Untadunda Na Nani? (who do you bounce with?)

Hey everyone! or Sasa (whats going on) or Mukemo Fresh (are you fresh?)

I have already knocked out one week of my internship and as of today am starting my second week. It has been a ridiculous experience so far and I am excited to keep going. I love Nairobi, it is a very interesting place, one that is very misunderstood by a lot of westerners. I am trying to figure out how to write this update because I have so much to say.

• My Host and My Living: I am staying with an amazing Kenyan named Alvin Mbola, we are both sharing a small apartment in a housing area called Satellite which is about 15 minutes from everything if there wasn't any traffic. He has made my integration here easier than I expected. I really do not feel like I am having a hard time being here, I think that's because I am knew what to expect because I came to Africa last year, that visit helped me tremendously in understanding how to operate now. He is also engaged to a wonderful woman named Nancy and their wedding is July 24 so i will be able to attend. I have been able to watch them plan and work out their wedding logistics and it is SO different than American weddings. He also has been helping me out a lot concerning internship work. He understands more than I that I am learning here and constantly provides me with opportunities for me to learn about all that goes into being a community developer in a foreign context. I also am learning how to live with someone that has different cultural norms than me, so that has been fun. Both him and Nancy have also been helping me learn Swahili! I have grown very close to him and I can see our relationship continuing even after my internship.

• Community Development Work and My Research: So, far this has been a very interesting factor in my internship. Last week and most of this week I am being introduced to the savings groups I will be researching. I have already met one in Kawangware which is a slum about 10 minutes from where I am living and the members are all so kind. I received many "Karibu Sana"(you are very welcome) from the women and realized how great it will be to work with them. I am meeting with the Kawangware group this Thursday at 3 to start off with a focus group to gather some starting data. I am also being introduced to the Kibera group on Wednesday. The only issue with these groups is that they are ALL IN SWAHILI! this is so frustrating to me because watching these savings groups operate is SO INTERESTING! So, I have made it a discipline to learn as much Swahili as possible with a minimum of three new words a day. It has been paying off wonderfully because I am now able to have very small conversations with people and understand about 20-35 percent of when other people talk in Swahili. So, continue to pray that God blesses me with the gift of learning this language...either miraculously or just in time. My major has come alive so much over the last week and it has been amazing to see that happen. I had the opportunity to sit in a community development class (taught by Alvin) with a bunch of pastors in the heart of the Kibera slum. The material taught in the class is the same as Covenant, but more immediate, because as soon as you walk out the door of the Kibera campus it is applicable. My research is going well so far, but already I can see that this internship is about more than just research...that is just a major ploy(but a very useful and needed ploy) to make sure we actually do something on our internship.

• God: I have been reading the Psalms since the beginning of my trip and it has been so refreshing. I am constantly assured that God is with me and that he is guiding and directing this entire internship and all that I do. Its nice to know that I'm not doing anything he doesn't want me to do. He was the one who got me here and I am trusting that he will do what he wants. The Psalms are amazing for a heart struggling with human emotions. They talk about sleep, being lonely, being ignored, feeling afraid, being weak...and so on. All of which I feel right now, I feel so cared for by God even though I feel all of those things. I think that's a big part of walking with God, feeling those and realizing that God is with you.

• Other Things: God has really been showing himself in all of this internship and has really been working on my heart through it all.
• I still need a lot of prayer, I am still learning so much and am constantly on cultural information and relationship overload, its not like going to a different state in America. EVERYTHING is new, names, road names, public transport systems, norms, language, food names and the food itself, relationships and etc.
• I also need prayer for my continuing research and that that goes well and that I continue to learn and grow in my major.
• Also pray for Kenya as a whole because currently they are in the designing process of a new Constitution and there is a very animated No and Yes side. Vice President Biden is actually coming to Nairobi in June to talk to the president about it and tell the Kenyan people to support it. I find this funny because he probably hasn't read it, he can't even read the 2,000 page American health care bill why would he read a 200 page Kenyan constitution.
• Pray for NO VIOLENCE after the vote, Kenya has a long history of political violence. The most recent was in 2007 after the election for a new president. Some people have been saying there wont be violence, some are saying there might be. No one knows. The vote is August 2nd, so pray for that day.
• The world cup is coming up and it is the first time it has been in Africa...which is a surprise because Africans are completely obsessed with soccer. There is actually a top-league team with a local Kenyan on it. So, everyone is looking forward to that. Many of my relationships are going to be built on watching the world cup games...plus Alvin is in love with soccer. I don't mind, I actually like it too.
• I really miss my home and etc, pray that this does not overwhelm me.
• Driving in Kenya...is absolutely chaotic...but somehow everyone can do it and it seems that there are less accidents than an American city.
• The University of Nairobi shut down for a week on Monday because of student riots about student leadership elections. I find this interesting because student leadership will be my job when I return.
• Kenyans can not believe that some Americans buy clothing for their dogs...I really can't either
• Speaking of dogs the compound were I am staying has two...they never ever stop barking. 11 PM? yeah, they bark then. 3 AM? yeah they bark then too. 4 AM? yup. 6 AM? they are put in their kennels which makes them quiet... I hate those dogs so much. So much that I wrote a poem entitled Dog that I will leave you with.

Thanks for reading! I will update again next Monday! (hopefully),

Dave

Dog

Fibrous undertaking not swallowing your being.

No garment of human consumerism wrapped and displayed in the essence of pride

Nay, your annoyance is not consumerist sweaters or pampered paws.

It is your omnipresent mouth which concedes for neither light nor dark.

You speak as loud as a jubilant trumpet,

shoved through unusual means of amplification

and broad casted through aqueous substances.

I lay, beholding my slumber to be risen by your absurdities and illogical whimpering's,

your cacophony piercing and dancing in my ears.

"Oh the joy" I exclaim and my thoughts escape to context of shining glory.

With moonlights hand I undertake, I place a hazardous liquid into your drinking dish

My subtlety and you fatal errors hidden with time.

Your annoyance relieved and my slumber restored.