Going Deeper: Kenya Fall 2009
Posted Jan 10 in Trip Recaps by 0 Comments
When I woke up on August 7, 2009, I was a little disoriented. “Where am I? Is this my host family’s house? Where is Christine (the fellow intern who had been sharing my room)?” Then reality sank in: the night before, my World Next Door team flew home to the States, leaving me to continue my own adventure in Kenya. For the next four months, I would be an independent WND journalist, and I had no idea what to expect. Overwhelmed? Maybe a little. Excited? Definitely!
Barwaaqo’s life was one of many I saw transformed because of the dedicated people at Karura Chapel.
Hiking to the tallest point in Aberdare National Park ended with an incredible view!
One thing I discovered right away was that I was certainly not alone. From my wonderful host family, to my friends at Karura Community Chapel where I was an intern, I had plenty of people to support me…and plenty of time to get to know them better. By going deeper with those relationships, I ended up with a better understanding of the complex social justice issues Kenyans face, and why so many have hope in the midst of them.
Articles
The resilience and vision of my Kenyan friends was truly amazing. In simple things like giving kids a bath and a meal, taking pictures to break the cycle of poverty, or providing blenders as a tool to do business, I saw ordinary people bringing real change to their communities. I met big-idea people, too, who overcame huge obstacles to bring holistic transformation to Kibera slum, or tackled widespread problems like corruption. It was incredible to see that, behind each of these projects was a person with a passion and a faith that compelled them to action.
Photo Galleries
Apart from the people I encountered, another highlight was traveling around the country, which, of course, came with lots of great photo opportunities! Whether it was an 18-hour truck ride to the desert-like region of Marsabit, or a hiking excursion in the mountains, I saw just how diverse Kenya can be. Images from a trek into the Rift Valley revealed the lingering pain from past ethnic violence, but they also told about pastors taking the initiative to bring reconciliation.
Bet you can’t guess what my new favorite African football team is…
Travel Journals and Culture Guides
One of the best parts about living for so many months in another country is the chance to dive head-first into another culture, and get a new perspective on the world in the process. For example, I found that cooking without running water or electricity can reap delicious results, but requires a lot more work than I’m used to! Also, a normal camping trip took on new meaning after I spent some time in camps for displaced people. After immersing myself in Kenyan culture, literally walking with my Kenyan friends in their daily lives, I started to feel like I was really Kenyan, especially when I was counted in the national census!
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By the time I was finally ready to fly back to America myself, I had gained an even deeper love for this country and its people. And as I experienced the gift of a newfound community there, I discovered an invaluable key to finding hope in the face of social injustice: fighting it together! When we’re working as a community, God does incredible things…and now I have the pictures and the stories to prove it!
Jessica Shewan
About the Author: Jessica Shewan is a journalist with World Next Door. She graduated in 2009 from The University of Evansville with a bachelor's degree in History. She loves making new international friends and is passionate about seeing the global church pursue justice and peace!
