Jul 23 2007
Monday to Nairobi, Kenya
I have to admit that today was the most tiring day so far. Joe and I left our window opened in the hotel we stayed at in
Entebbe and we were being flocked by mosquitoes around 3:00a.m. We closed the window, sprayed, but it got to hot and the mosquitoes buzzed around. I finally got up at 4:45pm and stayed up. It ended up being a great morning with my Bible, my journal and good African coffee. A great blessing this morning was being able to talk to Julie, Jensen and Jackson on the phone. I think Judd was already asleep.
The breakfast options this morning were different to say the least. Something gave up it’s kidneys and some goat meat was on the buffet. I settled for oat porridge and a couple pieces of pineapple. This place has the best pineapple anywhere…even better than
Jamaica. We kidded Jim about eating kidney for breakfast.Â
We left for the airport at 8:30a.m. and arrived there shortly after that. We checked our bags and did a little shopping in the duty free stores in the airport. Our
Kenya airline flight was to leave at 10:40a.m. but we didn’t leave until 12:40p.m. We just sat around in that airport for a couple of hours talking about politics, religion and steamed bananas with gravy. I actually think we enjoyed the talk of matoke (mootoekey) the Ugandan name for steamed bananas. Sorry Paul, you are the only one who likes matoke.Â
We had a quick flight to
Nairobi. I made a mistake yesterday when I said coming from Jinja to Kampala was like going from Siloam to
L.A. Coming from Entebbe to Nairobi is like coming from Siloam to
L.A. This town is huge.Â
We were met by a man named Lameck and his mother,
Florence, who were very welcoming. The Revolution van would fit in like a glove here. Almost every vehicle in
East Africa has that body style. Who knew? Anyway, we got in our little van and took off to visit Emmanuel Children’s Home. Let me tell you, I have never been to such a desperate place. The roads leading to this little neighborhood were so full of deep ruts that vehicles could barely pass. On the sides of the road, in front of the shacks and structures was a constant flow of raw sewage. That sewage filled those deep ruts in many places. Nestled in the back of this was a little building with the words “Emmanuel Children’s Homeâ€. Upon entering the home, I was surprised that it was so clean and organized. I am not real sure, but it looks like children from birth through elementary age live here.
I have to admit the more orphanages we visit and the more poverty I see, I am noticing the western world desire of wanting more seems to be fading a bit. This world seems a bit smaller to me today, but God seems greater! We are heading to a slum in
Nairobi this morning…I imagine this is going to be a tough experience. I will be able to post one more day, Wednesday, and not again until probably Saturday.Â
33 Responses to “Monday to Nairobi, Kenya”
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For those of you that are following Jason’s blog…
Jason is traveling with another guy from World Orphans named Michael Vinson and he is also blogging at www.fallenscales.blogspot.com. You may want to check it out if you get a chance.
I love you Jason and can’t wait to see you next Sunday night!!
Wow, Jason! It is amazing what God is doing in your life! I prayed for you this morning; hope you have a wonderful day full of growth. May you experience a new side of the face of God.
Jason,
Please tell Pete that I am so sorry I have missed his calls the last 2 days. I was outside yesterday and getting a haircut this morning. At least now I have him on the message machine and can play it anytime I want.
Sounds like a very rough day for you today. We don’t know what the real world is like, do we?
Prayers for you all and Pete’s knee.
Pat
ps Love to all, but especially Pete
Sometimes, when I look around my house…looking at all of the “stuff” crammed into my home and my life, I get a SICK feeling in the pit of my stomach! I remember hearing about the way Rich Mullins lived his life. When he died, there really wasn’t anything to go through or “get rid of”. He lived such a simple life without all of the worldly trappings….ready to go at any moment! We could all take a lesson from that, huh? So much of the world is in living in desperate circumstances, and we live such a “posh” life! Thanks for reminding us of that, Jason. We really do miss you! You are being lifted up in prayer constantly! Love, Bets
Please tell my dad, Jim, & Joe to hug the kids for us. We are praying daily for your journey. 1 Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” Thank you all for setting up this blog so our families can gain some perspective on the world.
