How Cold Is It?

It’s been so cold here that the Christmas cactus on my front verandah bloomed last week. Nothing like Christmas in July – south of the equator.
We actually saw a little sunshine yesterday and today.

It Must Be Strange Animal Week

If I lived in the Middle East, North Africa or even a high tourist area in Kenya - like at the coast, I might expect to see a these unusual animals. But the past couple of days our weather here had been just like winter in Seattle. (But without central heating.) This highland area is never desert-like so I would never expect to see a desert beast here.

But there I am this morning rolling long the country road amidst the tea and coffee farms through the fog and rain and I come around the bend to see a camel packed down with saddle bags and blankets and two or three guys walking along with it - one with a Masai blanket over his head. I blink and ask myself, "What was that?" Then I round the next curve and see another on the other side of the road with a couple more guys. I giggle to myself, "Only in Kenya, expect the unexpected."

What's the plural of Mongoose?

This weekend I saw two of these little critters right out the back door on the patio.

I sure hope mongooses are not the Kenyan equivalent of squirrels. :]

Here it is -

I feel like I have a whole new lease on life. I will be at church this Sunday!

Come on in...

I finally have a few photos of my house. I updated the photo blog which you can get to here or by clicking on it in the side menu. My house isn't quite finished in terms of decorating, but it's definitely to the point of having visitors! Karibu.

Also find photos of the Rasmusons visit.

Let me know about your photo sites. It's hard to receive photos by email since I don't have a super fast connection, but it's easy to view other sites.

It doesn't look like a car...

This is a Log Book. I think we would call it a Title. It represents the Rav 4 I found on Saturday. It's paid for and I will pick it up on Friday!

I couldn't be more pleased to finally have wheels

It's old but it's been really well taken care of. The Norwegian Embassy woman selling it seemed to really enjoy it, but she's heading home.

When I get the car I hope to post a photo so you can see what my new blue baby looks like.

Thanks for praying me through the search. If you are still inclined to pray, safety needed all the time here (even while I wait to pick up my vehicle).

Ramping up on work

I think this week I passed the critical mass point at work. Sure, I have had some work and a list of things to keep me somewhat busy, but suddenly I now have deadlines! Things need to get done. Some of them will require ‘research’ so I can adequately do the end task.

“Jan, we need to market the tree nursery so we can create enough income to continue to pay the staff for the remainder of the year. Here are a few companies we have thought of that might be interested…”

Whoa, I think about that for a minute. I’m given a small list. Now I start clicking through what it would take for me to be able to ‘sell’ our ministry:

Learn the trees available
When are they planted?
How many can we have available for planting seasons?
What schools are waiting for a planting to be funded?
Can we find donors and recipients for water harvesting projects?
Create tangible pieces with this information to leave with the prospects
What catches the eye of such companies – in this culture?
On and on.

Then I am presented with another task and asked how soon can this be done? I start to wonder which is a higher priority. This one will take a little research too. I really am busy. How do I find time to find a car and finish getting my house functional? In time it will all get done.

Francis said to me again today with a slight sarcasm in his voice, “Welcome to Kenya, Jan.”

Pain Relief in Africa

Last Sunday evening I realized a strained my lower back. As best I can figure it was maneuvering a gas bottle for my stove from vehicle to house. Things like this happen from time to time. My best remedy is a good dose of ibuprofen and a good night’s sleep. But the pain persisted for two days with no sign of relief. Finally when complaining yet again to Tracy, she offered some of her ibuprofen. I didn’t have any of the local stuff I bought at a pharmacy for an outrageous $14.35. Tracy hauled her mega bottle for America, a big Target generic bottle. A couple of those babies and I was feeling better within a half hour.

Hmm. I had heard of fake drugs. I met a missionary pharmacist in Tanzania who warmed me about this. I guess I should have known when it touted 400 mg in a tablet and they were bright pink. Learning African lessons the hard way.

So were Todd and Tamara!

Todd and Tamara Rasmuson along with Hannah Goldhor visited as part of their trip to Kenya for Daystar University business. All from my home church in Minneapolis. Todd is the Daystar US director, Hannah is his assistant.

I have known the Rasmusons for years. They were fellow missionaries, serving in Tanzania when I was in Kenya before. Last fall they hosted me during my prep time before leaving for East Africa.

Here are the friends enjoying a little tour of the Care of Creation indigenous tree nursery.

Great to have you folks! We love visitors!

Ben Norquist was here

He is a fairly unassuming guy. So it wasn’t monumental. But it’s so nice to have an interested person visit and eat it all up. This morning we took a drive to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Craig and Ben were looking at the denuded landscape. After that quick stop we visited a school that is doing the Farming God’s Way conservation farming method. We found Ben weeding in the maize plot. Way to pitch in!

Anyone else for a visit?