Home Again

Well I arrived back in Canada today safe and sound.  My trip home was long but very uneventful which was nice.  It is good to be home but it does feel weird.  I am looking forward to a long shower and to bed early for a good nights sleep.

Thank you all again for following along.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers along the way.  It has meant a lot.

May you all feel God's continued blessings.
Carla

Last Night

Well I sit here on my last night not really believing it is true.  It is an odd feeling that I don’t know how to explain.  So much has happened over these three months, most of all God’s faithfulness.  There have been many trials that God has walked me through and I feel like a different person because of them.  The good times have been too many to count and sharing them will take some time but I can’t wait to share all that has gone on.  It will take time but once again I know God will continue to give me the strength I need to start the next part of my life.

I also had another chance to have time with my little Claire.  I just could not keep the attached picture to myself.  It brought much joy on my last full day.

The final picture is just one of the beautiful looks at Kenya that I will miss.  God and his creation are so amazing.  All around is his handy work.  And I will miss the work he has done in Kenya.  I have said that it feels like I am leaving home to go home.  I will spend Sunday at church in the morning and then off to Nairobi.  It will be hard to drive away but will look forward to seeing home.

Thank you all for following me on this journey.  It has been wonderful for you to follow along.  I will post again once I am home as soon as I can.

God’s richest blessings to you all.

One Week Left

One week and counting.  I don’t think it has totally hit me yet that is one week I will be getting on a plane and heading home.  I think the real reality will hit when I get home.  On Tuesday night my pastor Sean and Phil arrived in Kenya.  It was so good to see someone from home.  We spent the night in Nairobi and then headed to PACE on Wednesday.  Once here we relaxed and had supper.  We will spend most of week visiting local pastors and PACE.  We got a chance hang out with the little ones so that was nice.  I always think that it could be my last time with them so I take in every moment.

I have started to pack which again is odd as I pack up three months of my life.  There is a lot of reflecting as I go through things.  I continue to be encouraged that God has all my plans laid out for me.  I just need to trust in him and wait for his leading.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

The Count Down is on

It seems like a long time since I posted something.  It has been a busy week.  There was a team that came to PACE from the U.S.  This kept us busy as there were activities every day.  I was privileged to go on a one safari with the team.  At least it felt like a privilege when we left.  We were only in the park for about an hour and a half before both of the vehicles got stuck in the mud.  Normally suck in the mud is okay but when you are stuck in the mud with wild animal wander around it makes it a little more interesting.  There was some panicking going on as it took almost four hours to get unstuck and back to the front gate.  It was defiantly an experience I will not forget. 

I was able to spend some time with the high school kids and speak to each of their classes (grade 9 & 10).  I talked a little about my life and what God has shown me and tried to encourage them in knowing that God is there source of strength.  It is hard to say how they felt as they don’t and didn’t talk a lot.  This in normal and I was not expecting a lot from them as it is not easy for them to share.  After talking with the high school kids I went and spent some time with the nursery kids (age 3-5).   I was gifted before I left with some clown balloons.  So I gave these to the kids.  It was a blessing for sure.

There is less than two weeks left here in Kenya.  There are many emotions that I am feeling as I look to say goodbye and also prepare to come back home.  I have described it as leaving home to go home.  It has been such a blessed time here with lots of learning and growing.  Today I go to pick up my pastor Sean and Phil at the airport.  I am really looking forward to seeing someone from home and showing them around my other home.

I was also blessed to be able to spend time with little Claire. This is a girl that I got to know and love the first time I was here.  She is a beautiful child and if you could hear her laugh you would fall in love as well.

I have been reading through the Psalms while I have been here and have been reminded that we need to praise God in all we do no matter good or bad.  There are many promises of his goodness for us when we seek him first.  This has helped me so much as I continue to lean on him more and more every day.

