Rose (pictured in the chair with Meredith preparing Chai over the fire) invited us to her Shamba. Her house was only 45 minute walk away. It was a nice walk with the family, and even after 6 months in Kenya some of the images still surprise me.
We pass a rock quarry where men and women labor under the sun all day long using hammers to chip away at large rocks to make gravel to sell.
We see the boys such as this carrying backload full of sticks. We see the children so young (maybe just 4 or 5 years old) seemingly already herding a few goats. I see the 60 year old man carrying a 30 foot log up a steep hill, and grab and end to help. Arriving at the top of the hill I find a pile of 15 logs depicting how many times he has already made this journey.
We arrive at Roses house. The acre of land she has is very steep and they try to feed all four of their kids from the rows of corn they grow. The kids play in the dirt, herd the cow, and chase the chickens..not a toy to be seen.
Her eating room is simple; 4 benches around the periphery,6 chai cups, a water filter, and an old radio. Family all sleeps in one room behind the curtain separating the eating room. The cooking room (as you can see pictured) is so smoky we can barely stand long enough to take a picture. Rose's husband is a carpenter but there is not any work currently available.
Perhaps the most humbling aspect of it all was Rose's wallpaper. Kenyan's often use magazines or newspapers to cover the walls of their sitting room. To see our trash (dental publications, OB/GYN journals, the Akron/Beacon Newspaper) as Rose's wallpaper was unexpected.
We enjoyed the Chair & Mendazis she served us with her family. Amelia and Meredith wanted desperately to take home one of her two puppies.
4 comments:
That is humbling to read about your magazines being used for wallpaper. I see Rose has a raised fire pit, which I have been reading about in "Miracle at Tenwek."
Just wanted y'all to know I am praying for your transition. I am a friend of your mom's. Your journey blesses and encourages my heart. I will continue to pray for y'all.
Love,
Fran Hobbs
Such a touching post. I always wonder at the beautifully colored fabrics and how nice the women always look taking into consideration their living conditions. We would probably not look as nice each day if we lived with dirt floors and smoky eating areas.
Beautiful memory.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Actually, I have one other thought. Your description reminds me so much of what I saw in the Dominican Republic - everyone had something to sell, had to in order to live - Children with boxes of avacados, and citris fruit, signs on homes of what they were selling, stands along roads, many, many orphans from HIV/AIDS who sold their fruits to live and care for younger sibs. And always with well swept dirt floors and a chair for you to sit in if you needed a break or wanted to visit. Just amazing. Such hearts for Jesus when they found Him.
Just thoughts before bed.
Good Night and Sweet Dreams,
Kathy
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