One year and speechless...

It's hard to think of what to say here with this anonymous audience. I hope you'll feel free to email me whenever you are curious about something or just want to say hi. In the meantime, enjoy the photos and please keep praying for all of us in Kalacha!


This first year away from home has flown by, quicker than this crazy Kalacha wind!



The Catholic Church here has amazing murals.



Look! We have hair! Every time I leave Kalacha and take my head scarf off, I feel like a new person!

Kalacha Visitors

Dancing in the desert with fellow friends who live in Northern Kenya



Enjoying time with new friends in the desert



We decided to decorate our house with Scripture! Why not?!



Romans 5:8 is one of my favorite verses.



I love my desert Mama--Mama Karen!

Batman comes to Kalacha!

Before I left for Kenya, my friend's son (Cruz) gave me one of his toys, saying, "Please give this to someone who has never had a toy before." Well, Cruz, our neighbor friend, Dulacha, is REALLY happy that you gave him his first toy! I wish you could've been here to see his face!



Dulacha says, "Galatom, Cruz!" (Thank you, Cruz!)



Learning that Batman's head and limbs move surprised Dulacha!



Galgallo & Umuro (some of our other neighborhood visitors) have been a big help in teaching us more Gabra, more Kiswahili, and it's been fun watching them interact with our smaller visitors.



Me & Charmyn in our new 'smart' outfits



Jeremy & Amy, have we told you lately that WE LOVE YOU?!!

Happy New Year!

Autumn leaves and other thoughtful goodies sent to me! Thank you, Waterfords!



Playing SPOONS!



Having fun with friends in Olla Chile.



IT RAINED IN KALACHA!!!! We had clouds all morning! Oh, it was amazing! I will never sing, "Rain, rain, go away!" again!



A nice Kalacha evening. *sigh*



Glowsticks in the desert!!!



Oh, Abbo, there's a SNAKE in our kitchen! (A poisonous puff adder. Eek.)



Some days, Olla D'uke (my neighborhood) says, "Beware the coming of the DUST storm!!! Muah, ha, ha, ha!"



Other days, it sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...

A Kalacha Christmas

Merry Christmas!
This was my first Christmas away from my family...ever. It was a good reminder to focus on what Christmas really is about--Christ's birth. More than ever, this year I realize just how desperate my need for Him is!!!

So, to celebrate Christ's birth, I feasted with my teammates, attended a Christmas Eve 9pm-midnight church service (with fireworks!!!), went swimming, and ate cranberry sauce from Zanzibar...not in that order!
(Nothing compares with najifka, though. Oh, my naji! :)




Our decorated church on Christmas morning! Note the lights! They were doing a drama of the Christmas story.




Look at Herod's awesome shades!








Steve, Angie, and baby Ezekiel. (Pray for baby--he just broke his arm.)




I know I shouldn't make fish faces in church, but look at my little sister (Jillo's) reaction to it!



After Christmas morning church, we all gathered outside for chai and mandazi.

Back in the Saddle Again

*Whew*
Vacation month is over and I'm back in Kalacha for my first Christmas away from home! I'm happy to be home, but I do miss my Indiana Christmas. :)



Look! Flowers arrived near Kalacha due to November rains!!!



Look at all the green! (I'm being serious!)



I bargained for these earrings in Gabra and the man gave me the nickname "Mama Kalacha!"



Enjoying my new nephew, little Ezekiel! :)



My language helper did my hair. She said, "By the end of the day, you'll have a Gabra husband!"



Hanging out with some friends at Kalacha Goda



Thank you for your cards!



Do you see yours?!?!



My Advent Wreath



Chapatis and Potato Soup
(Monique, I'm learning how to cook!!)



It was even good enough to serve to a guest!



My sisters watching "The Lion King"



Our 'shamba'=garden (Thanks, Kelsey, for the green!!!)

Happy Thanksgiving! and Happy Birthday, Dad!

It's 2am, but I needed to tell you all how grateful I am for all of you who look at my blog. Tomorrow our team is heading back to Kalacha after being away for a month on vacation and attending conferences. I'm ready to get back home. :) As always, Charmyn can give you the details. Ha, ha. Enjoy the photos!



Opening a care package with friends to share in the joy!!! (Thank you, Trinity!!!)




Look closely..."Hi Barb NUM 6:25" :) Personalized M&M's!!! (Yes, everyone was jealous!)




Drip sand castles in Mombasa are fairly difficult to make!




My first hair cut from a stylist other than my sister!



I'm happily 'cast away'! Notice the TWO shores...that's right, the tide is going away and a little island of sand is forming! I LOVED the Coast!




I was so proud of these shoes! They lasted 4 months. (Didn't Forrest Gump have something to say about shoes?!?)