Emmy's Escapades

We love our volunteers here at New Life.
Some cross the street to help us.
And some cross the seven seas.
Among the latter, Emmy is one of the chief.
That's her above. Cuddling one of our cake-ified kids!
Emmy's made lots of trips over the past 8 years.
And has just finished another 2 months' stint here.
During which time she visited all our homes.
Did some ground-breaking work with our older kids.
And helped us develop our volunteers programme.
Guess she's gone home for a well-deserved rest?
Until next year!
Guy

Anyone For Cricket?

Or should I say "grasshopper"?
But can never say that without thinking of David Carradine.
And the 1970s TV series, "Kung Fu".
Those were the days!
Guy

Our Soulful Son

Final shot (for now) of our newly-turned 11 year old son.
Looking his soulful best. So proud to be his "baba"!
Guy

Predator & Prey

Later the same day, this 'crazy' cake was concocted.
You can just about see the birthday boy lurking behind it?
Like some sweet-toothed predator poised to pounce!

And a few seconds later, we catch him.
Teeth bared. Ready to strike.

Please spare a thought for the poor unsuspecting victim though.

Seen here in extreme close up. Blissfully unaware.

Just moments before the 'kill'.

Guy

Our Boy's Bi-rrrrrrr-thday

Yes, we really do get some cooler months here.
Especially in Nairobi where we are a mile above sea level.
And Levi's birthday falls right in the middle of them.
So this is what his 'birthday suit' looks like here!

In the UK, Gerro used to get the winter birthday.
And Levi used to get the summer one. All reversed now.
Didn't stop Levi ordering an ice-cold milkshake though!
Guy

Graduation Grins

And I thought Levi had a big smile!
But this whopper belongs to CJ, Clive & Mary's youngest son.
And the reason for his Mombasa-to-Uganda grin?
His graduation from West Nairobi School.

CJ wasn't the only one smiling that day, of course.
His proud parents seem almost as happy as him, don't they?
And we were there too - and grinning also.
Well done, CJ. Good job!
Guy

Beasts, Birds & Boats

Oh, a (not so) little something I forgot to mention.
To get to the island, you first have to get through the hippos.
And when you are this close to these big beasties,
your boat suddenly feels very small and vulnerable.
And when the pilot tells you not to make any sudden moves,
and one of your sons is Gerro (who can't sit still),
then your boat feels particularly small and vulnerable!

Worth all the anxiety though.
Because the hippos are not the lake's only residents.
They share their home with these big, beautiful white pelicans.
And you can get so close to them, you can almost touch them.
Before they take off. In spectacular fashion!
Guy

Skull & Crossbones

Stepping off the boat onto Crescent Island, this is what I saw.
A skull. Bobbing under the gangplank. Boys' faces were a sight!
Later on, walking round the island, we came across these.

Guess every skull must have its crossbones?
But can you picture the boys' faces at this point?!
However, they soon got over their initial shock.
And kept a few for room ornaments.
You've been warned!
Guy

Crescent Island Critters

Long legs. Long neck. Big brown eyes.
Must be Susanna, right? Well, normally, yes.
But on this particular occasion, no.

And yes, we really got THIS close to these wonderful creatures.
And it was on foot. And it was without a guide!
So when you come to see us, insist that ...
we go walking on Crescent Island.

Just like a certain young boy & his mum are doing here!
Guy

Where The Wild Things Are

And here is Dan at Lake Naivasha.

Looking a little like a hairy Highlander with his makeshift "kilt".

We got a small boat across Lake Naivasha to Crescent Island.

And wandered freely among the wild animals there. 

Wildest of all? Dan, Susanna, Levi & Gerro. Silhouetted here.
Framed by a suitably sinister-looking tree.
Guy