"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good deed therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show a fellow human being, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it, for I will not pass this way again."

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Yoga in the yard

Well, we made it to the lovely land of Kenya and my travel companions have jumped right in. I'm traveling with Catherine, a fellow Duke nurse, and Tate, a MPH student. We breezed through the 19 hours on a plane with no catastrophes, and landed in Nairobi. Turns out 5 of our checked bags (mainly filled with pads and medical supplies) did not make it out of Dubai. Bummer. Surprising enough, it turned out to be a great blessing since our travel agent did not book our tickets correctly and we would have ended up paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars in extra overweight baggage fees. Phew! Despite their insistence that the bags would be be delivered to us in Maseno, we picked them up at the kisumu airport two days later. But considering I was worried we'd never see them again, I was pretty satisfied :)

The children left these little gems in my room-hand decorated baskets. Lovely aren't they? I will treasure them. The things around my neck are called flowers, even though they are closer to Christmas tinsel. They are used for special occasions, like weddings and graduation. They kids gave one to each of us, and it was such an honor we left them on for a long while despite the fact that they are even itchier than they look :)

(Catherine and Arnold doing yoga)

(Tate and Zed :)

The children are all doing well and fallen in love with Catherine and Tate-and vice versa. Zedekia-our newest addition, is doing especially well. He is talking more, laughing and interacting, and he's getting so much stronger. My heart lept a little to see him trying to do yoga with Tate :). He could have never balanced like that last year. Sweet strong boy.

This is the time of year they call "short rains", which is ironically named be use we are getting dumped on. Most of the day is beautiful, hot and sunny, and the evenings rival a monsoon. Our porch is a popular place for all the neighborhood kids to hangout, and they have been entertained by all our mzungu (white person) oddities.

(Catherine holding court on the porch)

(Our porch railings are great for climbing and serve as a makeshift jungle gym, as Vinicent is demonstrating above. The rain overflowing the gutters only makes the challenge greater and more fun. You also get a free shower in the process :).

Zed is showing me his new skill of hand tattooing, and in the background Catherine has at least 8 little hands attempting to braid her hair :)

More updates to come when we recover from the jetlag :)

Jessie

 

6 comments:

  1. Jess, Thank you for posting with photos and details of how excited the children are to see you and Catherine and Tate. The work you do there is so special. Happy Birthday! We miss you and look forward to seeing you upon your return. Hope you post again soon! Be safe. Dawn

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  2. Sounds like this year's visit is off to a great start! The children are so adorable and it sounds like you all are having a great time together!

    We hope you have a fantastic birthday! Love - Ben & Lacy

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  3. So cool Jess! Wish I was there with you! Thanks for the updates:)

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  4. Hi Jess, It's Baba. Glad to hear God worked your lost bags into a blessing (AND that they arrived!)

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  5. Hi Jess, dad & I just found your pictures. All the kids have grown so much & are so beautiful !!! I love the picture of Vincent in the rain shower & Zed & Arnold doing yoga. Catherine & Tate look very cool. Tell the kids we especially liked the lovely baskets & flowers for all of you--very thoughtful :) love, mom

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  6. Thanks for the update, Jessie. I love seeing the pictures of your children. They are growing up! MAry

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