Hey Kenya team!
My name is Connie and I will be part of your leadership team over in one of my favourite places on earth. I’m sure it will become one of yours quite quickly as well.
I was just recently added to this blog so I appologize that I wasn’t able to hop on sooner and help Jason answer some of your questions.
But I have been reading, lurking if you will, and observing from afar, every keystroke and anxious post. (ok not every, but most)
I just want to encourage you that first off, you are not alone in your nervousness/excitement/terror/joy. Rely on each other, your leaders and most importantly the Lord who brought you to this place in your life. He has some exciting things planned for you for the next few months and I for one am thrilled that I will be able to watch and experience it all with you.
Who am I? you can read my bio by clicking my name on the left *points*
Other than that, I am here for you guys as much as technology will allow.
If you have questions, concerns and especially praises… let’s hear them.
Right now I’m going through the packing process as well and it can be tricky.
I see you’ve already begun asking questions and way to go Jason for tackling them quickly.
Don’t feel like you are asking too many… they are all welcome.
man this is long!
peace
Megan, voltage is a tricky subject, luckily I studied it in high school, so I’ll try to make this easy.
In Kenya, their electricity runs at 240 volts and 50 hertz not 120v at 60 hertz like in North America. Basically, if you take an american appliance (that does not have a built in converter)and plug it in in kenya, it WILL fry. We do have a few power converters over there but they are for minimal use. SO, don’t bring any hair dryers, plug-in alarm clocks, lamps or anything that runs on 120v. how can you tell? look on the bottom. if it does not say something like “input 120-240v 50-60hz” it wont work over there.
You can look into buying plug converters (these do not convert power, only allow you to fit our plugs into their sockets). They look like this http://www.rei.com/product/720391
wow that was long.
bathrooms – where we will be staying near Kibera we have a toilet. But in the slum, in the country and most of the time when we travel we sill have to use squatty potties. think, hole int he ground. so work on those leg muscles! 🙂
guard – our living quarters near the city is guarded 24/7.
communication – I believe that we will be trying to allow you guys to contact home via email/phone every two weeks. this will prove to be easier to stick to when we are in the city but keep in mind that when we are travelling, computers and phones are few and far between. But you can be sure that you wont have to wait 3 months to update your friends and family back home.
hope that helps
Lindsey,
I personally always bring malaria meds with me. we may not always be in areas that require you take them, but I think better safe than sorry is a good theory to go by in this case. Nairobi does have mosquitoes, not many but enough to get bitten. My advice would be ask a doctor. I don’t know if you can talk to your doctor about this, if not, find a travel clinic near you and they will be very knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I would recommend having some with you.
Oh and as far as side effects… there are different types of meds, one of them is known for giving people rough dreams, I think that may be the one you take weekly. there is another kind you can take daily, not as many side affects. I’d still ask a doctor.
katie..
can’t wait to meet you either.
all of you, very exciting!
I’m going to try to answer all of the above in one message so here goes.
Megan:
battery chargers will not work in Kenya. Power converters are large and heavy and fairly expensive, you wont want to bring one. Is it for your camera? Duracell and Energizer both make more powerful longer lasting batteries, that may be your best bet, plus, you can buy batteries there.
Lindsey:
If memory serves me right, September/December is pretty wet. You might want to bring a rain pancho/coat/umbrella. Mosquito nets can be used if you prefer while we are in the city. We do have a few at the house so I would say don’t worry about bringing one. While we are travelling we will not be using them.
You may want to bring some over the counter meds as what you are used to may not be available there. Don’t be surprised if you don’t need them though, God loves to heal things big and small 😉 don’t worry about toilet paper and I’m not sure about lice shampoo, it was never a problem while I was there.
Christina:
Ministry supplies will be packed in your luggage. Unfortunately guitars are counted as extra baggage which will be an expense you will need to cover. I know, bummer… that’s why I’m learning the Irish flute… easier to pack, ha
Hey Connie! Nice to meet you (sort of!) But anyways, I was curious about a few things. What’s our electricity status in Kenya? What will we be using as a bathroom? Do we have a guard? (Question from parent) and lastly, I’ve been asked a lot about keeping in touch back here in the States. Any idea on that one? I hope these are okay questions… (don’t want to sound completely ridiculous) Well anyways, I’d appreciate any feedback. Hope all is well! 14 days left, yay! Megan
Hey Connie… i had a question reguarding malaria meds… Do you recommend taking them, Ive heard many different opions on the matter some say the side effecta are worse then the actual meds, others say if symptoms appear get blood test immediately then take meds. some say its worth it to take the meds. What do you recommend? thanks!
Hi, Connie! Can’t wait to meet you. Thanks for the helpful info! I can’t believe its almost here :o)
Hey Connie! That does, thank you! Though about electricity, the reason I asked that was about recharging batteries. Should I look into a converter for that? Is it unrealistic to even bring them? Thanks again, means a lot! Megan
What is the weather going to be like while were there? Is it rainy season? very hot? I looked it up but didnt get very good answers. Also should we bring netting of some kind for while were sleeping, or is that not needed?
Do we need to bring anything like toilet paper, or lice treatment shampoo, pepto bidmol,or imodium… or anything else like that?
Hey! I just had a question about the flight. I checked the nwa.com website for northwest airlines, and the carry on luggage is restricted to where i cannot bring my guitar on board. so what do i need to do? are we shipping the ministry supplies separte or having them w/ our luggage? if so should i check in my guitar as another luggage?
thanks!