Random Thoughts

Jambo! ("hello" greeting in Swahili)


    I've been trying to decide all day how to put my thoughts in sensible words. Yesterday and today were very full and have left my mind spinning. The best way I can think of at the moment is to leave you all with several random thoughts and stories - in no particular order... :)

• They begin each morning here at the Mayfield Guest House with devotions and prayer led by one of the boarders. Yesterday morning was led by a man named Ken from New Zealand. He read from the passage in Scripture about Rahab (Joshua 2) and then he spoke about how God often uses the most unlikely people to do His work. He challenged us to focus on the seeming unlovable and "unlikely" people that come into our paths and to see what God does through them. What a great challenge and encouragement!
• Jason and I ended up with some extra time this afternoon and went to the "Safari Walk" outside of Nairobi to catch a glimpse of a few of the animals in the area (probably won't have time for a real safari this trip). A teenage boy came up to me and started a conversation. Toward the end of our discussion about life and America, I asked him what grade he was in. He answered "C+ right now". I quickly realized I should have asked when he would finish school. :) 
• We spent this morning at Kenyatta National Hospital once again. This time we were able to join the doctors for weekly rounds on the patients in the pediatric surgical ward. It was extremely eye opening and difficult to process afterward. In the midst of it all though, the little patients captured my heart. The people here are beautiful and kind, and their children are a delight.
• One little boy about two years old stands out in my mind. Jason and I met him while on the outskirt of the city near the slums. He was intrigued with us, especially Jason, and would run behind us until we would turn around and acknowledge him. Each time we would turn around he would let out a belly laugh that made everyone around start laughing. It was one of those laughs that you wish you could record for a rough day. 
• We learned today how to barter and get along on our own with taxi drivers. Nairobi is an interesting place... almost non-stop traffic, downtown is full of skyscrapers while the largest slum in Kenya is just on the outskirt, huge baptist churches down the street from mosques and temples, constant exhaust blowing in your face while walking along the sidewalk (not fun), orange fanta in a glass bottle with a straw (wonderful), Muslim call to prayer heard at night, almost perfect weather with a light breeze...
• We also learned a lot today about the details of setting up this Wilm's tumor project. There are a lot of obstacles to it and we are not sure how this will all turn out. Please continue to pray that we will continually place our life, time, people, and circumstances into God's powerful hands and all-knowing mind. 

   Well, I think that is all for now. :) Thank you all for reading and praying! We are heading to Kijabe in the morning. I'm not sure what the internet access will be like there or how often I'll be able to update. Please pray for me as this is the week I will be teaching the Kenyan ICU nurses. I've prepared the best I can and I'm praying for God to just take over and use my words somehow.
     HE IS ABLE!
         Meridith

... "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him..." - I Timothy 1:12