20 Years & Counting

New Life's anniversary falls on St. Valentine's Day.
Now if that isn't appropriate, what is?
Close to the date, we throw an Annual Anniversary Party.
And invite our former children & their new families.
This year we threw an extra special party.
Because it was our 20th anniversary.
That's 20 years. And 1,500 rescued babies.
Celebrating was not difficult!
Guy

Little Women

The real 'bun'.
Better looking than a Chelsea one.
Baby Evie. Lord Chamberlain's latest little lady.

And the last holder of that title. With today's inheritor.
Isn't it great when the baby sister becomes a big sister?
Harriet's mum Cherry knows all about that too, eh?
Guy

Bun's Out The Oven

It's official.
Grandchild No. 5 (aka Evie) has arrived.
It might be more than a week after the expected date.
But the 'bun' (Evie) is finally out of the 'oven' (Cherry).
And so are ours. Fine, fruity, sticky, Chelsea ones.
Shared with Clive & Mary this morning.
To celebrate sweet Evie's arrival.
Welcome to the family!
Guy

She's Some 'Gail'

A 'Gail' blew into our garden recently.
All the way from Scotland. That's some journey, eh?
Susanna's happy though. Glad to have her auld friend back.
Here's the two of them. Taking it easy on Sunday afternoon.
And also taking a rare few minutes off from talking.
To do a little bit of reading.
It didn't last long!
Guy

Lucky Lad

Both our boys have super singing voices.
Can you spot Levi in the 6th Grade School Choir above?

It's a bit easier in this photo. The only boy among 6 girls.
Lucky lad!
Guy

Boating Bestwicks

It seems all visitors get the statutory Lake Naivasha trip.
And David & Yvonne were no exception to this unwritten rule.
Here they are resplendent in their bright orange life-jackets.
Just back from Crescent Island.

Where, en route, we had passed this very happy chappy.
He is smiling, isn't he? Practically grinning, actually?

We also met this very fine fellow.
And people say I've got a big nose!
Talking of big noses ...

... this marabou stork was waiting for us upon our return.
Naivasha never disappoints.
Guy

Porch Pals

Another City Church Aberdeen reunion on the Roses' porch.
The regulars are Adrian & Lindsay. And Susanna & me.
The newcomers this time? David & Yvonne Bestwick.
All good friends & jolly good company!
Guy

Birthday Blessings

After coffee & change of clothes, we drove out to Karura Forest.
Where we picnicked, then we walked ...

and talked ...

and enjoyed God' good gifts ...

and all felt better for it!
Guy

Another Year Bites The Dust

Susanna's birthday fell on a Sunday this year.
So we started the day by worshipping at All Saints' Cathedral.

After the service, we headed back to Charles & Gillian's place.
For a quick cup of coffee. And a change of clothes.
In preparation for our walk in Karura Forest.

(EDITOR's NOTE: these photos are before the change of clothes!)

Of course, these two rascals were not going to be left out.
And got to perfect their funny-faces-for-photos routine!
Guy

Wheely Wonderful

What a way to start the year!
I&M Bank donated a brand new vehicle to New Life.
It's gone to our Nyeri home, the most active in baby rescue.

Not to be outdone, the toddlers parked their car next to it.
Which gave I&M a great photo opportunity.

The keys were handed to Mary, who doesn't drive.
No wonder she (and everyone else) began to giggle.

So when she was persuaded to take the wheel ...
the toddlers decided they'd better help her!
Guy

Not For The Squeamish

Gerro's orthodontic work has begun.

At Kijabe Mission Hospital. About 90 minutes from Nairobi.

Gerro will be a regular visitor over the next 2-3 years.
This is what the dentist gets to see. Lucky him!

That's an expander inside Gerro's mouth.
Pushing his teeth apart. To correct his slight cross bite.
I had to crank it further apart, twice a day, for a week or so.

Once the expander was at full stretch, Gerro's braces were fitted.
Here he is, exposing his teeth & braces for the dentist to take photos.
Not for the squeamish!
Guy

Crescent Island Critters

One of my favourite sights on Crescent Island is the fish eagle.
But it is not the only wild bird on the island ...

Here are two other exotic specimens!
Guy

Dotty Daughter

Once on Crescent Island, Lauren shed the life jacket.
And went into some strange drum major routine.
Must be something in the African air!
Guy

Land Ahoy, Lauren

One Christmas highlight was our day trip to Lake Naivasha.
We took the boat to Crescent Island. Past the hippos.

Only Lauren can make an orange life jacket look this good.
I love this photo. Her natural beauty shines through.
I've loved this girl for 29 years!
Guy

Trouble Trebled

Lauren & Lucas came to celebrate Christmas with us.
So the Three Amigos - Levi, Gerro, Lucas - were back together.
That's triple trouble for the rest of us!
Guy

Radiant Rhoda

We miss this smile.

It belongs to Rhoda, our Senior Social Worker until very recently.

But, after her husband landed a new job in Uganda ...

she followed him there, together with their children.

Uganda's gain is very much our loss!

Guy

Global Get Together

Once a year, we have a big get together here in Nairobi.
With all the New Life leaders from across the country.
Plus all our biggest partners from around the world.
A time to catch up, share ideas, make plans, and ...
put another snapshot in the family album!
Guy

Babies 'R' Us

Occasionally they come in twos.

But mostly in ones.
Plus a cuddly friend to keep them company.

But whether in ones or twos ...
There's always a big hug & a big smile waiting to welcome them.
This newcomer's getting her hugs & smiles from Carlotta.
Karibu New Life!
Guy

One Girl & Her Mum

Together in SW England earlier this year.
On the beach at Instow. Where our holiday home was.
Behind them, the sun sinking into the sea sure looks beautiful.
But these two women can put the sun itself in the shade.
Guy

One Boy & His Dad

 

Together in NE Scotland earlier this year.

Outside the legendary Lido at Stonehaven, to be precise.

Where we swam (my first time) in the hot, salty water.

Ate award-winning fish & chips. And award-winning ice-cream.

Talk about 'la dolce vita'!

And I thought we were both madcaps?

Guy

Beachy Bliss

We didn't spend all our time in the UK in churches.
We hit the beaches quite a lot too.
In fact, more often than we might have dared hope.
As Britain was in the grip of a freak heatwave.
Which started the day we arrived and lasted all 8 weeks.
This beach is one of our all time favourites. Collieston.
And the company is some of our all time favourite too.
Levi & Gerro. Neesee & Cherry.
Happy times!
Guy

City Suppers & Sippers

Methlick kirk was not the only church we visited on our travels.
City Church Aberdeen also invited us to their 3 Sunday services.
Our reward? Dinner with all their leaders on Tuesday evening.
One of many epicurean encounters over our 8 weeks in the UK.
Yes, a more heavyweight version of me returned to Kenya.
I am slowly deflating again now that I am back in Nairobi.
Couldn't afford a whole new set of clothes!
Guy

Methlick's Mini Marathon

We made it to Methlick, our former highland hideaway.
The village where we lived for 4 years prior to moving to Kenya.
On Sunday, we had a happy reunion at the local kirk.
Staying on afterwards for lunch with our friends.

The same good people who organise the Methlick FunD Run.
An annual New Life fundraiser. Thank you!
Guy

Sweet Sack-sess

 

Lucas finally came down from the trees at Fyvie Castle.

His school sports day was calling. Time to get into a sack.

And 'give it laldy', as we say in Scotland.

Thirsty work!

Guy

Who's Your Mume?

I love being baba and babu.
But most of all, I love being mume. To this woman.
That's the way we say husband here in Kenya.
So, living here, I get to be mume to my kids' mummy!
Guy