Jambo Friends!
Here are some of the snapshots from yesterday. I visited different friends in the area. You can tell by the pictures that Kenya is a land of contrasts.

Jambo

Today I went to "our" Kenyan home church. It is so good to be back and enjoy the company of many good friends. I tried to catch a bit of our worship music hoping you will enjoy it.

We went out for Pizza after church to my favorite restaurant "Nomads". Dennis the Pastor and his family along with the Assistant Pastor James and his family.  It is a beautiful spot right at the Indian Ocean.

Jambo Friends

Meanwhile I made my way to Diani Beach, our former home. It is good to be here, so many friends welcomed me warmly back into their midst. I feel very at home here. My days are filled with teaching women's discipleship class and Bible studies. This time I offered to coach women one on one and many take advantage of it to meet with me.

Yesterday evening we had an very special time with the women's fellowship. As I shared about my story and how I went through the grieving process after I lost Gil women started to cry. Here in Kenya women are told to be "strong" which means stuffing your feelings and show no hurt or pain. God opened somehow the hearts of the women as the listened to how God has taken me through suffering and pain. We cried and then prayed together. Nobody really wanted to leave afterwards and we felt that God's Spirit was with us. It was a very special time together.

Jambo Friends
Checking up on how the kids are doing in school was a real joy. The head teacher met with me and gave a short report about each child. Some of the kids from the home are really bright. One of the children I enrolled in spring was even the best student in his class. It is so exciting to see that the kids love to go to school and make good grads. I felt like a "proud" parent! I always received a warm welcome when I show up at school. A flock of kids surround  me to greet and touch my skin or hair.

 Another event from last week was the renewing of the lease for another 6 month. It took two days of negotiation! Life in Kenya is a bit different then in the States. We were able to included into the new agreement the installation of running water. This is a necessities for 27 children living under one roof. The picture shows the landlady signing the new agreement. Its a joy to know that the kids have a safe place to live.
I am holding one of the "new kids" of the home. Philip was found at the wayside, laying in the bushes along the road. Another of the "new" children is James. Pretty much the same story. He was found by someone along the road. David the third "new" child tells me that he is already 9 years old. He has also a very sad story, but as you can see in his face he still has a great smile.

Dear Friends
This week I went to the places where Martin was cared for in his last weeks. Kijabe Hospital and Thigio Hospice. It was good to see the places and connect at Kijabe with a former co-worker of World Harvest Mission. I was so impressed with both places, very clean and caring. The visits were healing to my heart and confirmed that Martin was in the best hands possible.  Here is a picture Sister Eileen who cared for Martin in the Hospice and  the hospital.

Dear Friends

Eastleigh, the part of Nairobi where Somalia Refugees live, was my destination today. Its considered the most dangerous place here and the Kenyan Government issues travel warnings for all foreigners to stay out of that area. Many of the recent deadly attacks in Nairobi happen here. My friend Kimberly opened a clinic in the heart of this area. I visited her before in my previous trips to Kenya. So I thought again, if she can go every week into the danger zone, I can do it one day and encourage her with a visit. Again it was quiet an experience. I can't find the words to describe what I saw, one must see it first hand. It looks much like a slum, trash every where, horrible smells and the noise level is very high. Kimberly treated several patients in the clinic and I got to know some of the staff. She also went for a house call, checking up at an elderly woman who suffered from pneumonia. Seeing the living situation was very touching. Kimberly does  a fantastic job and I admire her for her courage and compassion                                                                    

Dear Friends
Today we went to church here in Nairobi. We met with an "old" friend from Mombasa and enjoyed together a good worship service.  In the afternoon I went for a short stroll and took some pictures of the flowers and trees here. I am always fascinated how beautiful the vegetation is. Here some highlights.

Jambo Friends

Here are some pictures from today's visit in the children's home. My grand niece and nephews gave me a memory game for the kids. Today we played for the first time, some of the kids were remarkable good at it. They enjoyed it when I lost! And laughed when I made a disappointed face. So sweet!

Jambo Friends

I arrived yesterday in Kenya. What an amazing welcome I had. When the kids saw me (I came unannounced) they literally piled up on me. I was completely "overrun" by them, it was good that I sat in a chair otherwise they would have knocked me off my feet. It was such a special moment and I am so happy to be back! Today I went to the school to get a progress report for the kids. Next week I am scheduled to meet with the head teacher to discuss each of "my children" (as they say!)  The overall assessment of the children is very positive.

Another not so happy welcome to Africa came later in the evening. As we sat in the living room a nearby gunshot caught our attention. As we investigated it turned out that some burglars tried to come into our compound by following a car, as another car approached the burglars got confused, shot the gun, and drove away! God protected us "again". We were all completely calm,  (I was very tired) When I went to bed  I said a short prayer and slept soundly. After all, where ever we are, we are in God's good hand! Worry doesn't add anything good to our lives. As I woke up in the morning my heart was very grateful to be alive and well.

Enjoy the pictures, pray for the children and me, grateful for God's kindness and daily provision.

Dear Friends
The wedding was fantastic. The church service was very touching as the brass band played and the bride walked into the church. She looked of course amazing. We partied into the morning with delicouse food and dancing. The Germans really know how to throw a wedding party.
All the Australians enjoyed their stay with us and I enjoyed them!