After taking wing from Greenville Sunday
afternoon, Teresa and I got to enjoy a brief passage through Washington DC (who
still had a fair amount of snow) and headed onward towards Zurich,
Switzerland. We were granted a smooth
flight and were blessed to watch the sunrise from the air over the gorgeous
snow covered mountains of France and Switzerland. The brief layover gave us only enough time to
marvel at the Camel Smoke Lounge where there were in fact no camels and way too
much smoke. If you were to imagine a
glass box in the middle of a large atrium, you would be well on your way to a
smoke lounge. Also worthy of note, it
apparently kept little smoke within the confines of the lounge as evidenced by the
escaping clouds of smoke.
Never the matter, we got some good sleep on the
way to Nairobi with the most amazing flight with Swiss Air. I think we were offered beverages and food
every half hour or so and we consumed it all.
They even served hot tea that was so strong it ate a hole in the seat
where I spilled a few drops. Our flight
ended Monday evening allowing us a front row seat to the sun setting over the
African plains as we taxied into the Nairobi airport. The airport has made great strides in
rebuilding that which was lost in a dreadful fire last year. Many prayers were answered as we acquired our
visas, got all of our bags and made our way through customs in record
time. Stepping out of the airport we
found a fellow holding a sign with our names upon it. Jumping in the car with him we navigated the
exciting world of Kenyan traffic to a welcoming guest house. There we enjoyed a brief catching up with our
dear friend Connie and then drifted off into a well-earned slumber.
Monday morning we awoke to the friendly chittering
of African birds and a breathtaking view of the beautiful flowering trees that
Kenya has in multitude. Our breakfast
was fit for a king complete with authentic Kenyan chai that we have not been
able to fully enjoy since our last visit.
After a quick stop to purchase some groceries we were off to
Kijabe. The dusty roads through the
Kenyan countryside brought back charming memories from long ago as the hills collapsed
into the Rift Valley to our left. We
found Kijabe much like we left it apart from a fair amount of new construction.
Our orientation did not take long and we were
introduced to our home for the next month.
In many ways it is nicer than our own Bradley Estate back in
Greenville. It has a number of things
that we do not have: a third story view of the Rift Valley, a gas stove, lots
of closet space and a full ironing board!
We feel as if we are treated as royalty in this paradise on earth. We have already gotten to meet a number of
our neighbors who are wonderfully kind and hospitable. Everyone here has been so accommodating and
delightfully helpful. Additionally we
spent some time at the hospital getting oriented for the days ahead.
Teresa will be busy working in the medicine side
of the hospital for this first week and then will spend the next three in pediatrics. She met a number of people that she will be
working with, all who are absolutely stellar.
There is no lack of need here and no lack of the work of the Lord, only
a lack of resources and workers in places like this. These scenes are remarkably familiar as we
hear the words of our Savior who noted that the fields are ready but lacking
the harvesters. Join us as we pray for
more workers, not just in the fields of Kenya but of the world.
Today will be our first day of active work here
in Kijabe. We were at the hospital this
morning bright and early for their weekly chapel service. The hospital workers all gathered for a time
of praising the Lord and sharing. One
brother shared from 1 Corinthians 15:58, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be
strong and immovable. Always work
enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is
ever useless.” It is on this note that
we jump into our duties here and prepare for an exciting Wednesday.
Scott
That is so awesome! Praying for you both and may the Lord bless you greatly!
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys daily! Thanks for keeping us posted on your activities. Do you have an address I could send something to and would it get there in time?
ReplyDelete