Savia Bells and Machakos

Hey everyone! Thanks for being so patient, we've been quite busy lately! This past week (June 11-14) Stephanie and Brittany went to a primary school (grade 6-8) called, Savia Bells and I visited a school for the deaf in Machakos which is a 2 hour drive from Nairobi.

The girls described the school as one of the most poverty stricken schools (outside of the youth center) they've worked at. The playground area was extremely small and it consisted of a sewage strip that ran down the middle of the yard. The classrooms consisted of paper thin dividers with holes to which Brittany on occasion would peek through to make faces at Stephanie while she taught in the adjacent room. The walls between each class were built only 3/4 the way up, so you had to raise your voice so the students could hear you while you talked over the other teachers neighboring your classroom. They both had weak voices when I returned Thursday! Despite the difficult "teaching" enviornment, they taught various subjects- one being CRE (Christian Religious Education), to which they were able to add their own testimonies, and through this, a couple of children came to know Christ!

As for me, I had the opportunity to work at the Machakos School for the Deaf. This boarding school is home to approximatly 200 youth ranging ages 4-20. My first experience with the children began Tuesday at their morning assembly where 5 students would conduct worship by leading their fellow classmates through the signs of an assortment of songs. Words can NOT describe the beauty of these children signing to a song such as, "There is no God like our God" - some hummed, some closed their eyes, and some just rocked back and forth. It brought tears to my eyes each morning I watched them! My day consisted of observing various classes in different grade levels. At the end of each class I was able to share a little bit about myself - when they found out I was a special education major and that I had an interest in working with students who were deaf, they begged for me to stay there. If it wasn't for my sister getting married in August - I would have signed a contract right then and there! When Thursday came, I did not want to leave. If I hadn't had prior obligations to work in Nairobi, I would have finished up my time in Machokos!

After our fun filled adventures at the schools, we concluded our week by spending the weekend at our friend Jennifers home. Her lovely daughter Rina, took us out "American" style: We did some shopping at the infamous Masaii Market where we bargained our tails off and got a couple of steals. We ate at a resturant Sunday after church that had everything from salads, to hamburgers, to breakfast items. This satisfying lunch was followed by the movie, Next, starring Nicholas Cage. In between these outtings, there was a lot of rest and relaxation. Stephanie came down with the flu on Friday and did as much as her body would allow. She finally went to the doctor today (Tuesday) and got some medicine for this bug so she could be prepared for Steve and the girls arrival tomorrow (Wednesday).

It's hard to believe that we're already half way through the summer! Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers!

Can't wait to see you North Side...can you believe its less than 10 days that you arrive in NAIROBI, KENYA?! Get ready to have your life changed!!!!!

there's a first time for everything...

Well, it's Brittany here! Or Brita...or here in Kenya, I'm called "Britain." It's Sunday night right now and we are wrapping up the birthday party for one of Pastor Euticauls' sons, Jeff, who turned 8 yesterday. I tried to figure out what to write about for this first blog of mine, so I thought I would talk about some of my "firsts" that I've had since I've been here:

First day of school: Chrissy, Stephanie, and I taught at Lucky Shamir Junior School on Wednesday and Friday, and went to this HUGE competition of dancing, singing, poetry, and instruments on Thursday. It was so crazy because you just kind of get thrown into the lesson at wherever the teacher left off! No preparation at all! It's all pretty simple though and all of the kids speak English as well as Swahili. The kids absolutely LOVE us and I'm pretty sure I got harassed and stalked in the schoolyard by the "baby class" which are 3 and 4 year olds! It was quite funny. I taught class 2 and class 3 (2nd grade and 3rd grade). The kids here are so respectful, standing up and greeting you as you enter the class, and being so attentive and eager to learn and hear what you have to say...from experience, I can say that most American kids are the complete opposite! Some things that I took notice of in the schools are that all of the kids have small notebooks of paper wrapped in newspaper as a cover but share ragged textbooks, 1 for every 3 or 4 kids. They all share pencils, rulers, erasers, razor blades (yes, they use razorblades to sharpen their pencils), and share a small table as a desk with each row packed to the max. It's such a stark contrast from American schools where we each have our own space/desk, our own box of pencils, erasers, crayons, etc., our own notebooks with paper that we'll throw away if we mess up ONE word, etc. It has made me see how much we take for granted so many small things in America. I had some really fun times with the kids teaching them how to play hangman and duck, duck, goose and making kites from newspaper, string, and sticks. Tomorrow, Steph and I will start at a new school for the week while Chrissy (known as Christine here) will travel to a deaf school out of town for the week.

