Whats your name? Such an important link to our identity...I have for so long been fascinated by names and particularly love the Swahili ones
Amani -Peace
Ahsante - Thank you
Ahadi - Promise
Adili - minerals?? or something precious
Amina /Amin - Amen
Bahati - Luck
Baraka - Blessing
Chausiku - Night
Deni?? / Debt (with a light touch)
E
Fadhili
Faraji - console
G
Hawa - Eve
Imani - Faith
Jabari - brave
Juma - Friday
Kweli - Truth
Khamisi - Thursday
Lulu - is this swa? Pearl
Maisha - Live
Mapenzi - Loves??
Miujiza - miracle
Mzazi - Parent
Mali - Wealth
Mfalme - King
Malaika - Angel
Malkia - Queen
Neema - Grace
Nuru - Light
Nia - Purpose
O
Pendo - Love
Pili - second
Raha - Happiness
Rafik - friend
Rehema - what is this in Swahili?
Rukia - not sure what this means...
Safari - journey
Sifa - Praise
Safia/Safi - Pure
Subira -Patience
Shuja - warrior?
Tausi - Peacock
Tatu - Third one
Tamasha - celebration
Uhuru - Liberty/ togetherness
V
Wema - goodness?
Yasmine - Jasmine flower
Yusuf - Joseph
Yona - John
Yudah - Judas?
Zawadi - gift
Zuri - beautiful
in English, some are nice sounding
A
Blessing
Courage
Desire - sounds better in French
Divine - love this name
Ernest
Faith
Fortunate
Grace
Goodluck!
Happiness
Holy
Hope
Hossanna
Innocent
Immaculate
Joy
K
Liberty
M
N
O
Peace
Patience
Precious
Pious
Q
Rejoice
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z
Then there are those named from Old Testament!!
Absalom / Abraham
Bethsheba / Benjamin
Caleb
Daniel
Elkanah / Egypt?
F
Gideon / Genesis
Habakuk / Hannah
Isiaih / Israel
Jethro / Jericho?
K
L
Meshack/ Melchizedek / Mordecai
Naphtali / Naomi
Obadiah / Obed
Phinelias
Q
Rahab
Sirak / Shadrack
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Zebadiah / Ziporah
Or from various communities
Rain - Akoth, Wambua
Night - Atieno
Twins - Adongo and Apiyo / Nyangoma and Nyakato / Isingoma and Kato
Friday - Juma, Guyo, Guyato
Or famous people...and I know people named as follows
Isaac Newton
Henry Kissinger
Tom Mboya
Nelson Mandela
Madeline Albright
Kwame
Sankara
Sekoh
Fill in the gaps!
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Of nuns and their immaculate attire.....
I have always admired the way nuns can keep so prim and proper despite their surroundings!!
I was reminded of this today, as I walked around Resurrection Garden and passed many many nuns...all in clean clothes, in various colours, stockings that matched their clothes and of course with kitenge shukas incase they need to seat/kneel. You see I attended schools run by nuns all my primary school life and this admiration was cemented in these formative years. In lower primary the nuns didn't wear veils, never quite understood why....but they kept short hair and most were Irish nuns (giving away my age right there!)
In upper primary, the school was boarding and next to a convent so we saw nuns alllll the time.....from very young ones to very old ones...and it didn't matter their age....all were very neat and their clothes looked freshly ironed even in the hot afternoons!!
Fast forward to present day.....and specifically to Merti, which is a very hot and dusty town in Northern Isiolo. I found myself in Merti on a Sunday and so decided to attend Holy Mass. Merti is the kind of place where by 9am it is already very very hot. Where I was staying was relatively near the church so I decided an early morning walk will do me just fine. By the time I reached the church, I was, as expected, hot and sweaty!! Incidentally I was early, so I had to wait under the shade of a kiosk opposite the church, and this didnt help in cooling me down. Anyways, when church finally started, I didnt feel conscious about my dusty feet since everyone seemed to be in the same boat. So enter this nun....in WHITE....looking like she dropped from above being so dustless!! She took her seat on the bench, after carefully folded her kitenge shuka on the bench (that was probably very dusty in retrospect!)
Same script was repeated in Marsabit! with a headscarf because of the dust....
In Turkana, we flew by a small aircraft into a mission setting in Northern part of Turkana (cant remember the name) and you can imagine how dry most of the County is. We landed and since its a convent setting and little kids came round the aircraft once it had settled. The excited nuns also came to welcome us and we were soon seated in their pristine dining have tea and snacks. I mean just looking at spotless room one cannot imagine we were in Turkana county!!
Ehh, I guess cleanliness is next to Godliness!!
I was reminded of this today, as I walked around Resurrection Garden and passed many many nuns...all in clean clothes, in various colours, stockings that matched their clothes and of course with kitenge shukas incase they need to seat/kneel. You see I attended schools run by nuns all my primary school life and this admiration was cemented in these formative years. In lower primary the nuns didn't wear veils, never quite understood why....but they kept short hair and most were Irish nuns (giving away my age right there!)
