First Day

As I am writing this, the parliament is voting on the house speaker - a very tense moment because the speaker has the power to determine the agenda and to make the motion to impeach (jmdn. seines Amtes entheben) the president. We have been watching the live coverage of the voting process - don't worry, I am not missing much. It is actually quite a tedious (langwierig) process and has been going on now for almost three hours. First there were discussions on how the vote should be conducted. Now they are in the second round of voting, and since every one of the 207 members of parliament votes separately, it will take a while for them to get through. No final result can be expected until the third round when the vote is decided by a simple majority (first and second round is two thirds majority). That is when it will get really suspenseful.

We are still hoping that the rallys set for tomorrow and the following days by ODM will be cancelled or postponed, but that probably depends on the outcome of this vote. In general, people here a hoping that the conflict and the violence are (as someone put it) "a dying fire," and that is how many people will treat it, trying to go to work and school if possible.

Anyway, my title refers to my first official day as an intern, so I better get on topic here. After three days last week of working with a different style of organisation or management than I am used to as a Swiss, I am happy to say that Nairobi Chapel seems very well organised and strict in what they expect of interns and pastoral trainees. There is actually a 50 shilling fee (USD: 70-80 cents; CHF: 90 Rp.) for coming late!

Today was orienation (Einführung) and I learned that we are expected to work a five to six day week, with classes twice a week and several reports to hand in at the end of the month (a book review amongst others!). I am looking forward to being challenged in many ways and am actually also looking forward to getting back into study mode as well, even though that will only be part of the work. I will be working in the adult ministry department which includes Sunday services and small groups (and maybe more). We will also be doing visitation in hospitals and at people's homes. This week we will be on a retreat for the interns and pastoral trainees from Thursday to Saturday to be able to focus and prepare for our ministry engagement. I am excited about what is awaiting me and looking forward to learning, growing and being stretched.

The second round has just been completed, and as to be expected, they will now go on to another round with only two candidates.