The Tigoni tea fields stretching across the surrounding countryside are beautiful and peaceful.  The workers in the fields know that the best tea comes from the newest leaves.  With their gunny sacks strapped over their shoulders, each one picks only the fresh, new buds.  By days end, and many green fingers later, the harvest is brought in for payment (by the kilo) and preparation of the tea.

 

Africa is full of “new” experiences for our whole family.  Even Diana is growing accustomed to the idea that “Pole pole ndiyo mwendo” (Slowly, slowly, indeed is the way).  At the end of this month we will be facing our newest challenge:  40/40.  This regional orientation in Zambia will last the entire month of November.  It features instruction on surviving life in Africa as well as mission strategy and philosophy for the Central, Eastern and Southern Africa region.  We will start on a seminary campus in Lusaka and then head to the bush for 12 days of “camp” living.  (Gone are the good ol’ 18 foot JayCo camper days!)  After our “safari” (which literally means journey...without critters we hope!) we will spend three days with a Zambian family, living in their home as they do.  We finish off with a couple days of debriefing at a hotel before returning to Kenya.

 

This “new” experience will stretch us.  We’ll be the first to admit life at Brackenhurst has spoiled us.  But we are trying to have the “tea field” perspective:  It’s the NEW that makes for better tea.  As they say (whoever they are), “When life gives you lemons...add them to the “new” leaves for even better tea!  After all, that’s why Diana is going to get her hair braided like the Kenyan women!

 

This website is new, too.  Better, we hope.  The next two months will be a trial period to see if we are better able to get information to you without some of the limitations email brings.  So, your feedback is extremely important to us.  Just click the button that says “Email Me”, located at the bottom of our blog home page, and let us know what you think.