Here we are in Kenya. Today is a beautiful day with sunshine and 80 degrees. One of the things I love about Nairobi is that just about anytime of the year it is nice enough to eat outside! Most restaurants have outdoor seating, actually more outdoor than indoor:)
As we are here, eating good food, shopping for things to take back and enjoying the cooler temperatures, I feel guilty.  There are four young men who have not been home since January and they are sitting in Juba trying to find a way home. These men are in the Teacher Training Program through the Education Project that we work with. After classes ended the beginning of December we flew them to Juba so they could then get on flights to their home town of Pochalla. Yes, the same Pochalla that Lynn got stuck in:) We had 3 flights fall through and are now hoping for a flight tomorrow. Please pray that these men get on that flight! These men are polite, kind young men who keep telling us that God is with them and that He knows their need. Not sure I could be that positive if I was them! They have to leave their homes again the beginning of Feb. to be gone another year for school.
While here in Nairobi we always try to get medical stuff done. Lynn has just had it confirmed that he is getting older - he now has a frozen left shoulder! :) This will get better with exercises. Maybe Lynn is right, he can never retire because then his body will fall apart. Oh, man is he going to get me for writing this.:)
It is hard to believe that Christmas is just days away. We are going to keep the Kandel tradition of Ethiopian food for supper Christmas Eve, it just will not be with our children who will be doing the same thing about 8 hours after we eat ours. While at the mall the other day we had the opportunity to listen to a band playing Christmas music. It reminded me of the days when Dana was in band in high school - good memories! It also helped to focus me on the time of year we are in and to think about the meaning of this time of year. It really is the simple things that bring us the most joy.
Enjoy time with your families and thank our heavenly Father for the life He has given us.