- it is difficult to avoid answering "good." If you are lucky, you will have a couple moments to follow it up with a specific story or a highlight, but somethings you do not even get that opportunity. After having some time to actually think about it, several words stand out.
1. FRUITFUL - I purposefully did not have many "tasks" to complete on my to-do list, but the few things I did not want to leave without doing were accomplished. I was able to visit two additional clinics with Jenna, take part in the dedication ceremony, and have a face-to-face conversation with Peter & Francisca evaluating past projects and dreaming for the future. Of course, in the 3.5 weeks, a lot more happened. I was able to meet the contractor who has been in charge of the renovations. One day, I joined in the HIV mothers support group. Jenna and I went on 2 home visits with one of the community health workers. I experienced 4 Sundays of Kenyan church. I was immersed in the Kenyan culture - the food, the transportation, the music, the World Cup :) I walked away feeling at peace, that my time was well-spent, and that I did not leave anything pressing unfinished.
2. RELATIONAL - I titled this report "You came back" because those were three of the most powerful words that I heard during this trip. Of course it made me feel good to be able to return to a place, recognize and know people, and continuing building what now felt much more like a friendship, as opposed to an acquaintance. But I think this also spoke to my heart, as this is what I desired for Imani to be - a partnership and an ongoing investment. Not just an in and out thing. Yes, physically going to Kenya is the ideal way to nurture relationships, but ongoing emails, text messages, care packages - those are important too. It warmed my heart to hear people refer to "the Imani team" and the excitement of the photo book that I had made. We are not just sending funds - we are investing in real people and relationships with them. We are saying "You matter to me, I want to hear what you have to say."
3. FRUSTRATING - There were some aspects of the trip that were indeed frustrating. The first thing that stands out is how the churches seem to constantly be asking for money (during one service, I counted 6 or 7 different calls to give). It wasn't so much that I did not think people should give to the church, but it seemed to border along taking advantage of people, and I did not see how this money was actually benefiting the congregation and the surrounding community. It can also be extremely frustrating to see the very wide gap between the rich and the poor, and how it does not seem like any of those with means are doing anything to help their neighbors. Literally their neighbors - there can be a row of beautiful, gated homes with manicured gardens and security guards, and the next street is a large overcrowded slum without even the basic resources.
4. VISIONARY - One thing Peter and I have in common is that we both DREAM BIG. I think my dreams tend to be more internal, and externally, I come across as very rational and realistic - but Peter will just tell me, "one day we (Imara Healthcare Centre) will do surgeries, one day we will have a school here." And the thing is - I don't discount those dreams. His faith is God and reliance on Him for even the most basic things is incredible. I started to see God's vision of Imani partnering with additional clinics and having a presence in all of the large slums within Nairobi. There are so many needs that it is easy to get sidetracked, but I envision us taking our model of partnership with health clinics and God-willing, replicate that with other clinics. There are hundreds, probably thousands of charitable organizations that work in Kenya, and their effort I think is generally a positive one. I do no strive to make Imani look like any of the other big names - World Vision, Gates Foundation, Doctors without Borders. I simply want to directly meet the stated needs of healthcare facilities serving in the slum. And to have relationships, lasting relationships.