Hey guys, thought it was about time for another update. A lot has happened this week so I’ll have to pick the most interesting bits. It’s rained a lot this week – so much one day that I was completely drenched and covered in mud. Class 4 have to pass something like a stream to get to class when its raining so when I went to teach them I had to sludge through it and nearly left my flipflops behind.

I’ve seen the kids much more this week, even though I wasn’t at school for two days when I was ill. I’ve been teaching classes on my own which is nice and the kids are really well behaved and happy to have a bit of a change which makes it really enjoyable. Although I saw some kids getting caned this week and it was really horrible, I was supposed to join their class but as I was walking to it I saw them getting caned and changed my mind. I can’t stop it but I don’t want to be a part of it. I saw a couple of kids get hit last year and didn’t like it either but this was so bad it was in a league of its own and I don’t think a child ever deserves that whatever they’ve done wrong. At least Albert the head teacher doesn’t agree with it, and the preacher last Sunday was talking about it too saying that its not good, especially because it doesn’t stop the kids misbehaving – that we have to discipline our children in a Godly way if we want to be effective.

I saw Jerrida again, the lady who works at the orphanage and cooks and cleans, it was so great to see her – we get on really well and talk in Swahili and praise God together. And yesterday I was talking to the kids about worship and church and things, I think they’re looking forward to us going to church together on Sunday, as am I. I love that the kids love Jesus and that they talk about it the same as they talk about anything else. It’s so refreshing that its just a part of their lives, that they don’t have to whisper or hide but they can be free.

This week has been an interesting one for conversations about the culture and about money and corruption. Jan has a lot of experience here because he built his compound right from the beginning so he has so many stories of people stealing or conning others or about how Muzungus aren’t treated well but then its not just the Muzungu’s – there is a lot of corruption here and when it comes to money its mostly the most cunning that comes out on top. Rachel, the girl from Switzerland feels really passionately about it and talks about it quite a lot. I think she is surprised that the majority of people from outside of Kenya that come here adopt the same attitudes instead of setting a good example in the hope that people will learn from it. I guess in this kind of environment, it becomes pretty straight forward – either you trust in God for your guidance and protection or you struggle on your own in the hope that you’ll win more battles than you lose. For me, I’ll choose the former, in whatever capacity that may be. In a way I’m not in much risk here, I’m just getting on with things, going to school every day but even in the little things I’ll put my trust in God that he’ll keep me safe.

I know that God can use this time to teach me how to focus myself on him, it’s been a while since I was surrounded by so much that I don’t agree with – tv soaps that are full of trashy story lines, real life stories of love gone wrong, talk of negative things and everything that is wrong with the world – somehow I’ve got to find my peace in all of this but it’s difficult. In general I think it’s good to be in an environment where you are surrounded by good things but when I that isn’t possible then I know that it’s still possible to be at peace. Perhaps I should read about Paul and Silas again today.
This morning I went for a walk on the beach on my own, it was great to just stare out to sea and contemplate. There were two herons wading in the shallows and they looked so serene out there. The waters were dark from the rain clouds overhead but it was still peaceful and I sat there letting the world go on around me. Then it started raining but I didn’t mind it so much – everyone else ran for shelter and I was left on my own to sing and pray and spend time with my Jesus.
Anyway, its time for me to study Kiswahili, I’ve been doing quite well I think and understanding more every day. Until next time – Mungu awa bariki (God bless you). Xx