Farewell Kenya Youth for Christ

It's time to leave. 

What a wonderful time we have had together these last three months. Thank you to each one of you who has made my time with you very special. So many great memories to take home with me.

On Monday, we all came together to say our Goodbyes. We started by praising God. He was/is responsible for our joy. These beautiful women are from the rehab centre where Lucy and I, and later me on my own, spent some really good times together. It was so lovely of them to make the journey over to the office. Thanks, girls.

Next, everyone prayed for me, thanking God for our time together and the things he had done among us, and they also prayed for my safe return home.

Everyone said some words about me - always very humbling to hear how God has touched hearts because I came.

Then it was time for gifts. Anna, National Director, presented me with a YFC Kenya T shirt - can you make out the shape of Kenya and the YFC letters? 

And a magic cup - completely black until you put something hot in it and then the design appears.  Good job, Sasino. I'll remember you all as I enjoy my cup of tea in the mornings.

Sarah, the lady who heads up the rehab centre, had crocheted a scarf for me - star crochet student -

 and also presented me with this kanga (not at all related to a kangaroo, Aussies!) A kanga is a rectangular shaped, 100% cotton, printed cloth with a brightly coloured decorative boarder around the outside and includes a Swahili proverb.

At the bottom in this photo of my kanga are written, in Swahili, words which mean 'We will never forget you.' I think that's true for all of us.

 Sarah proceeded to dress me in the kanga so that I would know how to wear it correctly.

My turn next. I gave Kenya YFC an Australian flag to remember our good time together and handed around anzacs that I had baked for everyone.

On behalf of the rehab girls, Joyce presented me with a lovely fabric zip purse and a watch !!!. She said that is because I taught them the importance of time. I couldn't believe it. Africans don't do time like we do and its often very flexible. I live that way when I'm here too and so wondered what she was talking about. 

Joyce went on to add: "15 minutes for muffins, 8 minutes for Anzacs" referring to our cooking lessons a couple of weeks earlier. Very funny and clever, Joyce.

and then hugs all round, starting with Joyce.

 Little Jonathan, from the rehab centre, is always keen to investigate what's going on and wanted to check out my new watch. Its a gorgeous blue.

 

I think you can tell that I had a very special time. I feel so very blessed by God to have been able to spend these three months with the Kenya YFC team.

And lastly, a photo of all of us. 

What an awesome team they are. I'm so glad to have known you all these past three months. 

Thank you for your hospitality and sharing your lives with me, everyone.

You have invited me back and I'm sure we would have a good time together. Let's see what God does.

My day was topped off by a lovely evening with Anna, her husband and two boys. Thank you, Anna, for your warm welcome to your home and to YFC.

And this morning Mokua from YFC came to pick me up to go to the airport

and Larry and Ginny came to see me off.
Thank you Niemeyers for loaning me your 'cave' these last three months. You have been very good to me and I am thankful for you.

Goodbye, Kenya.

 

A very special Kenyan wedding

On Saturday I went to a wedding! Sooo good.

Let me show you just a glimpse through some of the photos I took.There are many. Know that I have many more suitable, but I had trouble deciding which ones to leave out. 

You'll notice some differences between weddings you might be used to and this one.

 The pictures will tell most of the story

 Parents of the groom 

 followed by the most outwardly excited groom I have ever seen.

 the little nieces and nephews - gorgeous, yes?

 the bridesmaids -

and these are only two of the many.

Mother of the bride, my dear friend Grace, previous YFC National Director, with her son

 

and her husband Fred, the bride's father, walking in with the bride.

 At this Kenyan wedding the parents of both bride and groom were invited to give away their children. There were smiles and hugs all round. There's that happy bridegroom again,

and the happy couple after they had been pronounced man and wife.

This very African looking tent was our eating place

and I really appreciated this instructive sign. The bride and groom are from different tribes and here that matters and has the potential to be divisive.

These some of my new friends for the day

It is common for cousins to wear outfits made from the same fabric as all the other cousins. Caleb is a cousin on the bride's side.

 

There was quite a queue at the porta-loos and these four ladies decided they couldn't wait and headed off into the bush. I was amused.

Dancers from one tribe entertained us. The other tribe had different dancers and I missed a shot of them. Sorry.

The atmosphere was very relaxed

and it was a good time to catch up with friends. Here John from KYFC is with his wife Fab,

  and a group of YFC people, including Anna, the national Director. Great conversations.

 At cake cutting time the bride and groom take the first pieces of cake on a fork and feed each other.

My friend Grace, husband Fred (who is actually way more famous that his wife) and the newlywed couple.  Happy looking people, yes?

I had a really great time enjoying the different style of wedding and the culture and customs that made it so enjoyable and interesting.

And the company was very good. :)

A wonderful celebration

Last Sunday I was privileged to be a guest of the Tongoi family. It was a day or celebration.

 Celebrating many things, family events from the last few years for this 'Kenyan Diaspora' family.

 We met to celebrate:

Irene's 60th birthday,

 Dennis's retirement, 

The birth of Julie and her husband Fred's 4 children in Australia, where that family lives,

Sammy and Kelly's wedding in the US, where they live, 2 years ago

 and Tabitha's graduation from Williams University in the US.

Many dear friends spoke words of appreciation

and told stories about the way they had been blessed 

 by their association with members of this special family over many years. 

For me, my meeting Dennis, Irene and Julie 11 years ago was one of God's divine arrangements. And I have been blessed by their friendship since that day.

After all the speeches were over it was time to dance. 

Of course it was! This is Africa and African people love to dance.

And African people also love to pray. Grace and Fred gave thanks to God for this family and the way he had provided for them and blessed them all these years

 and used them to bless many others along the way.

And then. . .  time to cut the cake. 

Each person with a reason to celebrate cut the cake. 

First it was Irene

and then Dennis joined her

 followed by Julie and Fred,

Sammy and Kelly

and Tabitha.

Then the cake was served. I must say that it was delicious.

It was a truly wonderful day. I went home with a greater understanding of the quality of this family and the Christlike lives each of them has lived and been used by God to bring life and blessing to many along the journey of life.

Thank you Dennis and Irene, Julie and Fred, Sammy and Kelly and Tabitha.

I pray that God will continue to bless you so that you will be a blessing to others.