May

May is here. We have been doing well! We had a great Easter. We painted eggs since the dye does not work on our very brown eggs. It was so fun to do together that I think our family has a new Easter tradition. We invited the other missionaries over for swimming, fellowship and a yummy dinner. I cooked the biggest ham I have ever seen. I could barely lift the thing into the oven. But all 20 lbs. of it was delicious! Pork is such a treat here. We had brought that hunk of a hog here from Nairobi for this special occasion. This was our third Easter in Kenya.

The SEND construction is back in full swing. Taylor traveled to Nairobi in April to gather the materials to finish these buildings. Things like toilets, sinks, paint...No, you can't order online or even over the phone. This all has to be done in person. And you must arrange all transportation. Among his purchases, were 54 large sheets of glass for the windows. Apon arrival, 53 were broken. It is a rough road! I feel like this situation should be in The Far Side comics. Add this to the list of "Things we have learned to laugh at". Share recently received funding to add a Kitchen and Dining Hall. So that structure is now in the beginning phase. This addition requires Taylor to head to Nairobi again in two weeks to gather all the materials needed. Taylor estimates all 6 structures will be complete in July.

Other than that...let me see...we slaughtered two sheep. Mutton curry is always our favorite dish with sheep meat. We bought a bull! We affectionately named him Lane Frost. Yes, he is for meat when he gets bigger. He has already become docile enough to eat out of our hands. And no, this will not interfere with our willingness to slaughter him. Two weeks ago, our kitten was "taken" by the wild cat. Kind of a sad situation, but here on the "wild side", my three darling little girls said, "O'well." (!) My kids are always up to something funny, I found them painting a live lizard blue the other day. I responded without breaking my pace, " Put down a piece of paper when you paint please." And walked away. After one writes a paragraph like this about one's life...it makes you wonder about yourself! Who the heck am I?

Sheep slaughtering day. With 2 sheep, there was plenty to share. our workers and neighbors were all very happy.

Andi marveling at the newborn bird she had been watching daily to hatch. About two weeks later, I watched my kids chase our cat who had this fledgling bird in it's jaws all around the yard! Finally they succeeded in retrieving the baby bird and placed the shocked animal back in its nest. It was a hysterical scene complete with chaos, thrown shoes and brooms and enough yelling to scare the whole village. 

New Hope Children's Good Friday pool party! Lots of fun! We had lunch catered for them....and soda! 

Lucy

Having a blast. These rescued street kids have had plenty of hard times. Glad we had something fun for them.

This kid cracks me up! He always gets in front of my camera. 

Big boys and floaties.

Tire swing fun.

Easter swimming in our 85 degree pool. Shannon, Elisabeth and Lynn. All other missionaries living or soon to be living in Lodwar.

Fritz, Taylor, Rachel and Lainey. Poolside!

This is my friend Mama Sunday. She is a single mother of 4 children. Our relationship began over a terrible leg wound she came to me for help with. It is all healed!  (even though in this photo she looks like she does not have a leg!It is there!) Several months ago we helped her start a small business of selling food in her village. She has made amazing progress. She is able to feed her children everyday and enjoy our hand-me-down clothes.

Kristen, Lainey, Andi, Lucy and Ikai enjoying an afternoon soda down the road from our house.

Old tire swing at a friend's house. 

Meet Lane Frost. Our Zebu bull.

Against all odds...the ducklings are nearly grown! 8 ducklings in all, some not pictured.