02.08.07
Seth & Hannah’s E-letter
Don’t have much time as my battery is running low but here’s the news…
Singing is fun with friends.
Jared with Pastor Karanja and Joyce.
We are online! Thus you should be hearing from us much more often.
We are reaching the end of our set-up phase and very much looking forward to being settled in our new flat and getting into a regular pattern of life.
In Kenya everything runs at a much slower pace…consequently at times it seems like every little thing takes forever! But we are learning to slow down our “American Rush Syndrome” and just enjoy the process…especially since there’s not much else we can do.
Our flat is a lovely little apartment in a compound we have affectionately titled “the concrete jungle”. Due to the fact that the compound it is in is mainly concrete. Housing choices here are made mainly on security issues and all dwellings are built in compounds complete with walls, fences, razor wire and security guards.
However despite the high crime rates the greater majority of Kenyans are very friendly.
Kenyan seems to be centered very much around the family. Everyone here LOVES children…as in everyone, everyone.
Strangers on the street, the grocery store clerk, the visiting electrician, and the crowd of teens you pass in the store will all coo and smile at your baby, ask his or her name, age and if they can hold him. One of the worst things in the world is an unhappy baby or child. At any sign of tears they will do everything possible to bring back the smiles.
All mothers are very respectfully called Mama (first child’s name). So I (Hannah) am called “Mama Keziah”. And as a mother there is a lot of consideration given by society. How can you not love a society like that?
When we first arrived at the Nairobi airport and were waiting at the back of a mile long visa line an official passing by saw us and said “You have small children. It is not good for you to wait.” She then escorted us to the front of the line. Have I mentioned that I am enjoying Kenya? : )
Keziah and Jared are both doing quite well. Keziah loves it here and is a friend to any and every Kenyan (yes she is quite popular) and is already starting to pick up a British accent. Jared has started down the road to mobility…he rolled over for the first time. He’s also started laughing…it is so cute! Baby laughter has to be one of the sweetest sounds in the world.
And speaking of sweet sounds!!! There are many opinions of what the worship in heaven will sound like…I am firmly convinced that a good portion of it will be somewhat like what we are treated to every Sunday here. God has truly given the Kenyan people the gift of song… There are few sounds more joyous in exuberant worship than a Kenyan church. It s a beautiful thing. And this email is getting much to long so more later,
Hannah
For more on our adventure, Seth’s thoughts on Kenya, contact info (yes, you can call us) and prayer requests check out our website: Sethandhannah.com Which I will be updating as soon as I charge my battery.