Someone knocked on the door. “Uh, Linet, someone’s at the door!” I called out, unsure if I should answer it. A face popped into view through the window next to the metal door, and Dorcas’ eyes peered in. Her short hair, cropped close to her head, bobbed as she nodded in greeting. Though I had only seen … More How Making Friends and Understanding Culture Are Directly Tied
Big Rose is the affectionate (or, at times, not so affectionate) nickname of the backpack I travel with. She’s a violent/rose shade, hence the nickname, and about two and a half feet tall and one foot wide on a good day. On a bad day, when my pockets are empty but my backpack is full of … More Two Weeks, Two Continents, and a Lesson on Sharing
I’ve been meaning for some time to write a post to wrap up my trip. I’ve been back in the states for about a week now, and it’s totally surreal. It’s weird how quickly I was able to shift back into life here. I’m now working on going through this process of figuring out how everything … More Africa Isn’t Over
More often than not, I find myself telling people that I’m “going home” for lunch, or “I’ll be home” around this time, or “I’m waiting for my sister,” and know that by “home” I mean Peter and Monicah’s house or by “sister” I mean Serphine or Linette. These things so naturally became part of my … More Each Day Is Sufficient, “Home,” and Other Reflections
I’m so ridiculously happy and full right now. First, because we had chapati and bean stew for dinner tonight and that combination makes up one of my favorite meals. I think the primary reason I love it so much is because it tastes basically like a thicker, heartier version of tortillas and charro beans, which … More A Healthy Dose of Humility and Embracing Fullness
The afternoon is probably my favorite time of day. I finish my time at the school by hanging out with the kids and teaching them songs, games, or just talking and telling stories. It’s quite literally the most rewarding and redeeming part of my work there. I relish and soak in every minute of that … More Picking Apart Pieces of Kenyan Culture
My feet are covered in dirt and my hair is officially not looking so hot. Let’s be honest, I’m dirty. Each morning after I wake up, I wash myself in a basin of hot water. So the good news is I don’t have any kind of funky body smells going on (also due to the … More Grace Isn’t Always In a Clean, Pretty Package
If you’ve read any of my past posts then you know how much attention I attract simply by having lighter skin than anyone else. I’ve gotten used to being pointed at and having people exclaim “mzungu, mzungu!” when they see me, but I haven’t gotten used to the attention it brings. I usually get one … More The Lone Mzungu at the Wedding
This is a post I wrote last night, but I fell asleep before I could send it. I attended my first seventh day Adventist church service today. I say today instead of this morning because it’s unlike any church service I’ve ever attended. It’s an all-day affair. We trekked across town to East Nairobi to … More Happy Sabbath
Great news. The bathroom has a door on it and the toilet has a seat. I moved in yesterday and had my first day on my own in Kibera (relatively speaking, considering Peter was with me all day). We’ve done a lot in the short time I’ve been here, but I have to say it’s … More Kate and Kibera (I know it’s cheesy)
The Transition Artist 