First Week In Our New Country

Well friends and family, we have been in Kenya for a little over a week, and we wanted to give you a glimpse of how our time has been so far. We are still staying at the orphanage, as we are looking for a house or apartment to rent. We have already began preparing for the new school in several different ways. We are adjusting to life here in great leaps and small steps at the same time.

It has been a blessing to be able to stay here at Tobiah Home. We are getting to know the children, the staff, Jerry and Danielle and Peter and Maryanne. We have had some great conversations about our vision for the school and also have gotten some input from Peter and Jerry about their vision for the CWH ministry. Peter has been very helpful as we look around for places to stay. We find that the places we want to stay at are either already full or are still being built at this time. We have a few leads and hopefully we will find a place soon.

Here at Tobiah Home there are 6 preschoolers that are currently being taught by one of the workers, mainly in Swahili.  I, (Kristy) will begin teaching these 6, so that they will acquire the English language. I will set up a classroom here at the home. In order to go onto high school here in Kenya, students have to pass an exam in English in the 8th grade. There are 3 older girls that are currently at the level of grade 1 that Gideon will begin tutoring. We do not have an exact date that we will start teaching/tutoring but right now we are looking at sometime next month. Gideon is in progress mode. He has said this himself and is already doing research to find out exactly what it takes to have a Kenyan registered school.

In some ways, adjusting to Kenyan life has seemed easier than our transition to Cambodia. Gideon was driving the second day we arrived, so we were able to get out and find our way around the city.  I think it took us a month or two before we were driving in Phnom Penh. Peter, Maryanne, Jerry and Danielle have all been great help in giving us advice and direction as we learn about Kenyan culture. Having experienced the transition to a third world country before, our minds were a little more prepared for the differences. The one thing that has made a difference is having Kai. Getting on a good sleep schedule has taken longer. After so long with so little sleep, we all have gotten colds. With the lack of sleep and a sore throat comes a grumpy, impatient mama in the mornings. Adding in trying to make major financial decisions about housing, buying things for the house, buying phones etc... just makes miscommunications even more common. Thank goodness we love each other and have Jesus who helps us forgive one another at the end of the day.

We are doing great! Feel blessed to be here. We are looking forward to having a place of our own though. Enjoy some pictures of Kai playing with his new friends.

Kai with Sophie 10 months and Josh 8 months.

Kai with Alice who is around 8 years old. She is so good with the babies, and she keeps Kai very entertained.