Our Daily Adventures

Starting to say good-bye . . .

2011-10-07T04:36:00.004-05:00

Well the time has come. It is hard to believe that in one week we will be headed back to the U.S. . . . home. Which is strange because somewhere along the way this actually started feeling like home. So now we are headed back to our old home but grieving the loss of this home and all we have here. Moving is always complicated and emotionally challenging but I think moving cross-culturally amplifies things. What if I am one of those people who arrives in America, heads straight to Wal-Mart and ends up in the fetal position on the floor overwhelmed with all of the choices and excess? I doubt it because I am really looking forward to shopping but you never know what can happen so I'm trying to prepare myself.

I'm trying to prepare the kids the best I can. I told Ford the other day "When we live in America we won't wash our dishes in the sink. We will have a big box that we put them in and when we take them out they will be clean" and "We won't hang our clothes out on the line either. We will put them in another box to dry them". Mostly the kids are the saddest about leaving our dog which I knew would happen we we got the dog but she has been worth it. We are all in different states of limbo - sometimes really excited about what is waiting for us and at other times really sad about what we are leaving. Which can be confusing with all of us at different states at different times!

I know we will be OK once we get there and get a little settled. But this in between time is killer. I feel like someone is pulling a band aid off really slowly for about two weeks.

Rhett's colleagues in the AIDS Relief training program hosted a going away party for him and two others in the program a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing. I can't believe the effort they put forth for us. Here is the party in pictures . . .

We drove about 40 minutes away to a hotel in Limuru for the party.

Now this looks really safe . . .

The setting of the party . . .

Our good friend and Rhett's colleague, Millicent.

The kids enjoying a lunch (mostly chipatis their favorite Kenyan food)

There are no words for this picture. I'm just thankful there are a lot of people at there praying for our safety.

Rhett giving his speech. There were speeches all around. Even I gave a speech! Their culture is still quite formal which I really enjoy. There are speeches and ceremonies and greetings.

This was during the gift presentation

This is the AMAZING photo collage they gave Rhett as one of his many parting gifts. You will find this proudly hanging in his new office I'm sure!

This cake sure looks good . . . but it's not really. We learned early on that Kenyans do not like sweet desserts so things often looks so yummy then you dig in and realize there is about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in the whole cake - not so yummy.

Trying to get a group photo . . .

So that was our wonderful send off from an amazing group of people who work really hard to care for people who are often ignored or despised in their culture. The stigma of HIV is changing every so slowly but there is still a long way to go.

Many more good byes in the days to come . . .

Your generosity has done this . . .

2011-09-29T02:17:00.004-05:00

Late last year, through a long variety of circumstances, we came to know of some refugees from a communist country in Africa. This group of men had been arrested during a church service - that was their crime. The next 7 or so years they were imprisoned in different military prisons. At one point they spent several years in shipping containers in the desert of this hot country. They were only let out to relieve themselves twice a day. They were tied up, tortured and beaten. Then the were moved to a solitary confinement prison work camp. They were only let out of their underground cells to do hard labor during harvest time. Remember their crime was attending a worship service.

Finally they were able to orchestrate an escape attempt during their labor time in the fields. They ran through thorns, encountered a leopard, were separated from each other and each met individuals who did what they could to help them escape to a neighboring country. It was there that they were helped by Voice of the Martyrs to come to Kenya. And from there they were brought to Kijabe for care after their years in captivity. Rhett was asked to see them and address their health issues and from there our very special friendship started.

They joined us in our home for a meal. What do you serve people who have been in prison for the last 7 years? I was a little nervous. I bombed on the meal. I went bland on the food thinking anything spicy might be too much for them and it turns out their native food is quite spicy and my potato soup wasn't much of a hit. Cupcakes for dessert? Too sweet. They also ate them with a fork which I thought was cute! Anyway, we sat around our dining room table honored and humbled to have these persecuted Christians in our presence. They were mere weeks from their escape ordeal. They were emaciated and had a look in their eyes like photos I've seen from concentration camp victims. Physically the needed time to heal from their past and emotionally as well.

One feeling I had as we talked with them was that they seemed to have forgotten how to smile. They looked around nervously and seemed awkward when it came to smiling. Then at one point it was time for my kids to go to bed and asked them to go say good night to our guests. Claire walked in and gave a corporate "Good Night" but Ford started around the table with a "Good Night" and a hug and and kiss for each person. It was as if time stood still and my little 3 year old blonde angel gave the first loving touch and affection to these men that they had received in years. And something amazing happened. Smiles and tears. I felt as though God was giving them a little love through Ford right there and telling them it was OK.

We are thankful for our friendship with these special guys. We have continued to keep in touch with them and Rhett has seen them on a couple occasions since our first meeting. All of you who have supported us financially have also been a part of this story. We were able to pay for all of their medical and dental bills as well as their substantial bill for counseling at a center in Nairobi who helps refugees deal with the horrors of their past. We found it an honor to help our brothers in Christ and we wanted to make sure you knew what part you played in helping them too.

That has been one of the most amazing and fulfilling part of being here. We are able to truly see and know the needs first hand and have the privilege of helping and showing compassion to those around us. Thank you for your support that makes this possible. Please continue to pray for our friends. They have a long road to travel. They can never return to their country. They struggle with the thoughts of what might have happened to their families in response to their escape. But they have joy in Christ and have faith that inspires.

Sweet home . . . South Carolina?

2011-09-28T02:19:00.004-05:00

This blog announcement is way overdue! Most of you who know us personally know by now that when our 2 year commitment with World Medical Mission ends in October we will be moving here . . .

Greenville, South Carolina! We are so excited about our new town. I hear it is great. I haven't actually been there (except for cheerleading camp at Furman in 12th grade) but everyone says it is a great town! Rhett did actually go and interview and was able to get a glimpse of our new home and his report was great too. When we first started talking about this job opportunity in Greenville we were just looking on the internet for information and photos and one site said "Greenville is known as the Athens, GA for adults". If you know us then you know that had our attention! Rhett has been blessed with an amazing job that has a lot of diversity, a big group of partners (unusual in ID) and the opportunity to teach in the residency and medical school there. We are amazed at this provision for our family.

Now we just have to get there! We are in about 2 1/2 weeks away from our departure from Kenya. It is very emotional and stressful. I thought coming here was difficult but, man, going the other way is tough too. Lots and lots of transition. I hesitate to start packing because, honestly, I don't know when we will unpack again. I'm trying to care for each of my children's hearts in the way that they need it as we guide them through this time of transition. I know everyone always says how resilient kids are and quick to adjust but speaking from a childhood full of major moves all over the place - it is tough. It is sad. Not to mention all of the cultural adjustments they will have to make. So even when my head is swimming I have to stay steady for the little ones who look to us as parents to know if all is right in the world.

One of the difficult parts of leaving Kenya is that everyone wants your stuff. I've heard others who left talk about how stressful this was to deal with but didn't understand until I had people knocking on my door early on Saturday morning asking to reserve Rhett's underwear. People at the hospital have been paging Rhett all week asking about our sale. One person wondered if we were selling "extra laptops" and another wanted our "sound system". What are we Best Buy? We have some old clothes and toys that aren't coming back with us but no "extra" lap tops to sell. Culturally it is important that we have this "sale" for the community so we are putting our junk on our porch and letting them come and get it. (I did learn earlier this summer that you can't give it away for free. Someone tried that and it caused a stampede and people were getting hurt. So I will "sell" our stuff for garage sale prices after letting our workers and close friends take what they want). After that it should be pretty easy to pack our life up into 10 suitcases and get ready for the long trip home. In the next 6 weeks we will travel to London, Athens, Ga; Boston, Colorado Springs, Atlanta, Birmingham and Dalton, GA before finally moving to Greenville.

Whew. Then we will finally be settled. Nope. We don't actually have a place to live so we are being creative (and cheap) and living here for a while . . .

That's my parents' motorhome and it will be our humble abode for a time while we look for a house or another longer term housing arrangement. We just found out about an ID Christmas Party that we need a babysitter to attend. Rhett is begging me to let him drive the motorhome to the party and park it with the kids asleep outside. Needless to say I've made other arrangements! It will honestly be a fun way to start and make the transition from our life in Africa to life in American a little easier - kind of a baby step. And every house I look at will seem HUGE compare to the motorhome!

Anyway, that is an update. I have lots of blog posts hanging around in my mind that I hope to actually post before we leave. I've left a lot of gaps during our time here and I hope to fill some in. Thanks for praying for our family as we say many good-byes and start to feel unsettled.

Very Green Missionaries

2011-08-29T02:41:00.003-05:00

Life here in Kijabe is many things. One thing I have added to that list is "green". Now I am by no means a tree hugging environmentalist. My environmental philosophy goes something like this: I care for the creation but worship the Creator. Anyway, no doubt about it life here is considerably greener than our old life in the US. A few examples:

We have no heat and no a/c. We have a fireburning fireplace for the cold months (which is essential because, yes, there are cold places in Africa and Kijabe in July is one of them). It never gets hot enough to want or need an AC.

My refrigerator is slightly bigger than the one in my dorm at Brumby Hall at UGA. But you know what? We manage. We get creative with packing things in there and it is fine. Our oven is also tee-tiny. It does have 4 burners and can hold exactly one pan in the oven. But it also works fine for our family.

Our hot water heater runs for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. We have warm showers and enough warm water to wash out dishes through the day.

We grow some of our food in our garden and buy a lot of our food locally.

We have a car that we drive occasionally. We drive it locally due to the steep terrain and the logistics of shopping and walking along dangerous roads with three little kids. But when we drive it locally it is never more than a mile round trip. Rhett walks to work each day. We drive further to Nairobi a few times a month.

We do have a washer but no dryer. Which means that all of our clothes get hung out on a line to dry each day. Don't believe what those advertisements say about being "April Fresh" and "Windy Breeze" scented. If you are lucky your clothes smell like nothing. If the wind is blowing in the wrong direction there is a long list of unpleasant things your clothes can smell like.

So you see, I have enough carbon credits stored for the next little while to do exactly as I please. (I don't actually believe in carbon credits by the way :) So if you happen to run into me in the US and I'm driving around in an exceptionally large vehicle, idling at the drive thru with the windows down and AC cranked up just know that I'm working on that carbon credit balance and things are all good.

A blog worthy event . . .

2011-08-13T07:02:00.003-05:00

In my lack of blogging I've missed a few milestones. One, in particular, I needed to go back and document for our family. Back in May Ford learned how to ride a bike!

Normally, this is a huge deal for any little kid but considering the fact that he was 3 1/2, had his sister's rickety bike and a 20 x 20 concrete pad it is a small miracle.

Gus's thing is playing ball - Ford's is his bike. It is fun to see them doing things that reflect their own desires and interests. Ford spends a lot of time riding in circles around our little basketball court. Finally Rhett just said he thought he could do it and took his wheels off. I thought he was crazy. "He's three! He has to continually turn because the concrete area is so small - that's too hard! He needs to learn to go straight first!" I stood there making a million excuses why he couldn't do it while Rhett quickly removed the training wheels and Ford started riding his bike. So much for excuses!

We were all SO proud and jumping up and down from excitement. He was Mr. Cool just riding his bike like he'd been doing it for years. I love this boy.

'Round here

2011-08-12T05:11:00.002-05:00

What have we been doing?? Who knows! We had a steady stream of lovely visitors for a while. Rhett climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (which deserves it's own post) and other than that our days have been very normal. This is a busy time of the year in Kijabe because many people leave during the long school break so Rhett has been up to his eye-balls with work, being on call (a lot) and teaching responsibilities for various things. So what does "normal" look like? Here are some photos from the last few months . . .

I celebrated yet another birthday! I pray this year is the best one yet!

Gus woke up for the last time in his crib . . .

And took his first nap in a big boy bed . . .

We play with sticks in the dirt . . .

And we climb trees - oh, boy do we climb trees . . .

I wonder where they learn how to climb . . . oh yeah - they have good teachers!

Ford eats as much passion fruit as he can handle . . .

We play "muddy river" and get a little dirty . . .

So we build a little bridge . . .

We turn roller skates into pets and take them everywhere . . .

We turn rakes into horses and race around the yard . . .

We bite on sticks for some unknown reason . . .

We bite on sticks because our big brother did . . .

We love our dog, Kuli . . .

We drink chai with our outside worker, Jesse . . .

We spot the most amazing birds in our yard . . .

Gus has this reaction to his first day of potty training . . .

But is getting the hang of it!

Claire read Green Eggs and Ham so she got to eat some green eggs of her own . . .

The boys drink more chai and eat more passion . . .

Claire prefers hers black (with sugar) like her Mama . . .

And when you are learning how to use the potty and you don't have a dryer it can get a little complicated . . .

So that is us - every day. Some big stuff and a lot of little stuff that makes up our life. It's wonderful.

2

2011-06-22T08:14:00.002-05:00

I was looking back a my posts and realized I missed a huge occasion! Gus turned two on May 5th! My little baby is no longer such a little baby. Sigh. I'm the only one around here mourning that fact however. With a fun birthday like Cinco de Mayo there will always be a party on his birthday (that will include yummy Mexican food and perhaps eventually a margarita or two :) We invited a new family over to celebrate with us and it was a fun evening.

Making cakes is NOT my thing even though I went to huge effort to have a ball shaped cake pan brought over and everything. Oh well. Rhett was quick to point out that I did the basketball lines all wrong but I did in fact follow the directions when I should have just looked at a basketball. Once again oh well.

Three special days with one special boy.

Gus is fiesty and tough. He loves to snuggle and loves his Mommy (as evidenced by him saying Mommy approximately 7,421 times a day). The only thing he loves more is a basketball. He has "mad skills" as his Daddy describes and spends most of his days with a ball in his hands. He is starting to play with his big brother and sister more and more. He adores Claire and has a beautiful beginning to a special brother relationship with Ford (meaning they spend a lot of time wrestling and chasing each other while laughing hysterically).

Every night when Rhett gets home he is greeted by little Gus, ball in hand, saying "Daddy, let go play ball" and off they go - loving it. When we moved into this house we had no idea what a blessing it was that we have a small basketball court in our yard. It is one of the only flat and one of the only paved places around and the only way Gus found his passion in young life!

Happy 2nd birthday to my little baby (no more).

X is for X-ray

2011-06-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

Ford has been fortunate enough to be included in the "3 year old" preschool this year even though he didn't turn 3 until October and is younger than all of the other kids. It has been great for him to have a "school" to go to one morning each week for a couple hours.

Today they were learning about the letter X and my new sweet new friend, Mardi, http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif needed some help taking the kids on a little field trip to the hospital to learn all about X-rays. I was happy to come along so I could take pictures and see what they were learning.

Taking a group of three and four year olds anywhere is very much like herding cats. We made it the 100 yards from Mardi's house to the hospital and through the hospital to the x-ray department without too much of a scene.

The kids liked guessing at the different parts of the body in the x-rays as our missionary radiologist gave them a nice talk all about x-rays!

Not long ago we took Claire's class to the dentist on her class field trip.

The kids had fun although I think they were all a little nervous. Other field trips she has gone on this month during their "community helper" unit are to the RVA laundry facility, the RVA cafeteria, the local mechanic, the post office, the local shop/restaurant/vegetable market. The grand finale is on Monday when we all go to a nearby cheese factory to see how they make cheese and enjoy some pizza. Definitely a different preschool experience!

Meanwhile, Gus hangs out with our houseworker Esther. This is how I found him the other day . . . enjoying his morning chai!

Whew!

2011-06-20T08:19:00.002-05:00

Once again time has gotten away from me on the ole blog. We have been alternating busy with sick for the past couple months and neither one is conducive to blogging unfortunately. I'll be back soon with a recap of our awesome visit with Rhett's sister and our trip to the coast and all the other goings on that have had us tied up.

Right now I'm trudging my way through Dietrich Bonhoffer's biography which I love but didn't realize was quite so "thick" since it is on my Kindle. But cool Kenyan June days are perfect for sitting in front of the fire and reading thankfully.

Back soon!

Easter and more

2011-05-09T06:37:00.002-05:00

Good Friday we had a family picnic up at the RVA playground which is the closest thing we have to a park here in Kijabe. Since going to the park was one of our very favorite things to do in the US and is something my kids miss we make an effort to have "park" outings a often as we can.

The only problem is that I didn't have much in terms of picnic foods hanging around. I really wanted to swing by Subway and pick up a couple of 6 inches but since it was a holiday they were closed ;) so I made a random picnic lunch consisting of fruit salad, almonds and pretzels. Rhett thought I was kidding and asked me to pass a sandwich - sorry honey. We did stop at the duka to pick up some of our favorite Ole chips but it actually was closed for the holiday. We tracked down some cold cokes though.

We ate our lunch and had some fun on the playground and climbing trees

Then we started a new family tradition that I'm really excited about. I heard about this somewhere and loved it! The idea is called a "Christmas tree cross" where you take the trunk of your Christmas tree and save it to make into a cross at Easter. I love the idea of connecting the birth and death/resurrection of Christ in this very concrete way for the kids. Unfortunately, our Christmas tree is a 3 ft tall plastic version that came in a box the size of a shoebox from Nakumatt. So I settled for the thing we do have plenty of this time of year - fire wood - and made our cross. We sat out in our yard on a blanket and read the story of the crucifixion to our kids and put the cross in the grass. It was probably one of my favorite moments since coming to Africa . . . sitting out on our little piece of the escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley watching our kids faces as they stared at the cross and listened to the story really got it. We reminded them that Friday was the Sad Day but we could rejoice because we knew that Sunday, the Happy Day, was coming!

Then Sunday did come and we ran out into the yard and covered our cross in flowers (which are thankfully about $2 for 20 stems of roses here plus the amazing flowers that grow in our yard).

We also enjoyed a really beautiful sunrise service at RVA and an egg hunt later that day. It was a really fun day that felt like a celebration - as it should!

We are all broken

2011-04-20T12:21:00.003-05:00

The other day I was reading the local newspaper and seeing the headlines around Africa of corruption, murder, revolutions, uprisings, famine, terrorists, suicide etc, etc. I caught myself thinking . . . "This place is SO broken". Images of the genocides, the child soldiers, disease, suffering and the ruthless hate and destruction that makes up a lot of recent history on this continent flashed before my eyes.

But then I had a moment of pause where I realized that in very general terms, yes, Africa is a very broken place. You don't have to visit here for very long to see that BUT I thought for a moment about my home in North American and I had flashes of all the brokeness there: materialism, pornography, Athesism, broken families, dying marriages, children abandoned to the streets or television-nannies, lost people clinging to pop culture for an identity and in turn loosing their own and it was very clear we are, in fact, just as broken - just in different ways.

Maybe at first thought you are saying "Really, Megan? Children stolen and made into killing machines comparable to the desire for $600 pairs of shoes?" and I hear you. I just think it is really easy to compare ourselves and our problems and our brokenness to others and make ours not seem so bad. It is easy to say "I realize we have problems but those folks over there in Timbuktu are REALLY messed up". Fair? No. True? Not really.

Life in North America is for the most part pretty. There are some gritty parts, I realize, but in general a lot of the brokenness of our world there is hidden behind a veneer of really pretty stuff. Here in Africa, not so much pretty stuff hiding the brokenness. It is all out there for the world to see.

The problem is where this feeling of "those Africans are really messed up and need my help" leads. It seems as though it brings really good intentioned people across oceans to bring their "resources" to help "fix" the problems here. Obviously I think there is high value in how one can help - I'll get to that - otherwise I wouldn't be here. However, it seems as though many people arrive to help not realizing that they too are or were very broken as well.

The idea that we have it all worked out and everything is great in America is deceiving for everyone. Mostly because it is not true but money does talk and for a long time we Americans have had a lot of it. We come with lots of money (aka "resources") and we try to shape things up a bit given our great knowledge of all things good. I'll stop there and refer you to an amazing book on this very subject "When Helping Hurts". We studied it last year and it really brought me through the trenches when it comes to how to think about helping the poor. I highly recommend it.

The power is in the idea that we are all broken - just in different ways. I can come along someone who is hurting, poor, needy (in any culture) and approach them with attitude of brokenness -

I, too, am broken in many ways and God has restored me and given me hope in these areas of my life but I continue to struggle in these other areas. I'm am seeking Him and asking for His provision and restoration in those areas.

Now I am a coming alongside them as a co-equal. We are in this struggle of life together. My testimony of faith and restoration can give strength and encourage someone who is suffering and in need of hope. No longer am I a superhero with lots of money who is coming to save the day - instead I am a friend and someone who cares and is willing to get in the filth of life to help my friend. This option is a lot messier and tougher than just throwing "resources" at the problem and running away.

So as I glanced at those headlines and had all of these thoughts and feelings I just kept thinking over and over again - we are all broken . . . just in different ways. That brings me so much comfort for some reason. Some days it feels like we are the only ones around who are broken but in truth our friends and everyone around us is just broken differently.

Thankfully, we have a Savior who knows all of our brokenness because He has walked with us and knows our pains and struggles. He is the one who offers restoration and healing for all of our brokenness. As this Holy Week continues my heart is grateful for the One who came not only to restore us but to love us. Our hope is in Him.

