August Update from the Harmons

August 4…Family and Friends…Good Monday morning from Limuru, Kenya.

Nope, I’m not at work…as this is the final day of our week-long vacation.  Ooh, it’s been quite refreshing to step away from work for some days and take a breather.  Kari, Gizmo, and I enjoyed a trip to the coast (Malindi, Kenya) where we stayed in an IMB guest house…just a 10 minute walk to the beach.  Kari has written some great entries and posted a fun photo album on our blog…so, check it out when you get an opportunity:  www.ronkarigizmo.typepad.com <http://www.ronkarigizmo.typepad.com/>  ; kariandron ; swahili .
 
The past few weeks/months here at Brackenhurst have been full.  Of course we continue to adjust to, and invest ourselves in, life and ministries, but we also had some special excursions.  First, at the end of June, Kari and I took the weekend to travel to Lewa Conservancy for my first marathon.  Many of you know that I trained for my first marathon last year, but due to a schedule conflict, I was unable to run the Nairobi marathon last October.  Then from February to June this year I trained once again…and finally entered my first marathon which took place on June 28th, running through an animal reserve.
How did I do? Well, after finishing 25 miles of a 26.2 mile race, my body gave up and I had to quit.  So sad!  I’ve written several entries and posted pictures regarding the race.  Currently, I am training for the Nairobi marathon for October…and of course plan to return to Lewa next year to finish what I started!

 
From July 14th to the 18th, we attended the annual meeting of our mission section, which included about 200 IMB missionaries who live in Kenya, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, and Burundi. There were volunteers from 3 different churches in the US who came to preach, teach, lead the youth/children, worship…basically just to minister to all of us.  It was blessing to have the fellowship…and understand every last word of the sermon…instead of trying to translate from Swahili!
 
Anyway, this is just a short note to say ‘hello’.  Both Kari and I have gotten very behind in our correspondence.  Such is life, huh?  And though we have not responded to many of your awesome emails, know that we love and appreciate you tremendously…and hopefully will write to you soon!  J

Blessings..rkg