Extreme Makeover-- Nairobi Edition

So on Saturdays we like to kick back a bit and get a little silly. This past Saturday, Aaron and Tristan let Emma and I play beauty parlour. Emma was tickled and almost peed her pants laughing at the outcome. Thanks boys for being such good sports and for letting us take pictures. You are both raving beauties!

Day in the Park

This week we are back at Eastleigh where a lot of changes are happening. The school

will be closing down and reopening in March under the administration of the Kenyan Mennonites.

In the mean time, Aaron and I will continue with our classes that we will be running on our own until the end of February. Aaron has approached three guys in his class about being language helpers and a girl from his advanced class has offered to help me. Today, we helped our team mate A with driving some pastors from the ACC&S church to meetings. I was thrilled to see Kimani, a pastor that was in my small group from the CMin course in 2004.

On Saturday we enjoyed a visit to Amani Ya Juu, our new favorite place. "Amani" means peace in Swahili and in this secret garden refugees from Somalia, Sudan and other East African countries are taught skills from various Christian artisans that provide them with a stable income and a new future. Along with the craft areas, there is an old home renovated into a gift shop and a garden cafe. Tristan and Emma had a super time. Emma found her new bud, "Biker Steve", who she named herself. Biker Steve has hardly left Emma's side since he joined the family. You can find him in the photograph (and we bet he'll turn up in more). After our visit to Amani, we took a stroll in the Nairobi Aboretum -- a hundred year old park that contains trees from all over Africa. Tristan was excited to find "Tarzan vines", but we wouldn't let him swing from tree to tree. On Sunday, we worshiped once again at St. Julians and in the afternoon were invited to a birthday party for a little boy in Tristan's class. It was a wonderful weekend!

Track and Field

Just thought we'd show you a picture of our little relay girl (taken just before the big race). Her green team came in second place. After this final race, everyone piled onto the track for a family fun run. Emma was too tuckered out after her race, so she rode on daddy's shoulders. We also had fun meeting other families, cheering on the other green team atheletes and having a picnic lunch (where we discovered that Smarties in Africa have flavoring added to their candy coatings -- purple is grape, red is cherry, orange is a nasty orange and yellow, well sort of a waxy lemon).

Rosslyn Sport's Day

Potato sack and three-legged races were all a part of the fun today at the annual Sport's Day at Rosslyn Academy. Tristan and Emma had a great time competing with their school mates as part of the "GREEN TEAM". A highlight of the day was when Emma was selected for the final mixed relay race as a representative of her kindergarten class. They both did great and enjoyed lots of sun.

Galab Wanaagsan! (Good Afternoon)

The view from our classroom door into the central courtyard of the Eastleigh Centre.

Paul and his Dadaab Team have returned after a successful time in North Eastern Province. They completed most of their project, with the exception of a water tower that we will be returning to finish near the end of February. They had a safe trip with no complications. Thank you for praying with us.



Our classes went very well today in Eastleigh. Erica began her beginner ESL class and started working with Ido, her language helper. It was a difficult session with so many other Somali girls jumping in to help (Privacy is almost an impossibility in Eastleigh). Ido was not bothered by the disruption, and told Erica that she was doing great and she would learn Somali in two months. "Somali is MUCH EASIER than English" Ido said. We can only pray that she is right.

We are continually amazed by the warmth of our students. On Monday, Erica had complimented one of my students, Zahra, on her beautiful head scarf. As we were leaving class today, Erica was delighted when Zahra presented her with the scarf. God is good.

Java House

It is nearly 2:30 pm in Nairobi and we are enjoying a late lunch here at Java House (a favorite hotspot for expats, tourists, and CBMers). We had a great day already teaching in Eastleigh. Along with her intermediate class, Erica is starting up a new women's class for beginners. Among her students, she has found her first language helper, "Ido"! Erica and Ido will begin meeting this Wednesday in the library at the Eastleigh Community Centre.

In my classes, I have had a new influx of students. The advanced class has nearly doubled in size, which has its own joys and complications. Space is very limited in the centre as we share the facilities with several other community groups. At times, three classes will take place in one room with only a canvas tarp seperating us. The students are all very eager. Today we wrote paragraphs on our home countries. It was amazing to hear their perspectives on life in Somalia and their present reality here in Eastleigh. Some students romanticize the past, while others are angered by such discriptions. Class is never dull -- they are a wonderful group!

Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Bye for Now!

