Heading Home
Out final update from Kenyan Soil…
Yesterday was a bit of a tourism day for the West Mountain team. We had three of the team members do a game drive. Although I wasn’t on the drive I have heard some fun and exciting stories and it seems pretty evident that all had a enjoyable time. The first time you see African wildlife in Africa, uncaged it is quite the experience. Two of the three had never been to Africa, so I can think back to my own first experience and I am certain it must have been a special kind of childlike imagination for them to see the animals living in their own true home. With the exception of the elephant orphanage these animals are free to roam in almost any direction. There is a fence of sorts trying to prevent them from wandering into the city of Nairobi. It was only a few short years ago a lion crossed through the fence and tragically ended the life of some poor man who negligently thought he was safe near the road in Nairobi.
Some others of the team including myself went to Figgy Farms and were blessed to be received by Prisca and Valarie, George Kimani’s wife and oldest daughter. We took time to catch up on things there in the Kimani house, pray for them and over some health related issues, before returning to the hotel where we met up with the game drive team. After a quick freshen up, we went to the Carnivore, as was mentioned in the previous update.
Today we went for a short excursion to see about a requested item from my very own daughter back home in Texas. George knew just where to find it and the team spent up the remaining Kenyan Shillings that had been in their pockets since the first day. We had some American style burgers on the roof of the Sarit Center Mall and then we all climbed into the Land Cruiser for one last ride in Nairobi this year. George drove us past all the government building and gave us the grand tour of the Harambe road, down town Nairobi…
It was a slow drive back to the hotel as George pointed the truck in the right direction. He didn’t make the twin turbo purr like he had on many of our drives. You see for George and I, this is a bit of a sad moment. The end of the trip, the see you later between two great friends. As we arrived at the Hotel, Quick was standing on the porch waiting to see us. George assured him he wouldn’t leave without a proper goodbye. Quick had stayed back to rest today figuring he didn’t need anything in town more than the extra rest gained in the comfort of the Hilton Garden Inn.
George sat with us in the lobby and gave his farewell speech. He shared with the new members of our team the testimony and long relationship that we have had and how it has blessed his family and changed his life to severe as our mission driver. He handed out gifts of fresh roasted Kenyan coffee to all the team and said goodbye.
I walked with George to the truck, and with a hug and a handshake we were separated for another year. The goodbye moments in this country are so difficult. But a difficult goodbye is fruit of a real relationship.
As I walked back to my room alone I thought of all the wonderful times I have spent on this continent. Of the experiences and friends I have made here. I thought about some of the men and women that I knew here and have ministered to that have passed away. I thought about just how much this place really has changed in twenty years. There must have been some sadness in my eyes as I stepped into the room because Rachel met me with a warm embrace and confirmed that it had been a great trip.
In a few hours we will be at the airport and soon we will be in the air. Please continue to pray for us as we travel and try to make it home to our family and loved ones. There is a sacrifice that comes with these trips but there is a even larger blessing…
Arise and Go…that was the last encouragement I gave to the Kenyan church and it’s my encouragement to you now…wherever and whatever God is telling you….Arise and Go!
Yesterday was a bit of a tourism day for the West Mountain team. We had three of the team members do a game drive. Although I wasn’t on the drive I have heard some fun and exciting stories and it seems pretty evident that all had a enjoyable time. The first time you see African wildlife in Africa, uncaged it is quite the experience. Two of the three had never been to Africa, so I can think back to my own first experience and I am certain it must have been a special kind of childlike imagination for them to see the animals living in their own true home. With the exception of the elephant orphanage these animals are free to roam in almost any direction. There is a fence of sorts trying to prevent them from wandering into the city of Nairobi. It was only a few short years ago a lion crossed through the fence and tragically ended the life of some poor man who negligently thought he was safe near the road in Nairobi.
Some others of the team including myself went to Figgy Farms and were blessed to be received by Prisca and Valarie, George Kimani’s wife and oldest daughter. We took time to catch up on things there in the Kimani house, pray for them and over some health related issues, before returning to the hotel where we met up with the game drive team. After a quick freshen up, we went to the Carnivore, as was mentioned in the previous update.
Today we went for a short excursion to see about a requested item from my very own daughter back home in Texas. George knew just where to find it and the team spent up the remaining Kenyan Shillings that had been in their pockets since the first day. We had some American style burgers on the roof of the Sarit Center Mall and then we all climbed into the Land Cruiser for one last ride in Nairobi this year. George drove us past all the government building and gave us the grand tour of the Harambe road, down town Nairobi…
It was a slow drive back to the hotel as George pointed the truck in the right direction. He didn’t make the twin turbo purr like he had on many of our drives. You see for George and I, this is a bit of a sad moment. The end of the trip, the see you later between two great friends. As we arrived at the Hotel, Quick was standing on the porch waiting to see us. George assured him he wouldn’t leave without a proper goodbye. Quick had stayed back to rest today figuring he didn’t need anything in town more than the extra rest gained in the comfort of the Hilton Garden Inn.
George sat with us in the lobby and gave his farewell speech. He shared with the new members of our team the testimony and long relationship that we have had and how it has blessed his family and changed his life to severe as our mission driver. He handed out gifts of fresh roasted Kenyan coffee to all the team and said goodbye.
I walked with George to the truck, and with a hug and a handshake we were separated for another year. The goodbye moments in this country are so difficult. But a difficult goodbye is fruit of a real relationship.
As I walked back to my room alone I thought of all the wonderful times I have spent on this continent. Of the experiences and friends I have made here. I thought about some of the men and women that I knew here and have ministered to that have passed away. I thought about just how much this place really has changed in twenty years. There must have been some sadness in my eyes as I stepped into the room because Rachel met me with a warm embrace and confirmed that it had been a great trip.
In a few hours we will be at the airport and soon we will be in the air. Please continue to pray for us as we travel and try to make it home to our family and loved ones. There is a sacrifice that comes with these trips but there is a even larger blessing…
Arise and Go…that was the last encouragement I gave to the Kenyan church and it’s my encouragement to you now…wherever and whatever God is telling you….Arise and Go!
Posted in Africa2026