Ups and Downs in the beginning...

Day 2

It’s been a long and windy day today filled with many ups and downs along the way. The Brown’s children all started their first day of school today, which was exciting (for the 5-yr old) and kinda scary (for the new middle-schooler). And this is pretty much how the day went. I woke up early due to the whole jet lag thing, but Will slept for 12 hours--solid. Our morning was very relaxing, I read, journaled, prayed and read some more. The kids and Lesa came home from school about 12:30, then we fixed lunch, let the kids play and Lesa and I hung out until Andy came home from a meeting at AIM.

Then it was off the great adventure of the day--visiting RVA--Rift Valley Academy. It is a boarding school for many missionary kids, and the home of some of the Brown’s friends. There I was able to meet with and interview a cool guy, Mike Saum, who has taught missions at Kenya Bible College. Mike and I chatted about lots of things related to my DMin, and missions in general in Kenya.

During our visit, the Brown’s oldest boy fell and broke his arm (their 11th break of the family--10th between Andy and the boys). Fortunately, the hospital was just down the road--literally 2 min. away. UNFORTUNATELY, it took four hours to get seen and have 2 sets of x-rays taken, but FORTUNATELY it only cost $20 (US). So while Andy, Lesa and Robbie were at the hospital, the Saum’s, myself, and the kids just hung out and had dinner. It was a very typical missionary day in the life of learning to be flexible and roll with the ups and downs (the literal road we took to the Rift Valley area.

Tomorrow we look forward to preparing to go to Olepishet, the small village in Masailand. We will purchase our supplies and stock up some groceries. Life here is much more simple, but there are times it still feels like home--not when the Ibis’ are cackling at each other, or looking out over 9,000 ft. mountains, but in relating to some of the missionaries, their call from God on their lives, and how they serve in their own unique contexts. It’s humbling to know that God has brought so many different people together to serve such a large world from so many separate places. God truly is sovereign and Lord of all. It is easy to see why that could be a message fitting for the people in this land.

thanks for the prayers and love. I do not know when I will be able to write again, as Masailand will be without power (and internet connectivity), but hopefully by Monday I can post some things from our time there.

Grace, peace and love to all...