"Jambo!" ("Hello!")

This has been the most spiritually inspiring, emotionally challenging, culturally shocking, perspective getting week of our lives, thus far. Hopefully, this "Blogging" thing will help us track our trip. Perhaps we can print it out as a journal when we return, as a way to not lose the precious details of our adventure:) Last Sunday, Mimi, Stuart & Sally took us to RDU, where after wondering why our info. was "lost" in the computer & waiting for nearly an hour in line to figure it out, it was then Wallace noted that Tyler Hansborough (UNC Center) was beside us the whole time. This crew managed to jam up both computers! Once we finally headed out, Hugh was in awe of everything pertaining to flight. He referred to our plane as the "Millenium Falcon." We took a 2 hr. flight to Detroit, switched planes & headed for Amsterdam, Holland. Along the way, we lost a day, arriving in time for a $50 breakfast at the airport (midnight, our time). Then, it was another 7 hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya, with a night arrival to the airport there. We got our Visas & waited for our luggage for nearly an hour before meeting our drivers, John & Jered,(Awesome guys I'll tell you about in the next "Blog" or two). Next, immediate culture shock: Dollars to shillings; Steering wheels & drivers on the opposite sides of the roads (opposite to us); African music on the radio; A 45 minute van ride down a bumpy road, and 5 bone-tired family members to boot. We arrived at the Menenite Guest House (like a hotel) all disoriented and within 5 minutes, thought we'd lost Hugh, (he was getting his suitcase...). Needless to say, our nerves were shot. We collapsed but were not able to sleep! At 7:30 Kenyan time (at this point, who knew what time it was "our time"), we ate breakfast & John & Jered had us on our way to Bomet, Kenya, the location of Tenwek Hospital(4 hours away). Along the way, we stopped at a produce & a meat store to pick up groceries for the month! (I couldn't even think straight!). While Scottie & I were trying to figure out how many shillings we'd just spent, Glenn proceeded to throw up, twice. Shortly afterwards, Scottie developed a horrible head cold. The road to Bomet was long, dusty and bumpy (like riding down a Dirt-Bike trail), yet somehow, both Glenn & Hugh managed to sleep through most of it. We, however, got an amazing view of Rift Valley, not to mention the sitings of random herds of cattle & the occasional chicken or donkey. Once we finally got here, we were greeted graciously, welcomed to our apartment & entertained by missionary families. Needless to say, we were wiped out & overwhelmed. Within 2 days, Glenn & Scottie were better, and aside of my sore throat, we're all healthy at this point. The topography here is much like that of Valley Crucis, NC. It is lush & green and because it's "winter" here, the temps. are 70s and low 80s during the day and 50s at night. Our apartment reminds us of the house some of you may remember Scottie living in while working at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort:) A bit more industialized,though. I've rearranged, cleaned & organized it - imagine that! No, no Modular Mates or Label Makers, but "nested," just the same. While doing so, I managed to get "busted!" Now that I've been "found out" I've been asked to help organize & itemize the lists for new incomers. Hot water is touch and go, water must be boiled before drinking, we sleep in mosquito nets & hang our clothes to dry. We have 2 "house helpers" named Cicilia and Janet. Both are amazing women and are completely necessary. The people here are good people who live simple, happy lives and we are slowly emersing ourselves in the culture to get a true flavor of it. This "Blog" entry is entirely too lengthy, so I'll end for now. We're trying each & every day to savor the memories & learn from them. At any rate, we are breathing in and breathing out; we're broken-hearted & gratified, disillusioned & energized; stunned & hopeful. Please continue to pray for us - That Scottie's hands will heal; that my teaching is helpful and that the children are empowered spiritually. "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." (Proverbs:25:25) Until next time - All our love, Ave, Scottie, Wallace, Glenn & Hugh :)