Trip to Kenya with Yellow Rhino Minitries

To be fair, Sunday didn't really exist  for me. My flight took off at 5pm Saturday, landed 6am Sunday in Germany (got my Pringles! And Apfel Saft! And also a charging block because both my block and European adapter was in my luggage and my phone had fully died). Second flight 11am Sunday, landed 10pm Sunday Kenya time and basically went to bed as soon as I got to the house. So I technically missed two days of posts, but really just 1 because Sunday doesn't count. Monday was spent figuring out a few things around the house and hanging out with my two favorite littles (who aren't so little anymore!) while Mama and Papa picked up a some of our other students and did a few other errands, like checking out the new house. Plans changed a few times, and an Uber strike meant Papa had to drive, which is no easy feat for an experienced Kenyan driver, let alone someone driving for the first time on the "wrong" side of the road! A long but fun day ended with pizza and playin...

It's time! After months of planning and packing and fundraising and more planning and more fundraising, made it to the airport! 3 bags checked in (and not overweight!), the hardest part was navigating them to the counter with an additional 2 backpacks to bring with me on board. Currently at the airport, this time I have a layover halfway through in Frankfurt, Germany. Fingers crossed I find paprika Pringles or Prince Cookies....or both! Iykyk, and if you don't you're definitely missing out. Prayers for continued smooth travel and that all 3 bags make it all the way with me to Kenya.

That's right! 2025 will see me returning to Nairobi to serve with Yellow Rhino Ministries in a few capacities. 1) Social Media Manager: I've been running YRMs social media for awhile, and it is fun a rewarding, but a bit of a challenge when I'm not actually *in* Kenya. I'm hoping to be able to collect about a year's worth (or more!) of content, and I've also been tasked with creating a YRM yearbook of sorts. 2) VBS: One of my favorite events of the year, I'll be helping run VBS at the YRM house. I'm very excited! Like last time in 2023, I won't be able to do this without your support. First in prayer, as it is a very long journey and I'll be working the day before my flight and only a day after I return. And I can't even drink coffee! I am asking for monetary support , with a goal of $4000. This is lower than last time as my expenses will be lower. I'm hoping to again be able to give a sizable donation to YRM as well! One special ask is a...

So I've been back for a few weeks now. I got back Friday morning, Christmas was Monday, and I got hit with a major virus on Tuesday (that I finally feel mostly recovered from). So doing a final blog kind of fell off the radar. The flight home was much more enjoyable than the flight there. No major turbulence, and I had a whole row to myself so actually got to lay down and sleep (in coach!). Takeaways from my trip: 1) American food just.... isn't as good. Especially fruit. I have never considered breaking international law but very much thought about trying to sneak mango and pineapple into my suitcase. I also didn't have an issue with acid reflux or headaches like I do here. Like at all. American tomatoes? Avoid like the plague. Kenyan ones? Enjoyed in soup most days and never had any problems. It was fun trying to explain how mangoes are literally not grown in my COUNTRY, let alone where I live, which is why I usually buy them frozen if at all. They know what grocery store...

Sadly, my time on Nairobi has come to an end. In fact, I'm at the airport right now 😭. Somehow my 15 hour flight will take only 6 hours (yay time zones!). But onto the good news! I posted on Facebook the other day that one of our high school students shared that his sister was unable to attend a school last year (they go the calendar year, so start in January) because they couldn't afford the school fees. Well, with your help we got to share the news with her and her mom today that we are covering her fees and welcoming her into the Yellow Rhino family. This was the response when we told her brother at the end of the retreat: Each family we visited insisted they serve us tea or juice and a cake or something similar. No matter how little they have, they always wish to serve us as a way of thanking us for serving them! This family made my last day filled with joy. As I constantly remind the student who went on the trip, they are NEVER a burden and always ...

Ok so just pretend it's still Wednesday, ok? 10 hours of ministry takes a lot out of you and we all needed to crash when we got back. Instead of one big Christmas party where everyone comes to one central spot and we needed to organize transportation and food and decorations, we brought the celebration to the neighborhoods! That meant we could spend time actually talking to the families and seeing the impact we make first hand. Bringing presents of Yellow Rhino T-shirts, food bundles, sweets (candy) and of course KFC we made 6-7 stops around Nairobi. A few to single families, and others to large groups gathered in homes or the local church. We even brought extra sweets to give to the local children who aren't sponsored by YRM. They didn't want us to leave and we had to cut them off for disrespectful behavior (towards us and each other!). In the largest neighborhood gathering we also performed the annual Christmas pa...