Indian Ocean here we come!

Part 2 of our family vacation was a 5 night trip to the beach.  We used a missionary specific travel agent in planning our trip and got a pretty good deal on an all-inclusive family resort (I’ve never been to an all-inclusive before). 

The morning after returning from our safari we set out early for the Nairobi airport and took a one-hour flight to the coastal town of Malindi on the Indian Ocean.  Here is it’s location in relation to the rest of Kenya. 

 

From Malindi we drove slightly south to the town of Watamu to Turtle Bay Beach Club, which was located directly on the beach.  There was a large swimming pool with 3 separate kiddy appropriate areas that we greatly appreciated! 

 

 

 

Our netted room

 

This was a very different vacation than others we have taken because it was pretty much a full relaxation  vacation.  No sight-seeing, no running arond.  Just swimming, laying around, reading, eating and sleeping.  Ian made the comparison to being a walrus, which is true except for the whole reading part.  Here are some pics of the family enjoying themselves as walruses: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

baby went everywhere....but that's another blog.

 

 

drying off after a day in the pool

 

enjoying the evening breeze after sandcastle building on the beach

 

A family early evening dip

 

 

 

With weather in the high 80’s and I’m guessing about 60-70% humidity, we had all of the warm weather we’d been hoping to find at the beach.  The evenings were gorgeous with a wonderful ocean breeze and plumeria scenting the air and dinner served in the outside dining room, or seating by the pool which we enjoyed for a few nights.  It was wonderful to have fresh seafood and a selection of American and European foods to choose from!  We all filled up at every meal!  I think Ian’s dad liked the Shepard’s Pie and porridge the best,  Bonita liked the fresh crepes made every afternoon for snack, I loved stir-fried shrimp and I think Ian sampled about everything, even if he didn’t love any of it! 

It was a wonderful time.  We even managed to pick up  some souvenirs from the vendors in shacks right on the beach just beyond the hotel property.  Kikoy wraps, woven scarves, carved soapstone, carved ebony, jewelery and the like.  Some things we just didn’t quite need, but it’s hard not to give a dollar or two when you know this might be their only sell for the entire day.  I can handle an extra gecko and hot pink hippo carving I suppose! 

We were so thankful to get to spend together as a family…it’s been about a year since we’ve traveled away from home (Thika or Portland) and taken time off work, so it was much needed and appreciated! 

Here’s to all of you getting some much needed rest, relaxation and family time….

 

We’re going on a “fari” to see Dinosaurs!

Or at least that was Lucy’s version of our trip.

Since arriving in Kenya in May, the extent of our exploring has been limited to day trips within driving distance of Nairobi.

We have been looking forward to Ian’s parents visit because it means we have a wonderful reason to take some time off from work to explore a little more of Kenya.

 

We live in the Central Province of Kenya, specifically right outside of Thika.

 

Our vacation started with a few days of family recuperation in Thika, and then our driver from ACTS (African Christian Travel Service), George, picked us up on Tuesday at 6:30am. We were driving in a private van to the Masai Mara National Park.

 

George was great because he knew all of the back roads that Ian and I haven’t been able to figure out on our own. We traveled from Thika, to Ruiru, towards Kiambu and dropped into the back part of Limuru. Limuru is beautiful, lush and green. This is a typical picture of the countryside where there are numerous tea (and coffee) plantations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Limuru we traveled above and then down into the Rift Valley through the hot water town (supplies geothermal power producing 15% of Kenya’s total power) and Narok (their municipal council governs the Masai Mara Park). Along the way, before we got into the park, we saw these baboons and also many Thompson’s gazelles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After about 7 hours of travel, 2 hours at least by incredibly rocky, bumpy dirt roads (that no American would dream of traveling by for any distance….think back roads of Idaho mountains riddled with huge sharp stones or an out of control massage chair), we arrived in the Masai Mara and at our accommodations: Sekenani Tented Camp.

Here we are walking from the dining area across a suspended swinging bridge to the reception area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our tent from the outside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we had a quick lunch and then went out for an evening game drive….I’m gonna make you wait until tomorrow for the pictures because they will make a wonderful blog all by themselves!

 

A Kenyan Halloween

 

I’ve never been real keen on the idea of Halloween….except that I love the whole costume and candy part.

Around the first part of October, we received an email from the Embassy warden, who is basically an American in our area of Kenya assigned to keep other ex-pat Americans up-to-speed on security announcements and other general information.

