Questions asked by Nate

as a journalist, i love a good question. us guys here in kitale, kenya (and a few brave girls) have been constructing a school/office building at the veronica home the past week. and you can be sure there are just as many unspoken questions flying through the brains of the local kenyan workers as there are in our westernized thinkers. there’s a man in blue who doesn’t work too hard that is always staring at us and smirking. i can only imagine the questions running through his brain... “do these white people really glow in the dark?” “since when are women construction workers?” “why is there more hair coming out of the top of that burly white man’s shirt than from the bottom of his hat?” i am that burly man and i have some questions of my own... “why can’t the man in the blue shirt and all of his friends grow beards?” “why does that one guy wear work gloves but no shoes?” “why is no one in a hurry to do anything in this country except when they’re driving?” today during lunch i watched a malnurished puppy try to poop, but for whatever reason his excriment just would not break free from him. he scurried around the yard trying to dislodge it with incredible shame on his face during the whole process. it was hilarious and i think he knew we were laughing at him. but at the same time, i’m hoping this kenyan experience is like the turd that would not fall from my brain.... so to speak. i came here with questions and i leave with many more, but i think that’s a good thing. i will leave here in a few days inspired with both the first-hand realization that i’m a spoiled american and that i am blessed with far too much to just waste. and when i get home i will probably do my best to forget those convictions because i think i have everything i need there. and that’s not exactly the best place to be. so back to the dangling poo... i can only hope that what i’ve seen and what i’ve heard here will refuse to be shaken. i can only hope that the life i’ve lived for a short 10 days in africa will force me to ask questions to both myself, but especially God. i am blessed and i have far more than the people here, but too many times i smile and laugh and love far less. i guess the real question is... “why did i have to come all the way to kenya to figure that out?”

Nate