First meal in Africa: A bit similar to Brazil, I must say...rice, beans, vegetables, fruit, and meat. That's pretty much every meal. It's real good though...when we have a nice cold Coke, it tops it off!

First African wedding: Holy Cow! You haven't lived until you've sat through an all day wedding! The wedding was supposed to start at 10am so that's when we got dropped off. Pastor Euti didn't get there until like 12:30pm and he arrived with the wedding party! So here, they live off of "African time" which means if something starts at 10, it won't start until 11:30 or 12! So the wedding didn't officially start until like 1 or 1:15 and we finally left at 5:30pm! People we breaking out the newspapers and cd players during the wedding! It's much more like a church service though, with dancing, singing, shouting, etc. Not formal at all!

First Sunday in Africa: This morning we went to church at like 8:15 and Chrissy, Steph, and I taught the youth sunday school class. Then we went to the young adult sunday school class taught by our friend Joab, then went to the service which lasted from 10:30 until almost 2:00! It was definately different but awesome to be a part of worshiping God with another people group.

First week's highlights and funniest moments:

• "How do you feed it in space?" - this was what a British mother said in the DC airport before the flight to London...she was referring to how to feed her baby on the airplane!


• Teaching the kids at the apartment some card games like Go Fish and Spoons.


• Joe, Euti's oldest son, escorts us to school sometimes......and he's only 9! It's crazy that they won't let us walk anywhere by ourselves but they'll let us walk with a 9 year old as an escort!


• As most of you know, I don't like eggs...well, I had to eat them TWICE one day this week...I can definately stomach it, but it sure isn't my preference!


• Got to experience the "matatos" which are the public transportation vans/buses. We got on one the other day and it was like the ghetto club on wheels! It had a tv in it with rap videos and the loudest speakers ever! It was so funny we had to video it...hopefully you'll get to see it one day!


• First experience with Wheatabix....CHRISSY'S FAVORITE CEREAL! Chrissy told me that it's so disgusting, you just have to love it...so I had it at the bed and breakfast we stayed at the other night and it's everything I could've ever hoped for....it's this chunk of wheat cereal that once you add milk, it soaks it all up and instantly becomes like frosted mini wheats that's been sitting in the milk for 30 mintues....and of course it didn't have frosting. Chrissy and I will be sure to bring some back for you to try!


• Seeing a carful of young mzungu guys (white guys) as they pulled up beside us. Chrissy called it to our attention, and we all began freaking out...Steph so eloquently waved her hand out the window as if to give a "mating call." You can tell that the two of them have been out of the country for a month!


• We found a baby frog in our living room last night after my first rain in Africa!
• Today after church, as we were leaving, I asked Chrissy and Steph if we could go to Zaxby's for lunch and it was just pure torture to us to crave it and not get to go! So we started naming stuff we missed/wanted like Santa Fe, a salad with ranch dressing, some PICKLES (no, I have not had any since I've been here....I'm dying inside!), Chickfila, etc.

The pictures up top are of the beloved Wheatabix cereal, Euti's kids and some neighborhood kids hanging out with us in the apartment, and my 2nd grade class at Lucky Shamir.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and for keeping up to date with what is going on on this side of the world! We are looking forward to what God will continue to do through us here so please keep us all in your prayers! Check back soon for more updates! We love you all!

~Britain :)