This was a different kind of announcement though!  A flyer about a community picnic/trick-or-treat party put on by the American Chamber of Commerce.  I have been excited about the prospect of a costume party since hearing about it.

We got the kids all costumed up, Eli a lady bug and Lucy a fairy.  Not bad for Africa:

The trick-or-treating ended up being kind of a trick because there really wasn't much candy

Her face paint started out pretty....

Squintville

Working the beard...on the International School Campus in Nairobi

Finishing the day with driving the 4-wheeler at the mall

 

“You’ve been lost”

That’s the phrase a Kenyan will say to us if they haven’t seen us in a while.  It’s kind of cute.  I usually hear it from Godfrey, the guard at the gate to the Del Monte plantation that surrounds Eli’s school if I’ve been using a different road to get to the school and haven’t passed his way in a while.

I’ve been lost from this blog that became a blahg of the last few weeks….sorry for that.

Generally I kind find lots of fun or interesting or just plain unique factoids about living in Kenya to write about, even if our work here might be frustrating, or crazy, or just plain busy.  We try not to focus on the difficult things about the work here.

Last week though, a fundamental misunderstanding in the treatment of children, particularly involving one of mine, rocked my world.  It was one of the first times when I truly thought, “What in the world am I doing here?  And what in the world are these people thinking?”  I felt like crying for days.   I was an upset mommy bear who then became a down in the dumps momma bear.  It is difficult to come to terms with beliefs and behaviors that are fundamentally contrary to your way of being and interacting, especially when they affect your kid…..and you seem to be in the minority of belief.

So, I guess the cat is out of the bag.  Everything is not always roses and sugar over in Kenya, but I guess you all knew that already huh?  We have days where our resolve to be here is tested and when we wonder if we are making a difference at all….and then days when we know for sure that God has placed us here for a very definite purpose.  Thank you to each and every one of you that continue to encourage us in different ways, be it prayer, or emails, or letters or packages.  We need and appreciate them all.

Anyhow, here are recent pictures of my dear (not always sweet, but generally) Eli and Lucy:

Our version of a swimming pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, he looks goofy, but the boy is thrilled with this outfit. Don't mind the mess......

 

And another baby.

Ok, I guess that was a little mean to post the last blog about a baby and not mention any news of our own.

You know, we just lost this last baby the last week of July.  That is only 2 months ago.  That was our second loss in just under a year.  It was a hard thing for me to stomach simply because I had carried and borne 2 wonderful children with little to no problems and couldn’t understand why this was happening.

I was waiting and waiting after the miscarriage for a return to “normalcy” (I’m trying to spare you male readers the details) and it just didn’t happen.

So, after 3 weeks of feeling horrible and thinking that I had the worldest longest flu or malaria (which I am sure I did have the flu a bit) I finally took a pregnancy test as a last ditch effort.  Those lines were immediate.  That never happens with me!

I was a bit in shock, and very hesitant to say anything.  I needed a follow-up with my doctor to figure out why the miscarriages were happening, so I made an appointment.  Imagine her surprise when I informed her that we probably shouldn’t run all of the tests she was hoping to run cause I might just be pregnant.  I think her jaw dropped a little before the smile spread over her face and she said something like, “Well, well?”

She took me down right then for an ultrasound and sure enough there was a baby.  A heartbeat even.  But a baby that looked too small for her calculations.  She told me that either it was just a late “arrival” or that there was something wrong and that the baby was not growing.  My heart sank.  Not again I thought.

She decided that I would need an ultrasound in 2 weeks, at which time, the fetus would be measured for 2 weeks of growth, or the likelihood that the pregnancy was not viable.

SO, for those 12 days up until yesterday I have had this heaviness over me.  Of course I trust that God knows my desires for another child, but still, it does not ease the fact that those were the longest days filled with waiting, and searching, and prayers from a few faithful prayer warrior friends of mine.

And then yesterday, my ultrasound.

It started out quite oddly because after I put my gown on and went to empty my bladder, the door to the bathroom (inside the exam  room mind you) was locked.  I looked with a quizzical look at the technician and nurse.  They gave me the same look back and mouthed, “Is someone in there?”  I shrugged.  How should I know??

