.day.
wake, 6:15am
tea and snack, 6:20am
e –mails, 6:20 – 7am
devotional, 7am
answer dorm girl’s question, 7:50am
task list for Emily, 8:05am
real breakfast, 8:10am
shower, 8:15am
get ready for the day, 8:30am
go over task list with Emily, 8:50am
tidy room, 9am
answer dorm girl’s question, 9:15am
start up computer at guidance office, 9:20am
meeting with Superintendent to discuss some potential travel plans, 9:30am
assemble 12 gift bags for College Representatives coming tomorrow for the Christian College Fair, 9:50am
Begin answering Guidance Office e-mails, 10:05am
Chai break downstairs in Chai Staff Room, 10:12am
Take Chai Announcement/Prayer Request notes, 10:17am
Pray in Chai, 10:25am
Network and fellowship, 10:30am
Usher tech guru friend, Greg, over to my apartment to set up the projector screen for Saturday morning’s Christmas movie and Chocolate-chip Scones I’ll be making for the girls, 10:45am
Back up to Guidance Office, 11am
Joke with Steve Peifer – College Director – and his matchmaking skills, 11:10am
Tell Steve about my book ideas, 11:20am
Process Transcripts and assemble College media materials, 11:25am
Make copies of transcripts and seal envelopes, 11:45am
Cafeteria Duty, 12:10pm
Say hi to kids in line, hug my girls along the way, 12:15pm
Eat lunch with two of my girls and Annie, another dorm mom, 12:40pm
Go home and coordinate with Emily on task list, 1:10pm
More e-mails, 1:30pm
Weigh Christmas Box downstairs at Candace’s – 7 lbs., 1:50pm
Give John, our Kedong outside worker, carrot seeds to plant, 2pm
Assemble list of cleaning supplies needed for end-of-term cleaning for the girls, 2:10pm
E-mailed group of ladies an encouragement note, 2:30pm
Help one of my dorm girls make brownies and icing in the kitchen and chat about her day, 3pm
Listen to Emily express a concern about something, 3:40pm
Say goodbye to Emily and thank her for another day of her amazing help and assistance, 3:55pm
Coordinate with other single girls on Turkey order, 4pm
Watch Varsity girls semi-finals basketball game in gym, 4:20 -5:45pm
Get package from Mail Room – thank you, Tracy! ☺ 5:50pm
Eat quick dinner, 5:55pm
Sign off on Computer Lab passes for girls, 6:15pm
Drama Rehearsal – tomorrow is the first performance!, 6:20-8pm
Go over dance notes with Kim Saum, 8:05pm
Pray for crying girl alone outside, 8:10pm
Tea with Kim in her kitchen, 8:20pm
Danced with Jonah and Savvy in living room, 8:24pm
Sunday Service Worship Rehearsal with Mike Saum, acoustics and voice, 8:30 – 9:30pm
Walk home, 9:31pm
Get home, 9:35pm
Chat with dorm cover, Gale Holt, for a few, say thank you, 9:35pm
Watch stream of girls come in from rehearsal, with two carrying one injured girl, 9:37pm
Help dorm girl get ice, advil, and a pillow to prop up her injured ankle, 9:40pm
Call Student Health Nurse, 9:42pm
Help dorm girl get into bed, 9:45pm
Pray for injured girl, 9:47pm
Sit with injured girl while nurse feels for breaks, 9:55pm
Wait with injured girl while nurse runs back up to Student Health to get Codeine, 10pm
Tuck other girls into bed, 10:05pm
Give injured girl Codeine, 10:20pm
Tuck injured girl into bed, 10:30pm
Help other dorm girl with Spanish project, 10:35pm
Get a snack from Tracy’s care package, 10:40pm
Coordinate with other girls taking “late lights”, 10:45pm
Check e-mails, 10:50pm
Get ready for bed, 10:55pm
Tuck other “late light” girls in, 11:05pm
Lock doors, 11:08pm
Read Nora’s blog post, 11:13pm
Send Mike lyrics to a worship song, 11:15pm
Write this, 11:17pm
Post this, 11:31pm
Set alarm for 3am to give injured girl more Codeine, 11:33pm
Sip of water, 11:35pm
Lights out, 11:36pm
.night.
It doesn’t get much better than wearing an original 1970’s RVA cheerleader costume for “Carnival” last night…
…or kissing a Giraffe yesterday at the Nairobi Giraffe Park…don’t ask 
…or hiking down into the valley to visit the ancient Fig Tree with friends last weekend…
…of course, these things are all good and fun. but, really, it doesn’t get much better than two of my girls coming into my room a few nights ago, and with furrowed brows and pursed lips, saying, “Miss Emily, wait! you aren’t gonna be here all by yourself and alone for Christmas, are you?!”
