Today was what Sunday should be. A relaxed breakfast before we headed to a local church affiliated with Compassion to worship. Poor Q was not used to a two hour service since our Catholic mass is typically one hour. And most of it was in Swahili although the pastor tried to accommodate us by reading the gospel and giving the homily in English which his co-pastor then translated into Swahili. Again, a beautiful welcome.
After the church service and lovely outdoor reception we went to a restaurant on Lake Victoria. Same healthy local fare, different setting.
And then we got to go on a boat ride! It was supposed to be a double decker but in Africa you have to stay flexible. We ended up taking turns on a regular pontoon and water bus (like a cross between a rowboat and canoe, wooden, but motorized). The water was super rough and though fresh water it is home to crocodiles, hippos and water snakes! We got a bit splashed but fortunately did not capsize!
Now a little about Compassion. It was founded by Everett Swanson (I think I may have misspoken earlier…like I said, this trip is educating me!) as a minister to 35 South Korean children in 1952. The name arises from this Bible verse in Mathew 15:32NIV:
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.””
Tonight we got to hear a young man share his story and it is amazing. Please check out this link. https://youtu.be/DH8dm_AIiwM
It is short but inspiring. This Kenyan has been with us on this journey all week and has impressed me so much by his gracious manners, ease of public speaking and ability to make all of us feel at home. In fact, a phrase you hear over and over here is kirabu, which means, in different contexts, “you’re welcome” or “feel welcome.”
Please visit https://www.compassion.com/history.htm for more inspiration.
Tomorrow we leave our sweet hotel in Kisumu after visiting one more child development center, this one in the nearby slums, and return to Nairobi.
On Tuesday we meet Joseph!!!
Notes From Real Life 
So wonderful Megan!!
Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us, it is not unlike the years I spent in Paraguay as a Peace Corps Volunteer!
My Aunt Pat was a Maryknoll Missionary Nun and she spent over 20 years living with the villagers in Tanzania – the pictures and information she shared with me when I was 8 had a huge impact on my life! ❤
Can’t wait to hear all about your experience from you & Quinn when you return!
With Gratitude,
Medea Galligan, MS CHHC AADP
Health & Wellness Consultant Corporate Training Programs Private Nutritional Counseling (828)989-9144 MedeaGalligan@gmail.com MedeasHealthyLifestyleConcepts.com
On Sun, Jan 19, 2020, 2:41 PM Super Mom? No, just a lot of love and pizza wrote:
> alotofloveandpizza posted: ” Today was what Sunday should be. A relaxed > breakfast before we headed to a local church affiliated with Compassion to > worship. Poor Q was not used to a two hour service since our Catholic mass > is typically one hour. And most of it was in Swahili although” >
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