Tuesday was my birthday. But the day was far from pleasant. First, I didn't sleep well the night before. Then, when I went to update the LIMBS patient database, several patient bios were missing. After extensive searching I found all but two, which still cannot be found. Both the hard and soft copies have disappeared. The only identifying information I have is the serial numbers from their knees. GRRRRR!! Then, to add to everything else, there was the prospect of spending my birthday evening alone in my house.
By the end of the work day, I had decided enough was enough. Whether I had anyone to celebrate with or not, I was going to make the night special! SO THERE!!!!!
After work, I trekked up to the shops and bought ice cream, meat, and an extra liter of milk; all luxuries for me, bought only for special occasions! On my way to my house from the shops, I decided to stop by and say hi to a friend, a widow from Australia, I've made here in Kijabe. When she found out that it was my birthday, she came down to my house and we had a wonderful evening chatting and celebrating. Her visit and our “party” made my whole day worth it!
Now I am not saying that my family and other friends ignored
me. In fact, I heard from every single member of my immediate family, a few
friends, and received over 30 facebook posts. But it is not the same as having
someone here in person to celebrate with you.
Thursday, started out slow and rough but got better in the
afternoon. I usually attend a ladies Bible study from 1-2 pm on Thursdays.
Well, right before I packed up to attend Bible study; I got an email announcing
a delivery of raspberries to the school up the hill. These raspberries are too
ripe to export or even sell in Kenya so somebody at the school has arranged to
pick up some and bring them back to Kijabe. We just have to pay transport;
about $1 a gallon. WHOA! What a treat! Usually, raspberries cost at least a
couple of dollars for a tray of just 12 berries.
Ok, so back to Bible study. Several of the ladies wanted
some raspberries but since the delivery was scheduled right smack dab in the
middle of our Bible study time. However, I offered to go up and get them. I had already arranged to borrow a container
from another missionary at Moffet, so along with the 2 other containers from
the missionary at Moffat and 3 from the ladies at the Bible study, up I went to
collect raspberries; all 24 liters! (4 liters for me, 8 for the lady who lent
me the container, and 12 for the Bible study ladies. FYI: Each container holds
4 liters)
Mercifully, God provided someone to carry me to and from the
delivery location so I didn’t have to carry all those raspberries by myself! I
did mention that these raspberries are REALLY ripe, right?
I caught the tail end of Bible study and afterwards “helped”
divvy up the “spoils”! And of course you know “helping” means consuming close
to a cup of raspberries in one sitting!! Hehe!!
Oh how I enjoy helping people, especially if I’m already
heading in that direction anyway. I don’t know what made me happier; getting the raspberries or helping others
enjoy the same!!
As I mentioned earlier, I stopped by a friend’s house the
evening of my birthday. The people she
is staying with were planning a trip to Nairobi on Friday. As it happens, I
needed several things from the grocery store in Nairobi and had been asking and
praying for transport into town this week; either Thursday or Friday. I had all
but given up hope. Well, God knew what he was doing because what I intended as
a polite pop-in to say hello, God meant as a provision for me and my friend’s
needs. Not only did God provide me with
birthday company and the opportunity to go into Nairobi, but He also provided
the opportunity for my friend to get out of the house and spend some time away
from her housemates! I had no idea that she was dreading the trip into Nairobi
because it meant following her housemates, a couple, around clothing stores all
day.
God knew we needed each other and provided in a way only He
could do!!!!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
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