Aaron & Erica

Sleep Over Fun

Last night we had a great time with Kelvin and Kenan Carline. First we went to the Masai Market where we had fun bartering and learned a few Swahili words from one of the vendors. We now know all the parts of our face. Then we headed home for some pizza and a sleepover. Tristan, Emma, Kelvin and Kenan went to bed way too late and were up way too early but they had a great time.

We had a pancake breakfast with the night guard of the apartment building who we invited up after his shift. It was a great morning full of unexpected twists. As we were getting ready for a playdate with another new family to Kenya (classmates of Tristan and Emma) Tristan, Emma and I got locked in the bedroom. Strangely, the key that locked the door did not unlock it. Three hours later, after much effort and many attempts by Aaron, the landlord had a handyman break the lock and rescue us. So we changed our playdate from a lunch picnic to a supper picnic and fun was had by all. We met a great family from the States serving with the Pan African University. We are home now and as we look back on the day we are so thankful that God is with us through every twist and turn.

Learning Centre

Sorry no photograph today as we are having trouble with blogger.

Erica and I have been enjoying our classes in Eastleigh. The students are great. Along with the curriculum, they have been introducing us to life in Eastleigh and giving us their perspectives on Somali life and politics. This is an uncertain time for these young men and women. The transitions going on within Somalia have stirred both fears and hopes. Some students would like to return, others are afraid and other still never want to go back. Please pray with us for them and for the immense displaced Somali community. We ask the Lord to bring lasting peace in this region of conflict.

Eastleigh Learning Centre

Today was our first day on our own in Eastleigh. Erica and I will be teaching ESL classes throughout the next month as we seek to get to know the students here at the Eastleigh Learning Centre. Please pray for us as we desire to be a help to these students! We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve in this community.

St. Julians Church

R and Erica enjoying the sunny gardens of St. Julian's

Believe it or not, if this picture had sound you would hear these teenagers singing the Alphabet song with our little Emma!

Today we joined our team mates for worship at Saint Julian's Anglican Chapel in the beautiful tea hills above Nairobi. As A. was away speaking to an ACC&S congregation, the rest of the family piled into our car for the drive. It was a beautiful day as we enjoyed the green hillside views on the way to the church. St. Julians is nestled inside a quiet Anglican retreat centre under the canopy of mature trees and surounded by wonderful gardens. We could see right away why the nearly twenty families take the drive out of the smoggy city to gather for worship on this peaceful hillside. Following the service, we gathered for garden tea and lunch in the shaded courtyard. It was a wonderful surprise for us to meet Jim Lay, an American missionary whom I (Aaron) had met in Eastleigh this past spring. Jim had been working among Somalis, but is now serving among the Borana people of Northern Kenyan.

Preparing the way,...

The Dadaab team: Brent, Ron, Gordon, Paul and Dan
Today Erica and I visited the Canadian Embassy to register as Canadians living abroad. We then had a chance to visit the dukas (small shops) near our home before I went to the Mennonite Guest Home to meet with a team travelling with Paul Carline this week to Dadaab.



They will be bringing water and light to the Dadaab compound (both literally and Spiritually). The guys will travel in a truck (three standing in the back) along the sandy wilderness of North East Province to Dadaab where they will be installing solar panels to power eletic lights in the two homes and classrooms. They will also be installing a foot pump and water containers on the sides of the houses for showers and flush toilets (what luxury!!)



Please pray for them as the travel and work over this next week. We believe that God will bless our presence in this community during such a crucial time as this. Thank you for your prayers!

Hands on Ministry

Erica and I spent today working alongside Paul and Kelly Carline in Eastleigh at the learning centre. It was a delight to get to know the Somali students and feel so welcomed. We will be teaching for Paul while he is away in North Eastern Province this coming week and plan to take the Monday classes for the rest of the month (You can pray for us as we brush up on our own english grammar and dig into the ESL curriculum). The school is a wonderful platform building relationships, learning Somali culture and language.




The students were all warm and very interested in us. They were especially surprised by our willingness to learn their mother tongue. "Somali is much to difficult! Why would you want to learn?" But pretty soon, they were coaching us. I actually think I've mastered the pronounciation of the Somali/Arabic X, thanks to their gracious help. Not bad for our first day. We are praying that the Lord might lead us to some students with whom we can learn from.



