The picture is almost self-explanatory, don’t you think? This is the shower head in our home in Tala, Kenya and remember Kenya runs on 240 volt electricity, not 110 like here in the United States. Depending on water flow, we would have to flip the lever from warm to cold, being very careful not to reach too far and touch the wires!
Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for this bit of comfort – when we have water running through the pipe and when we have electricity so we can have a warm shower. However, during the last six weeks of our stay in September/October 2008 we did not have running water, the pump was broken at the well where our water came from so it had to be trucked in for cooking, washing and bathing.
For bathing purposes the water would be heated, transferred to a large plastic jug (approximately 5 gallons) then we would pour the water into a basin (pictured below) and use a pitcher to pour water over ourselves.
Showering became a team effort between Chuck and I and we learned you can really get by just washing the “essential” areas, and baby wipes became our friend during this time!
Many times as I’m standing in my shower here in the States I remember Paul’s words to the Philippians:
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I thank God for my shower here and my shower in Kenya, no matter how different they may be.