Wed, July 20th

Tomorrow I leave for safari!!!!

I am very excited and a little apprehensive. The travel company seems a bit up in the air -- things are planned very differently here in Kenya compared to the US. (TIA -- This is Africa, a common chant we say when we have to be a little more flexible than we may be used to:-)

I am also praying that I can find some friendly Americans along the way who would let me use their electrical adapter so that I can recharge my camera on the way -- mine does not work, and I can't find any local merchants who will sell them. Maybe my guide/driver will know where to take me.

I still don't even know what time I am leaving tomorrow or from where? I will find out after dinner tonight -- things here are very last minute, which is challenging my personality of being a planner and liking to know the details...please pray for my patience!!!! :-)

I will get back on Wed, 28, so don't get too excited or worried if you don't hear from me until then.

Pray that I will have great interactions with my driver(s) and fellow safari companions that I will meet tomorrow, and may change throught the cou course of the week -- because I will be visiting at least 3 different parks. People whoo have come back from safari say that the Wildebeast are allready in migration throught the Masai Mara park -- definitely an answer to one of my personal prayers. I can't wait to see this dream come true!!!!!!!

Today, I had the opportunity to work woith the smaller children as the older children competed their exams for second marking period -- their year is broken into three terms. They will be on break until September, so I will probably not see most of the kids that I have been teaching a tthe school again, unless they come to visit me!

I willl however get to meet the children from the orphanage who are usually already at the public school when I arrive at the orphanage, and who return home after I leave. I plan on taking some coloring projects, books, harmonicas, and giving many trumpet lessons during my last week.

I was able to take quite a bit of food into the orphanage today -- Rose is always very thankful and commented on how much people are showing how much " they really love us that much!"

Today, little Kate fell asleep on my lap after I fed her lunch -- she was so tired that she was atually falling asleep chewing her food. I had to keep tapping her and playing with her fingers and arms to try to keep her awake. I was told that she wakes up very early (5:30 am) and usually won't take a nap. But she fell asleep on my lap, and I successfully moved her to a bed -- she woke up a little , and I just rubbed her back and told her it was OK until she fell back to sleep (only about 1 minute) and then I snuck out! It was an amazing accomplishment. She is adorable!!!

I also had the young children working with sidewalk chalk, drawing numbers and shapes, and pictures. I also worked with the older children on adding and subtracting with carrying and borrowing -- they are starting to get it!

Well, I need to get to the grocery store and then walk home before it gets too dark, and it looks like I might get rained on on the way home.....1

Thanks again for all of your prayers and comments along the way!

God bless!!!

Lynn