Porcupines! Cobras! Gardening! Billowing Clouds! Oh my!

If you caught yourself saying: surely all this hasn’t just happened in one day?! … then you’d be right :) But it has all happened within the span of a week!

The porcupine was an unwelcome visitor that was caught by the night guard and the two compound dogs. The cobra was another unfortunate creature that popped his head out from his hiding place too early (snakes are a big caution given to people to watch out for as they walk).

The topic of gardening was an open invitation to take some initiative and get things in the ground to grow. Loki and Grant had heard of my family’s big garden and thought that I would like to (literally) get my hands dirty. Today was the first day of planting! So far we have carrots and lettuce and kale in the ground. :)

Despite my effort to try and capture the beauty I beheld this morning, I am still so awed. The billowing clouds that came over the mountains as I went for my (attempted consistent) morning walk reminded me of a wave coming over the mountain, preparing to engulf me. And as the sun peeked over the hills it emitted a hot glow that enhanced the beauty of the moment. Sigh… :)

The other pictures I have included is the outside of the Callaghan’s home and the other is of my bedroom door. When I arrived in Kurungu I was greeted by the children’s get-to-know me creations. They had made a card that had their name on it and some of the things that they liked :)

In regards to the children, I have started consistently teaching this week. I switch mornings between working with Abby, Caity, and Lily (three 6 year old girls) and then the boys, Nathan and Luke. It has been a marvelous time working with their individual needs and setting up specific activities that help them meet their goals. Futuristically, tomorrow I also have the chance to lead a small devotional with the secondary girls (ages 14-17years) from the school that Jay (Callaghan) teaches. Likewise, on Sunday I will be leading the Sunday school lesson for the 50+ children that are normally in attendance! What an experience that’ll be! Thank you Lord for translators and … peace and patience :)

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers of support!

a reflection of a moment

I’m really starting to realize the value of a calling to full time missions. There are so many obstacles and changes that a person has to undergo. Yet, we are called by the father, whether to minister cross-culturally or not, we must be willing to ask of the Father to pour out his heart to each one of us, in order that the longing that he has would become our longing; that the relational intimacy we have with the Father would become an unspoken desire of our hearts.  

Over the past few days since arriving I have seen so much that has made me aware of the things that I thought were naturally understood. Yet, the closer I look, the more I realize, the more I see, feel, and begin to understand that no matter where we are, there is a calling that comes from the Father. He invites us to join him at his table, to walk alongside him, to sit beside him at the campfire, and to extend our hand to all people.

First Day in Kurungu - May 23rd

What a first day in day Kurungu!

I flew in with AIM AIR to a landing strip near Kurungu (what a smooth flight!). It was so lovely to be able to look down and see the huts and greenery :) As we touched down I was greeted by Jay Callaghan, and Grant Swanepoel and his two daughters, Abby and Caity. 

After refueling the plane with buckets (literally) of gasoline, we took off, as did the plane. As we were driving down the roads I could feel the sand penetrate my hair and the temperature absorb into my skin; however, I’ve been informed that this temperature is one of the cooler areas in Northern Kenya (praise the Lord!).

Upon arriving at the house I was introduced briefly to Loki and Laura and their families. Then we had lunch (lemon bread with icing sugar and vanilla milk and apples – a rare treat). We then started our afternoon quiet time, but Grant (Swanepoel) came over and said would anyone like to come to see some Samburu dancing (festivity association with some of the village women’s circumcision - a custom that is becoming rarer); I was like – yes!?! So, after making a second trip to gather my protective sun gear – scarf for my head, sunscreen, and a water bottle, I set out with Grant and our guide (a man who works on the weekends for the Swanepoel's). Armed with our cameras, we were at first told we couldn’t take pictures (which is sometimes the case with certain tribes), however after more talking we were given permission. 

What was my first impression? Grant’s pictures that he had previously posted on FB were coming to life! There was this humming/throat singing that the men did and various types of dances. Some consisted of jumping high, while the woman did a type of dance where they would thrust out their chest and flick their necklaces up and down as they dance (kind of like a rocking motion). These celebrations usually take place the whole day. I was also informed by Grant that the men normally dress in their traditional clothing which consists usually of red material,   armed with a sword on the hip at all times and a mirror (literally). The woman wore beaded circular necklaces in a thick strand. Some of the younger girls did too. The common colours were red and yellow. I think we spent 2 hours there. :) What an afternoon! 