And there was someone in there!!!  An older haggard looking Indian woman peeked her head out, asked for some tissue and then locked herself back in the bathroom for another eternity (it was really like 8 minutes).  And then, as suddenly as it started, she came out looking all fresh and coiffed.  We were all flabbergasted as the entire exam had been waiting on this woman leaving so I could go to the bathroom.  She didn’t even exchange words with any of us.  Just walked out.  So strange and WEIRD!!!

So finally, with an empty bladder, the exam began, and immediately, there was this big ol fetus up on the screen.  Way bigger than before  and way bigger than 2 weeks growth.   Turns out the baby was right on track for where it should have been before.  No explanation for the 4 weeks growth in 2 weeks, other than the hand of God.  There is was, a healthy 9week old fetus with a crazy strong heartbeat and everything looking strong and intact.

I wanted to cry.  But I didn’t.  But I did allow the fear to dissipate and excitement to enter my mind and heart over this new addition to our lives.   As if our lives weren’t crazy enough, Yes, the May family is going to go and have a baby in Kenya.   Join with us in praying over this little one in the next 7 months and for everything to go easily and smoothly.

We’re looking forward to our Kenyan baby arriving right around May 8th.  Poor Eli, I don’t think it’s quite the birthday present he imagined!!

Oh, and for the humor portion of this blog:

Lucy was present with dad and I in the ultrasound.  She wanted to know if the doctor was taking it out right then.  Ian said, “No it has to cook a while longer.”

Later, Lucy said, “Are we going to eat the baby then?”

Eli asked, “Is this baby going to die too?”  Bless his sweet spirit that understands so much more of this than Lucy.

Lucy informed me that she needs 2 baby sisters, “So we can all hold hands”.

Eli asked, “Does the baby come out your butt?”  To which I simply said no.  No further explanation provided at this point in time.

And then I made a quick escape and  I told them “Good night!”

 

Kenyan toys

Joseph and Bernard (the cook’s sons) spend a lot of time at our house.  They enjoy exploring Eli and Lucy’s toys and movie media.

The other day though, they each arrived with something that peeked the interest of both Eli and Lucy.

Home made cars:

A fruit juice box, couple sticks and can lids.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cut up flavored milk crate, bottle caps & sticks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bernard working on a car for Eli and Lucy

 

The boy who stole my heart

As word gets out about our program, we get a lot of people inquiring on if we might be able to help them in some way.

John, the village elder from Gachagi came one day and asked if he might take me to visit a family.  I agreed.

He took me to visit Halaki, and upon hearing his story I cried.   Not a big blubbering cry because I was in front of people, but one of those teary eyed I can’t talk right now cries.

The short story on Halaki is that he is an 18-year-old boy who stays at home and does not attend school.  He appears to have moderate retardation and some hemiplegia that resulted after seizures at the age of 3.  Halaki was taken to the district hospital for his seizure, where he had a reaction to the medication and went into a coma for over a month.  When he awoke, he was no longer the same regularly developing child.  He currently functions at best at a 2-year-old level.  He has had little opportunity to learn and practice functional skills.  The very skills that any child would be taught in special education in our public school system.

Halaki’s primary caregiver all of his life has been his sister who is just a year in age different from him.  She is in the equivalent of her junior year of high school.  She attends a boarding school out-of-town as most kids do if they family can scrape up the money.  She worries when she is at school that her brother will be neglected.  The step-mother doesn’t have the same love that a mother might…and the father works all day.  The sister and the father asked if there was any way we could help.  Could he come to our center?  Could we help find a school for him? 

They were patient.  Our social worker found a school.

Here is Halaki on the day I went to take him to the school to inquire about registration.  In the beginning, he was too shy to be around me or shake my hand, but he is warming up nicely:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Halaki’s sister, Fatuma, who is his primary caregiver and advocate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Halaki sitting in his house:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, we did all of this legwork, found a school, finalized the cost of school fees and the father and sister came and met with me.  I had secured a sponsor (my awesome mom) to help with school fees.  The dad committed to paying half of the fees each term which is a great sacrifice for the family.  I thought we were set.

Then we went to the school….and they found out that Halaki is not independent in his toileting…and suddenly the school is full.  An entire half day of waiting, interviewing, assessing and then a “No” answer.  While I commented to the elder that I was incredibly frustrated with the outcome, he replied, “It is in God’s control”.  He is right.  We will continue to hunt for schools.  In the meantime, the American team that was just here left some great boardmaker (a communication tool) books  with us so I’ll take one to the family to use with Halaki in improving his ability to express needs and wants.

