02.10.07
Arrival on the field
Today we arrived in Nairobi, I have never done anything as difficult in my life. I get air sickness and he combination of air sickness and Keziah and Jared made the trip very difficult for me. I am thankful of God’s provision of strength and grace for this experience. It was total around 20 hours for travel and the most difficult part of it all was the toting of carry on luggage along with the infants.
At one point I found myself struggling with the thought of returning and not wanting to go home for this reason alone. Hannah and I have felt like we flounder for place to place at times as God has led us to and from Bethany. Our desire is a call from God for ministry and up to this point we have no long term plans.
The day’s schedule although grueling did have it’s benefits for me personally. I have been able to introspect a little more about personal life and the importance for me of a life consumed by God. I have had a hard time in life during the times of an absence in full time ministry. I am very likely to become lazy and forget about personal spirituality and find myself content on the couch.
Upon arrival at the airport I was reminded of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The airport very simple and I was still confused about what to do and where to go. We finally found the line for visa’s when a Kenyan woman walks up to us and exclaims “you have children follow me� . Yikes, I hope this is good was the only thought in my mind as we followed her to the front of the line. After a few seconds of quickly spoken Swahili we were getting all out passports stamped and $200. Dollars later we were through and fighting to find our luggage. It was better than good it was the very reminder of God’s complete control that I needed. I was lifted from the negativity of the past 20 hours and suddenly felt that I would love Kenya and it’s seeming love for my family.
As we were leaving we spotted Dan and after a few sentences of dialog at customs we are racing toward Dan, Nancy and children. Amidst the sea of Kenyan faces I found a face I knew, Ezekiel Jako was there and I was glad to see him even though we had never spoken. We quickly found ourselves packed into two cars and speeding off into the night. Upon arrival at the Germo residence we found quick comfort and food. It had truly been a bitter-sweet experience that ended as any good fairy tale happily in safety and comfort.