Could it be . . . Another blessed time

One might think that it would soon stop but it has not.  The blessings just keep coming.  Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to take Pastor Mugo (one of the local pastors) and his family to Nakuru for the day.  We had a few main goals for the day.  To see were Pastor Mugo and his family will be building a house this year and to take the daughters swimming which they have never done.  Nakuru is about an hour and bit away from where I am.  We left by 9:00am by way of matatu which is their way of getting from place to place.  It is like a van but it is packed fuller then it should be with people.  We were only traveling for about 25 minutes when there was an issue with one of the tires.  So we stopped in one of the small towns in hopes go fix it.  After about 15-20 minutes it was fixed and we were on our way.  We made our first stop shortly before town.  Then we got on motor bikes for the rest of the travel to see the land that they will be building their house on.  Once we were done there we took the bikes back to the main road and got into another matatu to make are way to down town Nakuru.  Once there we did some walking around and stopped for some tea and a little something to eat.  After that we did a little more walking and then found were we wanted to go to swimming.  We found a pool at a hotel that was going to work.  Only one of the girls was brave enough to go in.  Going in water tends to be a very scary thing here when you have never been in it.  The water was a bit cold but that did not mater.  Once we got use the water I showed her a few things and once she got some confidence she was off and loving every minute of it.  She could not keep the smile off of her face.  It was such a joy to be a part of.  Once she had more confidence I took a swim to the deep end.  That just amazed everyone.  They tend to really hit the water with their hands and feet and when I swam there was not splashing.  It brought another smile to my face.  Once we were done swimming we went to get something to eat at another hotel.  At the end of lunch it started to rain (which it does know every day).  So we went and sat in the lobby of the hotel hoping the rain would stop soon and we could start our way home.  While we were waiting the girls noticed the elevator (or lift as they call it here).  It was glass elevator that looked out to the lobby.  I asked if they had ever been on one and they had not.  So I offered to take them on.  The youngest girl has some fear but her parents encouraged her to try.  There was six floors so we went up to the top.  The youngest held on to me tight the whole time.  It was another experience that they will not forget.  Once the rain slowed down we made our way to pick up a matatu to head home.  I arrived at the house around 6:30.  I was told many times through the day how blessed they are to have this experience but I am not sure who was more blessed them or myself.  My heart was defiantly overflowing by the time I got home.

Another Blessed Time

This weekend for Saturday and Sunday I had an opportunity to go with Wachira and 50 of the kids from his church to Naivasha for some fun time away.  It is about 1 ½ hours away.  We stared out at 8:00 and did not get there until 12:30.  Let’s just say that there was lots of stops that needed to be made along the way.  We would normally have the food we were taking purchased before we left.  In this case it was not so we had to make a few stops to pick up what we needed.  In Naivasha we stayed at a church.  Once we got there the kids unpacked there things and put them in the rooms they were sleeping in.  The girls slept in one big room and the boys in the other on the floor.  Wachira and myself were going to stay and a close by guest house for the night.  Once the kids were unpacked we headed to a local park that had a swimming pool for the kids to go swimming.  I was reminded again how much joy is brought to these kids with not much effort made.  We were at the pool for almost two hours.  Even though the kids were cold in the water the wanted to be swimming.  We headed back around 3:00 for lunch.  This consisted of Ugali (flour and water cooked), cabbage and some meat in broth.  I had a little Ugali with broth on it (gives it some taste) and some cabbage.  After lunch we went to the local market to purchase some sugar cain for the kids to have later.  I had never tried it before.  It was good but I thought it would taste sweeter than it did.  Once it was purchased we headed to Lake Naivasha.  It is a beautiful area that is surrounded by animals which included giraffes and wildebeests.   The kids went to see the lake and then we eat the sugar cain did some walking and then headed back to the church.  Supper still needed to be made.  As a treat they were making Chapatti for all the kids.  They wanted them to have two each which meant over one hundred needed to be made.   As you may remember from my other blog and the way they are made it is not a quick process.  So I joined the efforts in rolling them out.  It was good to help.  Myself and Wachira had something to eat around 8:30 as we need to be at the guest house by 9:00.  Along with the chapatti we had beans and cabbage.  Once we were done we head to the guest house for the night. 

On Sunday we were at church.  Frist was the English service and then the Kiswahili service.  It total I was in church from 9:00 to 2:00.  After church we had lunch (beans, cabbage and rice) and then headed home.  There was a bus and van that brought everyone.  On the way down I was in the bus but on the way home I was in the van.  We started off good.  Then when we were just coming into the first town we got a flat tire.  So it was changed and the spare was put on which was not a real tire.  Once that was done we carried on in hopes that the tire would make it.  We were going along smoothly when we heard something dragging.  We pulled over and took time to “fix” what was dragging.  Again we started driving in hopes that nothing else would go wrong.  As we got closer to home we saw that they had lots of rain.  When we turned on the road to PACE we discovered that it was flooded over.  So then a decision had to be made.  Do we try and take some back roads which would take longer and could be worse or do we try and drive through it.  I could see people walking through it and it was knee high.  They decided to drive through it.  I have some good video it.  We made it with little issue but I was not sure.  It was a good weekend and another experience that I will not forget especially as my time is drawing to an end in four weeks.

