The Bunk Bed

A few weeks ago we made a bunk bed.  I bring it up again only because it was a great project for the kids to participate in.  It was a family project even and most importantly involving my father.  Unfortunately I never did capture him on film.  

We first had to purchase the wood which always presents a challenge.  There are several timber yards to choose from but none of them consistently have a great choice of wood.  When you do find decent wood it is always rough cut.  That means it isn't dimensional.  A 1"x4" might actually start that way but at various points along the length of the board it may change a half inch or more in any direction. Thankfully my dad has a planer which helps that a bit.

We first cut the pieces to length then we planed them.

After that they are still quite rough and full of potential slivers so we have to sand each and every board.  The kids loved helping at this point.

 This is the work table Rachel's dad build for me last time he was in Kenya.  It also doubles as a food prep/serving table if we have an outdoor meal.

Tekoa in action.  It is certainly a delight to teach your son how to use power tools, even if it is only a small circular sander.  Watch out for the dust!

 After the crucial sanding it was then time to put the four separate sides together.  Though the boards were mostly dimensional and mostly smooth they still weren't all straight.  Even still we did our best to nail them in place trying to hide as many flaws in the wood as possible.

 A bit of a novelty here.  My dad has a small air compressor and finish nailer to secure the wood until I was able to bolt it all together.

 The next step was the glossy stain.  Tekoa and Eliza both enjoyed painting this stuff on.  We had to make a temporary dust shield with plastic sheets because of the excessive amount of dust in the air due to the dry season we are in.  

And then of course came the finished product.  It won't win any awards for craftsmanship, but due to my children's untrained eyes they shower me with praise.  Doing it ourselves also saved us over a hundred dollars and provided us a dependable bed for years to come.

Back in Kenya

We are back in Kenya and through the acclimation process once again.  Jet lag lasted about a week, but thankfully that is long behind us now.  Though we love visiting the US it's always a joy to return to our home in Kenya.  The kids especially hate to leave any place they are loved and any familiar environment so the transition is always questionable.  This time was no different we had our ups and downs.  What was amazing was how excited Tekoa was to be back.  For the first couple of weeks he would constantly refer to things as the best and how excited he was to be home.  Every meal was the best, every day was the best, every friend was the best.  It makes a parent's heart glad when a child starts to appreciate the mission we are on together instead of regretting it.

Shortly after our arrival we had a delightful welcome home picnic with our Tumaini family.  It's a large group mostly of children and a few other people over five feet tall.  There is never a dull moment and the blessings continue to pile up as we share life with these wonderful children of God.

 Upon our return to Kenya we quickly had to adjust the length of our hair both for the climate as well as the culture.  Though we could get away with having long shaggy hair in Kenya we find it more culturally relevant with shorter hair.  I have even had colleagues request I cut my hair when it starts getting over an inch long because it's a little embarrassing for them.

Homeschool has also begun.  Rachel is training up our beautiful children in knowledge and wisdom.  Tekoa and Eliza work hard each day learning reading, writing, history, science and so much more.  But what makes homeschool so great is Rachel being able to taylor the learning to each child as well has bring a greater scope of our heavenly Father to the center of it all.

We had time to make a bunk bed.  This puts Tekoa and Eliza in the same bed which reduces the amount of floor space used up by separate beds, obviously.  It is also a new adventure for them as all the Children at Tumaini already sleep in bunk beds.  Now Tekoa and Eliza feel like they are keeping up with the times.  Mostly it gives us room to move our youngest, Emmanuel, into the room with Tekoa, Eliza and Samuel.

 We had an opportunity to check out a local swimming pool the other day.  Rachel and I both want our kids to learn how to swim and living in such a hot climate leaves us longing for refreshing water. The kids hadn't been in water deeper then a bathtub for quite a while, but after testing the waters a bit they had a great time.  Even Emmanuel got in on the action.

 Because the swimming pool isn't very economically friendly at this point we decided to have some of the Tumaini kids over for fun in the sun.  We took and old hose and made a poor man's sprinkler by jabbing holes in it.  I love kids.  They don't care what it's made of or how it works they just loved having the opportunity to run around in spraying water.  I am daily challenged by the view of simplicity children have for life.  I guess that's why Jesus said we should have faith like them and it was Martha who was corrected and not Mary who simply wanted to be at Jesus' feet.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 Christmas is here and gone.  For us it was the first Christmas in the US as a family.  We have had a great time with friends and family.  These two pictures show the kids enjoying the "Train Park" all lit up with Christmas cheer.  Unfortunately, even though there was a lot of lights and creative displays, there was no evidence of Jesus who is truly the Light of the world.

 Christmas day came with an accumulation of boxes and packages of all shapes and sizes.  Trying to be fully present for the opening of presents, I couldn't help but think of the abundance so easily taken for granted in the US.  We have spent Christmas in Kenya the last 7 years.  I can tell you it's a different experience.

Getting gifts is obviously a fantastic part of any holiday.  I found myself trying to remind my children of God's perspective on giving.  As Jesus said, "It's better to give then receive." It's a difficult concept for most of us adults let alone children who love new and shinny things also.

 The best part of Christmas is truly the Gift that God the Father gave us.  Jesus, his only Son is our gift promising life instead of death.  But it isn't just one special day of the year that we can celebrate the gift of Jesus.  He is the gift that keeps on giving.  Don't let the love and generosity that erupts during Christmas disappear as the new year emerges.  Instead join us as we challenge ourselves to a new level of love and generosity through out the year.  Jesus is alive and with us everyday.  Prove it by considering others as much as you fuss about yourself.  Prove it by letting his love mature in you more and more each day.

