Rovers Return

Oh, I'm so happy, so very happy!
Clive & Mary are back on the dusty red continent again.

And we managed not to burn the place down in their absence.

It's so good to have them back.

It means that tomorrow is the first morning since I got here that I don't have to get up at 6:30am.

Yippee!

Susanna

Birthday Brother

After a long & tiring day of celebrating your big brother's 9th birthday, there's just nothing like curling up on a big comfy chair in the fleecy pyjamas your Gran & Pop bought you last Christmas.
Bliss!
Guy (reading Gerro's mind)

Birthday Boy

A certain young man turned 9 today.
Before church, Levi unwrapped one of his gifts and yes, you've guessed it ...
added another set of Lego Star Wars to his ever-increasing collection.
He was very happy (photographic evidence to the right).
After church, the kids from The Ark, many of whom were at New Life at the same time as Levi, came over to our place.
After hot dogs & birthday cake (a football pitch design, made by Susanna) all the kids went outside and played "soccer".
Levi's verdict, when all his friends had left?
"Dad, I've had a really good birthday."
Result!
Guy

Into The Everlasting Arms

Baby Ivy died last night.

Over the weekend she had become increasingly poorly.

Last night, at midnight, the nurses called me.

As I held her and prayed with her, the wee darling slipped peacefully from my arms into the "everlasting arms".
It was very special, but heartbreaking.
It hit us all very hard, as Levi had named baby Ivy and had dreams of adopting her.

This morning, Guy & I took her to a lovely mortuary, where she was gently washed, as we watched.

Even in death, New Life affords great dignity to these little ones.

Thank God that this precious little princess did not die without knowing she was loved.
Susanna

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud

Gerro came running up to me when he got back from school today.

He'd played in his first proper inter-school rugby match and couldn't wait to tell me ... and show me.

He was covered in red African mud.

And very excited about it.

I asked him what the score was.

He didn't know.

So I asked him who'd won.

But he didn't know that either.

He was just happy to be dirty!

Guy

Braeside Bliss

Our boys have been at Braeside School a little over 3 weeks.

But just before going out the door today, Levi said: "Dad, I think I like Braeside School as much as Methlick School".

Gerro thought about this and added: "I think I like Braeside more than Methlick.”

This is very high praise indeed, as both boys were very, very happy at Methlick School.

We're so thankful that Levi & Gerro have settled so quickly here.

Guy

Farrah's Flying

Just booked Farrah's flight out here.
The golden eagle - yes, she's changed her hair colour again - lands on 9th July.
Yippee!
Guy

How Do You ...

... celebrate a grand-daughter's 1st birthday when you're 4,500 miles away?

Well, if you're Susanna, you make a carrot cake & write your grand-daughter's name on it (in this instance, "Harry") with real carrot sticks, of course.

You then position the cake in front of a photo of said grand-daughter (with oldest son), light a large candle to illuminate the cake & photo - that's right, imagine a shrine - and then lead the African contingency of the family in a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday", both British & Kenyan versions.
Follow this with a dinner in the absent grand-daughter's honour.

Hope that helps, should you ever find yourself in a similar predicament?

Guy