God's Goodness

This weekend I had an opportunity to spend in Nairobi.  We left early Friday morning and arrived there around 9:30.  Our first stop was at a place called village market.  It is a big mall that also hosts a Masai Market.  Masai is one of the tribes here in Kenya.  The market is huge with lots of vendors.  One thing to know about these types of markets is that when they see white skin they really want your business and will do what they can to get it.  They can be in your face and come to you requesting that you come and see their goods.  The first lesson is not to touch anything unless you are interested in buying it.  If they see you looking or touching they will really incest that you buy.  When I was first there it was going fairly well but after about 40 mins I was done and needed a break and I had not seen everything.  I took a break had some lunch and then Joanie and myself headed back in.  We spent about another 40 mins going through the market.  Everything is also bartered.  And that part is exhausting in itself and they can give you many stories about how they need to feed their families.  Once we were done we met up with Joanie’s friend for supper.  She was also the person we were going to be spending the weekend with.
Saturday morning we were up and going early to visit the Nairobi National Park.  It is a park that you drive through and hope to see some animals.  There had been sightings of lions the day before so we were hoping to be able to see them.  We started off slow with not seeing too much.  Then we came a pone three female lions and one male.  They were not that fare from the road.  It was so amazing to see them up close.  We sat there for some time and then they got up and moved.  We only drove a short distance from there and we came a pone two more male lions that were on the road.  It was amazing.  One come over and sat right beside our car.  He was so beautiful.  We drove a little further and saw some giraffes.  These are my favourite.  In total we saw about 5 of them.  It was great.  On the way out of the park we reflected on how wonderful God’s creation really is and all that he has made.
From there we went to the elephant orphanage.  This is a place that was started by a couple many years ago.  They take in baby elephants that have been left due to losing their mothers either to natural causes or from poachers.  They are taken in and cared for 24 hours a day.  They have keepers that stay with them even while they sleep.  Most of the elephants are fairly depressed when they come in as they morn their loss.  At fours years old they start the process of putting them back into the wild.  We spent about an hour there as they brought out the elephants and told us the story of how they got to be with them.  Once again it was amazing to be a part of the wonderful things that are being done in this country.  This place also currently has two rhino’s that are staying with them.  One they are working with to be put back into the wild.  The second one is blind and will spend the rest of its life there as it would not survive in the wild.
When we were done there we had some lunch and then went to the giraffe centre.  This is a place that you can go to and have a chance to feed the giraffes.  If you are also brave enough you can put the food in your mouth and have them give you a kiss as they take the food.  I was brave enough.  It was so cool to be this close to them and to see more of their beauty.
After spending some time there we moved on to our last spot for the day.  It was a show were they do many different tribal dances.  The music and dancing was amazing.   There was also a group that did acrobats.  They were really amazing.  The show lasted almost two hours.  It was good to see some more of the culture.
Then we treated ourselves to pizza made in a wood heated oven.  It was a good end to a great day.  We reflected many times on how wonderful God’s creation was and on how all the details have been put together for great purpose.
On Sunday we attended church in the morning.  It was more of a western style service.  It was good to be able to sing along with the songs as it was all in English.  I have not done that since I got here.  It was a blessed time and I was glad to be able to have had the opportunity to worship there.  When church was over we had some lunch and then headed home.
Though it was a busy weekend and we were tired by the end it was a great to be able to take the time to do these things and to see more of this country.  God is good.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

 

