We have arrived!

We are so excited that we have arrived (safe and sound with the protection of God) in Eldoret, Kenya.  We landed in Nairobi on Tuesday evening - the airport was a busy open airport with no doors or windows - we have best described the atmosphere as organized chaos. 

Pastor Martin, his wife Anne and his youth pastor Abu came to pick us up at the airport and arranged our overnight accomodations in Nairobi.  They then drove us Wednesday morning on the "scenic" route to Eldoret through the Great Rift Valley.  Never in our wildest dreams would we imagine to see baboons along the side of the road and zebras grazing in the fields.   After two years of planning, praying and coordinating we are here and it seems like a dream come true!

As we arrived in Eldoret Wednesday afternoon, we settled into the Smart Island Guest House and then went right to the church for a welcome - the only way to describe the welcome we received is overwelming!  We were moved to tears - music was playing, the church members and children were clapping and cheering and jumping up and down in excitement!  We each received a lei and a small Kenyan flag as we were welcomed into the church and were seated in places of honor at the front of the church. 

The hospitality and heart of the Kenyan people is amazing - they are quick to smile and laugh and are so curious about who we area.  One little girl told her father that whenever she sees a white man, she thinks she is seeing Jesus!  A little girl came right up to Kevin as soon as we arrived, he knelt down and she just stayed there hanging onto him.  The same little girl (she's a very outgoing and extroverted little girl about 2 1/2 years old) came up to Lee and sat on his lap during the welcoming service.  She was also the same little girl who greeted us when we came this morning.

This morning (Thursday) we arrived at the school around 9am and led the children (44 in attendance today) in morning devotionals today - handing out salvation bracelets, tshirts and suckers to each child (we were quite popular!)

We will try to post pictures and additional updates throughout our time - thank you all for your prayers!  We are excedingly blessed, humbled and in awe of what God is doing here.