later that evening, I met up with the two canadians, Jesse and Curtis, and their buddy Kurtis. we decided to head out to dinner. i suggested Carnivore, a brazilian steakhouse well known for their exotic meat. they had been their earlier that week, and suggested another place called Pampa Grill. i agreed. turns out, it was another lesser known brazilian steakhouse, cheaper and fancier than Carnivore. chicken wings, beef hump and ribs, upper and lower beef, pork ribs, pork, lamb leg, fish, turkey. all delicious meat. but we were most excited about the two wild game they had their - camel and crocodile! camel was pretty tender and a bit gamey. crocodile tasted a lot like fish, just a bit tougher. it was altogether lovely. after seriously stuffing our faces until we could handle no more, we decided to go ice skating - i know, who knew they would have ice skating in kenya! i actually didn't go because i have some pretty bad sores on my feet, but i used my professional photography skills to capture some sweet images.
monday, morning was declared a national holiday in Kenya because of Ramadan just a week prior. but since i had arranged this date several months in advance, we decided to go for the Compassion visit. i made it up to the center where Naftali, my kid who's 7, usually comes for his weekly programs on saturday. there, we were able to meet for the first time. it was so cool to see him, and then also to meet his younger brother, older sister, and mother. we were sitting around a table having a nice little chit chat. they were trying to compare me to the picture i had sent them earlier. and they said they would not have recognized me walking down the street from the picture. i like to think i look the same from two years ago. we headed to their house, to see where they live. the graciously invited me inside, and we presented each other with gifts - they got me a pretty fetch bracelet. and i helped them out with some food. we were able to play some football with his friends outside his house. together we headed back to the center. the center provided two baby avacado tress for Naftali and i to plant. so together we planted them both. (and each saturday when Naftali comes to the center, it's his responsibility to water them, so hopefully this will be a lasting memory for him.) and then we had some lunch together, a real treat, with meat and soda. and then some more time to hang out together playing soccer. it truly was a blessing for me to be able to meet who i'm supporting, and for his family to meet me. i definitely enjoyed seeing his family and where he lives, and just spending time with him. although the language barrier was a pretty big disappointment, we were still able to enjoy each other's company and the international sport of football.
so now i'm back in mombasa, at the daily grind. jesse and curtis are here with me, and we're all excited to see how God will be able to use this time, and all these people for His glory in the lives of the boys. i think that satan will try and attack the boys during this time because the presence of God will be so strong in this house. so please pray for us the next week. pray that we will be able to stand firm against satan, and to be able to shine light into the lives of the boys. that we would not go weary during this fight, but yet continue to rely on daily strength from the Lord.
(ps - if you haven't already, check out carly's latest post at http://raphahouseofprayer.blogspot.com)
me, naftali and my bracelet
me and naftali with his family
me and naftali planting our tree
