http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Kenya , Central Province , Kinangop en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 12:39:26 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 12:39:26 +0000 An abrupt thud rattled the door breaking the somewhat peaceful silenceand then another followed. The single bulb of light that illuminated the cramped concrete chamber suddenly went off leaving me in complete darkness. The mischievous sound of giggles trailed off into the dorm and then multiplied. After a few seconds passed I finally shouted at the top of my lungs Kennedy Joseph I http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-354151.html With a sigh of relief the diligent Kenyan farmers look to the gray clouds looming overhead. Each drop of rain that falls to the ground bursts into a drop of hope that the soil may be saturated and the crops just may have a chance. People are hungry because the rains are late in coming and the crops are struggling. For some rain is the determining factor as to whether the family will go to bed http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-281487.html Sunday started off a drab gray as I entered into Nairobi . The skies were gray and heavy with rain that sporadically dripped on the dismal dirty streets. My friend and I had taken public transportation into the city so that we could attend a church service. We had to walk for about 20 minutes through the streets the hustle and bustle of people vendors selling their wares cars music blaring http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-263599.html Yesterday was a good day. After torrential downpours the night before we got up at 540 a.m. to see there was no rain. The generator kicks on at that time and all the florescent lights buzz loudly and glare brightly as if announcing that the school semester has again started. To get 14 kids up dressed fed and ready to be on the road is quiet the show. Actually all the kids do really well c http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-263598.html I arrived back to Kenya just a few short weeks ago with joy and a sigh of relief. Due to political problems and a few other events I was gone longer than expected. For two months the country was covered in the red of bloodshed black of smoldering homes and a gray sorrow cast a shadow over their people as they watched their countr http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-263597.html Two weeks I took a swim in the deep and rough ocean of emotions. And after the swim I sat back on the shore tired yet amazed. Amazed that God placed within us such strong emotions and feelings. Strong enough that at times they make us feel as if we could soar above the skies and other times we feel like they will crush us yet we are not overcome.Thursday I experienced a whole gamut Anxiet http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-263283.html There is something that doesnt feel quite right as I sit in my house in Nairobi Kenya with my little electric heater blowing warm air onto me while I am dressed like it is October in West Virginia. What happened to the Kenya that I imagined that would leave me sweating and wishing for an air conditionerMaybe the imagining part is where I went wrong. I imagined I would live here and serve or http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-262947.html Sometimes I am greatly inspired to write about life in Kenya. Like in the mornings when our kids get up in the dark to get ready for school and we peak outside to see the sunrise that is filled with soft yellow and intense orange hues stretching across the horizon. Or when we are driving to school with our 16 kids in the van and the noise is intense and I have to watch the road like a professi http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-262944.html Upon entering Kenya a United States Citizen pays 50 for an entry visa that allows himher to stay in the country for thee months. After the three months you may renew one time and receive another three months.My sixmonth period was approaching its end as well as Chris and Beckystwo other American volunteers at Into Abbas Arms.Most recently I inquired about how to obtain a work visa w http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-262942.html Visions of excited children surprised relatives and the Kenyan countryside stayed in my mind since the last journey with our kids. These trips are the kind of experiences that impress memories not only in your mind but also in your heart. From the time we returned we started making plans for two more of our children to make visits to their extended families. I also put out a request for fund http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-262940.html When Into Abbas Arms was started years ago it first opened its doors to ten children. These children came from various backgrounds homes and situations. All of them came because of the death of their parents and the lack of resources by extended family members to care for them. Some lived with Aunties or their sho sho grandmother or their siblings. All of those relatives had to say goodb http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-262939.html Their eager little eyes stare up at me hungry for interaction and learning. Their smiles are radiant and suffused with an irrepressible joy. It truly is amazing how children smile with so much of their heart so honest and kind. To look into their eyes is like staring into the soul of the world. It feels as if God himself is smiling back at you. To be in their presence transports me back to http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-234554.html The first day of our travels delivered us a big dose of culture shock and emotion all thrown together and the three days that followed continued to stir our hearts. The first part of the mission itinerary was to spend some time at the IAA orphanage doing minor repairs organizing painting and just spreading the love. Now before I proceed let me introduce you to the team and IAA staff. The IAA http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Kenya/Central-Province-/Kinangop/blog-169912.html