Back Home!

I have arrived home and have gotten over the jet lag! It is nice to be home- I have so many things to do that I don't know where to start! Brenda and Kara met me at the airport with a big sign saying ‘Welcome Home Stephie!’ It was so good to see them again! We went to Qdoba’s for super-very yummy!
I have decided to continue writing about the trip as I remember things that happened. I the stories I wrote there hardly touches all the things I see and experienced there- I hope to be able to share more. I will be able to add my own photos now! That will be fun to share them!
When we landed in DC- All I could think about was getting a McFlurry ice cream at McD's! I really don't eat them when I'm here but ice cream sure sounded yummy! Kathryn made a special stop for me! It was very tasty with the M&M's in it!
I think I see my life different now. I wish I was able to share how I now view my life but I am still processing it all myself. I do know that my faith in God has grown much deeper and I have a better understanding of how precious God’s people are to Him. How important it is to seek Gods guidance in everything I do- not just in what I think are 'big' decisions. God is very interested in every bit of my life and I need to seek Him through it all. I'm feeling a little disappointed in my self that I still have the same struggles here now as before I left. It is interesting to me that there are certain struggles that I didn't even think about once while I was gone but they were all waiting for me when I got back! I think that God has made me be stronger or maybe I am more willing now to be able to put up a better fight against these struggles. God sure has given me a great responsibility in many things; I pray that I won’t disappoint him.

I would like to introduce to you the wonderful team that I was traveling with. Starting with the front row-Jim, Katelyn, and Sarah. Second row- Carlee, Crissy, John (Crissy’s husband and our team leader), me and Kathryn. Back row is Greg (Carlee’s father). This is the plane we took from Nairobi to Sololo.

Before every take off, the pilot would pray. It was nice to have that time to once again remember why we were there and to make sure that we had the right focus. It was a good time to remember that we are so small and that we needed God with us to be any benefit to any part of this trip.

The flight was almost three hours flighing just above the clouds. It was nice to see the land below and where people are living. It was cool to see the base of Mt Kenya. The top was hidden by the clouds. Many people live at the base- it is pretty green there from the snow melt.

A plane landing in Sololo is one of the most exciting thing that happens there! Every body comes running as soon as they see the plan coming! Before we even go to the runway I could see the people running. Looking up and watching us come in. The school kids and men and a few women! When we unloaded the plane they were all surrounding the plan looking at us! So many eyes and no words! This is the first time I felt way out of my comfort zone as was made very aware of how white I am! We started shaking the little one’s hands and getting them to give us high-five.

Once we got in the Land Cruser the children came there looking at us through the window and putting their hands on the glass. I would hold up mine on my side of the window and they would grin and start to act shy again!
Once the plan took off to go back to Nairobi we were able to drive to the Ramata Hotel where we were going to call home for the next week. We placed our bags in our room, freshened up a bit and headed off to go visit the school! They had been waiting for us all day and were excited for our coming. I was excited to get there too, I was anxious to meet all the kids and get to know them. When we pulled up to the gate they were all waiting (176 children) clapping their hands and smiling! Many of their families came to welcome us as well and the Chief!

This in Buke (booka), My sponsor child. This is taken on the home visit were I got to meet her family and see where she lives. I will load more photos of her later.