Fun in the Kitchen

Since we unloaded the container contents into our house, we have had a lot of fun cooking with our new kitchenware.

Today I attempted and succeeded at making Mandazi's... and African doughnut. It was my first time and they came out great. I am so proud of myself.

Last night I made beef stew in our new crock pot. The night before was beef and ugali (rice for me) in our new pans. George made dessert with our new hand mixer. He took two bananas that were getting soft, mixed them with milk and a little sugar and froze it. It was like a banana shake... SO good. It's such a luxury to cook with these items. And even more a luxury to have a fridge to store leftovers in.

Halloween

No one celebrates Halloween over here, but someone sent a Curious George Halloween onesie for Eli so we thought today was the perfect day to wear it!

New Donation Address

Just wanted to let those of you who mail in donations know that Rancho del Rey has moved. Here is the updated address:

Rancho del Rey Church
5651 Palmer Way, Suite C
Carlsbad, CA 92010

Mystery Items

Does anyone know what these two items are? They came in the container and I don't know what to do with them!

Promise of a New Day

Whenever I see a rainbow, I am instantly encouraged. Seeing one reminds me of God – who He is and the promises He has made. A rainbow appeared near our new house the other day and I relaxed instantly. With all the changes, it’s easy to be overwhelmed, but it was like the Lord was saying… “it’s ok… I’ve got you. Don’t worry.” It has been so long since I have seen one and I was thrilled to see one here at our new house… in our new city… with a new direction. Thank you Lord for rainbows!

Also appearing behind our house… Mt. Kilimanjaro. Moshi is located very close to the mountain and the peak is usually covered by clouds. We were excited to see the clouds part and enjoy the view from our house. (It would be even better without our neighbor’s TV dish in the way!).

Neck Rolls

The hardest part of parenting isn’t the sleepless nights, the inconsolable crying, the endless laundry… it’s trying to clean the neck of an infant! They have no neck and getting into the fat rolls and creases is incredibly difficult. I try to sneak in a cleaning throughout the day when Eli is relaxed, but he always knows what I am trying to do and tenses his neck, denying me access. It’s amazing what I find in there when I finally get to it... lint, dirt, milk. It reminds me of cleaning a pug’s fold. All kinds of dirt collect in there. I am looking forward to the days Eli sleeps through the nights, when he can talk and when he grows a neck! Can anyone else relate?

Christmas in October

George and I got our stuff from the container at last and boy was it worth the weight!!!!! We are incredibly blessed. George arrived in Moshi with our items late in the evening on Friday, but that didn’t stop us from opening all the boxes.

It was like a giant wedding shower. Someone even sent a wrapped wedding gift!

Rancho del Rey – you hooked us up… BIG TIME! We were sent bikes, fridge, bedding, towels, tons of kitchen supplies (dishes, toaster, crock pots, Tupperware, pots and pans, stove, utensils, etc), air mattress, TV, DVD player, clothes, tools and lots more. We spent all day Saturday unpacking and finding a place for everything. It was SO much fun. We can’t thank everyone enough – not only the people at RdR, but everyone else with Africa Harvest Hope, friends and family that contributed to the container contents and financially to getting the container released at the port. I feel like a wife now that I have been able to set up a home and am looking forward to cooking.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. May the Lord bless you for your generosity.

An Update from George

“Send me and I will go.” That has been our motto in serving the Lord. This past May we felt called to go Korogwe to work with Africa Harvest of Hope. Since we consider Africa Harvest of Hope’s visions and missions as the same our family’s- Making the Lord known to both the needy, the orphans and widows through the gifts God has given us - we made a step of faith and left Kenya, knowing that we are willing to work anywhere, any time for Him.

Although we made our plans, God directed our ways and He has given Africa Harvest of Hope renewed missions and visions which has relocated them to Moshi instead of Korogwe. Starting afresh is hard but because this is God’s plan, who are we to question such challenges we face in the mission field. With love in our hearts, Stacie and I left Korogwe after facing a lot of obstacles, however we thank God that we are still on His tracks - having not lost our way- Making him known to the whole world starting by with a few who are close to us.

