Here we go!

Here is pic of Janet holding Verity, Sarah, Kamau (with the awesome fighting pose in front) Sarah behind him, Alice holding the cups to her face, Ajix, Amlango, David and myself. Janet, Sarah, Alice and Janet are all from the girls house that I mention below. I promise to upload more pics, it just took forever...

We are here! Yay! I’m so excited to be here…the past five days have been SO great (except for my tiny-baby cold). I’m so sorry it’s taken me almost a week to update everyone…it’s been part procrastination part Internet problems…but mainly just procrastination. So much has happened in the past 5 days and I honestly don’t even know where to begin….but here it goes. Sorry if this blog sounds a little mechanical, I’ll get better at this whole blogging nonsense I’m sure (no disrespect to fellow bloggers).

First off, we made it here safe and sound. The traveling was actually not that bad…I met some nice people on the plane (a nun…actually my first time talking to a nun) and I was able to sleep some.

We arrived in Nairobi on October 1st and spent the night there. The next morning we took a 1-hour flight to Kitale, getting us here in the late morning. The moment I got off the plane I noticed that everything around was lush and green and the weather was lovely (not too hot or cold). The air had a sweet smell…Jordan thought it smelled like Nutella (just to give you a mental picture). We drove the short distance from the airstrip to Pastor Steve’s compound (absolutely beautiful…pictures to come later), quickly put our bags down and walked to Oasis of Hope*

When we arrived at Oasis, Jeffery**warmly welcomed us. (Karibu =Welcome…I’ve been working on reinforcing the 5 Swahili words I know). We poked our heads into 4 different classrooms and I saw a sea of adorable faces smiling at us. They were beyond excited to see Allison and to greet Jordan and I as well. On their break we played games with the children. It amazed me how quick the children took to total strangers. Within minutes I had several girls around me holding my hand and walking me around the center.

Later that night we headed over to what’s called “The girls’ house.” The girls’ house is where 10 girls who used to go to Oasis of Hope, but are now enrolled at public school, live. They all live with a sweet woman named Rebecca who watches over and cares for them. They cooked us potatos, lentils and Chapati (which I’ve been calling Chabati all week)…imagine a delicious homemade flour tortilla-ish thing.

That’s just day 1…I’m going to have to learn how to not be so specific.

I’m getting quite tired so I’m going to have to cut this short, but let me tell you the highlights of the past 3 days.

I’ve loved loved loved getting to know the children at Oasis. It’s only been 3 days but learning names and faces and little of their stories has been incredible. A lot of time is spent just loving on them-giving them hugs, playing games with them and today I was actually able to help teach an English class which I absolutely LOVED. They were so attentive and eager to learn and I really hope I’m able teach often.

We also went to a center call Discover to Recover today. Discover to Recover is a center where many children are either infected with HIV or have parents who are or were infected and have passed away. I totally got choked up there for my first time in Kitale. As soon as we entered, I was blown away at how many children wanted to be held and to be hugged. I don’t know any of their specific stories but my heart broke a little today in seeing the need for physical touch (for lack of better words). These kids are so wonderful and I’m so happy I’m here.

I have left out so many details about so many other great people I’ve met*** and all the wonderful things God has begun to do in my heart. Jordan, Allison and I keep praying for God’s will to be done and that we would serve God in which ever way He desires. I’m loving being here already. Thanks for your prayers…I can feel them!

Much much more to come later, but I’m off to bed for now:)
(Hi Angela…I love you and miss you!)

*Oasis of Hope is a drop in center for street kids. The majority of the children who are at the center attend Monday thru Friday from about 9 am to sometime after lunch and return to life on the streets at night

**Jeffery is the co-founder of Oasis of Hope, and I’m sure I’ll be mentioning him many times

***Dan, Leyla, Ayub, Emanuel…just to name a few…but I won’t do them the injustice of blogging when I’m exhausted...they deserve better.