O, Africa!
 You captured my heart, you beautiful land of soft skies and red earth
I waited thirty years to touch you
And now you have touched me
Forever I will carry into the quiet places of my soul
A rolling echo of your voice.
For the rest of my days
Whenever the Lord comes to me
Bringing comfort and light
I will look for the red dust on His nail-scarred feet
And I will know where He has been
~ a love note scribbled in my journal on the plane ride home from Kenya ~
November 10, 2009
I washed clothes in Nairobi!
I’m home from the LittWorld Conference that was held outside of Nairobi, Kenya. The entire trip was incredible and God felt very close! Do you remember in my October newsletter how I said I’d applied to serve in Africa when I was a college student? The position was as a “Laundry Supervisor,” but I was turned down because of my lack of qualifications. Twenty years later I met Wambura at a LittWorld Conference. She said God had sent my stories to Africa instead of sending me, and the stories had washed hearts. She also said that when I did come to her home in Kenya one day, she would help to fulfill God’s will for my life and let me wash her laundry.
Before we even reached Wambura’s apartment, we came upon a group of women washing clothes by the river. Impulsively, I asked our van driver to stop. I walked over to the women while Wambura took pictures. Introducing myself, I said, “I can’t really explain this, but it has long been in my heart to wash clothes in Africa. May I put my hands into your wash bucket?” The intrigued woman agreed, and I plunged my hands into the cold, soapy water. It was a small baptism for me, as I recommitted myself to the Lord, praying, “Cleanse my heart and my hands, Great God. Use me to serve others.” I cried and the tender woman reached for me. We hugged and smiled. Unspoken womanly heart messages passed between us. I returned to the van feeling very young and sweetly fulfilled.
 Two days later we arrived at Wambura’s apartment at 11 pm. Despite the late hour, she led me to her clothes basket, and I trotted down the hall, ready to supervise her laundry. I could only pretend I was washing clothes because she was without running water due to ongoing city complications. It didn’t matter. Mission accomplished with much joy.
Lots More Photos of Africa: Please-oh-please come by my fan page on Facebook and have a look at the three albums of LittWorld, the tea fields of Limuru and the adventures I had with Wambura.
LittWorld Video: Have you ever seen flying African termites?!? Watch my LittWorld video on the home page of my website or on YouTube.
What's Next?
Books: Many of you have asked if I’ll use the adventures from this African trip to write another story about Katie or a Sisterchicks novel. I don’t know yet. As has been my writing rhythm for many years, I gather lots of ideas and research and then pray and wait to see how God leads. I’ll be sure to update you in future newsletters as soon as I have specifics I can share.
Save the Date for a Facebook Tea Party: It was so fun last year when we connected on Facebook and chatted over a nice cuppa tea. I’ve decided to host a 2nd Annual Christmas Tea Party on Facebook. We’ll gather on Friday, December 4 at 7 pm PST. Watch for a short email next week with all the details.
Links: For those of you who enjoy more information on topics I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, such as LittWorld and the writing resource book, A Novel Idea, here are some links for you to check out:
http://www.robingunn.com/PAGES/newsletters/newsletter_10_09.html
Novel Journey - http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/
http://dimillotteblog.blogspot.com/
http://wherehermadnessresides.blogspot.com/
Shop News
 Why wait until the day after Thanksgiving to hit the sales?
Our new promotions starting Thanksgiving day and we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25 for TWO full days: November 26 and 27th.
I think you will love the new gift sets that our Shop Manager, Amy, has put together for us. Hope you pop over on Turkey Day.
*  The College Years with Forever Tee - $25 (reg. $34.99)
* Christy Miller Vol. 1 with God Lover's Poster - $15.00 (reg. $19.99)
* Take Flight with Sisterchicks Keychain - $20.00 ($26.95)
* Sisterchicks Tee with Sisterchicks Tote - $30 (reg. $39.00)
Robin Jones Gunn Online Shop
A Few Thankful Thoughts
I’m so grateful for all of you and for the ways you keep encouraging me to write the stories God puts on my heart. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and yours and that you will find your love for Him and for each other growing as you gather together on Thanksgiving and remember all the ways God has blessed you.
With a grateful heart,
Robin
www.robingunn.com
www.sisterchicks.com
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