Below are some pictures of the event! 

Tourist Day - May 21/13

No safari for me (unfortunately), but the next best thing – a close-up and personal with elephants and giraffes!

Mid-morning Debbie, a short-termer from Hong Kong, and myself decided let’s do something in Nairobi! So, we chose to go to the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center. We were picked up by Joseph, a highly recommended taxi driver and then set off on our adventure.

The first stop – the Elephant Orphanage. This is an orphanage set up to reestablish elephants that have been literally washed-up (by storms), abandoned, or injured by man-made or natural obstacles. These elephants are then raised for 3 years and then released back into the wild. The only thing separating us from them? A rope (literally). How neat it was to be able to be within arms reach (at times); to touch and to take near (multiple) pictures.

The next stop was the Giraffe center. My first impression was, “woah! And I thought I was tall!” These beautiful animals were enormous! We were able to walk up onto a platform and feed them (yes, even as the picture shows, directly from the mouth). There was one thing that I was encouraged to do at this particular stop, and it was get a kiss from the giraffe, and knowing me, I totally did it – haha, more than once. Did you know a giraffe’s tongue is 45cm long!?

Anyway, enjoy some of the pictures of the day! 

The Promise

You know the feeling accompanied when you are separated from your best friends, with minimal contact? Well, yesterday I experienced homesickness.
No, I wasn't really sick, but rather emotionally plucked and feeling alone.

If you know me, you will realize that I am one of those people that rarely have much difficulty in making new friends. However, at the current guesthouse I'm staying in, there is such a high turn over of people coming and going. Really, if you were to view the guesthouse I imagine it would be like a Christian hostel with a setting of ease, approachability, and common purpose; with people represented from many countries and organizations. However, it was yesterday how I came to really realize the importance of friendship (beyond day friendship).

I have been so blessed with the fellowship of others that I call family that when I am away from them, I realize how blessed I really am. So, I just wanted to give a shout-out to those that have blessed me, called me friend and family; that take the time to invest in lives and who are willing to invest.

But... the story doesn't end there.

Abba knows when we feel lonely and he provides us with people to come alongside us; to encourage us and distract the feelings of loneliness away.

Yesterday Abba provided me with three companions for the day, ages 9, 6, and 4. These children were staying at the Mayfield guesthouse and we proceeded to look up interesting facts in a book about everything. Then before lunch we went outside and played multiple games - a highlight was hide and go-seek with two other boys living in the compound. Then after lunch we decided to choose a story from the Bible and film it! There were so many laughs and smiles that happened that day.

Day by day I will continue to trust, knowing that Abba knows the desires of my heart and fulfills them in his time.

Reflections of an Arrival

At midnight I arrived at my home in Nairobi for the next few days, here are some of my reflections before bed...

Oh my I am so excited I could cry! I am here, finally in Africa! Thank you Abba for your travelling mercies; for providing me with comfort on the flight, good sleep, a friendly seat partner (Chuma from Nigeria), and Christian friends (Caroline and Rachel from Kenya)! I am so overwhelmed by your love Abba.

As soon as I opened my blind on the plane to look out the window I knew right away that I was no longer in the big city – there were minimal lights; nothing like flying out of Toronto, Ontario. 

The drive to the house was another experience. When Samuel, the driver who picked Mike, another short-termer, and I up to go to the Mayfield House, I was so impressed. Why? The roads are so windy and there seems to be no signs or speed limits, and with the steering wheel on one right side and traffic on the opposite of what us Canadians know... wow – you have to know where you are going! I'm so glad I wasn't driving :)

Yet today is a new day, praise the Lord for no jet lag! 

Today was a quiet and calm morning, no expectations and many opportunities to meet new people. 

Please pray that I continue to make connections, and that I develop a friendship with someone that will be able to explore and fellowship with me. Also, I've received a book "Simplified Swahili" to help me learn the language, please pray that I'll be able to maintain the new words and pronounce them correctly. 

Blessings to you all!