Africa Update July 11

This past week was a typical week in Kenya. For the kids – a lot of running around the neighborhood climbing trees, playing, carving sticks, and muddy feet. Jack is missing his sports buddies back home but he got to shoot some hoops this week. Ryan, Cade, and Bode are having fun bonding with the other boys and Abby has a few girlfriends she plays with.



For Kat & Courtney - some baby sitting, an orphanage visit, some Facebook, and hanging out with dad in the clinic & OR and a few puppet shows.



Heather, Kat, and Jenny traveled away from Tenwek to deliver blankets and sheets to some needy children.



I was in clinic and operating most of the week.



Yesterday, we set off for our safari – driving to Masai Mara which is where the animals migrate across Africa to/from the Serengeti in Tansania. The Mara is on the border between Kenya and Tansania. The drive consisted of about a half an hour on a nice paved road and about two hours on the worst “road” you have ever been on. I can’t decide if the drivers here drive slow on the bumpy roads for the American visitors in the car or because they are worried that the van will fall apart going over the next pot hole – which really aren’t pot holes, they are more like craters.



We saw some interesting sights on the way out of town – a wheel barrow full of slaughtered cow parts and a guy getting yanked out of his car at the gas station by the city council in yellow jackets that said “no corruption” on the back. It was a crazy scene and the funny thing was that everyone was yelling but there was also a lot of smiling going on, including the guy who was getting hauled down to the police station.



The tour books all warn about the road hazards and don’t stop to help people because of robbery but our van driver stopped to help these three guys who were high centered in a ditch. We threw out all conventional wisdom and I got out of the van to help push and we pulled them out with our vehicle. At some point, when you are this deep into Africa, you just have to say this is where God wants us to be and continue to live by faith. We didn’t get robbed and they were very grateful. There was another scene where these 6 guys were changing a flat tire in the middle of the one lane road but we passed without incident.



The Fairmont Mara Safari Club is sweet but you are staying in a tent – albeit a very nice tent with hot water, a tiled shower, stone floor, electricity that turns off and on during various times of the day (including lights out at midnight), and room service! I always said that Sunriver was the only “camping” I liked to do but I could probably do this again. Last night the wind was howling and we are separated from the lions and other wild animals by a river with hippos and crocodiles. There is a pretty steep drop off and its pretty safe – the prickers will get you before the hippos. We saw some cool stuff on safari yesterday – check out our blog www.imaniafrica.blogpsot.com for some pictures.



We are relaxing by the pool this weekend – the Roberts will be here shortly and we hope this finds you well wherever you are.



Thank you for your continued prayers for helping the people of Kenya, sharing God’s love through Jesus, safety, and health.



Dan, Heather & the kids.