Simplicity . . .

Well the past two weeks or so have been quite an adventure. I was suppose to leave for my placement in Gatundu last Monday, Sept. 27. We were on our way to Gatundu when we got a call from Phyllis (Our site leader) to turn around and head back to Nairobi because the headmaster had been removed from the school and they had no idea we were coming or who we were. After a long week of doing nothing (something I have a VERY hard time doing) staying at the Baptist Guest House and quite a few ups and downs we eventually were back on our way to Gatundu to Iciciri Secondary School.

After a very pleasant Taxi ride with our favorite driver,Chris, we arrive in one of the most beautiful areas of the world I have ever seen. Gatundu is so different than Nairobi. They are almost complete opposites of each other. While Nairobi is crowded and fast paced, Gatundu is laid-back and, while still crowded, no one is pushy. It is set in the hills/mountains in the Central Province. It isn't dirty(besides all the dirt) the air is clean and fresh. The night sky has to be the most beautiful thing about Gatundu. I am so blessed to be able to see this great openness.

We arrived at the school in the middle of the school day. You would have thought we were movie stars by the way we were received. All the girls saying hello and giggling. It was very weird to experience. Everyone at the school has been more than welcoming and nice to us. We have had very little to do so far but the hope is that life in Gatundu will pick up.

Our apartment is cozy with 2 bedrooms and a separate shower and toilet.The shower is ice cold so showers are short and when we get out we have to snuggle in all of our winter clothing to get warm again. The drain in the shower apparently doesn't work really well and we learned the hard way and flooded the apartment on our second day there. I think it was a blessing in disguise since it forced us to clean the floors in the process. We tend to lose power at least once a day but at night the school runs a generator until about 10 o'clock so we are able to do things around the apt.

We are now back in Nairobi for Mid-Term break, which is about 5 days. We head back to Gatundu in the morning and I never thought I would say this but I am very happy to be heading back there. One thing I have learned to appreciate the small things now. I never knew that a hot shower would mean so much to me and I would be so grateful for one. I appreciate every moment I have to talk to Mom, Dad or Ben on the phone, the facebook messages and emails from friends, and all the great simple pleasures that God has placed in my life. So today, for me, look for some of the simple pleasures in your life and remember just how many amazing blessings God has given you!
Miss y'all and Happy Columbus Day from Kenya!