Thoughts on Kenya

For some reason, I want to start this with the line “As I stepped off the plane….”. But that would be a very boring way to start, since the only thing that happened when I got off the plane was that I stood in a long line in a hot room waiting to get a Visa.

I tried to come to Kenya with no expectations. I agreed to come without really knowing what I was getting myself into. And so far, it has definitely not been what I expected (because of course I still had expectations).

I did not expect to be staying in such a nice “compound”, as they call it. It is almost too nice, I think.

I did kind of expect to do lots of menial tasks. (Right now, I am entering all the email contacts for the organization into Outlook Express). I have also spent time helping put together an orientation booklet for the teams coming to Kenya this summer (which is kind of odd, since I don’t know much about Kenya myself. But that is what the internet is for, right?) And I have spent a lot of time taking inventory of the linens and silverware and dishes. We are trying to get the compound ready for all the teams that will be coming in the next few months.

I did not expect to be asked to share at a pastor’s conference. What could I possibly have to say to a bunch of Kenyan pastors? But, thankfully, it does not matter what I have to say, it is God who uses me for his purposes. And I only had to talk for a few minutes.

I definitely did not expect to have tea with the President’s wife and daughter.

I did not expect to meet so many amazing people during my first week here, such as the Gitau family. Mrs. Gitau runs a school in the slums, and her daughter, Winnie, is the advocate (lawyer) for our organization. This afternoon, we are visiting the Coffee plantation that they run.
The Onguti family: Dr. Meshack and his five chilrden are quite fun. He works with Operation Smile performing surgeries for those with disfigured faces. He introduced us to the President’s daughter, and was so nervous and formal at our house when we met the President’s wife…and then 3 days later was at our house, very casual and comfortable, choosing not to join us at the table for lunch because he was too interested in the soccer game on tv. (men are the same everywhere )
Katherine is a Kenyan woman who works for the organization, and from what I have discovered of her, she know everything about anything you could ever need in Nairobi. And she is a lot of fun and very sweet.
Joyce is our “maid”. I kind of hate that term. But she is such a sweetheart, always singing worship songs with a smile on her face.
The list goes on and on. The Kenyan people are very sweet and welcoming.

I didn’t really expect the preferential treatment that white people often get just because of the color of their skin….and I didn’t expect so many white people to be comfortable with taking advantage of that, and expecting special treatment because of their skin color.

The friend that I am here with, Vanessa, is working on research for a book on female genital mutilation (FGM). I have accompanied her and acted as the secretary for a couple of interviews with Kenyan women. I have really enjoyed these, even though they are heartbreaking and hard. The goal is to eventually publish a booklet as a resource for Kenyan women that will hopefully help to break the silence on this topic.

Yesterday, we visited Kenyatta National Hospital, which is the main hospital in Nairobi. I can confidently say that it is one of the last places I would want to be if I were sick. We visited a patient named Rose, who was trying to recover from an infection that occured after they left some guaze inside of her after surgery. But, she is not recovering, because she now has fullblown AIDS, and her body is not fighting off the infection. It is heartbreaking, and tough to know what we can do to help people in these situations.

I am so rambling, but I have a lot to say. Even if it is boring.

I will try to update more often.

If you feel the need to send me something in the mail….

Rhonda Hutchinson
PO Box 63414
Muthaiga, Nairobi
Kenya, East Africa

A couple of more pictures: http://rmfo-pics.net/Kenya-Trip