Excuses, excuses

2011-04-16T10:47:00.002-05:00

Sorry. I haven't been able to keep up my end of the bargain. I have a great excuse though . . . we had a wonderful house guest this week - our dear friend Christina who is an OB/GYN at Kapsowar Hospital here in Kenya. We met Christina at our SP orientation back in August 2009. We hit it off and spent a lot of time together because we were the only non-McCropder and non-Ecuador bound people in the group. So we shared a lot of meals and got to know each other. We have been so thankful that over the last 18 months we have been able to have lots of fun visits with our friend on various occasions. Luckily, Kijabe is in a central location and not far from Nairobi so it is easy for people to "drop by" and see us. Anyway, Christina had a conference near by and stayed here and commuted each day. It was fun, as usual, to have her around. We've been especially grateful for a consistent person in our children's lives to look forward to seeing and visiting. She is a great "Nina" to our three and they love her!

So per Christina'a encouragement I am telling this story on the blog. I didn't tell it earlier because I wasn't too sure I wanted to put it out there but she assured me that it was, indeed, hilarious and needed to be a part of our family history on the blog. If nothing else it will provide a story with which to embarrass Ford in front of his first girlfriend one day.

It happened back in January when we went to pick up Jo Jo and Doc from the guest house upon their arrival to Kenya. We headed over to a shopping mall to have lunch and do some shopping before taking them out to Kijabe. We sat in an outdoor patio area of a local restaurant, Java House. All was going well as we waited for our food until I looked up and noticed Ford standing by a potted plant on the patio. At first glance it seemed normal but upon closer inspection . . . I realized that my sweet little boy was, um, taking a leak in the potted plant at Java House.

I'm sure that is exactly what Grandparents want to see as they arrive to visit their grandchildren who live in Africa. I think it could only reinforce what ever preconceptions they might have of what living in Africa might do to otherwise well-mannered children. Pee pee. In a restaurant. I couldn't believe it.

In my shock I cried out "Ford! What are you doing??". I realize now I should have just played it off or somehow blocked the view of the 50 or so other patrons of the restaurant. When I called out he turned and as you can imagine that increased the mess that was previously well contained in the potted plant and was now forming a nice puddle on the floor.

Luckily my mother in law has a good sense of humor and found it quite funny. I was really in shock and I hoped my reaction at least showed everyone else around that this wasn't normal or accepted behavior. Ford looked just as surprised and I was and clearly didn't understand what he was doing was wrong. He is used to finding a nice spot in the yard and didn't realize that a restaurant would be much different. Sigh. What can I say? We don't get out much.

Here's a sign for ya

2011-04-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

Apparently turning your disobedient children over to the authorities is enough of a problem that a billboard was deemed necessary to address the problem. If only disobedience was taken this seriously in the U.S.!

We would like to invite Ford . . .

2011-04-09T12:41:00.002-05:00

Ford has accumulated quite a fan club of locals especially among the guards at the hospital. To most of them I am "Mama Ford". Maybe it is the blonde hair or something but they just take to him. Rhett said he was walking through the hospital the other day and someone said "Hi Baba Ford" and he thought - man Ford knows more people than I do around here! This was perfectly displayed when Ford (and Ford's family) were invited to a wedding of one of the guards - Isaac. He befriended us early on during our time here and we have enjoyed talking with him and learning of his upcoming marriage. We were all excited to go to the wedding.

It was the first Kenyan wedding for me and the kids in a town nearby here. The wedding was on Sunday and was part of the normal Sunday services. We had a lovely time at the wedding. We were surprised when the photographer approached us with a list and said "Are you Ford's family? You are next." So we all went up and had our picture taken with the bride and the groom on the steps of the church. We felt so honored. Isaac came by with a print of that photo which is now on our fridge so I can't share it but the happy couple, Isaac and Elizabeth, pictured above.

It is a good reminder that God is working through our whole family here. Children are so often very gifted in the art of making friends - which is really what we are all here to do.

My New Year's Resolution

2011-04-08T12:24:00.003-05:00

So my New Year's Resolution this year was to read as many books as possible with my goal being 52. There are so many books that I just haven't read that I should have so my focus is going to be adding a lot of classics to my list. However, I love non-fiction so I have to mix it up a bit. Here is what I've read so far . . .

1. Mornings on Horseback
2. The House at Pooh Corner*
3. Decision Points
4. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
5. The Hiding Place
6. The Pursuit of God
7. Dumbing Us Down
8. A Thomas Jefferson Education
9. The Case for Classical Christian Education
10. Repairing the Ruins
11. Disease Proof Your Child
12. Farmer Boy*
13. Oliver Twist
14. The Magicians Nephew
15. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
16. Nurture Shock
17. Mary on Horseback*

*These are read aloud to the kids but they are "real" books so they count! I only list them if I read all but a few chapters to them. We recently finished On the Banks of Plum Creek but I didn't list it because Rhett read more than a few chapter in it.

So there you have it. I've fallen off the wagon a bit recently but my new KINDLE is on it's way to Kenya from America as we speak so I will be slowly working down my wish list on Amazon and hitting up many of the free classics available for download. Wish I'd had it earlier - I would have saved a lot of money, time and effort moving books around the world in various people's suitcases.

I wish I had the time to talk about each book but, alas, I am but a novice blogger so I'm just going to give you my list. Happy Reading!

The Horn

2011-04-07T12:57:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago Rhett had the opportunity to travel to the "Horn" of Africa (sorry I'm being so cryptic but it is a sensitive area - check your map if you don't know where I'm talking about). Some physicians here have a wonderful relationship with the medical school in this country and make trips every few months to provide classroom teaching and clinical teaching on rounds in the hospital as well has perform many surgical cases. This is basically all the knowledge they receive outside of a book their entire medical education. This country and it neighbors have been ravaged by war for almost 20 years. They went for almost 13 years graduating no doctors in their country which has now left a generational gap in teaching the upcoming doctors not to mention an huge shortage of healthcare providers for a country still at war and constantly on the verge of crisis and famine.

Rhett was thankful to be able to be a part of this ministry to the people in this country. They are very welcoming and thankful for the doctors who come alongside them to help restore their country in many, many ways. There is a person working among these people on a full time basis and when Rhett asked him how many Christians were in this city he said "none that I know of". Rhett also asked him about the relationships he had made in the community and with his neighbors and if he felt like he had any genuine affection or loyalty from those people and he said no. Can you imagine working in a place like this? Rhett likened it to winter in Narnia. Just a wasteland with no hope. Thank God there is hope in Jesus Christ but this is the hope these people are living without. Instead they are oppressed religious laws and a country at tenuous peace as their neighbor (who they have declared themselves sovereign from but no international body will recognize) slips further and further into the abyss of anarchy, radicalism, starvation and brutality. We pray for the light of Christ to bring spring to the eternal winter in this part of the world.

Last Installment

2011-04-06T13:49:00.001-05:00

Here is the last installment of our great trip around Kenya with Rhett's parents. After our fun time on the farm we headed over to Nakuru National Park for an overnight stay and a drive through the game park. We stayed at a very cool place that was much more rustic (think lantern light) but really great. It took quite a bit of effort to get there but it was worth it.

This was the amazing common area in the "lobby" of the hotel which was really a collection of thatched roof lava rock open air buildings. If this doesn't beckon you to come have a lounge I don't know what does.

Rudy agreed.

We sat for a while and sipped mango juice then headed to our cottage.

We had a huge family cottage that had a queen bed, two twins and a crib with plenty of room to spare. When traveling with 3 small kids rooms like this are not taken for granted. It was fabulous. We had another great porch where we sat and read aloud in the afternoon.

I know, you are thinking how romantic those mosquito nets are draped around the bed. I have to tell you they go from sexy to annoying in about 15 minutes when you have to sleep under one every night. However, they do allow you to sleep without interruption from mosquitoes buzzing in your ear (the worst). I digress . . .

This is a terrible picture but bear with me it was dark. This is where we ate dinner - all. by. ourselves. Another dream of parents traveling with young children - a private dining room! It was a really beautiful setting and was so intimate and fun to be alone and feel like we had the whole place to ourselves. Someone ran out to the car to get something at some point before dinner (but after dark) and a security guy quickly was by their side. Apparently it isn't uncommon for water buffalo (very dangerous) to wander inside the camp to find water. Sooo, everywhere you went there was a nice guy with a lantern and big stick following you around looking cautiously around for buffalo (and I'm assuming other critters too). After dinner we were escorted back to our cottage to find it aglow in beautiful lantern light, beds prepared (mosquito nets drawn and hot water bottles under the sheets) beckoning us.

The bathroom was amazing and I really don't care too much about bathrooms. It was all made of stone and had shower for two and was just very unique. While Ford and Claire took advantage of the double shower (sweet! Two at once and no one complaining they are cold!) Gus completely vetoed the shower and ended up in the sink. Which made for a cute picture so it was OK.

Predawn I was slightly awakened by a rumbling noise. I couldn't place it so I just went back to sleep. At breakfast our server asked us if we had heard the LIONS roaring early that morning! Now that is what I call a wake up call! We took off for the park that morning. Our final stop on the way home to Kijabe.

Here are some pictures of the park. It is a little different of an experience that going to the bigger game parks. You can drive your own vehicle around Nakuru and it has a system of roads. It basically surrounds Lake Nakuru which once was almost completely pink because of the thousands of flamingos that came to the lake but drought has sent many of them away although there were more this time than when we were here over a year ago. It was a fun way to end our trip!

Gus-a-boo

2011-04-05T11:56:00.003-05:00

This little chicken wing only knows Africa as home. All of the crazy and sometime strange things that surround us are totally normal to him. Some things that seem "normal" to me aren't so much to him. Today we hired someone to cut our grass with a lawn mower. Up until today we have hired people with machete-like blades (these workers are called "Slashers" for lack of a better adjective). This was the first time Gus had every seen such a thing - and in his own yard! - can you imagine his excitement! He kept calling it a car because he didn't know what else to call it and sat by a window for about 15 minutes watching the grass get cut.

We call him Gus-a- boo or Gussy a lot - just for fun. He is extremely independent. If you reach out to hold his had he will hold it for a second and then it's as if he remembers "Oh, I forgot! I don't do that." and he makes a quick drop with a firm "NO!". But he is a cuddler and so so sweet too. He loves to give hugs and they usually come with a running start and outstretched arms. He keeps up with the big kids in the house (including the dangerous things like jumping off of the furniture and climbing the security bars). He loves books and I'll often find him in his room sitting in his rocking chair looking at a book by himself. He sings the "ABC" song and tries to count (especially before he jumps off of something so I at least have 3 seconds warning if I have my ears on!).

He's not a huge eater. His favorites are cereal and milk, yogurt, broccoli, green beans and raisins. He loves to wrestle with his brother but Ford usually ends up putting him in a choke hold at some point and he looses the match. He and Ford both love to get naked and run laps around the house while shouting "I'm noonie, I'm noonie, I'm noonie, noonie, noonie!". It's a pretty catchy tune. He sleeps from 7pm to 7am although he has been known to sleep as late as 8:30 (and I've been known to put him to sleep as early as 6:30 as needed). He naps from 1-3ish. Easiest kid you've every seen to put to bed. Thank you Lord.

But the thing that is most important to Gus is basketball. The people who lived here before us put in a concrete pad and basketball goal and that is where Gus spends most of his day. He gets right out there in the big group of 9-12 year old boys who congregate at the court and dribbles and shoots and feels like one of the boys. They have learned not to take the ball away from Gus because he wants to play too. He spends hours out there every day and just loves it.

This post was going to be mostly pictures of Gus but I got going and couldn't stop talking about my precious little thing that brings SO much joy to my life every. single. day. I'm excited to see what God does in his life and through him. He has created him for just those very purposes and it will be a pleasure and a blessing to walk beside him and watch his story unfold. Here are some fun pictures of our little boy who will be 2 next month!!

Everyone loves Nutella, right?

riding a tricycle at my parents' house (he is making motorcycle noises to narrate his experience).

He is smiling even though his Mommy puts him in cute lion outfits on safari :)

Real men have ball for lovies!

He couldn't even put it down to eat!

Testing the potty out. His face is usually about that dirty most of the time but the bathroom floor is quite clean it is just old and looks dirty all of the time!

What we do all day

2011-04-04T12:28:00.002-05:00

I'm short on time tonight but I don't want to back out of our little deal so here are some every day pictures. A snapshot of life.

A little school.

And lots and lots of books. A lot.

A lot of games and a lot of puzzles. A lot.

And a little preschool with friends.

We play in the rain.

And get a little dirty.

And read more books.

And help out around the house.

What I miss (and what I don't)

2011-04-03T08:08:00.002-05:00

We have now lived in Africa for almost 18 months. We are heading into the last six months of our two year commitment with World Medical Mission. Several people recently have asked me if I feel like I am in the home stretch or downward slide but I don't really. Honestly, I feel like I have just really gotten adjusted to living here. It takes time and I guess in my case it took even longer. I'm pretty sure the preschool years with three kiddos are some of the tougher times in mothering but by leaving all of my family, friends and support system during these years was, um, exceptionally challenging. I've been the only mom of all preschoolers in lower station (the non RVA part of Kijabe) for the entire time we've been here. I've REALLY missed the community and support and fun of sharing life with other women in the same stage of life as me. If I'm being honest it has been pretty lonely at times. But I feel like I am at a point where I can safely look at our life and assess what I really miss about home and what I don't.

It goes without saying that we miss our family. But it is so much more than that. We have missed weddings, birthdays, holiday celebrations and a handful of major illnesses and a few major surgeries. We've missed life with the people we love the most. That is the hardest part. Our nephews are 4 and 2 and changing just as fast as our kids do. They know us mostly via Skype. Our kids are familiar with our family but don't truly know them, as much as I hate to admit it. I'd say this is more true for my 1 year old and 3 year old who don't have many memories to build off of pre-Africa. It is much easier for my 5 year old who has references and memories that we can talk about, laugh about and she can ask me questions about. But we've managed with a lot of love, support and understanding from our family. We know it hasn't been easy for them and they have offered a tremendous sacrifice for us to be here. I am an only child and had very few relationships with extended family growing up (I was a military kid and lived far away a lot of my life too). It is painful to walk away from the family that I have now because it is always something that I have prayed for and desired. This is tough stuff.

On a lighter note, the next thing I really miss is driving. We have a car here that I drive locally around Kijabe. Picture me driving on the right side of the car, left side of the rocky, sometimes/somewhat paved roads dodging donkeys, school children and other obstacles while my children bounce around happily unrestrained in the back and my one year old sits shotgun (also unrestrained although sometimes he likes to sit in my lap and pretend to drive). This is all I can handle so I don't take the next step which is to drive on the insane roads and highways. Rhett on the other hand has driven a truck on a muddy hillside in Honduras, a motorcycle through the jungle in Peru and now he takes to the highways of Kenya like a Matatu driver :) What I really miss is jumping in my car and driving off to do whatever I had in mind that day - listening to the radio - chatting with a friend on the phone - or just relaxing and enjoying the drive. No enjoyment on the road here. It is stressful and dangerous. I also really miss driving at night (not safe on the roads here because people drive without lights on and bandits are on the roads). It would be nice to not have to plan our day around the fact that we must return by sunset.

I miss not being able to just go out and get whatever we need. That might sound a little materialistic but I don't mean it that way. I have to plan weeks to sometimes months to get things that we want or need. I can't just realized that the kids are almost out of vitamins and run to the store to get them. There are many things available in Nairobi but the cost can be prohibitive ($40 Barbies, $80 duplo blocks) so you better plan in advance for birthday gifts for your kids! Gus will be potty trained this summer so I better arrange for someone to bring over some big boy pants for him - I can't just run to Target and pick some up. I guess along this same idea is how far I have to plan food shopping and meals. Some things are available locally but a lot of things are only available in Nairobi. I have to plan pretty far in advance for meals. I also miss the spontanaity of Rhett coming home from work and saying "let's go get Mexican!" as I breath a sigh of relief for being off the hook for dinner and happily head on over to Sol Azteca for a #18 special and some cheese dip (and drive home in the dark :)

So what DON'T I miss about being in the States . . .

TV. I really don't miss it at all. We watch movies and DVDs on our computer so we aren't completely devoid of entertainment. I wouldn't mind watching the news and I know Rhett would like to watch some ball games but it is something that is gone from our life and it is really nice not to have the distraction and time waster. We wonder what we will do back in America? 186 channels seems a little overwhelming from where we are sitting. I did hear that you can suspend Directv for up to 6 months of the year so I'm proposing a May - August shut off at our house in America.

I don't miss feeling like I need to DO something and not know exactly how to do it. I remember being moved and inspired so many times by scripture or teaching to go and make a difference, help someone, minister and disciple - live out my faith. I also remember feeling really confused as to how to actually do that. I felt like I had to seek out an opportunity, find the time in my day or my week to go and do something. I guess just by being here I am doing something by supporting Rhett in his work (although a lot of days I am just trying to make it until nap time and feel just as far from making an actual impact as I was before). However, it doesn't take long before need shows up at my backdoor. A friend is in need and I can help. Not always with money but just some encouraging words and bearing their burden with them. Need just seems a little more accessable here although I think no there are were a lot of needs around me I just didn't see them as needs or know how to respond. This is probably going to be the toughest part of re-entry for Rhett whose work and faith and service are all jumbled together in a really wonderful way here. I really pray that he is able to figure out how to live out a little of what he has learned here in that context. It will be a challenge, I know.

I do not miss not having a personal relationship with the people I encounter in my everyday life. Kijabe is a bit like Mayberry in that I know the shop keeper, the people in the market, the person who delivers my paper, the guards at the hospital. They are the same people day after day and we have become friends. Life in the US seemed a little bit anonymous. I might see a few familiar faces in various shops or at the bank but it wasn't the level of friendship I have with people here. Actually, the only person in the US that I remember have a relationship with was a bagger at Publix who was Kenyan! It is nice to have people notice that you haven't been to the market that week or inquire about your family member who has been sick.

So 18 months ago I would have had a different list I'm sure. It would have been long on the lack of conveniences of the USA which start to fade after a while and become more annoyances than anything else. But the rolling black outs, occasional water outage and slower internet just sort of become part of your life and you deal. Now I feel like a have a little bit better perspective just in time for my life to turn upside down again in 6 months!

Baby Rhett

2011-04-02T11:49:00.002-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to a very special little boy - Baby Rhett!

You might be a little confused right now but let me explain. This little cutie pie is not a Shirley. His mother, Lydia, is a diabetes educator in the hospital. While she was pregnant my husband Rhett found out a peculiar thing about the culture here in Kenya. You do not speak of your pregnancy and nor does anyone else until the baby is actually born. No rude old ladies rubbing your preggo belly here. Everyone just ignores the fact that you are pregnant until you actually have the baby then you make a big announcement that you had a baby! I thought maybe it was because so many women loose babies before they are born but when I asked around I was told that it was really more of a tradition and superstition than anything else. Anyway, we had just learned about this and so, of course, Rhett asked one of the pregnant women he knew about it - Lydia. She was gracious and thought his inquisitiveness was kind and fun. Another tradition here in Kenya is that you are called Mama ______ (your oldest child's name) so I am Mama Claire (although I'm called Mama Ford or Mama Gus by others who know them better). So Rhett teased Lydia by calling her Mama Rhett (meaning that he baby was named Rhett - not that he was the Dad - just be to be clear :) She thought it was fun and was a good sport about his teasing.

Fast forward to October 27, 2010. Lydia gives birth to a beautiful baby boy named . . . Rhett! She said she like the way "Mama Rhett" sounded when Rhett called her that and that the baby always moved when Rhett talked to her. She said that Rhett was a man who feared God and that was what they prayed for their son. Rhett was honored beyond belief at having a baby named after him! Can you tell?

The only problem is that most people around here have an awful lot of trouble with "R"s - especially his father's tribe (they are an inter-tribal marriage). So poor little Rhett will likely be Whett to many he knows, including his family. Lydia and Moses (Baby Rhett's father) took him to Meru to meet his extended family after his birth and he was blessed with a gift of 3 goats to start his herd. We are absolutely smitten with this adorable little boy and are thankful that we have a very special, lifelong connection with him. I know we are a little biased but isn't he the cutest thing EVER??

A blog a day . . .

2011-04-01T05:54:00.005-05:00

Hello! Happy April! In order to attempt to redeem myself for those of you who are still reading my blog I am going to post every day in the month of April! No this is not an April Fool's joke! I'm not sure what I'll post about. Maybe one or two of the hundred or so posts I've mentally penned over the last year or so, maybe a picture or story or just tell you what we did that day. Who knows! So to celebrate I'm going to start with one of my favorite kind of posts: A Few of My Favorite things. I will not be giving away free stuff like Oprah but it will be fun anyway.

1. Pattern Blocks

I am not a math person (just ask my Algebra teacher Mrs. Brightwell). However I'm trying to help my children overcome my disdain of all things math and make it really fun for them! So I bought these pattern blocks here as part of our home school stuff and they are awesome! HOURS of play and entertainment for my kids. My 3 year old is especially enamored by them as was the whole group of 4K kids that I have taught at my house the last two months. Highly recommend. They are great for fine motor skills and build their little math brains!

2. Pop Corn Air Popper

Man I love this thing. I bought it at Walmart when we were in the States and brought it back with us. You can also buy it here but it was cheaper at Walmart. We use this every day. I can buy a big ole bag of popcorn kernels and pop up a very healthy and cheap snack in no time - no oil, no hydrogenated fats or suspicious yellow powder. Yum!

