Day #6

From Zack Sanders:

Jambo!!! What a day we had! It was not as busy as the others leading up to today but a day full of relaxation and fun. As any other day would start we had breakfast at the Heart House. By now we are all used to getting up early to eat the most important meal of the day. And, like usual, when the bus rolls up it's time to go!!!

First stop on Day 5 would be The Village Market. Now what I had imagined the Village Market to be was something sort of like a flea market. I wasn't far off except for the fact that the vendors there would do anything to have you buy from them. These people seemed like they were crazy but as the day went on my original thought of crazy changed. We were told to go there and price different items in the morning, but when you tell the vendors, "Hey we're coming back later" and you tell them your name, THEY WILL remember it!!! So when our browsing time ended we got back on the bus and headed to Mitchell"s Tea Farm!


Everyone that had been to Kenya before had told me so much about it and how the tea there was absolutely amazing. I got to say it looked like everyone loved it. When you first enter the tea farm, you have this thing called "Tea Talk with Fiona" and it was really cool to see how tea was made. Now whenever I think of Tea I always think of my mom's sweet tea and, well, they didn't have that. So I had to do what anyone else would do and intervene to make my own style which I called African Sweet Tea (which was really sweet after I accidentally poured tons of sugar into my cup). After "Tea Talk with Fiona" and a small tour of the farm, it was time for lunch, tea farm style. And lunch...well don't get me started on how great it was and how I couldn't stop drinking the tea! Everyone was full after the meal and we were ready to hit the market again!

As soon as the bus parked, we all rushed out and were ready to shop. I had meet some people before and jokingly said, "I'll come see you when I get back!" As soon as I walked in someone grabbed my arm and said, "Hey Zachary, remember Me" and honestly I had forgot I told the guy I would be back. Now I was in for an experience I wouldn't forget. The downfall of this is that whenever some shouts your name everyone in the market knows it. As I walked through, vendors from all around the market were shouting my name and grabbing me left and right. I didn't know what to say or do. The first purchase I made wasn't the greatest as I got swindled; however, that was the last time it was going to happen. I was on a roll after that grabbing deals left and right until I had reached my limit. It looked like everyone was having fun too as the bus began to fill up with souvenirs.


At first I was scared of the vendors but after you get the hang of it you feel more comfortable and it all becomes easy to talk to them and buy from them. Now as I was buying stuff, I took a step back to watch what was going on. These vendors weren't scary people at all; they were desperate people and this was their job. If they didn't make any money they probably weren't able to support their family. I felt bad for these people and, yes, maybe they were making stories up to get you to buy from them but when you see desperation in someone's eyes, you know and can feel it's real. I had this one guy I had promised I would buy something from and I went over to him. When you look someone in the eye and tell them you will come back that's a promise here in Kenya. You better keep that promise too. That man taught me the most! I bought something little from him but he didn't talk to me like the rest. In fact, he told me his story and why he was working there. He didn't want me to buy anything,  he just wanted me to listen. Through that little talk I got a better understanding of the people here in Kenya. No one is desperate. They are all looking for hope. Some of them have found it in Christ and others are just running around trying to find it. The market reminded me of how we are in life as a Christian as I tried to keep my mind on that exact item I was looking for. The vendors were pulling me away and trying to get me to buy something else I didn't need. This compares to how it is in the life of a Christian: we try to focus all we can on Christ but distractions from all around can pull you away. We must stay on the path, which is keeping our focus on God.

As the day ended we headed out and, of course, it was dinner time when we arrived back at Heart House. As I look around after dinner, we all gathered to talk about how much fun today was. I can't stop thinking about the thought running through my mind. We were all called to come here for a reason and each one of us had obeyed that call. God is absolutely amazing and as the week comes to a close not only have we helped the community but the community has helped us! God has been the focus of this trip and He teaches all of us something new everyday. To God be the glory Amen.

Love you Mallory and Ridge!! (from Jameson)