New Beginnings

Outside the gate of our apartment complex at 7:15am on Friday morning, I stand with Caleb as we wait for the bus to pick him up for the 40-minute ride to his school where he attends first grade. As the bus approaches, his excitement builds. Without even a goodbye, he bounds onto the bus and assumes his seat next to a new friend, excited for the day.

I would say that Caleb is adjusting well to Nairobi.

Once I see Caleb off, I begin my 30-minute walk to the IJM office. It is somewhat brisk in the mornings (upper-50s/low-60s) in August, which is late-winter here, so I usually wear a jacket over my shirt and tie. My walk is along heavily-trafficked roads, both auto and foot traffic, and I greet people with the traditional "Habari yako" greeting, which essentialy means, "How are you?" The response is "Mzuri sano," or "I'm fine." Along the way, my shoes get covered with the red dirt of Kenya, a pitfall of walking here.

I have been in the office for three days so far, and have already heard some sad, tragic stories of injustice. It is amazing how little respect for the innocence of children some people have. But, thanks to all of you, you and I get to be a part of helping people who have suffered great injustices here get an advocate they would not have otherwise. As some of the cases I am hearing here develop, I hope to be able to relay some general details of what is going on. As for my office, my co-workers are 12 Kenyans and one other North American. Great, passionate people. I am learning a lot very quickly.

As for Anna, she met a new friend at Caleb's school orientation who was also new to Nairobi, and has two kids, one Caleb's age and one a little older than Abigail. Anna and the other mom hit it off and have set up a couple "play dates" for the kids and look forward to time together as newbies in this city.

Abigail was very sad when her playmate Caleb went off to school, so Anna started preschool for Abigail at home. Abigail coined it "Unicorn Preschool," and Anna incorporated books and tea time on the couch (as the Brits were here for decades, tea is part of the culture). Though, as bloody Americans, Anna and Abigail use hot chocolate, crackers and peanut butter in addition to tea. Abigail sure feels like a big girl during tea time!

Luke is doing well, too. After an initial period of jet lag, he's sleeping fine. The thing he seems to love most about Nairobi so far are the stairs in our apartment -- we can't seem to keep him from climbing them.

I apologize for the delay in getting this first full update out, but we just got reliable internet hooked up in our apartment this weekend. Now that we are officially on-line, however, I expect we will be in more consistent contact. That said, please feel free to send any e-mails our way, as an e-mail from home is like gold!

Please pray for us in the following ways:

Family: No matter where you are (Austin or Nairobi), three kids can be exhausting. Please pray for Anna and me that we would have grace and patience to parent well and find sufficient rest. We have both had periods of being overtaxed.

Time with Jesus: This goes hand-in-hand with the first. Please pray for wisdom and grace in our time to meet with Jesus consistently.

Cultural Adjustment: We are doing remarkably well, I think, for being here 11 days, but please pray for our continued adjustment. Please pray for new friends and familiarity with the city, language and culture.

My work: Please pray for me as I work, that I would have the wisdom to engage in the battle for justice, that I would stand against the enemy's attacks, and that I would not bring home any of the emotional scars of what I have seen and heard.

Health: Anna feels like she pulled something in her back today toting the kids around. And we are having some tummy issues, probably the new foods. Please pray for complete healing!

Thank you all for standing with us. We love you and miss you. Next update, we hope to link to some video of our home and some street scenes.

Peace,

Lane, for the family