In upper primary, the school was boarding and next to a convent so we saw nuns alllll the time.....from very young ones to very old ones...and it didn't matter their age....all were very neat and their clothes looked freshly ironed even in the hot afternoons!!
Fast forward to present day.....and specifically to Merti, which is a very hot and dusty town in Northern Isiolo. I found myself in Merti on a Sunday and so decided to attend Holy Mass. Merti is the kind of place where by 9am it is already very very hot. Where I was staying was relatively near the church so I decided an early morning walk will do me just fine. By the time I reached the church, I was, as expected, hot and sweaty!! Incidentally I was early, so I had to wait under the shade of a kiosk opposite the church, and this didnt help in cooling me down. Anyways, when church finally started, I didnt feel conscious about my dusty feet since everyone seemed to be in the same boat. So enter this nun....in WHITE....looking like she dropped from above being so dustless!! She took her seat on the bench, after carefully folded her kitenge shuka on the bench (that was probably very dusty in retrospect!)
Same script was repeated in Marsabit! with a headscarf because of the dust....
In Turkana, we flew by a small aircraft into a mission setting in Northern part of Turkana (cant remember the name) and you can imagine how dry most of the County is. We landed and since its a convent setting and little kids came round the aircraft once it had settled. The excited nuns also came to welcome us and we were soon seated in their pristine dining have tea and snacks. I mean just looking at spotless room one cannot imagine we were in Turkana county!!
Ehh, I guess cleanliness is next to Godliness!!
Thursday, 11 February 2016
My Raphael!!
Today is February 11
Its the World Day for the Sick...where we pray for those who are suffering various medical challenges that they may find complete healing in Jesus name. We also pray for those who are taking care of the sick. (coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes)
So in 2012 I was feeling so sick, my left arm was aching non stop and I could not lie down for a full night without this agonising pain. I felt relief when I was upright! S & I felt the deep need to bring this issue before God and so attended the mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace South B, to pray for the sick, myself included.
You see I was scheduled for an operation in April that year that would hopefully deal with this pain in my arm - but as luck would have it, we discovered we were pregnant and soon after that the pain was actually gone
We didnt have to ponder much about what name to give our son born in October that year
We named him Raphael
Indeed Jehovah Rapha heals!
Amen!
Its the World Day for the Sick...where we pray for those who are suffering various medical challenges that they may find complete healing in Jesus name. We also pray for those who are taking care of the sick. (coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes)
So in 2012 I was feeling so sick, my left arm was aching non stop and I could not lie down for a full night without this agonising pain. I felt relief when I was upright! S & I felt the deep need to bring this issue before God and so attended the mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace South B, to pray for the sick, myself included.
You see I was scheduled for an operation in April that year that would hopefully deal with this pain in my arm - but as luck would have it, we discovered we were pregnant and soon after that the pain was actually gone
We didnt have to ponder much about what name to give our son born in October that year
We named him Raphael
Indeed Jehovah Rapha heals!
Amen!
Monday, 8 February 2016
Need to give up something this Lent
Lent is here with us again
So I was trying to have a conversation with my children on the meaning of Lent and the actions we can take. So one issue is that we need to give up something we love to do or eat as a way of focusing on God alone this period
I ask my son....so what will you give up? he promptly says....CABBAGE!!....am like, you dont like cabbage that much anyways....yes, he says....so i give it up (aiii lesson lost!!)...I try again....how about chicken?....or phone.....he looks distraught!!
Will try again tomorrow.....for now, let me try and rephrase the essence of Lent... :)
So I was trying to have a conversation with my children on the meaning of Lent and the actions we can take. So one issue is that we need to give up something we love to do or eat as a way of focusing on God alone this period
I ask my son....so what will you give up? he promptly says....CABBAGE!!....am like, you dont like cabbage that much anyways....yes, he says....so i give it up (aiii lesson lost!!)...I try again....how about chicken?....or phone.....he looks distraught!!
Will try again tomorrow.....for now, let me try and rephrase the essence of Lent... :)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Sunday mass
Holy Mass is normally a sombre affair...but its been a while since I had a sombre mass on a Sunday...
Today my youngest made some two other friends of the same age (around 3yrs) and they were running up and down the stairs along the aisles. Of course some people were looking back and wondering whose children are these....cant they be tamed? but i was busy enjoying the mass and not caring a bit about the noise being made by the kids...you see, i was once vindicated by a priest
He mentioned clearly that the church is made up of parents and their children. mass and jumuia should represent the family. And so in church, if the kids are in mass and a bit distracted, thats alright (this was my interpretention). and he went on to add that if you miss parts of the mass because you had to calm down the baby outside the doors of the church, then you are still welcome to partake in the Holy Communion, because you were doing Gods work, being a mother is a vocation!! how about that??
No more guilt trips for me!
Am so vindicated! so I sing along happily as my child tries to entertain himself...and of course try and control the kid abit so he is not a total distraction to the other members of the congregation!
