Leaving Nairobi

Today may be the last post for a while. In a few hours we head to Kitui so the emails and the blog may be slim. Yesterday was a wonderfully relaxed day. They all have been actually. I got to read and reflect and write. September 10th was such a meaningful day, according to the book I am reading, for the Missionaries of Charity and Mother Teresa. It was a day she received a word from God asking her to begin a "vocation within a vocation." She believed it was the beginning of the new Order and she named September 10th "Inspiration Day." It was that for me as well - 61 years later.

There is quite a crew being transported to the Village. I am concerned at the number of people and space for all my luggage! 2 Americans, 1 Chinese, 2 Italians and 3 Kenyans. I may be riding on the roof.

I will update when I can. Peace, out.

15th Anniversary of Nyumbani

I added a few pics HERE

I Had A Dream

I was warned that the anti-malarial drugs can sometimes give you weird dreams, depressions, paranoia, etc. So far - the only strangeness are my dreams. Oooohhweeeee. Not exactly terrible nightmares but so interesting. Last night was earthquake dreams, the earth opening up to fire and volcanic action below. I thought "That is really interesting and hot" then I woke up. I had others over the last nights but I'll spare you. Some are pretty funny.

Mass yesterday was really wonderful. The children sang and danced even more than the last time I visited. They dance a lot throughout the mass, repetitive chants etc. Very cool. It also rained last evening which made it misty this morning.

The phone situation seems to work well with a new $30.00 cell phone. I can purchase minutes and text my children - at least from here in Nairobi. We'll see Tuesday night if it works from Kitui.

I continue to read the Mother Teresa Book (letters) about her struggle with "feeling" the presence of God. She writes of the struggle from about the time she founded the new order of Missionaries of Charity, throughout her work with the poor, until her death. The book is really touching me in a unique way. It makes her journey of faith even more impressive and her struggles so human. Yet in her struggles, she continues to work, pray, reach out and long for the presence she once felt tangibly.

I should be able to update once more before leaving for the village. It is all so good.

Ken

I guess I have been complaining a little eh? A headache,back sore, etc. etc. I sat with Ken for a short while last night. He is in the sick room here. Ken I met last visit. He would sit outside in the sun, warming himself. Sr .Julie would take him on her lap in the car for a drive if he would eat. He would steer and play with the radio. He fit right in with other crazy Nairobi drivers. He is twelve years old but looks five. He was basically abandoned last year in the slums of Kibera. He now weighs 22 pounds and I am afraid he is dying. Feeding tube, IV, his big black eyes staring at me, wondering,I am sure, what is going on and why the pain he can't verbalize. It made me grateful for what the latest drugs have been able to do - saving so many children of this horrible fate. But Ken won't eat - a symptom of HIV and without proper nutrition, the drugs don't work. And so I am blessed to be able to sit with this little boy and stroke his legs and pray for a miracle. His name is Ken. How many others are just like him but alone?

In other news . . . today is the 15th Anniversary of the Nyumbani Children's Home. A big mass,celebration, food and dance! I helped the cooks prepare for hundreds of participants and did dishes! Afterwards we went to the grocery in Karen to buy a phone and phone cards. We also got some water for my trip Tuesday to the Village. Life is moving along.

Nyumbani Means Home

The flight from Lonon to Nairobi was interesting and now it is over - good. I went through some air/car/altitude sickness but feel much better after some sleep. It is amazing how much I felt like I was coming home when we were driving from the airport. The sights, sounds and smells were so familiar and then arrival at the orphanage in Karen (Nairobi) I felt right at home an fell quickly to sleep for four hours in my little temporary home/dorm room! Great to see the staff and the kids. Sr. Julie an Joseph (one of the drivers) picked me up at the airport and then gave me space to rest - which I needed desperately.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Nyumbani. Big celebrations planned - so a great time to arrive. I wont go to the Village in Kitui until Tuesday evening. I'll have some time to get acclimated in Africa, pick up some water and hopefully a phone.

Not much else to report other than I made it here safely. Good things continue to happen for me - inside and out. I remain grateful an excited. Continue to pray for me an the kids here, especially Ken - a little guy I met last visit who is struggling.

It's all about presence

Perhaps because my sleep patterns are messed up, I was awake at midnight here in London. The little hotel was filled with murmerings and sounds but I can usually sleep through anything, even police helicopters circling the area with searchlights. But I was able to read and write more than I had been for a while. It was good. I have so much to learn and I have been concerned how I would learn about what this journey means to me and the the rest of my life. Is it the work that is important? Is it the location? For months now it has been about getting here and now that I am on my way - what am I really doing? and why? It seems as though I just blinked and I am in London and not going home for quite a while. It has been about getting to this point, discerning, deciding, departing, planning . . . . now what? Is it simply about the work now? Last night I had a realization that it is not the work, not the place, not Kenya. It is about finding my life "in God" and allowing myself to be lead. I am convinced that it is all about presence - for those with whom I come into contact, those with whom I will live and work - and allowing them to be that presence and representation of God for me. I came to realize that, just as Jesus has got to be my companion (the one I longed for for this journey), the Spirit has got to be my teacher and let me know what in the world I am doing and draw me deeper into his life, draw me into what has been described as a DANCE. The journey has got to become non-geographic and has to go deeper. I long for a deeper prayer-life and union with God and His creation. I have been given all the tools and have been taught well by so many. Now, the only thing left to do is the doing. Last night was a good start!

The buzz in London is about terror attacks and thwarting them wordwide. It covers the papers and is the subject of the news. Security and the ability to live with insecurity. . . . life is short eh? I am so full these days, it doesn't seem fair and I remain grateful for every minute of the journey, be it in London, Nairobi, Burlington or Milford. Never let it be forgotten that I am here because of the goodness and kindness of so many people who have freed me to go on the journey. It is all good. I look forward to many more deep, dark, silent nights where the only light is His and it is the same light present in every continent. . . . and once again, Ed smiles.

Mind the Gap

I made it to London. It was a good flight. I had a little difficulty recognizing my bags and took the wrong one. It sure is difficult to return a bag back through security. But . . all is well and the guy whose bag I had will need to get over it. I am settled into a little hotel in Earls Court. Simon, the British Airways pilot, may try to catch up with me tonight. I fly out tomorrow night for Nairobi. I just keep smiling - I mean it! I just find myself smiling, sometime tearing up, sometime staring into the distance - Some of it is fatigue. Some is time change and lag but mostly, I am just loving this whole trip.

Thanks to all - my mom, kids, Chris for the ride, Mark for the ticket, teachers and staff, parents and students - everybody. I would not be sitting in this Internet Cafe today without you. Picture me grinning. More from Kenya.

Tuesday September 4

Hoping to fly out tonight. All looks well and I will arrive in London tomorrow morning. I'll spend the night in London and fly to Nairobi on Thursday night. It sounds like I'll get to the Village of Kitui sometime next Monday. It has been so sweet to say "goodbye" to friends and family. I know the time will go quickly and all will be well. I guess it is just the distance between us. More honestly though, it has been a time of recognition of the depth of love I have for my family and friends. It has been a time to stop and recognize how grateful I am for my mom, my daughter and two sons who have allowed me to go on this adventure. The sadness and tears that welled up in parting are more just a realization of how much I love them all as well as their love for me. It is all so good.

I drop the leased car off and Chris takes me to the airport. Then I wait and pray that I get on standby. It will work out. If not - I will try again on Wednesday! I will be able to write and update the blog in London and for a brief time in Nairobi. I am also working on a site where I can post pictures. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE.