On our way ... it's actually happening

~MIRIAM

Wednesday, January 26th

I can't believe this is actually happening. On my way to Africa. Sarah is sitting beside me. I'm feeling so incredibly blessed that Grandparents will be helping Matt with the girls and that I can go on this adventure and mission trip with Sarah. The last time we spent this much time together was when we were 18 yrs old, living at home. We've become very good friends over the years and I am so glad she is along. Right now, we are on the flight from Detroit to Amsterdam (an 8 hr flight); then an 8 hr fight follows from Amsterdam to Nairobi. I have no idea what time it is right now. We left Grand Rapids at 330pm. We met up with the rest of the group (13 of us in total) at 130pm. I am so thankful for Matt who has been so supportive in me going on this trip. Right now, I feel like I'm about to bust with excitement and anticipation! I'm feeling restless (even though we are early into this long flight) ... gotta get into a groove here of sitting, eating, reading, watching movies, reading, talking to Sarah. I walked the girls over to Michelle's (the sitter) this morning and they have no idea or comprehension really of me leaving for 2 weeks. I really hope they do OK. I am really looking forward to having a break - I love them dearly, but I really am looking forward to shutting my '24 hr Mom-duty' off for awhile.

Awhile later ... again, no idea what time it is.
We are now on the flight from Amsterdam to Nairobi. I was not able to sleep on the first long flight; I woke up after sleeping for about 3 hrs. I'm guessing it's about 5-6am back home. I feel so tired. I just have never been very good about sleeping while traveling in the car or on airplanes. On this flight, there are more empty seats, so, Sarah and I each have a row of 3 behind/in front of each other that we can stretch out a bit.

As I look out the window, bright warm sun rays beam at me and I love it. Sun and warm. Looking down, I notice round circular formations, but nothing that looks like roads. I asked a flight attendant what I was looking at and where we are. She wasn't sure, so she took my camera to the cockpit (and got a picture while she was there!). Apparently, we are over the desert between Egypt and Sudan. What I am seeing is an irrigation system, but the pilot was really puzzled why they were there in that location. Interesting.

Time to destination -- 2 hrs 45 minutes. We have had complimentary wine / beer on both of our long flights ... I did have 2 glasses of wine in the hopes of it helping with sleep. They have been passing meals and food about every 3 hours. I feel like I have been eating continuously for about 20 hours! And, the food has been pretty good.

Thursday, 9pm January 27th
ARRIVED IN NAIROBI, KENYA, AFRICA !!!!! YEAH!!!!

- On the way to our hotel / guest house, a bunch of zebra ran across the road! Crazy and so amazing! Just like deer back home!