We came to Rohi with the mind set, “How can we encourage and learn from the people here and support the ministry that is already taking place?” We came to live as closely as possible to the students and staff here. We know we are Americans, and we are not trying to pretend as if we are not, but we want to learn from them and embrace their culture and lifestyle as much as possible. This includes: how they eat, cook, clean, wash their clothes, how they buy food, and take public transit. We are learning to embrace their perspectives on time, relationships, and God. Even after all this we realize how different we are and how despite our efforts to live in the same way, we still live in excess. Even with our small cement house, our monthly income, the clothes and things we own, we are still living above the means of the average Kenyan. With the extras we can afford like toilet paper, a cup of hot chocolate, a meal at a restaurant, having a hot shower, electricity, a roof that does not leak or let in mosquitoes, and a toilet that flushes; we realize we have many earthly comforts. How then do I live or respond?
Do I feel sorry for people that don’t have these luxuries that we take for granted and assume that everyone has? Do I feel blessed because I do have these things? Or do I just leave it as an observation?
See a video of our home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GuclEARk48
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