Unwelcome guest

Excuse me sir... those are my curtains that you are stepping on.


I'm sorry, but if you aren't planning on paying rent, you will have to leave!

Luckily he went peacefully and without obvious complaint.
We seem to be getting a number of unwelcome and unexpected guests due to leaving our windows open during the day. Today we almost had a bird! Still, nothing too nasty.
B

Holler Indeed

"He is risen!"
"Holler!"
(quote from a DC friend's first response to the Easter morning liturgy having never heard it before. Awesome)

This past Sunday, Easter Sunday, was our first Sunday in Kenya. It's always difficult to adjust to a new place, but I think that sometimes holidays make it more poignant that you are, in fact, no longer in a familiar setting. Easter held just such an experience.

We set out Sunday morning in a taxi with a fellow IJMer to head to All-Saints Cathedral in Nairobi which is an Anglican congregation. As at most churches on Easter, there was quite a crowd gathering outside to head in to the next service and we were among them. The crowd comprised of an interesting mix of ethnicities and ages as we squished through the doors.

Disclaimer: I should probably just put it out in the open that I love church. I don't usually think of myself as particularly traditional, although I am not particularly non-traditional either... but just any given person I may meet in casual conversation at a party probably wouldn't assume that church-loving-ness about me straight off. So there it is.

I know I have a number of expectations and stereotypes stored away in my subconscious for what Kenya would be like and what our experiences would be. Some of these come courtesy of the big screen such as Lion King and The Constant Gardener, while other expectations are rooted in my previous experience in South Africa in 2001, while still others are the product of reading too many guidebooks and blogs about what to expect. I try to recognize those expectations and stereotypes when going to a new place in order to attempt a separation, or maybe more appropriately attempt to take inventory of truths or lies that are embedded in my preconceived notions.

In the case of Easter Sunday, I was expecting a lively time of worship and celebration with lots of color and 'African flare'. You know... the stereotypical unaccompanied choir and maybe some dancing. What I received was not exactly what I expected.

We began the service with a responsive reading and the traditional Easter call "He is risen!" which the congregation responds to with "He is risen indeed!" This has to be one of my more favorite Easter traditions (apart from Peeps and Easter bonnets of course *wink*). I get really excited before Easter services knowing it is coming and getting ready to reply with gusto. Needless to say with the combined personal excitement at this tradition and the expectations of a boisterous Easter Sunday Kenyan style, I was all ramped up for my response to the clergy's call.
Just as I expected, a ridiculously dark and adorable bishop got up and began the service "He is risen!"

I took a big breath and put my diaphragm behind my much anticipated response "He is risen INDEED!". And that is when it happened.

I suddenly realized that I was the only person in my general vicinity besides perhaps Ian who seemed to be super jazzed about responsive reading. (I guess I should be used to this as responsive readings aren't exactly the most exciting part of most people's church experience, but... it's Easter for crying out loud!) I got a somewhat startled half glance from the woman two seats down with the umbrella, and one of those trying-not-to-look-at-the-crazy-person grimace from the older couple in front of me. Yikes!

I calmed myself for a moment and tried to reign myself back in. I listened to a couple more responses and was surprised by the muddy mumbling all around me. Sure enough, I seemed to be the only crazy in the 5 or so pews on any given side of me. This was not one of those expectations that I was preparing to be dashed to pieces. Where was my happy African Sunday service!? What the heck is going on here?!?
So I flaked. I was in shock and frustrated, and as a rebellious move I decided not to stand up with the rest of the 'first time visitors' when asked by the provost. Who even likes doing that? As far as I know.... NOBODY.

It didn't take long for me to bounce back to full roaring-choir-kid volume and exuberance. One thing that continues to be difficult to learn as we transition from place to place is to not let a crushed expectation keep you from enjoying the moment as you had hoped. Sure, my fellow church-goers murmured through all of the responsive readings in the liturgy. That is no reason to join into the mumbling and let a few rumbly lines rain on my (Easter) parade.

