The first few days in Kijabe

Although my initial introduction to Kijabe was less than warm when I arrived on Monday night... Tuesday has proven to be a much more positive day.

After approximately 27 hours of traveling I arrived in the Nairobi airport, grabbed my bags and found my way outside. As I reached the exit.... I paused, a long pause, as my eyes frantically searched for a guy who looked like his name might be Philip. I soon realized that was silly (my sleep deprived mind wasn't working so well) and instead looked at the signs people were holding.... hoping with all my heart I'd see mine. And also remembered that I should probably keep my eyes out for a misspelled name! Haha.

Sure enough, after a few minutes (which in reality was actually probably only seconds), I spotted it: Jacquelyn Jansen. Pretty dang close! I made eye contact with this short Kenyan wearing a camo safari hat and confidently walked forward, reached out my hand and sighed a sentence that went something like "you must be Philip. You have no idea how glad I am to see you!!!

We made our way to the vehicle... and just in time too. I have arrived in the rainy season. There were RIVERS running through the streets of Nairobi. I kid you not. I've never seen anything like it. And on top of that.... no one uses their signal lights, or obeys traffic lights even. There are police on the streets (stationed in the round abouts) but I really don't think they do anything. Haha. They were just observing the mayhem. I found myself nodding offthroughout the drive and was so thankful when we finally turned off the highway to pick our way down the road into Kijabe. (No worries if i cant find trails to run here. I can always run on the pot hole filled roads... it will be just like running on some of the technical traiks back home. Haha.

When we arrived at the Moffat Guesthouse which is to be my home for the next 5.5 weeks there was nobody here. Thankfully Philip phoned someone to help me get into my room.... but, this guy was none too pleased with being woken up. After a scolding for being so late I wsx given my room key. Thank goodness someone else who was staying here was awake and graciously showed me thd bathroom and helped me carry my bags up the stairs.

After brushing my teeth I gratefully slipped under the covers and fully expected to fall asleep. Haha - jokes on me. I lay there thinking "what the heck am I doing here?! And why in the world did I think 5 weeks was a good length of time?! That is an eternity! Especially if my welcome to the rest of Kijabe is as.... cool... as my welcome to the guesthouse" I woke up many times throughout the night - boiling hot, freezing cold, feeling nervous - you name it... I felt it.

This morning I tried to get up, but couldn't. I didn't roll out of bed till 1pm local time. At that point I was in desparate need of water, but was pretty sure that I didn't want to (shouldn't) drink it from the tap. I found a water purifier in the kitchen and then set out in hopes offinding the Halestrap's. Philip knew that Pete Halestrap was who I had been in touch with when arranging this trip and had pointed it out to me on our drive in last night. Somehow I found my way there and was warmly welcomed by his wife Libby with a cup of tea and a warm fire to sit beside.

After a visit and a quick tour of the hospital where I was given a phone to use while I'm here and shown where to buy minutes... I settled in at the Halestrap's kitchen table with some toast and peanutbutter, and ths wifi password. It was great to be able to touch base with peopke back home - makes me feel not so terribly far away. Another huge blessing.

The rest of my day was fairly uneventful. I went back to my room at Moffat and tried to stay up as late as I could in hopes that I would sleeo better... No such luck. I slept for maybe three hours, and then was up every hour for the rest of the night. When my alarm went off at 7, I was so exhusted that I keot pressing snooze until I had all but run out of time. I threw on my scrubs and made my way to Wednesday morning chapel.

(in case you didn't realize I am now transitioning into day 3)

I spent Wesnesday in the ICU, and I'm ashamed to say I spent most of it sitting down. With a mixture of nerves, the stuffiness and heat of the ICU, having not eaten for a couple days (partially because I had no appetite and also because I had no idea where to buy food), and a complete lack of sleep - I was done for. Despite my best efforts, whenever I stood up I felt like I was going to pass out. That was humiliating... But the nurses treated me with understanding, respect and kindness. The nurse I was partnered with for the day even took me to the market during her lunch break so that I would have something to eat tonight.

As I carried my little stool around the room as I listened in on the morning rounds it was such an incredible experience to hear and participate in praying for each of the patients... What a beautiful thing to be able to publically surrender your patients over to the power of the Healer... To join together as health care workers, recognize who really has the power in these situations, and understand that, although we are responsible to do our jobs well, that the lives of our patient lie in the hands of the Father.

After a full day in the hospital I came home, changed into my running clothes and got outside just as a crazy monsoon hit. Oh well, its just water. Oh how these Kenyans stared at this crazy white girl as I made my way up the hill to RVA (Rift Valley Academy) where I ran the perimiter of the compound (on the inside - where it's safe mom). Running here is going to take some getting used to and I am just itching to get out onto some of the trails... I'm just still working on finding someone to take me. While I wait I'll just keep running laps of The Guard's Trail in the safety of RVA.

Tomorrow I will be heading down to Navaisha to the Women's clinic that is dedicated to my amazing grandparents. What a blessing to be able to travel there with Pete Halestrap. Should be an interesting day!

Missing you all, but am REALLY glad that I am moving past the initial panic of being here alone. I have a feeling these next few weeks will actually go by quite quickly, I'll be home before you know it.