Wow. Long day! Or I guess you could say 2 days... (I left at 11:59 Jan. 7th and arrived to US on the 8th). I'm writing to you from Detroit because both Kenya and London airports didn't have free wifi! :(
Anyway, let me recap what has happened over the last 24 hours... (these time zones are really messin me up.. Haha)
We started our day with breakfast and devos as usual. And I gave the warthog to Nancy! (whoever receives it has to give it away to the next person.. Makes sense. :) hehe) We left for the village and arrived around 10am.
Once there we got everything set up for all of the older kids going into college or graduating to help them know how to make a resume, write a thank you letter, and how to act in an interview. I listened for a little while then found Ellen and asked if I could help her. She was going through Christmas cards and sorting the ones that were about Jesus vs. Christmas (like Santa and snowmen, etc.). After we had finished we went on 2 home visits and again, the scenery is just spectacular. I was trying to soak it all in cuz I would be leaving that night.
We returned back and found out that Bekah had been shocked by the speakers that were set up in the clinic (it was a pretty shady system, exposed wires and all) She was ok but it shook her up a bit. Shes just been havin a bit of a rough trip. :(
I ate some lunch and then I went outside and played with the little kids. :) they're so cute! I showed them pictures of home and of snow and fall leaves. They loved it! One girl asked me, "you survive there?!" haha! I said yes. And they couldn't believe it. Haha!! It started to rain and we all ran for cover near the clinic. I went inside and the older kids were taking a break so I went and showed Lazarus my pictures. (I promised him yesterday I would show them to him) As we were just finishing up Ellen taps me on the shoulder and told me I had 5min. to say goodbye, that we were leaving in 10min. so me and Nathan could get ready for coming home. I was kinda in shock and quickly went around and said bye to everyone there. It was so sad. I didn't want to leave. :( I then proceeded to run out the door through the rain and jump into the van. The whole ride back I couldn't stop thinking about the kids and how much I missed them already.
We arrived back at the guest house and I immediately started packing, well after a shower.. of course. Haha! After, I got pretty much packed up it was time for dinner and we got pizza! It was wonderful! I ate and then put a few last minute things together in my suitcase. I finished and then proceeded downstairs to say my final goodbyes. It was 7:30pm when we left for the airport, and everyone was waving us off. :) On the way to the airport I made sure and asked Bonnie, our driver, all of the kikuyu and Swahili words I wanted to remember and wrote them down. Haha. I took in the last of the smells and the sights as we drove through town.
Once in the airport, it was extremely hot but we weren't there for too long. We boarded the plane and took off at midnight Kenya time and arrived in London 8 and a half hours later. (longest plane ride I have ever been on.) (FUN FACT: Planes are not allowed to take off or land in London before 6am due to noise) So, before we landed in London we circled twice above the city and then finally landed at about 6:05am haha! The London airport is beautiful and there are soo many expensive shops! It was crazy! I had a wonderful breakfast there of a ham and cheese croissant and fresh orange juice. :) oh! I almost forgot! I had to go through security in London (Apparently you have to go through security alot when you go overseas..) and I got my face wash taken away :( sad day. It wasn't a problem anywhere else but apparently in London I had exceeded the amount of mL allowed. Oh the fun things you experience. Haha!
Our next flight was scheduled for 9am to travel to Detroit. Eight hours later I arrive in Detroit! So here I am back in the good ole U S of A. I cant wait to take a good long hot shower and eat a hamburger! Haha!! Its Bittersweet and sad though. I miss the friendliness of Kenya. Just a few moments ago, I waved at a guy passing by and he totally gave me the strangest look. I forgot I wasn't in Kenya anymore. They say hello and wave there a lot and if you don't.. you come off as rude! Such a different culture.
Well all that's left is one last flight to KY. I should get there around 5pm and get to school around 5:45-6pm. Then to eat, take a shower, unpack and get ready for school in the morning.
Wow. I cant stop saying it enough. Wow. God is so good. :) He has taught me so many things and showed me so much of his beautiful creation! I almost feel like I don't deserve it. I have been very blessed to grow up in a country where I can go so many places freely. I was thinking about that today... How; if I had been born anywhere else I may not have had this opportunity and not be the person I am today. It just proves to me over and over again how carefully God orchestrates and plans out our lives. :) Wow.
Thank you everyone soo much for your prayers and your support. I look forward to seeing all of you and telling you more of my grand adventures in Kenya! And OH! God revealed to me what He wants me to do... He wants me to be a missionary or "go" and build relationships with people and show them His love! And take pictures.. somehow incorporating that in. Maybe being the photographer of a mission organization.. I don't know yet. And then I have a passion for Spanish, so I wanna learn that too! Wow. It's crazy! God's got His hand on me, I know He does and I can't wait to see what all He is gonna do! I just have to listen, trust, and follow whenever and wherever He leads me. :)
Thanks again everyone!
