Life in Likoni

This is definately an adventure. On Sunday we were invited for lunch at a church member's home in Likoni, another island that we had to take a ferry to. The ferry was packed full vehicles first, then hand carts, then bicycles, then people.

After the ferry we walked about two miles to their home where the family of 4 lived in one small room, about 10X12. The room was in a small building with 8 other rooms filled with 8 other families. There was an open common corridor in the middle where everyone sleeps because it is too hot to sleep in their rooms. There was no running water, no bathroom, and they cooked on a kerosene stove in the corner. It was a whole new level of poverty. We have walked by places like this and wondered if people really lived there or if they just hung out there. It was very interesting to see how a home like that works. We had a really good meal! Our hostess, Fabian made fried fish - not fish filets, the whole thing, eyes, bones, tail and all.

They noticed that Emily wasn't eating the fish and insisted that she "take" some, as that was the best part of the meal for them. (They say "take" in place of "eat") She did, and it was some of the best fish she’s had! It was just very intimidating for Emily to watch her clean them and then cook them and then want to still eat it! The family also had a 2 week old baby. We were so surprised to see how she handled him. He could completely hold his head up already. I think they just come strong because Heavenly Father knows what kind of life they will have, so he gives them a little head start. It is amazing to see how little extra care a baby gets in Kenya and they still seem to grow up fine. No cribs, no running water, second hand clothes that don’t fit. The family was very warm and welcoming and took us around their neighborhood to meet their friends.

We never walked on a paved road and never saw a building with running water or another Mzungu (when the kids saw us they would run and get their friends to come and see us and they would all yell “howa you”). When we first arrived we were somewhat surprised at our living conditions but after spending the afternoon in Likoni we were so glad to be back in our apartment. The whole experience was really an eye opener. It made the part of the city that we live in look like paradise.