20th August 2013
We arrived! Ruth and I arrived early this morning in Nairobi without too much hassle – except I dropped and cracked the screen of my iPhone. Nor did we get much sleep on the plane.
But it is amazing how quickly the Kenyans have set up temporary workarounds at the airport, using big tents to get things moving despite the huge fire they had. It was still faster through immigration than Heathrow on a good day – but that is not saying much!
We were met at the airport by our local missionary friends Silas and Rahab, and then had our first experience of the mini-bus culture of Nairobi as we drove to our guest house and a quick nap!
Today was planned as a rest day before the visit proper starts. So after our nap Ruth and I took the opportunity to venture out into the busy Nairobi streets to absorb the atmosphere (and the car fumes and the red dust) of the place and walk a few blocks to meet the Wiethrich clan at the SIM guest House.
Joni, Rilana and their three children leave today on there way home to Switzerland from their 6 months in South Sudan. God timed things perfectly to allow us a few hours overlap to give them greetings from Mickfield Evangelical Church, and to catch up on all their news. They look well but thinner, and they had some amazing stories about there encounters with Black Mamba snakes! It was great to hear their perspective on missionary life in Africa: wonderful stories of God’s provision, the frustrations and human challenges of real life, and all the wonderful rewards of new spiritual friendships and a job for the Lord faithfully done.
Now for an early night – if they stop drilling the road outside!
Stepping Out With God 