and the coke is aaamazing

After a matato trip from the village in which a 16 passenger van was packed with about 26 passangers --give or take a few extra, we are picking up supplies for Joyce and the fam for another week in Thomson Falls. This was after waking up to Sharol Crow and Kid Rock on the radio, after stepping out of our new room (the old one was being taken over by rats--no fear though, here in Africa the rats are more like large mice) to find the beloved cat falled dead at our door step, after a good night sleep in which the elephants have passed through from the forest not more than 50 yards from the house. And that was all just in the last 10 hours. I have also eaten about a foot (or two) of sugar cane, met a 120 year old woman, walked to the bottom of a huge water fall, possibly been witness to a demon-possessed child, eaten some of the most amazing food ever, had fellowship with the women of Joyce's church-which was an incredible honor to be welcomed into a small room of strong, beautiful, joyful african women, jill had rat poison fall onto her pillow (after many days of unrelentless attempts to kill them, they started to fight back).
We have been helping at the school that is about two miles from home here during the school day. They have a special unit for mentally and physically handicapped children and for what we can do that is where we have been assisting. They do without so much though and it seems like we are more of a distraction than anything else. When we return on Tuesday (got a 3 day weekend because of some holiday!) we will build a fence around their garden in which they depend on for some of the only fresh veggies they can provide the special needs children but that has been demolished by passing cattle, chickens, and people needing fire wood.
We are also extending our stay for an extra few days after Joyce's invitation. I can't yet put into the words the way I feel about being here and staying with Joyce and the family. It's incredible. And after thinking that it was going to take a bit to get used to because of the hole we use to go to the bathroom in, the dirt and lack of accessable water, the limited electricity and just lack of general conveniences--i have felt completely at ease and full of comfort, joy, and appreciation.

So, it seems like it may be another week or so before we get a hold of internet before we travel to Lamu. Isaac is making Jill get a phone to take with us, so maybe a call home is something we can manage sometime! But it also provides us with an extra security blanket.
Mom--I love you and life is really good here.
Nicole--OMG!!! the birds are soooo incredible. we just saw a hornbill off the street coming to do the internet and the ones on safari were incredible. got good pics too!
David and Jake--hope Milo/Zark are doing good, let me know!
The whole rest of the fam--tons of love!

And to everyone--write me!! It will be just as nice to hear how things are going at home.
Megan