Spot the Differences

Remember this game? Staple of kids' magazines, children's menus and activity sheets, you have to identify the subtle (or sometimes not-so-subtle) differences between two pictures. 

In some ways, it feels like our last four months in Kapsowar have been a game of "Spot the Differences." So much is the same - and yet we were warned, and have certainly found it to be true, that returning for our second "term" has felt very different than coming to Kapsowar for the first time. Here are some of the things that I (Kim) have experienced as a returning long-termer.

The Same:

- Our house: It has been comforting and just all-around nice to return to our home, our kitchen, our comfortable space. We loved visiting friends and family all over N America, and making Seattle our home base. But I also love my cookbooks and craft closet, we love our dog, our games, even our well-worn movie collection (Babe again, anyone?). 

- The work: with all it's challenges, I love my job. It is fun, rewarding, discouraging, and heartbreaking, sometimes all in one day. I wouldn't trade it for any other work - especially studying for a board exam, which is what I spent most of the late summer/fall of 2022 doing!

- The community: what keeps us in Kapsowar is the community - not only the wonderful Kenyans who we work with, but also our smaller Kenyan and N American community living together at the "station." Although most of the members of the community have changed since we arrived here in November 2019, the rhythms and feel of the community, thankfully, has not. We have enjoyed not only being back here, but also helping to welcome others into that community.

- Fat Tuesday! We hosted the 4th Annual Fat Tuesday celebration at our house earlier this week. I'm learning from my experience every year - this year I really simplified by making mostly baked donuts the night before (when I was not on call) and only frying Ollie Bolen (apple and plain)

Gathering for donuts near our avocado tree - another thing that stays the same is wonderful local (sometimes VERY local) produce

Last day before Lent indulgences

Growing kids can eat a LOT of fried (and baked) dough!

Some kids - and adults - were interested in the frying process

The Differences

- New community members: As we anticipated, we left Kapsowar in May with very few long-term community members, and when we came back in November, we were just at the beginning of a season of growth for the community. Dominic was the only N American kid when we left. Now he's one of 16, soon to be 17! It has been truly fun and encouraging to get to know all the new families. And there are still more to come! It has also been a challenge to be some of the community members who have been here the longest. We get a lot of questions, and don't always feel like we have great answers. 

- The responsibilities: Along with the expanding community is a heavier burden of community responsibilities. More decision need to be made, with more people weighing in on that decision-making process. Fortunately, there are also more shoulders to bear the load, and we are really thankful to be handing over some of our tasks to new people with more passion and energy than we have.

- The social opportunities: For us and for Dominic! So far, Dominic has been involved in a Christmas pageant, a play (the story of Esther), and a comedy night - Dominic read (and sang!) jokes out of his joke book before a campfire last Saturday

The tree fort in our front yard makes a great stage

- The climate and economy: On a negative note, Kenya has been hard-hit by drought, which is even effecting our normally very green area in the hills. Lately even the power grid has been effected, with scheduled power outages due to (we hear) lack of hydro-electric power. The economy has had a double-hit from poor crops, and fairing poorly in context of global economic hard times. Locally, people have been struggling to buy basics including food, medicine, and paying school fees. It hurts to see the people around us hurting, and it hurts to know that people in countries around us are in even more difficult conditions. 

We appreciate your support and prayers for our family as we navigate this second term, and for Kenya as we wait for the rains to return! Thanks for reading!