We are now in Moshi, found a house and are settling our family as we wait for the leaders of Africa Harvest of Hope to keep the work of God rolling in Moshi. We still feel called to serve with Africa Harvest of Hope as we very much support their mission to reach people for Christ and help orphans, widows and the needy. Moshi is where their ministry work began several years ago and so it's kind of like a coming home for them. Already progress has been made for the ministry to set up its own NGO (non-governmental organization) and get us our work permits. Our vision is to open an orphanage in the Moshi area, preach the Gospel and teach basic Christianity doctrine for these children so that they grow up knowing the Lord.

That will take time as there is lots of fund raising to do stateside by the ministry. In the meantime, we'll be completing the NGO paperwork, researching where the location will be and doing the background work that is needed. Additionally, we'll be partnering with a ministry called Yesu Anaweza (God is Able) doing discipleship, teaching and working with kids which is similar to what I was doing with the Trinity Fellowship ministry back in Kenya. We are very excited to start as I will be teaching this Sunday in church on being called to serve.

We want to thank all the loved ones that have been with us since the beginning. We are here, but you all are doing the work there which allows us to do this on your behalf. Without you, it’s not possible and we look forward to a continued partnership with you all ….our friends, family, Rancho del Rey church, financial and prayer supporters and all the others out there who have joined this team – some of whom we may not ever know, but we praise the Lord for you.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

San Diego Spirit

Even from afar, Eli is showing his San Diego spirit. Go Padres and Chargers!

(George's brother Jimmy brought Eli a football from the US.)

Smiles and Guns

We never get tired of seeing Eli smile...

Anyone want tickets to the gun show... Eli is selling!

Reunited

At long last, I was reunited with Nala. George had seen her a few times since we left in July, but it had been almost three months since I had seen her. I wondered if she would remember me... she did! She is still the same, goofy Nala, but she looks older. She's not a puppy anymore!

(She remembered how to play fetch.)

We weren't sure how she would react to Eli. George introduced them for the first time through the screen door. She sniffed him and tried to lick him. So far so good.

Slowly, we allowed her around Eli more and she is doing fine with him. She licks his foot whenever she passes by and would lick him all over if we let her!

It's so nice to have our whole family back together. God is good and we are so thankful.

Blessings from Home

When Alan and Shannon came a couple weeks ago, we were so blessed to receive a suitcase that my mom put together of items we needed from home. It had all kinds of things from practical (clothes for Eli, contact solution, mosquito repellant, post its, guitar tuner, etc) to silly cravings (Skittles, M&Ms and Summer Sausage). One of the items my mom sent was a chair for Eli. He loves it!

(He is just starting to learn how to use his hands and sometimes punches the hanging toys!)

Another HUGE blessing we received was a swing from Alan and Shannon. I desperately searched for one in Kisumu, but couldn't find one. I knew Eli would like it and I was right! It has really helped us out in the few days we have had it. It is the coolest swing I have ever seen. There is a mobile that spins around, 4 different types of music and different swinging options (back and forth and side to side).

(He loves to look at himself in the mirror that is on the mobile)

Thanks guys! These are priceless in the Orwa household!

Eli and Mommy

Some people have complained that there are few photos of me with Eli so here are a couple...

The Doctors

George and I were so blessed to meet Alan and Shannon in Tanzania on Thursday. We weren't sure if we would be able to be here in time for their visit. It depended on Eli's arrival. If he was on time or late, we wouldn't be able to come. Fortunately, he arrived early and Eli was seven weeks by the time we traveled. Now we see it was all in God's timing. It was really important we were all here together during this time. We just adore Alan and Shannon and are so blessed the Lord cross our paths. Their support and encouragement has helped us so much.

(Shannon and Eli)

With them, they brought Pam and Peter who are both eye surgeons (and mom and son). For the last several years, they have gone to the Dominican Republic to conduct free cataract surgery for the needy. Now they are looking for a new place to do serve since other organizations have come in to help in the area they were working in. They came to Tanzania to see if there was a need and if it would be possible for them to do their work here. Fortunately, they had a successful research trip and it looks like Moshi may be their next destination. If so, they may return next March or April with a team to begin surgeries. They also want to train locals here to do the surgery so the work can continue in their absence and more people can get help. We really enjoyed spending time with them and hearing about their ministry. Cataract surgery is life changing for many people who are living with blindness. What a neat gift to be able to give someone.

