Tuesday – “All creatures great and small”

Pictures on early morning walk around HCF retreat center where we stayed

Pictures of the Nairobi game park

Coming to Kenya would not be complete without appreciating the incredible landscape and magnificent animals native to the area.  So this morning we ventured to the Nairobi Game Preserve, which is actually right by downtown Nairobi, to take in God’s creation and grandeur.  As we travel down dusty roads, eyes peeled for animal sightings, the long neck of a giraffe appears, and we are drawn into its wonder.  Statuesque, first one giraffe and then another comes into focus, and we marvel at their size and unique colorations.  The further in we travel, the more animals emerge, from various types of antelopes to cape buffalo, then zebras and ostriches.  Each one beautiful in its design, as only God could create.  Just watching them graze and go about their daily business is fascinating.  We stop at the designated picnic area, which is now taken over by a large group of baboons, lounging on the benches, cooling themselves in the shade, carting their babies, and generally “chillin.”  Dozens of young ones swing from the rooftops covering picnic tables, pushing and shoving like preschoolers – some falling from the precipice (probably shoved by a playmate) and generally acting as kids will.  Their antics are comical……as well as the area signs.  “Watch out for baboons.  Enjoy your picnic.”  With the dozens lying in wait, it’s not what we would pick for a picnic location.

Further along we see two large objects ahead of us around one of the characteristic acacia trees.  As we come closer, we discover two large rhinos casually grazing on the hillside.  Unfazed by our intrusion, they graze on.  As we encounter ostriches  we’re surprised at their size, much larger than imagined, and when they spread their wings and begin to strut in their wobbling fashion, they are something to behold. Group after group of zebras with their stunning stripes gather, often along with elands, hart beasts, or gazelles.  The harmony of God’s creative design is awe inspiring.  It is somewhat surreal, though, to be watching a herd of antelope or group of giraffes in the grassland with the skyline of downtown Nairobi in the background.  As we are heading out of the park, we have an encounter of a very close kind; a large giraffe is literally within feet of the van, or the matatu, as they are called.  He isn’t at all disturbed and continues with his eating, allowing us to get a very up close and personal view of him.

After a wonderful adventure in the park, we had lunch at the Kenya version of Starbuck’s, Java House, which is also a restaurant.  It’s the perfect blend of US meets Africa and quite enjoyable.

Of course, we must do our part in boosting the Kenyan economy, so we make a visit to the City Market where local handicrafts are sold in row after row of small shops.  Carvings, baskets, jewelry, paintings depicting local scenes are there for the offering.  This necessitates bartering, and after the back and forth “game” of agreeing on a purchase price, we each gather our new found treasures to bring home as remembrances of our time in Kenya.

It’s been a beautiful day of appreciating the beauty of Kenya, from its majestic animals to the creativity of its people.  And now we prepare for entering the Kibera slum tomorrow, situated near downtown Nairobi, to visit in the homes of some of the families served by Homecare ministry.  The reality of Kibera will be harsh; we spent some time tonight preparing for what we will see, those we will encounter, focusing not on the horrid conditions as much as the people and their hearts and needs.  Pray that we will be good listeners and encouragers as we meet, encourage and pray with these families, that God will speak to us and show us what He desires for us to understand and process from the experience, and that it will be a blessing to those we meet.

****I must add a correction from yesterday’s blog.  Cucu is actually Kikuyu, not Swahili as I supposed, and I erred in the pronunciation with a typo…..it’s more like “show show.”  Someone following our blog caught my error…..so thank you for clarifying that for us.