3. MOVIE NIGHT!

When we moved to Africa we were anxious to find ways to keep our family connected with our family 9,000 miles away. One of the things we came up with was Movie Night which we have on our family members' birthdays! For example, even though it is Uncle Bobby's birthday far away in America we have a bit of a party here in his honor! This is the only time we have movie night so it makes it really special. We roast marshmellows in our fire place, eat popcorn (see above), let the kids make pallets on the living room floor where we eat, watch a movie and let the kids sleep in the living room all night. It has been a great way to celebrate each member of our family throughout the year. I think it is a tradition we will keep no matter how many miles are between us!

(This is an old picture of Ford from last summer - he does NOT have his paci anymore!)

4. Treasury of Story Book Classics DVDs

What is this book and DVD? Oh yes. I stumbled upon this neat set of dvds that is actually a book being read aloud. Of course it is not even close to a replacement for actually sitting down to read a good book but if you are going to watch a dvd why not slip some bookage in there too? Some of these are slightly animated, some are just still photos of the illustrations but they are engaging. Claire has mentioned plots or characters to many of the books on these dvds and I've thought "when did I read that?" then realized it was on the dvd. They are short enough to be healthy for the kids and long enough for me to take a shower. Obviously you buy them on sale only.

So there you have it my first of 30 posts this month. We hope you enjoy some of our favorite things too!

Down on the farm again.

2011-03-29T02:59:00.000-05:00

After our trip to the Mara we continued our journey to one of my favorite places Kembu Farm. We made our first trip to the farm for Rhett's birthday last year and we thought Rhett's parents would really enjoy it. It is a beautiful colonial farmhouse on a working farm (300 acres I think) that has dairy cows, thoroughbred horses and many other fun things. There are cottages spread out over the property that are all unique and very quaint. We stayed in a different cottage this time that had an amazing! front porch where we spent most of our time just reading and playing and dozing. Bliss.

Our cottage

Time to milk the cows!

(Like my new glasses? $7 from Zenni - nice.)

Feeding the calves.

The "Calf Cottages".

Now for the most magnificent creatures ever.

Claire and Ford went to collect the eggs in the morning.

Our awesome porch where it doesn't matter if your child runs around in a diaper like a redneck :)

Out on a farm walk!

Our next stop was a rose farm near Kembu. There are A LOT of flower farms in Kenya. The flowers make up a huge part of the economy here and are one of the main exports. The flowers grown here go straight to Holland then on the world market. We see lots of these farms int he area where we live but they were a bit of a mystery as to what went on inside them. We were thankful for the opportunity to get a little peek. Here are where your roses come from:

Inside on of the greenhouses.

This one farm exports 100,000 rose stems A DAY!

We sounded like a bunch of dorks as we went on and on about how nice the roses smelled and we were gently told that they were in fact unscented roses. Ahem, of course.

One more chapter of our trip to come!

Part II

2011-03-29T02:11:00.002-05:00

More pictures from our great safari!

Gus is looking at the hippos in the river from our camp. All the tents face the river and you can hear the hippos in the early morning (or if you are lucky you can hear them all night like Rudy and Jo Anne).

I love this picture of Rudy. It kind of sums up the safari for him. He was watching elephants when I took this. Our driver kept wanting to move on and he would say no, no just a little while longer. He loved it and it was so much fun to see how much he enjoyed it.

A very pregnant lioness.

A lilac breasted roller.

Rhett and Ford watching a cheetah with a fresh kill.

Our walking safari out in the bush.

More lactation.

Way overdue

2011-03-29T01:59:00.002-05:00

I tried to do a big post with all of the pictures from Rhett's parent's trip to Kenya. The pictures wouldn't post, I got some "bad request" response from blogger so I gave up thankful that I had copied everything I had already typed. I had to walk away for a while but now I'm back and going to get this series of posts done! Here we go!

In January Rhett's parents made the trek to Kenya to visit us! We were so excited to have visitors and to share with them what we do here!

We gave them one day to get settled before we headed out for our safari in the Masai Mara. You might be growing wearing of safari pictures on our blog by now! We drove this time which was quite an adventure itself. Rhett's mom and I bonded while being bounced around in the back of our van for several hours.

We finally made it and got into safari mode pretty quickly! Here are Jo Jo and Doc trying to keep up with Gus in his one speed: run.

Here are some of our favorite safari pictures:

A nursing giraffe . . . to go along with pictures of nursing elephants and hippos. Great lesson on mammals for the kids who think it is so cute!

Rhett at work

2011-03-06T03:18:00.005-06:00

I've often wanted to tail Rhett around the hospital and snap some pictures of him at work but, even without asking, I knew he wouldn't go for that. Luckily when Rhett's parents came for their recent visit (post on that soon) his Dad rounded with him and spent the day in the hospital seeing what he does here and he snapped some great pictures.

Rhett on rounds with his team of mid-level practitioners and interns. He is in a teaching role here at Kijabe so a lot of his time is spent in medical educations with Kenyan trainees.

This is the hallway in the Women's Ward ("Salome") where Rhett is the Attending Physician about half of the time. Off of the hallway are rooms which are shared by 6-8 people. There is also a larger open area in the ward that has many beds all together.

This is "Casualty" or the ER. There are 6 or 8 beds here all together. It can get quite crowded during a big trauma as you can imagine.

Rhett and his Dad outside the hospital.

This is Rhett's little office where he works on the HIV/AIDS programing and prepares a lot of the lectures that he gives.

Here is Jo Anne outside of casualty.

Here is a picture of our house! I don't think I've ever shared one before. This gives you a better idea of where we live!

And our shopping center

This is us having dinner at our one and only local restaurant Mama Chikus.

More to come soon!

Latest letter to our supporters . . .

2011-01-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Kijabe Mission Station is the largest collection of Americans in Kenya. This is driven by the presence of Rift Valley Academy, an American boarding school for missionary children from all over east and central Africa. Kijabe Hospital has a mix of western and Kenyan leadership. I am one of eleven non-Kenyan full-time physicians, and there are many people frequently coming and going. However, I am blessed to work with predominately Kenyan colleagues, and recently have found myself in several situations in which I was the only white face for many miles.

“Daktari, unataka kuja na kuhubiri?” It was an invitation to come and talk, even preach! On a rainy, muddy day, I had gathered in a one-room schoolhouse with approximately 150 HIV-infected Kenyans to celebrate World AIDS Day 2010. I relished the opportunity to come and show my support for the daily fight against HIV/AIDS, and I enjoyed the singing and dancing and general celebrations to mark the occasion. But I had not planned on speaking. I would have been privileged to accept had an invitation been extended, but one had not until the microphone was being held in my direction with an expectant audience.

Now let me preface this by saying that I have great wonder and admiration for skilled communicators who can stand before an audience and eloquently express themselves, and I lament that this is not a talent that I possess. But here was the microphone, and a room full of dark eyes was on me. So, I prayed a soft prayer, and I stood up.

While seated, God had laid an image on my heart. I was looking at a room full of HIV infected men, women, and children who had walked long distances in the rain and mud to celebrate life. Ten years ago, all of these people would be dead or dying without hope, but God had provided a way where there was no way. So, I talked about a disease from which there is no escape, no cure, no hope, and once infected the inevitable result is death. Our sin is like that, but in Jesus Christ, God has provided a way where there was no way. So we have reason to celebrate. We can stand in life’s rainstorms and travel along life’s muddy paths with joy and celebration because we who were once dead in sin are now alive in Christ.

On the morning of December 24, Christmas Eve, I loaded in the back of an ambulance with my Kenyan colleagues to travel around the region and bring some small gifts of clothes and food to destitute patients in our area. The first stop was to a one-room wooden structure with a dirt floor where a grandmother alone cared for 9 grandchildren. The number had recently been eight, but her fifteen year-old granddaughter had recently delivered a child that was the result of hiring herself to an older man for 100 kenyan shillings (about $1.30). Seeing this child in this home, my thought was not how she could think so little of herself, but how valuable even 100 shillings was in their extreme poverty. It is hard to know how to help such situations (of which there are countless), but as Christians our wealth should not ever be considered a blessing to ourselves, it is meant to be a blessing to others.

That same day I met a man who graciously invited me into his home and proudly extended his hand to me and said, “my name is John and I have been HIV positive for eight years.” Thinking that this was a strange way to introduce yourself, I took his hand and said, “my name is Rhett and I have been HIV negative for 32 years.” Humor is always risky here because you never know how it is going to translate across languages and cultures. Fortunately, this occasion was met with laughter all around.

Most recently, I just returned from a curriculum development work retreat for our HIV training program. I was again the only mzungu (white person) in the bunch, and had a productive time with my Kenyan friends and colleagues. We accomplished much toward our goal of providing excellent training for HIV care providers throughout Kenya. However, the highlight of my week, was when one friend looked at me and said, “your not like other wazungu, you are one of us.” It doesn’t get better than that in cross-cultural ministry, and I praise God that He has put me in positions to serve Him, and given me the grace to do so.

While I am having dynamic cross-cultural experiences, Megan has played a difficult and invaluable supportive role to make our ministry possible. She has been a steady force for our three children; playing the role of teacher, birthday party planner, counselor, cook, and on and on. She continues to admirably perform the thankless job of organizing hospitality for the many visitors that are crucial to the success of Kijabe Hospital. I am endlessly thankful for her tremendous, and oft unrecognized efforts. Claire has turned 5, and we are infinitely proud of the little person that she has become. Ford and Gus spend their days running around barefoot and getting dirt in the most unlikely places. They are becoming close friends. We eagerly anticipate my parents’ first visit to Africa next week, and are excited to spend time together as a family.

With Great Love,

Rhett, Megan, Claire, Ford and Gus

Recent recap

2011-01-07T11:20:00.002-06:00

It's been a while once again so here is a recap of all that has been going on in our part of the world.

We spend most of every day outside enjoying the fantastic weather that this time of year brings. The kids eat lunch outside every day and generally end up so dirty by mid day I have to hose them off. They ride bikes, climb trees, put on plays, make mud pies, play in our play house . . . for hours. It is wonderful.

In mid December I helped on the hospital staff Christmas party committee. Being the only non-Kenyan involved in the planning process was quite a cultural experience. I was delegated decorations and asked to be at the party site at 8am the day of the party to decorate the tents for the party that started at 10am. I arrived to find a few guys attempting to unload 4 huge tents and several hundred chairs from a truck. Not much for me to decorate at that point. I finally tracked someone down and asked where the decorations were so I could see what I had to work with. She pulled a small shopping sack out from under her desk with two bags of balloons and two spools of ribbon. I realized I now had about an hour and a half to blow up about a hundred balloons and make several dozen bows. I enlisted some help in the business office and somehow made it happen. Luckily for me nothing here starts remotely on time so we did eventually finish the decorations which looked more like a pep rally than a Christmas party but it worked.

The dance contest was the most interesting part of the all day event. The only mzungu who entered won. The dancing is as bad as it looks. I cringed the whole time.

What is a party without food?? There was plenty to go around even with this loong line! Word to the wise - be very cautious of large quantities of food prepared in a developing world situation. Everyone you see in this picture had diarrhea the next day. We just ate rice and chipatis and thus were spared.

Because it doesn't exactly "feel" like a North American Christmas I have found I have to be very intentional with "Christmas" things. It is very nice to be away from some of the commercialization and busyness of the Christmas season at home but at the same time some of those special things that happen only once a year are cultural clues that help build anticipation of the big day. Christmas here is definitely different. It is simple and pure and lovely in a lot of ways. But it isn't very Christmasy. We did make cookies several times and luckily I have finally figured out how to bake at this altitude so they were actually good this year.

One of the highlights of this Christmas season was having the entire AIDS Relief Program over to our house for a Christmas party. I worked for two days preparing food and getting everything ready. We had sent out invitations that invited everyone over at 1pm on this day (typical Kenyan lunch time). I had times everything perfectly and had everything hot and on the table, Christmas music playing and waited anxiously for the first guests to arrived. 1:10. 1:15. 1:35. 1:50. No one. At this point I am stewing and Rhett is giving me a lecture on culture and how I shouldn't have expected anyone to actually show up at the stated time. To which I am replying in my very self centered American way that they should realize I am an American and when I say 1pm I mean it! 2:00. Still no one. The food is cold. Finally about 2:10 people start coming in. Lesson learned. I should have put 11:30 on the invitation :)

It was simply wonderful opening our home to all of Rhett colleagues (he is the only mzungu in the department). I am so thankful for the amazing friendships and relationships that Rhett has made with these people over the past 14 months. When talking with some of his friends he learned that none of them had ever been invited into a missionary home before in fact they all thought that we (missionaries) had been told not to socialize with them (Kenyans). This really upset Rhett because we are here to make relationships and encourage them in the work they do here. This party could not have been more timely to demonstrate our appreciation and commitment to them and our friendship.

Our kids could not have been more excited about this party. We are SO grateful for the impact it is having on our children to see us using our home as a place of ministry and home that is open to all people of all colors and backgrounds. I think about how a lot of well intentioned white Americans teach their children about equality and yet never have a person of color around their dinner table.

After lunch everyone took to the basketball court and it kind of turned into field day!

Then we all gathered in our driveway where everyone started impromptu singing then came time for "appreciation". Each person who, in general comes across as reserved and stoic in this culture, began profusely thanking us not only for our efforts for the party and hosting them in our home but for coming to Kenya and being here with them. They said some of the nicest things I could ever imagine being said about anyone to Rhett. They were very clear how much he meant to them, how different and special his friendship was and how much they appreciated his work with them. We were taken aback. We had invited them to show them how much we appreciate THEM and here they were all one by one going around and thanking us. I told them all how much I appreciated their sacrifices and how it was a privilege for us to come along side them and help them in ministry to their people. These are people who have given up better pay and benefits to work at a Mission hospital caring for the people in their country suffering from HIV/AIDS in the context of the gospel. They are heroes in my mind. They will never receive much more recognition than they received that day but they are certainly to be admired.

It was a really important moment for me as well. In most ways I don't really get to see or experience what Rhett does on a daily basis which is basically why we are here. My days are spent mostly in our house and yard feeding children, reading to children, cleaning up messes made by children, disciplining children and otherwise loving my children. Which is the best job in the world and the one I've wanted my whole life but sometimes it seems like my whole life takes place in the space of our yard and I forget why we are here which is so that Rhett can come along side these incredible people and help train them and mentor them and encourage them in their ministry in addition to the mercy and care that he provides for the patients in the hospital. As I sat and listened to everyone talk about how much Daktari Rhett meant to them personally it helped me find a balance in my mind and heart as I really saw for the first time the impact we have had here.

I didn't expect this update to go quite this long more later.

Homeschool

2010-11-25T06:42:00.002-06:00

So one of the new responsibilities I have taken on since moving to Kenya is homeschool. I realize that my kids are still preschool age but we all know that Kindergarten is the new first grade which makes 4K the new Kindergarten! I came prepared to make sure that my little ones were getting the enrichment that they needed at this age the best way I can provide here in this setting. Since I peruse homeschool blogs and always find what other people are doing very interesting I thought I do a quick update on what exactly we are doing for "school" this year!

First, I think I've learned that it is easiest to fit "school" in as we go about our normal day. I just want for them to really get the idea that there is a big wonderful world that God made out there that is ready for us to explore. Claire is the only one doing any sit down school work so we just do little spurts throughout our day - 15 minutes of math after breakfast, 10 minutes of handwriting before we go on a walk, 30 minutes of read aloud time (our favorite) whenever!

Here is the basics of the curriculum that I am using this year. Claire is still 4. She turns 5 in December so she will be in Kindergarten next school year. I feel like she is ready to take on K level things so we are basically starting K now based more on her age than the fact that she was born 4 months after the K cut-off age. Since I am her teacher I can do what I want! I don't have to wait until September because of a school calendar so that is nice.

Core curriculum:
Sonlight K with readers 1

Reading:
Headsprout (we started this awhile ago - we are finishing up the first 40 episodes).
BOB books
Modern Curriculum Press Phonics Readers

Handwriting:
A Reason for Handwriting K

Phonics:
Explode the Code 1

Math:
Singapore Math Earlybird A & B

Art:
Artistic Persuits

I really enjoyed researching different options and coming up with what I think will work well for our family. Last year I did the Sonlight 4/5 curriculum with Claire and loved it. Moving into the K level seemed natural. I LOVE the emphasis on great literature and reading that Sonlight offers. Read aloud time is precious to us and I love bonding over good books with my kids. I feel like I am knitting them into their childhood and we all love it. Even for non-home school families I would recommend looking at the Sonlight read alouds for your child's age level and using it as a guide for reading material or library check outs. I am thankful for the guidance it has given me. I would have underestimated Claire's ability if not for Sonlight.

I can recommend all of the resources I am using this year. Headsprout reading is amazing. It is a computer based reading program recommended to me by a friend who is a reading specialist. It has worked great for Claire in teaching her how to read and also teaching her basic computer skills. Singapore Math and A Reason for Handwriting are new to us but we are enjoying both a lot so far.

It is a joy to be able to teach my children and experience all of their new discoveries first hand. It is also nice to have them be learning so much but still have a day to day life that for the most part involves making mud pies, playing dress up, play dough, doll house, barbies and getting filthy dirty every day.

An American Girl Birthday

2010-11-25T02:48:00.002-06:00

We decided to celebrate Claire's birthday a little early while we were in the US with our family. She has recently really gotten into American Girls and well, I'm excited. I love dolls and all things little girly and these dolls are just so much fun and sweet. Since there is an American Girl Cafe in Atlanta we decided to a girls only lunch for her there (a special treat for a little girl with two brothers and two boy cousins!).

Hannah (her doll) was looking a little rough from her trip from Africa. She came to the right place to get fixed up though!

Jo Jo and Gamma

The "birthday girl" about 7 weeks early!

Hannah went straight to the salon after our lovely lunch to get fixed up. She got her hair done and as a treat she got her ears pierced!

All of the ladies had a fun time eating and shopping together and celebrating FIVE years with our sweet Claire!

All dressed up . . .

2010-11-25T02:28:00.000-06:00

I realize this is Thanksgiving but I thought I'd catch up a little bit and share our Halloween fun in the States! This year we had a little American Olympian . . .

Super Why . . .

and Olivia the Pig

We went to the Marietta costume parade with cousins Mac and Graham a few days before Halloween

and then got to trick or treat in Birmingham with Claire's sweet friend Sydney.

All of our kids are within days or weeks of each other. It is so much fun (and a little wild) when we get them all together!

The "babies" Batch and Gus

The girls trick or treated holding hands. It was so sweet!

They all had so much fun trick or treating in Homewood. They got an amazing amount of candy considering how little they are!

Our trip to the US

2010-11-10T13:50:00.002-06:00

Well here it is the last day of our trip and I am just getting around to blogging about any of our time here! We were so thankful that we were able to have this time at "home" for the past 4 weeks. We had not planned on coming back during our two years in Kenya but Rhett had the opportunity to attend the Infectious Disease Society of America meeting in Vancouver. Lucky for us, my parents decided it would be in their best interest to fly me and the kids over with Rhett (vs them making the trip again!) so we turned it into a family vacation of sorts. We arrived just in time for Ford's 3rd birthday party celebration. He has been talking about his "Mickey Mouse Birthday" for months (not sure why the only interaction he has had with Mickey Mouse is a pair of pjs). It brought back lots of memories because we celebrated Ford's first birthday with a similar tailgate/family party and that was when Ford opened a special gift of a "big brother" t-shirt and shocked everyone with the news of Gus's future arrival!

My Mom found this toy motorcycle which was a huge hit for Ford who LOVES "pikis" as we call them in Kenya.

The kids stayed with grandparents while Rhett and I took off on our first "no-kids" vacation ever and went to the meeting in Vancouver. Rhett attended lots of meetings, sessions and poster presentations with lots of really smart people from all over the world who have lots of knowledge of infectious stuff. I had quiet, alone time in our hotel for the first time in almost 5 years. It was nice. I rented a bike on a couple occasions and rode around Stanley Park. It was lovely. We connected with some old friends and colleagues and had a nice time catching up. Here is the only picture I took in Vancouver - just to prove we were there.

We spent a couple more days with Rhett's family when we got back then we had to put Rhett on a plane back to Kenya while we headed west to Birmingham! First we had some more goodbyes to say . . .

(saying goodbye to Doc at the office - hence the cool head gear you get to wear when you are an ENT).

(and Gamma who would see Claire one more time during our visit but not the boys).

More to come on our time in Birmingham and Athens . . .

Dubai

2010-10-08T07:16:00.002-05:00

I am always looking for a travel deal. I have found that usually means visiting places not during the high season. Examples are Maine in June, Puerto Rico in July and San Diego in November. I once suggested we visit Iceland in February and Rhett said no. When I reiterated what a great deal it was- $149 r/t from Atlanta he reminded me that it was FEBRUARY. IN ICELAND. We went to Florida instead. But this time I suggested we go to Dubai in August which is kind of the opposite of Iceland in February. Rhett actually agreed this time and we set out for our Middle Eastern adventure. We found out why we got such a good deal - It is HOT. Like the high was 120 and low was 99 each night. And no, it is not a dry heat. It is extremely humid because it is on the Arabian Gulf. But as we learned winter is the time to be outside in the UAE and during the summer everyone moves inside the "malls" which are really indoor cities. It goes against most of what Rhett believes in to vacation inside a mall but he was a good sport since it was a great place for kids and we had a great time.

The Dubai Aquarium inside the Dubai Mall.

