Going Quiet Now

We're in Nairobi. Trevor flew out of here on Wednesday night :-(

Colin didn't get a place for 10th grade at RVA (boarding school here in Kenya) but we accompanied Tammy to drop off her son, Chase, for 11th. The Russells are family so it was like seeing someone who is closer than a cousin/pretty much a brother off. We said goodbye to him this morning. I cried a lot and my eyes stayed puffy all day.

We've been running a long marathon for what feels like ages. It's all good. Beautiful things have transpired. Beautiful people have been out to TZ and shared the journey with us in the last couple of months. God is beautiful in the midst of hectic times. And in other times, as well.

I finished the manuscript and sent it to my publisher in the U.K. last Tuesday. I wish I could say something a little more descriptive about it than that but I am so tired right now.

We're going to Loita tomorrow. We lived there for 10 years, you know. It always feel like going home. We'll camp. Byron will have to work but we'll stay long enough to make sure he rests and reads and does some nice hikes in the hills, as well. My work will be visiting in the homes of friends and cooking over the camp fire.

We can walk 30 minutes to our old house from where we'll camp and possibly go on line if we need to. But we won't do that much, I don't think.

So I'm going quiet now.

See you in a couple of weeks.

A Little Shout Out

Well, it's been 25 years since I graduated from Westmont College but I'm still awfully proud and fond of my school. Just thought I'd celebrate with them the fact that the college jumped 19 places in the ratings of best liberal arts colleges in the United States. Hurray, Westmont! Trevor returns to you next week so I guess we're all extra happy that you're doing so well :-)

Read My Face

Byron, Jesse and Trevor are putting in a ton of hours dealing with the receipts and books and closing details of the trip they just led their friends through. I like that I could capture on camera how much they love book keeping ;-) Much as they may not be enjoying it, they are doing a good job of it. Better them than me! We would be in such a mess if people left numbers to me.

boy

he sits on the floor
damp dreads falling over his shoulders

the house is full, busy
but there is a (relative)
quiet in my room

do you want to hear some of my poems?
he says
(notebook resting in anticipation on his lap)

let's see..
do i want to hear some of your poems?

are you kidding?

how often does a mama get that
from her little boy,
the child,
a man,
her friend?

yes, boy,
i want to hear some of your poems

rest

and so you give us rest
time enough to move through water
and feel the pleasure
against our skin

there was much to do
and still there will be more

but today's
only task
was play

and I could shower
before I climb into bed now

but secretly i like
that the fragrant wood smoke
clings to my hair
ready to imbue my dreams