I'm not sure where the days have gone! I have been in Bumala B' for over two weeks. I am officially past my half way point of my time here in Kenya. When I think back over my time, it is hard for me to separate the days from each other. Time here moves with a beautiful simplicity. There is none of the hectic rush of the Western world. Things simply happen when they happen. Disney couldn't have been more on the mark with "Hakuna Matata!" I am often reminded of just how Western I am when I attempt to speed things along. I am usually met with a smile and a nod, yet nothing else. It is their polite way of doing things in their own time. I find myself sitting and waiting... a lot. I'm so used to every moment of my life being scheduled and accounted for... not so much here. This is not to say life here is easy. It is not. Despite sitting around more than I would at home, I find myself crawling in bed every night completely exhausted!
Even the simplest tasks are complicated here. So many things that we take for granted, that we naturally have at our fingertips, are laborious chores. For example, I have a "western style toilet" in my room. It has a tank attached to the back and can be flushed. Awesome, right? Yes and no. I have to pour water into the back of the tank to flush it (which takes half a bucket of water). I also have to get the water to be able to pour it into my tank. This requires me to go to the lake (there is a reserve of water closer, but as it is cleaner, I don't want to waste it on the toilet), gather the water, walk back with the full bucket, carry the full bucket up to the 3rd floor, and then pour it into the tank. Oh, did I mention that I can barely lift the bucket off the ground when it is full?... So you can imagine, this is quite the process! I have become a constant entertainment to the kids of Kings and the locals as a whole.
Everyone is so happy to do these things for me. They don't want me doing work. They want me to be a guest. This, however, is the last thing I want. I know how hard they work, and I do not want to add to that work load. It is a constant struggle to convince them to let me do for myself. I do, at times, give in and let them do. I know sometimes doing for myself only causes them more problems in the end as they have to redo everything I have done. It is definitely a learning process. Hopefully, before my time here is over, I will be seen as a help and not a hinderance.
Playing and being with the kids is something I feel confident in. I cherish that aspect of my day. It doesn't bother me when they laugh at me. Making a fool of myself means I am bringing them joy. Therefore, I am more than happy to play the part of the clown. Being with them doesn't take work or effort. I sing for them (as simple as the ABC's) as they giggle and try to sing along. I have found a few songs on my iPod that they've fallen in love with. So, we listen to them on repeat for hours (no joke, same song for hours). We dance as we listen to the songs. They are the only ones I know who actually enjoy my dancing and think it is good. Playing with and fixing my hair is a two hour event full of giggles and cheers. They are easy to please, and I am happy to accommodate in any way I can. I can say without hesitation that I love these kids!
While this trip has been full of joy, it has not been without its struggles. I am constantly reminded (overwhelmingly at times) of just how great the need is and just how small and insignificant I am in the face of it. At times, it is an effort not to simply cry at the magnitude of it (and I will admit I have failed a few times). I know what is being done here is miraculously changing lives. I know it isn't a small thing and is amazing... But, I find myself focusing on the eyes outside of the fence. The lives we haven't changed or transformed. What about them? I know the answer to this question is simple enough, but those faces still weigh on my heart. So, what do I do? I play with our kids until I can't stand, I laugh until my stomach hurts, I sing (yes, the ABC's if that's what they want) at the top of my lungs, I become a human Barbie doll, I hug, and pour out as much love as I can. I do my best to change the lives I have in front of me. I do this in the hopes that someday these kids will be able to reach the faces at the fence, to change the lives I can't.