On Safari

This last Friday and Saturday we got to enjoy God's creation by going on a Safari at Sweetwaters near Mt Kenya. I think it is one of the neatest things anyone could do, and we had lots of fun doing it! So here are some picture from our last 24 hours.

Since Mt Kenya is covered with clouds most of the day, the only time you can get a picture is early in the morning.  

The Group... That's Mt. Kenya in the background.

The reason we go on a safari is to see animals...so enjoy!

Cute baby Baboons

Waterbuck

Three monkeys in a tree

Going on a walk

Chimp warm ups

Having fun together 

Give a Chimp a Chance!

 What I am sitting in, a chimp was rescued from after spending 9 years in it. 

Another one!

Zebra

Zebra and Rino

Giraffe

Patas Monkey...I think

What do you call a group of baboons?... a troop!

A Grevy's Zebra... they are a rare kind of Zebra

Two Jackals fighting over something...

Elephants at night

Sisters!

What do you call a group of Elephants?...Herd!

Cape Buffalo

Elephants all in a line.

Giraffe

?

Waterbuck with Gazelle behind

By Emily Swain

One Request, That I Can Answer

The request, is a plea for a soul winner!

Last night in church, I learned something new from a story, I have heard many times. A story about a rich man and a beggar, named Lazarus. I am sure many of you know this story found in Luke 16: 15-31. The part,I was convicted of last night, was vs. 28: "For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."

 The rich man, as he was in hell, was begging for someone to go tell his brothers, about this horrible place of torment. There are many opportunities, that I have, to tell people about the sacrifice Jesus made, so we can avoid this place, but I often shrug my shoulders, and say "not now, some other time." I know that ,without Christ's salvation, they can die and spend an eternity in hell, yet I think I'm too busy to tell them, or to shy, or I think they'll make fun of me. I just have to remember that rich man's plea and God's command ,to spread the tidings round, and answer.

By - Ashlyn Elaine

Here and Back Again

The other day Sara and I decided to walk over to Ashlyn's house. Here are  some pictures from our walk.

Calling Ashlyn to let her know we are on our way.

This is as close to a  goat as I care to get.

Enjoying our walk!

Sara being Sara...

Look who we met...Taylor is showing us the short cut.

Boys pick such wonderful paths.

Of course! We would go through a barbed wire fence!

Letting mom and Dad know we made it.

By Emily Swain

Friday's Happenings

I just wanted to share with you a little bit, of how our Friday went. :-) There are no pictures of mom and dad, because they weren't home yesterday. :-) They had to be at an all - day college meeting. I'll let the pictures do most of the telling, but I'll put in a few words here and there. Enjoy!

Good morning!!! (from Jimmy) It's Friday; why don't you look happier?:-)

Jimmy is our energetic, sometimes annoying, but very cute puppy.

The girls working on school.

The girls "kicked" Zach away from the table, and now he is doing school in dad's office. :-)

Snack time!!! My siblings favourite part of the day.:-)

At lunch we had cabbage, potatoes, and mince meat - A good Kenyan dish. Wanjiku made the cabbage for us.
(Notice Taylor isn't looking at the camera..... I couldn't make him smile for it. I guess he doesn't like pictures. )

Having fun on the trampoline! Jimmy looks like he wants to join. :-)

More fun jumping on the trampoline.

Taylor and Zach love the Ethiopian shirts I brought back for them.  

I made personal pizzas, so they are putting the ingredients on their own pizzas.

Chopping away on the salad.  (Credits to the photographer zach, who took this picture:-)

I never used to put apple slices in salad, but when I had some of Bella's salad (in Ethiopia) with apple in it, I decided to try it at home. I love it!

The pizza is done. I couldn't get a picture in fast enough before someone had taken a few pieces. :-)

Our game of memory. I shall not tell you who won, lest my siblings think It bragging. :-)

Suzy's lego house. What you are seeing right now is the porch.

My siblings lego creations. I don't think I have ever seen an elephant quite that tall before, but with legos you can make just about anything. :-)

By - Ashlyn Elaine or Rebash (That is my ethiopian nick name, and if you really  want to know what it means, you have to ask, and the few people who do know the meaning can not give it away.:-)

Father's Day Film

This is a little film we did for our Dad. Hope you enjoy!
P.S. Guess who's hands they really are.
By Emily Swain and Sara Anne

Happy Father's Day

Thank You, Dad

Thank you for the laughter,
For the good times that we share,
Thanks for always listening,
For trying to be fair.

Thank you for your comfort,
When things are going bad,
Thank you for the shoulder,
To cry on when I'm sad.

This poem's a reminder that
All my life through,
I'll be thanking the Lord,
For a special dad like you.

--Anonymous

Love Emily

A picture from a few years ago... :)

Dear Dad,(Micheal Rains)
Thanks for being such a great Dad!!
For doing the little things like:  when you would drive me to school every day, reading devotions with us, every night and all you do to make our vacations special. Thank you for always being there for me. You are the best father in the world!
Thoroughly enjoy your father's day; you deserve it. :-)

Love Ashlyn Elaine,

Dear Dad, (Brent Halstead)
You are probably one of the best dads ever. Thank you for all special things you do for us kids! 
Like taking us to museums, on safaris, to Java House, and for Ethiopian food. Thank you for always being there for me and being the best example of a servant of God one could ever ask for. I Love you and hope you have a wonderful Day and Life... <3      
Love Sara Anne,

Just Dad and me

To all fathers who read this, enjoy your Father's Day!:-)