Lewa baby!

{so fast he’s flying!}

I love running but I may be getting in over my head this time!  At the end of June I’ll be heading near the base of Mount Kenya for the Lewa Marathon.  Right now the race is closed so I’m signed up only as a spectator.  But I’m training for the half marathon in case an opening becomes available.  {I hope, hope, hope!}  Worst case scenario,  I get fit and then get to camp out in a beautiful place and cheer on my friends who are running.  Not bad either way… Am excited to see another gorgeous part of the Kenyan landscape God created!

{the helicopter is to scare off the lions, buffalo, hyenas… serious!}

{awesome camping!}

city of Nairobi + rainy season = ???

… a very large chance for VERY LARGE rats!  EEEK!  This week has been exhausting and mostly because I have new furry “friends” with 15″ tails scurrying about in my ceiling during the wee hours of the night.  That’s right, rats have invaded my attic and have been waking me up in terror every night at 3:45ish with their scampering, sliding and screeching.  EEEEW!

I’ve been told by the rodent guy “they come in at night as it usually warm in the ceiling and they move out in the morning. This is particularly due to the rainy season as their homes (usually in drainage’s, holes etc) get flooded and they tend to move out and look for alternatives. In this case the roof.”  We’ve (and by “we” I mean my landlord and the rodent guy) been putting poison and traps up there for a 2 days now and they are slowing down.. but not completely.  I learned that the lady across the street at the duka (shop) dumps her trash in our drainage system, so they feed there and then crawl right up to me when the rain fills the drains.  My landlord said they’re huge rats and that they feed better than many humans in Kenya.  (They may eat more, but “better”?)  He started telling me they’re the size of cats with 15″ tails and that I should go up in my attic to see for myself.  NO THANK YOU.  And so while 1/2″ of ceiling board separates me from terror, he told me this is part of life in Nairobi.  He said just to be sure I have a pot or pan next to my bed to hit one JUST IN CASE they come into my flat.  Seriously?!  This was after he said in an email to me, “There is no way they can enter into your apartment through the ceiling at any time.  Have a lovely weekend.”

And so from the advice of my best friend, I’ve been telling myself they aren’t cat-sized-rats… they are just cute little bunnies!  A momma just had babies, so they playing around up there, jumping over each other and sliding around, laughing and singing and having fun… And as soon as that works, I’ll let you know!  *sigh*  I really thought I was braver than this, but it turns out, NOPE!  I don’t care… I admit it… I am completely freaked out by this.  I just keep begging and praying that they don’t fall through the ceiling on me.  AHHH!!!

our little cook… err… fish!

We’ve been trying to plan a swim date for Bella’s little Jay, but with the rains, it’s been a challenge. We took a chance and set it up for Saturday and behold, the warmest sunniest Saturday we’ve had in weeks!!!

Bella, Jay and aunt Betty came over to play.  Betty and Jay hung with Charlie Brown and the Gilmore Girls while Bella gave me lessons on samosa making… mmm!  And Jay kept coming in the kitchen to cook with us.  That little man is going to make some lady very happy in the future with those budding cooking skills!

After lunch we headed to the pool… this little guy is going to be a great swimmer.  He has NO fear and couldn’t get enough!  Such a fun day with my dear friends!!!

{checkin’ in on the chicken}{kisses to his reflection!}
{samosa maker extraordinaire!}{SO excited to get wet!}{like his mama, loves the bubbles!}{a natural at splashing!}{warming up with his aunties!}

fully fitted?

Another random observation:  The apartment I’m living in is advertised to be fully furnished with a “fully fitted” kitchen with all “crockery and cooking utensils included”.  Haha… So how do you like my colander?!  It’s obvious that straining tea is valued more in this culture than straining pasta!

How much would you pay for a luxury item from home?

I buy this lotion at home for about $6.00 I think.  I couldn’t help but notice this in the aisle today for 2,200Ksh.  With the current exchange rate, that’s about $28.00!!!  Yikes!  This is why I stock up in the USA before I come to Kenya.  Good grief!

staring at fabric

i met someone fairly new at work today.  she is lovely.  i was entranced by her beautiful smile and her joy.  she couldn’t stop smiling.  after only a minute of introducing ourselves to each other she starting right in telling me her story.  {my heart is aching and stirring as i know i can’t tell it to you out of respect for her.  and so this post becomes mostly for me to find relief as i shout out in angst, “WHEN will this end?  LORD JESUS please come…”}

the story is what good novels are made of but never meant for real life.  as i listened i winced and just shook my head and started tearing up.  all the while she is holding my hand saying, “but God has brought me here and i am so thankful!  when i am here i am able to work and it helps me to forget the pain and not think of it all day long.  i am happy to be here to talk with other friends.  you know the more you talk about it, it helps the pain go away and you know you are not alone.  i am just so thankful to God.”  {some paraphrasing here on my part.}  i softly smiled an “i-just-met-you-but-i-love-you-and-i’m-so-sorry-you’ve-been-hurt-in-this-way” smile.  and her lovely joyful true smile brightened and said she looks forward to seeing me again tomorrow.  she walks away.  and all i can do is look down and stare at a pile of fabric.  i am completely immobilized.

sometimes these moments smack you in the face hard.  {but never as hard as the one who lived it first-hand.}  hours later and at home now, my heart is still staring at the fabric.  heavier than a weight i’ll never be able to lift.  thankfully Jesus can.

thank you Lord for this place that offers hope and healing only You can bring.

more wanyama {animals} from our safari

{hyena}

{hippo out of water}

{zebra stripes}

{gnu… wildebeest}

{muddy warthog}

{the tallest living animal}

{sleepy crocodile}

{running from crocs}

{at one point we saw 38 elephants together}

{hippo pool}

{spiderman lizard}

{sparring impala}

{three’s company}

{crown crane}

{just a cool shot}

{pure beauty}

{thankful crew}

the BIG four+one

In Kenya, some of the most famous animals on safari (and most difficult to hunt by foot according to various sources) are called the Big 5: rhinos, buffalo, lions, elephants and leopards.  This past weekend in the Maasai Mara we got to see four + a cheetah, which our guide said was a close enough substitute for a leopard!  I’m amazed at how gorgeous this place is and all its creation.  Was a refreshing time to bask amidst His glory… enjoy the pics!

Karibu Kenya!

Quick update: The padres have made it safely to Kenya with all of their luggage!  I am so thankful and we’re doing great… Yet there was one small incident last night.  A little geco was hanging out in my flat last night and my mom almost stepped on it.  Yep, there was a small scream, which quickly lead to her zipping all of her suitcases…. Karibu Kenya momma!

How nice are they?!

Recently I’ve been blabbing to everyone about my parents coming to Kenya (yay, yay, YAY!) because I just can’t believe it and I just can’t wait!  So this week when I went in to pay my rent to the manager of my apartment, there was no exception.  I asked him if there would be any way possible they could change the sheets on my bed on a certain day, so they’d be fresh and clean for my parents.  (My apartment is furnished which includes a change of linens 2x/week – so nice!)  He responded, “Well, where are you going to sleep?”  I told him on the couch, no big deal.  And he said, “Oh no, you can’t do that.  You’ll get back problems.  We’ll give you an extra mattress while they’re here.  What else do you need?”  Seriously?  How nice are they?!  So when I came home this afternoon, this is what I found:

Thank you Lord for providing such kind people around me (and thank you that I won’t get back problems now!).  Oh, and did I mention that my parents depart from Detroit TODAY!??!?!