Less than a week left in Gtown.

There were lots of speeches about the Legacy that Moi has left and he was finally buried on Wednesday afternoon.

 We will be leaving Gtown in 6 days and heading to Nairobi to prepare for our flight to America! To be completely honest we have all sorts of mixed emotions. I cannot wait to finally meet my new nephew, Josiah Philip Junior- son to my brother Josiah. I am also anxious to spend time with our parents, siblings and their children, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, and all our loved ones that we care about so deeply. We have missed you as individuals and we have missed being with you on holidays as well as all the other special occasions God has given to you to celebrate. We can't wait to embrace you all, these next 6 months and catch up on your lives. We won't have to look at pictures to find out what you are doing because we will be there with you to talk, laugh, play games together, go out shopping, drink a cup of coffee, share a meal, and the list goes on and on.

We will have to settle in and adjust when we step onto American soil and this is one thing I am already trying to mentally prepare for. This might sound strange because the U.S. of A is the country I grew up in and spent the majority of my life in, but living overseas has changed me a whole lot. Kenya is where 3 of my daughters have been born and all 4 of their lives thus far, have taken place. It amazes me how so many things have become completely normal such as:

1) Seeing camels
2) Using a "squatty potty"
3) Sweating constantly because nowhere has A.C. including my own home.
4) Seeing large cockroaches. (I still hate them but it has become normal to see them)
5) The smell of trash burning in the air.
6) The smell of incense burning to cover up other bad smells.
7) Hearing the Call to prayer 5 times a day.
8) Eating rice and beans At The Very Least once a week.
9) Wearing skirts and dresses to my ankles as well as a slip underneath.
10) Getting to sit and talk with a friend/neighbor for hours even if the visit was not planned.
11) Shaking hands.
12) Losing electricity at any random time
13) Seeing crazy people walking around town (they are addicted to Kaat).
14) Eating fresh fruits and vegetables every single day.
15) Watching the sun set at the same time all year around.
16) Making a new friend
17) Having a thorn go right through the sole of my shoe
18) Having my hair get caught in a thorny tree.
19) Turning to the Lord for guidance and help in dificult situations
20) Thanking the Lord for all the Great things He has done- too many to even number

It has been 4 years since My daughters and I have been to the USA. Jason goes back for meetings in October but usually does not leave Minnesota and his days are pretty packed so he will also go through re entry with us. 4 years ago I remember being surprised with how many things that were not familiar to me. Even the money was different because it had color and extra designs which looked foreign to me. In restaurants there were less waiters and waitresses because of the electronic devises that were now at tables. The latest fashion had me puzzled. Every Single Song that came on the radio I was hearing for the first time and I was mesmerized by Every Single commercial that popped up on TV. All this had an effect on me but even more so on my girls because they compare it all to Gtown, which is just limited. We are entertained and amazed by a whole lot upon arrival and expect it to be this way again.

Up until we go we have chosen to stay present in each day God has set before us. I have posted some pictures of the past week. There was a holiday to honor Moi, the 2nd President of Kenya who has passed away.   Jason took some of the interns to the farm on that day to learn how to weed with the lady farm workers and also build new benches under the trees for people to sit on as they eat lunch. I had one of the girl interns, Kristy, help me with homeschool which was such a blessing. We had our family from the Far East over and Jason cooked Chinese food for them. They are facing a big crisis in their nation but once again this has strengthened their faith in the Lord. One of them told me that for many years they had been praying that God would awaken those asleep in their country. Now the prayer is that God would use all that is going on to do this very thing. The men in our team cooked a 7 course Valentine's Day dinner. In our 7th Grade curriculum we are reading about the start of Islam. Jason took the child that was recently diagnosed with sickle cell anemia to get a kidney function test and we praise God for the good report! Yesterday I attended Muslim prayers for One of my close friend's daughter who just passed away. Although I dont believe/agree in praying for the dead as they do, they are mourning. I am heartbroken along with them. They invited me to come. So I brought a scarf to cover my head and listened to their Arabic prayers. I love them and am sad with them. For these next few days that we have left they are open for what God wants to do. As always remembering that our lives are just a mist and all of this is for His name and His glory.

"Not to us, O Lord not to us but to your name be the glory,
Because of your love and faithfulness.
Why do the nation's say,
`Where is their God?`
Our God is in heaven;
He does whatever pleases Him.
But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
They have mouths,
But cannot speak,
Eyes, but cannot see;
They have ears, but cannot hear,
Noses, but they cannot smell;
They have hands, but cannot feel,
Feet, but they cannot walk;
Nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them,
And so will all who trust in them.
O house of Israel, trust in the Lord-
He is their help and shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord-
He is their help and shield.
You who fear Him, trust in the Lord-
He is their help and shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
He will bless the house of Aaron,
He will bless those who fear the Lord-
Small and great alike.
May the Lord make you increase,
Both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
But the earth He has given to man.
It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
Those who go down to silence;
It is we who extol the Lord,
Both now and forevermore.
Praise the lord!
 Psalm 115

Once we set foot in New York February 28th, we desire to be fully present with You! We are getting ready! I have started to pack our luggage! See you soon!

Teaching our Far East family to play Dutch Blitz.

This game can get quite intense. We look forward to playing with you!

May God bless all the girl interns who have helped me with homeschool! In this picture you can see that my children will make things with play dough, paint, and knit while they listen to books being read to them. It helps therm to pay attention.

In 7th grade we are learning about how Islam started.

Weeding at the farm.

Welding the frames to make benches.

God has gifted my husband to be able to do all kinds of things.