Being a part of a Micro-Team has its perks. A team of sixteen or so will not always be invited to tea in a remote area, well beyond the road where you wouldn’t think anyone could possibly live. But, Dad and Sue were invited to tea by Henry- the father of six year old Abigael who Sue helped raise funds for so Abigael could have the surgery for a bone marrow transplant.

Sue went with the family to India where the surgery took place. The donor for Abigael was her brother, Mwenda. The story of how Abigael’s family found where they could receive services and then found a way to help raise the money and make the surgery happen is incredible. Truly a story of a father’s love for his child knowing no bounds.

As a thank you to Sue and Dad, the family invited us for tea. I had no idea what to expect – it was my first invite to tea at a family home! Sue invited Emilie and Sara along, the Danish Medical Students. Sue usually is the host for medical students but since she’d be in the States for such a long while and couldn’t host them, she wanted to be sure to give them some experiences and some of her time while she could give it. Tim and I enjoyed Sara and Emilie immensely so it was wonderful to spend the day with them.

Abigael’s family – her Aunt, Mwenda, her father, and Abigael herself, met us at a junction in the road as we approached their village. They got in the van and showed us the way to their home. Good thing! It was a bit off the beaten path. I mean, like a quarter of a mile off the main road on a dirt path.

When we parked the van, Henry, led the way. The family pays for the usage of the land where the path lies. It’s the only way to their home- there did not seem to be any road where one could take their car. So, they pay something like a rental fee so they can get to and from their home.

The walk down the path was interesting. We had no idea where we were going. People would be coming the other way with large loads on their backs. Henry’s family is not the only one that uses the path. The land was beautiful with banana trees, tea bushes, and more. We didn’t mind the walk, it was pleasant and an adventure.

Henry turned the corner and we were led into their land. It was gorgeous. Lush and green. Part of his land has tea bushes on it, another part has Miraa trees (a legal drug in the area), and other parts had cows and other animals. I of course played it very cool when I saw the animals (ANIMALS!!!!). I tried not to pet or stare at them. That only lasted a little while and then pretty soon the whole group knew I was obsessed with animals. They had roosters and chickens, cows, and goats walking around the land – paradise to me!

Henry’s entire family, including brothers, sisters, his mother, and his grandmother, came to the tea. We were honored to say the least. Some had come from miles- including seven hours away in Nairobi. Abigael was adorable as were the other children.

Henry’s father had split his land equally before he passed away. Each of his children and his wife have plots of land on their inherited land. There were several homes- the biggest of which was Henry’s mother’s home.

Once we pet the cows, we sat down. Henry’s brother had made a video of Abigael’s journey to India. Sue was featured throughout the video. You could see their love and loyalty to Sue for all she helped the family through. Henry showed me the video on their computer – I’m still not sure how they charged the computer battery. Abigael had stuck Princess stickers on the outside of the computer and I told her how much my niece Mckenna would love the stickers! She beamed as I said the names of each Princess. I told her I’d be sure to tell Mckenna about her and their mutual love for Princesses.

Once the sun started beaming, we moved under the shade of the passionfruit trees. It was cooler and incredibly scenic. Goats milled about and the sounds of the cows kept me laughing.

We gave the children some sidewalk chalk and showed them how to use it on cement or wood. We reassured the adults that it would wash off (I hope, I hope, I hope). The children happily drew animals, people, and the alphabet on the fence surrounding one of the cows. Abigael and her brother were coloring, as were a cousin Michelen and several other children.

The women in the family had prepared biscuits and fresh fruit to go with the Kenyan tea. Kenyan tea is a spiced tea mixed with warm milk. It’s very good. I couldn’t get over how wonderful it was to be there on that day, with everyone gathered. At one point, Henry’s Grandmother came onto the property. She shook our hands and scurried off.

Henry is a nurse who works for the government there in Kenya. This was a relief to me because I finally met someone who worked for the government! Sometimes the Kenyan government is looked at with great mistrust due to some corruption and the extreme class system. But for the first time on my trip, I was able to share that I also worked for the government. Two people sharing that they were people who wanted to help citizens, not keep things away from them.

Abigael’s mother showed me the kitchen of the house. She and her sisters and sisters-in-law said, “We would like to invite you in our kitchen.” I considered it a great honor and I was full of curiousity. The room, about the size of a broom closet, had one small window. They had a stone type stove, a bowl of water to wash, and a battery powered type hot pot. They do amazing things in that small room.

After we visited for a couple of hours, we had to say our goodbyes. But before we did, Henry wanted to show us the tea leaves and the rest of his land. As we left the area, I said goodbye to a small calf. I asked Tim to take my picture. The family thought this was very funny and Henry’s mother came over and posed in the picture with me. She had a heckuva time getting the calf to pose. Tim muttered to Henry as he took our picture, “She likes cows”. Henry responded, “Yes. And apparently goats and chickens too.”

We walked over to the tea leaves and across a small, rickity bridge. Tim says it reminded him of Indiana Jones. As we crossed the bridge, the Grandmother came slowly after us- she wanted to say goodbye! What an honor for us- truly. We each shook her hands with great respect and thanked her for her wonderful family.

The tea leaves that they showed us don’t smell like I thought they would (I thought they’d smell like Sleepy Time tea or something). But they were beautiful as was all the land where they lived. I kept pinching myself because it was again- so surreal to be in that place. What an honor! Dad and Sue say it’s not a place many Muzungus see.

As we walked back to the cars, the little girl named Michelen ran up and grabbed my hand. We held hands for the entire quarter of a mile back to the cars. She kept telling me in Swahili (thank goodness for her Mother who was right behind us), “Sue’s in front of us!” Even though Sue was in back of us, it was so sweet that Sue is such an important part of their lives.

So, as far as my first invite to tea in the bush given by a Kenyan family, it will be a very hard thing to beat!