Chai Time!

Our home is blessed to have two hard-working Kenyans. Timothy is our 55 year old gardener. Kenya has a policy of forced retirement at age 55 in order to give younger generations the opportunity (and discipline) to work. Timothy works part –time for 3 families here on campus. He lives on campus with his wife and 6 girls. Two of the girls are his nieces; Timothy’s sister is ill so he cares for these Elementary aged girls. His two oldest daughters are in university (one in nursing school) and live at home part of the year. His oldest daughter had polio as a child and is unable to live alone because of the physical and mental effects of that. His youngest daughter is still in school (grade 7).

Cathy is a 26 year old married mother of one. She works with me two days a week doing the house cleaning and cooking. She and I laugh together a lot and she has taught me how to make Kenyan food and Chai. Chai is the Swahili word for tea. Chai is prepared like this: boil water then add loose tea leaves (a Kenyan brand, of course). Boil for exactly 2 minutes then add milk ( half cup for every cup of tea). When the milk just begins to boil, remove from heat and strain the tea leaves out. Add sugar depending on taste (but usually LOTS of sugar) and serve immediately.

Every Tuesday and Thursday I make Chai for Timothy and Cathy. They take great pleasure in evaluating my Chai-making ability. They say that my Chai is Sawa (Swahili for perfect)! We have a wonderful tea time discussing Kenyan customs, Swahili, Jesus.