Isaiah has developed the most beautiful FULL body rash. Thankfully it just seems to be a non-serious allergic reaction to something. We have no idea what, but we have benadryl. There "happen" to be a few doctors around the Mayfield Guesthouse right now, so he even got to be looked at by a physician.
Anyways, we are not worried, I (Jenny) just wanted an excuse to write a blog. We are doing well and not feeling too much jet lag. Tomorrow Todd and I get to take a Swahili lesson. We may have a couple more in the next week, after that, we don't know about language lessons.
We scouted for a stove and a refrigerator today. We've seen some new birds and Isaiah woke up this morning talking about the birds singing. I've gotta go for now. Have a great day everybody!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Safely in Nairobi
We arrived (with all of our luggage) safely at the Mayfield Guest house in Nairobi at about 10:30 PM Nairobi time last night. That brought about 27 hours of travel to an end. Everything was not "fun" - including having to lug our toddlers through airport security three times - but everything went very smoothly. Isaiah and Nate were awesome travelers. They only complained a little. But they were super travelers overall. We didn't have to pay any extra to American Airlines to check our excess baggage in Omaha. All of your and our prayers have been answered. Thank you Lord!
We slept (mostly) well last night. Isaiah and Nate are sharing a bed for the first time in their lives. We've had good food and met some neat people at the Mayfield Guesthouse. This afternoon, we will go get some money (Kenyan Shillings) do some initial scouting on our shopping items on the list. We are missing our jogging stroller which had to be checked in at the gate in Chicago. Thankfully, it is arriving in Nairobi tonight and we'll have it tomorrow morning.
We hope you all are well. Thanks for the many prayers, we feel them.
We slept (mostly) well last night. Isaiah and Nate are sharing a bed for the first time in their lives. We've had good food and met some neat people at the Mayfield Guesthouse. This afternoon, we will go get some money (Kenyan Shillings) do some initial scouting on our shopping items on the list. We are missing our jogging stroller which had to be checked in at the gate in Chicago. Thankfully, it is arriving in Nairobi tonight and we'll have it tomorrow morning.
We hope you all are well. Thanks for the many prayers, we feel them.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
On Our Way
O.K. The day has finally arrived - we are on our way.
Thanks Mom and Dad H. for a night (away from the kids) at a lovely hotel last night.
Thanks family for stopping by to say hello and dealing with me (Todd) in a slightly irritable and stressed mode. We love you.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. We feel it.
We have three flights in the next two days. We leave at noon Omaha time on the 29th and arrive in Nairobi at 9:00 PM Nairobi time (1:00 PM Omaha time).
1) Pray for the boys on this long trip.
2) Pray for us on this long trip as we lovingly parent our boys.
3) Pray that in our travels we would be good and faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Pray for opportunities to share Him in word and in deed.
4) Pray for favor as we check in 12 (count 'em 12) checked bags tomorrow at the ticket counter.
We will post (when we can) a short message about a safe arrival. More details later on Sunday or early next week. We love you all.
-Todd
P.S. We have a U.S. number for our Skype account. Even if you don't have skype you can call us on a U.S. long distance or local (for you Nebraskans) number. We'd love to talk to you. If you want the number just comment or send us an e-mail and we'll shoot it your way.
Thanks Mom and Dad H. for a night (away from the kids) at a lovely hotel last night.
Thanks family for stopping by to say hello and dealing with me (Todd) in a slightly irritable and stressed mode. We love you.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. We feel it.
We have three flights in the next two days. We leave at noon Omaha time on the 29th and arrive in Nairobi at 9:00 PM Nairobi time (1:00 PM Omaha time).
1) Pray for the boys on this long trip.
2) Pray for us on this long trip as we lovingly parent our boys.
3) Pray that in our travels we would be good and faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Pray for opportunities to share Him in word and in deed.
4) Pray for favor as we check in 12 (count 'em 12) checked bags tomorrow at the ticket counter.
We will post (when we can) a short message about a safe arrival. More details later on Sunday or early next week. We love you all.
