Connections
Our accommodations are simple. A cozy guest house close to the Forest, separated only by fields of tea. We have power between 6 and 10pm. No wifi. Outdoor toilets. Shower water heated by fire. A plastic basin to wash muddy clothes. A line to dry them. We are up before dawn and dress in the dark. Gideon, the kind and quiet caretaker has breakfast set. A steaming cup of milk tea to start the day.
In this place each day is an awakening—
So much to absorb. So much to learn. The beautiful simplicity of connecting with people. Our host Smith- with his genuine warmth, joyful spirit, and giddy laugh; Our guide, Abraham with his knowledge of the forest and deep love of place; A young woman, Hope, who truly embodies her name—working with a local NGO to plant hundreds of thousands of local native trees. Her ethic of conservation, restoration and education—an inspiration. The storytellers and Elders sharing wisdom, song, and dance. Fables that felt familiar. To their rhythms we moved together. A morning forest walk with Doc, a friend of Bob’s, a student in a town nearby. A gentle young man. From refugee camp to university. A journey I could never know. An afternoon meander through the local shambas (gardens) as we visited the herbalist, Isaac, who invited us into his home. He gathers barks and roots and leaves— a community healer who learned from his father. These are everyday Kenyans just living their lives in the rural countryside. It is not an easy life. But it seems their roots are deep. They are kind. They are welcoming. They teach us words, eyes lighting up in amusement as we try— appreciative of our effort.
These simple moments, sharing experience and connection. Nothing contrived. An interweaving of strands of humanity across the globe. We are just one tiny thread. As we move through this place each encounter is a reminder that there are so many ways to live in this world. We bring our own unique gifts and love and stories to share…My heart is open. Asante, Kenya. Thank you.
