Thankful for Technology

Technology has become so important to me, especially today. For two reasons:

1. All thanks to Skype, Anna Taylor, founder of James127Foundation and Judith&James, was able to join my meeting with Jane, our new sewing trainer for J127Foundation's upcoming training session. I was excited Anna, Jane, and I could all meet and talk more about the details and logistics behind the training. 

Even the fact that I found Jane was a miracle. With no idea how to start looking for a sewing teacher, I had been praying and looking for God to bring the right trainer for us in His timing. I then called around five different tailoring schools in Nairobi to see if they could recommend someone. Most of these schools I just found searching google. Eventually, a received the phone numbers for several teachers. Many of them were not available. After meeting with two teachers, Jane proved to be the best fit (most qualified, happy, most free time, etc).

Each time I meet with Jane I have been impressed with Jane's capability to go beyond my expectations of her. I love Jane already and can tell already she will be a perfect fit in her role. I am VERY excited for her to start the training program and join James 127 Foundation.

2. My family and I watched The Distant Boat, a recent "feature-length movie drama with an aim to stir the heart of the African church toward greater involvement in missions." 

After my Skype meeting, I arrived back home in time to set up the movie. It served the purpose as our family's home church devotional for this week. 

We all loved the movie and could relate to it on different levels. The film was about Max, a local Kenyan who had a life changing/saving experience at the coast. Afterwards, he pursued quitting his current life in the city to become a missionary even though it definitely wasn't easy. 

Shopping on Biashara Street

A big part of my role with Judith&James is to restock supplies and fabric for upcoming orders from customers. I typically travel downtown Nairobi to restock on notions or fabric at least every week or a few times a week. This usually entails hopping on a motorcycle taxi which will take me to a matatu van or bus to town (see http://nikkihyodo.blogspot.com/2014/02/matatus-and-motorbikes.html). From town I will walk on foot to where I need to go.

I can guarantee along the way to and from town, at least one Kenyan will shout "ching, chong Chinese!?!" OR "Where you from, China? Korea?"I don't know if I will ever quite get used to the constant references of my physical appearance. Such obvious differences between my Asian looks and the African people.

In town the stores I usually frequent are on Biashara Street. Biashara is a Swahili word meaning trade. Along this street lies many shops that sell mainly sewing supplies and fabric. There are a few main stores I will go to along that road. Many of the store workers and owners know me now and recognize me well.

The photos below were taken yesterday while purchasing the blue kanga material and restocking several colours of thread.

The above picture is in the store Haria's. I am pictured with Kim, 

one of the store workers there. Haria's has fabric and other souvenirs. 

I bought the blue fabric in the photo.

Here I am inside Atul's shop. Although the store is not quite as organized as Harias,

they are supplied with all sorts of fabrics, notions, and other odds and ends also. 

-Nikki Hyodo 

Kenya meets America

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. There is a bunch to update on but will save that for another day soon. Anyway, at the workshop we have all enjoyed our daily Kenyan lunch. Always consisting of some local food prepared by our own seamstresses and jewelry makers. Yesterday Jennifer and I decided to make an "American meal" for everyone. They were all curious to taste food from our culture.

We made sloppy joes and homemade french fries. We even used Heinz ketchup (as apposed to Peptang tomato sauce found in Kenya). There were laughter and learning all around as we ate lunch. I loved getting to cook and share their first American meal.