Ball Boys

Our boys putting their new boots through their paces.

Gerro's goalkeeping is fast becoming legendary.

So is Levi's pinpoint accuracy in passing.

They really are the Bastable ball boys!

Guy

Boys & Boots

Levi & Gerro's obsession with football shows no sign of waning.

When they're not outside, playing it for real.

Then they're inside, begging to play it virtually.

We try to encourage more of the former (healthier) option.

As you can see, these boots were a big hit with both boys.

They couldn't wait to get outside and 'road test' them.

Gerro's smile is what Kenyans call a Mombasa to Uganda grin.

Guy

Slug Snake

For those of you planning to visit us here, don't be put off.

We photographed this fella 1000's of miles south of here.

While taking a leisurely stroll around Barrydale.

The quaint South African village where Arran's in-laws now live.

It just slid out of the roadside drainage ditch to greet us.

The Frogfather assured us it was "only a slug snake".

Whatever that means!

Guy

The Frogfather

You've already met Queen Jean, Arran's mum in law.

Now it's time to meet Les, Arran's dad in law.

Better known to most of us as ... The Frogfather!

Why? Because he's a leading world authority on frogs.

Yes, really. In fact, he's a full-on frog fanatic.

As his terrific tree frog T-shirt testifies.

We love you, Les!

Guy

Boozy Bovine?

In South Africa, my boys got to feed some baby calves.

Gerro was given a Carling Black Label beer bottle.

With a strong black teat on the end of it.

And told that it was full of cow's milk.  

Whatever the bottle had in it, this calf couldn't get enough of it!

Guy

Queen Jean

This is Jean.  Arran's mother-in-law.

And yes, she really is as nice as she looks in this picture.

Of course, the very best mum-in-law in all the world is mine.

But Arran might just have the second?

Jean certainly got the "thumbs up" from Neesee.

Who is a great judge of character!

Guy

Don't Do It!

This was in South Africa in December.

Prior to Arran's wedding to Kate.

What was I was planning to do to Arran?

Whatever it was, it doesn't look very nice!

And that statue behind us adds more than a hint of menace.

Guy

Baba's Boys

Here in Kenya I am known as "Baba Levi".

Mums & dads are called "Mama" or "Baba".

Followed by the name of their oldest child still at home.

Once upon a time I was "Baba Arran".

Nowadays I am "Baba Levi".

Here's a rare photo of all 3 of my boys together.

Check out Levi's face!

Guy

Newton's Knock-Out Nosh

And to go with the goat?

What else but kachumbari (pronounced "katch-oom-bah-ree").

Salsa.  Kenyan style.  Chopped tomatoes, onions & coriander.

This was Newton's first time making it.  And it was knock out.

He's going to make some lucky lady an excellent husband!

Guy

Lucky Lads

And these are some of the lucky lads who got to eat roast goat.

If you look carefully, you will see one particular (little) lucky lad.

Who loves meat.  Of any kind.

My very own carnivorous kid.

Levi "the Lunch" Mayani.

Guy

Roast Ribs

About 10 men work here at New Life in Nairobi.
Most days we have lunch together.
Typically beans, maize, cabbage & chapatis.
But the other Saturday, as a treat ...
we all decided to come in for a goat roast!
A goat was duly slaughtered.
And these are some of its ribs.
Sizzling on the barbecue.
Behind the New Life workshop.
Wish you could have been here!
Guy

Farrah's Fool

Wondered why Farrah asked me to stand at this doorway.
And smile!
Guy

Could You Sing In This?

If our "lodgers" didn't give you 2nd thoughts about visiting.
Then here's a snapshot of our weather.
Forget drainpipes.
Equatorial downpours need rain chains.
This one is right outside our window.
See you soon?
Guy

New Life's Lodgers

For those of you contemplating coming to visit us here, let me introduce you to some of New Life's lesser-known lodgers.

We have lots of these ...

Not so many of these ...

And so far, only one of these (that we know of) ...

Hope I haven't put you off?

Guy

Happy 17th Birthday

Saturday was New Life Home's 17th anniversary.
This is Clive & Mary.
Cutting one of the THREE big cakes.
We had about 500 people turn up to party in our very own front garden.
Acrobats, fire-eaters, clowns, magicians, bouncy castles.
And lots & lots of our "ex-residents".
Accompanied by their new families!
Our boys loved it.
So did we.
Guy

Team Time

This shot taken at National Leadership Retreat here in Nairobi last week.
Great team.
Great time.
We are very happy - and honoured - to be working with such great people.
The smiles are real!
Guy

Spot The Difference

Two big birds.
Both with long necks.

Both with big eyes.
Both spotted at an Ostrich Farm in South Africa.
But only one was a permanent resident.

Any idea which?
Guy

He's Been Framed

Not quite as pretty as a picture.
But trying his best.
Arran with his & Kate's (Kenyan) wedding gift.
From his doting - or is that dotty? - parents.
That's us!
Guy

Here's Harry

Couldn't post a picture of Anise & fail to post one of her equally sweet sister Harriett, could I now?
So ... here's Harry on her uncle's wedding day.

