Matatu Glory and Other Amusing Thoughts

Dearest family and friends,

Where to even begin. First, I must inform you this may be a very grammatically difficult email to read. Some of the keys on the computer are misplaced and let's be honest...i suck at spelling. Time is short and money limited so I will do the best I can...Sigh.

I miss you all. We all wish we could have taken our family and friends with us to this place, even if just for a moment. I know this week has been difficult for some and I am so sorry I cannot be there with you through it. Please know that I care for you and am praying constantly. We may be distant but we are not seperated.

Random things you may want to know:

1. cows, goats, donkeys, and chickens are everywhere. those who have gone before us know what i mean. I have gotten into the habit of saying 'gnombe!' or 'teta' (both mean cow) loudly while pointing at the cows. i don't know why, but i find it fun. Perhaps because people are always looking at us and sometimes pointing (kids mostly) because we are white. Maybe i am projecting how i feel on the the cow, or maybe i am just crazy. : )

2. i just saw a man get caned. i don't know what to say or feel right now. we are safe mom and dad- dont worry. If you steal here in kenya there is a high chance that mob justice will break out and you will be caned or burned. Well, someone stole something from someone and out came the 2x4 and oh gosh. I know people steal for ill intentions, but if you could see this place... They know what could happen. Sometimes i feel that perhaps there is a greater reason for their actions, not just simply to steal, but perhaps to survive or help a loved one survive. i dont know. We are on the 2nd floor of a large building and it happened down below in the street. stealing is very rare from what i can tell and what i have been told, so please dont worry. we don't carry anything with us and dress low key.

3. the children are amazing. we sing songs, play, and laugh together. I wish we could spend more time with them all, but as there is only 3 of us it takes a long time to cook, clean, and prepare for the day/night. teaching is going well and it feels so perfect, like the greatest blessing to be here. they are currently reviewing for their national exams so we are just going back over the information that they somewhat know...which helps and allows us to not rush through the material so fast.

4. Chad and Nate. They miss you guys so much! Silas says hello chad and also stated that you 'are a man in a half.' I have taken up where you left off and have taught Silas more slang and even some sign language. He is so funny and kind to us. You all left your mark and it is comforting to know that you came before us. They really do love you guys and always ask what you are up to and how you are doing...if you have families...if your hair is the same...you know : ). You left your 'mark' with these people and they have not forgotten your stay or love. Also, Silas calls me the "full blooded american-african woman"...i think this is good, right? : )

5. I love african food.

6. The only way to ride in a matatu is to stand. If you do not know what a matatu is just picture a small truck that is stuffed with about 24 people in the bed and maybe 3-4 in the front seat. i have decided that a matatu ride can either be heaven or it can be hell. They dont go very fast due to the roads (very bumpy and muddy due to the rain), but they have bench seats and metal bars around it so you can hold on. it is a really good place to meet people and to think. you have people and animals on them and i must admit, i like it. Sometimes it is not so fun when you are sitting down crammed in with about 6 people on one side and people standing infront of you with a chicken and small boy to your left and about 30 pounds of water on your lap. But overall, it is good. it is our main transportation here and it is working out well so far.

7. Please pray for us, the school, and children here. Also for kenya as elections are coming up soon.

8. Please write me/us emails, text messages, or letters. it is so good to hear from you all and often times it helps the days when we can remember words from loved ones.

9. People often ask what staple food we have in the US . Sometimes I say we dont have one and name off a few popular things, or i say mcdonalds. We are blessed with copious amounts of wealth and convenience in the states. I know we all know that, but it hurts sometimes to see all the poverty. I am scared that i will become immune to it. It is not everywhere or everyone, but it is at the same time; it is hard to explain. right now, as i type this to you, i have a view of the city and buildings and a market. Yet i also have a view of a field with (for lack of better terms) a slum inside it.

10. We are still planning to build the library and hopefully finish the school (a nice school building is still not completed and the students study/learn in very shabby rooms with no real walls.) But it cost more then we anticipatied and asked that the children write letters and create art work with the art supplies we brought so we can sell the work to raise money. We hope to do this soon, but it is going much slower than we thought. we are going to make a video and send pictures over email, so if you are willing to show and speak to people and churches that would be great. i hate to ask, but one thing africa has taught me is to be humble. it is not about asking for money or even to help support us now, it is all about the children who wake up at 4:45am to study, go to school with minimum supplies, study from 7-9pm with no running water and only 2 hours of electricty at night. Their clothes are torn but they smile. If they could see the US, i dont know what they would think of the indifference in us and some of our students. There is so much i wish i could share if time permitted. it is odd to try and relate the days via email. For those who worry, please know we are very safe. People in the villiage and school look after us like we were family. We are gaining more "street smarts" as the days go on. We kinda feel like pros right now. I feel like a living representation of what you said about dirt biking dad; that you "start off scared and shy, then get good, then get cocky, then mess up and get shy again." We are getting good, but hopefully not cocky. : )

You are all very loved and I pray constantly for you. Please write when you can.
- Morgan