It actually happened !!!

Great news! We actually did have our court date today, and our guardian was appointed! What a blessing!! On top of that, our nephew Aiden was welcomed into the world!

Kofi Annan managed to get the two opposition leaders together for face-to-face dialogue yesterday. There doesn’t appear to be a lot productively happening yet, but at least they are talking. This helps calm the political temperatures, particularly where we are. Unfortunately, the all-out tribal clashes in Nakuru have seen so much bloodshed on both “sides” that it will not be calmed even by political compromise at this time. Selfishly, it gives me relief that my family is not an ethnic target....I can't imagine what it is like to be one right now.

Since the situation in our part of Nairobi appears to have stabilized and Kim will now have extra adult company/protection at the house, I am going to go ahead and get on my scheduled flight back to America this Monday. I can’t stand the thought of leaving my family behind right now, but we don’t know how long the whole process will take…although my work has been very understanding and has allowed me to work remotely, they are in a real crunch and badly need additional help at home. This has been an excruciating decision, but at the end of the day I just have to trust the Lord, though it’s not always my favorite thing to do!

The humanitarian crisis is just as big as it was a few weeks ago, so if you’d like to contribute money Kim can continue to get food to people who can help reach those who are not likely to benefit from any of the promised “mass donations” to the Red Cross. God bless you guys!

We are ON for tomorrow!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord.....Hakuna kama Wewe! He has truly done a miracle. (No, the "miracle" did not involve a big bribe.) We are so grateful. We will blog again tomorrow and confirm that this really has happened after all of these months. Even though there are a total of 3 court dates, just to have one on the books is so encouraging! We'd also like to offer a sincere but very inadequate "thank you" to all of you who have been praying for us and encouraging us.

To be or not to be....

We got some great news-- the "stand-in" judge for Friday has arrived, so we have our date now, right!!!?

Nope.....they are now leaning towards not letting us have our court date on Friday and pushing it back to 2/29. We were given several different explanations, none of which made much sense to us. We are doing one more appeal tomorrow morning, so if you aren't tired of praying send one more up for us tonight.

As we drove past Serena Hotel, where Kofi Annan, Mrs. Mandela and team are operating as of today, we were again reminded that our troubles are minor in comparison to so many others who have lost their children and other loved ones in the recent conflict.

On a happy note....it is impossible to quantify exactly, but your generous donations of have helped feed well over a thousand people, anywhere from a day's meal to several weeks of meals depending on the circumstance. It's amazing how far God has stretched your dollars. People have not only been given food, but almost as importantly, hope. Asante sana. Mungu acubariki!

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to rescue orphans when I grew up. My little sister was my accomplice, sometimes by choice and sometimes by force, but either way, she would help me rearrange our bedroom making room for all the cradles and pallets we could fit. Then, we would “travel” to war torn countries and rescue our dolls from imminent danger. I remember the literal pain in my heart and tummy as my imagination drew me into a world that was as real to me as my bedroom. After hours of “play,” my dreams would be filled with visions of needy children that I would “rescue” and claim for my own. While I eventually grew out of this game, the passion for the orphan and abused child never left my heart. Interesting, isn’t it, how God plants a seed in a little heart that one day grows to be the very life that child matures to live. Never discredit or shame a child’s dream or passion. My mother never did. I used to tell her, “Mommy, one day I am going to run an orphanage.” She told me that she believed I would. While our relationship is not conducive to conversation, if things were different, I would thank her for believing in my dream. I don’t run an orphanage, yet, but I have two beautiful children that are, in part, a fulfillment of a dream birthed in a child’s bedroom, nurtured in a child’s heart.