Alive and Well

Sorry for the silence. This is the first access to internet we have had since leaving Nairobi. We are alive and well. I only have a minute so I can't write much. A lot has happened in a short amount of time. Big changes in store and lots of possibilities. More to come as soon as I can...

Big Day

Today was a big day for the Orwa family. Eli is officially a US citizen and I submitted the paperwork to change my last name to Orwa! We had to go to the US Embassy today to take care of both things and had another easy, positive experience. The lady who processed my paperwork was the same lady who processed Eli's. She was so kind and helpful.

*** Side note, an interesting thing happened at security. The US embassy used to be located in downtown Nairobi. However, after it was bombed in 1997, it was moved to a more secure location. Because of all that and all that is going on in the world, security is very tight. You have to have an appointment to go in. Once you arrive, you go through two security check points. They take away all electronics, including cell phones. I even had a digital thermometer that they took away (we got it back when we left). In Eli's diaper bag, I had an unopened bottle of water. I thought the guard might take it away, but he told me to open it and drink from it! I guess that was a test to see if I was smuggling in some biochemical hazardous liquid. Fortunately, I was not and he let me take it in.

Tomorrow we leave for Tanzania. We both are excited and anxious about going back. So much is up in the air, we are ready to see what happens.

Auntie Margaret

Our ride to Nairobi went really well. Eli was a champ. He has started smiling up a storm which is so cute to see.

After we arrived, we hung out with our friend Margaret, a nurse/midwife we worked with in Sudan. It was a blast to see her and catch up. I have really missed her and was happy she got to meet Eli before we go to Tanzania.

Saying Good Bye

The time has come once again for us to say good bye to our family and friends in Kisumu. Since last Thursday, we have had the pleasure of spending time with George's brother Jimmy who hadn't been to Kenya since moving to the US seven years ago. With him, he brought his wife, Amanda (who he met when she was an exchange student in Kenya), daughter Adelia, brother in law Dave and Dave's fiancee, Susan. Jimmy was the first person George told about me when we began our relationship and the first family member I talked to and emailed. He began calling me "sis" from the beginning and really does feel like a brother. They all are wonderful and it feels like I have known them forever.

Today, we had a good bye lunch at Suzy's house with many of the family members. When someone leaves, it's tradition to get together and have everyone say something to them and then end with a prayer. It's always a sweet time, full of love. I love George's family and really hit the jackpot with them. I often prayed I would marry into a great family and am so blessed that I did. We will miss them so much while in Tanzania.

(Eli with Suzy, my sister in law and closest friend in Kisumu)

(George with Jimmy's daughter, Adelia)

(During the sharing time)

(With George's Mom and Dad)

(With Suzy, Faith, Eddie - another brother, Amanda, Jimmy)

(Cousins Adelia and Adheli)

(Adheli and Eli)

(With Amanda, Jimmy and Adelia. They brought us a football and back pack full of goodies for Eli!)

Please keep us in your prayers as we head to Tanzania. We leave Kisumu tomorrow morning and will arrive in Nairobi in the evening. Then on Wednesday I have an appointment at the US embassy to change my name to Orwa and we'll also pick up Eli's passport. On Thursday we go to Moshi to meet Alan and Shannon before going to Korogwe on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Prayers for Eli's health and comfort on the long bus rides are especially appreciated. Additionally, there is a lot up in the air and we need the Lord to go before us and show us what to do.

Cuties...

I love this photo... how cute are my boys?

Fever

We made it through Eli's first fever. Yesterday he got three vaccinations (two were injections) and we were warned they may cause a fever. We gave him baby Tylenol when we got home and he seemed to be fine, just a little sleepy. Then, in the evening he felt warm and started to get fussy. We took his temperature and it was 101.5. Poor little guy. We stripped him down, gave him more Tylenol, and put a cool compress on his head. Then we comforted him as best as we could until he calmed down enough to feed. Fortunately, the fever began to decrease and he fell asleep. Over the course of the night it kept going down and now he seems to be doing fine.