The largest aquarium viewing panel in the world.

The Burj Khalifa (I have no idea how to take pictures in the dark soory). It is the tallest building and the tallest freestanding structure in the world - by a long shot. The second tallest building is about 2/3 as tall.

We went to the indoor ski slopes at Ski Dubai. We played at the snow park and Rhett went skiing.

The kids went tubing.

Funny that this is Ford's first time in the snow. Does it count?

The best place in the world for kids is Kidzania. I can not understand why this place isn't in the US. It is a big children's museum set up like a city. You (kid) get a check when you arrive and you take the check to the bank where you get Kidzania money. Then you get to go spend your money. When you need more money you go to work. Simple idea but SO much fun!

Here is Claire spending some money getting her nails done!

Ford went to the barber shop and got some facial hair (too bad Daddy had just shaved his beard off!)

Then it was time to make some money by working at the milk factory making boxes of milk.

And making more money by working as a dentist, nurse, painter and many others.

Here she is working as a chef.

And as a model on the runway! So much fun! They announced them as they came out and everyone wanted to be a model or a rockstar - except Claire who wanted to be a teacher :)

Now our trip up the Burj!

View from the top of the world!

You start to loose perspective that those are 40-60 story skyscrapers down there!

Gus on the Burj at sunset.

The architecture was simply amazing. It seemed like an architect's dream. The most modern buildings I've ever seen. We took a tour through the old part of town and enjoyed some more traditional architecture too.

Somehow I always seem to end up on a water taxi. It is so hot in this picture I can not begin to describe it to you. We also spent a day at a great water park. We started a new family tradition of filming our vacations "Amazing Race" style. It was fun to send to our family at home and will be a fun way to relive our holidays one day.

Dubai offered lots of comforts of the US - mostly comfortable beds, soft towels and good food. We ate at McDonald's, Subway and Macaroni Grill! The breakfast at our hotel was out of this world -but we definitely have expanded our breakfast horizons since living overseas. We love roasted tomatoes, smoked salmon, cheese, croissants, olives, hummus and tea for breakfast these days. I still can't get into baked beans for breakfast but, hey, I'm not ruling it out. There were wonderful American options like waffles and scrambled eggs too :) We still talk about how great that breakfast was! A lot of what we really enjoyed about Dubai were the comforts that we haven't
had in Kenya (the joys of fast food). I was excited about the shopping but quickly found out there wouldn't be much of that going on. I picked out a pair of Nike running shoes and did the math 3 times before concluding they they did indeed cost $285 dollars. Needless to say I didn't buy them or anything else. Our kids had a blast though and we were able to show Ford real, live, working traffic lights. However, when we arrived at our hotel he picked up the remote control and said "What's this?".

We had a great vacation and it was a nice step away for a week of family fun. Dubai was great for kids and we would recommend it for a get away from East Africa. It was fun for Claire and Ford to pick up their 4th continent too!

July in Pictures

2010-10-08T05:59:00.001-05:00

We spent a lot of time outside in the mud and muck and practiced our game faces.

Rhett grew a beard.

Gus learned how to eat with a spoon.

Ford climbed trees.

We spotted a Kenyan motorhome.

We ran into a Massai Warrior on a rope bridge on the way to lunch.

We went to Ngong Hills to visit our friends and see their project there for Vapor Sports.

I celebrated my birthday and anniversary with 8 dozen roses.

If I don't do this now I never will

2010-10-06T02:26:00.003-05:00

Well this is by far the longest "dark" stretch for my blog since I started it over 4.5 years ago. I'm not really sure what happened. It may have something to do with the fact that I have three little bits that are always home right by my side. It may have something to do with the difficult time I was having during what can only be described as "The Long Winter".

First the rains came and everyone was really excited because of the long drought previously. It rained and rained and rained. With the rain came the flying ants, then the moths, then the grasshoppers, then the locusts, then the mosquitos. Then it got cold. I know, you are wondering how it gets so cold in Kenya, but let me tell you it was downright chilly. Especially in a concrete block house with a plastic/acrylic roof with no heat. We built a fire every day and night for quite a stretch but even then the kids would wake up freezing and be in our bed by daybreak each day. I can stand the cold but we went what felt like weeks with out seeing the sun. Just gray drab skies each chilly day. I just kept thinking about summer lake trips, blueberries, cook outs, humidity and swimming lessons. I'm not sure if those thought helped or hurt. I would joke about SAD but I wasn't really joking!

So I was already feeling a little down when everyone up and left. Let me explain. Here at Kijabe the calendar revolves around RVA. Rift Valley Academy is a year around boarding school that takes extended breaks every Nov/Dec, April and July/August. Everything stops during those breaks. No bible study. No playgroup. No RVA church. No Sunday school. No small group. People leave for extended breaks to take kids to college or go on vacation. Of the nearest 10 missionary houses there were only 2 families here for many weeks this summer. It was lonely. It was just me and the kids huddled by the fire for days at a time (or so it seemed).

Then I got blindsided by something I should have seen coming. They say missionary kids are always having to say good bye and we learned that is very true not just for the kids but for their parents too. We had a small group of 5 families who we had spent time getting to know and investing in since shortly after we had arrived here in Kijabe. This "summer" we were the only family out of the five still here. Some were gone for just 6 weeks or so but others are still gone and may or may not be returning in 6 months. It seemed really frustrating to have the people we had gotten to know the best leave in the middle of our transition to feeling settled in. I felt like I had to start all over again. And I was right. It wasn't like other transitions I had made to a new place where you get plugged in and meet people and become part of what is going on. Things and people are always changing here.

Then towards the end of August something happened. About that time a huge group of new people moved in (mostly to RVA since they turned over about 40% of their staff but some new families arrived at the hospital too). I was shopping in Nakumatt one day when the RVA staff bus brought a load of people fresh off the boat to do their shopping. I watched as they walked sweating and wide eyed trying to convert shillings to dollars, find the boxed milk, figure out what cheese tasted good enough to buy and wonder what "mince" was. It was then that it dawned on me: I wasn't a freshman any more! I knew where to find the cereal, that Anchor cheese was the best even though it was the most expensive and that mince was ground beef. I had somehow figured out how to live here. It happened gradually over the last 10 months and seeing the new people made me realize just how far I had come.

So after many cold, gray, lonely months there was a bit of sunshine shining my way. School started back, our life activities started again and it started to warm up a little bit. So I am thankful. Thankful for God being there during those long winter days. Thankful for his provision of friends old and new. Thankful that he could use me to help others feel welcome here. He doesn't promise us it will be easy but he does promise he will be there with us.

There was one very hot break to the Long Winter and that was our trip to Dubai. You can look forward to that post and a photo catch up post next! Thanks for hanging with me if you haven't dropped me off your reader yet!

Mommy - what's that?

2010-07-30T01:31:00.003-05:00

Not long ago Ford and I were reading a book together when he pointed and asked, as he often does, "what's that?". I looked and saw that he was pointing to . . . a traffic light. Yes, my little boy was wondering what that strange thing with multicolored lights in the street with all the cars and trucks might be!

I think back to our life before we left the States and I can count 3 traffic lights between our house and the grocery store, 5 between our house and preschool and probably 15 between our house and church (aaalll the way down 280). We were out and about in our car most days and since we lived in a modern American city we encountered many traffic lights as most Americans do. But now we live in non-urban Kenya where I drive a couple times a week around our small town. The kids sit in my lap, or in the front seat or in the way back totally unrestrained (my friends aren't believing the car seat fanatic would let her children ride around utterly unrestrained but, well, this is Africa). At least I don't let them drive motorcycles or ride on the TOP of my car like other missionary kids around here. So my son has no idea what a traffic light is. I tried to explain it but you really need to see them in action to understand.

So while we were in and around Nairobi last week I made sure to find some traffic lights! There are some in the "City Centre" that I remembered seeing and we were headed down there to visit the immigration office. It is a bit confusing though because most of the traffic lights are at roundabouts (those things we formerly called traffic circles) which, in our mind, totally defeats the purpose of a roundabout which is to keep traffic moving. So you have a roundabout with traffic lights at each entrance which is just a total mess!

Anyway, the first lights we came upon were not working. No surprise there. Ford was just terribly disappointed. The second set of lights was not on either. Now he was starting to thing this whole "red, yellow, green" thing was a sham. We finally find a roundabout where the lights are on but there are policemen directing the traffic and effectively overriding the traffic lights. So as he sits thrilled watching the light and waiting for the turn from red to green so he can shout "GO!" he is once again disappointed as we continue to sit through the "Green is for Go" light so as not to take out a Kenyan police officer and make a suicide leap into traffic in the circle.

He does get the gist of the whole idea of a traffic light now though. It's funny that cultural things like that kind of creep up on you. What kid in America doesn't know about a traffic light? What kid in Kenya does? Ours are kind of in between so I guess it makes sense that he sort of gets the idea but has never seen the beauty of an actual intersection with traffic lights managing traffic!

On the Road

2010-07-27T02:51:00.002-05:00

Some of the most interesting sights in Kenya are on the road. Having spent a considerable amount of time in the developing world I don't notice a lot of things now (donkeys causing traffic jams, women carrying things on their heads, people pulling carts, families on motorcycles etc.) However, there are still lots of crazy and interesting things to be seen. Some of the signs are hysterical! I wish I had my camera for the "No Hooting" sign I saw the other day! Hooting as in "to hoot" or "one that hoots" (who is a hooter, I guess) which can be translated into "honking". I decided to keep my camera in my lap yesterday during our 1 hour drive from Nairobi to Kijabe to show some of the interesting sights . . .

Hawkers. These are people who make a living by "hawking" or selling goods to those stuck in some of the miserable traffic jams around Nairobi. It is amazing what can be had . . .

Do you need a ball or toys? Today is your lucky day!

Perhaps some educational posters for your little one?

Towels??

My favorite hawker sighting was a man carrying a satellite dish. Not kidding.

I thought this sign was funny :) Make mine a double!

This is something that I just can't wrap my mind around. This is how the people cross the HIGHWAY! If they haven't chipped away at the diving wall as shown here they just hop on over wherever they can carrying huge bunches of bananas, 5 liter bottles of milk and small children. Whatever. It is scary.

Need a lift up the hill?

Which lane do we drive in again?? I still try to get in on the wrong side of the car from time to time. I still turn on the wipers when I mean to turn on my turn signal. Driving on the other side isn't too difficult of a transition - the driver is still in the center of the road. Turning feels strange though.

Need a new cowhide?

Roadside rutabega?

This one might not make it up the hill without toppling over.

At the turnoff to Kijabe roasted maize awaits you.

Karibu Kijabe!

Making the news

2010-07-27T02:31:00.002-05:00

I am so glad I decided to take the paper three days a week. I am much more in the loop as far as local news goes (since we don't have a tv)and I feel much more in touch with the culture. The articles can be very enlightening too. It is interesting to read Africans' perspective of events. For instance, how put off they were that VP Biden made a visit to Kenya but Obama has "snubbed" his homeland and how they are horrified at the "poverty/slum tourism" industry that has popped up as wealthy westerners make a stop by the slums of Nairobi between safaris to "help" the poor people or just to gawk. I am continually enlightened by some articles and outraged at others for instance those that suggest to Kenyans that they are somehow being cheated by their government because it does not fulfill the "basic responsibilities of government" which is providing housing for it's citizens as "developed countries do". Some things are amazing (such as the obituary for a 115 year old) and some are just sad. Like this one . . .

A slightly cheating post

2010-06-28T01:13:00.002-05:00

Our friend Alyssa who is serving in the Post Residency Program at Tenwek Hospital here in Kenya came for a short visit this weekend and did a lovely blog post about it. I hope she doesn't mind but I'll just direct you over to her blog and you can read about our time together. Whew. That was the easiest blog I've done in a while. Thanks Alyssa (for the blogging and the wonderful visit!).

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-21T02:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day to the wonderful father of my children! You are the most encouraging, loving and caring Daddy these kids could ever dream of having. Thank you for all you do for these sweet little ones. I hope they grow up to be just like their Daddy.

Dinner with friends

2010-06-12T13:04:00.002-05:00

One of the best parts of our time here so far has been some of the wonderful friendships we have made. Mirelle (Mir-ay) and Heuric are two people that we have enjoyed getting to know and calling friends. They are from Madagascar (so that makes them Malagasi just in case you are wondering). He is a surgeon who has just completed his pediatric surgery fellowship here at Kijabe. Mirelle is a physician who works with Rhett in the AIDS relief program. It is encouraging to meet and know people like them who have dedicated their lives and careers to serving others. Before fellowship in Kijabe Heuric was a general surgeon with PAACS in Cameroon and they were also missionaries in Cameroon for several years before that. Mirelle is on her way to attend a Tropical Medicine course in the States - it will be her first time in the U.S. so it was fun to prep her and encourage her. She is a fantastic cook and I think I proved that by having three helpings at dinner.

Mirelle bonded with Gus one Sunday in the church nursery. Gus tolerates being away from me for about 10 minutes before he goes into hysterics. This is a new experience for me since Claire and Ford were always very easy to leave everywhere but now I have "that" baby who cries. Can't blame the poor little guy he hasn't been out of my sight basically his whole life so he is a little partial. But poor Mirelle tried to handle him in nursery one Sunday and had to deal with Gus's wrath. I was glad she got to see what a cool little guy he really is (when Mommy is near by at least!). (There will be few pictures of Gus without something in his mouth for a while - he is working on 6 new teeth right now - 4 of which are huge molars. His mouth looks like a minefield - bless his heart.)

And just so we could make a grand exit from our lovely dinner Ford chased a soccer ball into a concrete wall and ended up with this goose egg. Claire hit her head into a concrete wall in Peru and the exact thing happened - huge goose egg erupted in about 12 seconds after the injury. It's amazing it can happen so fast! Good thing they are both fairly hard headed :)

Kijabe Ballet

2010-06-12T12:52:00.002-05:00

One of the unique things about living in Kijabe is some of the more American or Western activities that go on here because of RVA. One of those things that we have enjoyed so much is ballet. It was a wonderful "connector" for Claire since she danced in Birmingham. Before we left I could tell her to look forward to dancing in Kenya and she could feel connected to one of her favorite activities from home by dancing here. As most are most things in Kenya - ballet was a little different. Her teacher had pretty high expectations of her Kindergarten and younger class. For instance there was no "prompter" available off stage to help the girls remember the dance steps they had spent so long learning so when they all came out in a big blur of pink they just sort of stood there and waited for direction which never came. They rallied a bit and of course everyone always thinks the little ballerinas are adorable (even if they are staring like deer in headlights!). Here are some shots from Coppelia . . .

Ford is very proud of his sister, as always. This little boy has watched a lot of ballet in his life. He learned to walk in the observation area of the community dance center in Homewood :)

Sadly, the ballet teacher is moving back to Ireland so the Kijabe ballet is no more. We hope someone else will come along who can fulfill this role again. Claire has enjoyed it so much and it is sad to not think of another recital next year.

Grab a cup of coffee . . .

2010-06-03T12:08:00.003-05:00

this might be the longest blog post in the history of the world. I even had to look back and see where I left off! It looks like I need to catch up on April and May . . . no problem. Here are a random smattering of pictures from April including our first Easter in Kijabe which seems sort of ridiculous since it is June but it is for posterity so here it goes . . .

You can call me the "Smocked Missionary" or "Monogrammed Missionary". I'm fine with that. Easter Sunday in Kenya. Claire is 4 years, Ford 2 1/2 and Gus 10 months.

We held a big Easter egg hunt with our small group and had a fun celebration with lots of yummy food afterward. It wasn't Jim n' Nicks (a Birmingham Easter tradition) but it was lovely just the same. This Claire's BFF Meredith and according to Meredith Ford's future wife. Time shall tell . . .

The following pictures can probably best be described as adventures in the lives of missionary kids. This is our daily life . . .

Who needs some sort of fancy walker thing when you have a laundry basket? This kid is E-A-S-Y and has saved us lots of money with his natural ingenuity.

This is SO Gus and so is this . . .

Claire and Ford pretending our flower bed is a boat.

A new favorite past time is Daddy makes a picture with playdough and Claire draws it. She is pretty good (and so is he!)

This is what happened when Claire asked me if she could go to gymnastics camp again this summer . . .

Ford has a minor obsession with his bike. He washes it just about every day . . .

On this particular day Ford pulled Claire away from living room gymnastics camp to wash her bike too . . .

So we waiting eagerly all through April for a big milestone for us . . . our first visitors to Kenya!

My parents arrived after a long journey from Atlanta and we arrived at the Nairobi airport after what felt like just as long of a journey through the fog and rain on Kenyan roads at 5:30 in the morning. We are all very happy to see each other and we were excited to get all the goodies they brought for us like s'mores ingredients, new shoes and clothes for the kids, Barbie dolls and toy motorcycles, new DVDs (including season 4 of '24' - sweet!) and many more fun surprises. We gave them several days to recover from jet lag and adjust to the altitude in Kijabe. The kids were thrilled to see their grandparents after 6 months.

We were thankful they could be here to celebrate Gus's first birthday! I did manage a quick post for the little guy on his big day. But here are a few more. We planned a "Safari" birthday party for the next week at the Masai Mara but since his birthday is on Cinco de Mayo it was easy to have a fun get together with a few good friends and homemade Mexican food.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate our precious little boy! I forgot to mention so of the pictureless drama from right after my parents arrived. Unfortunately my Dad got the inside tour of Kijabe Hospital Casualty department when he took a nasty fall and hit his head. Rhett had the privilege of putting 11 stitches in his father-in- laws head. It was quite scary but we were all relieved after we made a trip to Nairobi and found that his CT scan was negative. It was a rocky way to start his trip but he hung in there. We were glad he did because we were ready to go on holiday and see some of this beautiful country that we live in.

Our first stop was Mt. Kenya Safari Club near the town of Nanyuki and in the shadow of (duh) Mt. Kenya. This is no little mountain. It stands at 17,000 feet! We were glad to catch a quick glimpse of it each morning before the clouds rolled in.

The resort was spectacular. We loved every minute of it (and every bite of food that I didn't have to cook!). Here are a few shots of our time spent there . . .

Oh yeah - the resort was bisected by the Equator! How fun is that? Here are the kids standing on the Equator for the first time.

My Mom with two of the youngins on the Equator . . .

There was a (creepy) clown guy that was apparently in charge of kids activities at the resort. He made balloon animals and he did a really scary puppet show about the dangers of strangers (where a little girl talked to a stranger and ended up kidnapped and tied up in his house while her father tried to rescue her) which landed both kids frightened in my lap and me sitting there astounded and shocked at what he was saying but he somewhat redeemed himself with his body art skills. He quickly landed back in the dog house when I realized these paints weren't washable from clothing and we avoided him the rest of the time there.

The kids were SO excited to go horseback riding. We thought Claire would bail on us after our experience at the farm but she loved it and did great. Ford was a little confused about where his cowboy hat was . . .

but they loved it anyway!

Trying to get a family shot before the mountain was clouded over!

What a cool childhood my kids have!! I'm kind of jealous!

Wait! What is this? A picture of Mommy and Daddy - I mean Megan and Rhett - withOUT the kiddos?

We hated to leave the wonderful comfort of that beautiful place but the Masai Mara awaited us so we drove back to Nairobi for the night and while we were there in the guesthouse Gus took his first steps!

Mom and Dad treated us with a flight to the Mara which was awesome! It was just a quick 45 minute flight away!

Then we arrived at the perfectly lovely Mara Safari Club where we set up camp for the next few nights. Here is our tent . . .

and the view of the Mara River from our tent . . .

As you can see we were really roughing it :) Thanks to the fact that we are residents here and get a wonderful mission hospital discount we were able to enjoy this luxurious camp! I went on safari in the Mara when I was here on a short trip in 2001 and I said then that it was one of the coolest things I had ever done. The whole experience is just incredible. If you ever in your life get the opportunity to go make it happen. It will not disappoint. It is just plain fun and unlike anything you will ever do!

We watched the hippos in the river from where we ate lunch . . .

Here are some favorite game drive shots . . .

Visit to a Masai Village

We saw this herd of buffalo chase this lion up into a tree. Awesome!

There is nothing like dawn on the savanna.

The safari party for Gus's first birthday . . .

He was sung to in 4 different languages by the staff and other guests from around the world. It was a really special and fun first birthday moment.

So after the dream vacation we headed back to Kijabe to spend a little more time with my parents before they had to head back. Gus jumped head first into toddlerhood and is loving every moment of his second year.

He is trying to keep up but can't quite manage yet!

So we made s'mores and played Candyland and stayed up late before we had to say good bye (again). We had a wonderful visit and are thankful they made the trip to see us.

Thanks for coming Ama and Pa Pa! And thank you for a wonderful vacation! We love you and can't wait to see you again soon!

An apology

2010-05-22T08:41:00.001-05:00

Nothing is more lame than a non-blogging blogger. Sorry. It turns out that life with three kids is pretty busy even (or maybe especially?) in Africa. My parents have been here for about 3 weeks and I thought I'd have more time to get caught up but it turns out I've had less. So here are some pictures of my current favorite 1 year old as a peace offering with a promise of the biggest blog post in history to come soon. Thanks for hanging in there!

Happy First Birthday Gus!

2010-05-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

What a joy it has been to know sweet Gus for the past year! Considering the fact that this was probably the most stressful year of my life I'm glad I had such good company. He is a blessing to all who know and love him. My life is fuller and more joyful because he is in it and I love him more and more each and every day. Happy First Birthday Gus Harden Shirley!