I love my 17 “daughters.” they leave in just two weeks for Christmas Break, and although I must be honest and admit that I am ready for a break, I WILL miss them during our 5 weeks apart. They have become so dear to my heart – God’s grace is abounding in their lives, and it has been such a privilege to have a front-row seat. I can’t even describe how much they are helping and challenging me to grow, too! Their insights and perspective and honest expressions have humbled me day after day, and I thank Christ for using them to shine a spotlight upon the Gospel from all different angles.
“You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” Psalm 40:5
The stories I have are more than can be told. And, I wish I could tell you all of them. But, as I ponder them in my heart, and proclaim God’s wondrous deeds to you, know that my heart is full of joy because of the Lord’s great grace. I see His hand at work, and stand amazed, but not surprised by His steadfast love.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, – 1 Corinthians 1:30
“Reader, are you wanting the “wisdom that is profitable to direct” you at this moment? Acquaint now yourself with Jesus, in whom all the treasures of this wisdom are hid. What is His language to you? The same which Moses, the great legislator, spoke to the people of Israel: “The cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” What a cheering invitation is this! A greater than Moses speaks it, and speaks it to you. You find your case baffling to human wisdom, too difficult for the acutest skill of man-take it, then, to Jesus. How sweetly He speaks-”bring it unto me.” One simple exercise of faith upon His word will remove all that is difficult, make simple all that is complex, and lucid all that is dark in your case. With Him nothing is impossible. To Him all is transparent. Knowing the end from the beginning, there can be nothing unforeseen in it to His mind; by His prescience all is known, and by His wisdom all is provided for. His precious promise is, “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not: I will lead them in a path that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Thus is Jesus “made of God unto us wisdom,” that all our perplexities may be guided, and all our doubts may be solved, and all our steps may be directed, by one on whom the anointing of the “spirit of wisdom and understanding” rests “without measure;” and who, from experience, is able to lead, having trod every step before us. “And when he puts forth His own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow Him.” “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally:” let him repair to Christ, whom God has set up from everlasting, “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.”
Have you ever taken stock of your pantry, created a list of meals that could be created from what you have, and then marveled at the amazing abundance of how much you really have available, right under your own nose?
Here in Kijabe, meal-planning is essential. Because we live in the mountains and are one hour away from “town,” I usually do my grocery shopping every 3 weeks and meal-planning by the month. I must admit, cooking for one is not very exciting…and oftentimes, I end up ditching the recipe for an omelet instead. But, especially with all the hosting that we do, it is quite helpful to know what can be pieced together based on what is in my cupboards.
The following list is my list for November, through the end of Term 1 (the day before Thanksgiving). We’ll see how it goes Some of this stuff is already in my freezer, which is handy. I have fallen in love with the “More with Less” cookbook. It is a perfect combination of lots of vegetarian dishes that are simple and easy to make, and don’t require too many exotic ingredients that just aren’t available in the middle of Africa!
- Morroccan Beef Stew with Mint, Sweet Potatoes and Carrots, served with Cardamom Braided Bread
- Chili and Cornbread
- Soup met Boulejetes (Dutch Meatball Soup with Vermicelli Noodles)
- Fish Taco’s with Black Beans and Rice
- Spelt Pasta with Marinara Sauce
- Spinach Lasagna
- Whole Paprika Honey Chicken with Rice and Veggies
- Frozen Pizza Crust for Pepper and Pineapple Pizza
- Beef Fillet Skewers with Onions, Zucchini and Carrots
- Garlic Sausage Lentil Stew or Casserole
- Salad Nicoise with Tuna, Green Beans, Potatoes, and Tomatoes, served with Tabouleh (bulgar, chickpeas, parsley, mint, scallions, and dressing)
- 2 big bags of frozen corn…hmmm…Bean and Corn Soup, or perhaps I’ll do Corn Fritters
- Hawaiian Beans and Ham
- Enchiladas with Green Chiles and Homemade Tortillas (already in freezer!)
- Spinach Salad with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Feta
- Squash Boats with Savory Rice
And, last but not least, tonight’s dinner…
- Homemade Amaranth-Oat Bread with French Onion Soup
The great part about being at RVA is there is no such thing as Sunday blues. When I get to Sunday night, I don’t usually dread Monday mornings, because there is always something fun or interesting happening that upcoming week. This week is the perfect example of a packed-out fun week.
