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.

Our House.... Not in the middle of the street!

This is where we lived from 1989-1999 in the Loita Hills of southern Kenya. It's a long way from anywhere else :-) Hennie Marais in England sent us this photo yesterday. He was there recently.

I post it for Carrie because she lived here on this same clearing as a little girl before our family did. Her house sat right where this one does but it was made of wood and, sadly, it was destroyed by fire a couple of years after we moved in. We built this one out of stabilized soil blocks, which are very like adobe blocks. Byron and a crew of Maasai friends made them. It's a great house. Now our very dear friends at Walking With Maasai headquarter there.

So here's a shout out, (though they rarely have the chance to go on-line,) to our friends at Walking with Maasai: Andre, Kashu, David and Francis... We love you and pretty much think the world of you!