One Week In

By Megan.  Internet is quite spotty here, so no telling when this post will actually get posted.  But today is Saturday, and we arrived in Kijabe one week ago.  So much we could say about this place and our time here so far, it's hard to summarize.  Here are some thoughts.

We have been overwhelmed at how the Lord has provided for us.  Thank you all for the prayers!  Our travels went so smoothly I can hardly believe it.  Our apartment is comfortable in every way.  The staff here, Kenyan and ex-pat, have all been so friendly and helpful.  Annie has been game for just about everything, and she's having a great time.  Eating and drinking and sleeping have all gone smoothly, thanks to clorox, water purifiers, and tips from jetlagrooster.com.  

Kijabe is an absolutely beautiful place.  Our apartment is on the third floor and we overlook the Great Rift Valley.  Most days are clear this time of year.  We can see volcanic Mount Longonot, several other mountains, and a vast stretch of valley floor.  We were surprised by the large crowd in church on Sunday - the steep hillside hides much of the town from view, making Kijabe seem less populated than it actually is.  

Austin has had a full week at the hospital already, dealing with many cases of malnutrition and tuberculosis.  While Memphis is affected by poverty in many ways, he had never seen a case of malnutrition like what is common here.   The children here are on the brink of heart failure. Overwhelming.  

Annie and I have spent a good bit of time playing at Rift Valley Academy.  We went to a playgroup there on Tuesday and have gone back to visit the primary school playground.  Trying to go to the library, but haven't hit an open time yet. The campus is wonderful.  Vividly colorful flowers everywhere, grassy fields, beautiful trees, inviting buildings and dorms with large, open windows.  It is quite a trek, carrying back-pack and 28 pound toddler, to make it up to the playground, but the views are worth it.