A Night with a Pumpkin

We had to curve a pumpkin, for the first time in our lives.  I was used to cutting them for food, but this time for HALLOWEEN.

Ironically, we left Kenya at a time when there was heavy drought, and many folks especially in the north of Kenya were starving.  We got to the US and found one of our traditional meals was being displayed everywhere, be it on the streets or at people’s homes all over the places we visited. Wow, what amount of food everywhere, and l was asking, “what’s special about the pumpkins?” only to be told it was all about the festivity event, Halloween.

You know what, my thinking has been if there was a way to ship all these pumpkins to Kenya, the 1000 families that we serve would go with a meal for months, if not years.  I tell you guys, a pumpkin when l was growing up was a complete meal for a family of seven and that would mean having some extra for breakfast for whoever gets up early. So, we are in this pumpkin country, and I am wondering, “when are we having the feast?”  The common response has been, “we are getting Duncan and Cornel some tools to curve the pumpkins!”  In Kenya it would be for a meal!

It’s only a couple of days before the real day, and l cannot wait to fill up my bags with pumpkins on my way back to Kenya.  This is in hopes I will trick my friends not to carve any more pumpkins, so l can have my treat to carry home.  I’m not very sure how my tricks will work, but the treat will be definite – Kenyans will appreciate the pumpkins. I am sitting here thinking next year when Cornel and I visit the States, the treat will be for every family to donate a pumpkin to a Kenyan family as a part of our fund-raising!

Our time in America has been a great treat as we moved all over place, and getting to see all these pumpkins has been an adventure. Next time you are in Kenya, l will make sure you cut one for dinner…

Epoch Missions Gala

Monday night was surreal. The Epoch Missions Gala was a black tie event to honor men and women who have devoted their lives to taking the gospel across the street and around the world. I was humbled to even have my name mentioned among such heroes of the faith. Thank you to Wes Gay and Tammy Preston for the nominations. I think that an event like this is long overdue. I hope all the missionaries in attendance were encouraged and reminded of the challenging but high calling that has been placed on their lives. On a separate note, I don’t think Cornel and Duncan had ever been at an event this swanky. We had to raid Nick’s closet and mine to find clothes for them that would be suited for the black tie attire. I think Duncan wears my suit well!

It was such an honor to be selected as a finalist in the people’s choice category. I had the privilege of sharing the category with Kim Pace. If you don’t know the background there, she is the person most to thank for helping CARE for AIDS get started. She connected me with Cornel and Duncan and the rest is history. So, in short, I was among good company. At the end of the night, it was announced that I had won the People’s Choice Award and the organization was awarded a grant of $3,540. I was blown away! My only disappointment was that we didn’t get the chance to celebrate the other heroes of CARE for AIDS that are much more deserving of an award than I am. From Cornel and Duncan, to Nick and Caleb, all the way to the center workers, those guys are the true heart and soul of this organization. The entire night was extremely well done: the food, the music, the venue, and the content. Not to mention that there were dozens of worthy causes represented that deserved recognition. I anticipate that attending Epoch will become a priority for me in years to come. Check it out at epoch2011.com.

Let me conclude by recounting a favorite moment from the night. Jon Acuff, the emcee for the evening, opened the program with a short anecdote about his young daughter who had commented on a photo she saw in a magazine that her dad was reading. She saw a picture of a young starving boy and inquired about him. Jon told her that the boy didn’t have any food to eat. The young girl replied, “But that’s only pretend, right daddy?” With some more work, I know there will be a day when HIV/AIDS will only be pretend. Who knows, maybe it will even be before Jesus comes back.

So, to echo Jon from the other night, what is it that you dream would one day only be pretend? What are you doing about it?

Living the American Life

As I said before, I am on a trip to America.  I am extremely having fun in so many ways!  Today i will mention them in points:

1. I miss my wife so much, but at the same time I am happy that for three weeks I will dress the way I want.  Normally she decides, and I do it – those who are married know what I am talking about.
2. It was not a good thing that I fell sick in America, but at the same time I am happy about it because for the first time in my life history- I mean over 30 years – I got to be attended to by a real doctor.  In Kenya, doctors are meant for the upper class and I am not yet there.  I saw my body in a computer, a miracle!   Oxygen was inserted in my nose – unbelievable!  And so many other things.  I was handled as a patient for the first time.  God is good
3. In this trip, I visited Ohio for the first time.  In Ohio, I saw trees changing colours more than anywhere else.  It is in this town that I also met a family that lives like Kenyans.  For security reasons I will not name names.  But as a typical Kenyan I have always believed that all girls should be taught how to cook by the mothers.  Do not think that I am a woman chauvinist, but I was also taught that men should provide for their families.  Our cultures are different, and I will have to accept that hard truth.  Maybe the problem is me.
4. I love coming to America during this time of the year mainly because the weather is perfect.  At the same time, I have to discover that Americans are addicted to air conditioning.  They will always have it either in the house or in the car no matter what.  I have always thought that the air conditioner should be on when there are two extremes, either when it is too cold or when it is too hot. Well, they have it all the times, again maybe the problem is me?

Apart from all the negative things I have said about the Americans, there are two things I have concluded about them.  They are generous and  they are welcoming.  CFA is where it is because of them.  I have always wondered where would CFA be if there were no Americans?  It was only a dream.  Thank God for you Americans who have always supported us and welcomed us into your homes.  Some of the people are even giving more than they gave last year.  You are always teaching me a lesson.  I will continue to thank God for you.