We leave 10 days from now. I'm having a hard time believing this is really going to happen. We were originally scheduled to leave on June 30th but Delta cancelled that flight (they couldn't get US Homeland Security approval to stop in Dakar, Senegal for refueling), and they've rebooked us on the 29th instead. Now, we're flying from Columbus, Mississippi to Atlanta, Georgia to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and finally to Nairobi, Kenya where we will arrive tired (and probably smelly!) on July 1.
This will be a different trip than we made in 2009. First, it's completely unscheduled - meaning that while we have an idea of what we'll be doing, we really haven't planned anything in advance. I think this will be a great way to do as we feel led and to spend time where we feel we are most needed. We have our own transportation (get to drive on the wrong side of the road!) which makes it a very flexible situation. The second main difference is that instead of going as primarily tourists on a guided trip and staying at a retreat center, it will be more like living there. We've rented a home and car from missionary friends and will be living in a village called Tigoni. We're also staying for nearly 6 weeks.
We're a small team this time. The main group is 3 women and 4 teenage girls. Another lady will be joining us a couple of weeks in and then there is a group of 4 scheduled to come for 2 weeks while we are there. The others are going on safari in the Masai Mara (Serengeti Plains) for a side trip. Lauren and I decided to fly to Egypt to visit the pyramids at Giza. We have a 5 day tour package and will be staying on the Nile River in Cairo. Lauren can't wait to ride camels around the pyramids. I've promised to join her.
My 2009 Governor's School scholars are helping with a major project for this trip. We're making pillowcases for each of the 42 orphans who live at the Limuru Children's Center. They're also writing letters and many want to become permanent pen pals. This is an awesome opportunity for kids on both sides of the world to learn about each other and to develop friendships.
Some of the projects we know we'll be engaged in are the Limuru Children's Centre, Care for Aids, Pat's Feeding Program, Sister Sandra's (vocational programs for young women), and a handicapped center. More information about many of these programs can be found on the Global Connections website: www.globalconnectionsonline.org. I learned so much from my previous trips to Kenya and can't wait to see what lessons and experiences are in store for us this time.
You can help us by sending up prayers in our name... for health, security/protection, and wisdom to be sure we're doing what we're called to do. I also hope for great relationships to be developed both among our team members and with our friends in Kenya.
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