Blog day five.
Today was our off day. The Kenyans have a very different work ethic than ours. They take their weekend very seriously. Ergo, the hospital was closed, and thus we got a free day. We got this chance to spend some relaxing time with the Mendonsas.
We started today off with a hearty breakfast courtesy of “Team Breakfast Club” (Beth, Leah, Michael, D.J.) consisting of fried eggs, banana bread, english muffins, sausage, and local Kenyan coffee. Michael got a chance to teach Leah how to flip a fried egg. Now Michael is convinced that she is better than him.
We all hopped in the vans with the Mendonsas to head to Crescent Island, a sanctuary farm. The land normally is an island but due to the drought, was a peninsula. The park was run by a British couple and contained zebras, wildebeests, water buffalo, gazelles, horses, hippos, sheep, and giraffes. The Mendonsas have been to this park on many occasions, so we refused the tour guide as Bob Mendonsa would lead us. We saw our fair share of Zebras and were thrilled by them. As we spotted a small herd of giraffes about a mile off, Bob gave us instructions on how to surround the group so we could get close to them. We began to spread out and flank them. It was a blast. It was incredible to see this picture-perfect backdrop with the mountains and the lakes with the beautiful animals in the foreground. They also told us how timid the wildebeests are, as Will and Emily (the Mendonsa kids) ran with full confidence towards the beasts. Later we got a shot (above) of Leah doing the same. We later had lunch and shared some new experiences with the Mendonsas. A few of the team members got a chance to have lamb for the first time.
It was so rewarding just to spend time with the Mendonsas and minister to them just by hanging out with them. Again, the power of presence here in Kenya. Please pray for them as it is easy for those who leave their home to get moved to the back burner of the brain. They are doing amazing work here and deeply desire your prayer and your words. We thank Jesus for this incredible family.
Going to and from the safari adventure, we had a great time bonding on the two hours we spent in the van together. There was lots of laughter and lots of growth as we got to know each other a little better. God has been faithful in constantly increasing the unity of this team to accomplish His work here in Kenya (and back home later on). This in turn spurred on deeper conversations and convictions tonight and is drawing us deeper into the Lord and unifying us with Him.
After we got back we got to spend some more OKSAT (see previous post) till we had dinner at 6:30p. We all had dinner at our guest house with The Mendonsas and three guests (with Lost Orphans International) that are staying with them also from the DFW metro area.
We finished off the evening off with some quality time including praying for Paul who is one of the preachers for tomorrow at church. We crave your prayers for this as well as he seeks to bring the message God has given him to share with the Kenyans. It's always a crazy day in church when the Mzungu (white people) show up. It'll be an all day event, and we'll most likely be asked to talk and may even have to sing a song or something for them. Fun times.
To be continued...
-Greg (proofed by Michael then by Daniel then again by Greg)
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