In the ladies' class, Erica was embraced right away. The female students gave her the Somali name "Simran" which means "patience". During the two later mixed classes, a few of the students from the early class went out for tea with Kelly and Erica. Soon. they were on a walking tour of Eastleigh which included a visit to the home of one of the young women. A Somali woman, named Diyaa, then wanted to take the girls to see where she worked -- a henna shop. To Erica and Kelly's surprise, Diyaa then wanted to give them the gift of henna hand tatoos (a festive part of fashion and culture for Somali women). Hours later, Paul and I met the girls with their beautifully decorated hands. Diyaa literally "hand painted" them (no pun intended). We praise the Lord for the bonds of friendship already beginning built.





(In case you were wondering, the henna dye lasts about two weeks. And the more you scrub it the shinier it gets)

Gatherings

Kelly, Erica, R & A, and Sam Mutusia
Visiting on his way to Ruwanda was Patrick Denuit

Paul Carline, Tim & Diane Bannister

Today we spent the day in Runda, for meetings with our CBM collegues. It was a wonderful time of discussing what holistic or intregal mission looks like here in Kenya. Along with the business we enjoyed great fellowship as well.

Back from School

Tristan and Emma had an incredible first day of school. According to Tristan "It was the best day ever!" We are so thankful. They both like their teacher and have begun to make friends with their classmates. On the way home we stopped for them to pick out flowers for their bedroom to celebrate (They are very proud of their new bedroom).

Today Emma shared here scrap book of She and her best friend Lauren Myers during "Show and Tell". Emma is one of three new girls entering kindergarten this January. Tomorrow, Tristan will begin Kiswahili classes. Thanks for your prayers!

Rift Valley Fever

The Daily Nation, one of Kenya's daily newspapers, reports that the death toll from Rift Valley Fever in North Eastern Province has hit 70 following two more deaths. Some 20 new cases have been recorded in Garissa and neighbouring communities. The provincial medical officer, Dr. Ahmed Omar, says that 123,601 cases have been reported in the three districts since the recent outbreak began. Kenya has banned livestock movement and slaughter until the disease is eradicated. Vaccination of livestock has begun today in Garissa.

Please pray for our friends and colleagues, Ron and Joan Ward, who continue to work in supporting clinics and camel herdsmen in the Somali community of Garissa. Also pray for Paul Carline as he travels this coming week into North Eastern Province for work in the village of Dadaab.

Also, please pray for us as we meet with our CBM team this Wednesday to discuss integral mission and seek God's direction in 2007 for the work here in Kenya.

Blessings,
Aaron & Erica

First Day of School

We were up at 5:00 am (I set the clock wrong--oops!) but it gave us lots of time to get ready for Tristan and Emma's first day of school. They were both very excited and a little nervous and couldn't wait to get out the door. The drive to school took about 25 minutes as we hit morning traffic but we were there early enough for Emma to meet her teacher who then introduced Emma to her class. Then it was off to Tristan's room where he was greeted by his entire class yelling "Hello Tristan!" as they began to line up in front of their teacher. As we were heading back to the car we passed the kindergarten playground where Emma was going full speed on the Merry-Go- Round. Tears were shed (but not by Tristan and Emma!) and then our day began-- just the two of us. Tristan and Emma heading out...
with full backpacks and full lunch bags!

Miss Independant

It's hard to let go!

And more mud!

We weren't the only ones visiting Tim and Diane. Our friends and collegues the Carlines also braved the rain and floods and drove up on Friday afternoon for the sleepover. As part of the fun Tristan, Kalvin and Keenan all slept outside in tents. They were very brave and made it through the night without a fright.

Another interesting feature of this part of Kenya is the earth -- It is affectionately called "Black Cotton Soil". When it is dry it is as hard as stone, but just add some rain and it becomes like tar. The kids got good and stuck more than once, and so did we in the Bannister's van, but with the help of a tractor we were soon on our way again. We shared some good challenges as we lived out the team building that was the focus of our weekend conversations. We are so thankful for all of our team mates here in Kenya. Thank you all for praying for us!

This week Tristan and Emma begin school at Rosslyn and Erica and I begin our long check list of getting of getting visas, a Kenyan drivers lisence, bonded, language helpers, internet, telephone, and the list goes on.

God Bless!

Fun with the Bannister's!

As parents we can never quite predict what our kids will take an interest in. For instance, on Friday afternoon when the rest of us were excited to take a walk to see the wildlife, Emma became enthralled with a skull. For well over an hour she played dentist twisting and pulling trying to dislodge a tooth. Sadly, it never budged. I guess there is always next time.

Tristan fell in love with Tim and Diane's dogs

-- Max is the pup, and the big one is Watson

Erica struck quite a friendship with their two grey parrots. Not only did this fella mimic her whistle, but each day at sun up and sun down, he chatted up a storm. "Cody! Kaleb!" We would here in Tim's voice. He would even sing the popular song "Jambo!"

