Monday Musings

Last week I said "goodbye" to my American friend in Kenya. I met Anne only six weeks ago, just a couple of days after arriving in Kenya. Little did either of us know at the time that she and her husband, Tim, and their children would be returning to the States so soon. She became a good friend who helped me through my "infancy period" in adaptation to a new culture. It was comforting to know that she was just a couple of hundred meters or so across campus and available for chats whenever I was in need of companionship. I felt sad for myself, but happy for her when she told me they were leaving. So, we wished each other well in the future. I don't know if we will ever see each other again this side of Heaven, but I do know that God had her here for me even if our time together was too brief.

Tim, Anne, Clare, Joe

We are presently in week 7 of our African adventure. It is truly an experience I will never forget. I have learned more about myself through this time than I probably would have learned had I not dared to take this step of faith into the unknown. I still feel homesick, but God's grace has kept me moment by moment as I've trusted in Him.

Last weekend we did more souvenir (Christmas) shopping. Arriving home just nine days before Christmas, we have decided that it would be helpful to get most of our shopping done while here. What better things to buy than African memorabilia? I'm excited about sharing these items with my family and friends. I just hope we can get everything in our luggage when it's time to leave!

Two gifts for ourselves!

The campus foliage never ceases to amaze me. Every day it seems as if I'm noticing a flower or colorful bush for the very first time. The landscape is continuously renewed. When one shrub/flower fades, another takes its place. I hope that the pictures I'm posting will give you a glimpse into what I'm talking about. We are moving into our season of "short rains" with Summer following. Although, Summer in this part of Kenya is not hot like Summer in Oklahoma. It is much more temperate.

Colors surrounding our flat

My baking experiments continue on a weekly basis or even occasionally more frequently than that. I call them experiments because I cannot always find the specific ingredients I'm looking for so I have to improvise a bit. Most of the time the end products have been deemed at least satisfactory or even good by my panel of experts - (Lee and others with whom I share). I have even been approached by a young wife and mother, who attends the University Campus Church, to help her with baking something. It will be my pleasure and a blessing to do so in the near future. (Note: she has the cutest baby boy with big captivating eyes). She is from America and her husband is African. They are a special young couple.

Xola and his daddy

This is all for now. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more installments.