I'm here, safe, and loving it.

I suppose the title says it all. I just wanted to let you all know that I am in Kisumu now, staying with three friends from Lwanda: Fred, Mary, and Esther. Traveling here was a long journey, but last night I was finally able to sleep a full night in a bed. I can't write much now because I am in a cybercafe (where you pay to use internet), but I will definitely write more when I arrive at Daystar. Take care.

Leap And The Net Will Appear

A few weeks ago I was teaching English in Mexico, but now here I am preparing to spend one year studying at Daystar University in Kenya.  I can hardly believe that I am actually stepping on to a plane on Thursday evening without even having a scheduled return date.  (No worries though, I'm aiming for next July. haha)  Surprisingly, as I sit in my dining room at 2:00 am, I don't feel anxious or scared; rather quite relaxed and content.   I've really learned how to live in the present during the past few months and I try not to worry about the future because usually it doesn't work out as expected.  Yes, I am going to Kenya in a day and a half, but I'm still going about my daily life in Grand Rapids until BAM... I will soon realize I am an ocean away from home.  What a weird feeling.

Of course, I am very very very excited to have this opportunity to live and study in Kenya for an entire year.   I can't wait to be immersed in culture very different from my own and take away as much as I can from this experience.  I'll be able to study topics that I would have never been able to in the U.S., such as Swahili.  I hope to make good friends, play lots of guitar and soccer, and volunteer in the community.  I don't know what to expect, other than joys and challenges... and those are enough expectations for me.   

Thanks for following my blog as I embark on this journey.  I don't know when I will be able to blog next because I will be in the village of Lwanda for the next two weeks, where there is little internet access.  However, on August 10th I will arrive at Daystar in Nairobi.

Take care.  Blessings to you all.