This week I found myself musing on a weather worn and sun bleached patio looking out over long valleys of rich green fields surrounding the Tea Hotel in Kericho, a town in western Kenya still holding an industry and identity of tea plantation and production. Noah, Dad and I had taken the long and battered highway to meet with one of the national partners that MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), the NGO that Dana's parents work for, works with.

The Tea Hotel is an aging and tired shadow of its former colonial glory, blushing grey and too weary to try and cover its cracks and sagging bones. Taking it in, I conjured up the many similar images telling the story of Colonialism's demise, the broken infrastructure of pock marked roads, bleeding water mains and electrical lines like sutures trying to heal the wounds of Britain's broken initiative. And yet it is an entirely different sense of identity that Kenya embodies despite these other realities... what can also be observed is young, ancient, confident and beautiful... the people and creation that were here long before the idea of imperialism was born and promise to continue to shape this place for generations to come.

Juxtaposed to the 'Queen mother knowing best' & the wisdom of 'holding her apron and purse strings' we have had the opportunity to meet inspired and innovative Kenyan's who love their communities and are partnering with others to promote health, healing, independence... a sustained and hopeful people and place. People like Bishop Clyde and Gordon, working outside the city of Kericho, struggle through barriers to their community's health and sustainability by creating micro loans programs, cooperatives, small businesses and resources that bring this hope and confidence. There is a lot to learn here... for everyone.