A collection of thoughts on my birthday

African proverb on the date of my birthday,
from my perpetual flip-calender 

"Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly await your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way."

~June 25th reading from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Indeed the sun was shining on the morning of my birthday, after many days of overcast skies! I saw it as God's special gift just for me! And indeed, he had laid out the day for me!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

~Psalm 118:24, verse accompanying the reading from Jesus Calling

Never hold anything in reserve. Pour yourself out, giving the best that you have, and always be poor. Never be diplomatic and careful with the treasure God gives you. This is poverty triumphant.

~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (excerpt from reading on June 26)

" ... having nothing, yet enriching many."
~2 Corinthians 6:10 (accompanying above reading)

May I be the person to whom others are certain they can go in the midst of their 'fires of sorrow'. May they find that I have 'ample leisure' for such hurting souls. May I be nourishment for others.
~my personalized version of Oswald Chambers' reading, on my birthday June 25th

"Thanks a lot for your kindness to me. For sure, Deb, you are a good friend. May the Almighty God protect you and continue to shower his blessings on you."
~Masudi's entry in my guestbook, as he left my house today

Masudi and I at Kona Baridi (Cold Corner), the first stop of our really great day celebrating my birthday!

Ngong Hills, as seen from Whistling Thorns (Masudi's and my last stop of the day)

Fun birthday photos and kids at school

My neighbor, Hannah, joined us as we celebrated Joy's birthday on Kenya's Madaraka Day

Joy is now eight years old!

Neighbor boy Andrew also had some cake.

I took part in a really fun Treasure Hunt that was a fundraiser for a new classroom at Tamalaki school. 

The children were all quite excited to see us!

Jim at Matunda Highway Academy (Kitale area)

Robai at her school in the Eldoret area

Celebrating Margaret's birthday 

Celebrating Linet's birthday 

Last, but not least, celebrating my 59th birthday

Scrabble, Jenga, fixing a flat tire, buying dvd's, a concert, a debate, homegroup, plus Carol and Jeremiah's church

Hannah was the victor in one of our recent Scrabble games.

On this game with Jennifer, Joanie, and Hannah,
I was the winner and got the coveted medal!

Fun game of Jenga with Moses, Emily, and Pippa

Joanie stayed with me for 8 days recently.
When she got ready to leave, we discovered she had a flat tire!

I was unable to get the spare tire off, so I called my trusty
boda boda driver, Fredrick, for his masculine muscle :)

Buying dvd's at a hole-in-the-wall shop in downtown Nairobi

Joanie, Hannah, and I had an absolutely lovely time at a concert with the Greenwood Singers,
held at the British High Commission.

Several folks from my church took part, including Cheryl (in the middle).

I attended a so-called 'debate' between the Christian perspective of Christ's deity and the Muslim perspective. My friend, Dave Osborne (a missionary in Kisumu) gave the Christian perspective. He informed the crowd of approximately 175 people that he had no interest in 'winning a debate'. Instead, he spoke of God's love and forgiveness for all of mankind.

My homegroup at a recent social. Such a GREAT group of people!

Dennis gave the sermon when Hannah and I attended Carol and Jeremiah's church recently.
On the right is his interpreter (from English to Swahili)

Some of their members that were in attendance that day, in front of their tent.

Jeremiah, Carol, Joy, and Jasmine after the service

Cycling with camels; my 37-mile bike ride to Olorgesailie prehistoric site

Brief pit-stop 10 miles into my 37-mile ride

This shot and the one below are at Kona Baridi,
before beginning the 3,000-foot descent into the Great Rift Valley.

I had a nice chat with these folks at a remote police road-block.

Liberty Baptist Church

I was surprised and amused to see this large herd of camels ambling down the road :)

I pulled off Magadi Road and headed to the campsite at Olorgesailie right at dusk.

A few folks from my homegroup drove in to join me for an overnight campout.
Ngatha - plus his sister, Zuwena - blow out candles on his birthday cake.

It ain't really camping without s'mores!

Beautiful sunrise the next morning!

Machakos People's Park

Jeremy, Jim, Derrick, and I had a lovely Labor Day outing. 

Destination: the recently opened Machakos People's Park (about 90 minutes from Nairobi).

We loved our time on the boat, especially Jim who had never been on one before. 

The guys were thrilled when we saw the AFC Leopards football team (from Kenya's premier league). They were at the park doing some fun team-building exercises before their match the following day. Jim and I know Oscar Kidenge (2nd from right). He's the son of one of Kenya's best-ever footballers.

We were amazed to find functioning drinking fountains in the park! 

I've never seen one in Kenya!