Action shots

2010-04-17T06:20:00.000-05:00

One of Rhett's co workers snapped these pictures on rounds one day and shared them with us. The kids thought it was fun to see what Daddy does at work all day so I thought you might also! Most people who have ever been in a teaching hospital will recognize the scene . . . lots of doctors in white coats huddled around bedsides - same here with a few modifications. When you are done seeing one patient you can just turn around and you are at the next bedside!

From March 2010

Rhett is excited and grateful to be a part of educating the next generation of Kenyan physicians who can care for their own people's physical needs and continue to provide health care to God's glory in this country.

Back at the farm

2010-04-17T06:07:00.003-05:00

I kind of left you hanging on the Kembu farm pictures that I'm sure you are just dying to see. So without further a do here is the tour of the farm . . .

The main farm house that has been here for over a hundred years . . .

David took us on a wonderful farm walk . . .

Where we saw lots of cows . . .

and more cows . . .

We got to see the cows getting milked . . .

Which totally freaked Claire out (as did just about everything on the farm).

Ford loved all the animals including the calves who were just a few days old . . .

Next stop was the dalia farm where they grow the flowers to make dye.

This is a farm worker house

I just realized most of my other pictures are in our other camera. Oops. You will have to imagine the chickens and thoroughbred horses :)

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn . . .

2010-04-03T13:45:00.001-05:00

Oh how I wish I could upload video for you to see and hear Claire reciting her Easter verses Matthew 28 1-6! How sweet it is to hear her hiding these words in her heart. Funny thing is we've been saying it so often for the last several weeks that Ford knows most of it too! I may have to raise the bar for him a little bit now that I know what he is capable of! Happy Easter!

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord decended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen. Matt. 28 1-6

32

2010-03-30T07:23:00.001-05:00

Last weekend we had 32 big reasons to celebrate Rhett so we loaded up our car (wait! I haven't told you about our car yet! I will soon I promise!) and prayed for divine protection as we set out on the CRAZY Kenyan roadways for a weekend away at Kembu Farm. Rhett was extremely excited about Kembu because I originally told him we were going to be spending his birthday weekend doing an "African homestay" with our house helper's aunt eating ugali and sukuma wiki and enjoying some language immersion. Needless to say "Farm stay on an English farm in the Kenyan countryside" were sweet words to his ears!

We arrived at Kembu just in time for lunch on our front porch. The food was delicious and the BEST part is that all of our meals were brought to our cottage so our kids could eat and run and we could have a long leisurely meal. Sweet.

This is where we took all of our meals . . . ahh . . . serenity.

We celebrated with a cake (made from a box mix because I just don't do from scratch if I can help it and it was delicious!!) and Claire could not have been more excited about her Daddy's birthday! So sweet.

After lunch we explored our cottage, Mutati. It exudes English charm but is decidedly African too.

Do you know how much I love bouganvilla? Well I guess if I love it so much I should probably learn how to spell it but anyway. I love it. It makes me extremely happy to see a big ole swag of it draping off a porch or building or better yet . . . an arbor.

We took a break from exploring to take a few pictures but the kids felt like doing "silly" pictures so that is what we got.

Then I tried for a family shot but I forgot my tripod so I had to prop my camera up on a cooler and an ashtray and hope for the best. This would be a great time to point out that all of us have had Kenyan haircuts by now and it shows. I finally had to get mine cut last week because it had been 5 months since my last visit to a beauty shop and I was starting to scream "MISSIONARY!" so it had to go. I'm now wondering what the lesser of the two evils is because now I have a very short, blunt, one length haircut that flips out and makes me look like Gidget. I had to cut approximately 2 additional inches off the front sections the morning after because they were so much longer than the rest. Ford hair is wet in this picture because otherwise it sticks straight up. Claire is several different lengths (and I don't mean layers). Rhett is the only one whose looks good we've all decided. I digress but I thought an explanation was in order since we are looking pretty rough.

Somehow, I got the nerve to try to get a picture of all three. Then I remembered why I have no pictures of the three of them together because this is the best I could do.

The rest all looked something like this . . .

I was feeling kind of frustrated until my precious 2 year old son brought me a hand full of some of my favorite blooms and I started smiling again.

The inside of the cottage mixed a funky African vibe with a very colonial British tone and I liked it!

How fun is this shower?

The doors of the bedroom opened on a private veranda that just begged for you to grab a book and a cup of tea and sit a while.

Can I tell you how much the kids loved this room with the canopy? They pretended that it was a tent and had a grand adventure that night!

This is becoming the longest post ever so I will pause and come back with our tour of the AMAZING farm soon!

Gus 10 months

2010-03-30T07:18:00.000-05:00

Unimaginable

2010-03-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

Rhett has been traveling once a week to various sites of the community HIV clinics in the surrounding area to provide support for the providers and build relationships within the AIDS relief program. During his visit last week a community health worker told him the story of a little girl who was born to an HIV infected mother in the program. Thankfully, because this mother was in the program, she was provided with necessary medicine and care and delivered an HIV negative baby. What a reason to rejoice for this mother and child . . . until the father of the child raped her when she was 4 years old and infected her with the very same virus that she had escaped at birth and had previously infected the mother with. What? I mean, how is something that horrific even possible? I look at my vibrant, loving, innocent, precious 4 year old daughter and I can't even breathe when I think of this little girl and what has happened to her. It is such a reminder of the brokeness and darkness that dwells here on Earth . . . eager to reap death and destruction. My heart and soul are broken for this little girl and thousands of others like her who face unimaginable circumstances in their lives. It is our prayer that God will use us to to bring the Light into places of such utter darkness.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

A Perfectly Pictureless Day

2010-03-23T12:25:00.002-05:00

I'm not one for a picture-less blog post but I thought it was fitting in this case. Sometimes I've found living here in Kenya amongst a different culture and people one of the best things I can do is leave my camera behind and just have a really genuine experience without coming across as a touristy, gawking mzungu who is more interested in getting good shots than actually meeting the people I encounter. This was one of those days hence no pictures on the ole blog . . . bear with me.

A couple of weeks ago I went with a group of women from Kijabe to a place called Amani Ya Juu. You can read more about it on their website. The short definition of it is a "sewing and reconciliation project for marginalized women in Africa". The name means "peace from above". It really is a remarkable place. First of all there is a beautiful garden area home to a cafe and a huge playground area for the kiddos. Give me a place where I can eat a lovely lunch outside in a garden while my children happily play on a playground any day! It may sound really hokey but this place IS incredibly peaceful and beautiful just as the name implies.

Women come here from all over Africa and learn to be a part of their sewing project. The items they make are not tourist quality stuff that is going to end up in a yard sale. They make beautiful, classy things that you would welcome as a gift or adornment in your home. As the women work together they build faith in God who can overcome their circumstances and reconcile their differences. As I looked around I saw women from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia and Sudan among others. On a continent that is rocked by division among ethnic differences this is quite amazing that all these women are working together and loving each other.

After our delightful lunch we shopped in the gift shop and then arranged to have a quick tour of the workshop. The incredibly friendly woman who welcomed us in the gift shop held Gus and had an absolute fit over him while I shopped. As I joined the (largish) group of women I was with for our tour of the workshop I realized that I couldn't hear much of the tour and Claire was fairly uninterested so I just headed back out in the courtyard. And this is my favorite part. All of the women were gathering in the courtyard to have their lunch as I walked up with Claire and Gus (Ford drew the short straw and stayed at home that day due to space in the car) and something amazing happened. These looked at me with my kids and we were in a somewhat instant bond of motherhood together. They asked me about the kids and loved hearing that I had 3 (and want more!) - since many of them have several children. When one woman heard Claire's name she ran off and brought back another woman who had a daughter named Claire (not an uncommon name in Kenya!). We were both "Mama Claire" (since often mother's are referred to as Mama - oldest child's name) and we had an instant connection. They asked me if my children liked ugali which is a staple of the Kenyan diet. It is a sweetish gritty cake of maize - kind of the texture of really thick grits. I told them they kids hadn't really had ugali before and they couldn't believe it! They told me to sit down on the grass and they went to get me a plate of ugali and cabbage. All of the women were eating with their fingers but when they brought my plate it had a big spoon on it. I teased them and asked if they thought I couldn't eat with my fingers too. We laughed and watched as Claire spit out her ugali and Gus downed several bites worth. We talked about where they were from and about their children. Several of them had their babies with them since they carry them around on their back all day as they work. It was just delightful. I was so thankful for that short time I spent sitting in the grass with a group of women who each had a story that I might find unimaginable that had led them to this place but somehow found common ground with too. It was one of my favorite moments in Kenya so far. It also made me so grateful to have my children with me. I would not have connected with those women if it were not for my kids. Time and again I see my kids opening doors with people on so many different levels. Ministry with kids can be difficult (because life with kids can be difficult!) but it is REAL and if you want to have a relationship with people you have to be real. So it is a great place to start.

Superstar

2010-03-11T07:42:00.008-06:00

This blog is way overdue. I made comment on Facebook about our quick potty training success and received more than a few messages asking me about it. I'm no expert since I've only done this twice but this is our experience with a "modified one day" potty training plan! (Modified because there is one big day but several weeks of preparation leading up to the big day). This is what I've done:

The first thing you do is talk to everyone you know, scour the internet, read a bunch of books and read blogposts about potty training. Then you come up with a plan, your plan, and then you stop listening and smile when people tell you that you are doing it all wrong. My major influences in coming up with our plan were:
1. the time I spent with children in the developing world - all of whom were potty trained by age 2.
2. Several European pediatrician friends who could not understand why American kids were potty trained later than all the rest of the kids in the world.
3. I read that 50 years ago 95% of American children were potty trained before age 2 years (think the age of cloth diapers when you couldn't wait to get them out of diapers ASAP).
4. I read that physiologically the sphincter muscles involved were mature enough for potty training by age 18 months to 26 months in most children.

All of those things worked together to give me confidence that she really could do this! I liked the One Day Method because it seemed straightforward and logical to me. I have potty trained both of my kids (a boy and a girl) at age 2 years and 3 months. I found this to be an ideal age because
1. they can verbalize their needs ("pee pee" is all that is needed really)
2. they still really want to please you
3. They aren't old enough to turn it into a power play
4. they haven't become used to the feel of wearing a diaper or the feel of "going" in a diaper as a comfort yet. The older they are the more used to that security feeling they are.

Second thing you do is buy a potty. Put it in the bathroom and encourage him/her to sit on it when they are getting in the tub or getting dressed. Claire was hesitant at first so I rewarded her with M&Ms just for sitting on it. If you haven't lost all sense of privacy and dignity yet this would be the time to do it. Let them sit on the potty while you sit on the toilet. Be prepared for a narration and description of all things potty (see loss of privacy and dignity above). This is an important phase because you need to teach them what is going on down there. Teach them body parts and what comes out where ("pee pee front" and "poo poo back" is basic enough but effective). The One Day Method uses a pee pee doll to teach this concept but we skipped the doll because I felt that both of them understood what was going on and how all the plumbing worked.

During this time if I saw a "poo poo" face or other sign of imminent action I would make a quick run for it and try to get them a success on the potty. This is a good time to choreograph your potty dance or make up words to your potty song that you will be using a lot in the near future! The key during this time is just building excitement and a positive attitude about the potty.

Next go to the library and check out "Big Boys/Girls Use the Potty" (and tell Molly Matthews and Charlie Thomas I say "hello"). Read the book often and say things like "Pretty soon your are going to be a big boy/girl and use the potty too! How exciting! I'm so proud of you!". Excitement, excitement, excitement! I had Ford whipped into a tizzy he was so excited about using the potty.

Next step: Pick a date for the party. The potty party. Oh yes, there is a party. What a huge day - how could there not be a party! Start talking about the potty party and telling them that on their potty party day they will wear big boy/girl pants. Talk it up and get them excited!

The day finally comes and you change one last diaper and shed a few tears as you put on big pants for the first time! Then step back and see them BEAM at how proud they are! Then you start the first day! With Claire I set a timer every 20 minutes and took her and looking back that was a bit overkill. With Ford I just kind of kept my eye on the clock and watched how much how much he was drinking and took him after he ate etc. Claire had a few accidents the first day. Ford had one and has had NONE since (hence the Superstar classification) which is a bit unusual I would imagine. Expect a few accidents but don't worry - their bladders are small and the accidents are too. Just clean it up really quick and reassure them! "It's OK, you are a big boy/girl but you might have an accident! We just have to try again! I'm so proud of you!". This is not a time to back down or put on a diaper or pull up. You have spent all this time investing in them and encouraging them don't make them feel like you don't believe in them! Just keep going!

I do not push fluids or let them go bottomless. I think pushing fluids would make it more difficult because they would have to go more often and more urgently. The bottomless thing confuses me. I guess it is more convenient (?) but I would like them to learn that when they need to go they go into the bathroom and pull down their pants and go. Of course they need assistance (for a while) but this is the expectation. If you have done the body teaching or used the doll then they know already what is going on and they don't need to visualize it to know they need to go.

Help them succeed. Don't head out to playgroup or to the grocery store the first day. Take a few days off of normal activities so it will be better for everyone involved. Don't let the fear of an accident at school or nursery hold you back or make you feel like you should back track to make it easier for the teachers. I think that if you choose to work with 2 year olds then you should expect to be a part of potty training. Just bring some extra clothes and explain what is going on and you would be surprised how helpful everyone will be. If they aren't then you should probably suggest that they work with 4 year olds instead :) Claire had 4-5 accidents the first month or so and it seemed like most of them were in the church nursery. I think it was because there were 20 kids and they were pumped full of juice but we just kept at it and didn't back down.

Don't give up! NO diapers! NO pullups! No not even in the car! I had a piddle pad in the car seat just in case. I think it came in handy once. Get a one piece potty and keep it in your car. If they have to go pull over, let them go and pick up where you left off. My kids have peed on the sides of highways all around the world! It is actually better than using public toilets because it is quick and clean. We flew to Disney World less than a month after Claire went diaper-less and we just stuck with it. It would have been so easy to back down on the flight or in the parks but with a little planning it was fine.

So there is my philosophy (which I realize because I said all this probably means that Gus will be going to Kindergarten in a pull-up). I think the two keys for us have been excitement and consistency. I hoped I answered all the questions and gave some insight into a scary parenting hurdle! Good luck!

Daddy

2010-03-10T12:15:00.000-06:00

Nakuru

2010-03-07T11:58:00.003-06:00

Last week we had an opportunity to travel to the city of Nakuru while Rhett had a series of meetings with the AIDS Relief Program staff. We tagged along and were happy for the chance to get out of Kijabe for a while. We stayed in a nice little hotel (nice by African standards anyway) and learned that shower enclosures are for sissies. The lure of getting out of town and enjoying a few days in a new place was tarnished a bit after spending just a few hours in a hotel room with three children and learning that lunch was served at 1:30 and dinner at 7pm. Anyone with small children can understand why I considered that a deal breaker . . . but it was too late so we provided lots of loud entertainment for other diners at the restaurant at each meal as we tried to feed our over-hungry, over-tired children and ourselves. Sorry.

Rhett had meeings all day and late into the night as the AIDS Relief Program from Kijabe worked on writing a second level provider curiculuum. The kids and I wore out the playground (and the staff at the hotel) and then decided we needed an outing so we got a taxi and headed up to the Menengai Crater. The kids were SO excited - chanting "Crater! Crater!" all the way up. When we got up there Claire looked around and said "Where's the crater?". She then realized she had been scammed and was ready to go back to the hotel. I on the other hand was thrilled to NOT be at the hotel and wanted to enjoy what was in fact a very beautiful crater . . .

Our last day we went with some friends to the Nakuru National Park for a short game drive. I now refer to it as the "gansta game drive" because we were picked up in a matatu with "Barcelona" blazed across the windshield and a CD hanging from the rear view mirror. We picked up a guide at the gate who sat in the front and said things like "There is a rhino" and "There is a buffalo". Really? Any insight there? My 4 year old can tell me that is a rhino! We weren't surprised when at the end the "guide" could not come up with an official receipt. It was fun none the less to see all of these awesome animals in the wild!

All of these monkeys lurked around the entrance of the park and we had to sit there for quite a while as they terrorized me by trying to jump in the van. I learned last year in the jungle that I do not like monkeys. They are creepy.

Here are some of the less creepy animals!

And some of us enjoying the sights . . .

Gus was asleep in the van during this family picture but he woke up a few minute later so we did a "re-do"

It was a lovely way to end our trip to Nakuru. We are excited to be able to explore and enjoy this country that is our home now. It is beautiful and we are reminded of God's beauty and creativity as we take in the sights before us. What a special way to teach our children about God's world in this setting in Africa! (Even though they were less than impressed with the crater!).

Valentine's Day

2010-02-19T12:33:00.002-06:00

One thing I've been told about raising our kids in a "third culture" is the importance of celebrating American holidays to connect them with their home culture. A perfect example of that was the Valentine Party we were invited to at Amelia and Meredith's house! There were treats galore!! The girls had a blast decorating cupcakes and cookies (which were even more special since Sara found a Betty Crocker cake mix for the cupcakes and, hold on to your seat, a can of frosting in Nairobi! Woo hoo! Yum-my!

After the treat decorating the girls got dressed up in full princess gear and played - what has become one of Claire's very favorite things to do - "princess improv" (for lack of a better term!). All the princesses stand by as Sara comes up with a story and each of them play along as their princess is prompted to play her part in the story. They can't get enough of it and it is precious!

After two stories worth of drama the dancing began!

I believe "Dancing Queen" was blasting at this point! Love it!

This is one happy little Valentine princess! Who can't wait for Valentine's Day again soon!

Think of it as Haverty's

2010-02-19T11:59:00.002-06:00

Things have been pretty busy around here lately. Not unusual in the least. Between keeping up with our three little ones, Rhett's work at the hospital, welcoming and hosting a steady stream of guests (we love this one!) and trying to keep up with the cultural adjustments necessary as we learn how to live life here - time has been short!

Another thing was added to our plate when we found out that we would be moving soon! This is a huge blessing and answer to prayer! Will be soon be moving into a wonderful house with a safe YARD for our kids to run around and be kids in! Yay! No more worrying about them getting hit by a car in the parking lot that is our front yard now or falling down the 6ft. concrete drop off out back! We have been busy making the preparations to move which included putting a fresh coat of paint in the house and buying all of the necessary things to fill a house (which is currently completely empty). What could have taken a day in the States with a visit to Lowe's and Target has taken 2.5 weeks and 3 trips to Nairobi so far! Yesterday we finally made a trip to buy furniture. Where do you buy furniture in Africa? Well if you come at the right time you can buy it from other missionaries leaving which is awfully convenient but in our situation we had to make like a local and head on down to Ngong Road to buy our things. Here's a glimpse. Don't miss the goat in the picture!

On this strech of Ngong Road there is shop after shop of handmade furniture. They all start running into each other and looking the same after a while. We got out started walking up and down the street looking for the things we needed.

Here is an example of stark cultural differences here in a sample conversation you might have (and we did) with one of these furniture shops . . .

How much for this bed and table and couch?

The bed is 6,000 shillings, the table is 10,000 and the couch is 12,000.

I see . . . OK.

But because you are my customer the bed is 5,300, the table is 8,000 and the couch is 10,000.

OK well that still seems high.

That is not the discount price. The discount price is for the bed at 5,000, the table at 7,600 and the couch at 9,500 . . . . . . .We can still negotiate though.

Well, then what is the best price you can give me?

The best price is 4,800 for the bed, 7,000 for the table and 9,000 for the couch.

OK, well I think we will keep looking.

Wait I still have not given you the very last price of 4,500 for the bed, 6,800 for the table and 8,500 for the couch.

This just goes on and on. We tried to get a good deal and after visiting 3 different shops we think we did. It made us feel better when we found out that they had another large order from someone at Kijabe Hospital.

We picked out the necessary pieces of furniture (some of which are being made for us) and will look forward to having the arrive in about 10 days or so. We don't know if this is 10 days "Kenya time" (which could be up to a month) or 10 days "American time" (which would actually be 10 days) but we will find out!

On the way home our driver stopped to fill up the car here . . .

We had a pretty hard time swallowing lining these pockets since we won't even buy gas from Citgo in the US because it is owned by the Venezuelan (Hugo Chavez) State Oil company. However, in this situation we had no choice so we took this picture then looked the other way :)

Quotes of the week

2010-02-19T11:46:00.002-06:00

I realize that I have been using my Facebook status as a better record of the funny and interesting quotes around here. Since this blog serves as a record and memoir of our family I may have to repeat a few to make sure we don't forget some of those priceless sayings heard on a daily basis. Sorry for the repetition . . . .

Stranger to Claire: "Habari". Claire to Stranger: "Mzuri". Me to Claire: Wow Claire you are doing a great job on your Swahili! Claire to me: Yeah, you can just call me Kenya-girl from now on . . . or Claire. Either one is fine.

This is Ford's debut in the quote of the week feature!

[Crying and clutching chest] Me: Are you OK, Ford? Did you hit your chest? Ford: No! [crying] My BOOBIE! Me (trying not to laugh) You mean your chest? Ford: NO! My BOOBIE, Mommy! My hit my BOOBIE!

