Settling In

I haven't taken any photos of campus yet, but here are some from the first couple weeks...


These are the very fine desks at Lwanda Secondary School, which were donated by Trinity members. They were very thankful. Eighty chairs and desks were made.

These are three of the eight new classrooms. You can see one of the older classrooms in the background. What an improvement.

Me and Esther in Kisumu

Syprose, Martin, Jacob, Elisha, and I playing pick-up-sticks at their home in Kisumu.

Me and my parsley, with Mary, who is preparing chapati. (my favorite!) this is at the house in Kisumu.

Well... I am finally here at Daystar. Orientation week is coming to a close and classes begin on Tuesday. I have selected my courses (totaling 18 credits), however they are not final until Monday. I am really excited, so I'll share them with you:

Mon: 8:45-11:45 SWK 213/DEV211 Community Development and the Church
12:30-3:30 DEV 111 Intro to Community Development
Tue: nothing. Woot. Chapel. Wash clothes, Study, guitar, volunteer somewhere
Wed: 8:45-11:45 RUD 312/SWK312 Community Health
12:30-3:30 KIS 111 Beginning Kiswahili
Thurs: 1:50-4:50 ENG 211 African Literature
Fri: 8:45-11:45 PEA 365 Intro to Refugee Studies

This week we don't have a lot going on. We've spent some time with our orientation groups, had informational seminars, and had fun programs in the evenings. We are not yet in the specific dorm rooms where we will be staying, but I'm sure I'll be in the same hall, just in another room.

In my dorm, called Patience, the rooms are pretty small, with four girls in each.

My first day here, I wasn’t really “feelin’” the school. I don’t know what it was and I don't really know how to describe it, but I just didn’t feel like I would like it. The people didn’t seem that open, there wasn’t a lot of direction and organization, and I was just generally not so excited. I even started thinking about how I could leave after the first semester. The whole day I wanted to feel super excited and happy and like it was “home” but I guess I just didn’t… until the evening. We had a program in the evening, which consisted of worshipping and some funny skits from a student group called Doulos. I felt really relieved and encouraged to be happy and make the best of this experience. The night programs are a highlight.

Since the first day, my entire attitude has changed. I really like it here. I think the reason I felt like I did at first was because of the issue of comfort. It is difficult to feel comfortable and connected in a country that is so different from my own. My skin color makes me stand out, there is somewhat of a language barrier, and I have to observe the culture before I can fully walk in it. But I can say that I feel great and even comfortable. I’ve met a lot of friendly and fun people and I am excited for the year to come.

Just some side things... The food is pretty good. I like Kenyan food, and we even had fries at lunch yesterday. Chai tea and hot chocolate are served twice per day as well! mmm.

Its cold here! Who would have thought?!? During the day time it is warm and sunny, but not unbearably hot. Nights and mornings are really cold though. People mostly wear pants and long sleeves in the morning.

The campus is really nice! I like it a lot. There are lots of trees and flowers. Buildings are in good condition and they are spread out (kind of over a hill). At night from the highest point of campus, where the library is, we can see the lights of Nairobi, Athi River, and another smaller city. Pictures to come...

That's all for now. Peace and Love.