We Lived a Little Better Last Week

Ole Siloma is possibly the oldest Maasai man alive today. He was our neighbor during the years we lived in Loita, the grandfather of a boy who grew up with our boys. Ole Siloma's family has asked around fairly extensively and there doesn't seem to be any other remaining age-mate from his age group, Ilderitoi. His older brother, another of our neighbors from those years, passed away in the last 12 months.

I wanted to post this photo of our old friend because we saw him last week and truly, deeply, thoroughly enjoyed chewing the news and catching up with him. Ten years ago he gave Byron his beautiful snuff carrier as a gift when we were leaving Kenya. One of my favorite moments in the last week was Ole Siloma chuckling and saying to Byron, "Look what I have to carry my snuff in now!" as he pulled out a little plastic herb bottle that he's recycled from somewhere. It's true, his current snuff container is pretty awful compared to the antique he gave Byron!

I was also very touched that he asked after our kids and wanted us to bring them round so he could bless them. We didn't end up doing that, but I knew it was a priceless gesture.

Other priceless moments from last week include... Meeting an old acquaintance on the road who grabbed my hands and kissed my fingers. Let's be honest, he was drunk as a skunk, but it was sweet just the same. I loved a particularly beautiful evening with new friends... Chai at Ngoto Milai's, whose health I never take for granted so I always wonder if this is our last time together... Seeing Byron and Ole Mesenka, a couple of real brothers, together... Listening to the Colobus monkeys in the trees... Playing in the river with Heather... Conversations with Hennie and Becca... Knowing that a leopard had just strolled across the entrance to camp. Shame I didn't get to see him! I loved reading aloud to the family by the fire and that Colin did such an excellent job driving us over the way-less-than-perfect roads.



There are many challenges and terribly frustrating things about life in Loita but it was a good week. Good work. Good times. Good beauty. I like the kind of exhausted I get from days like that.

Walking in Loita

We've been away for a week in the lovely Loita Hills.

There is something very magical to me about Loita. Maybe that's because our 10 years there mark the longest I have ever lived in one location. Or maybe it's just because it's so beautiful and hard to get to and far away and unspoiled. Alternately, it could be because I have very dear friends there who are now family or the fact that my boys grew up there. In reality, I know that it's a combination of all these things that makes Loita shimmer slightly in my mind.

Our trip was not uneventful. We stopped for lunch on the way up, climbing out into the dusty heat to stretch our cramped legs for a little while. When we climbed back in, the car said a simple no to starting. Happily, she push-started quite easily. Good thing because we continued to have to push start her after every stop for the next week. I didn't like the idea of being stuck out there, much as I love it, since we had to get my Dad to a plane on time upon our return.

Loita sings colors of blue of green
Her mist is soft and grey.
I like waking up to her mornings.

During our time there last week, we visited in homes and listened to the struggles of families who are dealing with a hungry season. These are difficult days for our friends.

We hiked for hours all up and down the slopes and in and out of thorny brush and under trees and beside streams. We were plotting some dens on the map with our Walking With Maasai friends who are studying the range of certain critters. We saw lovely forest secrets and sad forest casualties. I will be quiet, holding all those things in my memory.

It was good--so much more than good--to connect with friends there. We are encouraged and discouraged along with them as we share the realities of life there these 9 years after we've moved away.

So we are home in Arusha again, hearts quite full from a pleasurable week of working and walking in a prime showpiece of God's dear Creation. And while it's very nice to be home, I miss the depth of connection I feel with the Creator when I am there.

"Leggy Blondes"

Here they are--the six trekkers as they left yesterday for their 16 day walk across the dessert and into the hills of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.

From left to right we have: Colin Borden, Chase Russell, Skyler Russell, Trevor Borden, Jonny Pollard and Jesse Borden.

(For those of you who don't know Jonny, he also grew up in Kenya with this group of boys.)

OK, am I nervous that they are off on their own in not-exactly-domesticated country? Yes.
Am I happy for them? Yes.
Will I be relieved when they get home? Yes.
Would I appreciate your prayers for their safety? Yes.
When do we expect them? Around July 5th.

For now, we miss them--our "leggy, leggy, leggy, leggy, leggy, leggy, leggy, leggy blondes."

PS They buzzed their hair for the trek; an initiation ritual that they allowed Jesse to opt out of :-)
PSS The rest of us Bordens and Russells will be away now till next Friday, 27th. Signing off till then...

Photos from Recent Days...

It was hot on the roof near Natron, but there was a great view.


We got up early to watch the sun rise over the lake.


Then we saluted the sun.


We crossed into Kenya...


And made our camp...


And found our river...


And played in it.


We walked all over...


Discussed bead work...


Held Nalotuesha's baby...


And made new friends :-)

Photos by Jesse Borden--with his Nikon D 70 S.
(Got a Nikon camera... Mama, don't take his Kodachrome away!)

Responding to Kenya

As you know, at least 850 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the weeks since the disputed election results were announced in Kenya.

Please check our Wild Hope Stories BLOG to hear about how you can respond in an intimate and significant way to one extended Kenyan family whose lives have been shattered by the unrest.

Dear Kenya, We Sing for You Your Song

Today, my prayers for Kenya are shaped by the simple, sweet words of her national anthem.

This is the first verse and I found it a good way to sing my prayers for a land that our family loves.

"Oh God of all Creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders."

Dear God of all Creation, hear our cry.

Trevor, Off and Away (or My Prayers go Walkabout)

Trevor left for California today. He retraces his flightpath from Kilimanjaro to Nairobi to Rome to Washington D.C. to L.A. Bless him. It was amazing to have him here. You already know how much we don't like seeing him go. That's well documented in the posts tagged "Off to College." He goes to a good place full of good people for good reason... So, despite the sadness, we rejoice!

News from Kenya continues to shock and sadden us with at least 350 people killed during the violence. My prayers are all over the place--praying for peace in my old home, safety for dear friends, healing for other friends fighting heavy battles against cancer. And all these "serious" prayers are interspersed with little personal requests like, "Could you keep Trevor's guitar safe on the trip home?"

The Lord must wonder at me. I don't pray in priority order or by degree of seriousness. I pray as an on-going stream of consciousness conversation with someone I believe hears me.

Kenya in Crisis

I haven't commented on the crisis situation that has been unfolding in our neighboring country, Kenya. Since the widely disputed elections results were announced on Sunday, there has been terrible violence throughout the land. You can read about the sad events on the BBC news site.

I guess I just want to say that after having lived there for so many years, we, obviously, have many dear friends in Kenya and we are deeply saddened by all that is going on. Please join us in prayers for peace in this country, once a model of stability in Africa.

Family Time

I'm writing from Watamu, a tropical setting on the Indian Ocean where our family is soaking in some alone time before Jesse and Trevor fly to California on the 16th. We have six nights here to celebrate our 25th anniversary and to send the boys off tanked up on time together. We could go on line at reception and collect mail but we likely won't.

Picture the six of us with sunburnt faces and big smiles. The air and water are both warm. The sound of the rain in the night is wonderful to sleep to.

These are precious days :-)