Kenya Update 10/29/09 - Sleepy Thursday

Today it feels like new england in Kenya...it is overcast and quite cool, definitely the kind of day that warrants a sweater! Special thanks to my parents who sent me an extra sweater in the mail - who would have thought it would be necessary? Well I am sure I will be singing a different song around Christmas time!

Speaking of which, I have been working on plans to visit a pastor I met at ANU named Peter "upcountry" in the Kisumu providence of Kenya. This is a "river and lake" region, as I'm told, and I should expect to enjoy a lot of fish and ugali! I am looking forward to this further cultural immersion, but I would appreciate prayer considering I have no idea what to expect. I'm practiced in stripping myself of expectations, but not without adequate prayer support!

Yesterday the student council of ANU met for the first time, and it's nice to watch Charles (the chairperson) step up in vision and leadership. The ANU trustees are in town, along with Dr. Jerry Lambert the Chancellor of the university. This seriously confused me. The "president" of the university is the VC (vice chancellor); I asked Dr. Lambert what function the Chancellor served if the VC runs the school? I suppose the Chancellor is like a money raising figure head (Prince Charles is the Chancellor of Oxford or something...). Before he "retired" to the Chancellorship, Dr. Lambert used to be the international commissioner of education for the Nazarene church - which means I had the opportunity to meet with him in San Diego in January of 2008; it was very good to reestablish that relationship. He is a Godly man who really encouraged me. The issues I am facing, that ANU is facing and that Kenya is facing seem no less complex after our conversation, but now I feel hopeful and optimistic about the future. I hope that I can have a spirit that inspires such Godly optimism!

I am seriously sleepy this morning. Maybe a desk nap is the solution. Roger doger, signing out.