The Design is locked! We had a meeting today (imagine that) where we decided that the design for the Bethany Kid's at Kijabe Hospital Wing (official name now) is locked. That means (in theory) that there are no more changes and the plan is set. This way, we can get accurate cost data and move forward to the tendering process where we actually invite contractors to bid on the works. This is very exciting to be at this point! We have been working with George (our Architect) for about a year now and we are set with the plan. We just have a few more obstacles (well actually, many more) to overcome and we will have a building!
I got a few more butterfly pictures this week. I have noticed that some butterflies take their time, and land somewhere and enjoy life, while others flit around like there are ants in their pants. I think this is a lot like people:
This last picture is of a bee on a pretty flower.
Did you ever get a salami for a gift? Were you ever an 11 year old boy and you got a salami as a gift from a girl? I think you know you are "in" when this happens! It happened to Timothy this week. He was so happy and has been eating on it all week. It was a late Birthday present for him. We were not home when she brought it, but she left a note and it was in the freezer. I just think that it is hysterical that a girl of 11 years is already so tuned to the wants of a friend that she would know the perfect gift, even if it is a salami!
We were in our Tech Team meeting this week talking about our septic system. We are trying to move forward with a design, but it is not easy. It is the top priority for the hospital and it just seems to be at a stall. So, one of the guys brought up Deut 23 13-14:
13 and you shall have a spade among your tools, and it shall be when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and shall turn to cover up your excrement. 14 "Since the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you.
We all thought this was very funny and appropriate! So, we are moving ahead with the project looking at it as a mandate from God to get it done!
A short termer was here this week and gave a short seminar about Bitterness. Here are a few things that she said:
Bitterness is just unforgiveness with a few years on it! There is a quote from Nelson Mandela when asks about being in prison for 27 years, "Bitterness only hurts oneself. If you hate, you give away your heart and mind. Do not give those things away." I really like that idea. But forgiveness does not mean that the relationship will ever be the same nor that you forget - that is reality. And, it is a process. You can't just say, "I forgive that person for doing that to me." It is something you need to do every day and let it go. God will deal with them, you don't have to. God gives us the grace even if we are justified in our bitterness. Bitterness can also become a legacy. Look at long standing feuds. Some people (tribes here and others at home) can't even remember the reason for the feud. It is just because their parents did it that they continue. What a horrible thing to leave to your children! You need to ask for God's grace continually to get rid of the bitterness and pray for the people you are bitter against. You know that it is done when: 1) The sting of the problem is gone and 2) You can rejoice in the other's successes. Wow, wouldn't that be amazing!
We made some new friends this past few weeks. They are from Birmingham (aren't all southerns nice)? She is a pediatrician and he is an orthopedic. They brought their kids with them and had a busy 2 weeks here. Sallie has a new friend to say the least. Here is a picture if her and the girls (Lilly on the left and Lauren on the right):
We wish them a safe journey home (they left a few hours ago) and an easy transition back to "normal" life!
I am writing today (on Friday) because we are heading to Nakuru Park tomorrow to spend a few needed days away. I am not sure how relaxing camping is, especially when you are camping "in the zoo" with the animals! We are going to get a private camp spot where a friend of the person we are going with said that just a few weeks ago they were there and the lions were right outside the tent! We asked if we needed a night guard, but the person we are going with said, "No, I really don't think so." Not sure how that computes - let's see, lions outside the tent, kids and adults sitting around, plastic tent material between us and them! We will see how it goes - don't panic Mom. I don't think they have had any tourists eaten in the recent past!
Hopefully, I will have some great pictures next week. We are only going till Monday, but we may take Tues off too. We sure do need to take some time off and get a new perspective!
Take Care,
In His Hands,
Jullie T.
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