Simple things

I have noticed a pattern in the things that make me happy these days. I have been really holding on to the simple things that life has to offer, it sounds so cliche, but those small things are making me so happy. Today I read on the Internet about my sister scoring a goal in their match against Fullerton, and I started to tear up. I was so proud of her, all of the work that she had put in over the years, and all of the commitment made me so proud to be her older brother. Of course we have our differences, but I am so proud of the accomplishments she is making on the field, or should I say the pitch? Congrats Alana, on being an accomplished college athlete, and being my little sister (lets face it, being my sister is something to brag about in itself.)

As I was walking into the house today from getting my laundry another simple, but great, thing made me so happy. I heard some kids chattering, and I looked to see if it was our neighbors so that I could say hello, but then I saw 5 kids scurrying around one of the trees on the other side of the compound. Usually we don't let kids on the compound just because if we let one, there would be no end. I recognized the kids as some that go to Oasis. When I walked up they screamed my name, and then showed me some fruits in their hands. When I looked up in the tree I noticed they were gathering all the guavas from our guava tree. They were up in the trees, jumping all around it, hitting it with sticks, doing everything they could to get them down. I don't know why but seeing these kids gathering these fruits made me so happy, they were so excited to grab one off the tree and bite into it. Personally i don't enjoy these guavas, and these kids aren't exactly well off, so I was more then happy to let them have as many as they wanted. (plus their not really ours anyways.)

I can feel God softening my spirit, and I thank him for every ounce of joy that I experience in the small things that occur in life.








Also, I now have proof that Dinosaurs live in Kitale:

Ladies and gentlemen I give you Pterodactyl

Ohh Hell naw ALIEN...

Today I became an Alien. I am now a Legal ALIEN in Kenya. I think that this is the closest I will get to actually traveling to space, and It is good enough for me.

Today the girls and I went to Eldoret, the fourth largest city in Kenya, to renew our visas. It is about a 90 minute drive, but we had a great time. There is a restaurant there called the Eldo Grill that has delicious PIZZA. It was great to eat something so familiar, although I think I will have garlic breath for the next week. The best part about the day though was that we got passport pictures taken for our visas, and they are amazing. We have the negatives as well so we are going to blow them up, and let me tell you, there was no smiling being done in that office, all business. Renewing my visa today means that I have been here for three months. Thinking back, it is hard to believe that three months ago I was just figuring out what it meant to be here, and now I feel like this is my home.

The countdown to Matts Gillens getting here is now at 16 days. In 16 days I will be hanging out with one of my best friends, in one of the best places I have ever been. There are no words to describe my level of excitement.

Today is...

There is this song that the children at Discover to Recover Center sing, and it goes like this:

“Today is my favorite day.
God made it a special way,
I love tomorrow and yesterday,
But today is my favorite day.”

After hearing and singing the song I don’t think that there is any way that I can hear it without smiling. There is just something about the song that makes me so happy, and especially when the kids sing it to us.

Sunday was a great day. The girls and I went to church together at lighthouse where we have become official members, and then we headed our separate ways. Allison and Daina went to the coffe shop to tutor the Oasis boys in Math and English. I on the other hand had some work to do. I did a bunch of laundry (by hand), and then did some reading. I must admit that I did watch a little Alias as well.

I just realized that this post is a string of very random thoughts, but that has been this day, a string of random events, all coming together to create a great day.

DTRC

Yesterday was Friday, so naturally Allison and I went to Discover to Recover. I now know what it feels like to be famous now. As we were rolling up in our taxi all of the children started screaming and clapping their hands, then they broke out sining something about welcoming us. They are all such amazing kids. I had brought my computer to do some work there, and naturally as soon as the kids discovered there was a camera in my computer, it went all downhill.




I think the kids had a fun time looking at their distorted faces, I know I sure did.

Thursday.

As you know from reading my blogs, I enjoy Thursdays. I love the fact that we can hang out at the house until around 11, and then we get to go swimming with a bunch of kids. Today is the first time that I will be swimming so I am excited to see how it goes. I think that the best par tis that we get to eat fries for lunch. That is like me dream, eating only french fries and drinking soda for lunch.

Day 2

Yes this was the second, and last, day of sitting around and doing nothing. I watched some ALIAS, read some Harry Potter, Thought some thoughts, had some laughs and overall enjoyed myself. Tomorrow we begin the hectic schedule again, and I could not be more excited to do so.

I was thinking about the trip to Kakuma and Lodwar, and I thought that I wanted to let you know more about it right now, but then I remembered how impatient I was when it came to this internet here, so I once again refer you to Daina's and Allison's blogs. They do a great job with uploading pictures, and telling the stories. I sometimes feel bad for pirating their blog, but when i think about it, I don't feel that bad. Thanks girls! (just click on their names and it will take you to their blogs.)

I pray all of you are doing well, and that God is doing great things in your lives. I love all of you.

Chris

HOME, SWEET HOME.

Well I have been gone for a week, and I am sure that all of you are wondering where I was, and what I was doing. Well the girls and I, along with a pastor from town, headed to Northern Kenya, to a place called Lodwar and Kakuma. There is no way that I will ever be able to describe the trip to you on this blog, so I am going to sum up a weeks worth of stories and experiences with this picture:

Yes, all is good with American relations in North Kenya. Thanks to me.

I also wanted to post this picture so that you could see how nasty sweaty I got; as well as how sweet my new hat is.