Today is a national holiday in Kenya. Madaraka Day commemorates the day when Kenyans were finally able to govern themselves after British Colonial rule ended. Everyone (except clergy of course) had the day off. The Kenyan flag was displayed everywhere I looked today. We woke up super early to join the Presbyterian Church Men's Fellowship (PCMF) in a 10K walk. We started at 6:30 am. While the PCMF sponsored the event, we had several families, staff members, members of the Women's Guild, and children join in the walk. I was told that it was a walk, but I ended up running about half of it with a woman who was twice my age.... I couldn't let her show me up. Fun fact: I'm not a runner. Never have been. I tried pretending for a while in high school and college, but I prefer kickboxing now. Anyway, I ran today and the soreness has already begun to set in. The walk was a great time to connect with church members that I didn't know very well and get some much needed exercise. We walked through the Kahawa Sukari estate and then along the sidewalks next to the highway for a while (don't worry that's totally normal here and I was with 40 church people who protect me like it's their job). When we got back we did some group stretching and ate glucose. Straight glucose. I did not partake because my hands were disgusting. Everyone else did though.... I found out later in the day that our 10K was actually a 13.5K. No wonder I'm sore!
After that, we all planted trees on the church property with the Women's Guild. As mentioned on Monday, this is Guild week and they have special events each day. Today they had to do something to positively impact the environment so we planted some cute trees along the fence of the primary school. Good times were had by all! After coming back to freshen up, we went to dedicate the new house of one the Parish members. There is a special ceremony here when a new property is purchased and a house is built on it. It's like a little worship service. Extended family members and district members are welcomed to attend. It's a special tradition in which the community can give thanks to God for the blessing of the new house. We did the service outside under a tent and then toured the house. In each room we placed our hands on the wall and said a special blessing over the space. Then we had a big meal and continued celebrating together. Pictured below is the family kneeling while extended family and friends prayed over the new home.
Also, good news! My Kenyan outfits came home today! Mama Faith (aka Florence) went home to visit her family. Her sister is the seamstress who handmade two special pieces for me: a skirt and a dress. They fit perfectly and I absolutely love them! I will post a picture of the dress when I wear it to church on Sunday. Mama Faith and I shared a special moment when she saw me in the dress for the first time. She told me I looked like a Kenyan. She was very kind to buy the fabrics and pay her sister to make me these clothes (she insisted). I thanked her multiple times and she told me "I just want you to have something special to take home with you that reminds you of me. I don't want you to forget me after you leave." Y'all, I teared up. I ensured her that without the dress I never would have forgotten her. Mama Faith and I have developed a very special relationship. She has gone above and beyond to take good care of me. I've been introducing her as my Kenyan mom and she's been introducing me as her American daughter. I reminded her of how much she means to me and we shared a special embrace. What a special lady. ~ Nell in Nairobi