Nairobi at Last

(This post is from 7/4/12 (Happy Independence Day!))

We arrived bright and early minus the bright part this morning in the Kenyan airport in Nairobi. How early? We'd rather not say but it begins with 3 and ends with 45. Dr. Kenya picked us up at the airport and swept us back to the hotel where the doctors directed Curt and I to catch a few hours of sleep. We'd need to be ready to go by 8:30 am.

Dr. Popwell slept half an hour and then went with Dr. Kenya for an interview with a TV station here in Kenya. Many people in Kenya don't understand what chiropractic work is. The station had decided that if people seemed board they would just do a 10 minute interview, but apparently quite a few people called in and the interview ended up going an hour!

So, the flight... We flew out of Charles De Gaulle airport after running past the Eiffel Tower and the Arche de Triumphe. We were especially moved by the memorial for the unknown soldier. France has seen so much bloodshed.

Returning to the airport for the 3:45 pm flight out we found an enormous line full of baggage and the first time we asked we were told that baggage was checked and boarding passes were issued through this line. We stood in line right behind these cute young egyptian/french boys. They must have been between 10 and 14. The younger kept looking at us as we spoke with the young man from Malasia behind us. Curt was able to clearly present the gospel!

I stood listening in when I felt a tug at my sleeve.

"Pardon." The younger of the two was looking up with wide brown eyes under his curly dark hair.

"Yes?"

"You are... American? You are from New York?"

"Yes, we are American. But, we are not from New York."

"Have seen New York?"

"No, I have never seen New York, but I have seen Washington DC."

"Is capital."

"Yes."

"I" patting his chest with a tanned little hand "Egyptian and French."

"You are a dual citizen?"

"Yes! I love America. I want see New York!"

The line passed quickly as I was quizzed by Moises and his brother about all things American! I showed them pictures from our wedding and he thought my grandparents yard was beautiful.

Rob returned to let us know the line we actually needed to be in was around the corner. We waved goodbye to all our new friends- the young man from Malaysia who is learning about the Bible, and Moises and his brother.

The flight from Paris to Cairo took us directly over the alps! When Curt and I saw that we began praying that the cloudy sky beneath us would clear so we would be able to see the alps and Greece. We watched the map, and as the mountain range grew closer anticipation grew. Looking down we saw thick, thick clouds. Then, after passing through a cloud tower, the sky cleared! We saw the snow covered mountains towering out of the mists, and then range upon range!

The skies crystallized into brilliant clarity as we continued, and there we saw Greece! Curt took picture after picture as we flew over places the apostles might have journeyed through. We think that he took and especially good picture of Thessalonica! I think I even saw Athens! I at least saw a city with ruins sunk into the water beneath!

We landed in Cairo safely, and after a slight heart attack when Curt and I thought our next flight left in 10 minutes, we realized we had a bit more time. We were still one hour off!

The final flight Curt, Dr. Popwell and I were all in the front row. We dozed off and on until the plane touched down in Nairobi.

Even at 3:45 am Naiobi's streets seemed to have a decent amount of traffice. We wound through the streets- Dr. Kenya driving since they drive British style over here- and finally pulled through the gate of the apartment we are staying at in Kenya. We fell into bed exhausted but thankful to God for the wonderful journey.

Our first clinic took place at a chiropractor's office in Nairobi. Margaret and her staff graciously helped Dr. Kenya find housing for the week, and Dr. Popwell and Dr. Kenya returned the courtesy by helping at her office from about 9:30 am to 7 pm. Curt and I have not learned the art of healing backs, so we sat in the waiting room and spoke with many of the patients waiting for their appointments.

The patients that stick out the most in our minds are Simon, Hamma, and a muslim government worker wearing a bright orange headcovering. With each we were able to hear much of what they believed. Simon does not claim any religion, as he cannot understand how a good God could allow such suffering to his children. Hamma and her husband were nominal Hindus. I learned quite a bit about the Hindu religion and some of what they believe about Krishna. Unlike Christianity, the Hindus hope that their good works will out way their bad to earn them a place in heaven.

The lady in orange, whose name escapes me at the moment, spoke with me for a good 20 minutes. I introduced myself and we spoke for a short time about where we worked, why we were at the office, etc. Then I said "I noticed that you wear a head covering. Are you Muslim?" We had been talking about learning about other cultures, so she said "See, you are very astute, yes I am Muslim. We have a lot in common with Christianity." Thus began a fascinating comparision of the two religions. The lady in orange believes that Jesus, Noah, Abraham and Adam are all prophets, but does not believe that Jesus is the lamb of God. I was able to open Genesis and show from the garden of eden through the fall through Noah, to the tower of Babel and Abraham how God promised a messiah to redeem his people, and how the sacrificial system was instituted to look forward to that event. The lady in orange was summoned to the treatment room, but as she went out she thanked me for the conversation, and I encouraged her to read from Genesis about Abraham, and then the gospel of John. Pray that she will.

Around 2 or 2:30 Margaret introduced Curt and I to Titus- a young man from her home village. She had arranged for Titus to take us to the Kenya National Museum- which house the snake museum, and also to Giraffe Center. On the long car ride we had a wonderful time talking with Titus about his home, family, culture and beliefs.

We entered the museum to find what looked like a colonial building. Titus helped us get tickets and a guide- Maeve who took us through the museum explaining the uses of gourds, the big 5 african animals, the many varieties of birds in Kenya, and my favorite exibit - the Cycles of Life. The Cycles of Life detailed traditional life in Kenya as opposed to modern life from birth to childhood, initiation into adulthood, courtship and marriage, home life, growing old and death. Maeve pointed out a basket and asked if we knew what it was.

"No, what is it?"

"A winnowing basket! Do you know what that is?"

"Yes! I have heard of that! The Bible talks about God winnowing people and how the chaff is blown away by the wind, but the true grain remains!"

Curt's favorite exibit was next. The snake house. Snakes hung from branches, curled around twigs, slid under sand, and slept beneath logs. I have never in my life seen so many poisonous snakes in one place! Now I know what to watch for! Good thing we packed a snake kit!

Titus then drove us on to the Giraffe Center, just outside Giraffe manor where we fed Giraffes. For any who wonder- their tongues feel like a mixture of slime and warm sandpaper! We picked up a special souvenir for Mr. Allen, our boss back home! (No Mr. Allen, it wasn't dirt...)

We returned to the office at 6:30 pm and the office treated us to dinner at a french restraunt. Our time in Paris served us well when we saw the menu! I even recognized a few of the words we had seen around the Paris subway system!

The joy of Margaret's staff is contagious. Dr. Popwell kept us laughing with magic tricks and American jokes. The young ladies who work at the office taught us more about Kenyan etiquette and shared funny stories about the last time Dr. Kenya visited. Apparently one of the patients accidentally took Dr. Kenya's wallet with her last year! They discovered the situation later that night, and still tease him today!

We hope to see the whole team on Facebook!

Well, it's late, I'm running on just a few hours sleep from last night, and we have another big day tomorrow.

Goodnight for now!