A broad volunteering, part 1

Hi family!!

I was hoping I would have more time to post today, but this internet cafe I'm in today is a lot slower than yesterday and I don't have a whole lot of time.

First off, thank you, Mike, for your update. All of what he said is true, except I'm at the Carolyn's Children's home (my fault, not his, as I got confused with their accents when they told me the placement). I start tomorrow and really, I can't wait. Orientation over the past two days has been helpful and nice, but the waiting can be tough. As I'm sure many of you heard, I'm feeling a bit down right now and I am waiting to be reminded why I came here. The trip over was very emotional, to say the least, and I want to say I'm shocked by how homesick I am, but I have been feeling it for the past few months and, more instensely over the past few weeks. I know it will get easier each day, and to be fair, the days aren't hard, it's the nights. I am thinking, very very hard, about not staying the full four months. Obviously, this is something that I need to decide as time goes by, but as of now, it seems likely I won't be here the entire time. A month, two months, but not four. I'm sorry if this is very disappointing. I know how supportive you all are (and man, does it help), but I have to go with my gut. And truly, this is my gut feeling. I am one of the only volunteers staying this long, and now I am seeing maybe this is why.

Now, on to more positive things.. I AM IN KENYA! It hasn't fully hit me yet. Since I'm located in Nairobi and have been doing orientation, I've been spending my days in the city, so not countryside yet.. sigh. I had hoped for rural, but after they put me in urban twice, I am taking Mom's advice (as I always should), which is that this may be where God wants me. I am now putting my full faith in Him (again, as I always should) and am praying very hard that I buck up and do this thing.

Also, UPDATE, today I saw a lion. It was at the animal orphanage, which might not count, but it was an African lion, so there. Also, a wee monkey ate some peanuts off my hair... my greesy hair, I might add.

I am getting used to "Kenya" time, as they call it. In the morning, I am woken up and told that Antony (our sweet orientation driver who has done our bidding the past two days) is already there. I quickly get ready and then wait around an hour. All very relaxed, but had I known, I might have taken another 45 second freezing shower. Mike was right that "Mama" comes every morning and evening to cook for us (my appetite is not quite "there" yet, but soon, I think). Her name is Charity and she is wonderful. All the volunteers (over ten I am living with) seem to have a great relationship with her (she constantly laughs) and I am looking forward to developing one. That's one thing about Kenya that has really warmed me, everyone is so welcoming and so ready to laugh with you. It's a comfort, to say the least.

I might go to Mombasa this weekend to go to the beach. It's a very cheap trip, but an 8 hr bus ride, which makes me feel queesy just thinking about. Next weekend I am going on safari to see the Massai tribe with 4 other volunteers. Should be fantastic.

I got a phone today!!! My number is: 738238457. I was told you have to dial +254 and then the number to get me. Ask Dad, he figured it out last night. Calls would be welcomed, but be warned, I get very emotional. I might cry even if I'm not particularly sad at the moment. Tis my nature.

Hmm, I worry this post has been a downer and I don't mean it to be. I just have many mixed emotions about being away from my happy, happy life for 4 months. I also talked to Martha and Chad last night (it was a rough night) and wow can they make you feel better. Martha, like a second mama (second to Mom, not to my Kenyan mama) can be such a comfort and Chad told me perhaps I should make a decision on when I want to return. I said, one month, and he said ok, that's great, no one cares, you went to Kenya for a month! And suddenly, I felt like 10 bagillion pounds lifted off of me. Just thinking I could be home in a month made me be like "HOLY CRAP I'M IN KENYA YEEHAAW" where as the thought of 4 has made me appreciate very little. Does this make sense? I am rambling and I should have prewrote this so that it was more cohesive. Just know, I am making no decisions yet. I can't, and I had to be told that but I know it now. But I miss you all, and I miss home, and I miss Mike. But, I am here. And tomorrow I will be reminded why, thank goodness.

I love you all. So much. I appreciate you guys like never before, and not because of the what you would think.. I'm in Kenya and I appreciate what I have. It's more that, all of the volunteers are these world traveler's, hopping from place to place, and they don't seem to have the home I do. I talk about you all often, brag really. Truly couldn't love home more.

I don't know when I'll write next, as I don't have how often I will come to the cafe. But I'll be sure to update. Thank you so very, very much for the support. Keep the prayers coming, puuhlease.

Love you all :)