Habari!
Got a chance to speak w/Janell on the phone this morning, in addition to having already exchanged several emails. All is going extremely well, and we'd all like to thank you, again, for your support through both prayer and finances to make this trip a reality! However, please keep praying, as there is a lot to do yet. God has answered an abundance of prayers so far, that's for sure, and I give Him tons of praise for that!
When I talked to Janell, they were at one of the markets (Noah wasn't real thrilled w/some of the smells...lol) gathering supplies for Vacation Bible School, which kicks off on Saturday. They are busily preparing for that, as it will be one of the signficant features of the time over there.
This evening, they will be having their first round of soccer camp, where 40-60 young ones will gather to play soccer and listen to the gospel. This will be a weekly event on Wednesdays. I'm sure Jake will be excited, given his passion for football (what they call it outside of the US/Canada).
The boys are acclimating very well with very few episodes by other, and are making a ton of friends. Evidently there are numerous children in the complex they are staying in, and they've now played w/pretty much all of them, surprise, surprise (our kids, "social"? nahhhh...lol)! The big hit has been the glowsticks that were donated to us to take - the African children (and adults!) have absolutely LOVED them, as it gets dark very early over there (7pm). They plan to hand them out, en masse, at soccer camp tonight, as the kids have to go home after dark.
Noah has probably learned more Swahili than any of us, and isn't afraid to use it, which the Kenyans just are loving!
I asked Janell if she had seen any creepy-crawlies or other "unfriendly" species. She said that the only thing they've really seen are numerous small lizards, which Jake thinks are totally cool. One major plus is that Nairobi sits both at a high elevation (5,600 feet) and has a cool climate (highs in the low 70's this time of year), so bugs & stuff aren't as active there as in other parts of Africa.
The boys aren't thrilled about the milk over there. Don't know about Jessica, but my three LOVE their cereal, but the boys have been passing on it, due to the different taste to the milk. So far, though, that's been the only food issue.
Janell has said that Nairobi is both very "americanized" and impoverished, making for a very surreal setting.
As far as transportation goes, apparently they've either been walking most places, or traveling w/Sandi, who has a car.
Speaking of the Stoltfus', please pray for Brian, as he's back in Sudan as of Monday, flying relief flights, I believe. Sudan is one of two heavily war-torn countries in Africa (the other is Somalia), so it can sometimes be very dangerous, so please keep him in your thoughts/prayers!
Janell & Jessica are planning on taking Pamela's younger siblings to Nairobi National Park on Friday. NNP is one of many national parks in Kenya that is home to numerous giraffes, lions, and other large game animals. That interesting thing is that it is situated right on the edge of Nairobi! Fortunately, the animals tend to not stray into town at all, because finding a lion in your backyard, probably wouldn't be good, haha.
Well, that's about all for now. Just wanted to give you all an update! Thanks again for your prayers and support - we love you guys!
In His Service,
Bob
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