My wife and I recently returned from an incredible trip to Kenya. We went to spend time with our son, daughter in law and 5 of our grandkids. We were in Kenya 22 years ago and fell in love with the people and the country, so this trip had great meaning for us on many levels. I have been reflecting on our trip the past few days since we have returned home. Here are some lessons learned on this trip …

… I viewed everything I saw on this trip much differently than the trip 22 years ago. My first trip to Kenya was for a specific purpose of speaking in a few churches and to an annual retreat for a group of missionaries. I knew a handful of the missionaries before I arrived, but I had not known them for long. This trip I was visiting my own flesh and blood. I viewed everything, and everyone, I saw through the lens of how what I was seeing impacted the lives of my family. That changed how I looked at everything.

… I was deeply impacted by the experience of being in places that were out of my comfort zones. I was the foreigner. I sometimes looked different and I certainly sounded differently than those for whom this was their home territory. I really spent a lot of time during our trip thinking about being in unfamiliar places. When I encounter people in my church who are new to our church they are in unfamiliar territory. I am praying that I am more sensitive to the fears and concerns of people who are in places that are out of their comfort zones, in and out of the church.

… I flew on 6 different planes and they were operated by 3 different companies. My conclusion is that customer service, from those at the gates, to pilots, to baggage handlers, to the flight attendants, makes a huge difference in my impression of whether I had a good or bad flight. Let me just say that of the 3 airline companies, Delta was far above the other 2 when it came to customer service. This experience will influence my future airline choices.

… Jetlag is a very real thing when you cross several time zones.

… We worry way too much about little critters that crawl or fly in the U.S.

… It is customary in Kenya that if someone speaks to you, you will take the time to speak with them no matter what you are currently doing. I think that is a healthier way to live, but I don’t know how to do make it fully work in our time focused culture.

… The idea of personal space is much, much different in the U.S. than it is in Kenya. If you struggle with people invading your personal space, including on the highway, you will not enjoy a visit to Kenya.

… Technology is changing the world. Even in remote spaces in Kenya people have cell phones and many have other communication options as well.

… Time is viewed much differently in Kenya, and “on time” has a whole different meaning. This would take some major adjustments on my part if this was where I served. (Those who have worked with me are smiling at this last understatement.)

… I miss being able to be with my kids and grandkids on a regular basis. I love the reasons we are not able to be together. I love that my family is serving Christ and others wherever they believe the Lord is leading them. That being said, it doesn’t mean I don’t miss them.

… I was once again reminded that the world is a big place and that my part of it is small. I was once again reminded that my God is big and he created an amazing world.

Here’s hoping you are learning new things about yourself and the world each and every day.

Dennis

So glad that we have been able to make this trip and spend time with our family. So tough to think of the last hugs and goodbyes in a few hours. These will be more difficult knowing that we will not see all of them again for another year and a half when they come home for a short furlough.

When we get on the plane for the first flight of 3 heading home it will be about 19 hours in the air and a total of 26 hours before we land back in Illinois. If you are so inclined prayers for on time flights and for no back flare-ups, at least until we get home.

Yesterday we went back to the little local restaurant and I was again struck by the contrasts all around us here. We walked up what is affectionately called “killer hill”. We have a couple of pictures, but they do not do justice to the steepness of the walk and then add that we are at 7,000 + feet elevation. It was a great experience and we now have great mental images of the campus and area where our kids and grandkids live and serve.

We watched our granddaughter show how she has learned to “ripstick” and then we watched our daughter in law trying to learn it as well. I did not attempt it. We played more games and more ping pong. I once again did not fare so well in the ping pong. But I loved every moment of it with my grandkids. We watched a movie and were again reminded that though they have some conveniences here it is much different than back home. The 1 hour and 48 minute movie took several hours to completely download. Electricity, water and internet are all here, but they can go away quickly as well.

We had some more great conversations about ministry their here and where they are headed in the next couple of years. This has been a great experience and we have created lasting memories. Once again, let me say thanks to all who helped us get here and have been praying for us on this trip.

I am very grateful that I do not have preach Sunday as our Children’s Christmas program is Sunday morning. I am in the program and will share a closing thought, but those are not near the pressure and since we are coming back trying to adjust to a 9 hour time difference, this is a great for me. Until we get home, talk to you later.

Dennis

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

Last night we enjoyed a roaring fire in the fireplace. As pleasant as the temps are, it gets a little chilly at night and when you are at 7,000+ feet elevation it feels a little cooler than the thermometer declares. We played some more games, our family has always been a game playing family and this is so fun to do some catch-up in playing games with this part of our family.

I am already in the habit of having a cup of hot tea when I get up in the morning. For those who know me, you would be stunned to know that I have only had 1 cup of coffee in the past 6 days. On a normal morning at home I have 1 cup of coffee in the first 6 minutes after getting up. The tea tastes better in Kenya, I may have to bring some of this home with me.

Yesterday we took a trip to a retreat center, where they had some wonderful places to walk through tea fields, a place to purchase some souvenirs and a nice restaurant. We took a nice walk, bought a few souvenirs and enjoyed a unique lunch. I ordered, and ate, roasted goat. I liked it, though I doubt I will get too many options for it back home. As usual the drive was exciting. Between the traffic, the road conditions and the people watching every trip in a vehicle is a thrilling adventure.

We also played some Rook, a thrilling game of 31 and a few of us played Angry Birds and I once again got creamed at a game of Memory by my granddaughter. I am soaking in all of this family time.

I am so pleased watching my kids serve the way they do and to hear their heart for the Lord and to reach people who don’t know Jesus. They shared some new possibilities for ministry in the future. Let’s just say that my prayer life will get even more fervent if these possibilities happen.

This morning we went to a local church, but I will share more about that in my Monday Morning Musings. Until I can sit down and type again, hope you have a great day.

Dennis

Yesterday involved a spectacular walk around a good portion of the campus. There were many stunning views. There was a lot of up and down, steps and stepping around rocks. It was a great way for us to get a better picture of the whole campus. We have seen where our grandkids classes are and where our son and daughter in law teach their classes as well.

We have had a few of God’s creatures join us in our bedroom, but nothing harmful or scary, yet. We wear sweats and sweatshirts in the morning and at night, the day is for short sleeves and sometimes shorts. The weather is wonderful.

We have met a few of the other missionary families serving here at this location as well. What a privilege to meet these people who are serving shoulder to shoulder with our kids. We have a much better picture of where they live and serve, some of the challenges they face, some of the people they work with and we have just scratched the surface. What a blessing this trip is for us.

Yesterday had another indoor soccer match, I didn’t play much in this one. There were a couple of other families involved and they were really playing soccer, so I watched, cheered and took some pictures. Today we took a drive to a national park and were able to see quite a few animals. We experienced some real country Kenyan roads and combined with the drive from the airport I am not going to complain about any potholes or traffic problems when I get home. At least not for a few days.

We stopped and ate at a little restaurant in a gas station. We had our choice of Chicken Inn or Pizza Inn. We chose Pizza Inn. The food was great and we sat outside where the views were spectacular. Since we arrived back I have played Gang of Four, Rook, Battleship, Angry Birds and Slamwich. All of that and we still have the evening to go.

We have been getting to know our grandkids better and learning about life in Kenya from our kids. I am so humbled and thankful to be able to be here. Hopefully, I will be able to post some more soon.

Dennis