Sabbath School, Markets, Lake Nakuru, Tracy’s Birthday, Nairobi

So I have missed a bit. To be honest I am totally tired and just enjoying the time I have left here.

Sabbath - 2nd January 2010

It was Sabbath again and it was great to have Jason, Neil and Sarah playing some songs for us. We started with some songs lead by the band and then we got into the sermon. It was amazing at one point when I noticed Mwange (the little boy that we prayed for at our Christmas service) was there with his mum. He looked so much better and he was singing and smiling with his mum. Also something pretty special was that one of the visitors was asked to translate for us ‘mzungus’ (white persons). It was really good to be able to understand the service in Kiswahili. The message was “The Lord is our Shepard” - taken from Malachi, Isaiah, Romans and 1 Peter. 

Alanee giving the children’s story - about the little baby birds

Mr. Pastor and the visitor giving the sermon

Sermon notes from Phillip

Mwange and his mother looking heaps better

After the service Neil and I headed into Nakuru as it was going to be the last time that I would be able to get to the markets before I leave. We went into town and priced some laminators for Rebecca, then we got some photo’s processed (photo’s of Mission 2 children for the book that we are making). Then we met up with some other volunteers (Katie, Nat and Luke) and we had lunch at Cathay Hotel with another Mwange. It was really nice and relaxing and then we went to the markets and got a few last things together before Neil got back for his dinner roster. All the others met us in at the market - some stayed for dinner and others came back to MIA.

Sunday - 3rd January 2010

So today was Tracy’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! What a good day to be heading out to Lake Nakuru. The tour began with a little bit of a monkey moment from me - I retuned to the car while we were buying tickets to be ‘attacked’ by a ‘little’ monkey. I ran so fast, straight to Neil as I saw the monkey’s little chompers after my foot. Nat came to help me but also saw the chompers and ran! Thanks Nat!

We were so blessed with the animals that we saw and just had a really good time together. Although we were missing Nikki heaps as she was back to MIA having a ‘get well’ day. Praying for her speedy pickup before she also leaves (next Sunday!)

This is Rose and Bethany at 6am before the Safari, Bethany was knitting! Everyone else was stumbling out of bed for the early start

The sunrise at 6.30am as we drove out the driveway

Rhino with beautiful clouds

Closeup Rhino

Neil and I at Baboon lookout

All of us at Baboon lookout

One of these trees is not like the other one, one of these trees is just not the same …

A Dik Dik, and I love the mohawk!

Buffalo - peeking out of the bushes

Lions - yay! - we were very lucky to see some lions in the open and also a lioness with her cubs on the rocks

A hawk on a cactus tree with amazing clouds

Family of giraffes

Family of Zebra’s and I love the little one!

Comments

Warren & Judith: And so the adventure continues. Keep very safe on the next part of your journey. We watch with interest and excitement.

Love Mum & Dad G

Mom: Hello my girl
Yes, the next part is about to start, go well and we too await your next entry on your amazing blog and pray for your constant care and safety. You are counting the days to get back to Oz - I’m counting the days till I see you in Cape Town - only 24!!!
How much you will learn in that time, can’t wait to hear all about it.
Lots of love mom xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Brian Clarkson: Thank you so much Diane for this blog (& Jason, Kat & Rebecca for theirs). Thank you for taking the “extra” time to keep them so up to date. No doubt that has not been easy.

It has been a great joy for me to share some of your doings in this way and I am so delighted at all you have collectively been able to contribute, and share with so many others (not only where you are but at GWUC, etc.), during your visit.

Thanks too Nikki for being the inspiration for all this.

Keep up the good work and God Bless,

Brian Clarkson

Diane: Thanks Warren, Judith, Mom and Brian for your well wishes and prayers. Yes it was hard to leave and I can’t believe that it has been so quick. I will be looking after myself and will continue to post (and watch the rest of GWUC) journey through this next month or two.

Brian, you are so right about Nikki being the inspiration for all of us to get up and get out here to this beautiful country. It means so much for me to be here with her and we will continue to do God’s work when we come home. Thanks so much for reading and I hope that it means we can continue the conversations when we get home.

Bec: Hi Di!
Thank you so much for your wonderful updates of the incredible work you have all been doing over there! I love reading your blog and looking at the fantastic photography. Good luck on the rest of your adventure! I pray that you keep safe, inspired and motivated.
Bec Weterings :)

Princess: I am home safe n sound.. along with my lovely little african flu! mmm yum! flight was hell but the plane didnt go down so thats always good.
miss you and look forward to following your diary now to see your next adventure.
that photo of me at tracy birthday is a real winner. i should enlarge it i am hot (yes i am lyng)
kiss kiss
Princess Rose Castle

Anna: Hi Diane

Sharni sent me the link to your blog and I have just finished looking through your Africa entries. It sounds like you are having an amazing trip and you have some wonderful photos posted.

Anna

Eva: Hi Diane,
Your parents gave me the address to your blog…I was wondering how you trip was going. Good to see that you are enjoying your time over there :)

You are doing some amazing work….you are a very brave and courageous lady. Your photos are amazing and so beautiful!!!!

Enjoy the next part of your trip…stay safe.
Eva xo

Lyn: (We’re not really HOME from OUR holiday but HAD to come home to check the BLOGS and do a few mundane things like shopping, washing and checking the garden).

Thanks for your continued NEWS and PICTURES (each worth a 1000words) to help us understand some of what you are doing.
Love seeing the animals and also each of you in turn, usually with smiling faces.
Blessing to you all.

Lyn

Leather Jane: Hey Di!

I knew you went to Africa to do all the great things but I didn’t know it included outlooks for Baboons and DikDiks I thought you had enough of that!! ahah

Have a wonderful time!! and put up more photos!!

LJ…. aka…. the real G.

/Elsa Phillips: Hello Di,
We do miss your updates now you’re in Uganda. Russell keeps us up to date with the happenings there and, even though its tough at times, you’re doing so well in sharing your time, skills and love with other people in the world.
We look forward to seeing more photos from you and, more importantly, seeing you for real when you return!! You’ll see Mum first in Cape Town and she is so looking forward to that hello hug.
Keep up the fantastic missioning. All love, Dad & Mum xxxx

Ame: Hi Di!

I was away for a few days so jumped straight back onto the net to look at your blog and see how you were going. I love the photos of the wildlife, and the one lone tree-reminds me of the forbidden tree in the garden of Eden. Not that I’ve seen it, but that picture sums up what I imagine it would be like!

Lots of love and prayers
Ame