Life in Nairobi, Kenya

Hello Friends and Family!

**while I am writing this I would like to note that Steve Green is playing in the background of the internet cafe that I am in**

Things are going really well at this end. I am loving teaching 1st grade. Everyday is a good story! The kids are great and are really teaching me about what it means to have a child-like faith. Their trust in you and their forgiveness and understanding is unbelievable. We are constantly praying together as a class and talking about Jesus. It is so much different from my school experience growing up as a kid. The other day before a math test a little girl raises her hand and says "Miss Keyser can we pray before we take our test!!" . I also have a prayer box for the kids to write a prayer request or draw a picture. We pray for our family and friends, and recently since it is Ramadan we pray for the Muslims everyday.

On Tuesday, I was surprised to have a new student! The little girl, her mom and my principal come into my classroom around 9:00am and say this is her first day at our school! So all of last week was spent catching her up---explaining the rules and routines of the classroom. When explaining why I want my bookshelves to be neat--and if they aren't the children have to give me a green ticket (which they earn to be able to buy something at the end of the month). she asked why do I take a green ticket? it sounds silly in my mind "well because I am a neat freak and want my classroom to be organized!" no no I said well we have to learn to take care of our things and be responsible. She is nodding her head as I am explaining. Then suddenly the boy next to her leans over and whispers "My mom says Miss Keyser is really tough"

My parents are really great!! they are so supportive-I only have one crazy protective-parent! :) I have parent helpers who come in throughout the week who help me grade, do paperwork and help with individual students. the ability level in my classroom is so diverse.

Another funny story- another little girl was late for class--about 20 minutes late. She comes walking in soaking wet from head to toe. She is also holding a sweatshirt which is dripping all over our classroom floor. She then goes to put it in her school bag like that! I say "wait wait no no no--where were you??" she said I got something on my sweatshirt and had to hand wash it in the bathroom sink! hey atleast she was being responsible right???

but they are a great little group! We are working on being respectful, responsible and safe! sometimes those things are tough for 1st graders. I think that hardest part about my job is many of my kids are not 6-7 years old like they should be. I have some 5 year olds in my class. So by 1:00 in the afternoon those 5 year olds are in tears and cannot make it throughout the day.

But I love my job! I love having my own classroom! And I am not stressed out about teaching. I honestly thought I would have no life this year-lesson planning and grading all the time. but I have really tried to manage my time well and not overwhelm myself.

Sammie is doing really well! He is busy with school and student government. he is taking Spanish this semester and loving it! so its fun to be able to help him with a language. because most of the time he's correcting my Swahili--this time I get to teach him the little Spanish that I remember!! his brother is getting married in just 3 weeks!! I have been to all of the wedding committee meetings and yesterday both families got together for lunch. I found out that in Kenya there is wedding registry!!! can you believe it??? the only problem is--when you buy the present you have to keep the receipt--and you do not check off at the store that you bought the gift. So you could end up with 8 blenders, 6 microwaves. because the store (Nakumatt--its just like walmart) does not keep track of what is bought off the registry. So you have to have your receipt to be able to return the item--imagine how long it takes to get everything taken care of!! but hey atleast there is wedding registry! I was cracking up though about the process. our friends who got married a few months ago said it took about 2 months to straighten out all of the gifts that were bought from Nakumatt off of the registry.

the lunch yesterday was really great. We went to Shiro's house (sammie's brother's fiancé). She lives in a really beautiful house! about 20 of our family members were there---and from sammie's family only 10 of us could make it. what a cultural experience. you walk into the house, you take off your shoes, and then everyone from shiros' family is standing in a line. you have to shake each and every one of their hands, and some times hug from side to side- does that make sense? you know that awkward when the person pulls you close and kisses both cheeks? sounds funny when you try explain it. if you go the wrong direction as the person you end up hitting each other in the face and looking like a doofus-happens to me al to. haven't totally figured it out yet. once you shake hands, you sit down--but the families cannot sit together. we sat on one side of the living room, and shiro's family sat on the other--since james and shiro are not married yet we cannot sit together. tradition. and Shiro was upstairs and was not allowed to come downstairs--technically at all of this meetings she is not allowed to be present. but that was broken yesterday when she got tired of sitting in her room and came down. its more of a tradition for the older generations. so when we sit down--the family greets us--we pray, wash hands and eat food. again the families sit together and talk. after we ate- they served soda/chai and fruit. then everyone has to give a speech!! EVERYONE! they all say the same thing--they put shiro and jame sin the middle of the room--and everyone must give them a blessing. most of it was in Kikuyu so id didn't understand most to fit--sometimes they spoke in English for me. I don't know any of Kikuyu (the tribal language). there was no Swahili the whole day! After the speeches- we took chai again and Sammie's family brought gifts. which was bananas, flour and sugar. The entire day lasted from 2:00pm-7:00pm. it was a long day!! but what an experience. Its good that they all got their speeches out--so it doesn't happen on the wedding day.

Today I am just hanging out and relaxing. Please be praying for good health and safety! Also, I am praying about what to do next year. My contract is up in June-and I have to tell the school my tentative decision in December. Just pray that God would open or close doors. I am looking at other schools while also praying about staying at West Nairobi for longer. Its a tough decision! but I absolutely love being here!!! God is good!

A praise is that my mom is coming very very soon!! She will be here for James and Shiro's wedding!!!

a picture of my 1st grade classroom!!! the kids are working hard!

The entire WNS staff at our Lukenya staff retreat!!

A picture of myself and all of my kenyan friends! This is after one of our committee meetings. They are a great group!