Easter Weekend

This Easter break is the first Easter in five years where I wasn't in South Carolina visiting the Nickell's and yes it was different, but so good. I was out in Naivasha, which is right down the rode from RVA, and this place has become my place of escape from Nairobi. This was my third time out there since being here and the animals, landscape, and just everything about that place continue to amaze me!

This go around I stayed at a friend's house which was absolutely fantastic. Not just because we saved a ton of money by not camping, but because of the community where they lived. The highlight of my week was playing with the kids who lived next to my friend and getting to play football with them. The first day that I was there, I was talking to my mom on the phone and while I was talking to her, about eight kids starting gathering around me and just laughing at me. After I got off the phone with mom I taught them how to play hot hands and they loved that game. It was something that we ended up playing together all weekend. They later found out that I was a footballer and the next day they had made a ball out of plastic bags and some foam. The last day that I was there, they had found scotch tape to wrap the entire ball in and make it more durable. One of the kids who I got to know, but was very moody and would either wave continuously at me or cry when I would try to give her a high five or hold her was Michelle Obama. No joke, and all the parents and kids told me that she was his cousin, which everyone in Kenya wishes they were.

On Saturday, my New Zealand friend Jennie and Kenyan friend Jackie and I went to Hell's Gate, which is like a minature Safari place. We ended up renting bikes and since I'm a guy, I never considered getting a map or asking for directions. Instead I just kind of followed the nature what I saw from the beginning. So we ended up following the hardest trail in the park, which even the park rangers were impressed that we went on. But on this trail, I felt like a kid again. I was on my bike, content as all get out, and there all around me was God's creation. From monstrous cliffs, to freakin Zebras, Baboons, Warthogs, and much more! Oh it was so much fun to shout to Jennie and say, "Hey Jennie! There's more Zebras up ahead!" Seriously, where else could I say such a thing?

Those are just a few of the stores. Met several new peeps from Canada, Australia, more Kiwis, and had a ton of fun. I will never forget this trip nor the memories. Oh and for Easter, Jennie and I went down to the lake and had our own Easter service. We read the resurrection story, had a time of thanksgiving, confession, and then had communion. The idea was to have Coke and bread, but sadly we forgot the Coke, so we had Dasani water instead.

Well, now it's back to work and ministry. So glad the two are never separate and coincide with each other. This week I will be re-structuring the Petra Boys program, as well as put the structures in place to add another youth team into the system. This is my dream job and I am so blessed and excited to be in the place, right now! Love you all!