Kenya!!!

Well, we've made it!

I'm sitting in a little cybercave off of Moi Avenue in Nairobi. We've split up into teams and have been dropped off at different spots in the city with a list of scavenger hunt tasks and items to get. It's a really fun way to have the students get a feel for urban Kenya and get more comfortable in the culture.

Whew, well we left NY around 11am, had a short layover in Dubai (which is an experience all on it's own) and approximately 24 hours later we were buying visas in the Nairobi airport, loading buses, and heading to the Watakatifu Wote Senta, about 20 km south of the city to settle in for a week of orientation.

It's just been so great to watch the students discover things and have new experiences. We've done lots of cultural training, took a walk to the nearby village of Ngong and yesterday we visited Mathare Valley (one of the largest slums in the world) and then visited a children's home called Sanctuary of Hope that houses orphan from the slum. (Try You Tube to find a sweet documentary on these homes!)

Overall, things have been going really well. Even though half of the team is from Missoula, I feel like we are mixing really well together. It's only been two days and already we feel like family just because of the intensity of the trip and the incredible range of emotions one goes thru in a single day here.

As a staff member, I'm leading a small group of students (which I was totally FREAKED OUT about) and it's going really well! So much is running thru their heads that one doesn't have to do much prodding to bring about deep, genuine, meaningful conversation. But prayers for that would be greatly appreciated!

Well, time on my computer is almost up and we've got to be about different errands! Love you all, and oh yeah! prayer for decision making regarding where the students go for ministry assignments, who they go with, and what they do, would be awesome as well! Till later,

-tiff