Christin's Kenya Update 6/4

hey everyone!

just wanted to send out a quick update on what's been going on here in nairobi. after we got back from our trip, we have been spending a lot of time at NLH. things are going great there, and the babies were so excited to see us again. it was amazing to feel all of that love from such little people!

saturday at NLH was a party for their 12th anniversary. they had a big "party" where everyone could come back and it really created a great atmosphere for all of the older kids and kids that had been adopted from the program. it was so neat to see the nurses recognize kids as old as 7 or 8 and remember them from their time at NLH. the families were amazing, and you know that these kids have truly been blessed to find such loving families.

we found out that over half of the people who work at NLH actually live in the slums. they make about 5000 shillings a month, which is about $85. one lady, emily, has to support her brother, two sisters, her mother and her son on that. transportation from kibera (the slum she lives in) to NLH costs 80 shillings per day. it's amazing that people like her can be living in such horrible conditions and literally faced with life or death choices every day yet come to NLH and give these babies so much love and compassion. I am simply amazed.

as for some fun things, morgan and i went to an animal orphanage today. i petted a cheetah. not kidding, i really did. the pictures are amazing! we are also going out tomorrow to a restaurant called carnivore. it is a huge place and really popular, but guess what they serve? meat--lion, giraffe, elephant, crocodile, zebra, etc. so after i have gotten to see all of these animals, i'm going to eat them! nuts, i know, but it should be interesting! and, we found a place that delivers pizza, so finally i'm going to be having something other than tea and rice for supper!

the babies at NLH are making such progress. just being around them and seeing them improve, grow and develop is such a phenomenal thing. even the pictures from our first days there are so different than of the babies now. it's just incredible what 2-3 weeks of love, food, and hugs will do.

well, i said a short update so that is that. i miss all of you and excited to come home and share my experiences!

love,
christin