-Todd
P.S. We have a U.S. number for our Skype account. Even if you don't have skype you can call us on a U.S. long distance or local (for you Nebraskans) number. We'd love to talk to you. If you want the number just comment or send us an e-mail and we'll shoot it your way.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
We love (great)grand-ma Elsie.
These are pictures of the boys, Todd's sister Liz, and their cousins (Emma & Kayla) with Great Grandma Elsie (Todd's Dad's Mom). We got to see her on Wednesday. Imagine, if you will, on our drive up to Norfolk (about 90 minutes away on Nebraska Highways) with three adults, and four toddlers (all in carseats) all crammed together in our Lovely Honda Odyssey. Lots of songs, lots of diversions, lots of tears, and only a few minutes of snoozing (none by the driver). All of it was worth it. When we arrived in Norflok we ate lunch with Grand(and great grand)ma Elsie at her Senior Center. Thankfully there was a lovely woman (Donna) playing the accordian - mostly polka music. When she saw Isaiah and Todd dancing to the music she broke into "The Chicken Dance" and "The Hokey-Pokey." All of us were dancing. Grandma Elsie said, "That was the best entertainment we've ever had." Almost all of the seniors were smiling and many of them came to meet us and wished us luck and God's blessings in Kenya. What a treat it was.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Last Hurdle Cleared
Today we got our FedEx package with our passports and tickets. Now we have everything we need to head to Kenya --- not that we are ready yet we still have to pack. But now there is nothing else we are waiting for.
For those of you who are interested (and may want to follow us on our journey), here is our flight itinerary:
Dep: Omaha July. 29, 11:55 AM Arrive: Chicago 1:25 PM Flight # 4276 American Air
Dep: Chicago 5:25 PM Arrive: London 7:05 AM (July 30) Flight # 296 British Air
Dep: London 10:20 AM Arrive: Nairobi 8:55 PM Flight # 065 British Air
Some Detailed Prayer requests:
1) Pray that someone will buy our Mini-van. We wanted to store our Odyssey, but all of our storage options fell through and we don't want to leave it in my parent's driveway for a year. If you are interested in buying it, let us know!
2) Pray that we may have favor with American Airlines on Wednesday. Although most of our flight is on British Airways (and BA allows us to have 3 checked bags per person) we start our journey in Omaha on American Airlines. (They do not permit 3 checked bags per person.) American sometimes does, but does not have to honor giving us 3 checked bags. Pray that we would not have to pay the extra $100 per checked bag on American Airlines.
3) Pray that we would be rested and have peace (especially our boys) before we travel. We know that traveling for many many hours with two toddlers and a pregnant woman isn't anyone's idea of "a good time," we know it could flow smoothly or it could be VERY challenging. Pray for a smooth trip - especially for Isaiah and Nate.
Many many more things to do in the coming days. Thanks for the prayers. Less than a week now.
-Todd
For those of you who are interested (and may want to follow us on our journey), here is our flight itinerary:
Dep: Omaha July. 29, 11:55 AM Arrive: Chicago 1:25 PM Flight # 4276 American Air
Dep: Chicago 5:25 PM Arrive: London 7:05 AM (July 30) Flight # 296 British Air
Dep: London 10:20 AM Arrive: Nairobi 8:55 PM Flight # 065 British Air
Some Detailed Prayer requests:
1) Pray that someone will buy our Mini-van. We wanted to store our Odyssey, but all of our storage options fell through and we don't want to leave it in my parent's driveway for a year. If you are interested in buying it, let us know!
2) Pray that we may have favor with American Airlines on Wednesday. Although most of our flight is on British Airways (and BA allows us to have 3 checked bags per person) we start our journey in Omaha on American Airlines. (They do not permit 3 checked bags per person.) American sometimes does, but does not have to honor giving us 3 checked bags. Pray that we would not have to pay the extra $100 per checked bag on American Airlines.
3) Pray that we would be rested and have peace (especially our boys) before we travel. We know that traveling for many many hours with two toddlers and a pregnant woman isn't anyone's idea of "a good time," we know it could flow smoothly or it could be VERY challenging. Pray for a smooth trip - especially for Isaiah and Nate.
