the street kids saying goodbye
The 8 hour trek was rather uneventful except that arranging a taxi in advance without your own phone is quite a task! I borrowed a phone and thought I had it arranged, just to find out that the taxi ended up at my destination, not my origin. So, a random nice lady felt sorry for me as I stood on the curb with my three giant bags and arranged one for me at a very good price. I loaded up and was on my way!
I arrived at Lindsey and Ryan's home a little while later. There is something very comforting about spending time with them. The idea that we can sit down and share our trials and successes about living in Kenya and knowing that the other person understands and has been praying for you all along...it is just what siblings in Christ ought to do for one another. Anyway, we did all kinds of fun things over the next two days including: long morning walks, times together in prayer, shopping at Village Market which is similar to any really nice shopping center you can think of in the States, having really amazing coffee and Java house and/or River Cafe, watching movies on the lap top, and making one last Nakumat run for plane snacks before I loaded onto another taxi and headed for the airport.
Lindsey and I at River Cafe
After one driver change downtown I finally made it to the airport about 20 minutes after Luke. I lugged in my three bags and began praying once again that they would be under weight and that the third bag would be affordably taxed. Much to my surprise my check in was painless and free! Not only did they not charge me for my over weight suit cases, they didn't charge me anything to have a third checked bag! I was ecstatic! Luke and I got through security and passport control without any problems and headed to Java House for a little snack before boarding. Luckily we had plenty of time to shop as well and found some amazingly high priced souvenirs to gawk at. I found a necklace there that matched the one I was wearing exactly. I paid $11 and they were asking $45. Note to all foreign travelers...'Never, never, never buy anything at the airport." Yes, you can quote me on that.
We loaded on the plane, got settled, and away we went. My movie choice was The Last King of Scotland...scary and appropriate for leaving Africa. Afterwards I slept...a lot! We both woke up about an hour before landing, just in time for the breakfast service. Scarfed it down and headed for land. Once we arrived we realized we would be leaving from different terminals. Not wanting to spend the next 4ish hours along wondering in the freezing cold airport that is London Hethrow, I opted to accompany Luke to Terminal 1 for a little window shopping. We had a blast playing the 'how much do you think this costs game," and Luke actually tired on a leather jacket at the Timberland store that we later discovered cost over 1,000 USD. Crazy! We took fun pictures, got a little snack at a cafe and then I decided to pull out my itinerary and check my flight time to confirm the 10:20 departure time I had in my head. It was 8:00 and my flight was at 9:10...and I was a the wrong terminal. I suddenly went white and Luke asked what was wrong. I checked the time again and simply said "uh, I gotta go!" We rushed over to the shuttle bus stop and said our good byes. I boarded and began praying that I wouldn't miss my flight.
Luke with the guard
me with the tree
Luke's yummy frozen coffee
my smoothie!
goodbye Luke...I'm late for my plane!
I made it to Detroit without any problems and through customs with my bags. At this point they should take the bags back and transport them to my plane...but no...they made me transport them. Luckily I had a cart to use all the way out into the SNOW where the shuttle bus picked up. (I was wearing a light pull over and my chaco sandals...not a good choice) They driver was a little annoyed that he might have to help me get my bags in, but once he saw the braids in my hair his mood lightened! Gotta love getting to the States and having everyone look at you like you're a hippie! I arrived at my terminal and actually got inside with all three bags and no cart. That's when I realized there was only an escalator. Is it legal to not have an elevator?!?! What if I was in a wheel chair? Anyway, I pulled it all onto the escalator and prayed I would make it to the top without squishing the 20 people behind me. I did and was fine until I made it to the American Airlines desk where I held my breath as they checked my bags in. Turns out my flight number had changed, so the nicest lady ever rewrote the number on all of my tags, overlooked the weight and the fact that there were three of them and sent me on my way! God's grace is amazing!
I spent the next four hours in shock. The moment I saw a Starbucks and Quizno's I had a mini breakdown. I wish I'd been happier to see them. But instead I was sad, knowing that the land of materialism was still in full swing. I got on the phone and talked to Mom, Nova and Lindie. Mom checked on my flight times, Lindie told me she was praying, and Nova shared the pertinent news that Brittany Spears sister is pregnant. Wow!
I boarded the plane with my energy sinking and found myself next to two Christian men. One was about 70 and the other 25. They kept me awake with stories of ministry and silly jokes. Turns out the 25 year old knows a friend of mine. I arrived with a smile on my face and bolted for baggage claim. Dad is the first person I saw when I came around the corner. What a comfort! We found my bags and headed outside to find Mom, who was circling in the car. After loading up we went straight to Uncle Julio's...one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, where we met my brother! Our family dinner was a blast, but we were all ready for bed once we returned.
On Thursday Mom, Dad and I took a little trip north of Dallas to my favorite BBQ place (one our family has been going to since I was probably a toddler, that is located 10 minutes from where our farm used to be). It brought back all kinds of good memories as I slurped down a glass of ice tea bigger than my head and saw a piece of chocolate cream pie with eight inches of meringue. We even drove by the farm on the way back! It was a great way to spend the day!
Texas country!
at Warren's...otherwise known as Clark's BBQ
Tioga, TX
at the Farm with Dad!
That night I headed over to my house in Dallas for a little get together put on my by roommates. It was so exciting to see everyone, tell stories of God's power and grace and see a renewed since of belonging to the group! Afterwards I picked my college roommate, Lindie, up at the airport and we headed home with smiles on our faces. On Friday we met up with Julie and drove to Ft. Worth to meet Chelsea on her lunch break for our annual Roommate Reunion. There's just a joy that I feel around these girls that cannot be matched. We had a fabulous time!
back to Dallas I go
Lindie, Julie, me and Chelsea at Chilli's!
Julie, me and Lindie at the house
When I arrived in Texas it was about 70 degrees...yesterday that all changed and it got down to below freezing last night. I will be bundled up in doors for weeks to come...I'm sure of it!
So, that brings us up to date for the most part. Over the next few days of Christmas prep I'll be reflecting on my time in Kenya. Check back for one last blog. Also, I added pictures to the blog about the trip to the coast...enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
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