living large....in nairobi

so...this past week has been pretty cool...

first of all, i'm literally living large in nairobi...when i got into the apartments here, they originally put me in one of their 3 bedroom apartments because the 1 bedroom wasn't ready...and most of you know that i'm not into large living spaces...i like having space like anybody else, but what's appropriate for the amount of people and not lots of empty, dark rooms. so it was nice, but i was looking forward to moving into the 1 bedroom, hoping for a cozier space. um...i think the 1 bedroom has the same amount of square footage as the 3 bedroom...really, truly. just look at the pics (though i don't think the pics do it justice - they leave out the dining area, the kitchen, this weird office alcove area, the 1.5 bathrooms, and my walk-in closet).
i have a great view, too....
anyways, on thursday, i met friends of a friend from mosaic...their ministry here is focused on connecting african churches with needed resources and training and equipping east african pastors. so thursday night was the last night of one of their pastor conferences, and it was amazing. truly amazing. i was a little late, so they were well into their praise time, and from the moment you walk in, you're just overwhelmed and enveloped by their worship. i wish you guys could have been there...just try to picture around 300 african pastors and leaders, gathered in a tent, belting out praise with such tremendous joy. there was one point in the middle of a song when the electricity went out and everyone just kept on singing acapella...i can't describe it in words, but it moved me to tears it was so beautiful. even though most of the songs were in swahili, it was a time of worship that transcended language and cultural barriers...

friday night, a bunch of co-workers went out to dinner, and afterwards some of them (including my ride) went to a popular bar...a pretty opposite experience from the night before. it was interesting, though...it was a diverse crowd. you had the kenyans, the kenyan indian crowd, and the expats, a good number of whom were sitting with young kenyan women in skimpy outfits. yup...

the electricity went out for a short time last night as well, and it was just strange to compare thursday night's blackout to friday night's blackout of loud techno music, the fog machine (yes, fog machine), the flat screens showing sports...yeah.

this morning i woke up to sounds of whistles and someone talking over a speaker system. it turned out that at the french school next door, they were having a volleyball tournament, of all things. so after watching them from my window on the 13th floor, and after trying to concentrate to get some work done, i finally gave in and decided to go over there. didn't play a game, but got to pepper with some kenyans and french students, and also found out that they have non-tournament play every saturday...yaaay!!!

soo...just got back from dinner and a movie with some co-workers, and it's late. tomorrow, i'm going to church with my new friends...can't wait!