I'm home

My last days in Kenya I had intended to spend packing in between beach trips, fresh cinnamon rolls, shopping, and a little more sightseeing. However, I woke up early on Saturday quite sick. I spent most of the day in bed and the only thing I accomplished was the packing. I'm thankful to everyone who prayed for me in that time. Sunday I was still not well but I was well enough to travel. Rodgers went by the chemist (pharmacy) and got me some good meds that helped me on my trip home. The flights and layovers were not as bad as I thought they would be and God was with me every step of the way. I arrived home late Monday night and by Wednesday I felt great.

Coming home is always a special feeling. Getting to hug my people again and listen to all the kids' stories was good for my soul. This trip was amazing. My eyes were opened to so much and I've come away with new friendships. I am in love with Kenya and, Lord-willing, I will be going back. I have so many stories and experiences to share. If you want to hear more, just ask!

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all you watch. -Psalm 91:11

Kachororoni Primary School

Thursday we visited Kachororoni Primary School where my sponsored kids attend. The drive was long and really rough. There were many spots that didn't look like a road at all. More like a rough dry river bed or tiny hiking trail. But we made it. Our first stop was Grandma Chome's house. She is the guardian of Sifa and Jacob as well as their brothers, Japhet who is in college, and Lemmy in primary school. She is also the Grandma of the Safaris who live with their mom a short walk away. There are 8 Safaris who are all MKKs. Our kids are Ngao and Gloria and we have sponsored them for about 5 years. Getting to meet them and hug them and being introduced as their "mom" was a special moment.

We first visited their house and Grandma or Nyanya Chome fed us a wonderful brunch. I found out I love chapati. They're almost like tortillas and delicious. Then we went to the school, met the Head Teacher (principal), and all the kids. As we got out of the car every kid from that school crowded around to try and touch Rachel and I. It was overwhelming. I talked with them a moment, found out they are older than I thought, and took lots of pictures. There's pictures in the album of me with my 2 and me with all the kids I met. Overall it was overwhelming but awesome.

MKK Camp

High school camp was a lot packed into a little bit of time. I had conversations with several of them just trying to get to know them and let them know that it's ok to talk to me. We had 4 long teaching sessions. I taught the last one. Teaching is not really my strength because I get nervous and speed through. Here I wasn't nervous at all and I took most of the time I was given so I feel like it went well. I did get the kids to answer some questions and they were all reading scripture aloud. I didn't realize how big of a deal that was until R&R told me how a few of these kids could barely read a couple years ago when they became MKKs. It's amazing to hear how far they have come in just a short while.

We ate meals together, drank chai together, watched a movie, and played games. I played the quietest, most awkward game of Uno ever with 5 of them. They seemed to have fun. We had a couple challenges for them to complete, one as a team and another individually. Seeing them laugh and smile and get competitive was a delight.

After I taught the last session and we were hanging out waiting for our last lunch and time to leave, Brayan and Dishan followed by a bunch of guys actually sat with me and asked me all about Texas. Before that, I think Jacob had been the only one to ask me anything. Of course they would decide I'm approachable on the last day. As we said goodbye and loaded them into tuk-tuks, I felt a strong connection to these kids. These are my kids now. Whenever I see pictures of them and get updates on them they won't seem so far away anymore. I told them that now they know me and next time they can't wait until the last day to talk to me. We stood there awkwardly for a minute and then Francis asked Liz if hugging was ok. Kenyans don't hug much, they shake hands. Of course hugs are ok!! We parted not with goodbye but "I will see you again." And now I've made a promise I have to keep.

Camp First Day

Today was so good. We met the high schoolers and Liz (Maisha Kamili "case manager") at the resort we will be staying at for camp. I have met all of the high school kids that Maisha Kamili sponsors. They are all so quiet and reserved. I'm learning more culture like how kids, even high schoolers and college students, don't feel like they can talk to adults. Getting them to open up has been like pulling teeth. But when one would finally start talking and I got a glimpse of their heart, it's beautiful. I cherish the opportunity to put not just a name with a face but a person. I am getting to know who they are and what they think. Bryan is one of the youngest here but he is so sharp and confident when he speaks. Jacob "Shuks" is sweet and fun and made all of us laugh just by introducing himself. My heart breaks hearing stories of where they've been and how far they have come already. Some of these, like Shuks, have been MKKs for years and for others, like Kiboni, this is their first year. I am so grateful for the opportunity to tell them that God has a plan for their lives. That, no matter what the world has told them, they are valuable and they are loved. I pray they believe it and love Him back.

Here's the new Google photo album for the rest of the trip:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yoMXSToXrUoKeCEv6

Lessons from Sunday School

Today is Fathers Day. I'm glad I thought ahead and celebrated with my dad and Matt before I left. I did talk to Dad today. Rachel bought a bundle of international airtime so she could call him. We went to church a little early today. The men were serving breakfast and lunch and leading everything this morning in honor of Fathers Day. This isn't a normal thing but something that Rodgers is encouraging. I had several culture lessons today.

