For most, a half day today. For those interested, a trip was organized to a nearby tropical rain forest to see a rare bat habitat, exotic butterflies, several spectacular views, and a warning to keep an eye out for several kinds of snakes - the ‘bat, bug and snake tour’ for those of us who decided to stay back. At least one team was out in full force, a couple put in a half day, and others enjoyed most of the day on the tour. This evening was dinner as usual at the Shariff Centre, then back to the hotel for card playing, reading, writing, or simply an early night.
*Two of us had a bit of a revelation as we tried explaining the difference between Kenya and Canada regarding income and expenses. As noted earlier, we’re led to believe that the average Kenyan salary is about 12,000 shillings a year, about $200 Canadian.
The average Canadian salary of about $40,000 a year works out to about 2.4 million Kenyan shillings. But our friend was also taken aback at the cost of renting an average house (1.26 million shillings - $1750 Cdn per month), or a two bedroom apartment (72,000 shillings - $1000 Cdn per month), or even a basement hovel (432,000 shillings - $600 per month). But after we threw in taxes of 40-50% (1.2 million shillings), his question was, “How do you pay for the children?”
He has eight, 4 each by two wives. The Canadian national average of 1.3 children per household was our answer.
*There was a second revelation in class when trying to describe a concept that has had a strong influence on the development of many of the modern liturgies in North America - that is, that the Christian churches now exist in a post-establishment era. In other words, none of the churches are national or established churches and a certain separation exists between state and church affairs.
This simply isn’t the case in a country like Kenya where the Christian churches have a strong influence in church sponsored schools, with public funds assisting. Where someone like Bishop Wabakala serves as the chairperson of the national anti-corruption committee - a high profile, government committee on a matter of keen national interest and concern.
We were told about a particularly rugged region where a revolutionary group have been responsible for much havoc. Last week, 15 police officers were gunned down and killed. We were told about the region because we were introduced to a young priest who serves in the area.
“If they shoot the police, how well are you going to do?” we asked.
“Oh, I should be alright,” he answered. “Usually there’s a fair bit of respect afforded to us,” we were told.
On the roads, for instance, police are stationed all along the way. From what we were told, public safety is not always the number one concern. Often there are an assortment of violations that require on-the-spot cash fines to satisfy. That, or prolonged searches. But if a priest is sitting in the front seat, usually the shakedown is bypassed. A salute and on you go.
*There’s another side to it. Someone noticed that when yesterday’s congregation were asked who had benefited from a recent grain distribution program, 80% of those who put their hands up were clergy. This may have had something to do with the high percentage of clergy at yesterday’s service, but we’ve also met those who are preparing for the ministry and who’ve told us that part of the motivation is the hope of an improved quality of life. Motives are mixed, but that’s almost always been the case. Across the generations, and particularly in places where the church is first establishing itself, the advantages are obvious: education, a position of some public influence, and a safety net, if you will, are all very attractive when conditions are otherwise poor.