Goodbye Kenya

Well its time, time to leave this place that I've come to love. I have a pretty good feeling that I will be back though so that is keeping me from being too sad. Today was our last day teaching at the school and tomorrow we are going to the school in the morning for a special surprise before beginning our journey home. In some ways I am ready to be home; ready to be somewhere that I know and that is comfortable, ready to be with friends and family, ready to see less poverty. But mostly I am sad to leave. We have been SO welcomed here and feel so appreciated here. The people here have shown us a kindness and warmness that I've never experienced before. More importantly, the kids have touched us in ways we didn't expect. So much potential and joy is easily recognizable when you look at them, and yet its hard at the same time because I know they are experiencing so much hardship. They have given a whole new meaning to perseverance- one that I won't forget.

A teacher at the school we've been helping at passed away last week leaving her two kids, ages 8 and 10, parentless (their dad passed away many years ago). They have no family here and the orphanage would struggle to provide for them without a sponsor. Thanks to all of you, I still have enough money left from fundraising to support one of them for a year and that is a wonderful thing. So thank you for being willing to help and know that your donations are being used in BIG ways.

I will get home late Thursday night and would LOVE to share stories/pictures, etc. with ANYONE who wants to hear! There are plenty of kids that still needs sponsors and plenty of other ways you can still help if you're interested. God bless you all, see you in the states!!

Lodwar- A Desert

We handed out cornmeal at one of the villages we went to....
2 Children awake, I guess I was too boring for the third oneShe really wanted to ride it, I told her no.
Our hotel in Lodwar

Oh wow, what a weekend. We spent Thursday-Monday in Lodwar which is a city north of Kitale where the people in the slums of Kitale “escaped” from because it is so hot there and let me tell you, it is HOT there! Easily over 100 degrees (and its winter there right now). We visited 5 churches in 4 days and most of them were in the middle of nowhere. People there walk for days in search of water and food, it is miles and miles and miles of desert. Once again, we experienced a joy like we haven’t experienced in America. At the churches we visited here are people who are literally starving and have no water yet they still find hope, joy, and peace in the Lord. I have learned so much about that while being here.

The first day there I was sure I wouldn’t make it another three days but the weekend actually went quickly. I started getting used to the occasional lizard by my pillow on cockroach in my shoe, coming back to Kitale today felt like home. We stopped by the school to see the bringing down of the Kenyan flag which is a big deal here then Helen surprised us by taking us to the seamstress to have African dresses made for us. I can’t believe we only have 2 days left here, I definitely want to come back and you are all invited J I will write one more time before we head out and some when I get home too. We will be planning a fundraising even in August for the school and orphanage so I will keep you updated on this blog. Thanks again for ALL of your support, prayers, and encouragement; we have felt so loved and so protected while being here.