The Kennys in England

Marching from the Royal Horse Guard Parade to Buckingham Palace for the rehearsal of the Queen's Birthday Celebration

In May, our family had a great few days of holiday in London, England, on our journey back to Canada. We rented a little apartment near Picadilly Circus and were able to walk to most of the famous sites and square of London’s West End. 

Ava helping daddy pick up breakfast at a local bakery

We had made a long list of things we were interested in seeing and doing in London, but hardly made a dent in it as each day was filled with so many unexpected highlights. It was wonderful to stroll around the neighborhoods and not feel constrained by any schedule. One of our favorite days was spent exporting Soho and Coventry Garden, and spending an afternoon with our kids at the incredible Hamley's Toy Store.

Buckingham Palace

Great street side cafes!

Ava meets the Lego version of Her Majesty at Hamley's

Being great Harry Potter fans, the must see destination for our children was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour of the Magical World of Harry Potter. Not only were we transported into the original sets, the kids were able to fly brooms on green screens, try their hand at a wizard's duel, and see the props and animatronics created for the movies. 

Visiting the Gryfindor common room and dormitory of Hogwarts Castle

Diagon Alley

Prof. Snapes potions classroom

We had a wonderful few days, enjoying our incredible children.

Canada

We arrived in Toronto, Ontario, for our home assignment with Canadian Baptist Ministries on May 22. Over the next ten weeks we will be speaking at churches and connecting with family, friends and supporters from British Columbia to Nova  Scotia.

On our journey back from Kenya, we had the opportunity to enjoy four great days in London, England, with our children. 

Outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square

It was a great time to spend with Tristan, Emma and Ava after such a busy year in Africa. Among the highlights was the hop on and off double decker tour of the city, the views from the London Eye, marching with the Royal guard up Birdcage to Buckingham Palace, and exploring the wonders of Hamley's Toy Store with our kids. The other BIG destination for our family was the Warner Bros studio tour of the Harry Potter movie sets and props. It was a lot of fun!

Arriving in Canada, we were greeted at the airport by our good friends Don and Joy Hepburn, and Sharlene Craig. After two days of getting over jetlag and running errands, we began our speaking schedule intermixed with office days with our colleagues in Mississauga. 

We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received from the congregations and mission groups that we have met with already. From our first Sunday in North Burlington Baptist to  midweek gatherings in church halls and backyard barbecues we have found people graciously welcoming and keenly interested in the ministry that we are apart of in Africa.

Visiting with CBM alumni John and Virginia Keith in Lakefield, Ontario

In two short weeks, we have had the joy of visiting churches and groups in North Burlington, Jerseyville and Birch, Barrie, Carleton Place and Smith Falls, Lakefield, Campbellford, Uxbridge, Scarborough, and today we travelled to Sarnia as we speak on Sunday morning at Wyoming Baptist and in the evening at Forrest Baptist Church.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel as a family. We are looking forward to being a part of the annual assembly of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, before flying to Moncton, New Brunswick, on June 14.

We will be returning to Ontario on August 5 enroute to Kenya. God willing, we should be back in Nairobi by August 10 for our children to return to school.