We landed in Nairobi on Thanksgiving night after traveling from VERY chilly Amsterdam. Mark and Annemarie (our UWM East Africa Coordinators) were there to pick us up.

After a delicious breakfast the next morning, we headed to Rift Valley Academy to check out the school. We were quite impressed by the program and beautiful back drop that the campus is set in. We then headed to Brackenhurst for lunch and to take a peek at the tea plantations. What a beautiful and peaceful place to get away from the rigors and stresses of ministry!

Today Annemarie and Mark planned a sightseeing day at the Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center and Kazuri bead workshop. The baby elephants were a sight to behold! Funny how these little docile creatures can evoke such emotion. The orphanage is in the game reserve so after the orphaned elephants were put away, we stayed for a bit and then a group of 5 giraffes ambled over. Amazing to see them out in the wild. Then a momma warthog graced us with her presence and I couldn't help but want to sing Hakuna Matata.

We then went to Kazuri Beads, a ceramic bead women's empowerment program. WOW! It was started back in 1975 with 2 women as a way to help disadvantaged women find hope and employment and now has over 350 women working. What an inspiration! And their jewlery and pottery was beautiful. I am reminded at how God can do amazing things through small beginnings.

My first impressions of Africa? I am HOME!! I can't wait to see where God would have us serve. I am looking forward to discovering His will for us here on this great continent.