Monday
Dinner with the Harteminks, the Dutch family who is here until next April. We enjoyed Honey-Mustard chicken and a gorgeous sunset out their back window. We were also expecting a Lock-Down Drill around noon, but that didn’t happen cause there was a shortage in the wiring on the alarm Whoops.
Tuesday
Multi-Cultural Day! This is a fantastic celebration of all the countries represented by the student body of RVA. We conducted a special morning ceremony with cultural songs and drama skits and prayer, followed by a competitive group game and picture, big BBQ lunch in the Caf-O, and to top it off, Fireworks on Upper Field after sunset. I must admit that when the three students representing the USA carried the American Flag down the center aisle during the morning ceremony, I got a bit choked up as we sang the National Anthem. Here are the girls all ready for the day…
Wednesday
Pretty typical day, but still fun. Work up in the Guidance Office, Chai, Lunch duty at the Caf-O (every Wednesday I get to eat lunch for free! Melise and I dig the salad bar., Bible Study at Jan King’s to discuss the Psalms, Drama Rehearsal, and then I got to talk to my Grandma!
Thursday
12:30am. 24 Flu hit me hard, and I was absolutely wiped out until Friday morning. This was certainly not a “fun” part of the week, but I was reminded of God’s all sufficient grace and strength during this time…and it was good for me to be humbled and weak before the Lord.
Friday
Thankfully, I had enough strength after being sick to go to the local Tea Plantation Farm with some of the other RVA ladies from 10 to 4 on Friday while the kids were in class.
This farm is 40 minutes from RVA and is owned by a British couple, Marcus and Fiona, who inherited the tea business from their parents and now carry on the growing, picking, sorting, packing, distributing to the factories, and auctioning in Mombasa to brands such as Tetley’s and Lipton and PG Tips. Fiona is a wonderful, sweet lady who gave us a 30 minute history lesson on tea and how it is grown and produced and graded…she explained how tea is sorted and shook into different “grade levels” during processing…the “finest” bits become packaged as the premium export, and the stalkier, thicker pieces become packaged as more of a local Kenyan tea.
I learned so much from Fiona’s talk…for example, did you know that green and black tea come from the same tea leaves? The only difference is that green tea is not oxidized, and black tea receives exposure. Also, Mombasa (the coastal town in East Kenya) stands up next to Sri Lanka as the second biggest tea export in all of the world!
After the history lesson and a short walking tour of these beautiful grounds pictured here,
we enjoyed a fresh luncheon of homemade vegetable soup and rolls, beef with homemade mustard, carrots and green beans, creamed corn, and a scrumptious salad with avocado. For dessert, they served us local tea or coffee, with farm-fresh ice cream, fruit salad, lemon mousse, and cheese and crackers.
Saturday
Pinewood Derby! What, you say? Yes, a pinewood derby.
For months, RVA staff and students have been busy in the Wood Shop, creatively preparing their hand-built, pinewood derby cars for the big racing day, in which the cars fly down this 50 year-old race track and compete to be the fastest, most unique, best engineered, and best crafted derby cars. For those of you who are Dutch, imagine the “Shulbak” (sp?) game X 100 in size…and each car emerging out of a “horse-race-type-stall” to wheel down the slippery track and hit the finish line. Each grade competes against each other (5th to 12th grade), and there is also a Men’s and Women’s group at the end. One of my girls, Esther, won in the 9th grade group for “most unique.” Hers’ was an Outhouse
And, here was the overall winner for best craftsmanship:
It’s been a great week…I can’t believe it’s almost November, can you?
Malindi at Turtle Bay was Perfect
Midterm Break!
AirKenya
Landed three dorm moms (Annie, Melise and Emily)
In a
New scene,
Designed for relaxation, rest, reflection;
Independent of the 53 high-school girls usually under our care.
At….
Turtle Bay Beach Club
Talks: as dorm moms, us three had a lot to talk about. Conversations flowed as rhythmically as the tide.
Undeserved blessing: simply the ability to sleep, rest, and be quiet was as marvelous as the dripping dribble of peach juice on your chin, or the warmth of a fire on a cold, rainy evening.
Reading: me/Three Cups of Tea and The Gospel for Real Life; Melise/Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World; Annie/The Ishbane Conspiracy
Tropical climate and scenery: the ocean, palm trees, aqua water, breeze, sand, sunny sky all set the perfect scene for us.