6 Years Old

We all have "Firsts" that we can remember.  Losing your first tooth.  Getting your first bicycle and finally learning how to ride it for the first time.  Maybe your first day of school.  Your first boyfriend or girlfriend or your first kiss.  Your first job.  Your first car.  Your first child being born.

The older you get the less often you get to experience "Firsts."  If you're not careful life becomes a typical routine that loses it's excitement.

Living in Kenya allows our family to experience "Firsts" all over again.  Eat repulsive foods for the first and sometimes last time.  Helping a young guy build a 10'x10' mud hut for his first home.  Visiting slum central for the first time and joining a family of 5 living in a 10'x10' dilapidated mud shack for tea.  Watching kids put on shoes for the first time or own a toothbrush for the first time or be able to sleep in a bed and not on the cold insect infested floor for the first time.

Many "Firsts" are experiences rooted in our memories that we carry with us until we are old and grey. (not that I have reached such a place of honor yet)  At any given time we are able to look back on those memories with joy or tears, but we soon realize they were apart of shaping who we are.

That may seem like a dramatic build up to Tekoa's 6th birthday, but it was truly a first time experience for him.  It was the first time he had his birthday in the United States.  That alone was something exciting for him.  It was the first time he went out to a restaurant with a group of his friends.  It was the first time he had an eat pizza, then brownies and ice-cream, then watch a movie and have a sleep over birthday party.  It was a very exciting day for him.

Just after breakfast Tekoa and Eliza getting ready to open presents.

The lasso became an immediate favorite.  Anything to tie up his siblings with is always a bonus.

Taking these four youngsters to a restaurant was almost too much for me.  Under the tables, over the tables, through other people's tables it was an explosion of energy with very little incentive needed.

Happy Birthday Tekoa!

Let It Snow!

For many American families living in the Northwestern United Sates a little snow doesn't mean much.  Well it may mean dealing with bad paranoid drivers for a day or two.  It may even mean a little extra work shoveling the sidewalk or in our case getting the pick up started on a cold frozen morning.

Now of course for us it isn't quite the same experience.  Rachel and I certainly grew up in the Northwest and are very accustomed to snow and winter weather, but our children being born in Kenya have a different perspective.  Wow do they love the snow.  I was kind of concerned they would be so put off by the cold that they wouldn't be able to enjoy all the fun snow could offer.  Well I had nothing to be concerned about.

The first night Tekoa and Eliza were up at their cousin's house in the snow it was freezing cold.  The temperature was low and the wind chill factor was intense.  Tekoa was out in the pitch dark for over an hour with two other cousins trying to sled down the hill behind their house.  When they finally came inside he was beat red and vibrating like a jack hammer.  Completely over taken by the cold with ice sickles for fingers he just smiled out of sheer delight having finally played in real snow.  It was a moment to cherish in deed.

I personally was hoping we would be back in Kenya by now, but for the kids, getting some snow experience has been incomparable.  This has been the first year Rachel and I have celebrated Thanksgiving in the US since we were married.  It will also mark our first Christmas together outside Kenya.  We are so grateful for our family and friends who make it such an enjoyable time of year.  Though we know we will be back in Kenya soon enough we are so thankful to be here now.

We are in the US for a while longer and plan to make the most of it.  Like it says in Ephesians 5:15-17 "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."
We want to make the most of every opportunity we have.  May your Christmas and transition to a New Year be one of understanding what the Lord wants you to do.  Then do it.

Comforts of Home

Home is an interesting concept.  This is our house but that doesn't guarantee a home.  So much more must occur then just shelter from the elements to make a house truly home.  Living in a country not your own sometimes adds challenges.  Regular power outages, water shortage, the smell of burning garbage floating stealthy through the air penetrating every room of the house are some consistent challenges we face in and around our home.  Not always enjoyable but they also can't keep us from being at home.  Among many things Rachel has done in the house to make it our home, our attempt to create an outside environment that inspires imagination and fun has benefited our children and all who regularly come and visit our home.

These are our swings.  Everybody loves to swing.  The attempt to make a horse swing out of an old tire  turned into more of a bull, but the kids like it all the same.

Our sand box made from an old tractor tire is certainly Samuel's favorite place.  When he plays in it after it rains we have our hands full cleaning him up but rain or shine that's where he wants to be.

Rachel hosts play day every other week for various families and our large Tumaini family next door are always welcome to share in the fun.

Utilizing old parts from our recently refurbished van (not pictured) we built a car allowing the kids to drive anywhere their imaginations would take them. "Safari Salama"  

This is the worship platform.  Make a joyful noise to the Lord!!  It's great to hear these little ones sing songs to God as they bang on the bucket drum set.

Our airplane is the newest addition.  It's a bit dangerous but sometimes a little danger is require for fun.

Family Photos

Well it usually brings tears to my eyes.  Tears of frustration and despair.  It is a common feeling among the males I know when ever the dreaded family pictures come along.  All the years of tribulation each time my mother called upon us for another family picture flashed back as we prepared for another family photo session.  Although I entered into the experience with reservation I was pleasantly surprised.  We actually had a great time.  Ange Movius did a fantastic job rolling with the punches that fly with a family having 3 small children.  The kids actually performed masterfully and when it was all done they went swimming in their underwear.  Oh to be a child again.  Life is so innocent.  I guess if we approached more of life from their eyes some things, like family pictures, would be of little concern.  So remember the next time you are preparing for family pics.  Take it like a kid; smile, be patient, and when it's all done go swimming in your underwear.