Looking back, there are many reasons why the response could have been muddy: the architecture, lack of familiarity with the text (I mean it is Easter and lots of people show up on Easter who don't usually frequent church services), even low literacy rates could be part of the deal... and probably a couple church grumps thrown in. Not to mention that while I love Anglican services, I have to remember that the tradition is probably a little less charismatic than even my good 'ol Reformed background.

Either way, I belted my way through "Up From the Grave He Arose!" and a few more rousing celebratory hymns, laughed at the jokes of the wonderful Bishop who was preaching from Ezekiel about resurrection (brilliant! talk about throwing a curve ball to the usual text from the gospels), and shared The Peace with those around me.

Communion on Easter is always special since we are celebrating a fulfillment of the covenant and Christ's conquering death. Even though I didn't get my high-powered responsive reading, the procession up to the altar was great as we proceeded right through the cathedral's choir with the choir singing on either side as we reached the altar. That was awesome. Honestly, I love my teetotaling American Protestants at large and all of their weekly Welches grape juice, but there really is something about the heat of real wine going down your throat when observing Christ's blood shed for us that makes me feel connected historically.

All in all, Easter was great. Confusing, mildly disappointing in some ways, but in general a good beginning to our time here.

Our Easter celebrations didn't end there, of course. We walked around city center, through a park where I was almost run over by a camel while crossing a footbridge, in and quickly out of the Maasai market, into a grocery store to buy a man named David a bag of rice, and into a coffee shop for some of the best Masala tea I've had outside of Asia. A little after-noon nap helped soothe some of the jet-lagged feelings we're still getting and then we had a friend over for Garlic Chicken and some exciting rounds of Set and Nerts.

We're settling in and looking forward to new experiences and new friends during our time here in Africa

And finally....
He IS risen. Holler!
B

We made it

So we made it safe and sound to Nairobi. So far we are enjoying it and it is going to be much more familiar than our last post. Have yet to figure out internet and still trying to adjust to time. Pray for us as we adjust and as I start work on Tuesday.
-Ian

Answered prayers and "up up and away!"

We are putting the final touches on our packing as we head out today. I just sapped this photo with my phone as I tucked some of my books into my carry on. I had a moment of thankfulness for answered prayers and wanted to quickly share. If you look at the photo you can see a ribbon around my bright pink bible and it says "I wish for big dreams to dream". This ribbon was one that I acquired from a 'wishing wall' at an interactive art exhibit in STL back in probably 2003 or 2004. The idea was claiming a wish and tying it somewhere until the ribbon breaks and your wish comes true. I think it's a neat little bit, but when i saw this wish, I knew it was the one I had to claim and take more as a prayer. I have had it tied around my Bible to remind to continuously ask for big dreams.
As I tucked my Kenya guide book in front of my Bible I realized how God has really answered this prayer and answered it before I realized it was my prayer. I'm feeling very thankful for many answered prayers as we head out today.
So... just a few hours until we are the air. All of our love to all of you :)
"up, up and away!"
B

A Year Ago

I turned to Ian today while we were at church celebrating Palm Sunday and told him that exactly a year ago today we were in Paris checking off a couple life goals and watching people coming and going from Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre overlooking the Paris skyline from the place I called the "Amelie park."

I've noticed lately that a sneaky little literary device... the 'little did they know' keeps popping up when I think about where our story is headed. I'm excited (and nervous actually) to see what 'little do I know' will look like a week from now, a month from now, and a year from now.

But until then, to quote one of my favorite Academy Award winning films of this year... "Adventure is out there!!!"

