Georgia Girl Speaks...: A weekend in Kisumu

Friday at school is somewhat of a "free day" for the kids - filled with play time and a whole lot'a dancing! (Videos to come once I return home...) These African kids have some serious dancing skills and tried their best to teach this "mzungu" girl some rhythm : )

Dancing on the dirt - Kisumu style
(this girl does not have what it takes, but wasn't afraid to try!)

The Nicholson Clan -
Iddy , RuthMichael, Sarah, Chris & Oscar - amazing group to say the least

Friday night we made our way outside of town with a small group of new friends, to a "farm house" situated on a beautiful hillside for some much needed r&r and a little quiet. The getaway was primarily in honor of Heidi (mine & Cassi's gracious host) who is ending her time of service as a nurse in Kenya in a couple of weeks and will be moving back to the U.S.It was a nice little getaway and opportunity to recharge and see a greener more peaceful side of Kenya.

Kenyan hillside

Enormous tree ... should have climbed it!

Sunset

Sunday was another full and rich day - After not so graciously falling & busting my knee on the way into the slum, things most definitely improved as the day went on :)

(I dare you to pour alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto a nasty scrape...guaranteed for some intense FUN!)

We started out by visiting RingRoad Church where we enjoyed some beautiful Swahili songs of praise, an inspirational message from one of my cohorts Vince (translated into Swahili by Pastor George) and sweet time with some of my buddies from this past week at RingRoad Orphan Day School.

Sunday church with some of the kids!
(The girls pooled their money and gave me the necklace & earrings AND a headband)
#heartisfull

We all split up for awhile in the afternoon as Cassi is somewhat under the weather today and Vince and some guys from school had plans. I decided to venture back to Russia Hospital and check in on dear Melvine. She is doing so much better and our hope is that she may be discharged tomorrow. I enjoyed surprising her and spending time with her and a few other kids.She was up to taking a little walk, so we went out back into the sun and discovered two old see-saws. A few other kids followed suit and we had some wonderful play time which garnered some smiles from these cute kiddos. Please keep this special girl in your prayers as she does not have much of a support system and most likely does not receive a lot of "tlc" at home living with her uncle(who works all day) and aunt (who has not visited her at all the past 5 days in the hospital). It is such a tough way of life for the majority of kids here, yet her spirit is captivating. She is incredibly bright, gentle and kind and I truly believe God has put her in my life for a reason.