Finally in Kenya!

I made it to Kijabe safely! My flight was just perfect & Pastor Steve and Mary met me at the airport. It took two hours to get to Kijabe and in typical Kenyan fashion, we picked up someone along the way and were stopped at two check points. I think it helped that the officers saw my face in the window… so no trouble or bribes thank goodness.

Today I have realized that I forgot a sweatshirt (or anything warm really), shoes (other than my flip flops), my water bottle and my Swahili phrasebook!

It is very dry here – I have sat on this spot of grass before overlooking the rift valley and it has been soft and green. It’s pretty dry and hard right now…but still beautiful!

I can see 3 IDP (internal displacement) camps from here….which are sprawlings of white tents. It’s been 18 months since the political clashes and people are still telling tales of where they were, what happened to them and their loves ones and especially how God protected them. I’m told there isn’t any more fighting but there is still a lot of displaces people. They have nothing but what they carried and their white tent which was provided by the government along with 10,000 shillings. Some people bought land together but are still having trouble starting life beyond that.

Kijabe is home to the Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids from around the world and Kijabe hospital which is partially staffed by missionary health care workers. It’s a beautiful, peaceful, safe place that overlooks the rift valley…I can even drink the water!

Eburru is up in the mountains above a city named Naivasha (where I currently am sending this). We are headed there now and returning to Kijabe on Wednesday. Mary was telling me on the way home about all the things happening in Eburru. The clinic is running fully with Mary’s brother working Mon-Thurs and Mary Fri – Mon. They have Lucy, who is their lab technician and a teacher for the day care that recently opened. There are 26 children in the day care (which has a full school program now) and plan to open an orphanage in January. Last fall, they were given an old plantation house with 10 acres for that purpose. It was nothing short of a miracle! They have fenced it and are now looking to renovate the building so it’s suitable for the orphans. Mary wants to buy a plot of land to grow food that will both feed the orphans and allow them to work. She also has a vision for chickens, cows and goats. With those they can feed the orphans and sell the eggs and milk for other needs. She wants their ministry in Eburru to be self sustaining so they are not fully dependant on groups. Instead of paying school fees for all the orphans, they will pay for a teacher to teach up to grade 8. Mary hopes the children will be able to learn a trade, to know the Lord as well as basic life skills…so they can make it on their own, contribute to society and serve the Lord once they leave the orphanage. It’s amazing what the Lord has done in 5 years since ministry started in Eburru. I love that I have been a part since the beginning! Pastor Steve just stumbled across it one day and they have now dedicated most of their resources to ministry there. They have an amazing vision for Eburru ! I’m excited to see all the changes that have occurred over the last 3 years!

I am so thankful to be here! It’s only the first day of a great journey! I hope to learn and grow in the Lord, serve God and develop a heart of compassion for God’s people.

I walked out of the airport to the familiar smell of Africa. It’s hard to describe…some combination of dirt, sweat, grass….who knows, but I have grown to love this unique smell. Just life Africa itself, it lodges itself in your heart. As I sit here, there are sheep, monkeys, birds and goats making all kinds of noise, my feet are filthy, my hair is fuzzy, my neck is sunburned and I’m already blowing dirt out of my nose. I have officially arrived in Africa and LOVE it!

Joyfully in Kenya,
Amy Jo

Leia Mais…