Gus obviously can't contribute at this point however if he could he would probably say something like "Lookout! Here I come!" due to the fact that he pulled up before he was 9 months old and is now crusing around on the furniture with every intention of walking as soon as possible. As the mother of one child who crawled at 10 months and walked at 14 months and the other who crawled at 9 months and walked at 12 months this is slightly blowing my mind. I guess that's what happens when you start crawling around at 7 months. He makes every effort to keep up with the big kids and is quite a force to be reckoned with. This is one tough little guy!

Help a brother out!

2010-02-10T03:22:00.002-06:00

Elephant Orphanage

2010-01-28T06:17:00.004-06:00

On Saturday we went to Nairobi for the day and went to what is commonly known as the "elephant orphanage". It was just wonderful! It would have been good to know beforehand that they are only open from 11-12 each day. Our driver thought our 9 am departure time would make us quite early but in fact we were there with just about 20 minutes to spare thanks to our various necessary stops (including one for Ford to go potty on his little plastic potty on the roadside in Nairobi - priceless!).

Anyway, you arrive and gather outside the gate then all walk in as a big group and stand around a roped off area. Within a few minutes this is what you see . . .

the most darling parade of baby elephants you can imagine! Some are just a few months old and all have been rescued from poachers or some other horrible situation. But it just keeps getting cuter because then it is time to eat . . .

then it is time to play . . .

It was so much fun seeing these precious animals . . .

Last year sometime the elephants disappeared from the Birmingham Zoo. I kept telling Claire they were just on vacation but I think they traded them for another rhino. Although Rhinos are endangered and interesting they aren't nearly as cool as elephants. I really missed those elephants on our trip to the zoo! What amazing creatures! Did you know that elephants mourn and try to bury their dead? And that they can remember their keepers years and years after they have been released back into the wild? The elephants rescued here and released back into the wild will return to the station with their calves years later if they are sick because they know the calf will be cared for. Amazing.

The Keepers were really knowledgeable and everything was really nice and well done. I highly recommend a visit here on your next trip to Nairobi! Here are some more cute shots . . .

From January 2010

A few of our favorite things - but only because you asked!

2010-01-28T05:51:00.001-06:00

It seems as though we often have people asking us what they can send us as care packages. I realize this is a pretty easy thing for people to do for us and, honestly, it is really fun and encouraging to receive a package with some fun things in it. It can be a little tricky though. It takes an average of 6-8 weeks for large envelopes and boxes to reach us if they go through customs. Which means basically that a customs official opens each package, decides how much it is worth and we then have to trot on down to the post office and cough up several thousand shillings in order to get our stuff. So here is some useful information if you feel so inclined: we have heard envelopes come faster than boxes (I think this might be because not all envelopes go through customs but all boxes do), when filling out the customs form at the post office be sure to list a resale or used value on the items - what would you sell this for?, make sure all tags or packaging is gone - use it a few times or wash it (if applicable). Since we have to pay to get stuff I thought I would post a list of little "happys" (at the risk of sounding like I'm asking for things) that we would love to get!

Pop Tarts (these are for the kids and Rhett - not me - yuck!)
Spice packets (salsa, guacamole, fajita, chili, beef stew, brown gravy, italian dressing etc)
drink packets (lemonade is a favorite around here)
CHOCOLATE CHIPS (not available here and we love some chocolate chip cookies!)
seasonal art projects for the kids (especially for American holidays)
brownie mix (I'm starting to get hungry now)
magazines or novels that you have read and would like to pass along
CD jewel cases (so we can mail DVDs back to our family)
decaf tea bags (Constant Comment is my favorite. There is lots and lots of wonderful tea in Kenya but I can't find any decaf!)
powerbars, granola bars, cliff bars etc.
sliced almonds
parmesean cheese
instant grits
Gerber "puffs"
Mam 6+ month pacifiers
Ziploc bags - all sizes and varieties

It's not a good idea to send movie DVDs through the mail as they have a big street market here and sometimes disappear in customs. However, if you are able to burn DVDs from your DVR I think Rhett would be tickled pink to be able to watch any sort of sporting event including but not limited to UGA football games! I doubt they would be very sought after by customs officials.

Also, we have just been loaned the first season of '24' {and are addicted} and we know that season 2 is available here BUT after that we are high and dry. Since watching '24' on our laptop is now our only source of media entertainment we are hoping to come up with a few more seasons soon. Those would need to be hand carried over here so if you can help us out we will let you know how to make that happen.

Rhett also really needs someone to bring him his "AIDS Therapy" textbook (that weighs more than all three of our kids put together) so if you are headed our way and have room for a big textbook let us know. I guess we should prioritized the textbook over season 3 of '24' but it is a close call :)

So there you have it. A few little happy things that either we can't find here (puffs) or are extremely expensive (parmesean cheese) and would be fun to have!

There Is Hope

2010-01-24T11:23:00.004-06:00

By Rhett:

Thirty-two years old, ninety pounds, no joy. She was trying to do the right thing. Undoubtedly she had been consumed with regrets and painful introspection, and waged a lonely battle with denial, fear, and shame. Deep secrets had been divulged to the people whom they would hurt the most. The decision to move forward meant confiding in strangers and trusting their motivation.

After clearing all of these hurdles, things did not improve. The medications that were to make her healthier, made her sicker. The decisions that were supposed to be in her best interest, resulted in multiple admissions to the hospital (and multiple hospital bills). She now had no appetite for food, no energy for the demands of daily life, and a marriage that was suffering under the strain. As she was telling me of her plight, she locked my gaze with tearful, sunken eyes. "Is there hope for me?"

I couldn't answer right away because I wasn't confident in my own voice. The truth is that 10 years ago there would have been no medical reason for hope. The truth for too many of my patients today is equally as desperate. HIV affects an estimated 7% of the Kenyan population. Despite aggressive attempts at education and voluntary testing, most of the infected remain undiagnosed. The ramifications are dire, as the virus slowly depletes the immune system of unsuspecting individuals. The result, HIV is discovered only after it has cleared the way for a life-threatening infection.

I was hopeful that my smile would convey my reply as I regained my composure. She was in the right place. While there is no cure for HIV, there is an expanding repertoire of medications that prohibit replication of the virus, and allow for the immune system to recover. She had had multiple adverse side effects to medication, but other options were available. Her husband who was tested HIV negative was holding her hand, and his silent tears professed his love and his loyalty. There is hope.

Of course, despite my optimism I could not assure her that she would not die of a complication of AIDS. Her prognosis remained very guarded, and that was not a notion that was lost on anyone who looked at her. But until Jesus Christ returns for His church it is the destiny of all men and women to die and face judgment. Yet, God revealed the mystery that was hidden through ages and generations, that Jesus Christ dwells in the hearts of his people, and he is their hope of glory (Col 1:26-27). There is hope.

God has provided me with a ministry to provide hope for those without hope. I have the privilege to show desperate people that there is a mighty savior who loves them and is available through prayer. Assurance of medical recovery is often not possible, but spiritual healing is assured for all who repent and follow after Jesus Christ. He has provided a way. Praise God, there is hope.

I'm a big boy now!

2010-01-18T13:07:00.000-06:00

Today was the day! Off with the diapers and into "big boy pants" for Ford! He is so proud and so excited to be a big boy! I'm a fan of the one day - cold turkey- potty training method. It worked well with Claire and so far so good with Ford. We have been getting him hyped up about it for several weeks and he was SO ready today. We asked him last night what was going to happen today and he said "pee pee potty! Big boy pants!". He did great all day and only had an accident when I got side tracked with dinner guests and let him go a little long between visits to the potty. I cannot believe he isn't in diapers anymore. I'm kind of sad actually. Only one in diapers?? Don't you just love the boxer briefs ?:)

This is Ford enjoying a cupcake at his "Potty Party" celebrating his first day in big boy pants!

Not to leave the others out - here is Claire (a little sunburned after spending the entire day outside picking berries and getting really dirty) learning to carry her baby Kenyan-style.

And here is Grizzly Gus. Very cute and quite like a puppy we have decided. He is cuddly, crawls around under the table and eats food that has fallen on the floor and likes to chew on shoes. He also had his first fever this week for 3 days (is afebrile now and feeling better) and is cutting 4 top teeth at the same time. He is actually getting the lateral teeth in before the medial ones which is kind of funny and looks a little fang like. This combination has meant a lot of sleepless nights recently and I'm pretty tired. I hope we can get through this rough patch and get back on our normal routine (which does not include sleeping the entire night but also does not include waking up every hour on the hour!).

CURE

2010-01-18T12:31:00.001-06:00

On Saturday Claire and I had the opportunity to visit the CURE hospital here at Kijabe with some 5th grade students from RVA. CURE is a hospital that focuses on pediatric orthopedic care and they have many hospitals all over the world. We were so thankful for the opportunity to play with these kids and as Claire said best "Shine the light of Jesus for them".

I was happy to meet the woman who coordinates activities for the patients at CURE (we would call her a "Child Life Specialist" back home) and she was so friendly and welcoming. I am SO thankful to find a ministry that the kids and I can do together that is right here in Kijabe (about 200 yards from my house!). We are hoping to make visiting the kids at CURE a weekly thing. All of the crafts and little projects are strictly donated for that purpose so if you are interested in sending some craft supplies or projects let me know!

This beautiful smile came from a simple game of balloon toss. This little boy just lit up and had a blast bouncing that balloon around! What a joy and encouragement to see such happiness in faces of others!

Total Devastation

2010-01-18T02:26:00.002-06:00

I have been paralyzed by the news of the earthquake in Haiti this week. I have spent quite a lot of time in Haiti - working in an orphanage and doing short term medical clinics. God has given me a heart for Haitian people and I truly love the country. I did a post a while ago about Haiti here.
So I guess having such a special connection to Haiti has really personalized this tragedy for me.

The orphanage where I worked was in Cap Haitian which is on the northern coast of the island. There was little direct damage from the quake there but the devastation will be coming in waves. First wave is the carnage from the falling buildings. Chaos, destruction and death. The second wave is the disease that will come from lack of resources like food, potable water and medicine. Even Cap Haitian which is far from Port au Prince will be affected since PaP is basically shut down and hence shipments of food, fuel and supplies are cut off. The third wave is a bit more subtle. It is the loss of hope among the Haitian people. Young Haitians are wondering how they will make a successful life for themselves in a country where the Universities are demolished, the government is not functioning and so many are dead.

I'm sure at this point many people have already donated to relief organizations but I have to give a very high recommendation for Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief. We became familiar with this ministry when we were in Boone, NC for orientation last summer. We were extremely impressed by the depth and scope of the disaster relief arm of SP. Friends listed some of the strong points of the ministry on their website so I thought I'd borrow [ :)]a few to show you why this is a worthwhile relief effort to support:

By the end of the week they will have materials to build 6000 temporary shelters.

They have cargo planes coming and going daily.

Samaritan's Purse receives a 4 star rating (highest possible) from Charity Navigator (a charity rating service). Their efficiency rating surpasses American Red Cross and World Vision. 89% of their donations go directly to program expenses (in this case relief efforts to Haiti if so designated). Less than 5% go to administration.

We have been to their headquarters in Boone, NC and were astounded by their organization, professionalism, expertise, humility, and Christ focused attitude.

SP will have the ability in the next week to produce half-a-million gallons of fresh water daily in the capital city of Haiti.

SP has relationships with local people and organizations so they were able to almost immediately start assessing the needs and work through their local contacts and network to provide care quickly and efficiently.

The aid (bottled water, shelter, flash lights, food, medicine, hygiene kits, medical care) all comes wrapped in the Gospel message of a God who despite the horror of this tragedy cares for you.

They care for the entire individual as evidenced by the presence of doctors, nurses, logisticians and chaplains on hand to care for the victims mind, body and spirit.

You can give online - super easy.

I would urge everyone to give more than you can "afford" and be a part something way bigger than ourselves. And please, please pray for the Haitian people. Pray for healing, comfort and mercy. Pray for the Church in Haiti who struggles against such incredible darkness there. I have spent many nights in Haiti lying in bed listening to the beating of voodoo drums. There is a real presence of spiritual darkness there that cannot be denied. The voodoo priests are telling prophesy of doom for Cap Haitian worse than what happend in PaP. So now in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake people in Cap Haitian are sleeping outside in the torrential rains for fear of sleeping in their homes and being caught in the next wave of destruction that is being promised. Like some many other things in Haiti . . . unbelievable.

On faith and rain

2010-01-08T06:45:00.001-06:00

Kenya has had a severe drought for the past several years. It was estimated earlier this year that about 30% of the food supply might be lost due to lack of rain. Most Kenyans rely on their own personal garden or shamba for food. Without rain the crops will not survive and they will not have food to eat. The expected November rains were short this year and not enough to replenish the shambas with life sustaining water as well as drinking water supplies. We have had several "running water -less " days since we arrived in Kijabe. We the day before Christmas something amazing happened. The heavens opened and it began to rain. A short storm at first then the rain started and didn't stop! For about 10 days or so we had rain every day. Long soaking rains. The dry, brown, crunchy grass has be revived to a lush green and everything is alive and blooming. We had so much rain, however, that in some parts of Kenya they experienced flooding. We are thankful for this rain that so many have been praying would come for so long. We were so excited when the rain started that the kids geared up and went outside to play in it!

I was reading a novel the other day (something I do every day actually since we don't have a TV I now spend any leisure time curled up with a good book) and I came across a passage that struck me: "Faith by it's very nature must be tried . . . What God does with our faith must be something like workouts. He see to it that our faith gets pushed and pulled, stretched and pounded, taken to it's limits so it's limits can expand. If it doesn't get exercised it becomes like a weak muscle that fails us when we need it" it goes on to read " 'Would you agree that we must be willing to thank God for every trial of our faith, no matter how severe, for the greather strength it produces?' the response 'I'm perfectly willing to say it, but I'm continually unable to do it'.

I just loved this. I am learning this lesson now. I have to strech my faith by stepping outside my comfort zone of "home" (and everything that encompasses) to allow room in my heart for further dependence on God and less dependence on myself. It's not always easy - in fact some times I feel like digging my heels in! - but it is good. Really, really good. I look back at other seasons of growth in my life and it is almost always when I've stepped out and put myself in a vulnerable or unfamiliar position and came out the other side with a stronger faith in the One who I followed. It is comforting to know that this is a time of growth and deepening of faith. I yearn for a stronger faith and it feels nice to think that one day I will look back on this time and be able to see how pivotal it was in my journey of faith. Make no mistake, it is not easy. I am renegotiating everything I now about how to "do" life (parenting, marriage, housekeeping, church, friendship, family . . . everything really). In the process I'm praying "more of You and less of me".

I'm hoping Rhett will accept my request for "guest blogging" sometime soon since many of you may be wondering what the heck we are doing here besides taking pictures our kids! This blog is mostly from my perspective of a missionary wife and mother of three small children hence the lack of information on what is going on in the hospital most days and nights that I'm not a part of. Be assured Rhett is up to his eyeballs in the crazy transition of practicing medicine at a world renowned academic hospital in the U.S. to a comparatively smallish teaching hospital in Africa. I don't know if it my place to comment much on that process since I am just a spectator and supporter so hopefully you will hear more about his work and ministry at the hospital soon!

Princess for a Day (or two!)

2009-12-29T06:22:00.002-06:00

Claire's first birthday in Kijabe was a huge success! She has been planning her party for the last 6 months so I was so glad that I could come through for her. She requested pink cupcakes with pink frosting, pizza and princesses. It was a princess-fest! She was so excited and had a great party!

This was my best cupcake effort. Someone very nicely brought me a white cake mix from the States that I colored pink but only read after they were in the oven that anyone over 3,000 feet (we are at 7,500ft) should had flour to the mix. Ooops. They were a little crumbly but didn't fall flat so that was good. The frosting was another thing all together. Did you know you can make frosting from butter, cream and sugar and a pinch of a few other things? Sure can! Who knew? Another culinary hurdle crossed!

Thanks to my sweet sister-in-law for providing this precious festive banner (one for each kid too!). Claire was so excited when she woke up and saw this declaring today was the day for her party!

We had a gaggle of little princesses here. Lots of new friends from lower station. I was so thankful that we had made friends to invite to her party. They enjoyed making princess bracelets with colored pasta, playing pin the princess on the castle, eating princess pizza and princess cupcakes in honor of Princess Claire.

I still can't believe it's been four years since we welcomed this precious little one into our lives. Each day is brighter because of her. She is such a blessing and encouragement to me. I can't imagine a more thoughtful, kind, loving and fun little girl. I've been telling her for a month that she wasn't allowed to turn 4 that she had to stay 3. I just loved 3 so much. She crossed the line between toddler and little girl and now there is now looking back.

Here are the princesses (and a tired Prince) after the party. She's already planning her party next year! Five?? Oh, my.

Christmas in Kijabe

2009-12-27T04:50:00.004-06:00

What a wonderful Christmas celebration we had here in Kijabe. We missed the company of our family but we had a really simple and beautiful celebration of our Savior's birth. We started with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner then went to an open house at another missionary's home. Here are some pictures of the kids in their matching smocked Christmas outfits. For the record, Rhett did not approve. He said the kids were going to look at these pictures one day and say "Mom, seriously? Matching outfits?" but I think they are only little once and besides what else are we going to have to put in their wedding rehersal video??

All Gus wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth and he got them!

After the party we headed down to the hospital for candlelight caroling through the wards.

It was really, really beautful and had that magical Christmas Eve feeling.

Our kids walked up to every one and said "Merry Christmas" even to this M*slim woman from a neighboring country known for it's pirates. That particular people group, who is quite common at Kijabe Hospital, is known to be harsh and unfriendly at times. Others in the group mentioned how they wouldn't greet them or shake their hands. That's where the beauty of children come in . . . kids just break down those barriers sometimes. When a little blonde two year old is yelling "Merry Christmas" at you it gets your attention and draws you in. She couldn't help smiling! Claire and Ford (and even Gus) were great little missionaries that night and I was proud of them! When other mothers see you with your children they see you as a mother just like them and, if even for a minute, you have common ground.

I did feel a bit strange walking hand in hand with my three well noursished healthy kids as these mothers sat vigil at the bedside of their sick child. I am no different from them - I love my children no less than they do. What if this were my child?

We returned to our house and (tried) to tuck our kids in for the night before a few invited friends came for a time of Christmas worship guided by the wonderful CD Brook Hills gave us last Christmas designed for just this purpose. It has become a tradition for our family. It was the perfect end to a beautiful (but very rainy) Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day was filled with opening gifts and playing with new toys.

The kids are owners of two new bikes and are thrilled although it has been to rainy to ride them anywhere besides our kitchen. Yes, those are handbrakes you see there. No other option available that I could find so we are going with it. Not too sure how that is going to go! We have a basketball court in across the parking lot that will be a nice level area for them to learn to ride. The bikes also weigh about 30lbs each. They are made of lead and remind me of the weight my first Strawberry Shortcake bike many years ago.

We finished Christmas Day going to our friends the Friess family who are also Post-Residents here. The kids played and we ate another yummy meal together. It was a great end to a wonderful celebration and we are thankful to have new friends here with whom we can share life.

It was definitely a different Christmas for us. No traveling. No working either - which was really nice. No never ending list of parties to attend. It was really pure and simple. Some might think it is sad we were sad stuck out here in the bush with no other family around but it was a good reminder that Christmas is wonderful to celebrate with family but not actually celebrate family instead. Sometimes I think that line gets blurred a bit. Although we missed our family terribly and wished we were celebrating with them we were still able to celebrate Christmas out here by ourselves. It was a wonderful, peaceful time for us to celebrate Jesus. To see our kids truly excited about the true meaning of the day. To see Claire's understanding of Jesus grow more and more. To see them love God and love others on the day set aside to celebrate His birth. I'm thankful that their first memories of Christmas will be filled with days like we had this year.

O Tannenbaum

2009-12-21T13:20:00.001-06:00

Christmas in Kenya! Here is our tree. I got it at Nakumatt for about $15. It came in a box not bigger than a shoebox. Once I got her home I decided I probably should have splurged on the $30 version but oh well. All I could find were colored lights (I'm more of a clear light type of a girl) so we went with those and when we put them on our little tree they started blinking at all sort of random intervals. We carefully followed the directions and changed out the "blinking" bulb but alas our little tree has a mind of it's own and sometimes the lights blink and sometimes they don't. Claire and Ford both love the colored lights and think the tree is great. They knock it over several times a day so it helps that I don't have lots of expensive ornaments on it. Oh yes ornaments . . .

We gathered tiny pine cones, added some green construction paper and dried pasta a voila! Ornaments! I also brought a couple of ornament craft kits from Hobby Lobby with us so we had an all day ornament extravaganza at our place and feel festive and jolly!

This will be a different Christmas this year for a lot of reasons. It is 80 degrees outside. We are in a new home in a new country and only have a few friends. We won't be with family this year. But so far this "holiday season" has been really nice. There are no massive ad campaigns where we live to get you to go out and buy stuff you can't afford for people who don't really need it. As we look forward to Christmas we think about Jesus and the miracle of his birth. We are overwhelmed by God's love and the amazing way He chose to come to save us. Our kids are excited about Christmas because it is a celebration of Jesus' birthday. Don't get me wrong they are also looking forward to their 3 gifts (just like He got on His birthday). But it is nice to have so much of the distraction gone this year and focus on what is important and beautiful.

