Karibu!
So after leaving South Africa for Kenya last Monday, there
is a rumour that I am still alive. Yes, if the news has not trickled down via
social media pages, MJ or other assorted people, it is indeed the truth. My
apologies if this news is only coming through now! I am alive, have arrived
safely, party sorted out my place where I am living, and I am now involved at
St. Catherine’s School in an area that is much deeper inside the Kiberan slums
than where I was in the previous 2 years.
My first 2 weeks here have been mixed with difficulties and
good old fashioned stress. I am one that still does not like change (surprise!),
and when it happens it sends me down the “freaking out pathway” to the” I wish
I was with my friends and family plaza.” It has been difficult due to me being
short of my start off funds needed to kick start me in Kenya and plain old
adjusting. I had to use some of what I had raised, to organize my medical
insurance for the year, and upon arriving in Kenya I found I had very low funds.
Through this God has shown me He is still there even if I sometimes tried to
work out in rational terms if He was or not. After a panicked message to my
brother, he awesomely leant me the money to pay for my first month’s rent (+ 1
month’s rent in advance) and as the end of the month arrives I will be able to
pay him fully back. I managed to get a bed and mattress, and my sleeping bag is
my best friend at this point. My kitchen has at this point has a smoothie maker
Rachel/Dean gave me, that managed to make it all the way through to Kenya
without it being lost, a bowl, spoon, knife, weetbix and peanut butter/marg and
bread. Thank you to all who put in extra this month and to the one off sponsors to help me get on my feet. So much more appreciated than you will know. Thank you all for being on board for another exciting adventurous crazy God filled year. Your monthly support is huge huge huge to me and I would not be here if it was not for all of you.
My major food at this moment til month ends is 1. Smoothies
and 2. A local sit down place. Mangos at R2/R2.50 each and bananas at R1 each
are brilliant for a smoothie. Add some yoghurt for R4, some water and that is
supper folks. Very healthy I must admit. And I cannot say how much I love mangos
, or as my nephews are taught…really really like J (loving someone to loving food?) 2. The local sit
down place starts off with food from R10, being rice – beans – local spinach –
chick peas. I do not have this every day but when I do it fills me, but am
thinking I should get some herbs or something to add some flavor. Maybe I should
ask the Vally’s for some of Brendan’s famous chilli blend. But I do not want to
complain. My breakfast is my mainstay, and one that I would struggle to change.
Good ol Weetbix or as is know here, Weetabix or Sunnybix. I could go into the
difference, but all I need to know is that Sunnybix is close to the original
and added to boxed milk and sugar, a banana - it works for me. As some may know, I really
enjoy
Cornflakes but at R50 a box that in SA cost R25 or less I think good ol
Weetbix will suffice.
So food and money aside, the biggest thing is that I am
working in St Catherine’s school – have a look at their official website @ -, a
school inside the slum that takes 120 children and has a home for around 20
orphans. As you know, I have wanted to start studying teaching this year (if
money allows) and especially in the field of Life Skills aiming towards
teaching the 8yr to 9yr old class. Exciting amazing news is this – I am
officially a Life Skills teacher here at St Catherine’s for Class 4 (24
students) which is for the pupils between 8 and 9 years! Say what?! God is
definitely watching out for me and has made a way for me to do what I have
wanted to do already. The children have yet to know what is coming – a crazy
Umzugu with some wacky lesson plans J Oh, from next week I am teaching Class 5’s too! I have only been with
them a short time, but bonds are already forming and I thank God hugely for
putting this into place. Yup, He loves me – and yes, love always wins!!
So that is me in a mango skin (ok that creates a really
weird picture, unless you are in the fashion business or have watched the movie
Zoolander) and yes even though it is a tighter month, God has provided hugely
and I know I will not go hungry or have to sleep on the streets thanks to Him, to you my sponsors and 3 kick-start donors. I
will be back in touch month end, but you know the drill by now; email,
whattsap, skype, whale talk (aka Dory in Find Nemo) me whenever with a one
liner or a full book. I really love hearing from you guys, and never
underestimate anything you send; hearing from you picks me up and keeps me
going especially in this time when I start off getting used to being back in
Kenya. Being the only umzungu in the whole area is definitely culture shock to
say the least!
I love you guys, you all mean so much to me and know that we
are all in this together – missioning to see God’s heaven come to earth. Here
in Kibera, Kenya and wherever you are in the world. He is here, He is wanting
to see all of the bad and the nastiness gone in this world – we are here to
help see that happen.
Love you all, I hope you are all doing well and know one
thing…. Love Always Wins.
Gareth
