One of my fears for this trip came true yesterday as my back acted up on me. It started with spasms and then continued through the day with pain. I have been through this many times before, so I will be fine I just didn’t want anything to take away from activities with the family. The other concern for the trip home. Praying that it is significantly better by the time we board our first flight on Thursday. If you are so inclined I would appreciate a prayer for this creaky back of mine.

We exchanged a few Christmas presents last night. Some of the items we intended to give did not make it here, but we had a good time anyway. It was a real blessing to see their faces this year as they received the items. Through a little grumbling we were even able to take a couple of family photos. Teenage boys are not always thrilled at lining up for a photo op, but they cooperated even if under protest.

We went to a small local restaurant that is in the little town next to the campus where our kids live and do much of their ministry. These experiences are enlightening. There is such a mix of modern and not close to modern all around us. Technology has changed the landscape of many places. With solar powered electricity and satellite towers spread far and wide even remote places have a few surprises. No matter where we have gone we have seen people on cell phones. They may not have many of the conveniences we take for granted back home but their communication capabilities are far beyond what I saw when I came to Kenya 20 years ago.

Today we will be celebrating our oldest grandchild’s birthday. This will be a thrill for us, as the others have all had 2 birthdays since we last were able to celebrate with them in person. For those of you who complain because your kids or grandkids are 30 minutes or an hour away, I don’t want to hear it. The celebration will have a little sadness attached to it as well. Since it is his 17th birthday it is another reminder that I am not young. Of course every glance in the mirror is a reminder as well.

I have loved seeing, and hearing, of the ministries going on here and of lives being changed in so many ways. I am so proud of my kids and grandkids. They are all serving and making a difference. Being able to see where they live and minister, to breathe the air they breathe and travel some of the same roads and paths has been a tremendous blessing. There are many lessons learned when you travel and I am confident that stories of this trip will find their way into a few sermons and lessons when I return home.

Time to work on the back a bit, get a cup of tea and see what is planned for this day. Only a couple more days here so we want to soak up all the possibilities. Thanks for reading, for thinking of us and for praying for us.

Dennis