Rebekah and Mark

Hello to all from Kenya!!!  We finally made it Tuesday night around 8:00 (1:00 pm your time) at the Nairobi airport.  We were picked up by Wayne and an African driver named Hudson.  Hudson drove quite fast and on the opposite side of the road than the United States which felt very different.  We arrived to the Mennonite Guest House around 9:30 and went to bed soon after that.  Today, we got up around 6:45 and had a nice breakfast here at the house.  Then we headed towards Mercy Care Centre around 9:00.  We drove through some pretty rough areas of Nairobi on our way and were instructed to leave the doors locked, windows up, and to not take pictures.  This is where around 30 people were killed in the uprising last year during the election.  We saw hundreds of small shacks made out of tin that people were selling an assortment of goods out of.  I have never seen such a sight in my entire life!!! It is truly indescribable and made my heart ache to see such horrible conditions.  When we drove up to the Mercy Care Centre my heart started beating faster and I couldn't wait to get out of the van to physically meet all the kids that were running towards us.  They held our hands and wouldn't let go.  One little boy immediately grabbed on to dad's leg just holding on so tight.  I was humbled within 5 seconds of being with these remarkable children.  To realize that I was finally at the Mercy Care Centre was an amazing feeling!!!  I quickly began teaching the first graders by reading "If you take a mouse to school" and then doing a coloring page.  The kids were so enthralled by the box of crayons we gave them.  Many kids just stared at the box not knowing what to do with the crayons so we showed them how to color on the page.  Even though there were around 60 kids in a tiny, cramped classroom, they were the best behaved kids I have ever met.  Later in the afternoon, we had a worship service with the teachers in one of the classrooms.  Dad preached a wonderful sermon and then we shared the Lord's supper together.  It was a very special time of worship despite the fact that we were sitting in wobbly desks with 4 adults sitting at one desk.  We promised that we would pray for the 29 teachers and headmaster Patrick who preached at our church last year.  It was an incredible day and we are so so so so excited about going back again tomorrow to minister more with all the kids.  We appreciate all your prayers and we hope to update you soon!!! We love you!!!!