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Category Archives: Africa
Seasons of Bugs
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?!
Mt. Suswa – An Eighth Grade Trip
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
Hello?
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. . .
Colobus Monkey
Our Neighborhood
Back in Kijabe
We are glad to be home! I am working again in the hospital. In fact this weekend I have been busy covering the ICU. I am glad for the meaningful work, and again I am impressed with the challenges of doing good care in complex situations. Allison is teaching at RVA, and the kids are in school. We all feel a hole in our lives where David was, however it is not a painful hole, but a sudden missing of having him around. We are happy for him at ACU! He seems to be having a good time. The weather has been beautiful overall, and that has allowed us to get out and do some walks on the weekend. All these pictures are taken within an easy walk of our house. We live in a beautiful part of the world. We are thankful!
Scenes on the Road to Mombasa
Driving to Mombasa
I am on my way to the Mombasa area to serve as a physician on the Senior Safo (senior trip). I have mixed feelings because I always miss Allison and the kids, although David is on this trip. However, he would probably prefer I was not I’ll try and be unseen! It is great to drive across Kenya. I feel so blessed to be here. I stayed last night at Maneaters Camp near the old Tsavo train depot. This is where the Tsavo man eating lions were killed. The movie The Ghost and the Darkness is based on this story. It was great to sleep in my luxury tent last night and hear the lions making their odd night time moans/roars. Today I finish the drive to the coast and await the Seniors. I am going to lay low, be useless, and enjoy a sort of working vacation. (Truly more vacation than work!)
Almost Done
It has been a weird four years. Moving to Kenya as a freshman and then all the losses COVID caused. David heads out on his Senior trip tomorrow. We are super happy for him! He graduates next Saturday. Hopefully we will have a trip to the our favorite restaurant in Nairobi to celebrate the following day, and then back to Dallas. The group in the picture above were the core of his friends. Not all of them made it through all four years as their families moved home or away, but they flew back this summer after they finished school in the US to have one last hurrah in Kijabe! I am thankful for each of them. We had barely arrived in Kenya in 2017, and on our first full day in town this group walked by the house and invited David to go up the hill with them for a bonfire. That was the beginning and they have been good friends since. God has been good to David with these loyal friends. Now we look forward to how God gives him friends at ACU!
cairesonmission 