Baby steps.

 

Crazy week!

Well, it has been a crazy week.

Getting the guest apartment  ready.  We have named it the ‘tree house”.  For the flame trees.  I think it’s a catchy name, and we’ve always named all of the houses we live in…usually by the address, but scenery works too.  Megan has done a great job of taking over while I lay in bed or shuffle about the house trying to manage 2 little kids.

Being sick.  Lucy, Eli and I have all proceeded to round 2 and week 3 of this sickness which appears to just be the Kenyan cold & flu.  We’re getting acquainted with Kenyan versions of ibuprofen and children’s tylenol and cough & cold products.  Did you know that a bottle of pepto (the real kind) costs $10 here?  I passed.  I took some of the kids pepto  tablets I brought from home.

Our new Captain arrived on Thursday.  She takes over for the previous administrator, Haron.  She is Captain Sarah.  We are happy to have an administrator back after about a month without one.  It has been a lot of extra work for Ian.  She arrives with her younger sister and brother that she cares for.  We look forward to getting to know her better and working with her.

My other project on top of all of this has been to help an 18 year old boy from the Gachagi Slum.  His name is Halaki.  More on him to come in another post dedicated just to him.

And finally, making the final arrangements for our American training team of 7 women.  There are things to worry about here that you wouldn’t even consider in the States.   Furniture that isn’t finished because product is in short supply, shower water heaters overheating (scalding…..ouch!) and then exploding (I hope they get fixed, Megan is there now working with the maintenance man who seems to break more than he fixes), not being able to drive long distances in the Centre van at night (it is speed restricted, so it would be able to outrun anyone scooping out the fishbowl of whities and their stuff), and arranging for an extra vehicle driven by Kenyans to deliver all of the baggage separately and directly to the Centre at night.

Phew.  It will be nice to visit with people from home and to have all of the extra hands around here!

 

That’s just the British

Ok, so a while ago our friend Andy Stoughton started harassing us about spelling center, CENTRE.  He imformed us that he was going to start spelling dude (one of the words both our families use much to frequently) some crazy way as a means of payback for all of the words we are spelling oddly.

It’s interesting to be living in Kenya, but also to be adjusting to this whole British culture stuff that is left over from Colonial rule.

Tea time.  Yep.  That’s a serious thing here in Kenya.  Even in the supermarkets, you’ll see the employees hanging out all over  the meat case (that open topped case in the middle of the aisle holding sausage, or hamburger or whatever) at 4pm with their mugs in hand and a thermos of hot chai (black tea in hot milk) sitting on the case.  I’m getting pretty good at getting my tea game on for guests…but Ian is even better at it!

Or Eli and Lucy talking about wearing their swimming costumes.  Their what?  It took me forever to figure out that they meant swimsuits.  And what is happening to me?  Yesterday I called his p.e. outfit his “p.e. costume.”  I’m gonna come back to the States and everyone’s gonna think I’m permanently in love with Halloween or something.

The best is looking “smart”.  I used to say people looked cute, or pretty and received blank  stares.  I really don’t  even know how to tell someone they’re intelligent….just smartly dressed…which they all generally are.

Anyhow, so, I’m off now to make sure that Eli’s jumper is ready for the morning.  Right, you all think I’m putting him in a dress don’t you???   Nope, just his little brown v-neck pullover sweater that’s a part of his VERY british school uniform.

 Linds, I’ll feel so much more at home with your British neighbors when we return home!

 

Kid Honesty

Lucy will be 3 in a about 2 weeks.

She’s at the stage where everything she thinks comes out of her mouth (I guess some people never get out of that stage).

Today her winner comments both had to do with Esther our househelp.

The first, announced to the whole family when Esther come out of the bathroom:  “Esther went potty!  Look everyone, Esther went potty!”  Esther was a good sport and laughed it off.

The second announcement was in the car as I was going to pick Eli up from school and we were giving Esther a lift.

“Mom, Esther’s stinky!”   Ok, so yes, she has a particularly potent African odor to her, but I think that I am getting used to it and don’t notice it anymore.

No one commented.  I tried to pass it off and save embarassment for everyone by saying, “Oh, Lucy, I think you are the stinky one!”

She insisted that she wasn’t, kept on with the stinky comments, and then progressed I think to saying it “Smelt poopy” when I told her to stop the potty talk and we were finished with that!