Marrria, Marrria, Marrria, the sound of my name  echos through the house when the kids see me coming. It sounds so sweet; the "r"  rolled beautifully in the back of their little throats and its delightful to see their eyes radiating joy, the big smile revealing the little white teeth. I wish I could capture it on film or have you their to experience, my heart is thrilled by the out pour of their love. Here are some of the pictures of today's play time! 

 

Dear Friends

My teaching week is in full swing. Practical Christian living is the topic. Don't be surprised when issues like “Is it right to beat your wife/husband” come up or you discuss “Can you have more then one wife?” Another interesting topic is “Do you pay a dowry for your wife?” There are plenty of other great topics discussed, issues like “justice”, “death penalty” or “poverty”! In between we learn about Justification by faith, Christ's Righteousness, Adoption, Sanctification, Holy Spirit and many more important theological truth. The group of students is delightful as you can see and I enjoy to get to know them.

Afternoon activities are filled with visiting the orphanage. Today Denys, one of the students, went with me, we had a great time there. He took some pictures, enjoy it! 

 

 

Valentine's Day in Nairobi

Leah & Peter invited me to a church dinner for Valentine's day. It was fun to be there, celebrating God's love! Being the only “Musungo” (colorless person) among all Africans was a interesting experience.

Today I experience a bit “village living”. Shopping is a bit different here. Again, I am the only white person around and a true novelty. As I walk along the road passing cars are slowing down to have a close up look at me.

Wherever you go the kids are excited to shake your hand and love it if you take their picture!

An Afternoon at the orphanage. Miriam reads the Bible to the kids and the group grows quickly!

The story of Moses

The dogs barked relentlessly at the gate, it was night, cold and rainy, Mama Margaret really didn't want to get up, but the barking woke up the children and they urged her to go to the gate to see what's the matter. Street dogs were gathered at the front gate and one of them carrying a plastic bag in the mouth. After closer inspection Mama Margret saw that there was a tiny little baby in the bag. Its not clear where the dog found the bag, in the field, along the way, or even in front of the orphanage. The rain already filled the bag, and little Moses, as the children named him, was threaten with hypothermia. The umbilical cord was still attached, Moses was only hours old. Amazing how the dogs know were to bring the baby and how they saved his life. God worked out for Moses to live. Mama Margret brought him into the house, bathed him slowly in warm water and gave him some milk. He is a cute baby as you can see in the picture. An American couple is interested in adopting Moses, they will come this month to meet him. Hopefully Moses will have a bright future. This is only one story, each child has a story of their own, not all are as incredible then Moses, but all are filled with pain, rejection and suffering. Please keep praying for the children.

Jambo, another rainy day in Kenya, it looks like the rainy season started early. So far we had every day rain. Good for the crops but hard on the roads. They are pretty messy after a torrential down pours. Shoes and cloth take on the color of the red soil. See for yourself, the pile of shoes at the orphanage are ready to be washed and the cloth lines are heavily used. 

I spend a good part of my day today with the kids. Reading, playing, singing, feeding...whatever the moment  brings. 

A friend from church made this beautiful poster for the children. We had great fun putting it up on the wall, many hands helped! June is happy to get her picture taken with the new work of art. Enjoy!

  
                                                                                                    

Jambo friends,
Saturday is a perfect time to go to the mall and get all the things western life style offers. Of course not without thinking of what happened a couple of month ago in the Westgate mall. But life is going on like always, the mall was crowded. To my big surprise I run into a friend there. What a joy when you meet somebody unexpected in a far away place. Marci, in typical African way, suspended her plans to sit and talk for a while.

I know Marci from our time in Diani Beach, she just moved to Nairobi!

Angel, the special need girl form the orphanage needs some good "baby food". I was able to get it in the mall. Her muscles are not developed and do not support her weight. She is in therapy but needs additional nutrition.

For next weeks class I was able to have all the copies made for the lessons, I am sure the students will appreciate that.

One the way home we stopped for some mangos      

and pineapples along the road!

Right now I sit in the dark, no power today...again!

Have a blessed Sunday and enjoy worshiping God! Maria