Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru, "Happy" Baboons, and so many pieces of Goat.

Such a strange week. We apologize for being late with our weekly updates but we have a good excuse. On Friday we were leaving, or we thought we were leaving, for the Sarit Centre (CENTER!), when we unexpectedly took an alternate route. Margaret had said she wanted to show us some villages, so we figured this was going to be it. Little did we know that almost four hours later we would be in the small village where Margaret grew up near Mount Kenya, to visit her father and family. It was really beautiful! Her father is a coffee farmer (who only drinks tea, by the way) so we got to see coffee trees. Everything was so green. That's really all I can think to say. It was full of differnt kinds of plants that all offered nutrition. They slaughtered a chicken for our arrival and since we ended up spending the night, they slaughtered a goat for our departure. I can only speak for myself, but I don't think my appearance warrants a chicken to slaughtered, not to mention a goat. But we were greatful, and it was good. On a side note, goat and Kelly's stomach do not mix! The reason for the celebration was because white people have NEVER visited their village and some of them had never saw one. Margaret's father, Wilson, last saw a white person when he was fighting for Kenya's independence from the British. So yeah, I didn't praise colonialism by any means (because everyone knows how I rave about colonialism!). We had a great time with Margaret's family and are invited back for Christmas for which they promised to slaughter two goats! Whew!

We got home late Saturday and rested Sunday. Then Monday we left for a "planned" field trip with all 44 children! We piled into a large bus at about 8 am and left House of Hope. No one, except maybe Margaret and the driver knew where we were going. We heard Great Rift Valley, but then we were informed by Njagi that the Rift Valley runs from Jordan to Mozambique, not to specific. So everyone was in the bus, heading northwest for many, many hours when we reached Nakuru, home of Lake Nakuru National Park. After some arguements with park security about admission prices for white people, we entered. It was breathtaking. We saw many animals, the children loved it! The baboons were crazy near the picnic area. The baboons were easily my favorite because they are always, ALWAYS, ummm, shall I say, excited. Anyone who was ever a thirteen year old boy will know what I am talking about, and will know that it is impossible not to find it hilarious.

It was really a great weekend, which is ending now at our beloved Sarit Centre (CENTER!) with it's glorious internet connections. Tammi was working on her journal when we were told we had to leave now or wait for some other time, so we decided to go ahead and go. She promises next time she will have something. Her updates will also be more specific.

Please go to our flickr account and enjoy the photos of this past week including a party for the kids, Mount Kenya, and Lake Nakuru!

We love all of you!

Now, a video with baboons!