Hugs around to the Carrier's who so kindly took our family in for a week. 
Strangers that we were. Fed us, gave us a bed, and bought us toilet paper. No joke! Our family of 5 american females more than doubled their normal usage! 
Cindy looking lovely in 'my' dress...
There is not much for which we trade our stay in the village. We got to experience the culture in a rich way. A way that was not possible to experience in the compound at Kisumu. The experience was incredible for all of us.
Two Kenyan brothers joined us on our ride to Kisumu. Marc drove us halfway and then a young man from Kisumu drove us the rest of the way.
With the young man at the wheel, I realized quickly that I was in for the ride of my life. O boy!! After 15 minutes of wide eyed staring, clutching Brent's hand and praying franticly, I decided I would do better if I couldn't see what was going on.
I turned around in my seat and began talking to the young man behind me. Reagan. I talked about him before-24 yr old intelligent man who could have been famous for his music, but chose to follow Christ.?
For the next hour we had a great conversation. We talked about his life in the slums with a father that left his mother with 5 mouths to feed. We talked about his own two children, though he himself is not married. We talked about his coming to Christ last year.
He asked me about America and I showed him pictures of the recent snow. He wondered how you would ever live with it being that cold. He said he would die. I agreed that he might have a problem staying warm, because I've noticed how these people wear HEAVY coats when it's not even cold!
I talked to him about my garden and what all I grow.
And then he asked me,
"So, how is life in America different than life in Kenya?"
Uhhh. Um. Hmm. How do you answer a question like that?
Where do you begin?
So I simply replied."Well, one thing that's different is that no one carries anything on their heads where I live."
His look....complete bewilderment, and he asked what they do if they don't carry it on their head?!
And so we talked....And I told him that there are slums in America...(shock) He was sure they couldn't be like African slums and when I told him there were not only blacks, but also whites in those slums, he was dumbfounded. And there were street children.
See, these guys think America is heaven on earth. That people don't suffer, are not impoverished or sick. They have idolized America.
And while yes, we are blessed, I still come back to "more is not always more".
And wealth does bring lethargy. Luke warmness.
And so I continue to ask God to teach my heart about His heart.
I don't know if I will ever see Reagan again, but for now, his faith has stimulated mine and I pray that someday we will be together in Heaven.
In time we arrived at our 'home away from home'.
I didn't feel that way about the guest house when we left for the bush. Strange how perspective can be so altered in one week. We walked into what had felt slightly shabby(forgive me CBF) coming from America, and found it to feel like a palace!! I am not kidding...
We felt so pampered!
Running HOT water!!
A hot shower!
Mirrors in the bathroom!
A fridge
Fans
Cold water
Ice
Cheese!! We ALL went crazy when we remembered we still had some from America.
I kept walking around saying, Wow! Wow!
I know I can sometimes be a little over the edge, but this time, Brent was agreeing with me with all his heart! We felt like a king and a queen:) In our own little palace!
With all my heart I say that I wouldn't trade the experience we had in the bush!
With all my heart I say that if I had my choice, it would be to live among the people, 'like' the people.
With all my heart I say that this luxury feels good and I will enjoy it for the rest of our time here:)but I will miss the interaction that comes from village life.
It was so good to see Darla and her munchkins again. Marlin was still in Pa with his dad. They were all glad to see us again, too. Their week had gone well, albeit slowly...
Saturday passed with catching up and Brent doing some odd jobs around here. It is much hotter here than in Kiminini, where the altitude is higher. So we are adjusting to the high temps-again..
And today is Sunday...Our family and the Weaver's minus their Mama, Emily and Levi went to church at Lela, which is about 20 min from here. We piled into the van, almost Kenyan style. 21 of us...
And the highlight of today-
Marlin made it safely home from America!! Thank you Jesus.
He came in tonight around 7 and we celebrated with brownies and ice cream. We began to share stories, but there were more stories than time and we still have 2 weeks left...
Outlook for tomorrow? Chicken butchering day! The children seem to be excited, so I should be too, right? :)
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