Google chat with Erik including Mom, Dad, Karissa, Zack, Jordan, Grandma, Grandpa and Drake
We asked Erik what a typical day was like for him.
He responded that he gets up at 7:00 (he knows he is supposed to be up at 6:30). He has trouble sleeping so waking up is difficult. He then takes a cold shower to help him stay awake for study time. He drinks lots of water and takes his malaria pill. He eats a roll for breakfast. They leave their flat at 10:00 and proselyte until 2:00. They eat lunch out; he said rice and beef and vegetables. There are no popular restaurants in the area but he did see a Pizza Hut. The pizza is expensive for his budget so he is saving up for it. He and his companion proselyte until 8:00 PM then go back to their flat to study more. The most they have walked in a day is 15-17 miles. He has no blisters!
We asked him how we washes his clothes. He responded “by hand” and motioned a scrubbing action with his hands.
We asked him how he was doing. He responded, “HOT”
We asked him what fruits he eats. He said, “bananas”. He told us other fruits are expensive(apples) and have to be washed in Jik. Jik is bleach.
He has experienced some cultural challenges. People frequently pick their nose in conversation. He was also shocked by a woman who openly breastfed her baby is sacrament meeting (the branch president’s wife no less). The left hand is considered the dirty hand and the right hand is clean. He said he knows of 5 other white people in the ward and the natives like to shake his hand. We assume the picking is done with the left hand and shaking is done with the right. Haha!
We asked him about mission work and if he is teaching. He responded that it is a challenge. People frequently cancel appointments.
Erik talked about how hard it is for him to see all the trash cats outside the cafes, begging for food. It tears him up to see their suffering.
He told us there are public busses. They are called Daladala. They are frightening. He said a bus that seats 16 people is packed with about 40. The bus drivers drive like they want to die.
Jordan asked Erik what time is gets dark there. Erik said 7:00
We asked Erik what he does for service each week. He said he and his companion teach English class a couple times a week.
We noticed Erik had a haircut. He said his companion cut it. We asked if he used his clippers. He responded ‘no’ because he left his clippers in his other suitcase which is at the mission home in Nairobi. When Erik flew to Tanzania he could only fly with one bag.
Our conversation was cut short this week; his connection was so bad. At least we could see each other and type in the chat bar. We loved the moments when we could see him smile or laugh.
No comments:
Post a Comment