Family Worship Centre

As much as I think I know this culture well, there are still times where I experience culture shock. The more I sit in my classes I realize that I know very little about the different cultures in this country. And the more I talk with my fellow classmates, the more I realize they know very little about my culture. For example, we have been talking a lot about circumcision in our classes. Circumcision was very important for the Jews so it is something to be discussed but I never thought we would dissect it to the point that we are at. Many boys in this culture need to be circumcised as a right of passage. In Canada, we do it at birth and that’s it. It’s done and never talked about again. However, here it is your entry into manhood. Depending on the tribe and tradition, most boys get it done between the ages of 13-18. It’s a month long process where someone comes and does the deed leaving the boys in the bush to heal for a month. During this time, the boys learn to be a man. This looks different depending on the tribe, religion, generation, etc. But they come out a new man – or a butchered one.

This week I have heard more circumcision stories than I ever have in my life. My teacher was the one who started it with a story he was telling. Then the boys in my class started to discuss their experiences. It makes me a wee bit uncomfortable. I don’t go to my guy friends in Canada and say, “oh hey, when did you get circumcised? Did it hurt?” But it’s like pregnancy here in Kenya. You usually don’t find out someone is pregnant until they are showing and even then they won’t tell you until you ask. We go screaming off the rooftops when we find out we’re pregnant but not Kenyans. They keep it hush hush until it can’t be hidden any more. Last year, a friend of mine gave birth and I only found out she was pregnant 2 weeks before she was due. I had been visiting her for over 4 months and she didn’t bother to mention it to me. They probably think its strange we don’t talk about circumcision.

Then the class laughed at me because I live in a wooden house. Our teacher was telling us about a man who died in a house fire in Europe (sad story that also had a lot of circumcision talk) and the house was so easy to burn because it was made of wood. He asked if my house was made from wood and I said that it was and the class began to roar with laughter. Here the houses are made of brick, cement or mud. We had to explain that wood is easier to heat in the winter times but also easier to burn down.

Another “What? Seriously?!” moment for my class was when our teacher described to them that the sun does not set at the same time in all places of the world. I told them that there are times of the year in Canada that it doesn’t get dark till 10pm and then there are times of the year that it starts getting dark around 4pm. They couldn’t understand. Confused looks crossed their faces.

With all this funny talk, I am still learning and did very very well on the exams I had last week. I have another one tomorrow on the New Testament.

Good News! The boys have started to pass to me when we play soccer! I know it sounds funny but to me it means that they somewhat trust me with the ball. I have scored twice already-the first time I think they let me score but the second time I did it all by myself! I think I am becoming a threat….haha ok I won’t go that far but it feels nice when the boys actually feel the need to defend me and keep the ball away from me. I am trying hard and my skills are actually improving. Maybe I will even make the team. Now I’m dreaming but you never know…

Otherwise, life is moving fast here. We are already in our 4^th week of school (its been almost a month since I have arrived- time is flying by). Only 6 more weeks to go and then we do a month of youth camps. I have memorized 20 verses as of today. I only have another 40 to go. I am spending time in the kitchen this week learning to cook traditional African food. I am also encouraging my classmates to speak in Swahili to me so that I may learn. I can usually understand about 2/3 of what is being said. I am being challenged everyday to be the best I can be. I don’t want to be the wimpy white girl (which is what most people think of whites) and I am doing my best to keep up with the pack.

Please keep me in your prayers. I thank God that I have not fallen ill and that my body is strong. I thank God for the diligence I have to keep time and do everything that is required me. I am so thankful for the skills I am learning and the strength and joy He is giving me to push myself so hard. These few months are preparing me for something. I don’t know what it is but I can see the growth in myself and I am amazed. But I still need prayers. A day rarely goes by when I am not tired. I am still struggling to find time to just BE and relax and rejuvenate. I crave to spend a day by myself in the city, drinking coffee, reading my bible and meeting up with old friends. Pray for patience with my classmates. I adore them but naturally there are things that do get on my nerves especially when we spend all day every day together.

Please keep the emails coming. I love hearing from back home. Enjoy the Olympics!! I highly doubt I will be able to see any of it over here. I heard there is only one African in the winter Olympics. Here, it’s all about football. We went out the other night to watch Chelsea vs. Arsenal. I could barely keep my eyes open. I don’t remember which team was which let alone who won.

Love your football (soccer) superstar,

Nikole