Finally, Nairobi!

We flew back on the same tiny, prop planes that we'd gone on, only this time it was piloted by a student pilot. I was in the back with my eyes closed, so I didn't notice much. But, the people in the front said she peppered the instructor with questions on how to fly the whole trip. So, this time, I wasn't the only terrified passenger.

We were met at the airport by Steven, who had arranged for the bus and van to take us back to the couple's flats. He is a member, who used the perpetual education fund, and is now paying back his loan by doing word carvings and odd jobs for the missionaries. PEF is a problem here in Africa because so often when people finish school they still can't get jobs to pay back their loans. Having an education isn't always the answer to having a job. PEF is available in many countries, but only exists in one stake in Kinshasa, where it's a pilot program.

We bought a beautiful Masai nativity and a banana leaf nativity in a banana leaf box from Steven. We bought a basket, some soapstone coasters and little things to send home to the grandkids, if Taysoms have room. They came from a shop in a MALL near the MARRIOTT HOTEL. I do like and miss pretty things and it's fun to have a few around now!

Because of flight schedules we had a day in Nairobi. Nairobi is awesome! It was really nice to see the city and do a little shopping.

Nairobi is a very large, modern city (8 million people) and if you can stand the traffic, it's awesome. There seemed to be order on the streets and in the stores. Almost everybody was wearing western clothes. It has malls, parks, clean streets, tall buildings and grocery stores that rival Walmart. We bought honey, soda crackers and a few other treats not available in the Congo. Fresh cut roses were about $4 for two dozen and all the couples had them in their apartments. They told us that the roads farther out of town are not good, but in downtown Nairobi they were like streets at home, although they do drive on the left side of the street. We had a great time being there for the day.

They also have a church service center where the mission pres. and most of the missionaries in Kenya have offices. It also has a distribution center and chapel. What a nice place! You can even send mail home from Nairobi. We brought Congolese flags and letters to mail to our kids back home. It was fun to be able to send them something. No mail in the Congo.

It was amazing to be in such a clean, modern city and our hosts, Elder and Sister Puckett, spent the whole day taking us wherever we wanted to go. They fed us chicken and chipatis and showed us a wonderful time.

Saturday we headed back to the Congo and our life as missionaries in the DRC. Our trip to Kenya seems like it was just a dream, but what a lovely dream it was. We will never forget it!