Finally Home

God is good. It feels so good to finally be home. Our journey home was like a sitcom, so many things happened but through it all God is faithful.

My final night in Nairobi was unexpectedly wonderful. At first I was disappointed that we didn't get a chance to go into town to shop for souvenirs as we'd hoped (since we didn't get to the ACK until 4 pm....we only had about 2 more hours of daylight.) However, God had something better in store for me. I got the opportunity to visit with students from my old church, who are now serving full-time in Kenya (for 16 months) as part of their missionary training. They normally live 5 hours away from Nairobi but it just happened that they were in Nairobi to renew their visa!! They were right down the road from the ACK and God made a way for us to meet! It was such a great edifying time! We all were so blessed and encouraged by what God has been doing in all of our lives.

The next morning, we got up at 5 a.m. and started on our journey home. We got to the airport around 6 (our flight was supposed to be at 8:10.) The line to get through security to get in the airport was wrapped around the building! By the time we got through security and passport control we were running for the gate. Once again, I was disappointed because we had planned to stop by the Java House in the airport (all the missionaries told us that they had amazing Kenya coffee and great breakfast, we had plan to buy a lot of coffee to bring back to the U.S.)

We finally got through the gate (another security check), into the holding area before boarding...and we waited to board the plane. We waited and waited. At 8:30 we hear that we will start boarding at 9. At this point we were getting really antsy because we only have 1 hour and 25 minutes (that is if we left on time at 8:10) to catch our connecting flight in Amsterdam. We had a feeling that we were going to miss our flight. However, we weren't giving up just yet, on the flight over, we had a really strong wind that help the plane arrive almost an hour faster than expected. I told Robin, "who knows, God could provide a really mighty tail wind to expedite our journey." At that point, I thought that "provide a mighty wind" bit sounded kinda like a psalm. And guess what, He did.

At some point during the flight, the pilot announced that we had a really strong tail wind and we will arrive in Amsterdam just 20 minutes later than our original expected arrival (that gives us an hour still to catch our flight.) At that point, I turned to Robin and told her, I think I'm going to write a psalm before we get home :)

We landed in Amsterdam, got through security and ran to the gate. We were going to make it afterall!! We got to the gate, looked up and instead of it saying Atlanta, it said Vancouver. Weird. So we though maybe they changed the gate so we checked the board one more time. There it was, the tiny little letters next to our flight number, the word "cancelled." It finally sunk in that our flight was cancelled so we walked over to the transfer desk and ask what was going on. Apparently the plane never left Atlanta and we were now stranded. The first person we talked to told us that we would get out on Tuesday, then she gave us a number to wait in line to talk to the booking agent. At this point, I joked to Robin, "I think my psalm just turned into a lamentation."

We finally got to the booking agent, she actually got us on a flight out the following day (Sunday) to Minnesota (with the hopes of us catching another flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta) and the airline was going to give us a hotel voucher and provide for dinner and breakfast. Now the next problem: I don't carry a U.S. Passport. I carry a Thai passport with a U.S. permanent resident card, which means, I can't leave the airport without a visa for the Netherlands. God still opened a way for me to get a 24 hr visa to enter the country and off we were to the hotel in Amsterdam. As much as I would have like to say that we made the most of our one night in Amsterdam, we didn't. We were exhausted and Robin was sick, we ate dinner and went to our rooms. That night, thinking through all the things that has happened on this trip, I wrote a psalm :)

The Lord is merciful

He hears my plea

He places His mighty hand on my life

Not an aspect of my life is too insignificant for You, O God

He gives me kind and compassionate companions

And grants us a mighty wind to expedite our journey

He opens the gates of a foreign land to me

Not once have I been in want

You do not let any of my needs go unmet

Your faithfulness is unmatched

You lead me to a quiet place and give me rest

You protect us from harm and shower me with goodness

Who am I that I should deserve such care, Lord?

Praise be to you, O God, who shows up on my behalf

You give me value by creating me in Your image

And called me your own

Blessed be the Name of the Lord,

For His faithfulness endures forever

The next morning we made it to the airport and boarded our flight to Minnesota. After another delay in Minnesota, we finally made it home to Atlanta (all but my luggage, of course) on Sunday night. Although there were hiccups and things don't always go as plan, it was an amazing trip and God's presence was with us at all times. I don't think I could ask for anything more. His peace and joy overwhelmed us even in times of disappointment. Thanks be to God for all that He's done.

P.S. my luggage arrived Monday :)

Blessings

So we're at the half way point of the conference. It's hard to explain the feeling. Our work with the youth is going well. In fact, many of them are mature beyond their years. I guess you kinda have to be when you're an MK (Missionary Kid) growing up in the majority world.

