Kenya is a beautiful country; one that I would recommend you visit. It has beautiful landscapes, rich and varied tribal cultures, some of the most hospitable and friendly people you’ll ever meet, but please pack a whole lot of patience before you embark on your African safari. You’ll need a daily dose of it. Time out here is of very little consequence.
My day started with a ride into town in a minivan (Matatu), the driver assured all the passengers that’s where he was headed. I paid my fare and sat back to enjoy the ride and the bustling scenery, expecting to get to my destination in under 10 minutes. Alas! At the last minute, with no explanation, the driver decided not to go into town, but instead to take a circuitous route on the outskirts of town. 30 minutes later we stopped at the main bus station, irritated and grumbling passengers poured out of the vehicle complaining loudly about the unexpected and unplanned detour. The driver and his assistant just smiled at one another knowingly. I guess for them, this was just another ordinary day at work.
I hopped (well, that’s a bit of a stretch, but you know what I mean) onto a “tuk-tuk” (three-wheeled transportation vehicle to get back to the bank.) That was my original destination. Phew! Now all I needed to do was run in, conduct my transaction, and I would be on my way to Narok in no time. Unfortunately, there were already about 100 people in line before me. I took my seat and proceeded to listen to the electronic voice overhead calling customer numbers one by one and directing them to a teller’s window. Two hours later, I heard, “Ticket number 118 window number 3.” “Yoo-hoo! Finally, that was me. I rushed to the window, so grateful to be taking care of this one item before my trip.” I presented my ID. “What’s your account number?” the teller asked. “I don’t know. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my card,” I responded politely. “I’m sorry you’ll have to go upstairs to a personal banker to find it for you, then join the queue again,” the teller responded staring at his computer screen as if his life depended on it. “What?” I thought. “Can’t you find my account using my ID?” I asked. “No!” He responded. And that was it, it was clear he was done with me. Next.
I was already running two hours behind, so I made the decision to abandon my bank errand and get on the road. I got into another matatu and headed back to pick my bags for my Narok adventure, but there was one more trial waiting for me. The matatu driver, on seeing two policemen standing at my stop, decided it was a good time to jumpstart my exercise plan. He drove nearly a mile past my stop. As I walked back in the hot sun, all I could do was mutter, “Hakuna matata (No problem),” under my breath to give me motivation.
I don’t quite know what the delay was all about, but one thing I know for sure is that getting from A to Z is not in our control but in God’s control. Esther’s Hope Ministries will develop according to God’s divine design, not ours. There may be detours and delays along the way, but if we trust in his guidance, he will lead us all the way. He who watches our going out and our coming in, was in the details of my day. And I know He is in yours too. "…the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:8)."