Their first Parade

Last week we drove down to visit our friends in Boone, North Carolina. We had such a wonderful time going out doing a few things in town but mostly just sitting around talking. That is something Jason and I  have grown to love doing simply, because there were many nights in Kenya that was all there was to do. On the Fourth of July we got to see a parade. As we were waiting for it to start, my children bombarded me with questions, asking me to explain what it was and what was going to happen, and then why. It always seems to catch me off guard that there is so much that they have missed out of the American childhood. They don't even know that they are missing out . When they do get to experience things they are super excited about it. They did not stay up to see fireworks but were ecstatic about their first sparklers and poppers. If that impressed them I can't imagine what their reaction will be the next time we come to the States and they do stay up.

Our friends work for Samaritan's Purse Head Quarters. We got to tour just two of the several building they have st the headquarters. It was encouraging to hear about the staff getting together to pray together every single morning. We had lunch at their very nice and family oriented dining room. Then we walked over to where they package up the shoe boxed for Operation Christmas Child. Our children got to participate handing them out to one of the local schools in our town in Kenya. That was a day we all will never forget the looks on the children's faces. Most, if not all had never received a toy so they didn't understand the concept to open up the plastic package- and then also had to be shown how to "play" with the toys. So at the OCC warehouse my kids got to see what goes on before the boxes are shipped overseas. They hugged on some dolls that were getting ready to be boxed and received by other little girls.

Another part Jason and I were  interested about Samaritan's Purse was that the workers have a two day intense training before they go overseas to do the different ministries. This is so crucial to make the trips effective to the individual as well as those they are going to serve. Basic advice I give to those going out for the first time is be flexible, go as a learner not as a know it all, drink lots of water, try foods even if they look weird, make sure you know what the appropriate clothing is for the area, make sure you know what the appropriate interaction with the opposite sex for the area. Always have local money with you. Do not carry important documents (ex:passport) if you do not have to. Have a good book for the long car rides. Have snack foods for the times when you have to miss a meal. Pay attention to what' going on around you. That is all I can think about for now, but I am sure Jas could write a whole lot more on this. It was a trip that was priceless and only wish we could have spent more time. I feel that way about so many places we have traveled to on this furlough. In the beginning it seemed like 6 months was such a long time. Now that we are in the last month our time has flown by. I am getting my mind to start focusing on returning to Kenya-but that will have to wait until another post.