Blessings

I had a chance to spend time with Two High School girls that are currently on break from school.  They live very close to where I am staying.  On Tuesday we walked to town.  It was about a 50 min. walk.  The way there went very well.  We had good conversation and they had questions for me about Canada.  When we got to town we made a few stops.  They wanted to show me a few things in town including were they make coffins.  Which is a shop on the street and they are out on display.  Very odd for me but not for them.  Then we went down town to get some fruits.  I got some for us and then told them to get some for their family.  Then we went for something to eat and drink.  We made one more stop at the store to get some ingredient for chapatti which is like flat bread here.  It is very good.  Then we started the trek home.  The walk home was a little harder for me anyway.  The sun was getting hot and well I am lazy.  Once we got back to their house the Mom was not home so they went to get her.  They insisted on making me a fried egg and some hot chocolate.  You don’t go visit without them giving you something.  It is hard to take but it would be more rude to turn it down.  Since I am not able to have milk in my tea like they do I got the hot chocolate.  They asked if I wanted sugar in it and I said no.  They just could not believe it.  They put sugar in any hot drink and a lot of it.  I told them that there was already sugar in it but they still could not believe that I would have it without.  After being there for a while I head back to the house.  It was a good day and felt very blessed to be able to spend the time with them.  I am looking forward to spending more time with over the next two weeks while they are off.

I also had a chance with the girls to make Chapatti.  It is like a flat bread and very easy to make.  So I went over to their house to help them make some.  It was a lot of fun.  They were very impressed on what I was making.  I think they were more impressed that a white person could make them.  It was good to be with them again.  They have one more week off before they head back to school so I am hoping to have more time with them again next week.  The one thing that is odd for me here is that you can sit in a room with a Kenyan and say nothing for hours.  This is okay and comfortable for them.  After making the Chapatti we sat for some tea (I had hot chocolate) and said nothing.  5 minutes seems like a long time.  One thing that is hard for me to get used to but I keep telling myself that just being with them is all they ask and that is easy when I try and remember that.

Wedding

On Sat. I was at an African wedding.  It was an experience I will not forget.  I was there to help Joanie take pictures.  We started off at the bride’s house and took some pictures while she got ready.  She stayed in her room so that no one could see her.   There were 22 in the wedding party so there were lots of people to get ready.  The wedding was to start at 10:00.  They were still getting ready at 10:00.  Then all of a sudden there was cars coming to the house with their horns honking and women singing.  That was the sign that everything was about to get started.  Everyone but the wedding party left the house.  There is a gate into the house grounds.  On the other side of the gate the ladies were singing that they wanted to get the bride to go.  On the house side the ladies were saying it is not time yet.  This went on back and forth for about 20 – 30 mins.  Finally the outside ladies were let into the grounds.  Then they continued to sing at the door of the house that they wanted to see the bride.  Finally the bride came to the door.  They had a prayer with her and then walked to the vehicle that was going to take her to the church.  Because the ground is dirt they placed a blanket on the ground so that her dress would not get dirty.  A tradition as they travel to the church is to have a pickup truck drive in front of the bride’s vehicle and take pictures along the way.  Well this job was mine.  I stood in the back of the truck and took pictures of the vehicle all the way to town were the church was.  It was about at 10 – 15 ride.  It was a very interesting drive.  Not only were people watching the event on the way there was a white person taking the pictures.  We arrived at the church and the wedding got started at noon.  That is two hours after it should have.  The service went until about 1:45.  After the service we spent time taking pictures of the couple with everyone with any connection to them.  So that took some time.  Then we headed over to the place they were going to have the reception which was only a few minutes away.  Once we got there we waiting for the wedding party to get there to take more pictures.  Once that was done around 3:30 they started the dinner.  Most of the people that had come and were waiting for the couple to get there had already eaten.  The reception was outside with tents for shelter.  The wedding party danced themselves around before sitting at their table to eat.  They did not have much time to eat before they had to get up to receive gifts that people had brought.  Those that had gifts brought them to the front and were each given to the couple.  Once that was done they cut the cake.  They fed each other a piece.  Then they shared some with each other’s side of their family’s and then some for Joanie and me.  Once that was done we took a few more pictures and then it was pretty much done.  We left around 5:30 happy to have been a part of the celebration but ready to rest.  Joanie and I went for something to eat when we left and I have attached a picture of me holding another baby.  There just seems to always be one around.

On the Sunday we had an opportunity to go to Nairobi for two days to attend a church conference of one of the local pastors.  It was defiantly a different experience then I have ever been a part of.  The worship style was very charismatic.  It defiantly opened my eyes to see God work in many different ways including in my own life.  It was exciting to see and feel God move is such a new way.  It was defiantly a highlight on my time here.

I also had the opportunity to attend two pastors’ prayer meetings.  It was good to be a part of.  Once you go over getting up at and out the door by 6:15am it was a wonderful way to start the day.  There is nothing like praising God first thing in the morning with other people.

