Yesterday we went to the house of the Nzisa family previously known to us as the Mawia family. Although most people know them as the Mawias, their real surname is Nzisa. Don’t ask me why. We met the “Mawias” through Jim and Kathy White when they came to Kijabe a few years ago. We donated toy cars to the mission and the Mawia boys received some of those cars. We’ve been pen-pals ever since. On Monday, we met Eunice and Stephen at the hospital which felt like meeting an old friend. We had the experience of going to their house for dinner on Eunice’s day off from work at the hospital. Eunice and Everlyne led us on a ¼ mile hike up hill to their home which is a shack compared to what we have in America. We met the father, Michael, who is a carpenter. His shop is right next to the house. We also met baby Carole who is named after my mother. They are all such nice people with round, beautiful faces and big smiles.
It was very interesting there. My mom and Eunice talked and laughed a lot and Stephen and I talked while he showed me some of his artwork. He also showed me the machete he used to defend himself when he goes to the “shops.” This blade was at least a foot long. It hung next to the door. We had dinner which I was worried might be either uncooked and dangerous for us to eat or something like goulash that I would physically not be able to get down. They had rice, some kind of meat, vegetables, noodles, and “chapatis “ what we call tortillas. It wasn’t as bad as I thought but it was a struggle to get the rice which I had put in the tortillas down. Thankfully my mom took that for me.
I showed Stephen and Everlyne my I-Pod which was very interesting to them. Mom videoed them eating chocolate and showed pictures from home to them. Eunice brought out her pictures of James, who went to America for 1 ½ years and is now in boarding school in Nairobi. Sarah is also away in school. Eunice, Everlyne, and Stephen walked us back to the hospital as the sun set over the Rift Valley. It was an exceptionally life-changing experience that not many 13 year old American boys have had. I’m grateful to God for this.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see your post. Thank you for sharing it with us. You handled the "dinner out" like a champ. Little Carole's family seemed very happy to see ya'll as their smiles show. Isn't it wonderful how a smile can cross any barrier between people, whether it be language or culture.
Ya'll check your g-mail e-mail accounts when you can get a signal.
We are sending out your Kenya blog site to folks at our church. The story you all have to tell needs to be shared with folks back home to see how God is working through you for His glory.
Keep on keeping on. Hug your Mom for us.
Love you the MOST,
Nana & Gray Gray
Oh Michael...how I see His spirit in your precious smile there with your friends. How fun it must be for you to be there and be learning so much first hand.
ReplyDeleteWe all continue to pray for y'all nightly. Hank and Hope say "Hey!"
Does this mean you will be eating all your green beans when I tell you to clear your plate at suppertime?
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of my boy! Come home soon.
Dad