Kenya Update

UPDATE from JENIFER HARTMAN on her visit to Kenya

Lutu & her younger sister with Jenifer before ceremonies started

The trip is going well! I brought the rains to Meru with me - just kidding, but they did start the day I arrived and we are all so thankful. The drought has devastated Kenya. Students from all parts of Kenya are telling terrible stories of livestock dying from lack of rain. It poured buckets yesterday during the Kenya Methodist University graduation rehearsal (which is outside), but not a single person complained. Due to COVID, this is the first year in three years they have had a fully in-person graduation, and their celebrations reflected their joy! Campus was overflowing with extended families including families in traditional dress, and ones like Lutu's family of 32 coming from Nairobi last night!!

I have been generously greeted by my Kenyan colleagues and friends. Several student leaders asked to meet with me for an evening get-together with a few other students - about 30 students showed up for a delightful evening of shared memories of my past year in Meru.

I was truly humbled. Staff and faculty have been gracious as well and I share just a few photos from graduation today:

It has been a very quick trip for so much travel but well worth it! I even taught the chef at the hotel where I'm staying to bake buttermilk biscuits and he plans to add them to his menu. Imagine... you could travel to Meru, Kenya and get Prof. Jenifer Nkatha's biscuits!

I hope all is well there and look forward to being back in the FUMCSP balcony pew next week.

Grace and peace,

Jenifer