This is Kenya

I saw ZEBRAS at the airport!
(I'm writing this Friday afternoon 2-8-08 in Nairoba, Kenya...the first time I've had time and availability on a computer since I arrived Wednesday morning) Truth is, I did see these zebras at the airport, except I took this picture of a poster on the British Airlines Termnial wall. (forgive me, but thought you'd enjoy a touch of humor in a time of concern). I walked through customs and immigration to meet my oldest son, Darren at London Heathrow during my 6 hour layover on the way to Kenya. Here is a picture of us in what else....a coffee shop;






I have learned my first lesson in being flexible: God decides what is going on; if you review the list of things Jean Paul Ndagijimana gave me to do here in Kenya posted on my Feb 1 blog below, one was help with the coordination of matching resources to needs. I am thrilled to say that since his original urgent request of Jan.15 (at the height of the violence and afer two weeks of 24/7 coverage)that need is in a very manageable state. There are still daily occurences, and new needs, but there is routine. Here are a couple of pictures of an IDF camp WR has serviced since the beginning. We passed this coming from Limuru back to Nairobi today. Note the new-like tent: demonstrates the need is under control, but probably will last a while.

I say all of this to say that the urgent request that got me here is not really what I will be doing most of the time, it appears. Now, should I come home? Or did God know that was the only way I would respond, so he got my attention with that. I've been contemplating this since I got here really, and on the first day began to understand my main mission is now my least mission. So, should I come home?

I think I better hang around and see why God really wanted me here. I'll take several days to decide that firmly. Read the rest of the list; the reality of some of that hit today as I sat in a discussion regarding who was directing what as to the churches' joint efforts in spiritual recovery. More on this later.

So, until this morning I've been hanging out with JP's direct reports as the country directors had their first ever annual strategic planning meeting in Limuru, a beautiful Christian retreat center ran by the So. Baptist. It was a wonderful introduction to the people, mission, strategy, and values of the Africa Great Lakes and East Africa Region for World Relief. JP has responsibility for Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenyan. Here is a picture of the country directors and selected staff from those countries, a program officer from Baltimore (WR hdqtrs).
I have made 14 new wonderful friends, culminating in communion last night. (I played my favorite old hymns after someone discovered I could play the piano..they knew them all and sang along and hummed along...beautiful).

There is so much to write about, and I am doing that in detail in a daily journal book; let me just say there are still 10's of thousands of IDPs; they are being fed for the most part, and basic needs being met for the most part. Don't get me wrong...it is horrible conditions at best. But the urgent processes are in place. In fact, we saw a bus loaded with more people than should have been on it, belongings stacked 10-15 feet high on top and tied down, ready to leave returning them to their homes with police escort. Most want to go home now; many go not knowing the conditions they face, but willing to attempt it.

Me? I am conflicted with eating well, sleeping well, and fellowshipping with great people, during a time of incredible pain and suffering for still over 200,000. I am physically doing great (LOVE THE FOOD). I'm perplexed as to the news Judy gave me of US Peace Corps leaving totally earlier this week, and I have heard NO news on bad stuff here at all. In fact, if i didn't know what I know, this could be normal daily life here in Nairobi. Confusing.

Oh, most exciting, Darren will be able to meet Jean Paul 2-26/27 for an introduction and connection with World Relief/ and CRM's InnerChange start with a young couple this summer. Darren had a trip already planned to South Africa, and connecting here in Kenya was a natural. Amazing how God works it all together........

Most importantly, Judy is down with another round of sore throat, no voice, etc.etc. Please pray she will recover fast, and be able to find the source of this recurring cycle of sickness.