Well we made it, as did our bags 24 hours later!

Lots of welcoming faces, which is good as things are different here to Shrewsbury. We've spent some time at the orphanage, meeting some of the characters there - mopping up, playing, looking at the chickens, and (in Emma's case) changing nappies.

We sang "Our God is so Big" to some of the older (3-4 year old) children, and now we have to sing the Big song again ... and again ... and again...

Transport here is by Daladala - small dilapidated minibuses which are everywhere. The record so far is 26 people, but there's room for more.

We're staying with Jeremiah and Hope and their very cute 2 year old daughter Gertrude - cute, but she has a mighty throw and loves playing catch with us.

Challenges ... coping without electricity for 20 hours a day is difficult, mut much harder for our hosts who are cooking immense meals for us 3 times a day! Even with 3 teenage boys, it's a challenge to get through half the food - very tasty and sometimes surprising! There are very few resources at the orphanage, so we have been looking after the children with songs, a few grubby toys, and lots of imagination. And there's always the chickens! Ku ku! There's a play area for the children, but it is far from what we've been used to with our children. A clapped-out roudnabout, a lethal-looking slide, a broken see-saw... But the two swings get plenty of use, with the tiniest babies holding on for dear life.

We've learnt a few words of Swahili, and one very useful phrase is "pole pole" - slowly, slowly, easy does it, patience is everything... Life is at a different pace here. The boys have really impressed us with their patience and care for the children, and ability to amuse themselves without facebook, mobile or ipods, so we will be removing all these unnecessary trappings of Western civilisation on our return to Shrewsbury.

We need patience and care for the children, but they are the ones who need our prayers as they grow up in difficult circumstances. There are some very regular and dedicated volunteers as well as the local mamas and we have great respect for them, returning year after year - especially when we're done in after a few hours with the babies.

Now we're back on the Daladala for what's left of the afternoon shift!

Mark, Emma, Matt, Jonny, Ben