We arrived a little over a week ago and the jetlag had finally begun to go away! Thank you for all of your prayers! We had a wonderful two days in Amsterdam before finally arriving at the airport in Nairobi. I don’t know what it is, but every time I get off the airplane into Kenya, I feel like something is right. Like its where we’re supposed to be. Anyways, we spent a few days in the busy city of Nairobi while my mom (whom I’ve grown to call Super Woman) shopped for three months of food for six very hungry people. The car ride to Tenwek Hospital is a long one, but never a bore. You pass so many interesting things. We saw a herd of zebras on our way, but weren’t so lucky as to see the usual baboons. I really like those guys.
Readjusting has been so much easier! The last time we went we were living in less than 900 square feet (not complaining). This time, a missionary who is currently on furlough, has allowed us to stay in her house. It has been wonderful! Dad is busy like always, but tries his best to make it home for meals. He is usually in the OR longer because he is teaching some of the Kenyan interns how to perform specific surgeries. I really hope to scrub in more often to watch the surgeries.
Seeing all of our missionary and Kenyan friends has been so amazing; they’ve been so kind and so hospitable. All of the kids here in Kenya are about to go on break from school next month. At night and early in the morning you can hear the little Kenyan children walking by our house, laughing their high pitched little laughs, I promise you it is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. You’d be surprised; coming from Texas heat of 104 degrees some days, Kenya’s weather is unbelievable. The wind is blowing and the temperature is usually in the 60’s and70’s. I have no idea why but for some reason people think we’re going to a place where it resembles a desert. Well, that’s not true. It is extremely lush where we’re staying. Green, pink, blue, purple, there are just a few of the colors you see when you look around. I’m not saying it doesn’t get hot here some times of the year but right now its Kenya’s winter, so we’re doing pretty well.
I think you should know something that made my family and I laugh so hard the other day! The house that we’re staying in is on a slope, which has a rode directly beside it. All kinds of machines come down this hill; tractors, bikes, but for the most part motorcycles. Now they aren’t like Harley Davison’s, they’re African bikes. They look more like dirt bikes. Anyways, whenever these motorcycles go up the hill the leave their engine on obviously so that they can get up the steep hill. But when they come down the hill, they turn them off and roll down to save gas. I literally couldn’t stop laughing, but it is a good idea!
I just want to thank you again for your prayers and support. God truly showed up during our travels; short lines, all of our bags (12 in total) made it, people were gracious and patient with us, and no absolutely no illnesses! Thank you Jesus!
Will keep you posted,
Georgia Grace

Friends,
After two days in Amsterdam and one in Nairobi, we arrived safely at Tenwek hospital early afternoon yesterday (Saturday)! We had great flights and all twelve (yes, I said twelve!) of our bags arrived safely! As they say in Kenya, God gave us “journey mercies” and we are thankful for your prayers. I really admire Jenn as she organized and packed everything needed for the children’s school, all our clothes, probably 200 pounds of medical supplies, spent hours at various markets in Nairobi gathering the food and supplies we will need for 3 months and then unloaded it all and got us settled into our home away from home. Needless to say, I couldn’t do what God placed in my heart to do without her willingness to make those sacrifices.
I so enjoyed the daytime flight from Amsterdam across the entire northern part of Africa. We made it across Europe, then down the western coast of Italy, across the Mediterranean sea, across hours of the Sahara desert, crisscrossing the Nile river numerous times, across Sudan and finally to the green hills of central Kenya. In northern Kenya there was a spectacular thunderstorm to our west and then probably one of the most magnificent sunsets I have ever seen. All those incredible colors–pink, orange, gray and bright blue were intensified by the setting sun shining though the high arching clouds of the thunderhead.
It was such a blessing to be greeted and welcomed by some of our many friends here at Tenwek. Lisa was at the gate waiting for us, Carol had cinnamon rolls ready for us, and Sarah was already cleaning and setting up our house as we arrived. Across the fence I heard “Dr. Osteen” in that deep voice that could only belong to Geoffrey, one of my good friends from the theatre (OR). We had dinner with our friends the Whites (long term missionary surgeon and his family), breakfast with our friend Barbara (missionary nurse for almost 30 years), and lunch today (Sunday) with Anna (a missionary nurse from Japan). But the welcome I remember most was when little Angela and Alene (4 and 6 year old Kenyan friends) first caught glimpse of their friend (and my 6 year old son) Jackson. Those were the brightest eyes, the biggest smiles, the loudest giggles and warmest embraces of all!!
I start my day at 7am tomorrow at the hospital. The kids will settle into their school work in the next few days. And Jenn will make plans for ministry at several of the orphanages in the area around the hospital.
Keep us in your prayers. We will do our best to keep you up to date on our journey.
Blessings from Africa,
Paul

 Dear Friends,

 Thanks for taking the time to check out our blog.  Just to bring you up to date:  Jenn and I and four of our children will be leaving for a 3 month trip to Africa on Monday, July 20.  I will be working in rural western Kenya at Tenwek mission hospital where I will be taking care of patients, performing surgery, assisting in the training of young surgeons and giving the long-term missionary surgeons a much needed break. Jenn and the children will be actively involved in ministry at several orphanages within an hour drive of the hospital.  Most of you know that Jenn is a nurse and I am really hoping it works out for Jenn to spend some time in the OR with me this trip to learn how to pass instruments and assist me in surgery.  Our children are looking forward to seeing their friends at Tenwek and love to spend time taking hikes in the hills, playing soccer and visiting the orphanages.  My son Matt and his new bride Mandi will be at the Penn State University as Matt starts his first year of law school. 

 That said, as we prepare to leave we would really appreciate your prayers for us.  About a month ago I felt like the Lord impressed on my heart that—even though we have done this trip many times before, even though we are going into a familiar place, even though we are visiting some of our dear friends—we still need continual, vigilant prayer coverage.  So for the next few days we would be grateful if you would remember to pray for “traveling mercies” as we leave Houston, spend 2 days in Amsterdam, one in Nairobi and then drive to Tenwek.  Specifically that all our luggage would arrive (we have 4 bags with supplies for the hospital and the missionaries), that God would protect us on the drive from Nairobi to Tenwek next Saturday morning. Remember to pray that our transition would be easy and we would remain healthy and strong during our three months away.  Pray against the forces of darkness that would try to prevent us from doing what God has called us to do.  And pray that we would be a blessing and encouragement and bring healing and hope to everyone God brings across our path.

 Psalm 27 has been such a blessing to me for the last few weeks.  David says:  I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. 

 We are looking forward to seeing what good things God has in store during the next 3 months.  We will try to bring you updates regularly so check our blog and follow us on our journey over the months to come.  Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Blessings,

 Paul