Its Always Sunny in Kilifi, starring Beau Jones

Hey guys!

I am finishing up my third week in Kilifi. Only ten weeks more to go. I guess that isn't the attitude I should have, but I look forward to seeing the other volunteers. I am also looking forward to meeting Bob's family. Bob and his family are doing the will of God in Kenya. He has helped stared over 100 churches in Kenya. He is a delight to talk with. I got to know Bob through my aunt and uncle. Shortly after I arrived in Kenya, I received a text from Bob. He said he lived near Nairobi, knew my aunt and uncle and said he would like to meet me sometime. I exchanged texts and phone calls with Bob until the beginning of January.

I meet Bob for dinner Nairobi at a place called Java House, in the Serit Centre. I was impressed with his fluency in Swahili, but after 20 years of serving the Lord our God in Kenya you're bound to pick up a thing or two. I was inspired by his commitment to our Almighty Father. I have experienced a lot of challenges in this country so far, and can only imagine what kind of challenges Kenya was offering Bob and his family 20 years ago.

I have learned a lot in Kenya. I've learned to appreciate a lot all aspects of American culture and life. We all know that, in general, life in the US is better than life in developing countries, but we tend to overlook the simple things. The only way to understand what I'm talking is to experience it for yourself.

I am definitely a different person than when I left. I believe needed this trip to understand how good we have it in the US. I'm not just talking about starbucks on every corner or going baseball games. I'm also talking about attitudes of people. I know it is vague (sorry for that), but I can't elaborate on this, as this blog is being monitored. Shoot an email my direction and can elaborate in a personal email.

This morning was surprisingly cool. Awoke up around 5 am and was not covered in sweat like usual. Instead I was dry as a bone, and my legs where even a little chilly. That instantly putme in a good mood for the day.

I am still not in my house, but they are almost finished with it. The head master of the primary school visited my house a few weeks ago and said that he was concerned about the securityof the place. So I have been staying with another volunteer for the time being. I visited the house today and it is almost ready. The workshop at the school made bars for the two windows, and a big metal door for the front door. I wasn't too concerned about the safety of my House, but I sure feel better seeing the added security measures.

I will start moving into my new place this weekend. I need to buy a mattress, a jiko (like an charcoal grill), a pot, a wooden spoon, some basins and a few other things. I might have a shelf made as well.

My new address is :

PO Box 1320-80108
Kenya, Kilifi

Encouraging letters would be very much appreciated. Tell me about yourself, if we haven't met before.

Until next time. . . .

Camping in Mombasa

It's been a while since my last post. I'm currently sitting in another volunteer's house in Kilifi. My house is still not ready. I looked at the house last week. When my principal saw the door and the windows, she demanded that they replace the bars on the windows and add a heavy metal door. The entire house is smaller than my parents' kitchen. . . . But. . . I really don't need anything bigger. I think it is an awesome house, and I couldn't be happier with it.

My school is named Pwani Secondary School for the Deaf. Pwani is a word in swahili meaning "coast" or "coastal" depending on the context. We are only two forms (grades) strong, though the form 1 (9th grade) students have yet to arrive. My students were only
taught a third of last year's material in mathematics, and have yet to begin form 1 chemistry or physics. I have a lot on my plate. At least I don't have to look for service projects, right?

There are some things I am having to get use to here in the Kenyan schools. One of them being every time students see me carrying books, they run up to me and grab the books from me and take them from me.
Also, when the 5 foot tall deputy head master sees me carrying (even one book) his will call a student to carry it for me. School politics is another thing that takes some getting use to. I'll just leave it at that. I'd rather not explain this right now.

There was no electricity (or running water) today at school. Let me rephrase that: there was no electricity in Kilifi today. Roughly, every Tuesday and Thursday the town of Kilifi thinks it's a great idea to save a little by cutting the power. I foresee this messing with
future lab experiments.

I'm going to Mombasa on Saturday with public health volunteer, Pat. We are going to meet up with Jon, an ICT volunteer, to go camping near the beach just south of Mombasa. Another volunteer, in the business
sector, is working with a campsite. I excited about meeting other Peace Corps volunteers and seeing more of Kenya. I'm also looking forward to taking a dip in the ocean. The Indian Ocean feels great
around Kilifi and Mombasa.

One last note:
My older brother, Chris, graduates with his doctorate degree in May. I'm so proud of him. But I think I'm most proud of him because he doesn't care about the title the degree brings. The coming title doesn't seem to be going to his head. Chris is a great friend of mine, and I often wish he could be in Kenya to experience all these new things with me. I can't wait to share a pitcher with him when I return to the States. I also hope we can travel abroad together
sometime in the future.