The Mzungu Pays

I had quite the Kenyan experience today. It started with church. We met in a huge up and coming church called Faith Evangelistic Ministry. They are in the process of a huge building project, but we met in some HUGE tents. It was pretty charismatic, including dancing, yelling, and even some tongues. They asked if there were any visitors and then if there were any from outside the country… and Carissa, Ryan, and I were the ONLY white people there (and we’re talking, like, out of a few thousand). We yelled out “the United States” and “Canada.” I wasn’t loud enough and was presumed Canadian. We were invited to a tent in the back afterwards for tea with some of the ministers. And they did the offering bring-it-to-the-front-row-by-row-style, so that was an experience. They sing a lot of the same songs as we do, including How Great Thou Art (in Swahili, the final verse in English – of course, all in English for me), and some other sweet hymns. There were also some distinctly African songs, a lot of movement involved. Everyone had rhythm. But, unlike in the US, it seemed that a lot of the time they clapped on the upbeats. The preacher talked about being careful of “writing on the wall” and living with integrity in Kenya. And although this was not at all the focus of the service, we prayed specifically against their new constitution, in which they are trying to legalize abortion… the country votes on it soon. Ps... they're planting a church in Boston!

After eating lunch with Joseph in his house, we went to the Maasai Market in downtown Nairobi, taking the crazy matatu taxi vans. They had a lot of awesome African souvenirs, and because we were white, they asked for astronomically high prices. We had Boninie with us to help… but sometimes we fail in life. Shopping at the Maasai Market was one such time in mine. Bonnie told me that for all the things I had picked out, not to go over 2000 bob (schillings), and to let him know if they would not, and he’d do the deal. When I told them 2000, they seemed to be offended and shocked. Long story short, after being escorted to an ATM (yes… I am pretty dumb – he had me in the palm of his hand) by one of the “brokers” who was trying to “give me a fair price,” I paid what is equivalent to over a little over 150 dollars. I feel sick. Don’t get me wrong… I got a good bit of stuff… some leather sandals, a few other things, and some bracelets… but apparently, I got taken for a ride. Straight ripped off. Here are some of the ways I have tried to justify it in my mind: I would have paid much more in the US (if everything is authentic, that is); I ended up only having to pay for 10 days in my room versus 20; I paid for the experience; and that’s only a couple of days doing landscaping. The vendors swarm mzungus constantly, placing things in our hands, making small talk, building rapport, working together, “helping” us tirelessly… I couldn’t get away. These guys were amazing… and I got played. I have grown to dislike bargaining a lot... maybe it's because of today, when I realized that I can't do it at all.

I took pictures of Joseph’s family tonight, another mutual blessing. He suggested that there may be an organization that could help his kids with school fees. He then served me dinner again… spaghetti, actually! Joseph has told me repeatedly that he will never forget me and that I have made him so happy. His love is incredible. He went to another church this morning to try to get some missionaries to come to Molo with us, but said that when he got there, they told him he was speaking, haha. So he did, and he said that one girl gave her life to Christ. Such an amazing guy. He continually testifies to God’s great power and glory in and through his life.