Looks Like We Made It

After three flights with two layovers (Detroit and Amsterdam), we made it to Nairobi Thursday evening. 

Saying Goodbye to Indy

Following Along with the Safety Information Card

Traveling went so well. Each flight we had plenty of space. We didn't sleep a ton but Elijah stayed happy and quiet watching Disney movies with his new headphones and playing with the many activities sent by the grandmas.

Burning Energy During Layovers

Watching Movies

Stickers Are Our Friends

Breakfast in Amsterdam Airport

We got to Nairobi after about 24 hours of travel time, and it was about 8:30 pm local time. We got through immigration and customs easily, found our driver, and headed to the Evans' house. John and Elizabeth Evans are friends we met in Indianapolis through church when they were on home assignment several years ago. They have served as missionaries in Zambia and now Kenya and are approaching 20 years serving in East Africa. John teaches theological classes to undergrad, masters, and PhD students at NEGST/AIU (a university in Nairobi). Elizabeth does a number of things including her own studies/working on her thesis and training local women to study the Bible. They so graciously hosted us for two nights. 

Friday, Elizabeth took us to Sheldricks, a baby elephant orphanage. They rescue young elephants who become orphaned in the wild mainly due to poachers. They keep them around 8 years and then gradually release them back into the wild when ready. For about an hour plus each day, they open it up to visitors to watch them feed the babies and to educate people about them. It was amazing. 

 

That afternoon (after family nap time) we took a walk around the beautiful campus. Elijah was quite the explorer.  

 

Picking Up Rocks

And thus began the scraped knees.

That doesn't look that bad. His knees are much worse than this after several more falls because this kid doesn't like to walk...only run. As you can imagine, the dirt roads here are rough and rocky so he trips quite often. We keep trying to explain to him why he needs to walk instead of run on the dirt roads, but he keeps running. Running and tripping. Falling down and crying. We are hoping he will learn, but he has not yet. Isn't this true of our own selves too? He sort of gets a pass because he is two, but I have no excuse for my stubbornness which leaves me scraped up and crying. Or worse, scraped up without even realizing it. What is it that Pauls says...

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

We are actually already in Tenwek, which I'll post about later with pictures of our new temporary home. Here's a little message from Elijah to his grandparents:

Dear Grandparents, I'm doing great. Please don't worry too much about me. I've already made so many friends and am having a blast exloring this new place. I love you guys and miss you too. I'll be home before you know it. Love, Elijah