WE MADE IT!

After a nice send off from our families, we checked in all the boxes and luggage. The special arrangements for additional weight and pieces were honored and we all cleared security quickly. The North West flight from Seattle to Amsterdam was not full so we could spread out for a more comfortable ride. The second leg was on KLM, and again, no problems. We arrived in Nairobi and had to go through the exercise of getting our Visas to enter. This is done rather archaically, taking several minutes to clear each person. They only work in us $$ and one poor couple ahead only had Euros, so we were able to accommodate them, as Euros will be needed later on by a team member going to Europe in the future. We were able to get a limited Visa, which allowed us entry for $20, instead of the $50 we were expecting. By the time the last of us got our Visas the first had retrieved all of our luggage…yes all of it! All pieces arrived untampered. Then, as a group, we headed through Kenya customs. Rick explained to the fellow there our mission and he waved us all through, no questions asked. We were greeted by Clair, SIM personnel, who showed us to a large bus. All boxes and luggage were lifted to the racks on top of the bus and we were off.

First we had to adjust to riding on the “wrong” side of the road, as here it’s opposite than what we are used to. Just as soon as we were convinced we were not going to be in a head-on, the driver slammed on his brakes as a zebra darted across the road! A herd of about 8 were standing by the side to welcome us into Africa. The road from the airport runs through Nairobi Animal Park.

We headed to the SIM office to drop off the large boxes which are being flown out to Lokichoggio before us. We had to do a bit of baggage repacking and the backpacks that had been donated were put to good use as we loaded them up with some of our extra gear (weight limitations on our next flights are less than what we were allowed for our international flight from the states). After that we were taken to our local housing: the First Pentecostal Free Church Guest House. This is a nice little compound, with maybe about 20 rooms (?). Accommodations, though not the Hyatt, are nice (clean and safe) and most rooms have their own bath and shower. As soon as we dropped off our suitcases we were shown to the dining room where we were served a lovely dinner that they had been holding for our arrival. We had a delicious spread of creamy yellow mashed potatoes, a corn meal cake/porridge, a stew and local greens (much like collards). Also enjoyed were the large bottles of water that we were so happy to have. Ending the evening, we all headed to our respective rooms and collapsed!

In the morning, our light breakfast was followed by a team devotional, which Rick led. This was followed by an orientation meeting, facilitated by Clair. We were fed another wonderful meal at the Guest House (this time fries from those same wonderful yellow potatoes), a cabbage and carrot salad and fresh fried tilapia. I am not sure how my plan for losing weight in Sudan is going to go with such good food (so far) offered at every meal. Up to this point, our exposure had been pretty limited, just a night drive and being well taken care of at the Guest House. However, we walked, as a group to the SIM offices, guessing about a half mile away. Here we got to see a little of the locals, small little shops set up on corners, beggars with mangled feet with their hands out, and some rather aggressive urchins looking for a hand out. But mostly just everyday people going about their every day business, walking to and from the market. The weather was very pleasant though enough sun to darken our skin a little bit. One of the team learned a lesson about watching your step as she stepped off the curb to cross the street and right into a drainage hole in the curb. God was good and only plopped her down on her seat, letting her keep her ankle intact and she didn’t even loose her shoe to the sewer below. Close call.

There was a buzz of activity at the SIM office compound. We were just a handful of the many visitors. One gets the feeling that people come and go in great numbers through the offices and they are quite adept at welcoming hospitality and conducting important business at the same time. We met several missionaries stationed at several Cities. We got an orientation from Jimmy Cox and also took care of some financial business. From here we were driven to the house of Chris and Beverly Crowder where we were given a brief presentation on health (like how to protect it while in Southern Sudan) and local custom and culture. An awesome Ethiopian meal, prepared by Beverly, was served and we were joined by several impressive young adults who live in the compound. Jet lag was catching up with several members (not naming names!) and so we returned to our quarters at the guest house, where some have retired to bed, and others are busy corresponding with loved ones or, in this case, catching the blog up. We have taken some pictures but the camera is across the compound so for now will just try to paint the picture for you with words. We will see more of Nairobi tomorrow and use one more day to rest up before we make the next leg of our journey. Oosiquila (which I think is the phonetic spelling of what the guys in the kitchen just told me to say, signing off in Swahili). “Oosiquila”