Sleepless in Africa

This is what you get when you let a Kenyan child play with your camera!

I've returned to Kenya for a couple of weeks to participate with the PAACS program (if you're not sure what that is, check out my Missions page). The sketchy internet connection here hasn't allowed me to blog until today. This week started out pretty rough. I took a new flight schedule, which on the positive side, gave me a chance to see a bit of the Netherlands. Actually, more than I expected! I was told the city center in Amsterdam was a quick 10 minute train ride away. So, I followed the directions of the ticket seller and headed to platform 1 or 2. Since the train was on platform 1 was about to depart, I quickly jumped aboard. Turns out I should have waited for the proper train on platform 2. I was excited to pass the stadium of the famed Dutch soccer club, Ajax. About 15 minutes later, I saw a classic Dutch windmill! (A picture was not possible as the windows were too filthy.) Soon I was seeing the countryside of the flattest country on earth - now well past the ten minute mark, a little panic started to set in! I'm not the most seasoned traveler, and I was definitely not in the city any longer! The train roared through three more train stations before finally stopping where I got off and found a train back to the city. An hour later than expected, I was back to Amsterdam where I took an awesome canal boat tour of the city. I wished I had more time to explore this great city. 

My second consecutive overnight flight brought me to Nairobi where I was greeted by the familiar face of Jonathon, the Samaritan's purse driver. By this time I was exhausted. I struggle to sleep on planes and on both overnight flights I might have had two hours of sleep. My hip, that's been nagging me for quite a while, decided to punish me for my choice of a coach class ticket. Also, if I sleep on a soft mattress, I tend to get a bit of sciatica which suddenly was making itself known. So, on the 3 hour trip to Tenwek hospital, I was the only passenger and struggled to maintain polite conversation with Jonathon.  The jet lag got the better of me and I missed most of the scenic drive across the Rift valley and into the western highlands of Kenya. To make matters worse, there are two beds in my guest house room and I choose the firmer looking one - only to have more sciatica before discovering on the third night that the other bed was clearly better. I was reminded of the dangers of judging on appearance, even if it's only beds! 

By Thursday I was finally feeling human again and began enjoying my time here. The first week flew by with patients once again, amazing me with their stories and problems. If my internet connection allows, I will post on some kids from 2.5 hours south who were brought to see me. Back home, it easy to overlook God in our world. With all the comforts of modern life in the States, it's easy to feel like we don't need God.  What's so great about being back here, is that I am reminded that God is not dead - He is alive and active in our world and so apparent if we simply seek Him out. It's just so much easier to do here! Stay tuned as I will try to share some of God's blessings as this lame internet connection allows!