November 8, 2025 - Nairobi day
This morning we congregated for breakfast at 8:30 and met up with two of Little Lambs partners, Blasto and Machaa. Blasto loaded up a van with an obscene amount of luggage and headed straight to Kijabe.
Machaa escorted us throughout Nairobi for the remainer of the day. It started with a tour the Kazuri bead factory. The factory was started by two women whose goal it was to teach single mothers how to support themselves through jewelry making. The factory now supports over 50 women. The beads are made from Kenyan clay from Mount Kenya. The clay is treated with talc and silica then pressed resulting in a smooth ceramic clay. The beads are then formed/shaped by hand, dried, kiln-fired, hand-glazed, and kiln-fired again. Resulting in a shiny and beautiful bead. They are then strung into necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc. and sold.
After Kazuri, we headed to the Giraffe Centre. Here we learned about the conservation efforts made by the center and got to hand feed some of our long necked friends. They really are one of Gods most interesting creatures, with their stilt legs and elongated necks!
After the giraffes we had a speed run lunch before quickly stopping at a Masaii market/grocery shopping.
Our final stop of the day was to see Joel Rintari, a local glass etching artist. He shared some of his story with the group of how he came to learn the skill of glass etching. He now continues to do great work, not only producing his own art but in training others in the craft. His goal is to have his own shop one day and his own school to teach. Right now his back yard serves at his workshop and he teaches students as he can with what he has.
Finally we headed towards Kijabe, the home of one of the Shepherds Little Lambs centers called Green Pastures. Machaa did an excellent job getting us to the guesthouse after dark (Thank you Machaa!. After getting settled and saying hello to the 12 others sharing the guesthouse (which was a little surprise) we enjoyed a classic Kenyan meal from Mama Chikus (somosas, beans, cabbage, rice, beef stew, and chapati…yum) and reflected on our day.
We are so thankful for all of you! Thank you for supporting each of us and praying for us as our journey continues.
We ask for continued prayers for safety and good health. We ask for continued prayers for those who are giving up their time to care for, guide, and translate for our group this week. We ask for continued prayers that each of us be pushed and challenged this week and that we remain open to being useful in all circumstances.
Tomorrow is a day for church, fellowship, and preparations for the week ahead at the centers. So much more to come!
With love,
Debbie, Diana, Heidi, Yamille, Steve and Lynn
