just a visitor, but a visitor with a middle name

flip-flops
I love flip-flops. You don't have to know me for too long to know how I prefer to wear flip-flops during any time of any day of any month (snow or no snow, it doesn't matter). I found out the other day, however, that this trend might not continue in Kenya.  One of my Kenyan friends told me that not only do men NOT wear flip-flops but flip-flops are only worn by women when they're showering...he had a good laugh! Just for the record, I have seen other men wear flip-flops...(although pretty rarely...).

hey momma! i have a middle name, and it's not wayne!
Ok, so many of you won't understand the above and so you probably won't know why this would make my mother (and maybe even Mrs. Grigsby) smile. So let me try and give you the cole's notes version. I don't have a middle name, so when I was younger I would give myself middle names and one of those names was, 'wayne' (after Gretzky, need I say more?). My grade 5 teacher, Mrs. Grigsby, started noticing that I would sign all my homework, 'Lucas Wayne Spicer'. She commented to my mother how I must have been so proud of my middle name because I would sign all my homework with all my names. My mother was quick to point out that I don't have a middle name. ;-). 

My momma could probably tell you the story better than these words I'm typing, but all that to say: I NOW HAVE A MIDDLE NAME. My Kenyan friends and family would not let me keep going without a middle name (as having only two names is strange to them), so they gave me the middle name of, 'Chebaibai'. I am Lucas Chebaibai Spicer! It means, 'happy or joyful person'. Soo, get ready momma and teachers and nurses and government officials, I'm signing all my documents with my new middle name...

things I should've (or would like to have) brought to Kenya...
1) MUSIC is a big part of me. I enjoy playing it, I enjoy listening to it and I thoroughly enjoy singing along with it (even though most people around me don't echo that same 'enjoyment' of my singing...). I don't know what I'll do, but I hope to find a way next time around to bring my own music that I enjoy playing and listening to. Kenyan music is good and all, but I can only take so much of it; especially when the hospital only plays one genre on repeat for days and days...it starts getting a little...umm...ya...I feel bad for the patients! ;-).
2) One weekend I went to Eldoret (it's actually a city; not a village) with several people from Kapsowar. We ended up eating 'American' food and my stomach jumped with joy! I wish I could have bbq food at my disposal every day in rural Kenya...
3) Not bringing my own COMPUTER would've been a bigger deal if it were not for my very gracious housemate, Spencer. Thanks to his computer, I've been able to communicate with all of you. If he were not here, I would have had 6weeks of no communication.  So yes, some form of communication is pretty important when you're completely removed from everything you are comfortable with; especially loved ones. There's a reason Jesus sent His disciples out in two...I gotta find that other half wherever he/she is!!!
4) A car. Matatus are adventurous and all, but if I end up having 12 kids, then #1) all my kids won't all be able to fit in a matatu (Oh wait! yes they will. they can just sit on the roof, since that's no big deal here!) and #2) a car would just be so nice since the amount of awful drivers here is ridiculous! You can actually purchase a license in Kenya; enough said!
5) I met some really great people in Kapsowar but there's something to be said about family and friends. I enjoyed hanging out and getting to know many Kenyans (many of whom I now consider my brothers/sisters AND my friends) but it would've been very refreshing to have those whom I love most with me in Kapsowar. If I do this long-term, I'm pretty sure I'll have to begin thinking about how to convince some of you (or another) to join me since I'm finding out that going solo is really NOT GOOD in developing world missions... once again, there's a reason why Jesus sent them out in two...or more...
6) Man, do I enjoy a good board game. Next time, (luggage permitting), I'm bringing up all my board games!!!

7) A picture of Jesus...I have to show the Kenyans what Jesus really looks like. I can't believe how many times I've been told that I look like Him. Oh wait...what was that?...I don't have a picture of Jesus? Sooo, you're saying Jesus doesn't look like those pictures we have hanging on our church walls? I kid I kid... ;-)
8) McDonalds. Ok, I know this sounds ridiculous but I wouldn't mind having a $1.39 double cheeseburger once and a while. Or even a McFlurry (ice cream = yummy in my tummy).
9) If I could bring #8 to Kenya, then I'll keep dreaming and I'll try to bring the entire major league baseball league to Kenya. Kenyans are football fans (aka soccer...). I'm not a huge soccer fan so it'd be nice to bring the whole baseball league here. Unfortunately, I'd probably be the only fan since I have met very very very few Kenyans who have even heard of my favourite sport called baseball...yes, they haven't even HEARD of the sport!

on second thought...
Hmm...on second thought, I'm glad I couldn't bring many of the things I mentioned above. Not having those things has forced me to be that much more immersed into the Kenyan culture. But with that said, if I were to do this long-term, I'm pretty sure I'll have to bring some part of 'my culture' with me to Africa. We can try to be immersed into a new culture all we want, but let's face it, we are products of our culture. (I wouldn't have said that 4months ago, but much has changed since then).

just a visitor
Just through conversation and observation, it's become extremely apparent that I can live in Africa for the next 50years (LORD permitting), but I'll always just be a visitor; (I was reminded of this by a missionary here. Whatta great revelation, reminder and talk that was!!!...maybe I'll share more later...). Sure, many Africans will welcome me into their culture if I come back (and have welcomed me MUCH since being here...in fact, I'm having dinner with another family tonight...wahooo for Kenyan-cooked meals!) but I'm still just a visitor; and I always will be. Kenya (and most other parts of Africa) is a very tribal community and their concept of 'family' is completely different from our Canadian concept; like, they actually act as a family! A long-term missionary can never fully be a part of this tribe or family or culture in the same way a Kenyan is; it just won't happen. This is why I think bringing a part of our culture and family to a new culture in a developing world country would be a smart idea. Going solo with no thought about bringing a big part of what makes you you (ie. CULTURE) to an area that could possibly be very very very uncomfortable may not only be 'not smart' but it may also be detrimental to your ministry. This wasn't something I had given much thought to but man oh man has this trip opened my eyes on this matter! Culture is a part of who you are, it's part of who I am... I can't ignore that.
All that to say, if I end living in Africa for the long-term (which seems more likely now then months ago), then I won't be coming over here empty handed with the mentality that I'll become a Kenyan and forget that I'm a Canadian...it just won't happen! I'll still celebrate Canada's day, I'll play board games and I'll still try and eat grilled cheese sandwiches (if I'm able to find the ingredients...;-)...). And I most definitely will still be in touch with my loved ones back home! I'm happy I learned this lesson now, and NOT while I'm out in the bush somewhere with nothing but the clothes on my back...it just wouldn't be good. Can ya say, B U R N O U T?!?

the prayers are being heard
Continue praying...it's being heard! Honest, heartfelt prayer is absolutely essential. Lift up the requests and praise Him for the thanksgivings that you have seen throughout this blog and your life!

Pray that Jesus is shown where I am.
Pray that I 'get it'...get the message of the Bible.
Pray that God strengthens and protects me. There's no harm in praying for protection, so please pray for it...this life DOES MEAN something (read Psalms and note the prayers...).