Reflections of Africa

Here are some memories I will always cherish from my time in Kenya . . .

-- Visiting my WV children in their village in Lokori. It was a priceless moment that will stay in my heart forever. Touring the village, talking with the families, reading a story together, sharing a meal, and seeing their faces smile was just absolutely amazing and wonderful!!!!

Even though the sisters father was persistent about needing my address I didn't let the ruin my time or my view of him and his family. I hope that one day he will realize that I am not the answer to all their problems and he & his family will be able to overcome their poverty.

Being able to see Kailale face to face and eye to eye was a dream come true. Having sponsored him the longest I was most excited to see him and his family!!! For being 14 years old he is not taller than me and has such a beaming smile!!! His mother was wonderful and loving and soft spoken and a woman of God.

-- Safari!! DUH! I love to travel around the states to zoo, aquariums and other exhibits with animals and to have the opportunity to see them in the wild and up close was AWESOME! Driving through the Mara (game park) and seeing the many many animals just going about their day was amazing. Since there is not hunting in Kenya most of the animals were not afraid of the safari vans but we did not venture outside the van for safety. I mean, they are still wild animals! We were fortunate to see baby animals of almost every kind . . . elephant, zebra, giraffe, impala, lion, warthog, buffalo, hippo, meerkat, and more. Watching an African sunset, hearing a lion chew on a dead cow, getting sunburned, trying new foods, sleeping in tented camps, and just experiencing the safari and soaking up each moment made it soo amazing.

Sidenote-- the tented camps. . . well totally not like I had imagined. Think of a large canvas tent with a hardwood floor and a concrete foundation, big enough to hold a king size bed, a little desk off to one side with a coffee pot, electricity, and they even put warm water bottles in your bed each night. Oh and the bathroom- toilet, sink, and shower- in each tent with hot water that is heated by solar power. And each tent came with a dudu (bug) zapper!!!

-- Before going on this adventure I talked with Emily and told her that 2 things I really wanted to do were the safari (and she said we were doing that already) and to visit my WV children (all the details put together by World Vision). After doing those things so early on in the trip I was able to just relax and enjoy African life! Some days we would just stay home spending time with Emily's family and one another. In the moments where nothing was on the calendar I learned the African way of life.

Spending quality time with people is far more important the money in your bank account. Going to some one's house for coffee and tea is their way of serving you and your presence is a blessing to them. And showing up not on time is not a big deal. Its not the quantity but the quality!!!