Luxurious pools: ahhhhh….we relished in the cool, languid, still waters every day….
Entertainment: performances of African dancing and drums, Mamma Mia!, a Kenyan Christian choir, and even an Acrobatic Circus Group.
Beach Boys: no, not like the U.S. music group. I’m talking about the Kenyan beach boys…one could hardly take a walk on the beach without being approached by young locals who want to sell you things, talk to you, market their products, etc. We met quite a few, and some actually took us snorkeling one day in coordination with the hotel’s special snorkeling program that they offer.
Annie rode a Camel on the beach. Her dream came true ☺
Yaaking…yep, we went kayaking too! Around the big “turtle” rock that sits about a ½ mile out from shore, near the break.
Wind Surfing: yep. We all took a free 30 minute wind-surfing lesson. I found it to be easier than real surfing…it was quite fun, and I think I’ll try it again sometime.
Adults! We met a bunch of random English, Australian, and American adults who we ended up seeing at the buffet meals every day…
Snorkeling! Clown fish, crocodile fish, zebra-print fish, etc. It was pretty cool…
Psalms 23-25. I had a great time meditating on these psalms while I was on the beach…we are studying them in our inductive bible study, so it was fun to read them while I was in a beautiful location.
Ebony. I bought a beautiful, black Ebony fruit bowl.
Reflection.
Fish! I got to eat fish for the first time in 2 months! It was scrumptious.
Emotions. When one is focused on the emotions of 17 girls for 6 weeks, it’s easy to forget that I have emotions, too. I was grateful for the opportunity to go to God and friends and pour out my heart and think about all that has happened in the past 2 months.
Crying…sometimes it’s good to get out those tears that have been building up…
Time to leave…after 4 days, it was time to go…but, it was also good to come “home” to Kijabe…
I’m back from the coast of Malindi, relaxed and refreshed. I suppose I should be telling you all about the adventures and funny moments and conversations and activities that Melise, Annie and I shared, but at the moment, none of that seems important.
You see, my inside worker, Emily Maingi, is in dire need of our help. Emily is a single mother who has two small elementary-aged girls, Rose and Mary (pictured).
With the drought here in Kijabe, life has been harder than usual as of late. The crops were bad, and so the food that they usually depend on is scarce. To make matters worse, Emily had some important possessions stolen from her home last week. These kitchen items and elements (wood, metal tools, etc.) were a part of her livelihood and growing pizza business that she and her sister started. As her two daughters are growing like weeds, and desperately need money for their school uniforms, food, and textbooks, this loss of property is simply devastating. Just this afternoon, she asked to share her heart with me, and broke down crying because she was so discouraged about having to take “steps back.” Despite her tears, Emily was filled with faith and kept saying, “But I know God is in control.” To say the least, it was a humbling, holy moment for me. How can I stand by and watch? How can I simply comfort her and tell her I’ll be praying? I can’t. No…in these moments, I am seeing just how spiritual and beautiful and divine the “practical” and “hands-on help” and “tangible” really is.
So, I am here blogging on this unusually quiet afternoon to ask for YOUR help. Can we partner together to help ease the pain and hardship of Emily’s burdens? Can we sacrifice just a small portion of our own funds and income to give Rose and Emily a happier, more hope-filled future? At the least, can we pull together enough funds to help keep them well fed and healthy for the rest of this school year?
You’d be surprised at how FAR just a little can go…15,000 Kenyan shillings each month (approx. $200.00 USD) would sufficiently provide for their needs. In total, it would cost $2,384 USD yearly.
As my heart broke for Emily this afternoon, I was reminded of the parable in the Bible that Jesus tells about the man who closes his door to the one knocking…unwilling to help, cold-hearted, and lacking compassion. I shuddered at this thought…what a horrible existence—to have the freeing and glorious power to act, and instead to shrink in the powerless state of selfishness and greed.
Oh, Lord! May my heart never come to such a hardness…may you soften it and make me be the hands and feet of Christ himself! I don’t want to get to heaven someday and have to swallow a lumpy, tough piece of regret of having chosen to NOT help someone because I want to stay seated on the savvy cushion of ease and wealth. THIS is where the rubber meets the road for me, Lord. This is where I learn to walk your road…
If you are interested in making a donation for Emily, Rose and Mary, please contact me at emilyjjansen@gmail.com.
Thank you!
At RVA, we like to eat. More importantly, we like to eat together. That’s why, not surprisingly, I have shared meals with various individuals and families for the past three evenings.
