What a week!

It's been an incredibly busy but rewarding week. After recovering from our trip to Egypt, we jumped head first into "Mississippi Day" on Saturday where we had around 250 kids for a giant field day. We painted faces, applied tatoos, blew bubbles, flew kites, and painted nails. The kids loved it. Other than a good sunburn, I enjoyed it too. After the field day, we went back to the LCC and had a Kenyan feast. I couldn't believe how much the kids ate. Everyone had a plate piled high with mukimo (mashed potatoes, corn, and peas), beef stew, pilau (rice with vegetables and beef) and chipattis (Kenyan bread - like a thick tortilla). They even lined up for seconds since there was food leftover. The final event was handing out the shoes and jackets. This was total insanity (as it always is!). We had about 8 volunteers trying the shoes on the kids to make sure they fit and writing their names in their jackets. Imagine how long it takes for 250 kids to be fitted with new shoes. But the end result was wonderful - they were all able to wear home a new pair of sturdy school shoes and a waterproof jacket. They were so happy. Sunday morning, all of the kids wore their new shoes and matching jackets to church. All in all, I think Mississippi Day was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who helped gather and prepare the items to send to entertain the kids and for all of you who helped fundraise for the shoes and jackets. These kids really celebrate Mississippi and are so thankful for everything that we do for them.

Monday, we went to the IDP camp to help them build houses - it was an incredible experience. They are such hard working and appreciative people. Anna had the great idea to bring the leftover materials from Mississippi Day and put on a similar event for the kids at the camp. It was amazing - these kids had never seen kites or nail polish or face paint. At first, they were a little reluctant but as soon as we showed them their painted faces in the mirror, they giggled and wanted more paint. Even their teacher asked to have her face painted so she could be like her kids. It was a very sweet way to pass a couple of hours. They cooked a huge community lunch and then went back to work building. Around 4, they stopped to "celebrate" with us - they sang songs of worship to a beautiful drum beat and then there was a time of prayer and a brief service. I felt like we'd made hundreds of new friends. It was very eye opening as well. Their camp is located in a dry desert area and the wind blew all day, covering us with fine dust. The kids were covered in flies even though the camp was quite clean (cleaner than most of the villages near us). They rely on God to provide their every need. We were able to provide several trunks of clothing, school supplies, vitamins, and other needed items which was great. I have pictures to post but the internet is incredibly slow and refuses to load them. Hopefully I can post them later in the week.

On Tuesday, the rest of the group left for safari (they'll be back Friday) leaving Lauren and I on our own. We've had a great time so far... Tuesday we shopped some in Nairobi and had lunch at a Western mall and did a little grocery shopping. In the afternoon we went to the LCC and played with the kids and helped the moms cook supper. Wednesday, we went to Limuru with our friend Anastasia to the used clothing market and produce market. We came home with bags of fruits and vegetables for only about $7 US (I estimate it would have cost me around $50 at home for all that we bought). The afternoon was also spent at the LCC. That seems to be the pattern we'll follow. Lauren played soccer with the kids while I helped the moms clean and chop secuma (like a collard green) for supper. This morning we stayed home to take care of our own housework and now are at the Global Connections Farm where we have internet access. We're headed to the LCC in about an hour and then to Patrick and Anastasia's house for supper tonight.

The electricity has been hit and miss for the past week (which is why I'm so late in getting this posted). We'd been warned about the unreliable electricity, but for our first month, we didn't have any problem at all. For the past week, however, it's been out every day... sometimes for an hour or two and sometimes for the entire day.

We realized today that we only have about 12 days left here. It's really flown by and we'll be sad to leave. Thanks to everyone at home for your thoughts and prayers. We're having a wonderful (and very memorable) time!