What stuck out to me the most was crayons. Rachel teaches the kids Sunday school up to 4th grade. She said normal is anywhere between 4 and 30 kids aged preschool to 4th. This week we had 20. She did a lesson, we sang a fun song, and colored. When I saw her putting crayons out I couldn't help but notice how small, few, and broken they were. My very American response was to fix it. I can easily buy her several boxes of crayons and send them with my parents when they come or I could go to the store with her here and buy some. But then my mind went through so many things. First of all, the fact that the church and team school I am part of have boxes and drawers of crayons that aren't being used. So many of them won't be used because they are "broken" but they are bigger and so many more than this class has. Then I thought, I could bring those here because these kids won't care. But no, we shouldn't be giving the things we would throw away. We should be giving the things we would want our own kids to have. And then I came to the point of, what's wrong with broken crayons? There's nothing wrong with these crayons. They work just fine and these kids enjoyed it. Every child in that class except one colored a picture. The one was coloring on the chalkboard with tiny pieces of chalk. There's nothing to fix except my own eyes. Not to say I won't ever send her crayons for her class but if I do it won't be because it needs to be fixed.

Perspective is important. My perspective is being shifted.

Adventures in getting to know Kenya

Friday and Saturday were spent getting to see and know this area of Kenya. Friday we first walked to the beach. My first time to see the Indian ocean. It really was beautiful. The beaches I've been to don't compare. White sand, blue water, and creatures we don't have at home. Then after lunch we drove to Mombasa county to go to Haller Park. We fed giraffes, walked around right next to tons of monkeys, watched them feed hippos and crocodiles, and saw a unicorn oryx (antelope). Then Saturday we drove the other direction to Malindi. There we went to Falconry of Kenya where they have birds and reptiles. That was really cool. I got to hold several different birds of prey. Then lunch was pizza. One of them had ham and eggs on it and another was a seafood pizza with octopus. That was interesting. And then we visited the Malindi tourist market before heading home. We got home later than we intended because, well, this is Kenya. I've heard that phrase a lot but now I'm learning what it means. Those two days were much more than sightseeing. They were learning culture and riding in the front seat of the car for hours with matatus, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks all around. There's so much that I've seen, heard, and learned this weekend that I can't put into words.

Pictures are in here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/boiR5jguQUXLVH35A

Planes, trains, and automobiles!

God is amazing. Attentive to every detail. I left Texas Monday evening headed for Kenya. I wasn't able to choose my seat and I ended up between two strangers. I was somewhat anxious about the prospect of spending 10 hours so close to these guys so I started talking hoping to make it less awkward. The man on my right was on a business trip. The man on my left was visiting friends in SE Asia and mentioned he had recently retired from the IMB. Long story short, he is good friends with my aunt and uncle who also recently retired from the IMB. We were both blown away to find a connection like that on such a big plane and I was very much encouraged and comforted. God is so good.

My first stop was Frankfurt, Germany. I had a long layover, so I had the opportunity to explore a little of the old city, ride the bahnhof (metro rail), and sleep in a beautifully charming hotel. The mix of old architecture and new sky scrapers is really beautiful. It was an adventurous day but also soothing in the solitude.

The rest of the trip was less eventful but just as exciting. One long and one short plane ride later and I was in Mombasa hugging Rodgers. Then we drove the rest of the way to Kilifi. The difference between Germany and Kenya was expected but still shocking. I feel I've passed into another world. Today has been mostly hanging out, touring Kilifi, and getting settled. Tonight I sat in on a planning meeting and Bible study with the Kahindis and their pastor.

Funny moment of the day: at lunch when a bowl was brought to our table for us to wash hands and I just stared dumbly at it until Rachel told me what was expected. I've never washed my hands in a bowl before.

My app is not letting me include pictures in posts so look here for a few: https://photos.app.goo.gl/boiR5jguQUXLVH35A

2 Days til Liftoff

Well, it's here. The countdown to my trip is nearly over. In 48 hours I'll be in Houston getting ready to board my first flight. The excitement mounts everytime I think about it. Right now, Matt and I are on our way home from meeting his sister who is keeping our kids for 2 weeks while I'm gone and he works. Honestly, today was hard. Deciding they would stay with them was easy. It was the simplest answer, really. They will be well taken care of and they will have a blast. I know they'll be fine. They love these people and they've been there before. But putting my loves in another car and driving the other direction proved harder than I thought it would be. And here I thought they would be the ones crying. I know Monday's parting will be hard as well but then I'll be on a plane on an adventure with only Jesus to travel with and it's going to be awesome.

Please pray with me for:
*Confidence and direction as I travel
*J, M, and C to enjoy their visit with cousins and not be homesick
*High school camp preparation

Blog Restart

The last time I used this blog was June 2006 on my trip to Latvia to work with Buckner Orphan Care International.  June of this year (2018), I will be going on another mission adventure.  This time, I am headed to Kenya where my sister and brother-in-law live and work.  Their organization, Maisha Kamili, is focused on ministering to orphans as well as discipleship in local churches.  They are also beginning work on a life skills training center called Skills for Life.  Maisha Kamili means "full life" in the local language, so this new opportunity is quite fitting.  I am excited to see their ministries and life with my own eyes.  I leave Houston bound for Kenya June 11 and return June 25.  I'll be posting updates here as often as I can.  Please pray with me as I prepare for this adventure!