The Swing of Things

Many of my supporters back in the Land of the Free have only a partial understanding of what I'm doing here in Kenya. Most know I am serving at an orphanage, few know I am also serving at a school. And of those who know I am serving at an orphanage there is little knowledge as to what my responsibilities are here. I however would like to proudly announce that I know what I am doing here.

When I consider the progression of my knowledge of my purpose and my comfortability fulfilling that purpose I look to the four stages of group development.

Forming. This was the first couple weeks when I was still getting settled and moving furniture around in my room. This was when I was still figuring out the physical structures of First Love, and learning names of kids and staff. It wasn't too stressful, apart from the abroad aspect which is an extra touch. I think the most challenging part of the forming stage was figuring out how to live into the no-worry-no-hurry-hakuna-shida Kenyan culture while still being a diligent, degree seeking student.

Storming. This was a very distinct stage. I butted heads with too many people unintentionally. Overstepping boundaries, reeking of self-confidence. Anna and I decided that I am simply an offensive person. Haha. Can't help it. I think it's just how I do life and how I don't let things get to me. You gotta let em roll right of your back. Like a duck. That's a phrase.

Norming. I'd say the norming stage began once we started going to Karen C and I leaned how to best navigate that place. I tell you, if you're not determined and excellent at taking initiative, Karen C will be torturous. Luckily that self-confidence that brought much strife to the storming stage is a real gift for norming. I learned that if I want to teach classes at Karen C I have to take them. There's no waiting for teachers to ask you to assist them. There's no gently asking if you can help at all that day. No. If you want to teach a class at Karen C you have to go to the timetable, find what class you want and the respective teacher, then approach him or her with the text book and say "What was the last lesson you taught? I'll be teaching CRE today for class 7L." You just gotta jump in there. Get what's yours. It's a phrase.

This brings us to the exciting announcement on which this submission is centered. I am performing. I feel more than comfortable at First Love and like I previously said I have Karen C in the bag. I even know how to navigate driver James from Jeff's house to First Love IN THE DARK. #prostatus #notatourist #stillreekingofselfconfidence. There were a couple guests here last night and I was able to help prepare their rooms and offer natural hospitality because this is my home and I know what I'm doing here. It feels good.

As I continue to do work here I look forward to increasing even more my level of performance. It can only get better from here. Peace from the east baby. I just made that up. It's a phrase.