Well the rain has really come which is such a joy here.  I usually try and get this blog up by Sat. but due to the heavy rain we had most of the day and between the hydro being out and the internet down it has been delayed.  We have been very fortunate to have not experienced too much delay due to hydro being down.  It has been kind of nice but I am told that is not the norm.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Psalm 118:28-29

New Friends

One of the sayings in Kenya is that nothing is broken.  Everything can be fixed or used for some other purpose.  This is not just a saying it is true and I continue to see it in action.  Joanie’s fridge had stopped working while she was gone so when we first got here a new one needed to be purchased.  What do you do with the one that is not working?  Well you use it for storage in your home.  So a Kenyan was very happy to take it to their home for that reason.  The cord on my cell phone charger had some exposed wires so it was not working.  We would just go get a new one.  Here someone takes it for 10 minutes buts the wire’s back wraps it in tape and it is good to go.  Joanie’s cell phone was not working when she returned.  She was told in the US that she needed to get a new one.   Again it was with a Kenyan for 15 minutes and it has worked just fine ever since.   We so easily through things out at home and buy a new one when most of the time if the effort is taken it could be fixed or used in some other way.

I was able to visit some of the outreach organizations that PACE works with. The first one I went to was Victory Nursery school.  This is a nursery school that is located in one of the major slums just outside the town that I am in.  It is run by a pastor and his wife.  They live right there and teach to kids ages 3-5.  They have about 75 kids that are taught in two rooms.  There are school fee’s required for this kids (about $3 a month for us) but if the kids are not able to pay that is fine they are still welcome to come.  These kids love when white people come.  I spent a good 15 – 20 minutes playing with them as they swarmed around me wanting to hold my hand or arm whatever they could get a hold of.  So as you can imagine I turned it into a tickle session.  It was a great time.  After being there we went to another school just up the road.  This one was set up by another pastor that works with a tribe that is getting smaller.  These kids were much different than the first ones.  None of them wanted to come and talk to me.  Within their tribe they are taught not to talk to anyone.  So the visit was short but I got see their classroom and talk with the teacher a bit.  There are about 50 kids ranging from 2 ½ to 10 and they are all taught together in one room with just chairs.  The teacher has a one year old girl that she carries on her back while she teaches.  They are in class from 8 – 1 every day.  I also spent some time at Goshen which is located about 15 min’s from home (but takes 30’s due to road conditions).  There a local pastor has sent up a location for the elderly that meet twice a week to worship and be fed porridge.  They meet at 11:00 and finish around 1:00.  Some of the elderly that meet start walking at 7:00am in order to be on time.  They come from very far.  They had a time for prayer requests and a few shared that they are looking after their grandchildren because there children have left them with them.  It is a hard life they have with no family to help to take care of them.  But you would never know it when you are with them as they are always happy and were so glad that I would take the time to be with them.  I think it was me that was more blessed by being there.  I have attached some pictures of all these visits.

This week the rains finally came.  Everyone is in good spirits as they are able to start planting their gardens and fields.  So this means the weather is a little cooler and damp but not to complain as the rain is needed.  For the most part so far if rain is going to come on any given day it comes in the later afternoon or evening.  So you have most of the day without rain.

The kids at PACE were also done school this week and are going home for a three week break.  They will return on May 2.  They are all very happy for the break.

It has been a great week and I look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.

Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

More New Learnings

On Saturday we have our first afternoon showing movies with the kids at the school.  Most of them have class in the morning and then have the rest of the afternoon and evening free.  So we showed them back to the future one and two.  It was interesting to sit with them as they watched it.  The movies are in English so most of their reactions are due to the activity happening instead of the words that are being said.  The boys really liked them because of the car.  During the second movie I stepped out and had a tour of the girl’s dorm.  I brought some family and friend pictures from home so I showed the girls them.  They are always interested in seeing were you have come from.  I also had some pictures of snow to show them.  This they can’t understand.  They don’t know how people can live in such cold temperatures and I was asked if people die because of it.

On Sunday Joanie and I went to the city to get some supplies.  It is about an hour and a half drive.  There are many small towns that we drive through on the way.  It is always amazing to see everyone walking and know that it is not just a couple of blocks that they have come from but most likely an hour or more.  It is also amazing to see the little children (as young as 4 or 5) walking on their own without an adult.  I have asked if there is any fear of the child being taken and the answer is no.  They would rarely hear about of that happening.  Young kids often have to walk to school for over an hour without an adult.

