Beads, Animals, and Contrasts

Today we took a trip that involved KUZURI BEAD FACTORY. It is a place where single mothers from the slums can come and make a living. They make jewelry out of pottery beads as well as other pottery. The tour of the factory was fascinating.
We visited an elephant orphanage and a giraffe shelter. Feeding a giraffe was a new experience for me! Riding through Nairobi and through the countryside is very unbelievable sight. So many people-everywhere. The weather today was perfect. The sunshine was a very welcome change.
The grounds around us are so beautiful. Kenya is a country of great contrast. We’ve had a very busy schedule so having a free afternoon tomorrow will be a welcome change. To post pictures I have to have Stan’s computer- maybe tomorrow.
I still can’t believe I’m here.

Children and more Children

Today we visited The Nest which is a sheltered place for children whose moms are in prison. We were loved and hugged by many sweet children. The Nest is an amazing place. Ellen held one little girl for a long time. The little girl not only wrapped her arms around Ellen but her legs as well. The need for attention is very great; however, the workers are wonderful. We experienced amazing singing and dancing.
The afternoon was spend visiting a public school. One classroom had 79 second graders. There were no lights. The children (all 600) were happy to add the five soccerballs to their collection of ONE.
So many needs. My pictures will tell the story much better than I can.
By the way, our two suitcases are being held by customs because of the soccerballs that were in them. We will go to Nairobi tomorrow and try to explain. Soccerballs are so treasured here that customs thinks we are planning to sell them.
We are tired but in awe of the experiences we have witnessed.

Ground Level

Tuesday- What a day! We spent several hours "helping" at the construction site. It is amazing to see men doing such hard work by hand. Every stone has to be hand cut and finished. We saw men mix concrete, pound rocks into various sizes, bend steel rods into various shapes, and measure with crude instruments. You could sense the seriousness of their efforts. The men either walk or ride a bicycle to work. The location of the dining hall is beautiful.
We had the opportunity to met the architect, Professor Bernard Otoki Moironao (in the middle) and the contractor, Mr. Kubai Maingi (on the right). All team members "helped" and spent time with the workers.
The weather is perfect and the grounds are lush and covered with flowers. The temperature is cool.
I already know why I am here. To see, to learn, to experience, and to love.
By the way, we have all but two of our suitcases. Those two are in Nairobi and should be delivered by tomorrow.

We've arrived!

After thirty-six hours, we arrived!! (Our luggage-all our luggage did not.) The trip was very tiring but we arrived safely. Brackenhurst Conference Center is beautiful. It is very cool here and we will be glad to get our jackets (and underwear). Stan and Charles will go back into Nairobi this evening to hopefully collect it. The word is, it is on the "next" flight.
The people are very gracious and seem excited to have us here. We have a schedule made for us by Grace, Charles' wife. Tomorrow we will start the day at the construction site. I am eager to start taking pictures. Please continue to pray for us. We have not felt scared, just wide-eyed.

Count down is to one!

Saturday, July 14, at 11:00am we will gather and leave for the airport. What an adventure! We will fly to Dallas then on to London Gatwick. From Gatwick we will trek to Heathrow in London and catch a flight to Amsterdam. From Amsterdam we will fly to Nairobi arriving at 8am Monday morning (Actually, that will be around 10:00 Sunday evening here.) There is an eight hour difference in the time. Others who have traveled there tell me to forget the watch and relax. That's asking too much right now!
I am packed, Ellen is not. We will get that done today. One suitcase is full of soccerballs, pipecleaners, tape, puppets, art supplies, etc. We will get to help with contruction so I have also included gloves!
These details let you know, as best as I can, I am ready. Am I really ready? Probably not but I am trying. I want God to work through me. I want courage and confidence. I want an open heart along with my open eyes.
I will try to post Monday evening. Please pray for us.

Sister Susan

Susan is my "baby" sister. Since she is just fourteen months younger than me, we not only shared a bedroom for eighteen years but many life experiences. The family story is that I HAD to start walking after she came because mom was too busy to hold me (I think that qualifies me as type B personality). This picture is important for several reasons. Mainly it reflects our mother's careful attention to us including the handmade dresses that matched, the clean white socks and the perfectly combed ponytail and hair. We were greatly loved and cared for. The bicycle represents hours and hours of exploring our little world and escaping the confines of indoors.
Susan and I are soulmates. We laugh in such unison that, if sound had a mirror, you would see a perfect reflection. Our relationship is full of bright colors, twists and turns, and unending love.
Now to the chicken. Susan loves this bright spot in my laundry room. She challenged me to post it and so I have. See, I still like to please you!!

Up in Smoke

No one has a better brother than I do. Since Jim is alittle older than me, I have never known life without him. Of course there are many stories to tell but, every year, around the fourth of July, I remember the summer Jim (accidentally) burned down the fireworks stand at Happy. He was helping sell fireworks with the boy who ran the stand. He shot a bottle rocket from the counter that backfired. My dad was very calm but told Jim he would have to pay half the cost. Being a young kid, money earned was treasured. It took Jim quite awhile to pay his part but he did so without question. Jim is a very honest, hardworking, intelligent man. I know he would do anything for me. Stories of sister, Susan, will come later.