Weekend off

Business as usual for the kids. They are still exploring, trying new tricks, eating new foods. Life is good. Julia has just recently asked "when are we going home"? And they talk about Ohio a little more often now. I think they are most excited about riding two airplanes home and all the videos they'll be able to watch. But it's hard to explain to them that we still have a few weeks here in Kenya...what does a few weeks mean, Mom?

In the meantime, let's have fun.

The kids are becoming expert tree climbers. They have a new close friend, Anna White with whom they spend many hours. Together, the three of them climb the "giggle tree" - a popular tree in the middle of the compound. It is named appropriately, as you can see.

It just so happens, the girls have the same t-shirts!

Anna's family owns a trampoline. We usually head there in the mornings, to avoid school kids. The kids enjoy jumping and playing "Duck, Duck, Goose".

Nathan found his first chameleon near our apartment. We transported it to Anna's house in his Croc, trying carefully not to drop it. Three year olds aren't the most steady-handed. But it survived the trip. The kids said their good byes and we released it. Then they continued jumping.

Eric had the weekend off, so we took advantage of the time to visit some Kenyan friends. Geoffrey and Lydia Musyoka, with their children, Dorcas, Elizabeth and Asante, invited us to their home on Saturday for lunch. They served a traditional meal and we enjoyed spending time with their family. The kids were a little hesitant at first, but ended up eating a big lunch and enjoyed playing with the kids. We had to leave in order for the kids to take naps, and they were a little disappointed. But they slept well!

On Sunday, we visited another family and ate another excellent meal. Typical fare is rice or ugali (like cream of wheat but not creamy at all, can be eaten with fingers), greens, chapatis (like flatbread or tortilla), and some sort of beef stew or pea/lentil gravy. Pineapple is usually served as "dessert" - according to most Kenyans, our desserts are too sweet. Our feast on Sunday had all of these items - what a treat.

Monday is fast approaching. Eric will be busy this week and is on call 4 out of the next 7 nights, including the weekend. More visiting doctors have arrived in the last few days, so coverage seems to be getting better, except in pediatrics, where Eric will spend most of his time. This week we'll probably visit Anna, jump on the trampoline, play with Emma the dog and just have fun!

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers. It's hard to believe we're almost half way through October!

Jodi

Why is life so complicated? (Eric)

Life here at Tenwek is simple and good.

I am on call for 4 of the next 7 days. But this week I know I will have more time to go on hikes with my family, more time to eat with friends, more time to read, and more time for just plain silence, reflection, and prayer than I would at home.

Life here is simple. We walk to work, work hard, and then come home. There are no meetings, no paperwork, no soccer games, no going out to eat, no TV, no sitting in traffic, little shopping, no chatting on cell phones, and almost no bills to pay. We haven’t been in a car for over 2 months.

We're beginning to sound a little Amish. Through this time, we are learning the value of the Amish mentality of keeping things simple. I may buy me a hat. The American way of being busy can be our enemy. Although the things we do with our busy schedule may be valuable, they deter us from the more important things in life.

Apparently, we do have a choice.