Many many more things to do in the coming days. Thanks for the prayers. Less than a week now.
-Todd
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stress and Comunication
Understandably Jenny, the boys, and I are under a lot of stress. Stress in getting all the final details worked out. Stress in packing. Stress in assembling all of our financial information before we go. Stress in living in a house that is not our own. Stress in a discombobulated schedule. Just to name a few.
For a marriage and a family during stressful times the IMPORTANCE of effective and frequent communication rises. It rises significantly. However, during stressful times the DESIRE to effectively and frequently communicate decreases. When we are stressed we just want to crawl into our selfish little spaces and have everyone else read our minds.
It's at times like this when what is needed is what is less desired that we need to fall again on the words of our Savior. "Peace I leave with you - my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." Lord, be with us in these stressful times. May your peace overcome our troubled and frightened (and selfish) hearts.
For a marriage and a family during stressful times the IMPORTANCE of effective and frequent communication rises. It rises significantly. However, during stressful times the DESIRE to effectively and frequently communicate decreases. When we are stressed we just want to crawl into our selfish little spaces and have everyone else read our minds.
It's at times like this when what is needed is what is less desired that we need to fall again on the words of our Savior. "Peace I leave with you - my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." Lord, be with us in these stressful times. May your peace overcome our troubled and frightened (and selfish) hearts.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Less than Two Weeks
Wow how fast time goes when there is lots to do! Why does it seem to go so slow when there's "nothing to do?" I wish it were the other way around. Further confirmation that 1) we were made for eternity, and 2) there will be "work" to do in the New Creation (aka "heaven").
Last week was an exceptionally busy one. Jenny and I were in New York with AIM doing some orientation work from Sunday night to Wednesday morning. It was a tiring trip but we are glad we were there. We spent a quick day and a half in Omaha before driving back to Minneapolis. I performed Andrew and Kara Feikema's wedding - beautiful - Congratulations you two, and then preached a farewell sermon at Calvary. We had a wonderful afternoon at the church luncheon and then drove home. Sadly we didn't get to see our neighbors Phil, Sara, and Addy even though they had just returned from Ethiopia with their TWO new babies - Molly and Noah. Even though we didn't get to see you all we keep praying for your family. Thanks Matt, Lisa, Eli, and Micah for letting us crash in your lovely guest room for the weekend. We will miss you.
Now we are back in Omaha trying to get final details in order (can you say making a will) as well as Todd trying to prepare for teaching. I'm trying to prepare for three classes I've never taught before in a culture I've never visited before with textbooks I'm unfamiliar with. Talk about feeling unprepared and illequipped.
We do have two exciting news items to share with you all. #1 we are expecting! Our third child is due March 2nd. We will have our next child (Lord willing) in Kenya. While this isn't entirely unexpected, it wasn't entirely planned either. We rejoice that the Lord is growing our natural family even as we continue to work toward growing the Family of God.
#2 God is Awesome! Not that we didn't already know that, but he confirmed it in our lives once again. For the year we need to raise around $40,000 to cover all our expenses. As of Tuesday, we learned that we've raised in actual donations and in pledges around $34,000 already. Hallelujah. This makes everything more concrete as we now can't say - well if the money does not come in we won't go. Thank you to the many of you who have given to support us financially for the coming year. We are blessed, humbled, and overwhelmed by your generosity and love for God and for us.
Wednesday Todd had a special treat flying in his dad's plane down to Lincoln -we toured the new Osborne Center and walked around Haymarket park. Cool to visit the shrine(s) of the Big Red while we are in Nebraska. Today (Thursday) Jenny gets a special treat as she and Todd's mom spend the day at the spa while Todd takes care of the boys.
Here's one of the only photographs with all three pastors from Calvary together before we separate. Cody Statema, Todd, & Jack VanMarion - the "Dream Team."
