It has been a while…there’s lots going on. Happy February to you all. 1
month down in 2007, 11 to go. Can you believe January has already come and
gone?

Sunday, Krystle and I were treated to a new Thai restaurant inside a posh
hotel in town. I went to use the restroom before we ate so I could wash my
hands. I was shocked with happiness as my hands were touched by hot water.
We have hot water at the house, but only in one place…when you turn the
water heater on to take a shower. Otherwise you boil the water if you want
it hot. I was just so surprised I had forgotten about hot running water
from a sink and how much I enjoyed it.

There have been many birthdays in the house. Yoland’s was the end of
January. We mostly just hung out at the house and me, Yoland and her mom
went to the fish market. Fish is really expensive and a real treat so
Yoland’s parents were treating everyone for her birthday. I used to pass by
the fish market almost every day because it is in Ngumo, the first place we
lived. And every time I passed it I would hold my breath. Now I want you
to imagine the fish market in Seattle. And imagine this fish market here is
nothing like it…ha-ha! It’s at the beginning of all the kiosks to Kenyatta
Market (where all the yummy fruit is), the floor is dirt, the dead fish are
staring at you and they are being deep fried (so much food here is deep
fried… "chips" are very popular). For those of you who know that fish and
sea food is my favorite thing to eat (sike) I was rude and didn’t eat it…but
I did try it.

I was having pain with a tooth in the back of my mouth and was referred to a
dentist. She told me I was brushing too hard, blah blah blah and something
about my roots or nerves being exposed AND that "we can take care of that
right now." WHAT? I didn’t have any time to prepare myself for a needle
being stuck inside my mouth, plus all that screeching, unbearable drilling
sound. During the "procedure" she asked me if I was nervous because that sucky
thing that sucks out your nervous saliva was sucking nothing, because my mouth
was so dry. YES, I WAS NERVOUS! I didn’t have time to prepare…in the States
it’s, "okay such and such is wrong so make an appointment for next week and
we’ll take care of it then." They give you time to prepare for all that
scary tooth stuff they do…but not here. But one thing is for sure, you can
actually afford the work done with out going into debt over one tooth!

James the gecko came to visit me. I told you before about the geckos in our
old house. Well, they live here too AND they are all related and look out
for each other (I knew that mama gecko wasn’t happy I moved in and threatened
her baby). One night I was in the kitchen washing out my dish and out of
the blue something lands on my hand. Before I could finish the thought,
"what is this", I realized it’s a gecko flying through the air to attack me
and I shook it off as fast I could (I think while jumping back) and freaked
out. I now have a sign on my door that says, "no gecko’s allowed…everyone
else karibuni." (welcome)

We are busy with a new project which I am asking for you guys to pray about.
Krystle and I want to "take TULIP back with us." We got the "go ahead"
from the directors at TULIP to present their ministry to a church at home in
attempt to fund raise and get sponsors for these girls to go to school. It
would be something like compassion child, with Krystle and I being the
middle person between TULIP and a church. This is obviously just in the
"dream" stage and don’t know where it will go, but we are praying God will
use us and raise support for these girls to go to school. Please pray for
us…Where to start and how to go about doing such a responsible and dedicated
task?

That’s about it from here. At CCP we are finishing up some documentations
and putting together some paperwork and presentations for their home church
in California. Things at Lifespring are still in process with the life
skills training. Right now I am just trying to take it one day at a time,
otherwise I find myself mourning my departure. 5 weeks will be here what
seems like tomorrow, but I want to make sure I cherish every last moment and
spend time with the loved ones dear to my heart.

Thank you all for your continued prayers – I know God is listening and is
blessing me tremendously. I pray He is blessing you as well and you are
aware to them all. Take care and God bless.