On Monday night, I got to share Chicken Curry with Mango Chutney with my dear, British single lady friend named Lauri Seymour. Lauri is a saint. She has a wonderfully cheerful loud voice and is an amazing cook and baker. She teaches up at “Titchie” with the elementary kids, and has spent her life doing mission work with Native American tribes, Russian orphans, Africans, and now at RVA with MK’s. She has lived all over the world and has experienced great loss in her life multiple times. Despite trials, she is bright, cheery, and joyful. Her home is full of paisley patterns and rose tablecloths and blue British china.
On Tuesday night, I was invited up to the Saums’ house for Chipotle Chicken Burrito’s. The Saums and I share a great love for eating, and little Jonah challenges me to Wii Tennis, while Savvy begs me to dance like a ballerina all over the family room as soon as I come in the door. When I told Savvy where I was going for Midterm Break, she made an “ooooo” sound and said, “Can you take me with you?” The Saums are a dear family who loves to dance and sing, and Mike and I are even working on “I Need You, Jesus” by Kristian Stanfill together for an upcoming Sunday service or possibly the AIM Misisonary Conference that is held at RVA at the end of November after Term 1 is over. Mike works in Nairobi doing Videography and Graphic Design for a Christian Media and Film organization, while Kim teaches 2nd grade at Titchie. Kim and I have become fast friends, organizing the Choreography for “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” together and spending lots of time just hanging out and drinking ice tea, serving together, and watching chick-flicks like “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” I may go on December vacation with them, which would be a blast! Mike has also welcomed me to come into his studio sometime in December, so that I can meet some fellow photographers and creative tech’s…
Last night, the Stocksdales invited me up (and I mean UP…they live at the top of the RVA campus way up the hill…) to eat Thai Chicken with their family. Jon and Susan know my relatives, the Konings, who were at RVA two years ago, and Susan stays close to a past RVA graduate that is currently in D.C. for college and a girl that I have developed a friendship with in the past year or so. The Stocksdales and I host 7th grade “Caring Community” together about once a month, and Susan is the head Student Counselor here. She attended Wheaton College back in the day, and has her Masters in Biblical Counseling. Their kids, Caroline and Ben, attend school at RVA and have tons of energy and like to chitchat with me whenever we hang out. Jon is a computer tech gu-ru and has a vision to equip every RVA student with a safe and useful school computer in the years to come, so that they don’t have to only write papers in the Computer Lab on campus. Jon and Susan both came to RVA as singles many years ago, and met here, and got married, and have been here ever since. Susan is a great source of encouragement to me, as she also served as a single dorm mom when she was in her early twenties. Susan and I also like to meet at the gym every Tuesday and Thursday morning to work out and do weights. It’s a good thing, too, because Jon and Susan’s “thing” is to make homemade ice-cream and biscotti when I come and to drink decaf coffee together ☺ Last night was Mocha Chip Ice Cream and Chocolate Almond Biscotti. Yumm….
Well, I’m off to Malindi tomorrow with Annie and Melise…pictures to come by next week, and pray for safe travels!
Am-ar-anth. The word means “everlasting” in Greek. It is a tiny seed that has served as an important source of nutrition in South American and Mexican civilizations for years and years. Currently, Amaranth has increased in popularity within the gluten-free society, and here are ten reasons why I have decided to incorporate it into my own diet:
1) Meat is expensive here, and so I need alternative sources. Amaranth contains more protein than any other gluten-free grain. One cup contains 28.1 grams of protein!
2) A great source of lysine (important amino acid that absorbs well in your intestinal tract)
3) Contains proteins that are known as “albumins” and “globulins,” which are plant-based and easily digestible.
4) 1 cup of Amaranth contains 298 milligrams of calcium!
5) 1 cup of Amaranth contains 519 milligrams of magnesium, higher than any other gluten-free grains.
6) 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 15 milligrams of Iron. Again, more than other gluten-free grains.
7) 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 18 grams of fiber. Comparison? White rice contains only 2.4 grams of fiber!
Lower in carb-o content than white rice, brown rice, oats, teff, and other grains.
9) Good source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. It is similar to Olive oil, which contains Vitamin E.
10) Anytime you add Amaranth into gluten-free recipes (in amounts up to 25%), you improve the nutritional value of the product, the taste, and its texture. It serves as a thickener, and therefore is good for white sauces, soups, and stews.
