Habari from Kenya!

We are here, and it is cold.

We've only been here since Friday, but we are settled in and it's starting to feel like home. Two women, Margaret and Vicky, have been cooking the most delicious Kenyan meals for us, so I've definitely packed on a few pounds since we got here. And by "here," I specifically mean Kijabe, a rural community outside of Nairobi where they house a lot of missionaries. We're staying in a roped-off section of a community center where they set up tents and mattresses for us (it's inside, but the tents are really cool anyway).

On Saturday, we spent the morning with a man named John, taking a tour of Kijabe. He's an elder in the local church and we went and saw the hospital, the schools, the scenery, and met his family. Afterwards, we went back to the community center and got to sit in on a Masai wedding. Like, a legit ceremony where the people all wear their tribal clothes and do traditional dances and everything. It was surreal. They cooked a lot of food that we had helped prepare on Friday night, and it was wonderful.

On Sunday, we went to church, and stayed for both the English and Swahili service, which was really interesting. Church here is absolutely nothing like church back in the states. It was really long, but I enjoyed it a lot. Pastor Simon talked about Hosea and Gomer, and how God will continue taking us back no matter how many times we choose to run away. It was encouraging.

Monday, I worked in a primary school with a few of my teammates. When we got there, the woman in charge literally said to us "The kids are yours for the day. Teach them." So that was a challenge, because we hadn't really prepared anything, but the Spirit moved and worked and the day ended up being very successful. The kids refer to us as mzungos (white people), so you can always tell when they're talking about you. These kids are amazing. All they want is to hold your hand and play with your hair and ask you questions about Obama. They are so sweet-natured and intelligent. I loved working with them.

Yesterday, my entire team taught P.E. in an elementary school, and that was a trip. Seriously. We played soccer and Frisbee and ran around a LOT. I was pooped afterward, but then we got to grade some papers and go into the classrooms, so we taught them how to play heads up seven up. Fun.

I don't have much else to say, but I'd appreciate it if you all would keep my team's health in your prayers. One of my leaders and two of my teammates have already gotten physically ill, and my throat has been hurting pretty badly on and off since we got here. Satan is really trying to attack my team with illness and injury, and if you could pray for our protection from that, it would mean a lot. Thanks.

I love you all! I miss you! Talk to you again in 2 weeks J

Sarah