jambo!

greetings from nairobi! it is such a thrilling feeling to be here and to be (finally!) writing you all.

after 24+ hours of traveling, we finally made it to nairobi, friday night, without harldy any hiccups. we ended up having to stand in customs for a verrry long time, but we considered that initiation into african time and pace of life. annnd i got a pretty cool stamp in my passport...sweet!

this morning we went to kitui. kitui is a village about 3.5 hours southeast (?) from nairobi. on our trek there and back we were able to see much of the kenyan countryside which is really beautiful. kitui has a little bit different scenery, not because it's supposed to, but because they have had a drought for the past 3 years. earlier this year, african leadership did an emergency food distribution to over 1,000 families because no one could grow food and people were literally starving to death. we visited with 21 orphans that are currently cared for by extended family, beautiful african couple, and finances from african leadership and mocha club. i was told that the parents of these children most likely died of HIV or AIDS. we pulled up in our vans and the children greeted us with songs and of course i was choking up already. we immediately started introducing ourselves to these new friends, pulled out the soccer balls and played for the day. we threw them a birthday party, complete with streamers, pin the tail on the donkey and face painting. i hope they felt loved today.

not only were the children there, but many older people, the community's pastor and other beneficiaries of the food distribution earlier this year. so many old, wrinkled faces that were completely beautiful to me. many of the elderly people and the children didn't know much english, but we had a great time and hugs are universal, so i gave lots of them away.

i was struck by how close i am to everything i've been reading about for years. as i ate my lunch i was struck that starvation is such a real issue for these people. and despite their hardships, suffering and challenges, they are so joyful! i have heard that so much, but it's so true, at least of the people i met in kitui. they don't know what they will do if the rains do not come in november, but in the same breath they praise God and give him thanks for everything, and i am completely humbled, inspired, and bewildered by our God who loves us so much, yet allows his people to face such trials. i am sure He welcomes such questions and contemplation and i know i am not done processing all i have seen and experienced today as well as the days to come.

i wish i could post pictures! ack....hopefully soon enough! nairobi is such a great mixture of the old and new, modern and kenyan tradition. i saw camels for sale and a billboard for the new 3G iphone...and i am listening to africans singing beegees karoake somewhere in our guest house...i think i will try to find them and join in.

good night and much love from kenya.