Cliff Jumping!!!

Yes, that's right, I just jumped off a cliff this weekend. I think it was about a 10 meter jump into the water, and it was quite an exhilirating experience. We went to this place called 14 falls that has 14 waterfalls all in a row. We had to climb up lots of rocks to get to the top of the falls. The climb itself was a little crazy. I'm so bad at those rock climbing walls at home b/c i don't have much upper arm strength. I was praying the whole time that God would help me up. I seriously thought I might just fall down the rocks and break my leg. Then we got to the top, and the guide with us jumped off an even higher cliff (you would be happy to know that I passed on that one). I really had no intention of jumping at first b/c last year another MST sprained his ankle doing it. But then everyone else started doing it. And I kept thinking, you know I'll regret this forever if I don't do it. And really it wasn't that high when I looked down. But I was still shaking and pretty nervous. So now I've officially broken every rule from the doctor about things not to do (except get a tatoo, i forgot about that rule)...but i just jumped into non chlorinated water that was a little sketch. In the end, all the muzungus jumped but non of the africans with us did, mostly b/c none of them can swim.

by the way, 17 people slept in our house on friday...a new record. i think i forgot to mention that randall, from near dayton, is here with us now. he's actually planning to come back full time in june with his family. i'm really excited for him to join the ministry b/c there are a lot of ways things could be more efficient and organized, and i think having an american around that is living here full time will really help. and it's totally inspired for me to hear about people leaving their jobs and lives and making sacrifices in the name of Jesus. he's investigating schools to send his kids today and even a hosptial where his wife possibly could continue working as a nurse.

rosie and I are both sick today. she's actually much worse than i am...i'm not too bad really. but we both think something we ate yesterday is not sitting well in our stomachs. we had lots of nyoma choma at this place yesterday. it was crazy b/c you go up to the restaurant and there's all these different butchers outside cooking the goat. and they try to have you try their meat, so that you'll choose theirs to buy. they basically swormed the guys in our group. it was actually pretty amazingly good. but i'm not sure if it was that that's bothering me or if i maybe accidentally had some water yesterday that wasn't boiled...i was at a birthday party, and i'm thinking that could have been it. in any case, i'm sure i'll be fine tomorrow. i feel more bad for rosie. she was so sick, i had to get off the bus with her on the way to kibera b/c she turned white and looked like she would vomit at any moment...lovely, i know. pray for her especially.

liz and i made no bake cookies today to take to some people in kibera. it was about the only thing we could think of that doesn't need an oven, since we don't have one. so i hope maybe in a small way the cookies brighten someone's day. they were going to see lilian, the girl who does our laundry and has the beautiful little baby.

as i'm reflecting on what i've learned the last 7 1/2 weeks I think the big things are patience, love, and being genuine. It's easy to be real around people here b/c you're with them so much, we eat, sleep, and work in the same place all day, so they know so much about you. i think often at home I, and other people, try to hide behind who we really are and only let people see the good side of us. but God loves us, despite all the junk in our lives, and to be able to work through it, you really have to be honest with people. i'm so encouraged having people in my group pray for me throughout the day. and as for patience, wow...it is so hard sometimes to slow down and embrace the moment. I'm not sure that i've even slightly gotten a grasp on this yet, but the locals are really helping me to learn this more and more. be grateful for this day that God has made my friends, and enjoy it to the fullest. I'm so encouraged by your emails and prayers. Thank you for your support.