Settled In

It's official...we are finally unpacked (well, almost), and getting settled in to our new home here in Nairobi! We moved in yesterday afternoon...and it's been a little overwhelming to be on our own here!! But it's good at the same time. Our place here is big, and meant for a family with kids....but the place that was lined up for us flooded, and is now undergoing some repairs! This place was open and available, so they put us here! It's really nice...we have an upstairs and an attic, and there's all sorts of little nooks and crannies that we've been exploring! We're not sure how long we'll be in here...depending on when the family who actually lives here comes back from the US, so we may move in a month, or maybe not until January. Yesterday we attempted to go grocery shopping, but we were with a couple who was in a bit of a hurry, plus had all their kids with them, so we only got a few things...but it's much more complicated right now...everything has to be converted from Kenyan Shillings to Canadian dollars (in my head), and all the brands are different, so it's really hard to know what to buy!! But we managed, then went to our neighbours, Ryan and Dawn Williams' place for supper. That was really what we needed last night...to visit with people, be able to ask lots of questions, and feel a little more at ease living here! Dawn gave us a couple jars of tomato sauce (you have to make it yourself here!), and laundry detergent, as we hadn't got any yet. So it was just so nice to get welcomed like that, and start getting to know more people. They have four kids, and we're starting to get to know them as well, which isn't hard as they are very outgoing, and knock on our door all the time!! :) When we got back from supper...we found lots and lots of tiny ants all over in our pantry...and INSIDE the unopened bread bag!! So we learned our lesson...ziplock bags are our new best friend!!! (as well as Konk, that is!!).
Today was Trevor's first day at work at the TAM shop...and he had a really, really good day!! James Holt picked him up (he lives really close) at 7 am to avoid the traffic on Ngong Road. The guys, Steven and Benedicto, are really fun to work with, and really easygoing. He really enjoyed getting back into the shop, especially since he hasn't worked in a shop for over a month now. Right now, they're working on reassembling a land rover engine. Earlier this week, Ben and Steven took apart this engine, and today the new parts came in to put it back together. They are doing a simple in-frame engine rebuild...it's a pretty in-depth job, and Trevor is glad that he gets to help out with it! And, because he's the new foreman, he even gets his own office, and his own work phone! He also went out for lunch with a couple of the guys, Benedicto, and Jose, a missionary from Honduras who is working at the hangar as well. So, the day went very well, and he's really looking forward to doing more, and building those relationships with the people he meets every day! It's really exciting! :)
I spent the day unpacking at home, and getting settled in here. A couple of our neighbours came by to introduce themselves, so it's been nice to feel welcomed! I went for a walk with Dawn and her kids, to the nearest duka, which is a little roadside stand where they sell bread, vegetables, pop, candy, eggs, and a few other things. It'll be really fun to go there, and get to know the people who run the stands! She also took me to the Nakumatt (grocery store), and gave me a lot of information as to what kinds of brands are good, what prices are way to high, what kinds of things to stock up on...and so much other information!! That was so incredibly helpful...I am so thankful for her!! There's also a store called "Zucchini" which is all fruits and vegetables... so we're really excited to buy fresh pineapple, mango, bananas, etc!!
Trevor also had a conversation with a guy at work today about possible options for me to get involved in kid's ministry in Kibera slum...someone that this guy knows is working at a school and feeding program there, so I'm very interested in knowing more about that, and if I could possibly work there with them! I'm really excited, and just praying that God will show me the right people to talk to, and the right connections to make to get the info I need! But it's exciting!!
Anyway, I think that's all for now!! Until next time...
~A