ABO, Avacados, and Running Shoes

I am sorry that it has been so long since my last blog. The internet here in Machakos is really slow and as I type, its 10:40pm. That is the best time to do internet because all of the sane people are sleeping. However, I am not here alone, there are a few others that have bit the bullet with me and drudged over here to be faithful in emails and blogs.

This time at ABO, I've been having an awesome time with the kids and with fellow AIMers. I haven't been sick once-- praise God-- and I have been running almost everyday and I finally got my stride back (runners know what I'm taking about). For the past year, I have felt like my stride disappeared and the one of an old man took its place, but here in Machakos (with high elevation), I have regained my running stride! Yay! Also, it helps that my new found friend Erica is running with me faithfuly everyday and hasn't quit on me yet when I sneak in a few extra steps to our routine. ;)

Here, I have made new friends and hate to leave them. I know that my friends and family at home are anxiously awaiting my arrival, but its hard to think that in a week, I will be back in the U.S. and starting my new life in grad school. The thought of starting a new/old life does not sound appealing now that I have just got in my groove here. I can possibly see Nairobi as a valid plan for after grad school, counseling at Tumaini. My thoughts on training nationals with counseling skills to counsel their own people within their cultural context is also a future plan that would coincide with counseling missionaries. I have seen how both are vital.

Also at this ABO, I have been able to participate in some things that I didn't do last time. For example, I was invited to give the sermon at an all boys school last sunday and I rapped at the beginning of the sermon-- completely impromptu-- because all the boys had just finished rapping. So I thought the best way to get them to listen would be to start off rapping (to the tune of "ice,ice, baby" by Vanilla Ice), and then I gave a talk about being salt and light and not losing your saltiness. The boys loved it and all cheered at the end (of the rap). I have it on video and will upload it to this posting in a week or so when the internet is better. I also hope to put some great pics on here too, but the internet will not allow for that right now. Maybe when I get back to Nairobi.

Today, I went on a scavenger hunt with fellow AIMers. We had to get to Machakos town by boda (bicycle taxi), tuk tuk (3-wheeled golf cart-like taxi), or by foot, and then answer questions on a list by building relational skills with the local people. My group members and I, Erica and Sarah (my other new-found friend)went around town and had a lot of fun getting to know people. We even filmed a video of us dancing with an old Bebe(grandma) and a mama whom I bought baskets from. Erica saw this random wasboard-like instrument at their stand and asked how to use it, and the next thing you know 2 of us have tamorines, Sarah has maracas, and Erica is going to town playing the wooden washboard/shaker combo. Hopefully, that video will also be uploaded soon. One of the prizes for the contest was most relational-- I'm pretty sure we will win that one!

Well, that is all for now and I hope to add lots of fun pictures from all the adventures I've had here in Machakos this ABO. I will leave you with one fun story though:

Today Sarah, Erica, and I were laying in the grass outside the kitchen window when suddenly something flew from the sky, denting Erica's head. At first we looked up and saw a German woman peering out the window and blamed her, but then our DIRECTOR, Loren Fast, looking sheepishly out the window,admitted to the attack. Erica looked around for the blunt object. It was an overly ripe AVACADO! Qucikly, Erica picked it up and hurled it towards the kitchen window. Loren grabbed its remains and through it towards the unsuspecting ME still laying on the blanket in the grass. I was GUACAMOLED!! My entire jacket was covered in green avacodo-e slime and so was my kanga (blanket/wrap). Sarah got a bit on her but was no worse for the wear. We laughed like crazy as I layed there trying not to spread the mess any further as my friends came to my side. Loren came out of the bulding laughing and offered to pay for my laundry, but I refused. Anyway, fun was had by all and now I have a great story for my blog and a picture to boot.

This ABO time has been a great ending to my year in Africa.
Take care until next time.