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!

Valmiera/Lode

I know this is a little late, but better late then never. I've been back home now for about a week. I'll put a final post on here before too long, but before I do that you may want to know how Valmiera and Lode were.
We stayed in a hotel in Valmiera and drove to Lode for 3 days to work with the orphans there. We had prayer every morning at 6:30 with the church there in Valmiera. The kids in Lode were amazing. They were so hungry for our love and attention. They were also very polite. They asked us when they wanted candy and they listened to everything we said. We all fell in love with them so fast. It was very hard to leave after only 3 days with them. I hope someday to go back to that orphanage again. If I could choose one of the places we went, it would be there. They are so poor and groups have never gone there before.
On Thursday we helped with a Sunday school camp with the Valmiera church. We led rec for all the kids. They were very sweet and fun to play with. It was good to remember that there are normal kids out there too. I love the kids at the orphanages, but they are very needy and it was hard to be there so long.
Friday we went shopping in Riga and then flew home on Saturday. On Saturday, I was up for 28 hours straight. Lots of fun. Anywho, It's good to be home. I'll try to post again soon.

Useful Latvian phrases the kids have taught us

Ajam ara! let's go outside
A labu nakti. good night
Ka tevi sauc? what's your name?
Stuba tooka. stupid pig
Es gribu pertikci. I want a monkey.
forša. cool
Es tevi milu. I love you
zema. strawberry
varde. frog
Kungs Jezus Christe. Lord Jesus Christ
rit. tomorrow

6-25

Well, we just finished our 2nd week in Jelgava. We are going to Valmiera and Lode for 4 days. We will live in Valmiera and travel to Lode for 3 days to work with the kids there. On Thursday we will stay in Valmiera with some kids from the church there and then we go to Riga for shopping, sightseeing and flying. I can't believe we only have a week left. It has all flown by. It's strange that we are leaving Jegava. It has kinda been home since we got here. We will be working with completely different translators and everything. I'm really gonna miss the ones we had here because we got to be good friends.
This last Friday and Saturday we went to a Jani camp with the church from Jelgava. Jani is one of there big festivals here in Latvia. It is the longest day of the year, which is really long. It never got completely dark. We stayed up all night and played wierd games and stuff. We watched the sun rise at 4:30. It was so beautiful. It was really cool to see that part of their culture.
Anywho, I should probably go now. I won't be able to download anymore pictures until I get home. I will try to get them on the photobucket as soon as possible.

ata!