From Cairo to Kentucky

The ASB (like Student Association) hosted a Christmas party the Sunday before Dead Week. We played games and ate injera and fries. Yes...what a combination! But, that's what the students wanted. Here's Richard enthusiastically serving. In case you're wondering, the bottles that you see there are Alvaro. It's a non-alcoholic malt drink that the kids like. These are some more enthusiastic servers in front of the injera and sauces. For those of you who are unfamiliar with injera, it's like a very sour crepe that is served with sauces (these were all vegetarian), and is a typical part of an Ethiopian meal. We love it! Check out the previous posts from Habeshas, our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Nairobi. Here are some of the girls being festive. Everyone had a good time. I especially enjoyed all the Christmas decorations!

We visited Lake Magadi once more on a Sabbath afternoon, but this time we didn't take the kids with us. (To see pictures from our previous visit, look under the post titled October trips and click on the web album.) Richard and I ventured into the water this time. The spring is not very deep, but really, really hot! While we were there, Richard took the car out for some four-wheeling in the mud. Here are the tracks he left behind. Mind you, I was NOT in the car! We had to take this picture, because we think this is the spot where part of the movie "The Constant Gardener" was filmed. We don't know for sure, but it's still a cool picture!

The cafeteria surprised us with a full-blown Thanksgiving meal at lunchtime. They decorated and had all the fixings! Just check out the plate below! I know the cafeteria director and many others worked into the wee hours of the night preparing this for us which was so thoughtful. We'd all been wondering how we were going to have a Thanksgiving dinner when it's the busiest time of the school year (or at least it feels like it, right now). Lunchtime was the perfect time! Faculty, staff, and students were able to share this together. It was great! I said all the fixins', didn't I! (The only thing I was left craving was pecan pie--but pecans are super expensive here.) The "turkey" was the best part! My appetite overwhelmed me and I didn't think to ask someone to take a picture of Richard and I. Guess that'll have to wait 'til next year!

At the ABC, they also had an area for handicapped children. My group went there first and another smiley boy caught my attention. His name is Peter (he's the one on the right). Peter, I found out, has cerebral palsy. When I first saw him, he was sitting on the floor. His legs are a little bent out of shape, but I offered him a hand and he stood and walked around with my help. Here he is talking to Mr. R on his "cellphone". He had these Lego pieces in his pocket, and I started calling them his cellphone. So, we all called him on our phones and talked to him. He hammed it up and took all of our calls. Isn't that a beautiful smile? Here he is riding with Mr. Raymond on one of the special bikes they have there. The kids love it, especially when you pedal them around. One other little boy, who has brittle-bone disease loved climbing into the "trunk" and allowing all of his friends to take him around. Peter took several pictures with my camera. It w...

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the ABC (or Abandoned Baby Center) for our Sabbath afternoon outreach activity. The name of the place sounds horrible, but the people there are really doing a good work for these children who have no where else to go. The facilities are super nice, considering the area it's located in. Turns out an American couple from Texas started the place, and although they have turned the management of it over to locals, they still do upkeep and fund raising. I was impressed! The kids really enjoyed the babies, but who wouldn't! Just look at there faces! There must have been about twenty babies in the infant room. I held this precious little one. She just smiled and laughed at every face I made for her. She was about 7 months old. Guy-smiley here was in the toddler room. He won our hearts over with his laugh and giggle. He's a happy boy!

Richard surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses! I love this picture of us! (In case you're wondering, the white stuff on Richard's shirt and pants is wax. He was the only one tall enough to bump into the Chinese lanterns.)

Because we live on campus with our students, we have the privilege of participating in many special moments which we would otherwise miss if they went home every afternoon. The other night after vespers, we were invited to the hostel to celebrate Irisse's birthday (top left). Sure, we sang at school, but it was really enjoyable to visit at their "home" and celebrate with. I remember how the times I've taught in the past, I'd hide from my students if I happened to bump into them outside of class (some would hide from me, too). Here, it's an every day occurrence to have them walking by your house or to wave at them as you hang your laundry. Before I came to Maxwell, I thought it would be too much, living and working with the same people, including my students. Now I realize how special it really it. It's a joy! In case you're wondering, this is not the Blue (Power) Ranger. This is Richard being festive. He posed for one more with me! Fun!

To vary our morning worships, we've made every day different. Mondays and Tuesdays, Ms. Duvra and I present a worship thought from a devotional book. On Wednesdays, the kids present their memory verse. Fridays we have a special guest speaker. But, Thursdays are extra special. We divided the kids into teams--Team A and Team B (I know. Very original!)--and each group is responsible for presenting worship every other week. At first, the kids did what we did, read a devotional thought. Then, we encouraged them to come up with dramas. Boy, have they amazed us! Yes, most of their skits are quite moralistic, but some are extremely touching. I'm always so proud of them! Here are a few pics and a video for you to enjoy.

For our first four-wheel drive experience, we took "the Kan" up to Ngong for a picnic. Richard wanted to drive all the way to the top. The only thing that saved us (PJ and I) was a tunnel of bushes that prevented us from going any higher and the fact that Richard was worried about the paint job. Here we are--PJ and I--resting after all the bumping around, enjoying our lunch. We tried to get one of our signature shots with PJ. He didn't quite make it!