June 24, 2017- Day 7

Today we put on the 5K race. It was a lot of fun! Hard work, but fun! They run fast here. Very fast!

After the 5K, we analyzed the times and figured the results of the race, then had an awards ceremony. I got to see Florinda and her mom today. I held Florinda and tickled her and loved hearing her laugh. I'd lift her up and tickle her, then put her down. She'd turn around and raise her hand to slap my leg. So I'd grab her again and tickle her.

After this, we had lunch. After eating, I changed into my church clothes to go to the ladies conference Kelly and Linda were doing. I was going to go to Linda's talk, but went to Kelly's after hearing she was going to teach the younger girls. I'm so glad I did! She talked about being brave. Ujasiri. I needed to hear it all.

At her talk, I was able to share about how, just like our shadow is with us always, God is, too, and He never leaves, even when we can't see Him. It fit perfectly with Kelly's talk.

One of the Scriptures Kelly read had the word 'Father' in it. Leenya, our translator for the conference, translated it as 'Baba'. Back in January, before I found out about the trip to Kenya, I had told God that, as my dad, I wanted a name for Him that was just mine to call Him and that was familiar and like a comfort name....I struggled for a few days before a word came to me. The word God dropped in my spirit was Baba. I never expected to encounter it anywhere, let alone in Kenya. When I heard Leenya say, "Baba," my ears perked up and I asked her what it meant. She said it was Mother Tongue and Swahili for 'Father'....

Baba, I'm left speechless by this....You gave me that name for You, and You knew it was Swahili and Mother Tongue the whole time, didn't you?

After the conference, I danced with the kids and then headed back to my room to change so I could play with the kids. I played volleyball for a bit, then left because I stink at volleyball. I got caught up by Victoria in a conversation, and then Patrick took my water bottle. That led to a game of chase and tackle to get my bottle back. There was so much laughter! Frida came along and joined our game of chase and tackle-turned-tickle. She laughed and screamed and giggled as I tickled her while she rolled on the ground. Another two girls came along and joined our game. They'd get close to me, but stay just out of reach. I'd grab for them and they'd run away, me chasing them in their stead. As they'd stand there, waiting for me to pounce, they'd just laugh....it made my heart so happy! They were so fast so I couldn't catch them. It was warmth to my heart to hear them belly laughing, and it was much fun to play with them.

After dinner, I got to chat with Cosmos and Dismus (our chef and his apprentice). I stood outside the kitchen in the courtyard talking with them. As I stood there, I could hear the girls in one of their rooms having devos singing, "Lord, I need you." It was so beautiful to hear them singing it in their African English accents. It was a beautiful way to end a wonderful, full day!

Precious baby who lives at EOFO

The school, teachers, and us on race day!

Leenya. Love her!

Teacher Susan (pre-K teacher)

Some ran barefoot. Some ran in their slippers (flip-flops).
Some had tennis shoes

Sweet Emily

A sea of Tharakans who are not forgotten

Me and Florinda

Florinda and her mom

Carrying mom's purse

Hammer time!

Beautiful butterfly I found in the chapel

Ladies who came for the conference

One of the ladies' beautiful baby

Me and Patrick

Having a sweet with the kids

Twirling

 

One of the gals playing chase and tickle with me

Frida. She wouldn't take a picture with me,
but ran up to the camera. This is all I could get of
her after playing chase and tackle. Haha! Love this moment!

My feet after playing with the kids. I would not
trade anything of the last hour for clean feet....