Back

2009-12-17T06:01:00.000-06:00

Hi! I'm still here. I just wanted to reassure everyone that I wasn't somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic trying to row myself home after that last post about my struggles here. Culture shock and homesickness are boogers but I'm doing well. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement. I'm just trying to keep it real. I haven't spent much time working on pictures or blogging in the last few weeks but I wanted to share a few of the kids and promise I'll be back with an update soon.

Working on Christmas crafts - what is an ornament without dry pasta when you are a preschooler?

Oh how could I forget this little man? Apparently someone told him that 7 month olds are capable of crawling. I better not find out who it was! Claire and Ford crawled at 10 and 9 months NOT 7! I was looking forward to that "golden" time when they can sit well but not crawl. Just another reminder that he is his own person with his own timetable! Does this mean he will start pulling up and walking soon???

new things . . .

2009-11-30T05:41:00.002-06:00

There are LOTS of new things in our life since we arrived in Kenya. Some are wonderful, some I'm not too sure about. One of the things that has lots of newness involved is food! Everyone is always curious about what we eat so I thought I'd fill you in on that. Above are some samoosas (the triangle that is filled with meat, cabbage and carrots) and spring rolls which are kind of a cross between what we call a spring roll and an egg roll. They are filled with lots of carrots and cabbage. They are delicious! I have a lady that makes them for us and we can throw them into the freezer and pull them out quickly and heat them up for lunch. It is almost our only option for a "fast food" meal.

Cooking is all from scratch which takes a bit more planning and time but overall it hasn't been too bad. I took some serious heat for never have made biscuits before since I'm from the South but I have to admit most of the biscuits I consumed came from Chickfila or Cracker Barrel! I haven't actually made biscuits yet since baking is a bit tricky at this altitude (7500ft) but I have made homemade banana and zucchini bread in addition to a special high altitude chocolate chip cookie recipie that turned out well. Otherwise I have made things like vegetable beef soup, chicken soup, potato soup (do you see a trend?), chicken and rice, zucchini/chicken/rice and (hold on to your seats) chicken enchiladas. What are enchiladas without chips and salsa? Well I decided to make those too. I cut up some tortillas (that are made freshly around here and are plentiful), fried them, added a little salt and voila . . . chips! I chopped up some tomatoes, red onion added a salsa seasoning packet that I brought from the U.S. and we were in business. The kids loved them. I thought they were OK. They will quench my Mexican cravings which are sure to come! Luckily I can find enchilada sauce in Nairobi so the enchiladas were easy!

We've actually had very little "Kenyan" food since we've been here. But we are managing in the kitchen pretty well. Rhett comes home for lunch each day so I have to plan to have lunch and dinner each day which is a change. I'm used to just grabbing something simple but I have to come up with something that has a bit more substance for him. We do a lot of soup for lunch and I throw in a samoosa for him. The same lady that makes the samoosas makes pizza crusts so I can make a pizza pretty quickly for lunch too.

Another new thing around our home is chai. Chai (tea) is a staple of the Kenyan culture and I've grown to really appreciate it. At 10am sharp everyone is Kenya stops what they are doing, takes a break and enjoys a cup of chai. It is not the Indian spicy tea we call "chai" in the U.S. It is a black tea that they mix with a lot of milk and sugar. This mid morning break is really nice unless you are a doctor trying to do something emergently in the hospital and everyone is at chai. I've heard this can be a big frustration for expat physicians trying to practice here. Emergency C-section? But it is chai. Stat Lab? But it is chai. You can see how this cultural difference would be difficult to understand. For me at home it is so nice - Claire even drinks it and looks forward to it each day.

This may put yard work in perspective for you! This is how our grass gets cut! This guy just took this big machete and started hacking. He was coming really clost all of his limbs which made me nervous but he didn't seem to notice too much. He picked up all of the clipping and bagged them and carried them off.

Here is a shot of those chips and salsa! Claire has asked that we have them at her princess birthday party in addition to pizza and pink cup cakes!

Not to be forgotten . . . sweet little Gus. Don't be fooled. He won't eat anything. What every I can manage to squeeze into his mouth gets "raspberried" right back at me. Sometimes I can get him to take some banana or avacado off my finger but he is not having a spoon anywhere near him unless it is in his hand. Sigh. I think this may be a sign of his independent spirit that we will see more of in the future. The rule-breaker himself.

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-27T03:13:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-27T02:53:00.000-06:00

So much to say

2009-11-24T11:35:00.001-06:00

I've been holding off on a post for a while now. Where do I even start? The past two weeks have been pretty intense on several different levels. I struggle with how transparent I should be on this blog. I've heard so many words from many of you like "inspire", "encourage", "amazed" and I find it hard to stand up now and say that it has been a struggle for me these past couple weeks. But I want to keep it real and remind myself and you that I am just an ordinary girl empowered by an extraordinary God who loves me.

It isn't that I don't like it here - I really do. I have just been missing my old home. I know that sounds incredibly immature and whiny. Homesickness is for sissies! But, unfortunately, it is true for me. I was thinking about what it would have been like if we had just moved to a new city - even a far off one with a different culture within the U.S. I could think of so many different ways it would be possible to meet new people (join a church, the Y, bible study), get the kids involved in preschool etc. It would be really tough at first to find a niche but eventually I could find like-minded people to share my life with. Here is not really too different from that scenario - I'll eventually find people I click with and have things in common with here - it is a big place with lots of opportunities to know people and get involved. It was really everything ELSE that is different that really threw me for a loop that would have been the same if we had just simply moved in the U.S.

There are very few things in my life that are the same as they were 3 weeks ago. I can think only of my husband/kids, some clothes and my sheets. My shampoo is different, I don't have my car anymore, my internet is totally different, everything I put in my mouth or cook is different. I guess this is just a part of culture shock but man it was tough. I was on the verge of tears until about three days ago with frequent spill overs.

I don't doubt the decision to leave everything behind and come here. I know it is where God has us for this season of life and ministry and I know that it is a good thing to leave "home" and stretch my boundaries. It kind of took me by surprise, really, and I felt like one of those weak sissies I mentioned before. I guess I just think about my "old" life and, man, I loved it. We lived in a wonderful city with an amazing church family, pastor and small group. I was in a wonderful bible study group with women who loved and encouraged me. My children were in the most wonderful first school experience I could imagine. We were close to our family. I loved my house, my car and all the opportunities we had there.

When I think about what I miss most my mind zips back to something that I did every single day . . . driving in the car with my kids. Nothing special there but I miss it so much. We had our favorite CDs we sang in the car together (the Annie soundtrack was one of the best!) and we looked for yellow cars and garbage trucks and got excited when we found them. We zipped through the drive thru at Chickfila (or Cluck-Cluck as Ford called it) and I got a large sweet tea and the kids got apple juice and we just went about our day running a few errands . . . Publix, ballet, car pool for preschool. It was just the normal part of my life that I really loved and really miss here.

Claire asked me the other day "Mommy, where is the McWane [children's science museum] in Kenya?". I thought she would melt into a puddle on the floor when I told her there wasn't a McWane Center here. She was trying to hide her disappointment but couldn't quite manange. I wanted to cry with her. I promised her we would go back to the McWane Center one day and she seemed pretty OK with that. She asked me if we could get on an airplane and go back to Ama and Pa Pa's house. I told here we would definitely do that one day but for now we were going to be living in Kenya. She seems to be having lightbulb moments where she realizes that people and things she loves are far away. I've tried to be strong for her but I also wanted her to know that it is OK to be sad and miss things "back in Alabama". I ask her how her heart is feeling and she is being honest when she has some sadness in her heart and we talk about it and pray about it. I'm thankful she is willing to share her emotions and fears with us.

OK, so that was my pity party. I'm feeling much better the past few days. On Saturday we left Kijabe for a fun family day trip and it helped me clear my head. I prayed and just told God how I was feeling and laid all of my sadness at his feet. I am depending on Him for my happiness not the comforts, convenience and happiness of my day to day life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here. I know our lives and hearts are going to be transformed by the experiences we have. We are starting to feel more settled and I am s-l-o-w-l-y figuring out how to live here. Make no mistake - I'm hardly roughing it. Yes, it is Africa, but I live in a lovely new apartment with hot water, oven and refrigerator. I visited the library at RVA this morning and checked out library books for the kids. This afternoon Claire went to ballet class with some other little girls on the station. Even though it requires us hiring a driver for the day ($$) I can get to a big city and find almost anything I need (except chocolate chips:) if I am willing to pay a premium price for it. I am surrounded by an amazing landscape and very friendly Kenyan people. Rhett is starting to dive into his "new life" at the hospital where he has so many opportunities to help relieve people's suffering and share Christ with them. I am reminded several times a day of the reality of many of the people here and it keeps Christ at the forefront of my heart and mind.

I have been so encouraged by a handful of people who have come up to me and said "I remember what it was like when we first got her . . . it was so overwhelming". Just that validation of I'm not the only one who feels overwhelmed is so encouraging. When someone takes the time to say "I've been there and I understand . . . it was tough" it is humbling and I appreciate it so much. I want to always remember this feeling and use it to encourage and connect with people in the future. Because after a while I think a lot of people forget what this adjustment time is like . . .

I have had some really nice moments since I've been here. I think I'll finish with one of them so this whole post isn't such a downer. Our first Sunday here at Kijabe we went to church at RVA (Rift Valley Academy). It was Baptism Sunday and 3 students were being baptized that day. We gathered on a hillside under huge old trees surrouding the baptismal pool. We sang songs and one by one each young person had the opportunity to share their story of how they came to know and follow Jesus. They had people who were special to them read scripture and pray for them. Then someone special to their spiritual journey baptized them and we sang a song of celebration for each of them that they picked for just that occassion. It was wonderful. I will look forward to Baptism Sunday each term!

So for now I have to dig in and carefully hold all of those sweet memories of my former life close to my heart - but not too close. I have to look around a find wonderful new ways to live and share my life with others around me. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to our life here and Rhett starts to work . . . it is going to be challenging but wonderful for all of us.

From Nairobi to Kijabe

2009-11-16T11:23:00.002-06:00

We were anxious for our driver to meet us and pack up to head out to Kijabe. Honestly we were a little nervous too. We took in all of the sights on the 45 minute drive and wondered what we would find when we got there!

Here we are - finally at our new home! This is our first look when we arrived . . .

This is the view from our front steps. The Kijabe Guest House is the building you see and in the back ground is the valley on a cloudy day.

This is half of the "sitaplex" (sita means six in kiswahili). Ours is the bottom apartment.

Here is where all the culinary magic happens. The kitchen is actually huge and very nice. Cooking a big challenge for me here. Everything is from scratch which is new to me. There is no last minute meal planning or running out to grab a bit to eat in a pinch. The stove is gas and I light it with a match every time I use it. We ran out of matches this morning and Rhett had to walk to the store to get some more so we could finish making pancakes!

This is what you see when you walk in our front door. The pictures don't do it justice really. It is really nice and very comfortable. We did take down some of the African decor that donned every wall and made it feel a bit more like home for us - a nice refuge for our family.

This is our living room which I love. I kept the elephant because I kind of like him!

This is the dining area where we spend a lot of time. The kids' toys are stored in those cabinets so they play in here a lot too. That will be our source of heat in the months to come when it cools off quite a bit at night. We are looking into having some sort of barricade made to keep little people away from the broiler in the middle of the room - "no touch" won't really cut it for this one.

After many years of our little pink bathroom this bathroom is spacious and so nice! The hot water heater is set at about 211 degrees F with no option to change it so we have started shutting it off at times and being really cautious when we use the water.

This is Claire and Ford's room. We imported the bedspreads but we will just ignore the curtains! We really need heavy curtains on the windows because the wind blows really hard at night. Really hard. About 6pm every night it starts to kick up and it howls all night long. Claire said she couldn't sleep the first few night because the wind was keeping her up! The cool wind comes in through the windows and makes it a bit drafty.

This is my pantry. Do you see anything interesting? How about the sacks of flour? I had the same sack of flour for 5 years in Birmingham. Apparently I will use quite a bit more here since I'll be baking so much more. Do you see the Kimbo? That is shortening. I've never bought shortening in my life much less used it. I'm not exactly sure what to do with it but I was told to buy some so now I have about 2 kilos worth just in case I figure out what to do with it. Do you see our milk . . . in boxes? We decided to start out this route. Many people here have fresh milk delivered from the cow each day. We haven't looked into that because it would mean pasteurizing it and we really don't drink that much milk even with the kids. Maybe once Gus is weaned we will switch. Freshly baked English muffins bought at the market, brown eggs . . . in a bag (not in the refrigerator). Not pictured is my three tiered fruit and veggie stand where all the good stuff is stored.

Out exploring the first day . . .

The fresh market where I go to buy all of our fresh fruit and veggies from the "Vegetable Ladies". The freshest days are on Tuesday and Saturday - if you get there early you might even find some strawberries or apples.

Who needs Publix when you have the Super Duka? Yes, that is the local store. They have a bit of everything there at a slightly higher price than Nairobi. The stores in Nairobi are modern and if you weren't paying attention you might think you were in Walmart. The prices are pretty high for some things (even by US standards) so you have to shop smart and avoid imported things. I frequently find myself buying "American Garden" brand items just because they are familiar. I'm sure as I live here longer I won't feel like I need those familiar items.

Here is the "Titchie" playgroud at Rift Valley Academy. The gate to RVA is just above our house. The "Titchie Swot" is the elementary school. It is quite a hike up through RVA campus to get there but the playgroud is fun and worth the trek for our kids! It is totally old school and takes me back to my childhood. None of this stuff would be considered "safe" by US standards today. But it was safe enough when I was 3 and way more fun!

This was the view when we were driving to Kijabe. The cluster of white buildings in the distance is Kijabe Station. We are on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley so everyting is on a slope. The school (RVA) is at the top (considered Upper Station), the hospital and our house and a few others are down further and called Middle Station and below the hospital is called Lower Station where most of the housing is located.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful since we got here. It is rainy season and everything is green and blooming and is just wonderful. It feels like spring during the day before the winds kick up. I do have a few moments when I yearn for the height of autumn going on in the south right now but I can't complain about the beauty here at all.

We are still getting settled. Trying to get the lay of the land. Rhett is still home helping me get oriented and figuring out how to live here. We start Kiswahili lessons on Tuesday and plan to keep that up twice a week. Rhett has been hitting the Rosetta Stone pretty hard lately so I'm sure he will be the star student of our class.

The kids say "Jambo" to everyone they meet - it's so cute. The Kenyan people are very friendly and enjoy greetings and chatting. The kids are a little shy when it comes to shaking hands but we are working on that. They seem to really enjoy it here. There are lots of kids around and it is fun to see them playing with new friends. The family with 3 kids who previously lived across the hall from us moved out just before we got here so there aren't any kids in our building (mostly used for short term volunteers) but the family who runs the guest house has 3 kids (including a 2 year old little boy) and a play ground so we will be spending lots of time over there. I really am amazed at how adapable the kids have been. They haven't missed a beat. They just want to play and have us close by.

Claire's quotes for the week . . .

2009-11-13T12:17:00.000-06:00

"Mommy, that must have happened before we were born when we were dead."

Mommy, I have something very serious to tell you . . . I'm changing my name to Pam."

(almost a week after arriving in Africa) Wait a minute!! Where is our TV here?? (We don't have a TV here, honey.) What about the Wonder Pets? It's three o'clock!

Guess how much I paid for all of this food? About 8 dollars! For 12 freshly baked english muffins, a pineapple, about a dozen bananas, 3 zucchini, 6 tomatoes, 1 green pepper, 1 cucumber, 12 passion fruit and 2 dozen eggs. Oh, and all the fruits and vegetables are organic (the farmers here can't afford fertilizers or pesticides). I know those bananas look kind of scroungy but let me tell you those are the real deal! We are getting jipped on bananas in the U.S. It's a shame. We sacrifice taste for beauty. My kids ate all those bananas in two days. Ford has been asking for more "namas" every since. I will make at least weekly visits to the "vegetable ladies" where I will buy all of our produce plus english muffins and tortillas just up the road from our house.

Speaking of food . . .

Gus started eating it this week. So far the jury is still out on the rice cereal. I think he wants to jump straight to the real stuff . I made my first two batches of baby food this week and froze it - carrots and butternut squash. I bought the veggies fresh, boiled them and then put them through my baby food mill. Is that right? I just kind of guessed. It was a little time consuming and very messy but not too bad. I bought a blender so hopefully that will help the process go smoother. I also need a better way to freeze it. All I could come up with were my breastmilk bags that I brought just in case I needed to put some milk away. And now I've used all of them. The only other option I have is gallon freezer bags. Our ice tray only holds about ten small cubes so that wouldn't be very efficient for freezing. Any other suggestions?

Here is Ford downing half a dozen passion fruit - his new favorite treat! I'm pretty sure if we weren't living in Kenya he wouldn't be eating passion fruit!

I know I jumped ahead on this blog post but I'm going to go back and tell you a little more about our arrival at Kijabe, our apartment and or first few days here as soon as I can! I know several of you are anxious to hear from us so this is for you :)

From Birmingham to Nairobi

2009-11-09T12:36:00.000-06:00

What a crazy couple of weeks we have had. I intended on carefully blogging this whole experience but somewhere along the way I started drowning in everything going on around me and had to put it aside in order to actually get everything I needed to do done! It all just happened so fast.

On Oct. 31st our friends from near and far descended on our house and carted off all of our stuff to our storage unit. The only problem was when they got back from taking all of our stuff to the storage unit there was still a lot of stuff in our house. That was when the overwhelmed feeling started creeping in. We were starting to feel pressed for time realizing all that we had to do before we left. And one of those reasons was actually a huge answer to prayer . . .

To make a very long story short on Oct. 30th we decided to rent our house! God clearly had his hand in this as everyone we know has been praying for the sale of our house for the last 8 months. Our prayer was not just that our house sell but that God would be glorified through the sale of the house. We just didn't realize that He would choose to glorify Himself in an even bigger way. Without going into all the details a very good friend of ours sister and family were recently relocated to Birmingham. They have just put their home on the market and needed a place to rent until they sell theirs and can buy something here. It worked out amazingly that God would minister to and provide for both of our families through this arrangement where we rent them the house, it remains on the market, they can take care of it for us and handle the utilities with no commitment to us. If ours sells they move out and if theirs sells they move out. Win/win.

So we had to get the house ready for them, move out all of our stuff, pack for Africa and do what we most wanted to do: spend time with our family and friends. We had wonderful time trick or treating with cousins and psuedo-cousins that night and the next day we were commissioned at our church. That was an incredible experience. I can't even describe how it feels to see so many people we know and love coming to pray for us. I cried each time. Even in the third service I thought I had it all together since I had already done it twice that day but I saw an old friend from work who I haven't seen in a couple years coming forward to pray for us and the tears flowed again! Afterward the morning services we had a wonderful lunch at a friend's house and were able to reconnect with lots of old friends. It was a bittersweet time knowing were were about to say good bye. In hindsight, it was a bit too much for us to pull all of that off in less than a week. It was also emotionally overloading to have it happen so fast. If we could do it again we would have moved out a week earlier and hand time to devot to cleaning and packing without feeling like the clock is ticking.

Our precious family came to love us and be a part of our commissioning

On Monday we had an "Africa Party" for Claire at school. The only thing African about it was the name though :) Claire has been amazing through all this. She is so brave. She did tell me a few times that her stomach hurt because she was "nerbous" because she was moving to a new country.

Her friends hug her and wish her good bye. They sent home a beautiful stack of letters and drawings that were so special for her to read and feel like she was really being sent and prayed for too.

Then it was back to reality. Packing. How do I fit all of these clothes into this suitcase? Would you believe that I did? BUT it weighed 54 lbs so I had to take out some and reconfigure before it got the green light. We did a lot of reconfiguring of bags over the next few days.

Rhett in the middle of the packing process. It was starting to come together at this point

The final product, are you ready? 9 duffle bags, 4 action packers, 3 suitcases, 4 car seats (3 convertible and one infant), 1 baby backpack carrier, 4 rolling carry ons, 3 backpacks, 1 computer bag, one purse and two strollers. All the bags weighed in right at 50 lbs.

So we got up on Thursday morning and packed our stuff into two different cars (with my Dad meeting us at the airport with some of our luggage also). We had to walk through our house one last time. Sad. I have memories in every corner of that house with my kids. It seems strange that I won't be going back there. It was a great house. I didn't have too much time to process it though because we were in a hurry. Driving down the street that I had driven down countless times the last 5 1/2 years . . . the same street I walked up and down late into the night when I was pregnant with Ford trying to get my labor started . . . and pushed Claire up and down in her "beep beep" car . . . anyway, sniff sniff, we said good bye and off we went.

We met our whole family at the airport and got all of our bags checked. The ticketing agent wasn't particularly friendly but it worked out. He weighed the first few bags then hardly paid attention to the rest. World Medical Mission paid for one extra bag per person, one family bag and one bag for Gus so that took care of 14 bags so we had to pay for 3 more. We got one "baby item" per child which I didn't realize beforehand so we were lucky that it worked out since we were carrying on one car seat for Ford.

As we were waiting and spending last minutes with our family a large group of troops came walking through the terminal on their way to Afghanistan or Iraq. Everyone started clapping and stood up cheering for them as they walked through the very busy atrium. It was a touching and tear jerking moment and it kind of put our situation in perspective. We could have very well been there saying good bye to Rhett and his brother on their way to war - not knowing if our kids would see their dads again. It made our departure seem somehow less severe as we watched those soldiers march off to war.

