KenyanAcceptsDifferences

By Melody Walker

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."Mark 16:15

The Holy Scriptures have a specialmeaning when people see thefruitsoftheirlabor. Audrey Langatis fromKenya ShelearnedaboutLibertythroughthe LU Kenya Team. Her goal is to become acriminal lawyer. She is planning toreturnhome forgraduateschool

Kenya is a country with hot weather year-round during the day. Itscoldest temperatures usually get down toonly about 40-50degrees at night

Besidestheweather, Audrey hasnoticed many differences inher country and theUnited States during her time here. Dating is private and more parentcontrolled inKenya. It is also something tobe taken more seriously. Engagement is viewed as more ofa commitment -likemarriage would be inthe U.S.

Hospitalityisanotherdifference "In the U.S people cantalkfreely," Audrey said."In Kenya,peopledonot talktoeach otherunlessthey areintroduced."

Accordingto Audrey,thisisbecausethereisa fearof people "There are fences around everyone's property,"she said. "Most ofthe fences arebrick wallor wood, and some have bushes or flowers. To see a person, you have toknock atthe gate."

Churchesin Kenya are also different. "Hereyou sit, listenandfollowthe program,"Audreysaid. "Churches inKenya areopen tochange Allyou have tosay is T want tochange this,' and they change it."

Audrey enjoys the services in Kenya. "There is plentyofsingingand dancing. Church lasts for about twohours," she said "On Communion Sunday church usually lasts for about three hours,sometimes four hours."

The differences in food preparation and eatingare added adjustments for Audrey. "Everything hereis eitherfrozenor in a can," shesaid."In Kenya you have to cook everything from scratch. The food has a differentkind of flavorbecauseof the spices they use."

Kenyans also shop atthe butchery for freshly cut and hung meat. "We don'tfreeze themeat,"she said.

PhotobyTracyCreager

"You walk by and pick the meat. Then,they cut the partsthatyou want."

The judicialsystem is a noticeable difference "Divorceisa rareoccurrencein Kenya,"Audreysaid "My tribebelievesthatthe childrenbelongto the father, but, like here, themother usually getscustody."

Other parts of the government are also run differently. "On electionday, we go tothepollsand stand behind the person we want to elect," Audrey said. "The people then place their votes in a box,and the votesarecounted Thisis thenew system."

These governmental differencesarealsoseen in the celebrationofholidays. "We have severaldays when we put on nationaldress, sing traditionalsongs with tambourines and flutes, and dance."

Audrey'smemories of Kenya are fond ones "When I think of Kenya Ithink of the animals we have,the beautiful countryand the people,"shesaid."I love the animals and how they run free-1miss that."