Returning Home
Today has been a day of doing all those last minute “want to dos”. Krista got a pedicure, I fixed my in-laws wireless router and Alex played with his cousins. Its been a wonderful last day except for one major exception. My mother-in-law got a phone call this morning which forced her to be gone much of the day. She is part of the administration team for those in Sudan for their mission and this morning, people attacked their missionaries there burning the church, the school, and their homes. Some of the children and one of the parents suffered burns and others had some minor injuries. My mother-in-law worked on arrangements to get them flown out and all the missionaries from that team will arrive in Kenya tomorrow. They’ll be staying in the places we are vacating so we’re getting them all ready to go for them. (In an earlier post, I told you that the son of the lady who cleans these places died so we’re trying to help in what way we can). Would you take a few moments to pray for those injured, for those that lost everything they owned in these fires, and especially for those that started the fires that they would come to know the one true God? Thanks.
Dreams Come True
I remember as a child thinking about Africa and ‘the BIG game hunters’ going out to face the lions and rhinos. That was the image originally imprinted on my brain until I started learning more about Africa (my ideas of Africa have changed considerable especially once I married someone from this continent) Well today I got to be that great hunter except with a camera instead of a gun.
I thought that the “safari” ride at Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World was spectacular and probably very similar to what its like to be on safari (they really do do a great job at Walt Disney World) however I have to say that it does pale to some of the excitement of really going 4X4′ing through the bush. There were some times today that my heart got racing. Like when we came up on a group of white rhinos getting about 20 feet away from a momma rhino with her child. Exhilerating!
We also had a fun time when we were stopped and a monkey slipped in through the window to steal some grilled corn it some how knew we had in the car. Or when another monkey ran right up to my niece’s window making her jump into her father’s lap. We also played ‘chicken’ with some zebras and some water buffalo.
When I get back to Germany, I’ll work on getting my photos loaded up here. Until then, just know that my dream of a safari adventure has come true.
Unique Petting Zoo & Realities of Life
I love traveling in countries where people aren’t always worried about being sued. With a little common sense, you get to do some unique things relatively safely. Today we relaxed most of the day (I’m really into a book right now – I know, you didn’t know I could read) but then before sundown we went to the Nairobi Wilderness Walk where we got to experience a miniature safari. As we were standing there looking that the cheetah, one of the workers there said, “Do you want to pet him?” Of course we said “Yes!” So to the right is a picture of us inside the fences petting the cheetah who just purred like a cat.
Continuing our walk through this place we got to see “white” zebras, pygmy hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, ostriches, hyenas, and many other animals. This was our “appetizer” for tomorrow when we’re going on a real safari with the guys and the older kids. I’m going to make sure my camera memory sticks are empty as I’m going to fill them up.
On a sadder note, we received word today that the lady who cleans the guest house that we are staying in lost her son last night. Her teenage son was having some medical issues (like diaherrea, cramping, stomach pains, etc) and she took him to the hospital. When she couldn’t show that she had money to pay for the hospital, she was turned away. This happened several times until he died in the car on the way to another medical clinic. Once he had died, she was even turned away from the hosptials morgue as she didn’t have any money to pay for that. This is the reality that people face in many parts of the 2nd & 3rd world. We’ll never know what the boy died of but most likely, it was extremely treatable. Pray with us that this single monther of two (now one) will have a peace that can only come from God.
Mein Geburtstag
Today is my birthday. Having a birthday soon after Christmas can be a challenge but my family makes efforts to make it special. So when they asked me what I wanted for dinner, I asked that we go to an Ethiopian resturant. Krista’s Dad moved to Ethiopia when he was two and Krista and all her siblings were born there so when I married into the family, I learned about how good the food is. Now I crave it however we have no Ethiopian resturants near us in Germany. Tonight was excellent. As we say in German, “Ich bin satt!” (I am full)
Another treat was that a German man who is staying here went with us so additionally I got to work on my German here in Kenya. It really feels weird to learn new German vocabulary in the tropics.
Bis Morgan! (Until tomorrow)
Chillin’ in Nairobi
Never thought that I would say this but it is so much cooler here in Nairobi than Mombasa. Today has just been a day of resting. A few of us have come down with colds so there was also a run to the drug store.
For our family worship time this morning, we went to this place called Resurrection Gardens. Built & run by the Catholic Church, it’s a walking path that goes through the some really beautiful gardens with “stations”. At each of these stations, a relief or mosaic depicts a story from the Bible leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They ask that visitors keep silent (major task with 4 kids under 10) and no photography (which is why I don’t have a picture for you). It was really a great time of prayer and meditation. With the kids, it was awesome as they described the stories (in whispers) being depicted and saw the whole Bible story laid out in a one hour walk.
Being without my computer, blogging on my cell phone is my ‘geeky’ thing for the day so I’ll probably keep doing it untill we arrive back in Germany.
Travel Day
Today we are traveling through the southern part of Kenya from Mombasa to (the relatively cooler) Nairobi. The road is a well kept one as a lot of commercial traffic flows along this path bringing supplies from the ocean to the capital city. Along the way we’ve seen zebras, monkeys, cattle, goats, and even an elephant taking a dirt bath. We just stopped and bought fresh tomatoes and onions from a young roadside vendor. He was smiling really big which means my father-in-law didn’t barter him down so vendor (probably 9 or 10 yrs old) thinks he got away with something. The landscape is beautiful. Large flatlands with these hills periodically jetting up. All sorts of trees are around. We drive through village after village seeing small businesses selling their meats, vegetables, everyday goods, and of course – cell phone “top up” cards to refill their prepay plans. Some of the picturesque stuff when you think of Africa with the women using a piece of cloth to strap their children to thei r backs while carrying jugs on their heads to goat herders watching their herd by the side of the road are here. Something I didn’t think I would see is a mosque in about every village.
Passing a corn field now. Corn grown in Germany is usually feed for the hogs so I’m getting my fill while I’m here.
Our family is having a great time being together. The other day, Alex and I had some father-son time over ice cream and he told me that he’s really enjoying me not working while we’re here. He wishes that I could always be this way. While that expectation is not realistic, it does have me thinking.
Well, don’t want to make this too long but I do have say that in all my travels – Coke-cola has always beaten me to my destination. Even here, red & white signs are everywhere.
Being Watched
We’ve had an exciting day. Were there presents? some – each kid got one. Did we get to see some unique things like a Kenyan Santa Claus do magic trick and some African aerobatics? They were amazing.
However I see something very unique about this Christmas. We are currently at a resort in Mombasa, Kenya that was created as an income generator for the Presbyterian church in Kenya. Mombasa is also a predominently Muslim community. We’re also the only white family at this resort. So today the resort has been playing a lot Christmas music and had special activities for the holiday but a considerable number of the guests are Muslims just here for their vacation. As we celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of our Savior, we are being watched. As they see us playing in the pool and interacting with others around us, we are being watched. As we walk the beaches saying “No” to all the peddlers, we are being watched. They are watching to see what is different about us other than the color of our skin. My prayer is that we are being good representatives in how we’ve acted today and that they do see a positive difference in how we’ve been. May we be a positive influence every day.