Day 1 in Kenya
Climatizing, Unpacking, Regrouping!
We had asked Heart Lodge to hold off breakfast for us until 10:30, hoping we could sleep some since we didn't get in until about 3:45a.m. and didn't get to bed until 4:30 or later. Even though we didn't sleep well, we were so thankful to God for beds and breakfast we were served was a feast.
After breakfast, we got to work unpacking 14 bags, all close to 50lbs, over 600lbs of items for the school. Thank you to everyone who gave items or sent cash for this trip. The kids will be overjoyed with all the things we brought.
Here is Joel and Raelyn upacking and organizing everything we brought with us. You don't realize how much stuff there is until you start unpacking. Thank the Lord for providing Huruma HOPE with what they need.
As we are unpacking each suitcase, we have to repack as to what we will take to the school each day. Here is Caryn, organizing all the crayons and color pencils and other supplies. Just to give you an idea of the cost of things here. An 8-box of crayola crayons cost $2.49 compared to $.25 in the US.
Our view from the balcony of our rooms. We hope you all back in Oregon are withstanding all the rain. We are enjoying the sunshine and the warm weather.
Gifts for the teachers - Pens, homemade jam, Huruma shirts, chapstick, pictures, and candy.
Mr. Bill made the trip this year. He is always welcome to come as he doesn't take up too much room and he's willing to do whatever is asked of him. He's the best team mate.
We went to the Village Market to meet our friend Peter to get our phone and to exchange some money. These are some of the pictures from there. Thanks for reading!
Tears, Taxes, and Taxi's
After 32 hours of travel filled with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and flexibility, we have arrived at Heart Lodge!
First, thank you to Pastor Dave for the smooth ride up to Portland and for those who came to pray with us before we left. Our flight to Seattle was short and this is where we connect with our 7th member of the team, Raelyn Lambert. Our flight to Doha was 14 hours, we were fed amazingly well and it was so much better than we all thought. Our layover in Doha was only an hour and a half, then on to Nairobi. Once we landed, we didn't realize that we would be in the airport for over three hours as Joy had to deal with customs regarding a phone that she left in the box in her suitcase, lesson learned, that she was bringing for the head teacher. Hence the tears! The customs agent wanted to charge us $105, the taxes, on a $170 phone (the agent looked up the cost on Amazon). Tears flowed, God intervened, and no fee was charged.
The team was waiting outside the customs office for our ride, which hadn't come. We called Heart and they didn't have anyone coming or available. Luckily, Nick had talked with a taxi driver and we crammed 7 people and 14 suitcases into two rather small cars. All in all, we were happy to have warm beds and each other. We made it and we were thrilled.
