Skating with friends

Ice skating at the Solar Ice Rink

at the Panari Sky Hotel, Nairobi

Emma and Diana -- Cookie Elves!

After church today, we brought some friends with us for a picnic at the "Solar Ice Rink". Along with our sandwiches we enjoyed some super oatmeal cookies made by Emma and her friend Diana, who stayed up late together last night baking cookies.

Ava skating with the help of a penguin

Amanda and Emma

Our friend Amanda Lindhout also joined us for the picnic and skate. She is just back from a visit to Canada. Amanda and her organization, The Global Enrichment Foundation, is returning to Somalia this week for a second food convoy to the famine affected areas.

Tristan and Daddy on the ice

This was Aaron's first time back on skates after he cracked his ribs this past June. He was feeling very good, as he helped the kids around the rink.

Erica & Amanda

Michael Lower and Tristan

Diana Ojeda & Emma trying out their skates

Tristan, Ava and Michael on the ice

"Don't fall!"

Ties of Friendship

Iftin Friday Gathering
Every Friday, the Iftin ladies gather for a fun activity at the community centre. This week, Brianna led a class on making friendship bracelets. It was a huge hit as the ladies laughed and made many bracelets to give to friends.

Tristan & Erica

With our kids on summer break,

it was fun to have them all take part in

the fun activity with the refugee women.

Emma helping one of the Iftin ladies make her bracelet

Ava receiving a friendship bracelet from Farhiya

Ava making friends with a group of girls

on lunch break at the primary school

Ava telling a story to children gathered at our van

in the parking area of the community centre.

Afterward, Ava had fun sharing a bag of

lollipops with her new friends

During the activity, I think Erica made the most bracelets with dozens coming from her little work station. She left with a handful of yarn from an Oromo student, "Please teacher, make me one too!"

Friendship is one of those universal experiences that crosses cultural and religious boundaries. As part of the activity the ladies discussed what it means to be a friend: sharing, trust, keeping secrets, laughing, crying, having fun and, the greatest of all, love.

Farhiya giving Aaron a friendship bracelet