While those years of play held more intrigue and danger than do these days as the dreams are realized, at least in part, I would never trade those adventures or this one for all the comforts in the world. And while I long to be home, I wouldn’t board a plane tomorrow even if I could. When our work here is finished, we will be home. Until then, we glean strength from your support and joy from the new friendships and opportunities we are privileged to experience. So, keep praying, writing, and loving us from afar. Every prayer sent, every note written, and every expression of love communicated in turn allows you, the giver, to be a part of what God is doing here in Kenya. We know, without a doubt, that God can do His work without us, therefore, we are indescribably touched that He has chosen us for “such a time as this.” I’m no Esther, but I can imagine that she felt like I feel some days-frightened, freaked out, and grateful. Frightened because service to God does not guarantee safety, freaked out at what service might mean, and grateful to be allowed to live life for Him. I wouldn’t want to live any other way.

Mama S

Hi, just a quick note to let you all know that we are fine. Anite is back with us tonight from Kibera. We are thankful for her life. The stories she can tell are straight from a horror film. Sleeping at night is very tough for her as the memories plague her. Keep her in your prayers. I cannot imagine the small children as they try to reason what they have seen. I fear a deep seed has been planted. What a tragedy.

I am adding a few more pictures as promised. Not much has changed since we last wrote. Still waiting to see what next week brings to Kenya. We fear the rallies and the consequent violence, but we feel like the people see it as their only hope for justice. What a quandary.

It’s late again, so it’s short again. I miss you guys. If you think of it, write me. Sometimes a little note from home goes a long way.

K

Damon's first dip.

Zawadi. She is adopted as well. Her mom is a teacher at Daystar. She is so polite. You try to put her in the water and she screams, "No, tank you, no tank you!" (I am thinking about calling "damon" "Zawadi" instead-what do you think? Post your opinions...

This is Kimtai, Sundi is going to marry him when they grow up!

Pizza!
Doesn't seem to like pizza!

I thought this was the funniest thing all day. Damon with his hiney stuck inside of a life ring... He loved it!

Does it get cuter???

A trip to the pool!

Took the kids swimming at Leanne’s today. She is an Aussie from California adopting a two-and-a half year old from Nakuru. The kids had so much fun. It was selfishly nice to take a day and “forget” for a few hours the crisis in Kenya.-we have a lot of great photos, but I'll only take the time to load a few tonight...more tomorrow, okay??

I am sure you all keep updated via internet, but in case you haven’t heard, the peace talks “fell apart” today and the Ghanaian president went home. Kibaki claims ODM didn’t want to talk, ODM says Kibaki refused to sign the agreement they reached through his PNU representatives and the ODM party. Who knows. So, we hold our breaths and hope tomorrow is as peaceful as today.

We met with our lawyer yesterday, and we are supposed to be going to court next Friday. We have almost pushed the whole adoption to the back of our minds as we consider the pain people are going through, but my visa is up in April, so I guess we better try to get this thing DONE!

Sam said that they began to work on the new school building again today! School opens next Monday, so they won’t be able to start in the new place, but they will be in before January’s end. We thank God that his church was not a target and the structure remains unharmed.

Sorry, but it’s short and to the point tonight.

Love,

Mama Sundi

It seems like the days slip by so quickly when your house is full of life as ours is right now. Even now, I am typing in the dark as we are sharing our room with Damon and Sundi, relying on my not-so-great typing skills to help me find the right keys. Forgive the typos!
I trust you all heard that ODM has called off his rallies for tomorrow. We are thankful. At this point, he has the backing of the legal body of Kenya who are even now calling for Kibaki to step down. I have my doubts that this will happen, but I think Odinga is starting to feel like he has a chance. I have to be honest, unless Kibaki steps down, I don't see peace in Kenya. Even after the election mess is settles, it will take a long time to dissolve these tribal lines that have been drawn. Such a tragedy. It has always been really hard for me to understand how someone's DNA can incite hatred from another human being. Whether it is racial, tribal, gender driven, or even religious beliefs that differ, I wish people could see that we are all made of essentially the same stuff leaving no one in a superior state. Further than that, we all bear the imprint of God's imagine, whether you believe in God or not, and that makes us all pretty much equal.
Many of you have felt moved to provide assistance here in Kenya, and we are so grateful. On Sunday, George and Sam both took 48 bags of maize meal and beans to their congregation. Some of these people had not had food for several days. I imagine the relief as they laid their children to bed that night feeling they were able to rest deeply now that they had full tummies. We also met three guards from a neighboring community who seemed to have the look of pure exhaustion. When we asked where they were from, we learned that they were from Kibera. That night, they left with the first food they had taken since the previous week. Can you imagine a grown man going six days without food? My heart could barely take the thought. So, for those in America who have sent aid, believe that it is appreciated. It is a ray of hope to those who feel all hope is gone. I also believe, it is an avenue for the Kenyan to be reminded that God really loves him despite the chaos and pain around him. What a message to a hurting heart.
I will close for now, but we just ask you to keep praying for Kenya. Pray for the innocent that God will protect them, pray for the gangsters as pastors like Sam try to reason and bring peace and hope to their lives, pray for Kenya's leaders that they will reach an agreement that the people can live with, and pray for the church as it tries to reach the needy and share not only life saving food and clothing, but also the life saving message of God's love for His children.
Mama S.