I Love you, Dad! Take care of yourself Please. Whisper to the children how much we are praying for them and their caregivers.
Jason,
It seems that God is doing amazing things all around you! We pray that God give you a double blessing and be able to bring that back to share with your family and friends.
Love & Prayers
Christie & Joe
Jason,
Last night we had the Food Channel on the TV and after reading about your experiences it hit me how incredibly selfish we are in America that we even have TV channels to talk about the way we like or don’t like food or the decor of our house or the paint on our car or whatever. Your insights have helped a lot of us realized how self-absorbed we are and we are so used to it that it doesn’t even phase us. Thank you for being our eyes to see both how overly blessed we are and how great the needs of others are. Please convey our continued prayers to your whole group!
WOW! Talk about an emotional roller coaster. And I am just reading the blogs. We are praying for each of you, your families, as well as everyone you come in contact with.
jason, when im reading these blogs it makes me want to go to Africa even more…. Thanks for posting these so we can be along on your trip in a way just as well! i miss you and cant wait to see you when you get back..and hear all your storys! all my love CARDIE!
Your blog has become something I look forward to reading everyday… it’s crazy that you’re actually living these stories! I mis you and can’t wait to hear what God does next on your trip. Still praying for you guys!
Jason,
I wrote a message earlier but got a message that there was an error and I don’t know where it went, so here I go again.
WOW! I just got your website today and began reading your blogs. It is very heart-breaking to hear about what you have witnessed!! I know this has been such a blessing to you to have been able to go on this incredible journey. I can’t wait to hear about your trip and see all the photos you have taken. I’m sure it has also been difficult for you to see all the sick and helpless children in this foreign country. I always knew God had a special place for you, but I never dreamed it would be something like this. My prayer for you and your group is to return home healthy and safely and continue your work through God. I love you and look forward to seeing you and your family. Take care.
Love you lots,
Aunt Charlotte
Jason - Tell Jim if he can eat “kidney” over there - he ought to
be able to eat “oatmeal” over here!
Jason,
Aaron mentioned he saw your name on his facebook webpage. Aaron might go to UofA next year and I told him you were on staff at a church in Siloam Springs. I pulled your church website up and saw your Africa link. What an exciting trip for you! It’s amazing to see how God works - our church has a group leaving next week for Uganda to do mission work! Your blog is awesome and I am forwarding the link to our church staff so they can read what they have in store for them starting next week.
We will pray for your safe return. We miss you and your family.
The Buffingtons (Louis, Gina, Aaron, Emily and Erica)
Governor Kelly,
It is amazing to hear what God it teaching you through this trip. I can’t imagine what a culture shock it must be when over there. It all just sounds so amazing. I hope you are staying healthy and having a great time. I know we miss you here, but are all really glad you get to be there. God is good and i shall continue to be praying for you and your traveling and your family.
Love ya man,
Lieutenant Abbott
Jason, I too have become amazinly facinated and have to get my “HIGH” for the day from your blogs ! (haha) God is so good isn’t he. He doesn’t make mistakes, you are very right about that. What we see as a mistake or so unfair, well God has it all planned and for his glory. I just find is so amazing to sit and think about how many times i feel so overwhelmed as a parent and how hard it is sometimes to keep looking at the “BIGGER PICTURE”. I just want to give my children the biggest hug and kiss right now. These children know no other life. They know no other. this is THEIR NORMAL. Bless their heart. Jason, the fact that you can see your childrens faces in each of these children is no coincidence. That child, who called you his “american father,” do you think he would have, had he seen any less in your eyes than a father who loves his children. EVERY CHILD! I think that your emotions, your commitment, and your desire to do Gods work, it shines so bright that even these children see it, feel it and just want to embrace it. You are doing God’s work. God is shinning so bright through you!
We are praying for you, your partners, and every life that is blessed by you all during this time!