Hmm

My roomie and I have been speculating about what our upstairs neighbors do up there. We hear noise from above just about every night and morning. We've thought that it might be a carpentry shop or maybe their redoing their floors. Today I saw guys rolling tires down the stairs and the thought garage came to mind but then was quickly dismissed due to the fact that they are on the second floor. Later today Amy found out they are replacing their floors. Now Kenyans are mostly night owls so we are hoping for the sake of sleep that they finish soon.

I attended the first wedding held at Emmanuel Baptist Church today. I even had a part in it because I filled out the wedding certificate. It was an Indian wedding and the saris were beautiful. I had a nice time and got to meet a few more church members.

Tomorrow I'm teaching in children's church and I'm looking forward to it. Please pray for me if you read this before then. Thanks

FAT

This week has been very busy. I haven't been able to leave early after school any day this week. I'm looking forward to a break Valentine's weekend.

I am thankful I can download podcasts of sermons from my church back home. I listened to a message today that really encouraged my heart. God is definitely at work although right now it's hard to understand exactly what He's doing in some situations. I've been extremely burdened to pray for specific students in my class. Please pray with me for their salvation. I know what they need is the Lord.

Tonight a friend and I got stopped by the police (which is a common occurrence here in Kenya for anyone). They asked for her license and she gave it to them. Now mind you my friend is neither fat nor huge. The policeman looked at her license picture and said that in the picture she looked fat. The proceeded to expand his arms out like a bird demonstrating what he meant. He then told her she looked huge in her picture. It's interesting the things that we are private about as Americans and Kenyans are not. Thankfully my friend and I both have a good sense of humor and we laughed the rest of the way to my house.

Church

I had a good day at church this morning. I help with the older kids children's church during the main service. The children's director will be leaving in two weeks to go on furlough in the states. When she returns next January she will be moving north of Nairobi to work in the bush. I was asked this morning if I would help to take over her position. I am glad to be getting more involved with the children's ministry at church. I was also asked to help with the single ladies' ministry. I don't feel quite as comfortable in that role but I know the Lord will help me to do my best. Next Saturday I am attending an Indian wedding take place at our church. I don't know the bride or groom but everyone in the church is invited. This will be the first Christian wedding in the family. It is an arranged marriage and the bride and groom have not met. No one really knows what to expect. I'm looking forward to attending.

Side note: The visit to Heshima was canceled. We are trying to reschedule for another time.

Home

Today I came back to school after being out through the weekend, like normal, and Monday and Tuesday. I really missed my students. I must admit that I was glad when the substitute sent me a text yesterday letting me know how much my students were missing me. The kids also asked my roommate at PE how I was doing because they were so anxious to have me back. It means a lot to know that they care for me so much as I do for them. I have very few bouts of homesickness. Kenya has become home to me over these last six months. I love my students and I can tell they love me too. My church is great and I've already started serving in children's sunday school. At present I am looking for more opportunities to serve others. Tomorrow we are having a field trip to a slum school called Heshima.

Sick

I have been home the last two days with a bacterial infection. The doctor said I could have gotten it up to three days before signs showed. Being sick is definitely no fun. I miss my kiddos and can't wait to see them tomorrow.

Life is Precious

Day before yesterday my roommate and I saw a man lying on the ground right outside our compound. We actually almost ran over him as we turned in to enter the gate. His flip flops were off his feet and there was drool streaming down the side of his mouth. His eyes were wide open and staring straight ahead without expression. Amy and I feared that he was dead. As we entered our gate we asked our askari, George, what was wrong with him. Just as I suspected George explained to us that he had a seizure. We were distressed over this situation and wanted to help. George assured us that he kept watching the man through the gate. We were told that helping was not the best solution. Our househelp Jocinta explained to us that people fake things like that all the time hoping that a good Samaritan comes by so they can mug them. My heart breaks even more for these people who have nothing and feel as if they must steal and deceive in order to survive. We did find out later that a good Samaritan had picked the man up and taken him to the hospital because he indeed is an epileptic.

It's a Zoo out Here!

I have been on Christmas break for the last two weeks. I have had so much fun! The first week was spent hanging out with friends and camping at Hell’s Gate. While at Hell’s Gate I got to see many amazing animals. I saw ostrich, giraffe, zebra, impala, eland, warthog, and baboons. The park is known for baboons hassling visitors and thankfully they did not bother us. Our neighboring campers on the other hand got several food items stolen from them. The landscape at Hell’s Gate is one of the most beautiful sites I’ve ever seen. My camera was full of pictures by the end of the day. I must admit though that after two days of not showering I was glad to get home and be clean again. This past Wednesday I went to Nairobi National Museum. There were several interesting things to see and learn about. Friday I went to Paradise Lost. A few friends and I explored a cave, walked behind a waterfall, swung on a vine, hiked, paddle boated, rode a camel, and picnicked. It was quite the eventful day. Today I went to Nairobi National Park and this day marks the first day I’ve seen a lion in the wild. It was a female and she was no more than 10 feet away from me. Other animals that I saw today in the wild that I previously have not are hartebeests, buffalo, a rhinoceros, a crocodile, and serval cats. Next week I go on a safari to Maasai Mara.