Mount Kenya and Mashed Potatoes

 

 After church today we had a driver and a guide take us (minus Sam who wasn't feeling well) up to Mount Kenya National Park. Although it was too hazy to see the peak, we still saw some beautiful parts of the park and had a nice hike. The top picture was from the other day - something you don't see in the US - a cow on a "boda boda" (motorcycle) - it was between 2 people. The picture above is a tea field on the drive today - very typical scenery for this part of Kenya. Below is Josef's friend Wacira and our meal tonight at the hospital restaurant - we didn't really know what we were ordering and ended up with way too much food including 4 large plates of "mashed potatoes." We have a few more days in Chogoria and then we will be traveling briefly to the medical school and then on to another hospital. This morning I was missing home a bit - longing for familiar food, a vacuum cleaner, and the general ease of routine tasks...but, Psalm 4 helped me out of my self focus some as I reflected on what God means by "the Lord has set apart the godly man FOR HIMSELF." The kids have been memorizing the Westminster Catechism - every day I ask them "why did God make you?" and they answer "For His own glory." What a convicting truth. I want to thank you all for your prayers. We can feel them and have been blessed by them and through them - keep them coming :). Thank you also to those who sent notes/scriptures with us - we love reading them...I will leave you with one that my friend Robin sent that made me pause and reflect - Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Love to all - Christine

Beautiful Country and Beautiful Children

Today was a day away from the hospital and an opportunity to explore the area surrounding Chogoria. In the morning we planned for a 45 minute hike along a trail through the countryside to a waterfall. This turned into a 2 hour adventure when we lost the trail in the middle of the valley. We made several more wrong turns trying to find the trail again as we trudged on in the general direction of the falls. Fortunately the kids were patient and we attracted a lot of attention from the locals. I was able to teach the kids the "rest step," (my climbing friends can appreciate this), during several short but steep climbs. Near our destination we were surprised to find ourselves in the backyard of an older Kenyan woman who did not speak any English, but fortunately she pointed us in the right direction. The falls were beautiful and a reward for the extra hour of hiking.

In the afternoon we visited the Family Resource Center where Millicent feeds and entertains children who are considered the poorest of the poor in the region. These are young children with little parental involvement and they are often left to care for each other.  I was told it is not unusual to have a 5 year old caring for a 2 year old sibling while the parents are away during the day. It was a humbling experience, but what a joyous group of children. They loved to play and read books. Half of the room was used for playing soccer with multiple balls flying all over and surprisingly no one was injured.

 

 We all enjoyed the interaction and even Josef led a group of toddlers pushing chairs around in a circle.















The afternoon ended with a Bible lesson about Jonah. The raucous and chaotic scene became very orderly during the lesson. The children sat politely and listened intently for almost 30 minutes...all except for Josef.


As the children were leaving we were able to give each child a toothbrush and toothpaste. Some of the neediest also received shoes.


These 2 hours every Saturday are a brief respite from the reality of the difficult daily lives for these precious children. They are precious because they are God's children. A special part of His creation. In spite of the broken world around them He will give them refuge.
 Psalm 5:11 "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exalt in you."

-Jeremy

Ellie in Chogoria

Hi! We like to walk to Joy's shop. At Joy's shop we buy suckers. My favorite type of sucker has strawberry, orange and gum. Josef likes the creamy yogurt suckers. Today we went to a waterfall with my friends, Olive and Lucy - it was so beautiful. 

 Yesterday we went to lunch at the Chogoria hospital. Mommy wanted to take a picture of the bushes. See if you can find the person hiding in them.

Pizza night. Last night we had pizza night. Every Friday they have Pizza night.
My favorite was the BBQ Pineapple pizza. After that, Mommy left with Josef
and we stayed to play board games. We stayed up until 10:00.

Yesterday this man was washing the Ritchie's car in a suit. 

A couple of days ago we were looking at old pictures. We found a lot
of pictures of Sam that look just like Josef. 

