My heart is so full as we just returned a few short days ago from Kenya. So much to think about, to process, to share & to be thankful for.
Our travel adventure before we even started was quite the story. We ended up with a 6 hour delay in our home airport due to a mechanical fault with the aircraft. A problem with the de-icer, probably way more information than I would ever want to hear before departing to fly many hours over the arctic circle. (I was also recovering from a sinus infection, which was definitely aggravated by the pressure on all the flights)
This brought our arrival into Amsterdam 6 hrs behind schedule so of course we missed our connecting flight to Nairobi. Thankfully by an amazing delta assistant on twitter, we were all rebooked on an evening flight to Nairobi, that was nothing short of a miracle. So we hung out in Schipol airport all day, then boarded for our 2nd night flight to Kenya, arriving bright and early the following morning.
The excitement about being in Africa was pretty high at this point, although I will admit my fear of flying and lack of sleep over the previous 2 nights was starting to wear on my body. All that to say, our brief 4 hr stay at a guest house in Nairobi to freshen up was a beautiful time. I don't think I would have woken from that nap if we hadn't set alarms though. That evening we boarded our 3rd and final flight to Eldoret, Kenya flying through a storm which made it pretty bumpy on landing. Then we were on a bus journey for about an hour until we arrived at our 'home' for the next week or so. We arrived to the sweet ladies at the guest house having made us dinner, they were amazing all week long at taking care of us! Cooking us meals & cleaning the place while we were gone all day doing ministry with the local pastors.
Its certainly a long way from home for us. But oh my goodness it was totally worth all the hours of flying & African road travel (I will try not to complain about our roads this winter after experience their potholes). There was something so refreshing about being able to step away from the regular schedule of life and all its problems and privileges, and being a part of a ministry team which is so focused on eternal things. These pastors were truly the most godly men I think I have ever had the privilege of serving others with. I am so thankful for being able to spend a week learning how to be bold in sharing my testimony, in being willing to be used by the Lord to encourage other women in a completely different country and culture. Seeing all that He is already doing the other side of the world, and being blessed to witness such a small piece of that during our time there.
Central Africa has been in my heart since I first went there in 2006, and the funny part was landing and feeling like I had come 'home.' How is it possible to feel that way about a village you have never been to before in your life. I felt it last time I arrived in Kenya & traveled to Tanzania. And again this time even though I never left Kenya. There is just something deep in my heart that is touched being there, something that seems to fit deep in my soul & feels like a piece of my heart is missing when I leave again.
I was so excited to have experienced this with Andrew this time & watch his heart grow for the children and people we encountered. Who knows what the Lord will do with this passion.
There will be more to come as I finish editing pictures and digesting all the emotions and experiences.
