After church we had lunch with our new friends Dan and Heather (!) across the street. They have four kids and are here for two years. He is an orthopedic surgeon. It was a great time of fellowship.

Later in the afternoon we took a hike down to the river with the Roberts (past the site where the murdered body was found!). It's a very steep rocky path down to the river, and the bridge there is relatively new. It was given by the Roberts' Home Church and people at Tenwek hospital to replace a stick bridge that was used by many Tenwek employees to walk to work.

The craziest experience of the day was our evening church service. We went to a local African Gospel Church in hopes of experiencing some traditional African worship. We got it - sort of. As we were walking down we were mobbed by the children from the boarding school. Groups of 10 or more children surrounded each of our children and swept them away. I held on to Bode and Dan and I did our best to keep track of everyone else. They wanted to touch their skin, hair, etc. and ask their names. We think we know what it feels like to be Hannah Montana now.

Then we walked into the building, and there were 300 children there and no adults! They were amazingly orderly, all things considered. The only ruckus was around us. We sat there waiting and wondering what to do, and then they asked us to go up and say something. Dan introduced us, and I asked them to sing a song, which they did. As they were singing, the pastor walked in. Whew. But then he asked Dan to give the message! So Dan gave an impromptu sermon (and did a great job!) elaborating on a passage we had talked about in Sunday School from I Samuel. Then they sang a few more songs, and then asked us to lead worship! We did about three songs, and taught them to sing the last one with us. It was really fun, but I still can't believe how much they wanted us involved. Now in talking to people here, this is pretty much the norm. Remember that if you show up as a visitor to church in Africa - be prepared!

I wish so much that I had taken a picture of Dan giving the message, but I only did video. I'll have to figure out how to post a picture of that.

Heather