Getting home.

So, the above picture was from when we ate sugar cane, just like the Kenyans do.  Well, almost like the Kenyans do.  We ended up having them slice the outer layer which was going to break our teeth (or so we felt) if we kept on chewing.

We had an absolute blast!  This trip paved the way for some great relationships, which I will continue to pray what God wants me to do with that.  Thanks to Courtnie, the trip was detailed fabulously by her postings, but here are a few of my highlights:

• Getting to meet Martin, Sonny, James, Charles, Jamima, Beatrice, and all the other leaders we came in contact with.
• Watching the innovation everywhere because of the lack of resources, they make do.  And they make do well.
• The great mosquito incident of 2012. ha.  It’s what happens when you fall asleep without putting your mosquito nets back down… a lovely little (hopefully not malaria-ridden) mosquito buzzes in your ear, keeping you up for longer than you wish to be.
• Being the day camp speaker for 2 days in a row.  Hearing one man gave his life to Jesus afterwards.
• Learning what YL should look like from the Kenyans.  It is simple, lacks a ‘show’, and is wonderful.
• Only starting to see what God has in store for me with my relation to Kenya.
• The Safari! The Elephant Orphanage!  The Giraffe Center! 

Thank you for loving us through the trip.  Thank you for your financial or prayer support.  Thank you for following us on this life-changing journey.

Love,

Kim

We’re hheeeerreeee!!!!!!

(you just have to imagine me saying it).
To those of you who ever have the opportunity to come to Kakamega Kenya and meet our Young Life friends, DOOOOOO it.  I am humbled by the way they talk about Jesus to their YL friends, surprised by their sense of humor, and absolutely astounded by their love.

This journey is definitely life-changing and I am learning so much about how small the world is– little kids still love to sing and dance, boys still joke crudely, and even roosters still crow (even at inappropriate times).  Even as I write this at 6 pm Kenya time, I can hear the distant cock-a-doodle-do reverberating in the not-so-far distance.

Today we had the chance to paint a gate entrance to a local school where YL does ministry.  We waited around for a very long time (there’s a phrase called TIA which equates to this isn’t America/ this is Africa) and finally got to painting.  During the children’s breaks they came and hung out with us.  We taught them the “peel bananas song” and they sang us their national anthem.  I’m pretty sure we got teased in Swahili MANY times, but we didn’t care… its all in love.  Watching Court and FiFi play soccer in the rain with the older kids was awesome!
You can pray for continued rest, healing for my hand (pretty sure my tendinitis has pinched a nerve and my pinkie and ring finger have been tingling since the plane to Nairobi), and a robust fullness of God to descend upon us as we travel into the rain forest tomorrow.

 

<peace and blessings>