My visit with Maruge: Day 1

As I step off the plane in Eldoret, Kenya , I am overwhelmed with joy because I am going to visit my friend, Maruge.
Maruge lives on a small farm. He has a few animals and a tiny garden.  I am taking a van over to his farm. Since they have dirt roads, the ride to Maruge's farm was very bumpy and dusty. A few hours later, we pull up in front of his farm leaving behind a big, cloud of dust as we park. I glance all around his property and I see Maruge working in his garden. "Maruge!"I call out and give a big wave. I am very happy that I get this opportunity to visit. Maruge waves back to me and walks over to me with his walking stick for support.




                                                                                                               Karibu!" He says, which means "welcome" in Swahili. Maruge leads me over to his garden, and I ask what he is growing. He tells me that he has corn, potatoes, beans and cassava, which is a big, brown root . Even though there isn't much in his garden, all the plants look very healthy. He offers me some green beans growing from his garden. I haven't  eaten since the plane ride over, so I try one and it is very fresh, being that he had just picked it. We then walk over to his small pen where he keeps his animals. I see some goats and chickens. After watching the animals wander around, Maruge brings me over to his hut and shows me his mattress.  Pointing, he says "You will sleep right here." I ask "Where will you sleep then?" "I will sleep on the floor," he replies. After a long conversation about who would sleep on the mattress, we decided that we would just both sleep on the floor. Later that day,  I helped Maruge make dinner. We picked some cassava, corn and beans from his garden. We also made ugali and and a vegetable sauce. Maruge also invited a few of his friends from school over with their families. Everyone contributed something to eat and we had an amazing feast.

The  wonderful aroma of the food filled the air and everyone looked so happy. Maruge and his friends showed me their before-meal rituals which included giving thanks for  their wonderful meal, their family and their friends. Before we knew it, the meal was over and it was time for everyone to go home. We thanked everyone for coming and contributing to a great feast  as they walked out the door.  Pretty soon, Maruge said "I think we should start getting ready for bed. After all, we do have school tomorrow." So that is  just what we did. "What an amazing day," I thought as I lay on the floor next to my friend, Maruge. . . . .