Another thing that I need to get use to is writing everything on paper.  There is a printer here but it costs a lot to use so rarely is it used.  Also if you want to ask someone a question or forward on an email in most cases you can’t do it as very few people have a computer.  So you write out what you are looking for.  Also when I receive information from someone it is written out on paper even when it talks a few pages.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is all they know.  Even if I think it is easier to type it out that is not an option for them.   It is amazing how you can get use too not actually having to talk to anyone to get something done at home.  Here that is not the case.  You need to get up and talk to them.  This of course is not a bad thing.  It shows once again that everything here is about relationships.  Talking and interacting with each other is very important.  More than we would ever do at home.

I continue to be amazed by the children and their happiness.  The High School children wrote exams this week to end their term.  Each day after exams I would ask how they went.  Some would say they were hard but no one would express they wish they didn’t have them.  Kids here are grateful for the opportunity to be given this education.  It is a good reminder to be grateful for of what we have and not to take advantage of it.  There are so many things that we enjoy in Canada and assume we will always have them.  Here that is not the case.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
 Isaiah 43:2

New Learning

On Sunday I attended my first real Kenyan service.  I say real because it was long.  The first service was in English and was to start at 9:00 but ended up starting at 9:15 (which is also normal for Kenya).  That service was over at 10:15.  Then the Kiswahili service started.  It did not finish until 2:30.  As you can imagine it was a long time to sit especially when you have no idea what they are saying.  The church was celebrating 55 years since it started so there were also some extra things going on.  Once the service was over we eat lunch together and then I was taken home.

Some people have asked what kind of food I am eating here.  For example on Sunday we were serviced, rice, potatoes, cabbage, a little meat and some chapatti (like a flat bread).  It is all served together in one bowl and usually a lot unless you catch them before they fill the bowl.  Which most times they know we don’t want as much.  Some of the other things I eat are pasta and beans.  When we eat at home we try and avoid these things.  We made spaghetti sauce last week so we enjoyed that for a few days.  During the week when we are at PACE sometimes I eat what the kids eat every day which is rice or corn maze with beans.  Can’t have beans every day.  I will let you guess why.

Children here start school at age 3 (baby class).  Then they move to middle class ( J-K  ).  Then top class (S-K).  These three classes are in an area of their own.  I was able to spend a morning with them.  They start around 8:00.  I sat in with the middle class.  At 10:00 they break for portage and time to run around.  They are back in class between 11:00 – 11:30 and the go for lunch around 12:30.  After lunch they have some more time to run around and then they all go down for a nap and then get ready to go home at 4:00.  The teacher asked if kids at home have a nap in the afternoon and I told her no.  She was a little surprised.

I am trying to learn how to entertain myself while not at PACE.  It is amazing when you don’t have the option of TV or going out how your mind can wonder.  I am learning to lean on God more and take this time to become closer to him.  This can be a struggle as I am a people person and get my energy from them.  There will be times when I am around people a lot and I need to learn to enjoy the quite times.  Quite is good.  I am just not use to it.  So I keep seeking the Lord and what he is looking for from me while I am here.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish it work so that your may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1 : 2 - 5

Let the Fun Begin

Sunday was my first day to attend church.  It was good.  There is lots of singing from the kids and adults.  I just love to listen to them sing.  They have such joy.  Because Joanie and I were there a lot of the service was done in English so that we could get something out of it.  Normally it would not be.  It was nice for them to show that kind of consideration.  After church we had a chance to go to Irugu’s (He works at PACE) parent’s house.  Back in Canada the ride to their house would take a half hour.  Well it took over an hour due to the road conditions.  I don’t think I can ever explain what they are like but just know that I was glad to get out of the vehicle when we got there.  We were driving a Rave 4 type vehicle.  There was two adults and to children in the back seat and two adults with a 3 year old on the drivers lap.  No danger at all.  That is called driving Kenya style.  One of the main reasons for going was to give Irugu’s dad a hear device that Joanie was given in Canada while she was home.  His dad has not heard well for a very long time.  You would have to yell right beside him for him to hear.  It was so amazing to watch as he put this device on and to watch him be able to talk to people across the room.  I felt very blessed to be a part of it.  While there I also got to hold a one month old baby.  It was a joy.  The parents also have orange and lemon trees.  We got to pick and take some home.  Nothing like having them right off the tree.

