*Muah*

Hello everyone! I preface this blog entry (sadly, one of our last) by saying we love you all and are so grateful for your support! Despite the physical distance between Kenya and America, every one of you has remained in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts!

Well, today was our last full day in Africa...so difficult to believe! I'm sure I speak for the group when I say that our time here has absolutely flown by! Every moment has been such a joy and blessing and our hearts are heavy tonight with the thought of leaving. Fortunately, today was our recreation day in Nairobi so we still had a lot to look forward to and experience!

The morning started out, per usual, with lots of love and laughter! An absolutely delicious breakfast (french toast and leftover homemade pizza from the night before) was provided by breakfast team #3 (Team "C Your Way Out of the Kitchen") which included members Ginny, Hannah, Greg, and Daniel. And then miracles of miracles: our ride(s) appeared 30 minutes before schedule!! So, we hopped in the vans and, after swinging by the Mendonsa's, we were off to Nairobi!

After another fantastic drive through African countryside, we arrived in Nairobi and successfully exchanged the remainder of our American money (in what seemed like a shady back ally...but no worries, it was totally legit) in Kenyan currency . Thank you, DJ!! I wouldn't have known the first thing about getting any of that done! Our second stop was the Kazuri Bead Factory, a factory that employs single mothers and teaches them the art of handmade bead and pottery creation. All proceeds support these mothers and their families, which is amazing, and the beads/pottery were so beautiful!

Next stop: the giraffe center in Karen, Kenya! Such a fun experience...especially for everyone who got kissed by a giraffe! See below for pictures of your loved ones getting a little lip service, Kenya style!

We were planning on eating a late lunch at Java House (apparently THE place to be according to all the locals!), but had to eat elsewhere due to infamous Nairobi traffic. Between a sandwich shop and a Mexican restaurant, where do you think 16 Texans chose to dine? I'm happy to report that while the food wasn't as good as the tex-mex in Dallas, it was still enjoyable! ...as was observing the taco-eating contest that ensued at one of the tables!

After stopping by the Nairobi grocery store (and purchasing loads of Kenyan coffee and tea!), we headed back to the house in Kijabe, which we've all begun to fondly refer to as "home." It was our last evening to sit outside and take in the breathtaking view so we pulled out all the stops--including the indoor couch from the living area! No better way to spend an evening--and how we will miss it!

Bob and Julie (along with Ty and Mande Clark, who arrived in Kenya this afternoon) then came over and joined us for our nightly debriefing session. They shared their individual and joint testimonies with us, and we were so blessed by their presence and participation! The Mendonsa family has grown very near and dear to all of our hearts and we ask that you keep them in your prayers! We all then enjoyed a late dinner together and have now begun the sad task of packing.

Tomorrow morning we leave Kijabe behind and will head into Nairobi for the last time. We will be attending church service at the slum church of Lunga Lunga, an experience we are all looking forward to! After, we will eat a late lunch and then be dropped off at the airport...I still can't believe our trip has come so close to the end! Please pray for a safe and blessed last day in Kenya as well as a safe and uneventful flight back to America! Please, also, continue to pray for both the Kenyan people and the Mendonsa family. Such wonderful things are happening here and we all so blessed to have experienced it first hand! We love you all and will see you soon!

-Leah