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.

Happy Easter

EASTER GREETINGS

Wayne, Maureen, Jenny, Sean, Michael, Tim, Caleb, Tristan

Erica, Aaron, Ava and Emma

We had a great Easter celebration today with our friends the Morgans and Bannisters. Our three little egg hunters were up early this morning searching the house before our Easter Worship Service -- Ava took the largest haul! There has been lots of singing in the Kenny house, the latest tune comes from an Apple App called "Baby Monkey". It is a very simple game where you control a monkey and a pig as they bounce across the screen grabbing bananas and dodging obstacles, but the further you go the more of the song you hear (imagine singing this in a falsetto, over and over again):

"Baby Monkey, baby monkey

riding on a pig, baby monkey

Baby Monkey, baby monkey

backwards on a pig, baby monkey"

We also enjoyed a great turkey dinner and fun with our team mates the Morgans and the Bannisters (just back from Liberia, we are very sad to see them leaving Kenya). Diane is back in Uganda this month finishing her masters studies in public health, so we weren't able to enjoy a final holiday meal before their upcoming move. We continue to pray for them as they prepare for this transition.

Let the after dinner games begin!

Deep in a game of spoons

Wishing You a Happy Easter!!

Spiritual Emphasis Week

SonSurf Beach Bash

Rosslyn Academy's Elementary

Spiritual Emphasis Week

This week is Rosslyn's annual SEW for the students in elementary school. The kids are asking BIG questions and discovering BIG answers as they "Meet Up with Jesus" in this Gospel Light Vacation Bible School adventure.

Emma helping to lead songs with the kids worship team

Each afternoon, teachers, high school students and parent volunteers are taking part in skits, songs, stories, crafts and activities. Aaron is the theme speaker again this year at "Bonfire Beach". It has been a fun week!

Aaron and Claude Kranik

at Bonfire Beach!

Erica and Emma after the opening worship

Arabian Nights

Rosslyn Academy Middle School Banquet

"Arabian Nights"

This evening is Rosslyn's annual Middle School Banquet for grades 6, 7 and 8. Tristan went with his friend Natalie, and their friends.

Tristan and Michael looking sharp!!

Several teachers and the student council did an amazing job transforming the Middle School area into a incredible banquet hall.

Tristan and Natalie looking pretty cute together

hanging out before the banquet

Have a great evening kids!

Tristan and Emma

Rosslyn Academy Choral Concert

Last evening, we had the joy of attending Middle School and High School choir concert at Rosslyn Academy. Tristan sang in the Grade 7 & 8 choir, under the direction of Mr. Mark Statler. It was a great evening!

During one of the songs Tristan played the jambe

...after the performance we had a great time connected

with friends and other Rosslyn families.

Rosslyn Academy Invitational Swim Meet

Today, Emma competed in a Rosslyn Invitational Swimming Meet, where she raced in the 50 meter freestyle and 50 meter backstroke. She did a great job!

Erica and Amina volunteering as time keepers

at todays swim meet

Emma and her buddy Diana

Way to go girls!!!!!

Tristan and Emma want to share a BIG HELLO to the Sunday School Kids at the Berwick and Kentville United Churches who are following our blog this month. "Hope you are having a great winter!!!"

Getaway

Weekend Getaway!

This past weekend, our friends Charles and Eva treated us to a wonderful retreat at their cottage at the Great Rift Valley Golf Club overlooking Lake Naivasha. After an intense month, it was an incredible gift!

Mommy and Emma at the driving range

See the resemblance?

Like the old hippo, our little Ava lost her second tooth over the weekend.

Daddy and TK

Saddle Up!

In the hills above Lake Naivasha

This past weekend, we took our children away to our friend's cottage in the Rift Valley near Lake Naivasha. On Sunday afternoon, Aaron took Tristan and Emma horseback riding at a neighbouring ranch. Along the way, they saw a wild herd of cape buffalo and some beautiful rugged country.

Turkeys at the farm

On the trail!

Cape Buffalo

Tristan Back at the Ranch

Emma on her gentle giant

Great Weekend!

Shrove Tuesday

PANCAKE DAY

2 0 1 2

Today was "pancake day", or Shrove Tuesday for many Christian brothers and sisters, it is a tradition for our family to have breakfast for supper and to give up something for the next forty days leading to Easter. This period is known as Lent and is traditionally a period of fasting where Christians give up rich food or luxuries to devote themselves to prayer, preparation and identify with the suffering of Jesus.

"Giving up something for lent" is a good practice of self discipline and reminds us of what is really important in life. It is about living simply, justly and generously.

Emma is giving up junk food.... "What are you giving up Ava?"

"cigarettes"

Rather than hiding coins in our pancakes

we have some fun prizes at supper...

... Ava found 20 shillings!

Happy Pan Cake Day!!!