Balancing Equations

10 am. School bell rings. Off to Chemistry class with the sophomores. Woah buddy. I forgot how terrible I am at science. After all I did score a 1 on the AP test (that's the worst if you're wondering). When class finished the kids forced the teacher out of the room and we sang songs. Rockin'.

1:00 pm. lunch. very dry corn and collard-ish greens. I ate it. I am thankful that I do not have to worry about what to eat everyday. I wanted to experience what they experience. I can't imagine that as my only meal every day.

2:00 pm. Toured their slum. That was the first time we got to walk through a slum. The dirt/mud roads were narrow and were filled with trash and animal droppings. Children were running around without pants and sometimes without shoes. We got to a point when we were near a bunch of men by the river and they strictly told us before we saw them that we COULD NOT take pictures. Once it was safe again we crossed a bridge over a muddy stream. It was not a trusty bridge. It was made of old branches. I felt like Tom Sawyer or something. Didn't fall in. YES! No water sicknesses for our team today. Thank you, Lord. Over the bridge is a hill that overlooks the whole slum. I took a picture that I will show you. Like I've said a million times.. a picture does no justice for the smell.

3ish: took pictures of the kids and printed them so they could have pictures.
3:30 ish

PLOWED in the field. Yes. With a hoe. They taught me. I had quite a few laughs. Who ever thought we would be working on a field in Africa? I am so glad we did. I eventually caught on. This was part of their curriculum. I don't know many high schoolers back at home that would work on a field for a class in pure sunshine heat&humidity. They have great attitudes and spirits.

Long, bumpy ride back. Threw clothes on that weren't sweaty. Left to go eat at Irene's. She founded the New Dawn School. She stumbled across this slum when many people from her church live there. She was trying to minister to the wealthy and then all the slum folks showed up. At first she was annoyed that they were there, but when she went to their village she found a heart and a passion for the people. She was the reason New Dawn came to become the only Secondary school in the area. She was awesome. Her obedience to the Lord's calling was inspiring and that is one of my prayers for myself. Obedience. She had authentic food and we spent time with her family. Her son is a student at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. We really enjoyed getting to know him and he is hopefully coming to visit Cameron and I at Auburn. We all sang songs and prayed together. It was a very sweet ending to a wonderful time in ministry with Irene as well as Benson, Susan, and Victoria. Victoria (Benson's daughter) spent her whole day making bracelets for us.

Tomorrow: SAFARI!! We are leaving here at 6 am. I am not sure if I will get to blog until Friday or Saturday because we fly out tomorrow. After the safari we are going to a Kazuri bead factory that provides many jobs for single mothers. I am pumped about their handmade jewelry. Eating at the Java House tomorrow so hopefully I can bring you guys some Kenyan coffee home. Apparently it is THE best.

Bad news: No cell phone anywhere and I may have pink eye. I don't feel bad but my eyes are itchy and somewhat oozy. Sorry if that is gross. Just statin' the facts as always.

Good news: We are trying to soak up our last night here and enjoy it. I cannot describe this experience in words. I am so thankful. Also, pictures will be up by the beginning of next week hopefully :)

Swahili word:
I can't think of any but kwaheri because it means good bye . I know I have already said it, but tomorrow I am saying "kwaheri Kenya"

It is well with my soul. I have loved the people here and they said that KEnya is our second home. I believe that. I hope to return to my second home again one day and would love for some of you to experience this with me next time.

Maybe you will hear back tomorrow. If not... Friday night or Saturday!

Pray: safety, Africa, the people here, and that we will be a good representation of what we learned.

Momma: If you are reading this thank you for your relentless encouraging posts. I can't wait to see the whole family soon. If you come pick me up I will probably need you to pack me some clothes and toiletries because everything is dirty/gone. If you have room my computer and camera cord would be great. If not.. "mizuri".

Thanks everyone for all your support! Keep reading for the next week or so! There will be more exciting things to come :)