Why are you going to Kenya on sabbatical?

It was almost two years ago, March 25, 2011, when Victor introduced himself to me on Facebook and our long distance, but still very real, friendship began. Along the way, I've met more Kenyan UU's via the internet and gotten a little bit obsessed with these grassroots and rapidly growing sister churches. I am going so that I might learn from them.
I've thought about what Southern indigenous Unitarian Universalism is separate from our Back East and Midwestern founders and the New England Congregationalists culture they brought down here with them. My UUA Southern Region Colleagues have been working on this question together for several years. When I heard about a group of UU congregations founded without much influence from the Mother Ship, I wanted so much to see them myself. (And I've always wanted to see Mt. Kilimanjaro.)
But I've quickly discovered that I have a lot to learn before I get on the plane for the 20-hour trip. Of course, I've done lots of research on travel in Kenya and customs because planning a trip is my favorite full contact sport, but I've also tried to read everything that other UU's who have visited these congregations have written. That led me to ask many questions of Victor. Soon, I discovered that I would have to learn more about the Kenyan heart and about how to address widespread chronic poverty. Fascinating!
That's why.
I've thought about what Southern indigenous Unitarian Universalism is separate from our Back East and Midwestern founders and the New England Congregationalists culture they brought down here with them. My UUA Southern Region Colleagues have been working on this question together for several years. When I heard about a group of UU congregations founded without much influence from the Mother Ship, I wanted so much to see them myself. (And I've always wanted to see Mt. Kilimanjaro.)
But I've quickly discovered that I have a lot to learn before I get on the plane for the 20-hour trip. Of course, I've done lots of research on travel in Kenya and customs because planning a trip is my favorite full contact sport, but I've also tried to read everything that other UU's who have visited these congregations have written. That led me to ask many questions of Victor. Soon, I discovered that I would have to learn more about the Kenyan heart and about how to address widespread chronic poverty. Fascinating!
That's why.