Good Morning Everyone!
We made it to Kenya last evening around 8:30. Our flight was delayed out of Amsterdam, but other than that we had no other flight delays. After experiencing some problems at check-in in Cleveland that continued on through boarding in Amsterdam, we were so relieved to finally be in Africa. Getting through customs was so easy due to tourism being down 60% in recent months and the Kenyans want to make it as easy for tourists as possible. We didn't have to open one of our 14 bags for them to check. Just a few questions and we were on our way. All this was such a huge answer to prayers.
As we walked off the plane into the airport it was obvious that we were in a different world. All of us who had been so chatty on the flights were completely silent while we walked through the airport. We met our hosts, Dave and Jennifer, at the airport. They picked us up in the coolest safari truck... one you'd never see in the States. Jacob was totally impressed. We needed a vehicle like that because just driving down the road is like off roading on some of the most trecherous 4-wheeling paths. The worst pot holes in Akron have nothing on these roads. We drive on the other side of the road here which is a bit to get used to also. New Yorkers are supposed to be the craziest drivers... Kenyans are totally nuts.
The house we are staying in is in what could best be described as a suburb of Nairobi. Our community is walled with all the homes having seperate walls around the property. This morning, as Jacob and I stood outside on the porch outside our room, we got a good view of the neighborhood. The landscape here is so much different, but they have so many interesting plants. We thought of my father-in-law because of all the plants. They have this tree called the "African Flaming Tree" that has the most beautiful orange flowers. When it's in full bloom, we can see how it got it's name.
Today we have orientation, and then we are going to teach at a children's home. Most of the children there have been displaced from the unrest earlier in the year. Many of the girls have experienced rape. There is one baby there that's 3 months old that was born in a refugee camp.
Dave and Jennifer are great hosts... even as I'm typing I smell pancakes and bacon. Please don't worry about us as we are staying in the lap of luxury, Kenyan style. We all have our own bathrooms (Jacob's and mine is attached to our room). In mentally planning for our trip, I was expecting the worst of situations, but we have been given the best.
Today, as you are praying for us, please pray that our teaching will be effective and that the children will be eager to hear what we have to teach. Also, if you could pray for some of us whose legs are still very swollen from the long plane ride. I'm a bit nervous about it and hoping that after a day of walking will get the swelling to go down.
We love all of you and covet your prayers for us. Right now, it's raining outside. To Kenyans, if it rains and there are visitors here, that means they will be an extra blessing during their stay. I know that God is going to bless our trip, He already has. We just continue to pray that God will work in us and through us to make us a blessing to people here as they are such a hurting people, especially after all that has happened this year.
I will email again soon. Much Love, Susan and Jacob
As we walked off the plane into the airport it was obvious that we were in a different world. All of us who had been so chatty on the flights were completely silent while we walked through the airport. We met our hosts, Dave and Jennifer, at the airport. They picked us up in the coolest safari truck... one you'd never see in the States. Jacob was totally impressed. We needed a vehicle like that because just driving down the road is like off roading on some of the most trecherous 4-wheeling paths. The worst pot holes in Akron have nothing on these roads. We drive on the other side of the road here which is a bit to get used to also. New Yorkers are supposed to be the craziest drivers... Kenyans are totally nuts.
The house we are staying in is in what could best be described as a suburb of Nairobi. Our community is walled with all the homes having seperate walls around the property. This morning, as Jacob and I stood outside on the porch outside our room, we got a good view of the neighborhood. The landscape here is so much different, but they have so many interesting plants. We thought of my father-in-law because of all the plants. They have this tree called the "African Flaming Tree" that has the most beautiful orange flowers. When it's in full bloom, we can see how it got it's name.
Today we have orientation, and then we are going to teach at a children's home. Most of the children there have been displaced from the unrest earlier in the year. Many of the girls have experienced rape. There is one baby there that's 3 months old that was born in a refugee camp.
Dave and Jennifer are great hosts... even as I'm typing I smell pancakes and bacon. Please don't worry about us as we are staying in the lap of luxury, Kenyan style. We all have our own bathrooms (Jacob's and mine is attached to our room). In mentally planning for our trip, I was expecting the worst of situations, but we have been given the best.
Today, as you are praying for us, please pray that our teaching will be effective and that the children will be eager to hear what we have to teach. Also, if you could pray for some of us whose legs are still very swollen from the long plane ride. I'm a bit nervous about it and hoping that after a day of walking will get the swelling to go down.
We love all of you and covet your prayers for us. Right now, it's raining outside. To Kenyans, if it rains and there are visitors here, that means they will be an extra blessing during their stay. I know that God is going to bless our trip, He already has. We just continue to pray that God will work in us and through us to make us a blessing to people here as they are such a hurting people, especially after all that has happened this year.
I will email again soon. Much Love, Susan and Jacob
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