T-minus 2 days until lift-off to Kenya!
If you are reading this and haven't received our update letter via email and would like to, please leave us a comment so we can put you on the list-serve :)
B

Much awaited news

Hello everyone!
We're glad to be able to finally give you some news after almost two months of silence. During those two months we kept looking at one another and saying "surely this week we will have something we can tell them!" and then another week went by without much news. But after much waiting and many lessons in practicing patience, we have an update for all of you.
In short, we will not be returning to South Asia due to a visa situation that could put others' work in jeopardy. We're truly sad to have left our work there after such a short time, and we were extremely disappointed not to be able to bid a proper farewell to the amazing staff and friends that we had the pleasure of being surrounded by every day.
We learned a lot during our three months in South Asia, and we are moving forward with a few more tools in our globe-trotting tool belts as well of a broader knowledge of the extreme needs and difficult situations of victims of poverty and trafficking.
Although the door to South Asia has been closed for us our journey is not over. We have been blessed to be extended another opportunity in IJM’s Field Office in Nairobi, Kenya. After discussion and prayer we have decided to take the leap towards next steps that will send us to Africa.
Ian will continue working as a Legal Fellow for IJM taking a slightly different role than the one he was filling in South Asia, but still working towards justice for the oppressed. Bekah is still trying to solidify another position, and will be getting in touch a number of contacts to see where there is need and how she can help. We are both looking forward to reporting to you from the ground, as well as just getting back into the swing of a regular schedule.
Please stay tuned and keep your eyes open for an upcoming newsletter in your inbox with more details about what we've been up to and what we're headed towards. This will be another big change for us and will probably change some of our plans, so we would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we move forward towards the next adventure.
I & B

Christmas in the States

2009 was an interesting year for Bekah and I. During this time we have lived on 3 continents, have been homeless twice, and I both graduated from law school and passed the California bar. For those of you who do not know we started 2009 in London where I studied for my last semester of law school. While there we assumed that I would be able to find a job to begin after school and have something waiting for us when we got back. God, however, had other plans for us. First, God sent constant reminders that International Justice Mission should be something I should think about. Then God sent two friends to London who were IJM fellows to visit Bekah and I and tell us how we should thinking about IJM. And then God affirmed our decision to apply by both closing doors and giving us encouragement that reinforced our decision. (Including encouragement from one person offering me a job, who told me it would be best for my career to work with IJM.) I am glad that I ended up with IJM this year and am looking forward to being back at work.

Since our last update we have been able to have lovely Christmases with our families and friends running from one part of the Midwest to the next. In a matter of one stretch of four days we spent 24 hours in a car. We were able to see our friends for New Years thanks to the little public transportation that the midwest has. Then this last weekend we drove with friends 15 hours each way to Orlando, Florida for one of my best friend’s wedding. One would think that Florida would be warm, but it was only slightly above freezing there so we did not get play outside as much as we were hoping. This, however, did not stop us from swimming outside in the pool the night before the wedding and doing some synchronized swimming. If you are friends with me on facebook there is a video of us posted, and if you are not friends with me on facebook... why aren’t you? During this entire time, about every other day, I spent time on the phone with our airline trying to get reimbursed for a cancelled flight. The airline is still (up to this point) playing hardball, but hopefully we will get our money back.

Most importantly during this entire time we have been trying to get a new visa to go back to South Asia and get back to work. Shortly after arriving in the United States our office started getting varied reports from the different embassies about what type of visa we should get. One embassy said that we should apply for business, another employment, and another yet entry. We also received notice from the American embassy that people with tourist visa wouldn’t be let back into the country in South Asia unless they leave for over two months. Since we are not planning on being gone for two months, this meant Bekah also had to apply for a new visa. After waiting for over a month and still not getting a clear answer from the embassy we have decided to go ahead and apply for visas and pray that God will work His will in this matter.

Needless to say the constant moving, combined with sleeping in new places, and never being able to plan for longer than 5 business days (the amount of time it takes to get a new visa) this month has been a little rough for both our relationship as well as our nerves. Please continue to pray for us. Pray that God will continue to provide as He has in this time. Pray that we will use this time as a learning experience and God will teach us something. Pray that our relationships are able to make it through this time.