Slow and steady transition back

I took a quick photo of us driving through town

What a surreal feeling it is to be back in Gtown. There are all the familiar sites which can trick the mind that we never left at all. As we drive around in town we notice very few who are wearing masks and absolutely no social distancing as people gather to talk over a cup of chai or buy and sell vegetables. We have fist bumped to greet individuals while at the farm shook hands, same as always. We have been curious for months now in wondering what Gtown will look like in regards to the pandemic. Seeing for ourselves there is very little impact on most levels. The biggest change is in the school system. Only class 4, class 8, and Form 4 (12 grade) are in session at the schools. Students will learn until December 23rd, have 1 week off and then be back to learn January 4th. This is so strange that there will not be a month of December holiday for these students. December is when many Kenyans travel to their "down country" rural homes to spend time with relatives. This year will definitely look quite different. 

Jason and I have agreed we will take time settling our family back. We have been gone nearly 8 months, the longest Furlough we have ever taken. There will be an adjustment and there is no reason to rush back to being busy. We also want to assess how Gtown is. We have learned the importance of gathering information by asking questions and paying attention to the surroundings. In the past we often entered this town assuming we already know how things are. The truth is there are always changes. We do want Jesus to change the hard hearts of people- that is our constant prayer. When this happens there will be less corruption, no more teenage brides, no more drug and alcohol abuse etc. We are hoping that God has drawn people to Himself while we have been away. In the midst of God moving we know there's also a worldly influence that coincide. Modern luxuries are always infiltrating the environment. This town is a different place than it was 1 year ago, let alone from when we first moved here. We are noticing what new shops are here now and what is the latest trends. It is so good to be back to the place God has called us. We are eager to hear what he wants us to focus on this term.

Our daughters had a really good time connecting with Christian children their ages in the States. Becki Gregory organized Zoom calls for my girls with the Bethany Church Junior Youth group each week. While we were taking care of my Mom in New York this was a huge blessing for my girls to have this interaction. We ended up flying out of Minnesota so the week before this, my girls got to hang out with these children in person. They admit that these friendships (and others they have made) mean a lot to them and its the hardest thing for them to give up when living overseas. This Wednesday the Zoom calls will continue, our afternoon- their morning time. 

There are some house repairs that Jason has been doing. First one was getting the ceiling replaced in the master bedroom and hallway bathroom. There was some heavy rain this past year which caused damage due to leaks in our roof. As the old ceiling came down so did debris including rat poop! What a mess to clean up! In our absence some trees were removed in our compound. This allowed the neighbors to have a clear view into our yard. Jason had a taller wall put up on top of our regular wall so that our girls could feel free to playing privacy. Jason also moved the toy kitchen from the kids room to the back porch. It is much easier to make mud pies now.

It is a little over a month now since my Mom has passed away. Many here knew of this loss and have given their condolences to me. I have found healing is sharing about the beautiful transition Mom had from earth into the arms of Father God. I got to tell the farm ladies that my Mom had confidence of where she would be going after she died. They didn't know how to respond except to say they were praying. Little things still remind me of her and I do get sad that I won't be talking to her on the phone anymore or seeing her. I know that I had made her proud by serving God in Kenya. I look forward to what God has for me in the days to come.

This billboard says This is not Jihad, (picture of soldiers with guns)
This is Jihad (picture of giving food to a child).

The ceiling getting replaced in the master bedroom. 

All the debris. 

The toy kitchen on the back porch.

All our empty powder milk cans.

Get together with the Bethany Church Junior Youth group. 

We had a dinner with Jenny and Cullen family,  Reubens and Sarah's family, and Cari (my roommate at Bethany) and Michael`s family. Here are all our kids.

In March with my Mom. We had spoken about Kenya at my Aunts Charter school. Mom was completely healthy and well.