Don't be fooled ...
she was a lot happier than she looks in this picture!
Guy

Flowers, Anyone?

Who better to scatter fresh rose petals ahead of the bride, as she wound her way down the red carpet, than our very own darling grand-daughter, Anise?
Pretty as a picture, isn't she?
Guy

And The Bride Wore?

Snakeskin shoes, of course.

What else at an African wedding?

Guy

Arran the Amorous

Look away now, Levi!

In the words of Lennon & McCartney:

I want to hold your hand ...

And in the words of Cole Porter:

Kiss me, Kate ...

Let's draw the curtain there!

Guy

Marital Maths

Take one happy boy ...

Add one happy girl ...

And what have you got? ...

One very happy couple!
Now you know the reason for the recent "radio silence".
We've all been away in South Africa.
Witnessing - and celebrating - Arran & Kate's wedding.
They called it "The Promise & The Party".
Great promises.
Great party!
Guy

Blogs & Babies

If you are a frequent visitor to this blog & find yourself asking, "But where are the baby stories?", please let me explain ... New Life rightly restricts access to information about (and  photos of) the children in its care to the general public, including publicly accessible websites & blogs (like this one). To a restricted readership (e.g., our e-newsletters to family &  friends), we are free to share stories & photos that we are not  free to post on this blog. Hope that helps to explain why our blog is more family focussed? But just for those who like baby photos (who doesn't?), here's  my "baby" holding our baby grand-daughter, Harry! Guy

Cuisenaire Cat

If you know Gerro at all, you'll know he's crazy about wild cats.
And craziest of all about cheetahs.
Lean and keen, I think he sees himself in them.
Well, the other day he was very busy with his Cuisenaire rods (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cuisenaire.)
Assumed he was working on some simple arithmetic.
But upon investigation ...
He'd conjured up yet another cat.
A cheetah.  Of course.
Flying along at full throttle.
What else?
Guy

Cheetah's Chums

Just look at my two fearless African sons.
Cuddling up with a big, bad Kenyan cat.
You "wooden" believe it, if you hadn't seen it for yourself.
Guy

The Big Cheese

Charlie (aka Charlotte), one of Farrah's good friends back in Scotland, asked her what she was missing most about Old Blighty now that she's living out here in Kenya.
Her answer?  Cheese.
A few days later, courtesy of man in FedEx van, came a colossal kilo (2.2 lbs in real money) of gourmet Gorgonzola.
Charlie's belated birthday (and early Christmas) gift to Farrah.
Now who's the big cheese?
Guy

Kitengela's Queen

And finally ...
Kitengela's quirky queen (for the day) outside Kitengela's quirky cottage.
The Brothers Grimm could have designed it.
And Farrah would have happily moved into it.
There and then.
She'd never expected to find a home that would so perfectly express her own personality.
Before this!
Guy

Kitengela's Car

So if Kitengela's cow is on your right as you approach the place, what's on your left?
Answer: a car.
Nothing so unusual there, you say.
Except the way it's parked, of course!
Guy

Kitengela's Cow

In case you thought I was exaggerating Kitengela's quirkiness, just look at what you meet on the dirt track heading into it.

A colossal cow.

Made from flattened beer cans.

Fastened to a massive, free-standing metal frame.

Farrah's idea of fun.

With a capital F-U-N.

Guy

Farrah's Friend

Why were we at Kitengela Glass?
Well, it was all part of Farrah's 19th birthday celebrations.
Could not believe our luck, finding such a quirky place - so close to home - for our extremely quirky daughter's day out.
She loved it.
The place is full of strange things.
The big metal gorilla - holding hands with my dotty daughter - being one of the least odd.
Guy

Lauren's Lookalike

Talking of Lauren (we were, weren't we?) ...
I visited Kitengela Glass just outside Nairobi a few weeks ago.
Wandering around, I suddenly happened upon this stained glass window - and found myself arrested by it.
If my oldest daughter wasn't the model for this piece, then there is somebody else, spookily similar to her, out there somewhere.
Guy

Any Excuse

As I write this, Susanna's chatting on the phone.
To our oldest daughter Lauren.
And Lauren's son (my grandson!) Lucas.
Just the excuse I needed to post this photo.
I love it & have been waiting for the slightest excuse to share it with all of you.
Just found it!
Guy

Down To Earth

And here is Michael again.
But with his feet very firmly on the ground this time.
Just to prove that he doesn't spend all his time in mid-air.
Michael and I are 2 of just 10 men who work here permanently.
Most days we all take our lunch together in the workshop.
And once a week (on Tuesday) we study the Bible together.
We have just finished a study on Marriage & Sexual Morality.
I've learned a lot about African traditions & customs from my fellow team members.
Wonder what we'll study next?
Guy