Do fish ever die?

Well, yesterday and today were awesome days.  Maybe it’s because we drank Nescafe- Kenyan instant coffee.  The advertising slogan says, “A great day starts with Nescafe!”  Ok, well, maybe it was Jesus.  I love HIM!



Yesterday, if you are checking the schedule I sent to you, was supposed to be a free day.  But, a slight change of plans put us visiting the Lucy’s orphanage yesterday (Monday).  Oh my goodness!  Those babies are so sweet- I’m pretty sure I left a piece of my heart there.  It is a peaceful refuge for 65 children whose parents were murdered during the Kenyan elections a few years ago.  Some of the children literally saw their parents being massacred by other tribes, and they were left homeless and defenseless.  Lucy, our new Kenyan friend, felt God’s call to start this orphanage to care for and teach these children.  The children live in the compound- eat, sleep, play- and, they attend school there.  When we arrived on the grounds, we stepped into their classrooms, we then invited them out into the play yard to sing for us and pray with us.  Dawn and I gave out the goodie bags that had toothbrush/toothpaste, candy, and crayons.  The little bags had been decorated by the children at Abba’s House.  We got some good video to share with you all- get ready because your heart is going to melt when you see it.



Tea fields



There is no running water other than the rain water they collect and there is no electricity.  They cook on open fires and have to purchase water for washing their clothes. They farm some food items and raise a cow for milk.

The children are so precious- smiling, laughing, singing, and anxious to receive visitors. They were so very welcoming, and a little amazed at the muzungus (white people).  I’m pretty sure I left a piece of my heart there.  Maybe God will allow me to go back one day…Lynnann, this could be it.  Eeeeeekkkkk!!!

And today…WOW! Dawn and I were treated to a day of sight seeing in Kenya.  Oh, I almost forgot, yesterday on the way to the orphanage we got to see the Great Rift Valley!  I had no idea we were so close.  So, we gazed down and over the valley, huge mountains surround the valley.  They said that thousands of years ago volcanoes erupted on either side of the valley and the space in the middle collapsed, thus creating the great rift.  That sight was really amazing. 



Great Rift Valley



Great Rift Valley

Ok, back to today.  Dawn and I got to pick tea and coffee, we saw a macadamia nut tree, banana tree, yams, peanut plants, cabbages, an avocado tree- and all of this was a Pastor Carol’s mom’s farm.  We met and had lunch with Pastor Carol’s mom and dad, and we explored their farm and neighborhood.  We drank coffee with fresh milk from the cow and enjoyed fresh fruit along with our wonderful meal.



picking tea...



We also visited a very large reservoir, called the Nairobi dam.  It catches water from 3 rivers and distributes the water all over Nairobi.  The gentleman talking to us about the dam told us that there is no fishing or boats allowed in the dam.  However, there are fish in the water there, and they use them as a way to keep tabs on the condition of the water.  He said that whenever they see a dead fish, they take it to a laboratory and have it tested to see why it dies.  Then he said, this is a good indicator because fish never die.  Hmmmmmm. Interesting. J

Then, as we were heading back to Nairobi, Pastor Carol and Peter asked me what else I would like to see while I was in Kenya.  I said that I would like to see the animals, and I wondered if they had waterfalls.  They looked at each other and laughed, and in about 10 minutes we drove past a small waterfall, and I was very impressed especially since I had just mentioned wanted to see a waterfall.  Then, in about 30 minutes we arrived at a place called Fourteen Falls.  Yep, the Pastors took Dawn and me to a river that at one point has 14 waterfalls.  It looked like a mini-Niagara Falls.  Isn’t that just like God?  I’m not even sure why I said I wanted to see waterfalls- I guess it’s like Pastor Carol says, “It’s God, it’s just God.”  Oh, and Alicia, there were boys who we paid to jump off the top of the falls and dive into the water!  Dawn was afraid they would hurt themselves, but, alas, the boys climbed out of the water unharmed. Aaahhh! Sweet relief.

Fourteen Falls

We also got to see huge, VERY huge pineapple fields, even some fields that still had the fruit ready to harvest.  One of the fields we saw was owned by Del Monte.

And now we have made it back home to Pastor Carol’s house.  Resting.  I feel like I am on retreat, and I will come back home more rested than when I left.  Tonight I will study and prepare my message for Wednesday and Friday nights. Dawn and I also will be preparing for the appreciation party we are giving on Saturday.  We are hosting all of the people who have helped take care of us during our stay and who served in the crusades.  There are people who have stayed at Pastor Carol’s house to cook for us, people who drive us around, people who interpret for us, there are all of the singers and preachers who came to serve at the crusade, and so many more.  I think there will be about 50 people at our party.  We are going to serve goat meat stew, piloul (spiced rice), chipati (flat bread), sodas, and the crowning glory- a cake.  Apparently, Kenyans love cake and serving it will really show mine and Dawn’s appreciation to these wonderful people.

God is so good!  His promises are sure, and His gifts are immeasurable.  I am so blessed to have come to Kenya, and I am excited about where God will lead me next.  This is a springboard for so much more, and I am ready!

I’m sure there is more to tell, so, I will be back later. 

Love you all!  Thank you for all the prayers which have been a sweet fragrance of protection for me and Dawn.  Your reward will be great!

Children of Mathare