Hi!

I came into Nairobi for the weekend. I know I’ve only been at Tumaini for 3 weeks, but I’m so glad I spent this weekend in Nairobi. Ryan leaves for America tomorrow, and 3 of the SIMPacters left for Ethiopia today. So, Lindsey wanted to come in to tell them by, and I came along, too. I wanted to spend time with them, too, but, I also needed a break. Missionary life in a foreign country isn’t glamorous, it’s hard. It’s draining, and now that I’m teaching, the days are routine; every school day is the same, every Saturday consists of school and laundry, and every Sunday is the same – church until 2ish, lunch, and just hanging out. It’s fun no doubt, but I’ve found that the LORD is where my sweetest delight is, where I get my best rest. In his presence, I am refueled, refreshed, and made ready to give again. During the weeks when I am mentally drained from trying to understand the Kenyan accent, or from trying to simplify and describe the meanings of my English words, or even from being “smiley” even when I have no idea what the other person is talking about…I’ll come to my room, say a prayer, and I’m recharged. The joy of the LORD is my strength. My own strength just doesn’t cut it. As tiring as things may get sometimes, I'm so glad I'm here and experiencing it all. =)

The LORD knew I’d be in Nairobi this weekend, even if I didn’t decide to come until the day before I did. The lady I’m staying with has lived in Kenya for 31 years, and she’s moving home to Switzerland in May. She just had eye surgery, so she’s been in the house a lot. She has made me coffee and had sweet raisin bread that we’ve shared for breakfast every morning, and she’s shared REALLY COOL stories about her ministry and how she got to Africa. The ministry she’s currently doing started in the early 90’s, and has grown to reach 129 places and 30,000 kids every year. It started with one week of Vacation Bible School in a town full of street kids. And it’s grown that much… She seems a lot like me, too, just in personality and how we’re each wired, so just hearing about her life has been tremendously encouraging. Kenyans are suuuper laid back. If something doesn’t get done one day, there’s always tomorrow. Which is fine, it seems stress-free. Except…my personality is not quite that way. I’m adjusting, but there are some things that I really value and want to get done sooner than “tomorrow” (which often turns into never).

So please pray that
a) a library happens
b) weekly prayer among the Tumaini staff happens
c) teacher meetings happen
d) and that above all, the LORD is glorifed and exalted, sought after and trusted.

Thank you!!!

On another note, there’s a new girl coming to Tumaini! Her name is Jennilynn, we’re not quite sure how to pronounce that. Jenny Lynn? Maybe? I’m excited. =) She arrives the day Lindsey & I go back to Tumaini from our SIM Spiritual Life Conference. The conference is from Thursday through Sunday, we’ll head back up-country on Monday. Jennilynn arrives at Tumaini on the 12th or 13th. Yay!

And on a COMPLETELY different note, I love Nickel Creek. I hope they get back together someday. I never get tired of their music. Has anybody checked out The Punch Brothers? I heard their stuff on their website, but I didn’t get the cd at the time. It sounded just as awesome as Nickel Creek, minus Sarah Watson. But I heard she’s doing her own thing maybe?

Hope the superbowl was fun. I forgot to ask you to eat some hot wings for me. =p

Ciao!