Mezungo

"Mezungo" is the Kenyan word for foreigner, but it literally means "restless people."  It came from way back when Portuguese settlers came to Kenya, and the Kenyans said they must be restless because they left their home.  The name just stuck as a label for foreigners.  Although, the original meaning still applies to us Americans who find ourselves in Kenya.  We come from a much faster pace lifestyle and jobs.  Everything here is slower and hakuna matata is not just a cute Disney song.  They seem to worry about very little. 

 

In general, it's been nice to relax into a slower pace, but in the healthcare field, sometimes urgency is necessary.  Often that urgency is absent in the Kenyan healthcare workers.  It can be frustrating and tempting to think they just don't care.  Which is not true.  Their worldview is just so different from ours.  Tenwek is known as the best hospital in Kenya, but to me it seems like how I would imagine a US hospital in the 1950s.  But in their mind, this is the best in Kenya and they are doing a great job.  They can't imagine anything greater, don't know how to aspire to anything more.  Part of this is from a life of poverty for so long, a lack of hope. 

The long term missionaries here have a daunting task.  Even in the past 2 weeks, I have felt such frustration with this at the hospital.  How do you inspire people to reach for something more, to expect and hope for more?  And not for our glory, but to provide excellent healthcare for the least of these for the glory of God and the renown of His name here in Bomet, Kenya and the surrounding regions.  By God's grace, there is progress.  It's slow, but the faithfulness of the people living here and walking alongside the African residents and doctors is truly inspiring.  It's a different type of heroism than the more dramatic stories you hear of missionaries, but heroism nonetheless; the unsung heroes trudging along with only God as their strength, comfort, joy, help, and peace.

Like so many things, there is a balance.  I find while this slower pace, lack of urgency may be frustrating me in the healthcare setting that I can also learn much from their culture.  God says "Be still and know that I am God."  One translation says "Cease striving."  Whew, that's a tough one for me.  Cease striving?  And then  also "Do not worry."  Man, I struggle with those commands. 

Please be praying for these people and the missionaries here.  That God would strengthen those serving Him and give them vision for Tenwek Hospital, and that many would come to know Jesus as their only Lord and Savior.  90% of Kenya is supposedly Christian, but their culture is largely fruitless.  From what I understand, the people tend to accept all religions.  They are really open to anything "white people" want to tell them or have to say, and generally accept it, but it seems they may add Jesus to the shelf of things they believe.  Pray for true saving faith of the Kenyans.