We have arrived and are preparing for our First Day

Margaret and I had a successful departure from Dulles with an hour layover in London that gave us just enough time (without rushing) to get from the plane to our terminal and through security and on to the plane to Kenya. All smooth and without complication. Once we got to Kenya, there was the official Kenya time clock that kicks in and you realize it will not be the same again until you leave. Margaret, the diligent planner, and me, the one who believes it all will work out, both saw the immigration clearance line and just took in a heavy sigh. Margaret had already retrieved her visa from the Kenyan Embassy in DC and I for the second year in a row chose to purchase on site. When we got to the line and she went into one and I into another, I thought to myself that maybe I should have handled this in advance. This did not feel like last years experience of flying through from plane departure to luggage pick up in 20 minutes. It was more like an hour and half and Margaret with all her planning, still had to wait a little over an hour because the line was heavy because a flight had landed just in front of us with lots of people. Then there is always the immigrantion officers taking breaks in the middle of the heavy amount of people, the norm in the Kenyan world, and our western sensibilities get put out of sorts when we don't know why they just don't want to stay and get us through!!!! These are the moments that you realize this is not Kansas...

The most joyous feeling is seeing Franco waiting to greet up. He is like an angel waiting, happy to see us, as if we had just seen him yesterday. His presence made me realize that he was the first Kenyan to greet us on this journey that Margaret and I embarked upon 4 years ago. He, without fail, has not only been a dear friend, but has been our trusted driver, Kenyan guide, diligent locator and all around ace in the whole related to our ease in moving through this effort of getting us to and from the many places we choose to get to. He makes our life pleasant and he makes us realize each time we hear his voice and the term Karibu (Welcome) that we are in our second home. He graciously drove us from the airport to Nakumatt, the Wal-Mart of Kenya to get us water, snacky food and then to Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Center which is a sanctuary and sort of home away from home for us.

Sunday started off timely with Breakfast and lots of hellos and hugs with familiar faces. It feels good to come back to a place that feels like home and people are excited to greet us. After breakfast off to Nyumbani Home to see the children at mass. It was amazing. If you don't love mass/church services, once you see this beautiful gathering of children, regardless of your faith based perspective, you would love it if this was your norm. The young and older children are the central theme in this celebration of God and Community. It was also a double pleasure to walk in and surprise Natalie Vicas who is volunteering an Nyumbani, she had no idea Margaret and I were coming. She is the daughter of my dear friends, Martha and Bob Vicas and she looked great. After Mass, the traditional tea with Sister Mary and off to do all our errands of preparation, getting our peripherals for school, checking out supplies at Text Book Centre and securing our discount, lunch at Nairobi Java, etc etc. Checking with the Kouna Trust to see when the art exhibition can happen, all the things we need to do. Making sure we have the things we need to get prepared for our next two weeks with the Smart, Beautiful and Important children of St. Al's. Our evening ended with a nice dinner at Pedro Arrupe with a room full of Jesuits. It is an amazing place and the love, care and compassion is alive and well. It feels like home.

As we tuck in for an early nights sleep, Margaret and I are excited for the weeks ahead. It is our 4th consecutive year of delivering a program that means so much to us. We are so fortunate to have this experience year in and year out. It gives perspective to our total existence and allows us the total honor of serving such beautiful people.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We love hearing from you so please leave us comments.

Our deepest gratitude.

Charles and Margaret