On Tuesday I started my first day at PACE.  My hours will be from 8-5.  The first day was very busy and I just dove into what was asked of me.   For the first few weeks we will figure out what my schedule will look like and were I may spend my time.  As I had predicted I think it will take some time to adapt to the way things are done.  I am no longer working in a structured office setting.   I will have to show much patients as I learn.  I have also spent some of my time helping in the kitchen helping.  Washing dishes, sorting through beans and rice for stones before they can be made.  It is very tedious work but there is good fellowship that can happen while you are doing it.  It also helps to understand what they need to do every day.  I have also helped to serve the lunch to the kids.

Friday night I spent the afternoon and evening with the youth for a praise and worship time.  It was so great to be with a couple hundred youth singing and praising God.  Their singing is amazing.  It was a late night but I was glad to be able to spend the time with them.

It has been a busy week and I am feeling more and more at home as time passes.  I have attached a few pictures.  One of me holding the baby and the other is pictures of the main street in the town nearby.

Week One

Well my first week here has been good.  The weather has been great.  Only rained a few times but not for very long at a time.  But once the sun goes away a light coat is needed.  Kind of like spring or fall in Ontario.  As we sat watching a movie last night we both had blankets on.  We tried to remind ourselves that we are living right on the equator.  Something didn’t seem right.  But we 8000 feet above sea level which makes this area a little colder than what you might think of for Kenya.  Much of the week was spent unpacking and getting settled in the house.  One day we went to the city (about 1 ½ ride) to get some supplies.  The ride is so beautiful.  It is very mountainous with green (more brown these days as there has not been much rain) hills.  There are many smaller towns that we drive through and it is always interesting to pick up on different cultural things.  When we were on our way home the kids were coming home from school.  It was not unusual to see 3-4 year olds walking along the road by themselves coming home from school.  I asked if there was any fear of them being taken and the answer was not at all.  I also saw a cattle crossing sign which made me smile.

Another fact that I have learned which some may have already known but Roasters don’t just crow when the sun comes up.  They can go on all night as I have witnessed since I got here.  I am getting used to hearing chickens, rosters, cows and dogs while sleeping.

I was also able to go over to PACE for the first time and see some people that I knew from my last time here.  It was so good to see some familiar faces and to connect with them again.  It gave me much excitement to start my work.  I will officially start on Tuesday so I have the weekend left to relax a little before the work begins.

I also experienced my first visit to a small Kenyan hospital to pick someone up.  We went into the place where the child was staying.  The “room” with two beds was like a small cement cubical.  Not much room and not great beds.  We also go to see the doctor and see her treat the child we were picking up as well as her one year old sister.  This was interesting to observe as nothing was sanitary.  It was very hard to take it all in.  Though the conditions were not that great I was reminded that if it were not for this these two children who had really bad coughs and a high fever may have died.  So you become very grateful that this was available even if it was not at the standards we are use too.

So I a slowing getting use to and comfortable with this new home of mind.  There are new a great challenges happing all the time and I continue to look forward to walking through them.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:20-22

I am here

Well it is hard to believe but I am here in Kenya.  Travel went well.  We spent Sunday in Nairobi and didn't arrive home until about 5:50 pm.  When we got here there was not hydro and it stayed off for the rest of the night.  So we jumped right into the culture.  First night in the dark.  That was interesting.  Today was spent doing some unpacking and visiting as people dropped it.  This morning I took a motor bike taxi with some one else from here to town to get some food.  That was an experience.  I bet you wish you good see that.  So I am trying to jump right into the culture.  The weather here is good.  No snow which make me happy.  It is warm in the sun and a little colder once it goes away.  The rest of the week will be spent getting settle and then the real work will begin on Monday.  More later.

Soon time to go

Only two more days until I leave for Kenya.  I am so ready.  It has been so nice to be able to have the time to prepare for this adventure.  I look forward to keeping you update through this blog on this things that are going on with me while I am their.  It is an exciting time in my life as I step out and follow God's leading in my life.  I look forward to see were it will lead.
So stay tuned, the next posting will be from Kenya and my new home for a few months.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28: 18-20