Jamrock: East Africa's First Indoor Rock Climbing Facility

BlueSky has been in the process of building a rock gym since I arrived here in January.  It's been the main project for the guys (Andrew, Stephen, Jason) that moved here the same time I did.  We now have a location to build the gym (which was a huge step!) and are wanting to have something up and running in the gym by September (though we are a ways away from having the entire gym completed).  This is a really great opportunity for BlueSky and a really great addition to the community.  Below is some information about the gym and design pictures.  Also below is a picture of chalk bags that we'll be selling to help fund the rock gym.  These chalk bags are made by a local Kenyan lady from kikoys (an East African material).  They are also available in Masai prints.  We're charging about $25 per bag.  Let me know if you'd like one!


You can also check out the gym's webcite for more info: http://jamrockclimbinggym.weebly.com/

Jamrock will be an asset to our student ministry, providing a place to host youth group, lock-ins and fun events. We have an area of our gym dedicated to student events, which includes stadium seating and a stage.  The gym will be the first place we are able to host events in our own facility!
The gym is located right in the heart of Nairobi's "Little India," so we will daily be interacting with the South Asian community of Nairobi. They are the shopkeepers, residents of the area, owners of the shopping center and the climbers in our gym. BlueSky has long wanted to be more involved with the Hindu and Muslim, however it can be a difficult one to break into as Christians. With the strategic location of the rock gym, we now have the opportunity be immersed in this community and share Christ with the South Asians.

Elephants, Giraffes, and a Rhino

With my time in Kenya winding down, I am trying to hit all the places I wanted to visit.  Today I went to the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Observatory.

Elephant Orphanage- http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Rescued baby elephants are brought the the orphanage and raised until they can be re-released into the wild at age 2-3 years old.  The elephants handlers bring the elephants out for their feeding from huge bottles.  You can also arrange to be there for bed time.  The orphanage runs solely on contributions.  You can adopt an elephant and come for private visits.  If I was going to be here for longer I might have done just that.

 The orphanage also takes in a few rhinos.  This little guy (or maybe not so little) is blind and was rejected by his mother because of it.  They've tried surgery, but apparently it's irreversible, so he'll stay in the orphanage.  His name's Maxwell.

Giraffe Observatory

Here you are given food to feed the giraffe or, even more special, lure the giraffe to give you a kiss by holding the food between your lips.