Seasons of Bugs

Posted on March 30, 2022 by cairesonmission

Some here we mark the seasons not by the weather, but by the insects that make themselves know in massive quantities as the weather changes. We have recently passed through a moth season which we are lucky enough to have never experienced. We are familiar with the termite seasons and the grasshopper/locust seasons. Our homes are not well sealed, so when the insect seasons come we turn down all the lights inside, pull the curtains tight, put towels under the doors, and try to hide from the oncoming wave of flying nuisances before they swarm into the house. We had short term visitors over during the moth wave, and we commented on how romantic the setting was as we ate around lantern light while the moths banged against the roof and windows. It is so fun to live here . . . . right?!

The grasshopper season.

Termite season.

Turnover

Posted on March 28, 2022 by cairesonmission

We started in Costa Rica for a year where we were always a “new” family. The “long timers” were wary of us, and we did not really understand why. Then we lived in Peru for almost 4 years. We started as the new family, and by the time we left we were old hands. Except for a couple families, no one had been there longer. Now we have been almost 5 years in Kenya. When we came we were again the new family. Last night after saying goodbye to friends, Allison and I started trying to think of who was still in Kijabe that had been living here when we arrived. There are quite a few missionaries here, but we could only think of just a few families that were “longer timers” than us. A sadness of medical missionary life is that the turnover is frequent. Good friends are made and then off we go from one another, either to other mission sites or home to the US. I can understand the wariness of the older missionaries in Costa Rica, Peru, and Kenya who kept a bit of distance. But there is joy is in making new friends (if not always time to do it well), and seeing how God provides. And the greatest pleasure is in doing good work that God has given us to do.

Mt. Suswa – An Eighth Grade Trip

Posted on March 26, 2022 by cairesonmission

During the eighth grade year at RVA, the students take a trip to Mt. Suswa. Mt. Suswa is a volcano located a few hours from Kijabe. It is a fun drive in the Landcruiser, crossing rivers and traversing boulders to get to the campsite. There you set up your tent on the edge of the crater. It is a great view. The kids enjoy time in the outdoors, exploring the lava flow caves, talking on the cliff’s edge, and sleeping under the stars (or tents if they choose). Sarah slept outside and woke to see a jackal roaming around the campsite just a few feet from her sleeping bag. The next morning a couple young Masai men accompanied us on a hike up to the peak of the mountain. A fun weekend out in the wilds of Kenya.

Heading out from RVA

Overland

Over rocks

Spelunking

Camping on the cliff edge

The hightest point on the horizon is the summit destination. This is a good example of the two craters of the volcano. An inner crater to the left surround by the outer crater on the right and on which we are camped.

Breakfast!

Our guide

Driving home mishaps. Thank goodness for Landrovers.

Hello?

Posted on March 24, 2022 by cairesonmission

We are still here in Kijabe! It may appear our life is always interesting. But our life is more normal than you probably expect. Allison goes to teach at RVA. I go to the hospital and take care of patients. Our kids have successes and failures as do we, the parents. Sometimes I want to pray and read my Bible. Then I have stretches where it is hard and I watch Instagram Reels instead of praying. So the point is that life is normal no matter where you live, and it gets hard to think of things to put on the blog. And then sometimes things are hard and you do not want to do the blog. Or work and life is busier and it is hard to find time. However, I will give it another try, because I feel responsible to those of you who pray for us and support us to let you know what is going on. And really it is a joy to share how we get to serve God, as long as it does not become too narcissistic. Thank you for anyone who manages to check this again after months off the internet. Enjoy some pictures from the past several months. . .