Source of Information:
http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/nutritionalmealplanning/a/amaranth.htm
Things I am going to attempt to make with Amaranth in the coming months:
-pancakes
-high-protein granola
-bread
-banana bread
-orange muffins
- toasted rolls
- lentil soup
- grits
- refried amaranth
- spicy ginger gem cookies
- puffed amaranth candy with cocoa
If you want the recipes, e-mail me at emilyjjansen@gmail.com, and I can send you the Word document I put together.
Yesterday was one of the best days of my entire life. I didn’t know it was going to be. I didn’t expect it to be. But, it was.
At ten o’clock, a group of RVA staff, including the Holts, Carpenters, Harteminks, Melise, Annie, and I ventured one hour away from RVA’s campus to enjoy the calm and quiet of Lake Naivasha. Alisha, our chaffeur, graciously drove all of us out there and stayed at the Lake all day until we were ready to leave around 5:30pm. He is a local Kenyan man who attends the AIC Church that we attend on the first Sunday of every month. It was fun getting to know him and hear him express his love for his family and the Lord. But, I’m side-tracking…
Upon our arrival to the Lake Naivasha Country Club, we spent a little while walking the beautiful grounds. The Club basically serves as a local retreat center and hotel, so there were all sorts of lounge rooms where people were picking up the live Soccer games, and also Christian groups playing jump-rope and other games out in the grassy backyard areas. After talking some pictures out on the pier (which is horribly dry due to drought right now), we came back to eat lunch, which was an elaborate buffet of Kenyan and Indian cuisine, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. One of my highlights was the cheese and crackers! I haven’t had crackers or corn chips or pretzels or any other type of carb munchie in over 6 weeks, so they tasted quite delicious. Also, the freshly squeezed Passion Juice was to-die-for.
Then, we made our way back down to the Pier, where we boarded small motor-boats that took us across the Lake over to Crescent Island, which is a wildlife sanctuary. Here, we conducted a two-hour walking tour and safari, accompanied by Simon, our guide.
Yes, that’s right. A walking safari! No jeeps needed, like in Jurassic Park. All the animals that live on Crescent Island are tame and safe, so we got as close as fifty feet from some of them! Hippos. Wildabeast. Gazelle. Giraffe. Zebra. Egyptian Geese. Pythons. It was quite an adventure. Simon explained to us how this island, (which is really a Peninsula that you can also access by car), was established in the 1970’s. Isak Dinesan, author of “Out of Africa,” actually invested into it in the early 1980’s when she returned to East Kenya for some time. In fact, parts of the movie, “Out of Africa,” was filmed on Crescent Island, along with “Gorillas in the Mist” and “Tomb Raider.” (Simon proudly smiled with his big white teeth at this point in the history lesson and told us that he himself was a movie extra for these!)
I couldn’t believe it. The book I so loved…the woman who inspired me in part to move to Kenya…the land that so beautifully is portrayed in the movie…I was standing in a place that tied all these things so beautifully together. And, I wasn’t dreaming. I was living my dream. As we ascended the hill and reached the crest, I threw my head back, laughed, and breathed a deep breath of utter satisfaction and delight. Melise and Annie and I kept looking at each other and giggling as if we were little tikes waking up on Christmas morning.
For the next two hours, we proceeded to walk the island, seeing the various herds and family-groups of different animals. Melise and I chuckled at this one particular Giraffe. He was such a poser! He kept staring straight at us, as if he knew that he was the center of attention. We stared straight back, and then laughed because we realized that we were having a staring contest with a Giraffe in the middle of Africa! It was quite humorous to say the least.
When we reached a different shore point, I was walking along the water and saw this smooth, round white rock glimmering in the sun…as I stooped down to pick it up, the word, “Ebenezer” suddenly came to mind. It comes from a line in the song, “Come Thou Fount,” one of my favorite hymns:
“Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy help I come,
And I hope by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.”
Ebenezer didn’t originate with Ebenezer Scrooge. No, no. It originated in the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel. The passage says,
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen[1] and called its name Ebenezer;[2] for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”
Ebenezer. Stone of help.
What a dear reminder of God’s power, strength, and solid reliability. He has been my stone of help for the past 6 weeks, and will continue to be! I brought the stone home with me and put it in my living room as a daily reminder that ‘till now, the Lord has helped me,’ and I can entirely trust Him that He will not stop helping me now.
Around 5:30pm, we boarded back onto the motor-boats and made our way across the Lake back to the mainland. After a nice spot of tea on the veranda, we hopped back into our vans and came home to RVA. It was a beautiful day—with new friends, new sights, new sounds, new memories…and one that I will never forget as long as I live.
