This Is It!

On the plane as I looked at all my boys sleeping I thought, "This is it"! Not because the Michael Jackson movie was available for viewing, but because this is what the Lord has been preparing for us our entire lives! And even though there were tears and heavy hearts as we departed Tulsa, I knew without a shadow of a doubt we were in the direct will of God! I also believe that if each one of my boys knew what an adventure these next 2 years would hold they would have chosen it for themselves as well!

We had a sweet time in Nairobi with Uncle Marv and Aunt Jan. They are such servants! Highlights include: Jan's gourmet cooking; spending almost an entire day in the immigration office going from window to window not knowing what in the world was going on; going to a Chinese restaurant where we sat outside where there were tons of toys, a playground, a jupiter jump (complete with an employee whose sole purpose was to take off and put on the kids shoes every time their little hearts desire was to get on and off) and petting a real life cheetah!

We flew into Eldoret (2 hours away) and were greeted by our friend, Christina, who is the OB/GYN post resident in Kapsowar! She drove up in the hospital ambulance! She escorted us to town to buy an internet modem and then onto a grocery store to shop for food for a month (talk about meal planning)! She then took us on a tour of the hospital and introduced us to many of the people that work at the hospital as well as the sweet kids that live around here.

So I seriously have the backyard of my dreams! The view is incredible-no picture could do it justice! I also have the neighborhood I always wanted for my boys. I was unpacking and looked out back and saw a crowd of new friends for the kids to play with. Complete with amazing smiles and much laughter! Hudson even taught the kids the game of "tag". And Jude began telling each of them "And my name is Jude" as he shook their hand.

We had a lovely dinner at the Rhodes home. It is a welcoming environment with warm people. We have spent the day unpacking our 16 bags. Lauren is now on her way to the operating room to witness a c-section and the boys are waking up from their naps. Hudson and Jude will be waiting for all of their new friends to come home from school so they can play in the freedom of their new yard where everyone wants to play!

Praises:
~Our luggage arrived safely
~Sweet friendships with grown ups as well as children
~A beautiful 3 bedroom home
~Peace that we are in God's perfect place for us
~Good quality time for Kyle and I
~Lauren arrived safely and is a huge help
~We found our camera charger

Prayer requests:
~Good sleep for all: Hudson has been waking up with "growing pains" and Isaac is up quite often thru the night (looks like he is getting 3 teeth)
~My dad is getting surgery today on his eyes. May he read this blog tonight and be comforted by the Lord's provision and His healing hand! Love you dad!
~God would open our hearts and eyes to each ministry He wants us to be a part of

We love you all and thank you for your friendship and constant support!

We're having some trouble with loading pictures, but we will get some up as soon as possible.

Safe Arrival

Kyle and Vanessa called this afternoon to tell us that they arrived safely in Nairobi. Praise the Lord! Other praises include the fact that ALL of their luggage made it and the boys did wonderful on all the flights.

Pray they all get rest tonight.

They asked that we continue to pray for Hudson who got sad and cried frequently on the flights when he thought about leaving his cousins. Jude also asked for Grammy frequently. Continue to pray for them.

Lauryn, a 16 year old from TBC, planned to travel with them and help them for the first month while in Kenya. Her flights were changed and delayed numerous times and she has yet to make it to Kenya. Pray for the rest of her travel and safe arrival.

They will be in Nairobi until Tuesday and then travel on to Kapsowar.

~Kelly

Up Up and Away!

Praying at the airport

Today is departure day! We are on our way to Kenya!

This is our itinerary:

Tulsa to Minneapolis - Northwest Airlines Flight 5087

Departs 11:40 AM Arrives 1:47 PM

Minneapolis to Amsterdam - Northwest Airlines Flight 258

Departs 3:25 PM Arrives 6:40 AM

Amsterdam to Nairobi - Northwest Airlines Flight 8565

Departs 10:20 AM Arrives 8:25 PM

HERE is a link to a flight tracker sight where you can enter our airline and flight number and find out the progress of our trip.

Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you!

Pictures from Kelly at the airport...

Isaac is pretty sure he can take on the world right now.

Jude's got a plan. He's going places.

Hudson is a little nervous but excited.

Pray for Hudson especially since he really felt the weight of leaving his cousins and friends for two years. He was very sad this morning.