We have had quite the adventures

on our journey to Kenya, all starting 7 days ago!!

Micah's first plane ride - LOVED IT!!

First our flight from London was canceled due to a fire that destroyed the airport in Nairobi.  Then we were delayed in London for several days - thankfully, the airlines put us up in a hotel and paid for our stay, with three meals a day. They were very accommodating to us!!  

 (Three VERY zonked kids!!)

 Touring Hounslow, London on a double decker bus

When we arrived in Nairobi, very late Friday night, check in was completely disorganized due to the terminal being completely destroyed, thus complicating the check in procedures.   Which were very rudimentary and back to old school of doing things.   After a two hour wait in the tent to get our passport stamped, we made it to the luggage claim area , which basically they just piled all the luggage onto the runway and you had to search for your pieces in the dark. Very interesting to say the least.

Out of 18 pieces of luggage, checked in, only 10 arrived with us.   We reported our missing pieces and were told to come back each night to see in any more would arrive in later flights.  All that to say, we made it out of the airport 3 hours after we landed.

Saturday, we

celebrated Tim's 44th birthday!  His first birthday in Kenya, filled with thankfulness for the blessing of another year!!

Sunday, jet lag finally caught up with our family.  We took the opportunity to abide by God’s appointed “Day of Rest”.

Great way to start the day!!

Today, we were able to take our kids for their first peek at our new home.  It has about 14 more days of work left to be done.  At that point, then we can begin to possibly shift into our new digs.  

Kenyan Chai - the BEST! 

Micah's first experience with the monkeys! 

The remainder of our day, we took the boys shopping for school supplies and haircuts, registering our new "used" van and getting it insured and finally being able to drive it home. So, excited to have our family wheels!!  

Since Sat, Tim has returned to the airport each night to pick up any luggage that continues to trickle in from the 8 that were/are still in transit. Most nights he doesn't get back here to our guesthouse until well after 1:30 in the morning. Praying that tonight, he is able to pick up the final two pieces that are left yet to come.

Thank you all for praying for us!! It has been quite the adventure so far...but one thing we are very sure of - We are here because God has called us to be here. He never promises that life will be easy...but He does promise to ALWAYS be with us and He is in control of ALL things!

BLOWN AWAY, AMAZED, THANKFUL, HUMBLED, ENCOURAGED, BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE, LOVING JESUS!!

“How are you doing?” seems to be the common question of late.  Asked more times than we can count or even care to answer at times.  So many emotions, feelings, thoughts.  Overwhelming most of the time.  Hard to express exactly what we feel without tears rising to the surface.  So we simply nod our heads, smile and kind of throw out words that hopefully sound good, but not sure if we are saying much of anything at all.

HOWEVER, we are deeply touched by the love and care behind the asker and so appreciate  and thank you for asking.

So, How are we doing?  Well, here are a few emotions that stand out at the moment.  We are:

BLOWN AWAY by the generosity, faithfulness, selflessness of our dear families, our friends, God’s people, new friends, anonymous givers, new acquaintances.  Some with many years of familiarity and depth of relationship, to those whom we have just met and have quickly found a special place in our hearts!!   We are humbled at the graciousness of those who have given so greatly, out of great sacrifice!  Sometimes, we feel like weeping when we receive such gifts as these....knowing full well, that God is greatly touched by your giving and He will be faithful to bless each and every one of you above and beyond what you will ever imagine!!

AMAZED at God’s faithfulness.   Not amazed in the sense, that we are surprised that God would be faithful :)  just in awe and wonder at how God’s chooses to prove himself faithful and how much he delights in showing his children how much he knows, loves and cares for them.  I don’t know if I’ll ever fully understand or grasp the depth of HIs love for me.

THANKFUL for our families, friends, church!  You have been amazing from day one!  Thank you for believing in us!!  THank you for standing behind us wholeheartedly, Thank you for praying for us!  Thank you for encouraging us with the word of God and speaking life into us - that you have been pouring out on us from day one!!!

We can’t even begin to do this, not take one step forward without any of you!!   You are so extremely VITAL to all that we are about to do!!

Thankful for our Savior who goes before us, with us, beside us, behind us, over us!!!

HUMBLED that we are even worthy to represent you!!!  We are privileged to be your feet, to be your hands, to be an extension of the Body of Christ and to go forth in JESUS name for the sake of the Gospel.

ENCOURAGED as we say “See You Later”,  it does come with some  worry for our loved ones, for our friends, to wonder if this is the last time we will see some again, this side of heaven.   However, we are greatly encouraged by God’s word that speaks life to us and we cling to these promises:

*So do not fear, for I AM with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I AM your God.  I WILL strengthen you and help you.  I WILL uphold you with my righteous right hand.

*He will keep us/you in PERFECT peace, those whose minds are steadfast on Him  Isa 26:3-4

* Be strong and courageous, Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the LORD our/your God will be WITH us/you wherever you go   Josh 1:9

* God’s grace is sufficient for us/you for His strength is made perfect in our/your weakness.  So be Strong and courageous. Luke 18:29

* I am sending an angel ahead of us/ you to guard you along the way and to bring us/you to the place I have prepared.   Ex  23:20

So, until we meet again

MAY YOU BE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE....May the Lord BLESS YOU and KEEP you!   May HIS FACE shine upon you and be gracious unto you!  

Do not love us more than you love JESUS!   

You know WHERE we are, and in WHOSE hands we are held in!!!