As I prepare for my big move, I'm finding that many of the questions I'm fielding pop up again and again. So, I asked my Facebook friends to give me their questions, and I picked the top 10 most commonly asked to answer here:
1.) When do you leave?
First, if I had a nickel for every time I've been asked this question, I think I could have paid for my plane ticket by now. Maybe I should start charging people who ask ;-)
Short answer: I don't know, but hopefully September.
Long answer: I'm waiting on my work permit from Kenyan immigration before I can go over. I heard from the Tania Centre a few weeks ago that immigration told them my work permit would be ready in a month, but that's a month in Kenyan time, which is usually more like 2 or 3 months in American time. Believe me, when I have a departure date, I'll be too excited to keep it to myself! You'll know!
2.) How long will you be there?
I've committed to three years at the Tania Centre for now.
3.) What will you be doing there?
I'll be doing the same thing I've been doing the past two summers, along with a couple of extra projects. I'll be teaching English and music and whatever else they need me to teach (except for maybe Swahili!). I'll also be helping to plan a park down the road from the school as a source of income for the school, as well as looking into the possibility of opening a music school within the Tania Centre.
4.) What is a goal you have for while you're there?
Besides my job description in #3, my biggest goal is to show Jesus' love as best as I can to the students and employees at the Tania Centre.
5.) What will your living quarters be like?
I'll be living at the Tania Centre, like I have the past two summers. I stayed in a different place on campus each summer, so I'm not sure exactly where on campus I'll be staying, but I can tell you that it will be a safe building with electricity and running water. And all I have to do to get to school in the morning is roll out of bed and walk out my door!
6.) Are you worried for your safety?
No more worried than I am when I'm walking around downtown Washington, D.C. The school is in a secure compound with a guard, about a half hour or so outside the city (depending on traffic). Recent attacks that have made the news here in the U.S. took place near the border with Somalia, an area I have no plans to visit. I trust my safety to God in Kenya just like I do in the U.S.!
7.) What's your biggest concern?
I worry some about loneliness. I have a few friends in Kenya, but they're mostly on the other side of Nairobi, and regardless, it will be difficult not having people around who are my age and who share my culture. I'll have Skype and email to keep in contact with my friends and family, but I know I'll miss being near them.
8.) What are you doing with your cello?
It's coming with me, of course! I have a special flight cover that goes over the case and found instructions for safely packing the cello within its case, so I feel safe putting it under the plane. (No, I don't want to hear about the horror stories you've heard about musicians flying with their instruments. I've heard more than enough.)
9.) How will you be supporting yourself financially while you're there?
Like most missionaries, I'll be doing fundraising over the next three years. I'm working with my church's missions team to come up with a budget so I'll know soon exactly how much I'll have to raise.
10.) How can we support you from back here in the States?
In LOTS of ways! First of all, prayer--anyone can pray, and I'll need lots of it over the next three years.
You can also give. I'll be looking for monthly sponsors and one-time givers--anything will help. I'll have more specific details of how you can financially support me in another post later in the summer.
I also have a fundraising recital on the calendar for later this summer, so if you're a local and would like to come, I'd love to see you there! It will be August 22nd at 6:00 PM at The Music Loft in Herndon. Save the date!
I also love getting emails while I'm in Kenya, too, so staying in touch is a big morale boost. I'd love to hear from you!
Any questions you have that I didn't answer? Let me know!