After the Rain

Erica and Emma strolling through the grassland near the Bannister's home.
The home of Tim and Diane Bannister, near the hillside of LuKenya, over looks a gorgeous open rolling countryside. The Bannister's share this patch of Kenya with an array of plains animals, including: gazelle, wildabeest, hartabeest, giraffe, ostridge, aardwolf, zebra and more.

Washed Out!

On Thursday, January 4th, we travelled with Diane Bannister to Athi River through a terrible down pour. It was unbelievable. Kenyans normally never complain about the rain -- it is concidered a blessing from God. On this day, the flash flooding diverted our journey through broken detours and soggy paths. When we finally arrived at the ranch where the Bannister rent their home, the way was washed out by a chest deep torrent of rain run off. Tristan and Emma were very disappointed, asking; "Why can't we just drive around?"

There was no getting around this flood path. But rather than enduring the long and precarious drive back to the city, Diane took us to the nearby "LuKenya Getway". This beautiful retreat is the spot where Tim and Diane plan on bringing many short term mission teams to get over jetlag and have a day of orientation when they first arrive in Kenya. Upon meeting us bunch of drowned rats, our hosts graciously brought us in for Kenyan tea and queen cakes. The Lord certainly was watching over us. We had a delightful time and in the morning the flood waters had receded and we were able to continue on our journey to the Bannister's home.

The rain was a blessing. All around us we are surounded by life and reminders of God's power.

High Times

From atop a treehouse balcony, Aaron got up close and personal with "Daisy" a mature Rothechild giraffe.

Today, we will be traveling about an hour outside the city for a visit with Tim and Diane Bannister. We will be sure to see an abundance of wild life along the way. Thank you all so much for praying for our safety as we get use to driving along the Kenya roads. The one thing that you can count on is that a drive will be unpredictable.

Also another big praise -- Aaron's case (full of all of his clothing) finally arrived!!!

Some More Pics

Here are some more pictures from our adventure yesterday. The giraffe's tongue was very thick and extremely long and really slimey! With it they would grab food pellets from our hands. There were two baby giraffe and lots of adults. There were also tons of warthogs running around their feet and tortoises that the kids got to feed and pet.

We love mud!

Today we joined the Carlines for an expedition in Karen, in the hills just outside of Nairobi. As we drove along the Ngong Forest, it was amazing to be spotting baboons and warthogs as opposed to deer and moose in New Brunswick. We took the kids to an elephant orphanage where about a dozen baby elephants have been rescued after their mothers had died. Here the elephants are bottle fed until they are 2 years old! They get up every three hours at night, just like a human baby, and their keepers sleep right in their pens with them. Here we were treated to a mud shower as the babies played right at our feet. Both Tristan and Emma were thrilled to be able to touch the elephants (and so were we!). They say even when released the elephants will remember a person who they have touched with their trunks.

Next, we visited a giraffe sanctuary. From a treehouse we were able to look eye to eye with these amazing tall friends. They ate out of our hands with their incredibly long tongues and Emma and I (Erica) even got giraffe kisses!

Along with all the fun, we have visited Eastleigh and are anxious to see where we will fit into this ministry. We shared an amazing prayer time with the Carlines and Kelly's mom and dad as they prepare to do some work in Dadaab. With the invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia, a new rush of Somalis are crossing the border into Kenya. At the same time Rift Valley fever is spreading amongst the Somali people of Northeast Province, possibly a result of all the flooding which has gone on this fall. Please pray with us for the people of Dadaab. God's Blessings.

Love Aaron and Erica

School Days

Today is a beautiful blue sky day. Tristan and Emma were up early for their entrance tests at Rosslyn Academy. Thank you all for praying; they both did fantastic. They begin classes next Tuesday. This is a picture of Tristan giving us a tour of the campus while Emma was taking her test.

Sabti

Here is the newest member of the Kenny family. Introducing Sabti (which means Saturday in Somali). We bought him on Saturday! The Carlines provided us with a cage and Emma and Tristan picked out the prettiest bird. He isn't very fond of us yet; he actually turns his back to us when we talk to him! We are sure that he will come around. As for Aaron, he swears he'll never touch the bird but I'm sure he'll come around too!

Our New Digs

This is the entrance to our apartment building. It is beautiful and safe and with all the rains this fall everywhere you look it is green and full of flowers.