"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way." - Winnie the Pooh
I just love that, it really sums me up a lot of the time. I do things that a lot of people do not seem to make sense at all, and yes when I am in the middle of it I wonder what I am doing, but then my brain kicks into gear and I realise that the only person that I have to be concerned with their view is Piglet. Wait a bit. Did I just link God with Piglet? Well ok, if we are walking down this way let's see if Winnie the Pooh can be at all mixed with God. And please take the following as totally tongue in cheek. So....God would obviously be Christopher Robin because he knew WTP (I just can't continue all of that typing) before anyone else. They had their closest times and is always the one he goes back to. Owl would obviously be the Holy Spirit because he is always there for WTP, friendship, care. direction, and huge wisdom. And he is always awake at night. which is always helpful while offering peace when needed. And now here's the hard one. I think I would say Jesus would be Kanga mixed with Tigger. Tigger because Jesus is just so awesome, exciting, fun, passionate, living life outside what others think are the safe ways of living. He bounces throughout our lives and invites us to throw of all our concerns of other people and come out of our of comfort spaces and jump into something new. And Kanga because Jesus is so loving, always aware of our concerns and makes it his priority, cares for the whole of the forest, the whole world actually and most definitely our personal forest/world and gives help in times of need. And a random fact is that Kanga is one of the few characters that Tigger does not bounce. Not sure how relevant that is, but it's a pretty cool thing to bring up at your next dinner date when the silence is tangible.
So how have I been besides bonding with Winnie The Pooh... Sorry that my newsletter is out a bit later than the previous, but with internet issues and then my laptop crashing, these last 2 months have been stretching to say the least. I came here feeling I had to believe with faith that all the rest of the money I needed for my startup costs would fall from the sky, opening up the floodgates of heaven so to speak. Well, after realizing I did not need my umbrella anymore on standby, I realized that faith comes in many ways. And it is something which I have realized is something so important in my life. Just because God said I must have faith, it did not mean in my own understanding that I wanted. I have been living off faith the last 2 months (and rice and beans with an occasional smoothie), and I have learnt how to squeeze my budget like an enraged meerkat shaking a chicken for any information on it’s stash of eggs. 
The school where I am based in the area of Soweto, Kibera (yes Soweto here was actually named after Soweto, in South Africa) called St Catherine is an amazing school. The children are beautiful and hungry to learn, (mixed with a chapati or 4 each day for my lunch,) brings me so much joy. The children do outweigh the chapattis tho ( I have so many photos of the school, the children etc. and following this sentence is a link to the photos.
Or go onto my website which is http://beanycc.wix.com/the-intrepid-umzungu where you will see the newest photos starting off the slide show. I also have mad a special blog page, where I will leave the latest newsletter with all the others linked back to the blog site. My Life Skill teaching is going really really well and I am bonding more each day. It's a wonder what an hour to an hour and half of just hanging out with the children for their break time does. With everything going on, they are worth it all and it's really awesome being able to have the opportunity to talk about God in my life with them too. 
I am still settling in, like my walk of about 25 minutes that is mostly a dirt road with rocks, holes and rain drenched areas. I have damaged my ankle twice from these roads with my trusted Merrels coming apart quite fast now, so I will be looking into getting “new” shoes (2nd hand cheaper at local market) with a better ankle protection. That has been a little frustrating. Also what has been more than that is acquiring my Permit. I am still awaiting on this process that has taken much longer than I expected. It was all supposed to be ready a while ago, then paperwork was required from me that was not previously asked for, and am now expecting some final paperwork from the organisation. And then it's just a matter of dropping it off at the Immigration office. It takes less than a month, so it will come in place at just the right time flavoured with what is less of my stress. Which I have to say is almost used up for now :)
So this is me so far, still fresh and new here, but learning as I go. I have found it easier fitting back into Kenya again, although being the only umzungu around is still something I have to get used to. I went to a local church here, called Nairobi Pentecostal Church, where I think there were 2 other umzungus there :) It was a really good service, very loud and passionate worship and thankfully not an over zealous preacher as normally heard here. A microphone made for shouting it seems, but I think the message is good if my head stops rattling. This past Sunday tho there was a guest speaker and he used the microphone as well, as a microphone. Really good message on Moses, and the questions we need to ask - the "Who am I?" and "Who are You?" (God) Really good for me to hear while being here. I am not really drawn to going back to my previous church I was at previously due to it's size.The Vineyard church is 2 services with I think between 500 and 800 per service. They are planting a new church nearer to me and it is much much smaller, and that is why I am drawn to it. SI am obviously more used to Melville Junction, and therefore will probably be happier at the soon to be newly planted Vineyard next month. I still go to my homegroup from the Vineyard, from last year, and I am loving it.
So I am growing in God, and am in a good environment to help with worship, to be prayed for when needed, and to input into other people's lives.
I love you guys a lot and again I thank you for continuing and not forgetting your sponsorship for me - this coming month of April should be so much better meaning I can buy gas and start off cooking for the first time since being here. And maybe even a buy a doughnut or something close to it. Sugar :)) Speaking of sugar, I am off to a wedding this weekend, for MJ's one and only Kenyan who met a Kenyan in South Africa and is now back in Kenya to be married, Nyawira! And yes I do have a date and yes, her name is Millicent ;)
Thank You again for keeping on giving, you have and still are playing a valuable role in my life, and my calling here. I hope your month has been a good one, know I am always thinking of you all, and please send me any prayer requests I can pray for.
It's always good for me not to navel gaze....I spelt it naval gaze at first, so um I will send of a few prayers into the blue yonder with a warning hoot from the ship.
Have a great rest of the month that is left and here's to a good April!Gareth
