Friday, 03 April 2009

Friday, 27 March 2009

  • Update

    Well it's been a week now since we arrived and due to the slow nature of the internet connection at the house we are staying at we are unable to even open the xanga page.  It is taking a little to get used to the new city, people, house and everything but it is going alright and we seem to be doing better.  Judah has already made some great friends, Joc is getting to know some of the MAF wives better and I am slowly learning the ropes here in the Kenya program.  Thankfully my drivers license arrived today which will enable us to be a little less dependant on others in getting us around but that also means I have to rely on myself to drive which at this point is a little unsettling.  Hope for the best I guess.

    Here are a few photos for visual context:

    This is the MAF guest house that we stayed in for the first two days after arriving.  The compound is enormous with loads of space to run around and some great kids to play with.  We have since moved to a different compound about 5 minutes walk which is a little less volumous but still nice.  We hope though that we will be able to move back soon as that is where Judah's friends are.

    Here is Judah in our guest house with Timo and Joell, the two sons of one of the MAF families on the compound.

    Here is Judah at our new compound with Ruger the Rottwieler.  Ruger outweighs Judah by about 100lbs but is super friendly and really enjoys hanging around our house.  Helps that the couple we are house sitting for were the ones who fed him.  You can be sure no unwanted visitor will be getting by him:)  Don't worry moms the dog is very gentle.

    So just a brief glimpse at our new life for the moment.  I am sure Joc will give more info once she is able to get online with xanga.

Sunday, 22 March 2009

  • Kenya

    We arrived in Kenya after a 3 hour flight direct from Tana yesterday.
    Judah was beside himself with excitement to go on the plane. Although he's been on plenty of airplanes, large and small, it was quite evident that this was the first time he was aware of what was going on. He was like a kid in a candy store, or a first time flyer! "look, mom, i've got buttons here!!!" He was excited about the headphones, about the meal, about the arm rests that went up and down... it was a battle to get him to settle down for a nap let me tell you.

    Anyway, once in Kenya we've been hosted by various MAF Nairobi staff. It's very hot here! And very dry!! I'm looking forward to the shops and simply enjoying the new restaurants (that let you eat anytime you want! can you imagine! no waiting at the restaurant gate at 6pm or waiting until 7pm until the kitchen opens). Tomorrow we're to move into the house where we'll stay for the duration of our stay, still undetermined in length. I can say though that i am very happy to be here surrounded by people who speak english, the prospect of goodies we usually have to import is also a fantastic thing.

    Hopefully soon we'll be motivated to take some photos.

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

  • Off we go

    Our plane tickets are booked for this Saturday to fly to Nairobi, Kenya. Because we are so flexible and self sacrificing people we agreed to go help out (josh will help, i'm not much use) the Operations department of the MAF Kenya office. When first asked i balked at the idea of going to Nairobi (no disrespect to anyone who lives there, but i've only heard negative reports), but then i watched the 4th session of the Beth Moore, Esther videos and i couldnt very well allow myself to be swayed by my fear in such a decision now could i? So, off we go. Judah is VERY excited about going on a "big O-plane" (yes, i know, for a kid whose dad is a pilot you'd think he could pronounce "airplane" correctly!) and visiting "the jungle". Also exciting is the fact that friends of ours, Judah's best friend in fact, have already evacuated a week ago to Nairobi, so we'll hopefully get the chance to see them again. I'm looking forward to being in an English speaking country that isnt at war and maybe having the chance to eat cottage cheese? and at all the lovely restaurants i've heard of. Pray for a good stay, even as it feels like i'm back to re-settling in a new environment, finding the shops and stores, learning the protocol and safety rules, etc. We'll be there for about a month or so. I am definitely excited also for the fun things we can do there as a family. So hopefully you'll see more new photos of our adventures in a new land. Sometimes it boggles my mind that my 3 year old will have been to 3 African countries and seen lions and elephants, hump-back whales and giraffes, zebras and buffallo, lemurs, fusa and chameleons all close up and in "the Wild!". He may go "without" in other aspects, but in many respects Judah is one lucky kid!