Welcoming 2010 in Nairobi!!

Weeee're Heeeerrrreee! We arrived in Nairobi airport at about 9:30 last night, easily made it through customs (new visa fee is only $25 --used to be $50) with only three of our 26 bags being examined. All 26 bags made it through. Gloria -- that whole thing about numbering the bags...GENIUS! We immediately identified what we had and what we needed. It looks like several were opened by TSA and one duffel had a busted zipper, but everything was still in there--in tact! Praise God! So far, we've only found one leaky item..some suntan lotion, but it was contained in the Ziplock. Great job packing everyone who packed for us!!!

We were greeted at the airport by our director, Dwight, our accountant, Bernard, and by "Charlie" (as most of you know him from our story about the Chief who came to Christ), and his children, Josie and Josh - who we had met at our orientation 2 years ago. Josie and Josh are Ashley's age and enveloped her completely! By the time we made it to the compound, it was about 11:00.

We were taken home, and treated to homemade rhubarb and pumpkin pie made by my good friend, Susan, and ...get this... ice cream! :) Someone had gone grocery shopping for us to supply us with at least a little bit of food until we can get out, and the temporary housing folk made sure that we had beds and mattresses on which to sleep. We also had little presents on our beds and a great big welcome sign in our living room -- hand made by Josie who took it around the compound for everyone to sign. (There is no child quite like this little angel.)

God also greeted us with a "blue" moon. This is when two full moons happen in one month. Apparently, it only occurs every 19 years or so. Since we live close to city centre, we saw the new year's fireworks go off right from our front door! Wow! What a welcome to a new chapter in our lives. Starting 2010 in Africa!!

People were saying how chilly it was here,(70 degrees F), and yet we pouring sweat! We did manage to unpack a bit, in our sweaty state, and are really wishing we would have left some clothes home and taken more hangers! :) That's probably not the last "I wish we would have" we'll have, but at least we're here!!

This morning we met our house guest..a three inch gecko. Since I hate lizard poop a whole lot less than I hate spiders, we decided to let it stay and named it "George" I may recant that decision in a few days/weeks/months, but for now, George is welcome.

I feel pretty adjusted to the time, having slept well last night and got up at a "normal" time for here. Ashley did as well. Jeff, on the other hand, slept a lot on the plane, but not much here last night due to a nosy, biting mosquito in the room, so he's still asleep at 10am.

I've met one of our neighbors, the Crowders, this morning. They have two small children, boys, aged 3 and a year and a half. The Crowders are the directors of SIM Sudan. Now, I'm off to have coffee with our director, then get Jeff up in time for lunch with our friends, "Charlie" and Susan. BTW -- "Charlie" isn't Charlie's real name. His ministry is still pretty sensitive, so we're going to keep him at Charlie for the time being.

I'll post pictures later. I promised Ashley a walk around the compound.