Tomorrow, my daughter and I will board the first of three flights that will eventually take us to Nairobi, Kenya (via Detroit and Amsterdam). Given that I've never been outside North America, I'm both excited and just a little bit nervous.
The primary purpose of our trip is for me to spend time working with the management team at Brackenhurst Conference Centre. Brackenhurst is a Christian conference center located about 30 miles outside Nairobi. I will be learning about their operation while also sharing with them how we operate Ridgecrest and Glorieta.
After spending a week or so at Brackenhurst, we will have the opportunity to go with some of the conference center staff on a weekend mission trip. We'll be working with a local Baptist church in the Homa (no relation to my dad!) Bay District near Lake Victoria. After returning from the mission trip, we will turn right around and head out on a 3 day safari to the largest Kenyan game reserve, located in the Great Rift Valley. Very cool! Actually I'm told that part of the trip will be pretty hot, but you know what I mean...
With only a day left before we leave, I've been checking and double checking all the details. Typically, when we're heading out on vacation, I will usually take a small folder with the confirmations for our plane tickets, rental car and hotel reservations. Heading to Africa has expanded that folder just a tad bit. In addition to those confirmations, I've added passports, a daily agenda, US State Dept info, shot records, travel insurance, anti-malaria meds and a checklist that would make an air force pilot proud. However, I'm sure I'll still be up half the night tonight trying to think of anything I might have missed!
My prayer has been, and continues to be, that God would keep us safe and use this trip to change our lives and those of everyone we come in contact with. I will do my best to keep you updated throughout our trip. Please feel free to check back here, or on my personal blog.
Brackenhurst, ready or not, here we come!!
Best wishes, Byron. I pray God will bring needed things to you and your daughter's remembrance in these last hours before departure! What a wonderful opportunity for you to have special dad/daughter time as you serve and learn together there.
Byron, give me a call and let me know how you came out at Brackenhurst!
karibu sana Kenya which means most welcome in Kenya. Swahili, the main language we speak in East Africa.
Was a great trip Mike. Will call you next week.
Asanti Charles. We had a great time in Kenya.