I am delighted to report that Christmas was everything I hoped it would be and more. Thank you all for all the kind words, prayers and fellowship. The time at home was indeed a blessing and I am grateful for that which the Lord allowed and provided. Nevertheless, we are back in business and continuing the work the Lord has for us here in Kenya.

The flight over here was a rather rough one and we were jostled about to no end. However, the same wind that tossed us around was the same wind that took us at near supersonic speeds to London. A tail wind of 150 mph ensured that we made it from Chicago to London in under 7 hours. With this monumental task taken care of, we had just enough time to catch a few breaths before boarding the British Airways flight to Nairobi.

The automatic landing in Nairobi was smooth and precise and we departed to gather our luggage. While there at the baggage claim, we discovered that the flight was full of missionaries, traveling to various locations throughout Kenya and East Africa. I sat beside a pastor from Oregon, going to minister in Western Kenya and met a team of twenty going down to Tanzania for ten days or so. It has become apparent the Lord is mobilizing His church to glean the harvest within these last days.

I was a bit surprised to see how overrun our house had grown with mice in our absence. Knowing the condition of the rodents here I knew they would be awaiting us, yet I did not plan on them being in such large droves. However, I planned for this moment and returned with four, foolproof mouse traps acquired from America. Although I do not wish to endorse any one brand, the traps I gathered are known as Tomcat traps. With a name like Tomcat, you are guaranteed not to miss a kill.

I set up the traps and found instant success as just hours later one furry creature had been ushered into his afterlife between the jaws of the Tomcat. The plan was going well until I was in my room and had a most harrowing encounter. As I was sitting there minding my own human business, a rat the size of the average American cat sauntered into my room as a pompous king would enter his throne room. He sat upon his haunches, oblivious to my presence, and looked about the room admiring his domain. While this is transpiring I, shocked beyond belief, stared wide-eyed at the beady-eyed monster.

I was frozen with unbelief at the mockery this creature was making of my room and I stomped my foot for lack of anything better to do. I looked around for something to strike the gargantuan giant with but found nothing suitable or large enough to inflict any damage. Nevertheless, at the sound of my foot against the floor, he fled. I assumed he left, not out of fear, but out of resolve to collect his rat buddies and all attack me at once.

At the moment I was a touch fearful, but when I gathered my wits I remembered a large rat trap that had been provided weeks before by Melissa. I located said trap, baited it with a piece of chocolate, as all rats delight in chocolate and began waiting for the magic to unfold. The trap was difficult to set and took nearly two of us, but once set it was an explosion just waiting to happen.

Due to jet lag I was unable to sleep last night and while completing a beginner’s level Sodoku puzzle at 3:00 in the morn I heard the night’s silence shattered with the sound of a thousand grenades. Knowing this was the trap being discharged, I cautiously tip toed my way into the communal room where the snare resided. Casting my light around the corner I saw the trap flipped upside down with no rat within. Instead I saw a wee little mouse, split nearly in half from the tremendous force of the heavy metal arm. The poor fellow stood no chance against the rat machine and quickly passed. However, there was no rat.

Disappointed I went back to bed. I wasn’t so disappointed over the catch, as that is one more mark to chalk up for the human victors, yet that mangy monolith is still at large. Will he appear tonight? I don’t know. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, who knows? But of this I am sure, when he strikes it will be swift and with the force of rippling rat muscle. The most important consideration is that I get him before he gets me. The human race depends on it; the world depends on it; let the battle begin!