!!”….thinking to myself, if he does, I’ll bet it’s smaller. So this opened up a whole new opportunity to talk with all the older ones again about how Jesus wants us to treat others……hopefully, one day it will click and they will be able to pass along the wisdom…..not mine,,,God’s.
Before I quit, a few words about Peter. He was a trained ‘Riffraff’ guard and worked at English Lady’s….before my time. He lives out near the home and made the commute everyday or stay in town away from his family. Anyway, Jeff and EL got to talking and came up with the thought that Peter wouldn’t have to commute so far if he worked at Instep…..see how smart Jeff and EL are when they get their heads together.. (also how caring and giving EL is) So, he came to be with the Instep staff and stands at the entrance to the property watching over us. As a side note, I had to sneak over the fence for about a week, until Carla explained to Peter that I was really just one of the kids that had a physical deformity. Peter stands about 5’6” and weighs about 55kgs….120lbs….and has ‘good eyes’, and a gentle and kind spirit I’ll explain the good eyes thing in a moment, if I remember. Peter speaks a form of English that no-one has ever heard before, and can do it without opening or moving his lips….but his Swahili is to die for! One day, a bad man came to the gate and I was watching from a ways away, and was a bit concerned. But I swear that I saw Peter grow to about 6’5, 240lbs right in front of me, and sent that guy away. That’s when I realized that he is the right man for the job. It might be hard to understand, but there are people that want to do harm and damage to those who live inside Instep….it’s hard for me anyway….but they lurk out there, both day and night. Night we have 2 security guards patrolling. I like Peter and just wanted to share how God uses people to accomplish His purposes….sometimes just to keep some safe… Oh, the ‘good eyes’? When you come to visit Instep, you will see many black people, that seem to live in the area. I have observed that the ratio of black to white in that area is pretty high, unlike in Anacortes. You will notice that some of the Kenyans have eyes that just might give you the shivers….not kidding here….especially the older ones. Now we know that the eyes are the window to the soul, and so checking out the eyes is a good thing. Peter has ‘good eyes’…as do all the staff at Instep. He has demonstrated his loyalty in a couple of ways that I can’t share here, but there is no doubt that he is willing to lay down his life for his friends….sound like something that you’ve heard or read somewhere??? Anyway, I like Peter.
Finally, I want to give you some advice….I know, kinda like a typewriter giving a computer advice, but humor me. When you come to Africa, to Instep,,,,and I hope you will, a couple of things you might want to know. 1. There is a ‘romance’ to Africa, and you will feel it when you arrive. But, after a short time, you will wonder where it went….it’s called culture shock. Hang in there, the romance is still there, but you will see it differently than you expected. 2. Don’t come to help change the people….come to show what Jesus looks like in the flesh…..love and let Jesus do the changing. And last, when you come, please understand that Jeff and Carla have been on the ground for a long time and have developed an understanding of how it works in Africa. Please, please don’t try to understand how it works…..for a long time, at least til ‘you get it‘….and don’t try to tell them how to do what they do….because, it’s not the world you and I know, and it takes awhile to be ‘assimilated’. Ask them questions and share insights, and most of all love and encourage them….even Jeff.
So, that’s that. I’ve really missed my best friend. And now that I am reunited with her, I’m all better….well, almost. Overall, I’m worse for having done the last 2 ½ months. The “it’s all about me” factor has been called into question, and this time with a vengeance. But a good thing is that somehow, Sandy has entered into the same struggle and now we are becoming assimilated….it’s true in our lives…..resistance IS futile. I think we have tasted some of the real life that E.L. spoke of, and now the washing machine (installment 31) doesn’t seem quite as important.
This, much to your relief, is probably the last blog from Safarislim for awhile. I’m pretty much out of material, and really don’t have the energy to make up anymore stories….even if they are true. But, if you need a new installment……it is on it’s way….in fact it is already there…..