Being at the hotel is definitely a nice change from our first week in Nairobi. I think I actually did a happy dance the first full day here when I woke up and realize that I don't have to get in a car and travel anywhere. The buildings and hotel rooms are simple painted concrete buildings with thatch roofs. Nothing fancy. You have a shower, a toilet and a sink in the room. The decoration and furniture in the room are sparce. The bed has a mattress that's about 6 inches thick, it's pretty hard but I reallly like it. In fact, the room is pretty similar to the room at the guest house, except it's much larger here. The hotel property has access directly to the beach, which is quite nice. Lots of seaweed but beautiful blue ocean. There are monkeys and birds all around. In fact, the first thing they told us when we check in is to NEVER leave your balcony door open because monkeys will come in the room and destroy your stuff.

It is such a blessing to be here with the Wycliffe missionaries. So many times during the day, some would come up and thank us for blessing them by serving them in taking care of their children & youth. However, in reality, the situation is reversed. They are blessing me with their lives. We have had some time to talk with, get to know, spend some time with some of the missionaries. I feel like I'm walking around among spiritual giants. Somehow, I feel like I'm in the company of people who are just deeper!

The best way I could explain this is this: at a wedding, hearing the bride and groom exchange vows is meaningful, but at a vow renewal for couples that have been married for a long time, hearing them say their vows again always have more meaning. It's deeper. It's an affirmation of promises that have been lived through. It's the same way with these missionaries. When the missionaries talk about God's faithfulness, deliverance and goodness, it's through the experiences that many of us can't even imagine, whether it be physical danger or sickness or even the death of their children. When they quote scripture or sing Blessed Be the Name of the Lord, it comes from a place that is deeper and more meaningful. I've been so blessed by them. I thank God for this opportunity to be here.

Top: team picture at Wycliffe Conference

2nd: the 2 boys, Joseph and Timithy who North Ave. sponsored surgeries

3rd: Another one of Maji Mazuri school in the country

4th: scenery outside of Nairobi on the drive to Nakuru

Matatu and the real Watamu

Top Picture is one of Maji Mazuri schools. This particular one is in the Kibera slums.

The middle and bottom one is at the feeding program with Mtoto Africa at the Gituku's home.

Since our team's gotten to Turtle Bay, we keep saying that we don't feel so much like we're in real Kenya anymore. So today, we decided to take a Matatu (one of those over crowded vans the locals take for transportation) and come into downtown Watamu to use the internet cafe. I'm taking this time to upload some pictures. The connection is so slow so just a few pictures for now.

Ending chapter 1, Entering chapter 2...

So the hotel has free email for us to use (email only using their hotel account so I can't even check my personal email) so I'm using it to email Brian my blog and asking him to post it for me.

I just want to give a quick wrap up of the first week in Kenya after our first goofy day of jetlag & tourist stuff. We visited 6 mission partners in 3 days time.

Tuesday with Maji Mazuri was incredible. There isn't enough good things I could say about this organization. The things we experienced were a shock to our senses. We visited all 6 projects that Maji Mazuri is currently running. One of the projects brought us to the Kibera slum, which is the largest slum in East Africa. The sight, the smell, and the feeling of hopelessness were overwhelming. Yet, in a tiny school held together by tin sheets and scrap wood, the faces of smiling children brought us joy and reminded us that God is there. In the mist of such brokeness, the light of Jesus Christ shines through and gives hope.

Wednesday, we visited African Inland Church (A.I.C.) Shabab (means church) and the Nakuru Christian Professionals Association. Nakuru is about a 2.5 hours drive from Nairobi. I forgot to mention that Kenyan roads are terrible and the driving is crazy. We actually had a very close call on the road to Nakuru. Thanks be to God that we were unharmed. Also, one can know that one's leaving greater Nairobi when one starts seeing donkeys on the side of the road. Donkeys are still the main mode of transportation for people in the country. Our visits went well. It was good to see what God is doing on this side of the world. It was an encouragement to see such a vibrant church and Kenyans who are invested in helping the needy around them. Nakuru is known for the flamingoes, its was too bad that we didn't get a chance to visit Lake Nakuru, because our schedule was so tight, but from afar, we saw a pink cluster on the side of the lake and were told that those were flamingoes! The drive was beautiful. We drove through the Rift Valley (altitute of 8,000+ft) and saw a lot of live stocks on the way. It really is such a different way of life!

We also had the honor of eating dinner at the home of Samuel Gtoto, an elder in Martin Mwangi's church and our driver! He has become like a father to our team. We call him Baba Gtoto. He made us Yumechome, which is Kenyan delicacy. It's roasted meat. We had a wonderful and interesting Kenyan meal. The hospitality of Kenyan people were amazing.

