Life After Wheat

So, ever since Charmyn cut out wheat from her diet, she's been SO much better! Here are some glimpses into the past couple weeks...

Charmyn's brother came and visited us from the Yukon! (He was given the name D'enge=tall, skinny one] It was quite funny to us that on the day he arrived, the super HOT weather also appeared.





But that didn't stop us from enjoying time with friends in Kalacha...



...or going on morning walks with the baboons.



Or just morning walks! "I got a new way to walk, walk, walk." (No kidding--our little sister Jillo walks better in big people sandals than her own!)



And the beginning of our journey to Conference begins! To Kijabe we go!



Even though traveling to southern Kenya has it's dusty disadvantages...



...the side-of-the-road friends seem to erase any memories of dust in the ears and nostrils!



About 8 hours into our journey south, we found ourselves chugging up steep rocky cliffs (I mean, the main road) in first gear in low four-wheel drive! I was in the last Land Rover in our caravan and I think watching the vehicles struggle up the rocky road before my eyes improved my prayer life greatly!



QUIZ: What happened to D'enge?!!!
[ANSWER: Found at bottom of this post]



Bridge crossings have never been so exciting! Who will make it across first, I wonder?



Well, we got a little impatient, and D'enge wanted to make yet another friend!



"Ezra, we're going to visit your older brother, Enock! Let's go quickly--I miss my friend!" (Kaedon) Our teammates' son, Enock, has been down-country for the last 5 months and we've all missed him terribly! Since he's been gone, little Ezra has started walking, grown some teeth, and learned to say a few words.



"Mom, is that the same baby you had before?" --Enock about Ezra



Paul, Salome, Enock, and Ezra--TOGETHER AGAIN...and AT HOME in El Doret area!



Salome LOVES rosemary. (She puts it in her chai.) Look how happy she is to be home!



Passion fruit! I think we've all decided that Paul and Salome have sacrificed the most to come live in Kalacha. Imagine having this kind of food right on your land!



...and animals grazing right outside your house!



The kids had a fun reunion!



That's it--we're all moving our team to El Doret!



I could live among the passion fruit all the days of my life! :)



Say hello to our entire team!



Back on the road to Conference. Yeah, life in Kenya is still full of surprises!



Walmart!



After 2 days on the road, we made it to Conference in Kijabe! "Elizabeth! How could I face your father if you took a fall?!" *BEAUTIFUL!*



As part of the decorations committee, we set the stage for people to feel like they were in Northern Kenya with us!







We really had fun praising the Lord together with instruments that you can't always find up in Kalacha!

"Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You--there is no greater thing!"



[ANSWER: D'enge was sleeping, of course! He discovered the only way to enjoy a nap on the bumpy roads!]

I think she'll live.

Turns out Charmyn is allergic to wheat and dairy. She's been doing LOTS better since cutting out these things and we're thankful for a family here (who has a daughter with the same allergies) who's been teaching us all over how to prepare meals. God is good.

No diagnosis.

For those of you who are curious, Charmyn and I are still down-country and are planning on returning to Kalacha on Tuesday. (That adds up to 24 days away.) The doctors and all the tests have said Charmyn is completely healthy. But alas, she's still not Charmyn. Thanks for your prayers.

My first "Med-Evac"!!

*DISCLAIMER*
(Be not alarmed: Charmyn's alive & well, out of the hospital, sitting next to me, and taking her meds!!!!)


Last Saturday, Sept. 5, God took Charmyn and me on an adventure! Charmyn has had a re-occurring sickness for months, but this time it was a little different. Thank God for all the people that arranged a plane to come and get her in Kalacha (and me as her helper) and take us from Nairobi to Kijabe Hospital (in an AMBULANCE!!!).



Charmyn really enjoyed the pokey needle and blood that accompanied her hospital stay!!



Since this was Charmyn's first hospital stay experience ever, I had to show her that getting salon treatment was all a part of the package! (See the crown?!)



Look, it's us RIGHT NOW! See, we're happy! (Charmyn adds: "...and WELL!")

Jump For My Love!

"Get it, Kinga!" With these 3 simple words, we can enjoy watching our friends' Jack Russell jump around looking for lizards...for HOURS!!!



Traveling to Gatab, a cold mountain heaven 5 hours away from Kalacha.



Beware the travel ninjas!



Once we got to Gatab, we got to see our friend Ponisa at her home...



...and see trees that actually give shade and you can't put your arms around them!



Walking up 'mountains' together is something we're constantly doing in TIMO!!!



Paul practically ran up the hill he was so giddy! Baby Ezra was the only one not enjoying the windy coldness. :)



Oh, Ezra, we'll be back in hot Kalacha soon enough!



The refreshed version of Charmyn and me!


We even let our hair down!!! HA!




On the road again to Kalacha...



I tawt I taw a putty tat. No, it's just another herd of camels looking for an oasis.




Meet the traveling zombie me! Don't mess with me or I'll throw dust at you!




Back in Kalacha, just in time for the busy bustle of August weddings. I think I'll stop and rest a while. Tea, anyone?


Hey, I want to say thank you to everyone who's been writing me lately and encouraging me. I'm doing better and getting along. Thanks for your prayers. I'm speechless at how wonderful the love of God is. It's definitely worth jumping for!

Livin' la vida YO-YO

Babaro! We're all back in Kalacha (after a wonderful month of vacation) and life continues on. Charmyn's parents are here with us for most of this July month and it has been a blast and a blessing to have a mom & dad here with me during this time. Some of you know that my gramma died this month and along with that, I found myself wanting to go home and be with my family. Of course, it's more complicated than that, but for now that's all I'm saying here. (Blog shy, remember?)

Anyway, it's been a crazy few weeks, I'm truckin' along, and enjoying the 'cold' season of Kalacha. Since Charmyn is holding her photos hostage (!), here are the only ones I have to share with you! (Charmyn's blog link is to the right.)



My new parents!




Storytime with my Abbo diqa




We stuck Charmyn's dad outside!




(Monique, Guchi likes your grass!)




I always feel like somebody's watchin' me.
(My Kalacha theme song)




Just another day at home.




My shady place. He, he, he.