Last night in Kisumu

Last night was my final night in Kisumu. We attended the final prayer meeting of the week of prayer and fasting as a family. It was a good time of worship together. Throughout the week Jon has appointed himself as the microphone coordinator for the night, getting it out of the stand when Dad would come to tell everyone to transition prayer stations and putting it back when he was done. Last night Dad picked up the guitar to lead and realized the stand wasn't there. So he asked Jon to hold the mic while he led the singing. I have never seen Jons smile so big. It split his face. He looked like he had been asked to hold the kings jewels. He was so proud of his job.

After the prayer we came home and had a fun party in my honor. We played a rythm game and did a "how well do you know Cheri?" quiz - by the end we all knew alot more than when we started. Here are some fun pics.

Preparing to travel

Well, my bags have been packed for a couple days now, I have a party here tonight. I'm getting ready phisically, mentally and emotionally for the big flight. To prepare my funny bone I came across some of these, thought you might enjoy them as well.

www.scaruffi.com/travel/jokes.html
http://www.comedy-zone.net/jokes/laugh/transport/trans003.htm

But it wasn't my fault!

Driving in Kisumu town is crazy. I usually try to avoid down town if possible, but had some important pre-travel shopping to do. The rule is just keep your eyes open and looking everywhere at all times. But even following the rules doesn't always help. Today as I was coming out of the bank parking lot onto a side street I looked twice, but could not have anticipated the motorcycle that came tearing off the main street just as I had pulled out. I did stop and he could have swerved around me. But he panicked and hit his brakes. The 100cc bike couldn't handle the brake on a hill with the large momma and her toddler on the back. It skidded. landing about 6 feet from my car. Naturally I called out my concern and was relieved to see the fat (I mean well-endowed) lady and her toddler walk away, shaken but uninjured. The driver didn't respond when I asked if he needed help. In the states I would have helped him get his bike off the road (it looked fine except it's mirror had been ripped off) and been on my way.... its not like I hit him. But here there is the always the mob factor. There were of course about 20 witnesses to the scene - mostly young men who spend their days sitting on the low wall wishing someone would come by and make them a millionaire. And they started egging the driver (in swahili) about fleecing the mzungu. As soon as I sensed the mob spirit I got out of there... unfortunately the main road was uphill and busy and the driver caught up to me and did all he could to stop me from getting away (like standing by my window so I couldn't see the traffic I was trying to merge into, grabbing the keys from the ignition, opening the door.) Stephanie, who was with me tried to help by putting the car in gear, getting it into neutral instead...(don't ever try to help the driver drive) Anyway, God is good and provided an opening in the oncoming traffic just as I was able to fend off the driver.

I am really looking forward to traffic that consists of cars, trucks and the occasional motorcycle. The bodas and tuktuks and pikkis, goats, chickens, cows, and pedestrians are driving me crazy!

Packing up

Wow, everything is moving so slow and yet so fast. I have handed over most of what I have been doing here so I have lots of time at home to pack up and make decisions. I can hardly believe in a week and a half I will be sleeping in my Monroe home again. I can't wait to see all my friends I left behind... I would have loved to see a little snow too, but it sounds like the only percipitation is the wet kind now. It has been so dry here that I wouldn't mind seeing some rain as well : )

TICKET!

I have bought a ticket! Yes, I finally did. I am set to leave Nairobi on the 17th of January. I want to spend a couple days on the east coast so I don't have an arrival time yet. I'll keep you all posted. I am facing the departure with bittersweet emotions. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone again, but have formed some good friendships here. I am feeling good about the timing, though. I was afraid I wouldn't get to say goodby to Moses (one of my dancers and a very good friend) because he is in Mombassa and was going to return after I had left! But he got an earlier ticket. I will be here for the first week of school, so I will get to say goodby to all my students. And maybe if I'm really lucky there may still be some snow on the ground when I land in Seattle.

2009

It is a brand new year. Not unscarred by troubles, but I am deeply reminded of how little my problems are from the perspective of eternity. My word for this year? TRUST. I also hope it will be a year of Training and have already experienced Testing. (notice a pattern here) We hearalded the new year with a great new years eve service at the Church. There were some testimonies, prayer for the nation, the world, and families, and alot of worship and dance. At the stroke of midnight we entered the new year with the chant "Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes Lord." As the moment came there was a varied response. There were many young people who went wild and started running around in circles, alot of cheers of jubilation, along with shouts of worship and praise. And then there were a few, of which I was one, who became very quiet and felt the presence of the Lord. I don't know what this year holds, but I know One who stands outside of time and who has always been faithful and will continue to be faithful in 2009!