We arrived back from Kijabe yesterday. Our time there was very profitable as we had an ample mix of rest as well as ministry. The weather in Kijabe is quite pleasant and rather cool as it is nearly a thousand feet higher in elevation from here. Breathing is far easier as the air is quite pure and not nearly as smoggy as in the slums. Moreover, the water in Kijabe is the only place in Kenya where it can be safely consumed from the tap. We were very thankful for those simple niceties and recognize how terribly missed those things are.
On Friday we were able to visit the wards, praying for people who were injured and healing. Many were believers and we were able to encourage them in the Lord. The hospital, although one of the best in East Africa, was rugged by our standards. Many beds were crammed into large rooms and the patients all lay there together. There was a certain sense of hopelessness for those who were wounded beyond a quick recovery. However, their faces did brighten when we walked in with the love of Jesus Christ. We rejoiced as one gave his life to the Lord and was left with assurance of his salvation.
Friday night we had a little campfire outside and roasted marshmallows, a real American treat. The local Kenyans had never heard of marshmallows, let alone see them roasted and consumed. Due to their lack of exposure, we thought it necessary that they participated and they truly enjoyed it, even if they did have difficulty in pronouncing and understanding the “S’Mores.”
It would be unfair if they found a new cultural ideal and we did not, therefore, I was pleased to find a bag of roasted rocks in a small store there. I asked the fellow what roasted rocks were all about, for they really were just a couple of stones in this small bag. He said it was used mostly by pregnant women who had cravings to eat rocks. For those who had such cravings, they would be glad to find that they could enjoy roasted rocks. When asked about the roasting process, the fellow said it involved putting the rocks in an oven and roasting them…naturally. Why didn’t I think of that? Why have I not roasted rocks in the past? I shall never know, but rest assured, we have them in abundance. Just one more Kenyan delight for the culturally savvy.
On Friday we were able to visit the wards, praying for people who were injured and healing. Many were believers and we were able to encourage them in the Lord. The hospital, although one of the best in East Africa, was rugged by our standards. Many beds were crammed into large rooms and the patients all lay there together. There was a certain sense of hopelessness for those who were wounded beyond a quick recovery. However, their faces did brighten when we walked in with the love of Jesus Christ. We rejoiced as one gave his life to the Lord and was left with assurance of his salvation.
Friday night we had a little campfire outside and roasted marshmallows, a real American treat. The local Kenyans had never heard of marshmallows, let alone see them roasted and consumed. Due to their lack of exposure, we thought it necessary that they participated and they truly enjoyed it, even if they did have difficulty in pronouncing and understanding the “S’Mores.”
It would be unfair if they found a new cultural ideal and we did not, therefore, I was pleased to find a bag of roasted rocks in a small store there. I asked the fellow what roasted rocks were all about, for they really were just a couple of stones in this small bag. He said it was used mostly by pregnant women who had cravings to eat rocks. For those who had such cravings, they would be glad to find that they could enjoy roasted rocks. When asked about the roasting process, the fellow said it involved putting the rocks in an oven and roasting them…naturally. Why didn’t I think of that? Why have I not roasted rocks in the past? I shall never know, but rest assured, we have them in abundance. Just one more Kenyan delight for the culturally savvy.
posted by Scott Anthony Williams | 5:43 AM
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