Thursday was full day. We visited a school, a feeding program, and 2 children whom our church have sponsored surgeries through Mtoto Africa. Followed by a 5 hour visit to Presbyterian University and a visit to Thindigua Parish (Mwangi's church.) We had a great time worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Margaret (Martin's wife) invited us to her home and fed us another wonderful Kenyan meal.

Friday, we got up early for our flight to Malindi, which is where we are now. We just finished our first day of conference and it was great. The youth group that we are working with is quite amazing. Thanks be to God.
Please keep praying for us and for the youth as well.

Internet is quite spotty...

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. It's almost impossible to get on the internet and the connection is , as Brian would say, slower than a snail with sleeping sickness.

We have had a wonderful time in Nairobi. God truly is working in the local churches here.

Today, we've arrived safely in Malindi for the Wycliff Conference. The hotel is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to the time of refreshment for our team and the missionaries we are serving.

I will try my best to get pictures uploaded...no promises. Keep praying for us.

Warthogs and Children have the right of way...

We finally made it to Kenya. We were greeted with the sight of giraffes grazing in the field on our way to the ACK (the Anglican Church of Kenya Guesthouse.) Our first day was spent doing tourist stuff. After we checked in, we were off to Nairobi National Park. When we pulled through the gate, there was a big sign that stated " Warthogs and Children have the right of way."

We were advised that we were too late in the morning to see animals through the driving safari. They recommended that we do the walking safari instead. We had a great time. We saw a good bit of animals and even had a "special hike" to see the lions. We had a quick lunch and headed to Bomas of Kenya.

When we got out of the car at Bomas of Kenya, there was a warthog just crossing the parking lot. I guess that sign at Nairobi park wasn't a joke after all. At Bomas, we had the opportunity to see many tribal dances. The dancings and the percussions were really fun. I keep thinking this is like a Kenyan "Stomp." Anyway, I just have to say that I'm so glad that the team decided that we were going to take our first day doing tourist stuff because as stimulating the performances were, all 4 of our team member kept nodding off. It really would have been pretty embarrassing to be visiting mission partners. The day was fun and silly. We all were sleep deprived and lacked coordination and at times were just not making much sense.

When we got back to the ACK around 5 p.m. or so, Britt and Robin went to their room, fell on the bed and went in to a deep coma. Kristina and I opted to stay up so that we could sleep through the night. We took showers and went down to dinner. We were so silly and giddy at dinner.

I'm liking Kenyan food pretty well. Our meals mostly consist of cooked vegetable, rice, potatoes, some kind of bread (at lunch and dinner we had chapati, which is a cross between Indian Naan bread and a tortilla) and some sort of cooked or stewed meat.

I feel safe and comfortable at the ACK. There's a gate and a guard at the gate. There's even hot water (Praise the Lord!!) There's an internet cafe at ACK that's really affordable but the hours are quite limited. So that is where I'm doing my blogs (I updated the NAPC Mission Team blog today as well.) It's pretty quiet at night and I slept alright. I feel like I'm adjusted to the time already.

Today (our 2nd day here) was pretty amazing. We spent all day with an organization called Maji Mazuri. I'd blogged about what Maji Mazuri is a few blogs ago before I left. One of the ways that we described the day was "an assault to our senses." I'll elaborate on it tomorrow because I'm running out of time(Lord willing if we get back from Nakuru in time to catch the internet cafe opened.) I feel like I'm still processing all the things we experienced today. I just have to say that I'm so proud to be a member of a church that supports such an amazing organization as Maji Mazuri.

I know this blog is mostly light because of our first silly day. Believe me that there's going to be some heavier stuff coming when I get a chance to blog about our mission partners. Keep praying for us!

Gaan

Deep Fried Gravy....

So we made it on the first leg of the flight. We are now in Amsterdam waiting on our next flight to Nairobi. Since we had a few hours till our connecting flight, we decided that we should try some Dutch food. There's a little cafe at the airport. One of the ladies at the airport that was helping us earlier recommended that we try some thing called kroketten. It's apparently a Dutch specialty. Even McDonald's here has what you call a "McKroketten" Well, Kristina was brave enough to order the real thing at Cafe Amsterdam (the menu described it as ragout of beef with a crispy jacket.) The way I would describe kroketten is deep fried gravy. It was definitely not what we had expected. I wasn't so brave, I stuck with what I knew and ordered a shnitzel. We had a wonderful time just talking and getting to know each team member better. It's so amazing to see how God has been working in each one of our lives.

We got a few more hours to rest up before we fly out to Nairobi tonight. Things are going smoothly so far. Praise be to God.

Keep praying for us,
Gaan