Lower Zone

I spent the day with the kids. Jeremy did a lecture in the morning and then helped with rounds. The kids and I went on an adventure with our friends Martha and Millicent. We drove about an hour down the mountain on a really rough road (thank goodness I had thrown some meclizine in my bag for Sam) to the "lower zone." Millicent explained that the lower zone is poorer due to the lack of the cash crops of coffee, tea and dairy that the "upper zone" has. Millicent and her husband run "The Family Resource Center" near Chogoria that ministers to children. She wanted to buy some supplies for feeding those children - so we headed to a large market. It was a great experience to see the market operate and learn some more about the culture here. Sam doesn't carry the bags quite as easily as the Kenyan women! Funny part was that the women at the market all wanted to buy Josef. The top picture is hard to see, but it is a woman pouring her grain out and letting the chaff blow away. We had some great car ride discussions about chaff and God's biblical language related to it - back to Psalm 1! On the way home (by a smoother road :)) we stopped and shopped for some gifts to bless the kids at the Resource Center on Saturday. Ellie had wanted to use some of her birthday money for kids in Africa and this was Millicent's idea of the best way to accomplish that wish. We bought toothbrushes and toothpaste along with pads of paper and a few books. Tonight we ate dinner with a missionary family from the states - it tasted of home with taco soup and salad - refreshing! Today I have been humbled by Martha, Millicent and the Webbers - their hearts to serve God and the poor is inspiring. They truly have taken up their cross and followed Christ in obedience without concern for self.

Chogoria and Chai

We have arrived at Chogoria and have had a great first 2 days! This bottom picture is the Guest House where we are staying. It even has hot showers!! The top picture is of Ellie and her new friends Olive and Lucy - their family is here with the mission organization Serg. We had to run to the dukas today to get Josef a new pair of shoes - a pair of plastic ones that we could easily wash dirt and mud off of :)....these little children loved to feel Annie's fingernails for some reason.

This morning we had a chapel. We were blessed with singing and a message by Dr. Jim Ritchie on Psalm 1. The interesting thing is that the kids and I had just discussed Psalm 1 on the van ride to Chogoria yesterday. I love the image of "a tree firmly planted by streams of water" and both in the van and in chapel we talked of how this is like the man or woman who "delights in the law of the Lord" and is therefore blessed. Dr. Ritchie reminded us that any tree is exposed to the same conditions - the same storms, or insects etc...but the outcome from those storms vary greatly on how and where the tree is planted. How I hope for all to be trees firmly planted by streams of water that yield fruit and never wither.

On Monday evenings staff and families from the hospital (mostly doctors and wives) have a bible study. Tonight we started with a service project. We took chai tea (Kenyans everywhere love chai!) down to the hospital and shared cups with those working the night shift. Ellie and I started by giving a cup to a man who was sweeping the walks. We sat and talked (through broken English) - he was overjoyed to have us appreciate him. It was a great reminder of how such simple offerings of love can move a spirit. Love to all.

Best First Day in Africa

 - Back in Africa I found my favorite drink!








Had a lot of fun playing basketball.

-Sam

Amani

 We are in Nairobi!! We have had a very relaxing day today at Amani Gardens Inn. Amani means peace in Kiswahili and I have felt God's great and deep peace on the trip so far. The travel went well and was filled with blessings - from "Toodles" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) on the first airplane t.v. for Josef, to Sam seeing that I dropped my money bag with all the passports in it on the train, to the "Flying with Confidence" video by British Airways for me. It wasn't the easiest journey to our London hotel - although a quick subway ride downtown sounded like a breeze - when you factor in 9 very heavy suitcases and lots of flights of stairs up and down to get to that subway it changes things a bit...but we spent several hours seeing some London sights and then got a good nights sleep! Today in Nairobi we went shopping and then rested and played. Amani has a swing, a playground and a basketball/tennis court - something for everyone. Matilda (our friend from the last trip) came and visited tonight - we had a sweet time of fellowship with her. Tomorrow we will go to church and then travel 3 1/2 hours to Chogoria. Love to all and special thoughts and prayers to Tammy and her family -her dad passed away today. PS -Ellie wants you to know she lost her tooth on the plane :)