Tea & Sympathy

There are many remnants of British colonial rule in Kenya, one of which is the ritual and hospitality of tea. The Kiswahili word is the same used in India and many other parts of the world: chai. Although, chai as we know it here in the US is not necessarily the same thing as Kenyan chai. Chai literally means simply "tea", but in Kenya it is almost assumed that the tea will be brewed in a boiling-hot mixture of equal parts water and milk. Some folks also add spices, as we do for American chai (think Starbucks chai latte, or Oregon Chai concentrate), some add lemongrass, and if sugar is not mixed in for you, it is certainly offered.

But chai is more than just a warm beverage in Kenya. (And the warm part often causes me to involuntarily smile, especially when I am sweating from the African sun while sipping my steaming hot brew). When you enter a home of any sort, you are offered a seat and a cup of chai, and are expected to sit, sip, and visit for awhile. The drink you accept is a sign of hospitality, an extension of friendship, a warm - literally - welcome, and a request for fellowship.

One of my favorite memories of shared cups of chai was as a student in 1999. Upon meeting my host family in a small village in Western Kenya, I was immediately offered chai, which I knew by then to accept. However, milk had not been agreeing with me that spring, perhaps due to lack of pasteurization in rural areas, and so I had been telling folks that I would love some chai, but without the milk, as it made my stomach sick. When I relayed this to my host mother, she gave me a bit of a sideways look (who drinks chai without milk??!!), but headed back to the other side of her tiny two-room hut to fetch me some milkless chai. Several minutes later, I realized she was brewing a whole new batch of chai just for me. It was that important to her that I be able to share a cup with her and her children. For the remainder of my stay in her joyful home (only one week or so), there was always a separate cup of plain black tea waiting for me in the mornings and afternoons, and never a word of questioning or teasing about the milk. Every cup was a humbling and endearing experience I hold dear to this day.

Your First Prayer Assignment

Many of you already know, but for those who do not:

Jason and I recently found out that more than one Bosh will be traveling to Kenya: I will be 28 weeks pregnant when I board my Nairobi-bound flight in August.

No, this was NOT in the plans.

Yes, I will still be traveling.

I have the okay from the midwife to travel, but here's what it means:

• I am researching anti-malaria medications that are safe for pregnancy (I have an appointment with a travel nurse this Wednesday)
• I am also researching effective non-DEET alternative bug sprays
• I will be more susceptible to sicknesses in general
• My flights (8.5 hrs to Amsterdam, then 8.5 hrs to Nairobi, and then back again) will have the potential of being rather uncomfortable; I've requested aisle seats!
• I will not be able to enjoy a full cup of Kenyan chai at every home we visit, as Kenyan tea is quite high in caffeine (as reference, the last time I traveled there, I probably drank between 5 and 10 cups per day)

That last issue is mostly selfish on my part: I love chai and the hospitality it represents. More on that in a future blog entry...

So, your assignment, if you are praying for me on this journey:

• Pray for no mosquito bites
• Pray for protection over my immune system, for no illnesses while I'm there
• Pray for safe and comfortable travel on the airplanes
• Pray for me to let this situation be something that opens up conversation and vulnerability with Kenyan friends; pregnancy is such a universal life event, who knows what God will do with this

I'd also love suggestions from any of you who have traveled while pregnant, or know someone who has -- especially to developing countries, and/or high malaria-risk areas.

Looking for a Little Prayer & Support :)

For those of you who have already read this letter, skip to the bottom and note that the deadline for responding has changed to May 31, 2010. At the very least, send me a note to let me know if you will be praying for me and my team!

I am excited to share with you an incredible opportunity I am preparing for this August. I will be leading a team from my church, University Place Presbyterian Church (UPPC), on a trip to Meru, Kenya in East Africa. This trip will be the fourth of its kind – the last was in 2005 (my husband, Jason & I both participated in that trip) -- as the church has been building relationships and embarking on mission work in Meru for over seven years now. I’m hoping to put my rusty Kiswahili language skills to good use!
The UPPC Kenya Team manages the sponsorship of needy children in Meru through a ministry called Cherish Ministry to Meru. Cherish partners with a Kenyan non-profit organization, Hope International Ministry Trust. The five board members of Hope International Ministry Trust (we call them Hope Guardians) administer sponsorships and relay news to us about sponsored children. Our ministry has grown to over 130 children sponsored by folks here in the U.S.
The purpose of this summer’s Meru mission trip will be to facilitate relationships between our church, the Hope International Ministry Trust, the children we support, and the sponsors of the children. This will mean visiting as many of the children and families as possible, assisting with a two-day seminar for them, and holding several meetings with the Hope Guardians. All of this in only two weeks!
I hope to lend my nutrition expertise by leading two sessions at the seminar: one for younger children and their parents, and one for older kids. I’ve been asked to address the misconception that traditional, inexpensive Kenyan foods (beans, rice, maize meal, local greens, ground nuts, milk) are inferior to more expensive ones (meats, poultry, packaged foods). I’m hoping to also address food safety if/when that is also a need.
Please prayerfully consider supporting our mission trip:
The estimated cost of this mission trip is approximately $19,000 for our eight-member travel team. I am writing this letter, in part, to ask for your help with this cost. If you feel called to provide financial support, print out the form below, check the appropriate box, and follow the mailing instructions on the form no later than May 31, 2010.
More critically, I am in great need of prayer as I prepare to travel, and as my team ministers to the people of Meru. If you feel called to commit to praying for me and my team, check the appropriate box on the form and mail, or simply respond to this email letter (emilybosh@yahoo.com). You are, of course, welcome to support us in more ways than one! Whatever your form of support might be, I will be grateful just to have you sharing in God’s work in Meru with me.
For those who respond, I will be writing again to share specific prayer requests before I leave!

Sincerely,

Emily Bosh

P.S. If you would like to know more about UPPC, the Kenya Team, or Cherish Ministry to Meru, you can check out the church’s website at www.UPPC.org or the Kenya Team’s blog at uppc-kenya/blogspot.com.
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I have prayerfully considered supporting Emily Bosh in her mission work in Meru, Kenya, August 2010, and would like to contribute:

□ a financial gift of: $
□ lots of prayers, both now and in August
□ other:


Please make checks payable to “UPPC”, and write “Kenya Travel Team” in the subject line. Your response form and check will need to be enclosed in a UPPC Missions offering envelope before being submitted to the church, so you may do one of two things: 1) Mail directly to me at: 1634 Firlands Dr., Tacoma, WA 98405; I will hand-deliver all envelopes to UPPC’s Financial Coordinator. 2) If you prefer to mail your form and check directly to the church, let me know via email (emilybosh@yahoo.com) so that I can mail an offering envelope to you. Please respond no later than May 31, 2010.