We said teary good byes and before I knew what was happening I was on my way - trying not to look back. Claire was eagerly walking forward saying "Come on! Let's go to Kenya! Come on!" and Ford was chanting "Kenya! Kenya! Kenya!". I cried until we got to the gate. I guess they took pity on us at the security line because I can't begin to describe how much stuff we had and we didn't get stopped at all and even had a very helpful man walk us through and assist us. It all just kept happening so fast. I still had people I wanted to call and errands I wanted to run. I told Claire I would take her to her favorite park one last time and still hadn't done it. I wanted to get 6 month and 2 year pictures of Gus and Ford taken. No time. I blinked and I was getting on the airplane. Amsterdam bound.

I was quickly jerked back to the here and now as we tried to get all of our stuff and children on that plane. I am usually a very low maintenance traveler. I wonder what is in all of those huge carry on bags that people hoist above my head. Well, now I know. For us it was everything precious, expensive or irreplaceable that we wanted to carry with us. Unfortunately we needed 2 more people to carry it on with us. We even made Claire push a rolling bag and cheered her on because we knew if she gave up we were in real trouble. We got lots of ugly looks and comments as we bumped every single person on the aisle in the head - twice - as we passed them by. Then we got to our seats and somehow they had issued two boarding passes for one seat . . . mine. So then I just stood there with no where to go and all of this stuff and all of these children and, well, it was just plain awful. But soon it was over and we were all on the plane and settled in our seats. Rhett and Ford sat on the bulkhead and Claire, Gus and I had a row (Gus didn't have a ticketed seat but they gave us and empty seat and I could bring his carseat on board - lifesaver). The next thing I knew we were in Amsterdam.

We had just enough time to take care of all of our transfer details and get to our next gate before we started boarding. We walked right past the baby care center and kids play area both of which we could have used (not to mention a change of clothes and a toothbrush) but, alas, it was time to go again. I felt rushed the whole time - even on the plane - it just went by so fast. We got on our ride to Nairobi next . . .

This time I sat on the bulkhead with Gus and Ford and Rhett sat in a nearby row with Claire. We didn't have a seat for Gus but we did have this handy dandy bassinet which once again was a lifesaver. He got to nap, I got to eat without him grabbing at my food and we were both happy. His neighbor in the bassinet was a beautiful little girl from Denmark whose parents had immigrated from Kenya 11 years ago. At first sight her mother and I had nothing in common. Her: devout muslim, black, Afro-European. Me: Christian, white, American. But as we sat next to each other on that flight and cared for our children similarities began to rise to the surface. Our babies were on the same schedule it seemed. We soothed them to sleep in the same motherly ways. We baby-talked and hushed our little ones. It was as if those barriers and tags disappeared. Then towards the end of the flight she began to dress herself in a long flowing black gown that looked quite lovely with her brightly covered hijab and her bearded husband came to help her with her children and the differences became slightly more apparent but for a few minutes on that flight we were just two moms and it was really beautiful.

Then we were here. Kenya. We made it. I am being completely honest when I say the flight was not a big deal. Yes we flew for 16 hours but it really was fine. I heard less whining and saw fewer tears during that time than on a typical Tuesday. Our flight arrived around 9:30pm or so and we were able to basically walk right through customs and meet our Samaritan's Purse driver, Gerald (just like on Sid the Science Kid - Claire would tell you) and he whisked us off to our temporary quarters the Mennonite Guest House.

We were all so tired that we fell straight to sleep upon our arrival and enjoyed a leisurely morning before going out on an outing to the Giraffe Center in the west Nairobi area of Karen. The center was nice. We got to see the giraffes really up close and personal which was fun.

I love this one of Gus peeking out . . .

Do you see the smocked giraffes on Ford's jon jon? I saw this at a consignment sale an thought it would be perfect for the Giraffe Center! I guess you can take the girl out of Alabama but not the Alabama out of the girl since we have smocked outfits for every occassion :)

Saturday night the jet lag kicked in a little bit and each child took their turn being awake which made it tougher for us to adjust since our sleep was being messed up more by being awake with them. Ford got up and said "Mommy! Mommy! I wanna get up!" as he hopped down on the floor and gave a little clap and had a little bounce in his step. That was just before I promptly placed him right back in bed! Once again we made it through and I just kept reminding myself that this was going to be the worst night and tomorrow would be better.

On Sunday Gerald came back and took us to church, Nairobi Chapel which was very interesting. It was basically the African version of a mega church. With a few big differences. The first being that it met in tents. As in wedding reception/circus style. Lots of big white tents - one for the sanctuary, one for the creche, one for prayer, one for youth worship, and several for children's Sunday school. We took Claire and Ford to their tents, I mean, classes and dropped them off. I could see through the divider inside the tent as we were dropping Ford off into Claire's class as she sat on the carpet and no less than 5 Kenyan children played with her hair which was a new thing for them to see I'm sure. We were so proud of them. It was not an easy situation for them. They were in a new place with new people who speak funny English or Kiswahili and whose skin was a different color and they were the only white child around but I have to tell you they never even really noticed all those differences. They just went to Sunday school like normal and afterwards Claire said she liked it.

The service was quite good. We spent time praying for the form 8 kids around Kenya getting ready to sit for a national exam which will decide what type of secondary school they will be able to attend based on their performance as well as praying for the country of Zimbabwe which is in a bit of a crisis right now. They spoke of the church in South Korea where one of the assistant pastors had just returned and heard him describe how God is at work in a mighty way there. Did you know there is a church in Seoul with a million members. Their annual giving is over a billion dollars. Tens of thousands of small groups. Missionaries going out in droves. I had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe I was sitting at a mega church in a tent in Kenya praying for Zimbabwe and getting report on the church in South Korea. Neat!

Back to the guest house for Sunday lunch and a rest. Sunday afternoons a gentleman brings a horse to the guest house for any children who are there to ride. For 100 Ksh Claire got to ride for about 10 minutes. She loved it.

Here are a few more pictures of the guest house. There are several of these types of guest houses around Nairobi that help missionaries coming and going and allow a place of rest and rejuvenation for some. It is quite lovely.

Beautiful lawn and gardens . . . the perfect place for chai!

The outside of our room #14 which is a family suite. A large room with a partition with adult sleeping area on one side and a crib and bunk beds on the other and another bedroom with bunk beds. The toilet is in one room and the sink and tub down the hall in another. It is decorated in the missionary chic style that kind of reminds you of your grandparents or an old aunts home.

Monday we went to Westgate Mall to shop to get supplies and groceries for our trip out to Kijabe. Did I just say mall? Yes and man is it ever nice. They did check under our car with a mirror for explosives but other than that it was quite a normal upscale mall. We shopped at Nakumatt which is like a Super Target or Walmart. I pick up among other things on my long list: rice, sugar, flour (white and whole wheat - I wasn't sure what self rising meant so I just got all purpose - I hope that works), juice, detergent, green enchilada sauce (I promptly brought 3 cans even though they were a little expensive because I love my green enchiladas and thought I wouldn't be partaking for quite a while), peanut butter, shampoo, chocolate bars, Bisquick (I recently learned it is possible to make pancakes without Bisquick - who knew? I'm going to stick with what I know, however.) and a hairdryer among many other things. It was about 24,000 Ksh or $325. Next stop cell phone store. We got phones just inside the Nakumatt we got middle of the road phones that have email and basic internet capabilities for 12,000-13,000 Ksh each plus 1,000 Ksh worth of minutes of each of our phones. Grand total 27,498 Ksh or $376.68. That hurt a little bit but we need to have good communication - especially if I am traveling any distance from home without Rhett. The phones were all really expensive compared to the States. It is a good alternative to checking email on the computer too which can be tricky. However there is now improving wireless internet sevice through Safaricom so we also picked up two modems and megabytes to go along with those. The modems were about 4,000 Ksh ($55) and we bought a fair amt of megabytes now and will top up as needed.

Gerald was of great assistance to us as he watched the kids who have really taken to him. I asked him to be our nanny ;) We stopped by Art Cafe and had a yummy cheeseburger, fries and coke. Are we really in Africa? I did notice around the mall a few intersting things: the sign on a fake Christmas tree read: X-mas tree and the many signs advertising a Christmas festival read: X-mas Festival. Hmmm. I'm thinking there might be something there besides just a need for abbreviation. I'm also thinking Jesus doesn't appreciate the X so I usually take the time to include Him in the word "Christmas" or write C-mas at the very least if I'm in a hurry. I wonder if this will be the trend at stores in the States too?

We were able to Skype with our family tonight which is always fun and the kids love it. The word on the street is that with our wireless modem we should be able to video Skype when we are "in town" on the 3G network. So get excited Grandparents! The network is slightly slower out in Kijabe but will be much better than the dial up service otherwise available. So bloggers get excited because I should be able to keep it up!

Tomorrow we are going to get a few perishable items and meat before heading out to Kijabe - our new home!! We are a little nervous about meeting everyone and seeing this place we have heard so much about but only imagined until now. Please pray for us as we make this transition. Another request would be that God would provide a car for us. It is becoming more and more apparent (and more and more people are telling us) that we really need a car. We have a budget in mind and hope to find something soon that fits not only our budget but our needs. We were encouraged over the last few days to find out that prices of cars have fallen here and we won't need to spend as much as we thought. We also will mostly be using our car for trips to Nairobi or other well traveled areas so the advice we have been given several times is that we don't really need an excessively rugged SUV that we thought we would. That has put a car in our price range and so we would ask you to pray with us that we find something that works soon.

My next post will be from our new home in Kijabe!!

Trying to pack lightly . . .

2009-11-04T22:35:00.000-06:00

I wish I had time to post more about our journey so far. I will go back and fill in the details when I have more time. Thanks for all of your prayers. The last week has been one of the busiest of my life, needless to say. We are on our way tomorrow! Here we come!

Dedicated

2009-10-28T20:25:00.000-05:00

On Sunday we celebrated our sweet Gus with his baby dedication at our church. It was a fun occassion and we loved having an excuse to have most of our family here to celebrate with us. Our pastor has just finished a series on the book of James and steming from that God has moved our hearts as a church family for the poor. Last Sunday when we arrived at worship we found a real shanty town built on the stage. Apparently they had been raiding dumpsters all over the city to find the right pieces of scrap wood and metal to build a real life slum right up there on the stage with every detail complete all the way down to the broken bottles along the top of the wall for security (which, if you've been in many shanty towns, you know is quite the norm). This shanty will remain for a year as a constant reminder to us each Sunday of the reality of the poor. I thought it was an interesting backdrop for our baby dedication! Actually, quite fitting for our little Gus who is on his way to Africa!

Our newest hobby as a family are some pretty heated games of t-ball in our yard! Claire is actually really good and when she gets up there at bat she gets in the stance and shakes her little hiney - too cute. Ford takes a whack and runs in a big loop from home to second and back again a few times as fast as he can. Gus is mostly a spectator at this point but he is taking notes and . . .

sitting up! What in the world! He also got his first tooth yesterday! He is the youngest of all three to sit or get a tooth! What is up with that? He also grabbed a hand full of rice of my plate the other day at P.F. Chang and shoved it in his mouth! He has reached all the criteria for solids at our house (sitting up unsupported, doubling birth weight -he was 18 lbs 8oz yesterday . . . way more than double!, and grabbing food off our plates) so he has earned the right to take on a new challenge however he will have to wait for Kenya because I really don't want to deal with toting all the feeding gear on our journey across the pond! Besides he needs to keep practicing because sometimes he ends up like this . . .

We are packing, packing, packing here. We have about 5 more boxes to go then everything will be all packed up. Some of our wonderful friends are descending on our house early Saturday morning and between cups of hot chocolate and Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be loading our stuff in a truck and unloading it in our storage unit. Move out day :( We are both a little nostalgic thinking of when we first moved in this house almost 5 1/2 years ago. We were newlyweds and this house seemed to have way more space than we needed - we had a guest room and an office! Now we've got a kid in each of those rooms in addition to the one we have stowed in our room because we have run out! We have LOVED our first little home but just as our realtor reminded us - it is just sticks and bricks - we take the memories with us and that is what is important. This house has been a wonderful little nest for the birth of our family and we will always have the fondest memories of our time here. We are ready to move on though. We are ready for the next chapter . . .

Two.

2009-10-22T19:47:00.002-05:00

Ford turned two on Saturday which is really strange since it feels like he was born last week. We had a wonderful celebration of him on that day. We went down to Calera to the railroad museum and rode the train to the pumpkin patch. He was so excited because he loves "choo choos" and I knew he would have a great time seeing the real thing. The weather didn't completely cooperate because it was really quite cold that day but we had a wonderful time despite some shivering and cold fingers.

We have a very strict rule of making a really big deal out of birthdays around here and making a point to really celebrate the birthday boy or girl! This was no exception. First let me say - I am new to trains. I am just getting the lingo down (there are lots of gaps mind you). I just realized they all have names just like My Little Ponies which is fun but also means that I have to remember Sky Dancer and Percy and everyone in between. We got to the little train depot and the kids went straight to play with the train table. Not long after, they were lured by the racks of "Thomas" train gear hoovering all around them. Ford locked in on a double engine and cargo car (train lingo gap here) $23.99. For a wooden train. I tried to interest him in the really cute single engine above in a fun green color for $12.99. Nope. He loved the black one. Rhett and I looked at each other and he smiled and said "It's his birthday." So he got the very cool black train to add to his small but growing collection of trains. He held one in each hand for most of the rest of the day and to bed that night.

We rode the train to the little pumpkin patch they set up. It was the perfect length for train ride with little kids. There were fun activities like fake tattoos, jumpy things and a hay stack. Basically the idea here is simple: throw a bunch of hay in a pile and let kids be kids in it. Super fun. Claire and Ford watched from the sidelines and bigger kids jumped and rolled in the hay. Then Ford had an idea . . .

Then he saw this other little kid in a preppy little coat. He decided to remind him that this was Alabama and we were in the country. I have no idea who this little boy was but Ford chased him around for a solid 5 minutes trying to throw hay on him . . .

The celebration continued that evening when we decided it would be fun to go out to eat (our days of running out to a restaurant for dinner are numbered) so we went to a Japanese Steakhouse. The kids had never been before so we thought we'd introduce them to this somewhat American tradition before we leave for Kenya. We thought it was a win-win. Lots of pre-dinner entertainment and kid friendly food. Perfect. Well, it didn't go quite that smoothly, of course.

They sat us at our table and after we ordered and finished our salad and soup they finished seating the rest of the people at our table who then started the process of ordering and eating their appetizers. They were a bunch of "singles" who ordered big fruity drinks and told the waiter TWICE they needed more time to look at the menu (seriously . . . chicken, steak, shrimp or a combination of those three - make a decision.) then they decided they wanted to look at the sushi menu. Meanwhile our crew was circling the drain. We expected by that time to be ooohing and ahhhing at the flaming volcano but that was still many, many minutes away. And as a rule we don't do well in public after 6:30. It was getting late. Enter Gus who had been his precious-little-easy-baby-self all day but now it was about his bed time and he wanted to eat too. I'm usually quick to "whip it out" in public (well not really - I have a really cute nursing cover I use) but the whole table arrangement at the steakhouse made me feel like I couldn't be discrete nursing so I took him to find a quiet place to nurse. While I was gone the "show" began. I came back to two very unhappy kids and Daddy.

Apparently all the knives and drama scared Claire and she was nearly in tears. At some point she had knocked over my chair and Ford was not having a minute of this strange guy in a big hat flaming things up in front of him. So we did damage control for a few minutes and managed to salvage everyone from the brink. Then they came with drums and singing and the pineapple birthday surprise for the birthday boy . . .

Ford didn't really appreciate it so much. Oh well. It really was fun looking back - even with all of the ruckous. Just very real moments with lots of little ones! Oh and Claire's fortune read: You will soon be traveling to a distant land AND Rhett's read: You will be traveling to a distant land for business purposes!

Next the celebration continued on Tuesday at the Pumpkin Patch for Ford's party! I realize Claire has on the same sweater - oops. We are wardrobe limited these days since we are weeks away from warmer temperatures. Anyway, we had a blast at the patch!

Sidenote: Do you like my babyhawk carrier? I love it. Gus slept in it the entire 3 hours that we were there. It is equally as comfortable for me too. I managed to pull off all of the mom responsibilites that come with a birthday party and the pumpkin patch with him sound asleep snuggled in his favorite place :) My sister in law said I was going to fit right in with all the moms in Africa! And you can pick all sorts of cute fabric combinations which is always fun!

Anyway, we rode ponies . . .

And sang to the birthday boy who prompty blew out his candles on cue . . .

I loved the cupcakes from Edgar's Bakery!

All the kids seemed to have a fun time!

Ford is so much fun and just a joy to have around. We love him so much. He brings so much life and fun to our family. I could never have imagined such a precious little boy would be mine.

Something to think about

2009-10-21T20:53:00.002-05:00

These pictures have nothing to do with this post. They are just cute.

Something has bothered me for the last several years: those mini-storage places. Once I was driving past one and it just hit me like a ton of bricks. As Americans we have so much stuff that we have to rent more space (outside of our already enormous dwellings) to keep it all. Not only that, but those storage places are NICE. Way nicer than the place that hundreds of millions of people on this planet call home. Seriously. The rent for one month storage costs as much most people in Kenya make in about 2 or 3 months. They are super secure and climate controlled. We air condition our stuff. Really? How messed up is that?

So know I'm in a pickle. In two weeks we are moving and we have to store our stuff . . . in one of those places. I'm rationalizing it because it is not our extra stuff it is actually everything that we own crammed in a 10 x 15 space. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I feel like I'm having a lot of rubber meets the road moments like that lately. I'm not sure why my furniture is going to be more comfortable than most people on the planet but it looks like that is what is going to happen.

What all is involved . . .

2009-10-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

Just in case you are wondering what all is involved in packing up your life as you know it and moving to Africa - here are some of the highlights . . .

Getting wills, power of attorneys and living wills done. (Thank you Legalzoom.com) Thank you Neal Boortz for getting us a $10 per item discount by entering "Boortz" at check out.

Why a power of attorney? Someone has to be the go-to person here in the States for any banking, legal or tax issues that might arise while we are gone.

Insurance - there is a long conversation coming up with our insurance agency regarding just about every department in the company: life, home and auto. Get 'em all on the line.

Make 2 copies of above documents PLUS passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, social security cards and immunization records for all 5 of us. We are leaving originals with one family member, one copy with another family member and another set of copies is going with us.

Changing mail officially to our "permanent U.S. address" which will be Rhett's brother. They can then sort through all of our mail and send us anything personal or important. Including my Christmas cards. I love opening my Christmas cards.

Opening a Capital One credit card that does not charge any "international fees" and opening a Capital One checking account that does not charge international ATM fees. This will save us a lot of money over the years. Details in this article.

Making lots of final hour doctor's visits. I think we have 7 between now and our departure date.

Order two years of contacts for each of us. $$$

Get vaccines necessary for us and the kids. $$$$ (this requires 3 separate visits to the travel clinic and several to the pediatrician)

Shopping consignment and off season sales for the next size clothes and shoes for the kids. I figure this will give me some time before I have to brave the open air markets to buy clothes for them. Hopefully by then I will be a little more culturally confident and have few friends who can go with me. I hear we can find crocs in Kenya. Sweet.

Upgrade to Medjet Expatriate. We have had Medjet for years and feel great knowing that a jet from Birmingham will come get us if we get sick and take care of us. Priceless.

Buy extra electronic things we might need: flash drives, portable hard drives, CDs, camera and computer accessories that will be difficult to find or expensive there.

Make "love books" for the kids with pictures of them with all of our loved ones and of them doing fun things with them. I also included pictures of our house and things like school, ballet, the park etc. so they can remember those sorts of things.

Enlarge pictures and mount on foam board. I decided to do this because I love being surrounded by beautiful pictures of our kids and family. Framed pictures would be prohibitive due to the weight of the frames to transport so I came up with this idea. Mpix will print enlargements and mount them on foam board. I can them fix them on the wall with adhesive or sit them on plate stands in our new house. Great way to decorate and keep family members and memories in our life and mind. I got my order today and they are fantastic. I had previously gotten some done at Wolf Camera and the quality was pitiful compared to Mpix. Highly recommend them for prints.

Order duffle bags from www.bigduffles.com This is the best price I could find on big bags. This is a better use of our weight limit since the bags are so lightweight compared to suitcases. Buy 2 get 1 free.

Order Rubbermaid Action Packers from Amazon.com Other places have slightly lower prices but one place wanted $80 for shipping 4 containers. I got FREE super saver shipping with amazon so I got a great deal. These will be for packing items that could be damaged in a suitcase or duffle bag . . . printer, pictures, household items, books etc.

Closing various accounts, setting up turning off our utilities.

Get AAA International Driver's Licenses. We've been told these can come in handy for a variety of reasons.

Getting change of address post cards made from www.123print.com We will send these out to people with our Kenya address and U.S. address when we leave so people don't drop us off their mailing lists (remember how much I love my Christmas cards!). I also got some business cards printed with our information that are handy to pass out quickly when we meet someone who is interested in what we are doing.

Getting an accountant here in the U.S who can handle our taxes for us. Turbo Tax won't cut it this year.

I will do another post on the actual packing process. This list has worn me out and made me start biting my nails again from stress.