By: Melody Pahlow
Day One
Kenya from the airFebruary 16, 2004 at 10:35 p.m. Kenya Time
We arrived in Kenya today. The airport was filled with people from different countries and religions. It was a little unnerving to not understand the signs or know where to go. Luckily, Kenyan’s speak excellent English. So we had help from the locals.
I have been reading a verse that Jen and Dave Nelson had shown me before we left. It is John 10:4, “When God calls out his sheep, he goes before them.” The promise I took from that verse was that God was waiting for me in Africa. That was very comforting. I have been very afraid and uneasy about not knowing anyone in this foreign land. Who could I trust to look out for us? Anyway, that verse is the one I have been clinging to.
We planned on staying in the airport for our 8 hour layover (budget and safety issues). We were very tired, the chairs were hard and we saw a sign that offered “sleeping rooms” in the airport. We decided to check it out. We arrived in the cement basement of the airport and were waiting in line to get a bed. We introduced ourselves to a Ugandan business woman who came up behind us. She was frustrated because she had missed her flight to Ethiopia. After some small chit chat, we suggested that she go ahead of us to insure that she would get a room. She looked confused and said, “You are American, why are you being so nice to me?” Ben quickly said, “Because we love Jesus”. She really connected with that and replied happily, “Oh, so that is the difference”.
She was able to secure a room, and they did have one more double bed available. This was really a transient place. A communal bathroom and shower and only a small bed, in what Ben called, a “closet”. The man quoted us $70.00. Well, I said absolutely not! That was just too expensive for what they were offering. For crying out loud, I could go to the Hilton in Nairobi for that. Norah, our Ugandan friend looked over at me and said, “Oh, please let me pay your bill”. What?? An African paying an American’s bill. I wouldn’t hear of it. I said adamantly, “No, thank you but you don’t have to do that.” I think I said that about 5 or 6 times arguing with this woman. What I didn’t realize was that I was being incredibly rude (culturally speaking).
Ben, of course, picked up on the offense and said directly to me, “Melody, why are you being so rude? Say yes and thank the woman.” OK, I totally hate it when he sees things I don’t. I think I should have gotten it by the third time at least.
However, after then saying yes, I profusely apologized for my rudeness and practically smothered the woman with thanks. I think she must now think that American woman are emotional roller coasters.
Norah was a wonderful example of God’s promise to me. God was in Africa waiting for me. I just didn’t know what clothes he would be wearing.
9:00 a.m. Kenya time
On the plane to Kigali. It smells in here! Phew! These people need soap.
Anyway, we saw Norah this morning and offered her breakfast (she immediately accepted). We had fun eating together and talking about kids, etc. We showed her pictures on Ben’s digital camera. She was especially excited about the music he played. The start of another beautiful relationship.
In Nairobi with Norah at breakfast
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