An Observation

There’s something that I’ve noticed with Kenyan’s. Their attitude towards children, babies in particular, is so different from American’s. Here in Kenya if a woman has a baby it’s not uncommon for the man to come and hold the child, talk and play with the baby. It’s really quite extrodinary to see and to witness. Michelle, the 4 month old here, is a perfect example. When ever one of the men who work for Alice comes into the house and if Michelle is up, they will just come over and hold her and play with her. And they’ll do that for however long Michelle wants to play. Often if it is an older man, he would put a gift or money in the child’s clothes, he would not give it to the mother. In doing so, it shows that it is a gift to the child and the mother is responsible to purchase something for the child. I just find this so cool in this culture and realize that in American culture this doesn’t happen and how sad that is for us an a culture. To me it’s lacking in substance in American culture.

Jan 9 later this day

After church and the blessing, I walked home with Edna, Eunice, and Sarah which isn’t far at all. The church is just across the road from the road Alice’s house is on.  Anyway after we had lunch, consisting of maise and beans, veggies in sauce, cabbage, and flat bread I took my iPod outside and started listening to music. Well it sure does draw attention to oneself. I’m looking forward to my mp3 player being here so I can just play my music and share it with the people who live in and around Alice’s house. 

Church today was good. The pastor preached on 2Peter 1:1-8. Not that I understood everything that was said in Swahili but Alice leans over and gives me a brief version os what the pastor is saying. One thing I really like about the Kenyan church is the worship, well not really the singing part it’s more along the lines of how they worship. The Kenyan’s love to worship God and it shows on their faces and in their actions. I don’t think they could not move to the music. Most of the worship songs there are movements that go along with the song. As the choir sings, they move and sway with the music, and at times they really get into the music and the meaning. You can look around and see huge smiling faces on the people in church and with the choir members. It’s really awesome to witness and experience.  I’ve seen my church worship, Kent does an awesome job and I love to worship with Kent at the piano, but I doubt that my church will ever worship like the Kenyan’s. I think it’s kinda sad actually.