4 months in Kenya!

We are quickly approaching the 4 month mark here in Kenya! We made a short video about the move and settling in, which you can view below. Overall, we had a pretty smooth introduction to Kenyan living. 

We have had to learn a few lessons the hard way, like making sure all the kitchen windows are closed when you go watch the monkeys in the front yard. Said monkeys will take advantage of the unattended open window and you will be without bananas quicker than you can say, “Hakuna matata.” Also, giant flying termites take open windows as an invitation…We have learned a lot and are so grateful that we get to live in such a beautiful place!The community here is so diverse with missionaries from all across the world serving at the hospital, Rift Valley Academy and Moffet Bible College – all located within walking distance from our house. We have attended a local Kenyan football game at the field down the road (not the American kind), enjoyed worship with the students and staff at RVA, and the boys now proudly identify every acacia tree they come across.Bryce started working at the hospital at the beginning of December and has enjoyed being in clinic and the OR getting to know his team. Henry is doing great with home-schooling and all the kids love to explore and go on hikes.

Praises:
-Bryce’s medical license is approved! Now we wait for the work permit approval which can take much longer, but we are so grateful for a step in the right direction.

-Our home and yard are a kid’s paradise and all three of them are very comfortable and have so many choices on great things to do each day. They love helping tend to our shamba (garden), ride their bikes around the yard, dig in the sand box, and monkey watch.

-The community of missionaries here is so inviting and caring, it is such a blessing to be working/living alongside them.Our house helpers make it possible for us to get through each day. They help us with cooking everything from scratch, keeping the house in running order and maintaining the property.

-The Rain! After a severe drought for the past several months, rain has finally come and the country is reviving. So many people here depend on their crops and livestock for their livelihoods and to feed their families, and many families have been suffering. Thank you, Lord, for sending the rain!

Prayer requests:
-That Bryce would learn how to navigate this new healthcare system to better serve the patients. 
-We have had our Christmas tree up since Thanksgiving, but with the lack of snow and family at a distance, it doesn’t feel quite the same. Please pray for our families as they will be having a much quieter Christmas this year without our lively bunch.

Thank you for your prayers and your support! We couldn’t be here without you. We hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Love, 

Bryce, Mary Beth, Henry, Owen, and Grace