Nakuru , Kenya

We made it to Nakuru for dinner. The city is the fastest growing city in Kenya. Beautiful we can see the mountains and the volcano. Below in the valley is a large salt water lake. We passed three large salt water lakes along the way. What was amazing was all the animals along the side of the road from zebras, goats, cows, burros, even in one area we saw buffalo! The vendors in the villages were also selling their goods along the road side. This is Sunday morning. We are wanting to go to church, the closest one to our denomination is the Presbyterian church. After church we will head off to the orphanage. The six folks we are with are terrific. We will be with them until next Sunday, then we will be on our own. This might be the last time for a blog for awhile. It is really a task to receive yi-fi. It took me over an hour to fine a spot. The next several days will be more challenging. Hope you can see the bird nest. Their entrance is upside down! Wonderful fluttering around they are called wevers. Until then. Blessings and Joy, Jean

Elephant sanctuary

We're on our way to Mercy orphanage and stopped by the elephant sanctuary. There stories of being rescued are wonderful... The baby of three months loosing his mom. Another has a bad leg and there waiting for an x-ray machine from the US...
What's also amazing is the free room of burro's, sheep, goats, cows along the sides of the road. We are told the gov't owns land and animals.

July 27 photos

Here are some photos. Paul talking with some workers. A beautiful sight when a Christian lady and Muslim lady work side by side. In Kenya Mosque and churches stand side by side . A photo of the bead store and then the living quarters of a tribe..

July 27 Day's end

Today began by going to Langata sanctuary for Giraffe's, birds, walked nature trails on the walk the trees and plants were marked, it was interesting to see the cures for different diseases and also know which ones were poison. We even saw whart hogs! We then travelled to Kuzuri crafts workshop, a very impressive and clean environment. They made everything from jewelry, to dish ware. The workers were skilled at several work stations and they rotated their positions. They make $5.00 per day (8 hours) and work 6 1/2 days per week. Next we travelled to see the tribal dances. This was fun to watch with the drumming, dancing and singing. We had good seats.. However for some reason I Believe every school in Kenya decided to go to the show today, from 3 year olds through high school, this Hugh auditorium was packed with thousands of children... I loved watching them respond to the music. We then walked to a different area to see actual villages. The huts were family groupings. Each area was of a specific tribe. What was interesting the 1st wife always had the largest hut, even larger than the husband. We went back to the Bush house for dinner. The meals have been very simple, but good. We're not to eat any fresh fruit or vegetables or drink the water. We have rice with almost every meal or potatoes and beans . Tomorrow we will start our journey to the Mercy home orphanage. It will take two days. On the way we'll stop to say hello to the Elephant sanctuary.
Peace and Blessings, Jean

July 27

It was wonderful to Skype our family early this morning our time 2 am .. They were celebrating Christina's birthday and we all sang together Happy Birthday! It was good to catch up. Yesterday was a very full day. We were in the city of Nairobi all day. 4 million folks live in the city and 60% of the unemployed. After a driving tour, We stopped at a historical museum, a school for orphaned, immigrants, and for the very poor . The school began at kindergarten through high school. For the youth they had a wonderful program. For six months each they were trained in cooking, technical, pottery, engineering, and designing clothes. The school had around 300 students. I was very impressed. We also saw the 2nd most populated slum area.. Very sad. The traffic back to the Bush house was unbelievable . We were going so slow that Hundreds of vendors were trying to sell their good to us walking beside our van! It was good to be back have dinner and then watch the movie Out of Africa. Staying awake to call the family! Today one of our highlights will be a giraffe sanctuary. Take care. Blessings. Jean

Nairobi, Kenya

We had a good night in Johannesburg.. The shower was terrific! 6 am breakfast and off to the plane.. The morning was crisp with blue sky and the plane took 4 hours to Nairobi. Della and Wilson meet us with open arms. We went into the city to pick up one of the college girls who wanted to do a little shopping... Streets were crowded with traffic and vendors... WE're staying at the Bush house. There was construction almost the whole way... Building new roads.. The Bush house is lovely. Dinner will be at 6:30. Then Della and Wilson will pick up the other four joining this part of our journey. By the way Nairobi is 7 hours ahead . I'll try to take photos to send your way. Blessings, Jean

Johannesburg

Miracles do happen. Even tho are plane from Tampa was over an hour late and we only had little time to go to another terminal at dullas airport... We made it on the plane... The last to arrive.. When we arrived at Johannesburg... All four pieces of luggage also arrived with us. We were scheduled to stay at the airport hotel.. And they said we needed to go 5 cm to another... However a room came available and we're here at the airport hotel. Tomorrow we have an early flight to narobi...doing great God is good!

Late...the plane is late... This should be interesting..

If we do make the two tram stops in Dulles airport in 30 min...the question is baggage???? There is only one flight per day to Johannesburg... Then we're off to Nairobi ... Before baggage arrives in jo'burg! If we don't make it to the plane5 in dullas... We'll stay overnight. With the Barack and Michelle! Love this sabbatical time!!

Beginning our journey

Lois drove us to the Tampa airport. 4 pieces of luggage ... 2 pieces will leave in Africa ... Mainly two bags are medical supplies and items our global partners requested .. I'll be so happy when I am able to hand over the luggage to them... We're feeling good and truly blessed.

Ready to Go!

Sunday, July 22, 2012
99% packed ready to go.  We're looking forward to our new colleagues and friends.  Airlines already tweaking our schedule, but not worried.  Please pray for the medical supplies we are bringing (mostly diabetic and BP machines), will get into the hands of the doctor in Zimbabwe. I will be so relieved and happy that we will be able to contribute just a little to help others have better health.  May God keep you safe. Take care, Jean

Thank you to Sun Tower Rehab and Hillsborough Title.

Today we received more medical supplies from Sun Towers Rehab Center and Hillsborough Title, Sun City Center for the new clinic at Mt Selinda, Zimbabwe. Thank you and appreciation from doctors, staff and those suffering from diabetes. We appreciate your generous gifts that will bring comfort to those without. Join us on the blog when we bring these medical supplies to the clinic. Thank you...the joy of giving and blessings received.

Thank you Bill Kovacs, From Solara Medical Supplies

For your generous gift of three blood glucose monitors and test strips. These will be given to a new clinic in Mt. Selinda, Zimbabwe, these will be very appreciated. I will video the clinic and people.. Thank you. Blessings, Jean

http://globalministries.org/resources/special-days/gm-sunday/

What a wonderful spirit this would be...so much to learn...2 wks. and we'll be off!!!

http://globalministries.org/africa/missionaries/a-belated-celebration.html
Dr. Scott Couper and his wife Susan with their children are in Durban where Paul and I wll be staying for several days. 

Happy 4th of July

Remembering Washington DC 1976. What a terrific celebration. The following year I was married celebrating 4th of July in Tehran...singing the Stars Spangled banner was very different with tears in our eyes, grateful to be an American! Blessings, Jean

July 3rd Rev.Matunhunge, a new clinic in Mt. selinda just opened. He asked if I could bring a diabetic and BP machine. Because of your gifts we are able to take a couple of them plus some other supplies. Thank you. Blessings. Jean

July 1 Rev. Edward Matunhunge e-mailed me and asked if we would like to visit "The Great Zimbabwe... Wow...unbelievable I invite you to look up the great Zimbabwe a city built 1100-1400 Amazing!