Last week was an exceptionally busy one. Jenny and I were in New York with AIM doing some orientation work from Sunday night to Wednesday morning. It was a tiring trip but we are glad we were there. We spent a quick day and a half in Omaha before driving back to Minneapolis. I performed Andrew and Kara Feikema's wedding - beautiful - Congratulations you two, and then preached a farewell sermon at Calvary. We had a wonderful afternoon at the church luncheon and then drove home. Sadly we didn't get to see our neighbors Phil, Sara, and Addy even though they had just returned from Ethiopia with their TWO new babies - Molly and Noah. Even though we didn't get to see you all we keep praying for your family. Thanks Matt, Lisa, Eli, and Micah for letting us crash in your lovely guest room for the weekend. We will miss you.
Now we are back in Omaha trying to get final details in order (can you say making a will) as well as Todd trying to prepare for teaching. I'm trying to prepare for three classes I've never taught before in a culture I've never visited before with textbooks I'm unfamiliar with. Talk about feeling unprepared and illequipped.
We do have two exciting news items to share with you all. #1 we are expecting! Our third child is due March 2nd. We will have our next child (Lord willing) in Kenya. While this isn't entirely unexpected, it wasn't entirely planned either. We rejoice that the Lord is growing our natural family even as we continue to work toward growing the Family of God.
#2 God is Awesome! Not that we didn't already know that, but he confirmed it in our lives once again. For the year we need to raise around $40,000 to cover all our expenses. As of Tuesday, we learned that we've raised in actual donations and in pledges around $34,000 already. Hallelujah. This makes everything more concrete as we now can't say - well if the money does not come in we won't go. Thank you to the many of you who have given to support us financially for the coming year. We are blessed, humbled, and overwhelmed by your generosity and love for God and for us.
Wednesday Todd had a special treat flying in his dad's plane down to Lincoln -we toured the new Osborne Center and walked around Haymarket park. Cool to visit the shrine(s) of the Big Red while we are in Nebraska. Today (Thursday) Jenny gets a special treat as she and Todd's mom spend the day at the spa while Todd takes care of the boys.
Here's one of the only photographs with all three pastors from Calvary together before we separate. Cody Statema, Todd, & Jack VanMarion - the "Dream Team."
Photos from the Fourth
Happy 4th of July From Omaha!
Playing in the sand. How American.
Isaiah Marching in the Neighborhood Parade.
Nate "Uncle Sam" riding in our homemade "float."
Aunt Sandy, Isaiah, Nathanael, and cousin Becca.
Uncle David, Isaiah and their "serious" faces!
Nate's new favorite word (and pastime): "Baseball"
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Good Evening from Omaha
For those of you who are wondering, YES, the Hilkemanns arrived safely in Omaha. Monday we spent the day packing and cleaning. We finally left the house at 10:30pm to sleep at a friends house where the boys were already asleep. We had lots of help moving this week and last. Thanks Peter, William, Matthew, Lori, Matt, Lisa, Karen, Sarah W., Brent, Rochelle, and Marcia. We could not have gotten out of our house on time, with as little stress as we did, without all the wonderful help. May God heap His blessings on you, as my thanks can't express how thankful I am.
Tuesday we drove both of our vehicles and all of our belongings (those that are not being stored for the year) to Omaha. Yes, we could see out of our windows. :) We made it to town in time for Todd to sub on my brothers' softball team. They won! It was great fun to see my (Jenny's) 5 siblings, their spouses and kids, and my parents at the game.
Today we unpacked for our time in Omaha. We need a little rest. We are spiritually, emotionally and physically tired. Our to-do list is rather long and Todd really wants to start lesson planning for the school year. So many things have already fallen into place and we aren't worried. Whatever needs to get done will get done. Goodnight for now! It's time for little fireworks with grandpa and grandma.
Tuesday we drove both of our vehicles and all of our belongings (those that are not being stored for the year) to Omaha. Yes, we could see out of our windows. :) We made it to town in time for Todd to sub on my brothers' softball team. They won! It was great fun to see my (Jenny's) 5 siblings, their spouses and kids, and my parents at the game.
Today we unpacked for our time in Omaha. We need a little rest. We are spiritually, emotionally and physically tired. Our to-do list is rather long and Todd really wants to start lesson planning for the school year. So many things have already fallen into place and we aren't worried. Whatever needs to get done will get done. Goodnight for now! It's time for little fireworks with grandpa and grandma.
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