Kisumu like a local

I spent three days last week in Kisumu, a Kenyan city on the shore of Lake Victoria where CFA has several centers.  The purpose of the trip was for me to spend some time with each member of our Kisumu administrative team, but it turned into an adventure in living like a local for a few days. 

First of all, I decided to take the bus instead of driving myself halfway across the country.  A bus ticket is WAY cheaper than paying for gas, plus driving is stressful, especially on your own.  The bus ride was great - I had a front-row seat and I got to sit next to a music professor who helped compose the Kenyan National Anthem...exciting!  It took about twice the time that driving would have, but at least I could sit back, relax, and read a book instead of having to maintain a fanatical focus on avoiding potholes, animals, and 18-wheelers. 

Second, I decided to stay at Cornel's house in Kisumu instead of my usual guesthouse.  Many of you have met Cornel, one of the Kenyan CFA Directors, so you know what an awesome guy he is.  I didn't really know what to expect in terms of staying with his family, but it ended up being a ton of fun!  Cornel and his wife Irene have three kids: Brian is in middle school, Justin is almost three years old, and Sherry is about 7 months old.  All are amazing kids, but Justin especially is super fun right now.  He is just to the point where he recognizes me and remembers my name, so he likes to run around (often naked) screaming "NIIIICK" and then barreling into me full speed or trying to kick my very white feet.  I'm pretty sure that being around me makes Justin much more violent and loud than normal.  I don't try to have that effect on him, but it just seems to happen...

Cornel ADORES baby Sherry!

It was also humbling in some ways to stay with all of the Onyango's.  They were so thoughtful and accommodating - everything from heaping food on my plate whenever it got low to improvising a shower system so I wouldn't have to take a typical Kenyan "bucket bath."  It really was amazing how hard they tried to anticipate anything that I could ever want and make sure it was there.  I definitely didn't feel like I deserved that kind of treatment, but it was a huge encouragement nonetheless!

Even apart from the CFA work, I felt like it was a great trip just for the relationships that I was able to continue to build with Cornel's whole family.  They are an incredible group, and I'm so blessed to have them as friends!