Trip to Kenya

Cheryl and I just returned from Kenya on Sunday April 21. It was such a blessing to be able to spend time with our daughter Amelia, who is serving with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) through the Serving and Learning Together (SALT) program.  We now have a much better understanding of what her life is like, living there.

Getting around, whether by Uber, bus or motorcycle, is not always simple. Even taking a walk can be exhausting. Amelia is the only Caucasian person in her community. Tourists have no reason to go to that area. This means you really stand out and can constantly have people greeting you or wanting to know who you are, which was uncomfortable at times.

We went to the school where Amelia is teaching. It is in an informal settlement known as the Mukuru slums. We presented the school with five new soccer balls and a collection of books. It was such an incredible joy to watch them receive our gifts with clapping and cheering.

During the lunch hour we walked around as the children played. It was amazing to see the many ways the kids played and interacted. No encouragement from the teachers was needed to find something to do.

Schools began a three-week break while we were visiting. This allowed Amelia to travel the country with us. We were able to meet the other volunteers serving in Kenya with MCC’s Global Service Learning (GSL) Program. We also saw Naomi and the work she is doing. We were able to present, in person, the heartfelt messages from Bethel to both Amelia and Naomi.

What an inspiration to meet the other three volunteers serving in Kenya! This is a fine group of young adults who are all working hard to learn the local languages and fit into their respective communities. 

Our time ended with a relaxing five days at the beach on the east side of Kenya along the Indian Ocean.

We were so blessed to see the work MCC is doing in Kenya and to witness how Amelia is bringing her gifts to the school she is working at in Nairobi.

- Gerald and Cheryl Warkentin