Rafiki

Rafiki means friend in Swahili (remember from The Lion King?!) I want to tell you about some of my friends here in Kenya. Over the past few weeks I've been spending more time getting to know my neighbors/co-workers and enjoying them so much. Usually as I'm walking home from work as I pass by their houses someone catches me and invites me in for tea... then that might turn into supper (which is served after 8pm!). 

Here is Lula. When I first moved here, Lula screamed when she saw me (scared of my white skin) and ran the other way. Lula is about the same age as my niece Dayzha who I just said goodbye to, so I was hoping that Lula could be my friend and fill the need to have "little people" in my life.

I told Lula's mom that we would someday be friends. My tactic was candy. I kept little m&m-like candies in my bag and would hand her one every time I saw her. Slowly by slowly Lula warmed up to me and now it warms my heart when she sees me and runs to me! She calls me "Ash-u-leigh, choc-o-late"!

Lula's mom Prisca is AH's receptionist. I enjoy time with Prisca both in the office and in her home. We had a girls night just the other night.

Richard and Eva (I took pictures for their wedding a few months ago) live in the other side of the duplex from Prisca. Richard is one of AH's drivers (the roads are so crazy here and not everyone knows how to drive because few people have cars, so we have trained drivers to drive the AH vehicle). Richard is really funny, so I've enjoyed him since I met him in May. I've spent lots of time with Eva recently while Richard was out in the villages on an evangelism tour a few weeks ago. She's becoming a good friend.

So, I am making friends. These are a few of them =)