Lessons learned

So we have been here in Bomet, Kenya for one month. Time has passed very quickly and we suspect that the following month will pass by even more rapidly.

There are so many little tid bits here and there that have been discovered. Here are a few of the lessons learned after one month in Kenya:
1.) Beans take a long time to cook.
2.) "Sakuma wiki" (kale... we think) can be quite tasty and is our main source of vitamins.
3.) You have to have really strong teeth to eat sugar cane.... not I.
4.) Sunrises on hilltops in Kenya are beautiful.

5.) Even though English is spoken it can still be very hard to communicate.

6.) "Communication is key" even here.
7.) Air dried laundry can be stiff.
8.) Toyota Corollas can be sold as off road vehicles.
9.) Mosquitoes like showers and sinks, when they can't get to people.
10.) Mosquito nets are not that bad.
11.) There are different grades of tea, BP1 is the best, it is grown in Kenya but exported to more wealthy nations.
12.) Many Kenyans think that the US has population control- only 2 children per family.
13.) Saying you have "no children" means that you are barren (so I have lots of children, but just not born yet....)
14.) Our refrigerator here works better than the one in Lexington (thanks to the Lindemann's for taking care of our broken fridge mess last week!)

15.) Chai does not mean spiced tea, it means tea boiled with milk and lots of sugar.
16.) Do not get injured at 10:30 AM, as all of the hospital workers will be observing Chai time.
17.) People everywhere appreciate care.
18.) People can threaten lawsuits even in Kenya.. (I had an unhappy wealthy teenager as a patient).
19.) Prayer is powerful.
20.) Everyone wants you to come to their home, no matter if it is 4 hrs away.
21.) The US really is odd with not using metric units.
22.) Medicine is such an easy field to love on people.
23.) You can definitely serve with a bad attitude.
24.) It is much more fun to serve for the sake of others instead of for your own purposes.
25.) We are dependent on our computers.

26.) Pictures fascinate children.

27.) Wealth is often determined by the number of cows you own.
28.) Areas are characterized by what they grow, Kentucky's tobacco is not that impressive of a crop to the Kenyans, and they don't understand the concept of "growing horses."
29.) We live on a lot more than we "need."
30.) You really can appreciate each day being beautiful.
31.) Chameleons make great pets.
32.) Faith is displayed in various fashions, but it is awesome to see the signature of God on it all.
33.) Education goes a long way.

34.) Napkins work as coffee filters.
35.) You can make tea in the coffee maker.
36.) Coffee and tea mixed together does not taste very good.
37.) Saying, "Praise God," after accomplishments goes a long way with sharing God's love with people.
38.) Easter is much more of a holiday here, most workers get Friday and Monday off.
39.) Pangas (machetes) are used for much more destructive things than clearing the bush.
40.) You can't tell people to "put ice on it." Refrigeration is not common.
41.) Many of the hospital workers do not have electricity in their homes.
42.) There are several people named Barack Obama. Baraka means "blessing."
43.) Most of the residents here have never been outside of their region.
44.) Running in a skirt is doable.

45.) The connection of Christ despite nationality is so apparent and amazing.
46.) No matter how "spiritual" the setting, the disciplines of prayer and being in the Word have to be made priority and intentional. Even without as many distractions these things can easily be put on the back burner.
47.) No matter how "spiritual" the setting, my selfishness can rule, causing me to serve myself rather than having the desire to serve others.
48.) Having the title of being a "missionary" can be dangerous, we still have to show people that we need a Savior, not that we are one.
49.) I am even more aware of how blessed I am to have Josh as my husband.
50.) I need Thee every hour.

The Lord has continued to grow Josh and I in so many ways. We are getting more and more excited about the story that the Lord is writing for us. Our time here continues to expand our worlds, which also makes our God bigger, greater, more loving, and gracious. Praise God.