Saturday

The above picture was the scene from our back porch this past Sunday. It is Kibera burning; we could smell it. What a terrible tragedy for so many people; we are just so grateful that our friends in Kibera got out alive. As of yesterday, all of our friends in the slum areas are accounted for; somewhat selfishly, we are grateful for that.

Above is breakfast at the Smith house. Our guests include (from right) Milly, Beryl, Cynthia, Sharon "Small", Calvin, Churchill, Victor, Beatrice, Sharon "big", Maureene, Basil, and Collins. No, it has not been a burden at all-- they team together to cook, clean, and play with our kids, and they all get along great. We have not had to referee even one argument. It has been such a blessing to have them with us, not to mention just plain fun!!!! Sundi and Damon will sorely miss them when they go.

George, who is the father of 9 of the 12, has been back home defending their turf. Several days ago the man who lives below them was robbed and most of his things destroyed. They had to hide him in their house for safety, because he is a different tribe. He had to pretend he was one of the mob in order to convince them to go away before burning the place down. That same night a band of thugs came by to burn down the village, but the men of the village met them head on with knives and clubs and they decided to turn away.

Today some Mungiki came back looking for more trouble, but fortunately the police got there in time and one of the thugs was shot and the others left. The whole situation is, well, indescribable. This is just one of the many stories that won't make it on the news; but we thank God that we are all safe. George risked his life to keep his tribesmen from possibly even killing a man of another tribe; it reminds me of Rahab and the spies. What an awesome godly example. It is this type of brotherhood that we hope will usher Kenya into a new era of church-led tribal reconciliation.

Hi. Today was a day of ups and downs. For the most part, there was peace in Nairobi. There were a few demonstrations, but no fighting or killing. Last night, 60 houses were burned in a slum in Northern Nairobi. We are growing weary of the senseless violence.
It seems Kibaki has offered Odinga the chance at a coalition government, but Odinga refused. So, peace is still not Kenya's. We have heard that tensions are high in Kalangwari, the slum where our guard and many Amani woman are from. So, we are going to bed praying, but if you can pray as you go throughout your day, we would be thankful.
It's late, so that is all for today. Just wanted to let you know that we are still just as safe as ever and grateful for your prayers.
Kim

Hi. We got our internet up and running today. We are really thankful. I know that most of you know that Kenya is in a state of turmoil right now. I want to tell you what we are experiencing, but it will have to wait for another night. I am exhausted. We just wanted to hop on really fast to let you all know that we are very, very safe. Unfortunately, those we have grown to love are not. Please keep all of Kenya, but especially her poorest in your prayers. Truly, they are the ones who are suffering the worst from this unrestrained act of hatred. Tomorrow a big rally has been called by the president's opposition. We fear this will insight more violence. As long as our internet stays up, I will send a blog every day to let you all know we are safe. Don't panic if we miss a day or stop abruptly, this is Kenya! Love you all! Kim