TIA (This Is Africa) or Karibuni Kenya (Welcome to Kenya) have been on my mind the past couple of days. Also “don’t chase time, let time chase you” or “no hurry in Africa”. It wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t had a schedule I actually wanted to keep to.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent waiting. We waited for a worker to show up – he showed up late on Tuesday and not at all on Wednesday. We did find out (from his brother) his son was being treated for malaria so totally understandable but coming from the US we expected at least a phone call to explain what happened instead of his brother telling us Wednesday afternoon. Another gentleman was supposed to meet us Wednesday morning at 8 but we didn’t see him until noon.
I had hoped to be at the Academy both days but by the time we finished our business the teachers had left the Academy for the day.
The guy who came at noon apologized for being late but one thing he said was interesting…he said if we had decided to leave before he arrived he would have just come back later or another day. To our United States way of thinking if he showed up and we weren’t there it would be very rude. But to him it wouldn’t have been a big deal…TIA!
I like the line in Hook where Peter tells his son “My word is my bond”. The past few days have got me wondering where is the respect for employer? Friend? Another’s time? Where is the pride in a job well done? Are people doing what they say they will do?
We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (The Message)
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone… 1 Peter 2:16-17a
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
I didn’t make it to the Academy either day, maybe Thursday but if not…Karibuni Kenya!