Today my youngest made some two other friends of the same age (around 3yrs) and they were running up and down the stairs along the aisles. Of course some people were looking back and wondering whose children are these....cant they be tamed? but i was busy enjoying the mass and not caring a bit about the noise being made by the kids...you see, i was once vindicated by a priest
He mentioned clearly that the church is made up of parents and their children. mass and jumuia should represent the family. And so in church, if the kids are in mass and a bit distracted, thats alright (this was my interpretention). and he went on to add that if you miss parts of the mass because you had to calm down the baby outside the doors of the church, then you are still welcome to partake in the Holy Communion, because you were doing Gods work, being a mother is a vocation!! how about that??
No more guilt trips for me!
Am so vindicated! so I sing along happily as my child tries to entertain himself...and of course try and control the kid abit so he is not a total distraction to the other members of the congregation!
Friday, 5 February 2016
Family Novena - Theme - THE KEY THAT OPENS
Radio waumini is for the 3rd time organising a family novena
What is unique about this one is that they have laid out all the prayer intentions - and the theme is apt - The Key That Opens
inspired by Isaiah 22:22
I will give him the key to the house of David--the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them
This novena we are praying for doors to be open and for some doors to be shut forever
More information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153953424619853&id=180089754852
The novena will be prayed for the next 9 months! make a commitment!
What is unique about this one is that they have laid out all the prayer intentions - and the theme is apt - The Key That Opens
inspired by Isaiah 22:22
I will give him the key to the house of David--the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them
This novena we are praying for doors to be open and for some doors to be shut forever
More information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153953424619853&id=180089754852
The novena will be prayed for the next 9 months! make a commitment!
Love...
The service on Sunday was nice...the message simple...its a new month and incidentally the month of love...yes, i can mushy at times!!
Message was clear and resonates in every wedding - that love is patient and kind, it does not boast, it is not proud.... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Reminds me of this song.............
Nijaposema kwa lugha, kushinda malaika jameni
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Nijapotoa mwili wangu, niungue motoni jamani,
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Message was clear and resonates in every wedding - that love is patient and kind, it does not boast, it is not proud.... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Reminds me of this song.............
Nijaposema kwa lugha, kushinda malaika jameni
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Upendo huvumilia, upendo hauoni mabaya
Upendo hauna wivu, upendo hauchoki jamani
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Nijapotoa mwili wangu, niungue motoni jamani,
Kama mimi sina upendo mimi ni kitu bure
Thursday, 4 February 2016
I can only imagine....
Today I truly listened to the words of this song
Wowwwww - How powerful!!
"I Can Only Imagine"
Wowwwww - How powerful!!
"I Can Only Imagine"
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
Yeah
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
Yeah
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Homework...truth be told....
My evening routine comprises of checking homework for the kids, ensuring the corrections are done and signing off the diary
I find this task daunting at times, especially with some subjects which seem to have changed over time, making me no longer confident in making any remarks on how they have done it. Take for instance Kiswahili...now there is ngeli ya Li-Ya....say what?? yep...that was my reaction too. And the words that go with it sound like mti...miti....(no its not that one)...but one that seemed to have no relation to this Li_Ya business!! I give up!!
So, my biased self only truly checks maths homework, because this am sure has not and cannot change!!
I find this task daunting at times, especially with some subjects which seem to have changed over time, making me no longer confident in making any remarks on how they have done it. Take for instance Kiswahili...now there is ngeli ya Li-Ya....say what?? yep...that was my reaction too. And the words that go with it sound like mti...miti....(no its not that one)...but one that seemed to have no relation to this Li_Ya business!! I give up!!
So, my biased self only truly checks maths homework, because this am sure has not and cannot change!!
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Travelling around the world
I met two young ladies from Europe who have taken a gap year (a break from college?) and come to volunteer for one month at one of the large refugee camps in northern Kenya; then after that, they trek around another country for another month or so - just to have fun!. What an experience!!!... woooowwww......I mean, what was I up to at 19years???....seating in the house waiting for campus selection and meanwhile doing housework, reading novels and watching lots of TV...
Some years back, my colleague had mentioned that her daughter was taking a trip round the world! I was so impressed and wondered at the cost for such a trip...she said there were agencies in Netherlands that organise this all the time (based on the kind of stops one wants to make) so you book very very early and get an extremely cheap ticket. So its actually possible for one to save up for such a trip if thats what they want to do. And because her mother was such an angle of a colleague, wherever she went she stayed with friends or her mothers friends...to get the actual experience of living in a particular community. This is the kind of colleague who if she asked me whether her daughter would stay with me for a couple of days i would say yes without even blinking an eyelid!!
such is life.......
we each get to have different experiences and hopefully our perspectives change for the better!!
Some years back, my colleague had mentioned that her daughter was taking a trip round the world! I was so impressed and wondered at the cost for such a trip...she said there were agencies in Netherlands that organise this all the time (based on the kind of stops one wants to make) so you book very very early and get an extremely cheap ticket. So its actually possible for one to save up for such a trip if thats what they want to do. And because her mother was such an angle of a colleague, wherever she went she stayed with friends or her mothers friends...to get the actual experience of living in a particular community. This is the kind of colleague who if she asked me whether her daughter would stay with me for a couple of days i would say yes without even blinking an eyelid!!
such is life.......
we each get to have different experiences and hopefully our perspectives change for the better!!
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