So here's a start to explaining bits of our daily life! Some bridges, some differences.
Early morning start for school includes packing lunches, reminding kids to grab their folders and water bottles. We leave by 7am for a 7:30am start time for school. Definitely similar to life back in the US as it can be rushed, trying not to forget things, putting Anna's shoes on her feet about 3 different times and remembering to feed the dog.
Ahhh, the drive to school. We have two options: one is the paved road that leads to the main street (very fast option, probably 5 minutes, unless there is a traffic jam...then it could take you 45 minutes). The other option is the back way, the dirt road with no traffic and lots of bumps and dips (which has actually been evened out since we moved here and is better than before). The kids love the second option, but I've heard come rainy season it's not as easy to drive.
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| Our side road that we take to the big paved road, but we don't get longhorn cows there every day unfortunately! |
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| The main road in our area of town, this is on our drive to school |
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| The side street up to our school gate (that's the school wall on the left side, some dukas/shops on the right) |
After school drop off, Anna and I will often go home to work around the house, or maybe meet up with friends, but every Monday from 9:30-11:30am we have a special morning at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), a ministry that is near and dear to my heart. I think I'll write a post on that later because BSF is a special bridge that is a kindness from the Lord where He met me in one other transition point in my life, and now He's meeting me again through BSF in another big transition.
Random house "to-do's" we've done the last several days....gone with our house helper to buy a couple pots at the local market (I pretty much followed her and watched as she bartered for 2 new pots for me and a rice sifter), adding money to our phone so we can pay bills (lots of mobile banking done over the phone here - M-Pesa anyone??), filter our drinking water and fill up a new jug every couple days, pay our Luku (electric box - see below, electricity is all pre-paid here - which yes, I've forgotten to pay at one point so our electricity got shut off).
Swahili tutoring! I (Amy) just started this a couple days ago...a tutor was recommended by some people at HOPAC so my friend and I are meeting with him twice a week for 2 hours each time. I have zero experience learning a new language, but I'm really excited about it. It's frustrating to not be able to speak beyond "asante sana" and "habari za asabuhi" (thank you very much and good morning). This one is definitely a difference.
Wednesday mornings: another new addition to my week, but a very welcomed one. I get to volunteer in Laura's kindergarten class from 8-9:30 each Wednesday (Anna stays home with our house helper Mama George).
Lots of laundry and dishes at various points in there...a bridge from back home as I work to keep our house running somewhat smoothly, but in a different way. Dishes done by hand and clothes hanging out on the line to dry. Takes more time, as most things do here. Very thankful for our house helper, Mama George, as she helps us out 3 mornings a week. What a blessing she has been.
School pick-up is at 2:30pm and we usually end up hanging around school, getting a snack from Snack Bar and then get some time with friends. So grateful for these two families (in pictures below) who came to HOPAC within days of us. How amazing the Lord knew these families would be coming here at the same time as us. He's given me two wonderful friends in these ladies for which I am oh so grateful, and our kids have quickly joined in friendship as well. Praise the Lord for giving us what we need!
Happy almost weekend everyone! Sending you all much love and hope you know we are so very grateful for your prayers, love and encouragement.
