Laura Steed, Duke Divinity School student and 2010 Umoja Project intern  

This past week has been our final week of homestays. We are now traveling to a few different locations in Kenya — This weekend we’re staying in Kakamega (and going to rainforest today!). Monday, we’ll leave for Eldoret. Then, Thursday we’ll travel to see some of the wildlife in Nakuru. Friday, we fly back to the USA.

My homestay experiences have been great! I have learned so much about Kenya by staying with people and families in their local homes — instead of staying at a guest house or hostel all summer long. Most of all, I learned about radical hospitality as I entered the houses of strangers each week for four weeks. Yet, I also won’t forget about my African experiences that came from within the home. This past week, my “alarm” went off every morning at 4:45am, 5:05am, 5:15am, 5:20am, etc. My alarm was a rooster that stayed in the house with the other 18 chickens…although it first rang it’s “cock-a-doodle-do” before 5am, I waited until 6:00am usually to get out of bed! Thus, today, as I stayed in a guest house (more like a hotel) in Kakamega, I naturally woke up early (when I could’ve slept in) because my body became used to getting up early. Thus, I am using my extra morning time to send an update and upload some pictures (it takes a LONG time to upload photos).

Due to the reason that we’re all traveling around together now, we had to say goodbye to our hosts and friends from around Chulaimbo, where we’ve been staying and living for the past six weeks.

Saying goodbye is always hard.

When I had to say goodbye to my roommate at the end of the semester in May, it was hard because we wouldn’t see each other all summer. When I said goodbye to my parents and family before coming to Kenya it was hard because I wouldn’t see them for 7 weeks (at least). But when I said goodbye to my friends in Kenya – it was more than hard. It was extremely difficult because unlike seeing my friends and family in the USA when I return, I have no idea when I’ll see my friends here in Kenya again.

I remember Brandon saying in Indianapolis that he was looking forward to getting to know his Duke team members more throughout our trip. He explained that when people live together and share the same experience together on a trip, etc. they usually become very close. This too has been my experience of previous travels and “mission trips”. Thus, I was expecting the same.

What I didn’t expect was to grow so close to the people here in Kenya too! I knew our team would be close knit by the end of our trip – but the relationships/friendships that have blossomed across cultural lines has taken me by surprise.

That’s what makes leaving so difficult. I have been blessed to find not only friends here in Kenya, but family too. My first week of individual home stays started on June 11th. Due to this homestay being located near the home of the Umoja assistant, Winnie (who recently completed high school), we worked together throughout the week. In addition, that week she had her High school (called secondary school here) education awards day. Winnie’s mom is ill and her father has passed away, so she asked if I wanted to attend the event as her guest. She was awarded for a high score on her national exams. Then, later that week, I accompanied her to the hospital as she had some medical work completed (she had a follow up exam from an auto accident that happened in January). As I went with her to look after her, she told me that she felt like I was her older sister caring for her. To understand the importance of this, you must know that Winnie’s only sister died less than two years ago. The fruit from a painful hospital visit was that we became closer than friends, we realized we were sisters. We’ve joked about being related ever since. We are the same height and have similar personalities…one day we were laughing at the similarities and I said, “It’s like we’re cut from the same block of wood.” She replied, “Yes! the artist just used a different color paint.” As the Umoja assistant, Winnie continued to work with FourKenya all summer long.

It’s so strange to think that I’ve known her for only six weeks — yet, in that short time, we formed a bond of sisterhood.

Winnie and her family here in Kenya have overcome some very difficult hurdles, and still have a tough race to run. I was so blessed to visit with her and her mother and brother each week. On Friday I called Winnie to see if it was okay if I came and visited. She said her mother was upset that I called and asked for permission because a true daughter knows she is welcome always. Haha.

Before we all departed to Kakamega, the four Duke students all stayed at Margaret’s place because it’s a central location. It’s a house we’ve all made a home at here in Kenya. It is the house that I stayed at for my first homestay — and because it’s close to Winnie’s home she often stays there too. We all had a celebration and prayer service Friday night (our last night). Margaret, her husband, the three boys that live with her, Winnie, and “FourKenya” all gathered around her living room for one more night of songs and prayer. It is an experience I’ll never forget as we all shared words of gratitude for one another for God’s blessing. Tears came to my eyes as I thanked the people who played such an important role in my time here in Kenya.

Saturday morning we said our final goodbyes through tears to Margaret, the boys, and to Winnie. God brought us together for a short period of time, but I think we’ve all made the most of it. And I pray that I’ll see them all again, God willing.

Below is a picture of us at Winnie’s education award day. She was given the brief case from the school board as a gift for her high score.

*Winnie is some of the “fruit” of Umoja as she was an Umoja scholar in secondary school and received assistance with school fees.