So we say farewell

We are headed to the airport to get ready for our 29 hour flight home. As much as I look forward to being home, I am sadden to leave Kenya. This land and its people have truly touched my heart.

Tomorrow I shall be ready to share all that this place has taught me. To share the joy that is abundant in this country. But for today I am sad to go.

Not only have I met some people here that shall always be in my heart, especially the children, but those that I joined on this journey shall always be special friends to me. We have shared so much in our 17 days.

So to all the members of this mission team I say thank you. I shall never be able to repay you for what you have shared with me. We shall always have this unique experience in our hearts. Thank you.

Tony
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Three Days of Safari

Today is the end of our third day of safari. The first day was spent at the Lake Nakuru National Park. We saw so many animals that are always considered to be a big part of a safari. We saw elephants, lions, hippos, white rhinos, black rhinos, flamingos, and so many others. The roads are the worst part of the entire trip. You bounce all over. And I mean bounce. And that's even while standing up to look out the top of the van. So you end the day so sore.

The second and third day have been spent at the Masai Mara Game Preserve. We actually stay in a cabin with fabric sides like a tent. The front part is a tent, but the back is an actual building to house the bathroom. It is definitely roughing it!

As we drove to the resort we went to a fresh water lake that had several hippos in the lake. We were in boats right on the water next to them. At one point, one hippo popped up out of the water right in the middle of the boats. Every boat scattered as all the guides felt they were too close for safety.

Yesterday we drove to the resort through the park and saw elephants and also giraffes everywhere. But the ride was the roughest yet, to the point that several people had bruises from the bouncing. But then we went back out in the evening to see if the predators were out hunting. We didn't see any hunting, but we did find three younger male lions that were just relaxing. Though when a driver did get out of his van about 1/2 a mile away, all three lions sat up to watch him. Very intensely.

Today we woke to the sound animals talking to each other. As we walked to the lodge for breakfast, dik diks were walking around the compound. This is an amazing place that everyone should visit. However, I do feel a bit of guilt for being able to afford to come here when most Kenyans can't afford to visit what is in their own country. There is such beauty in the land, the animals and the people. And most Kenyans never get to realize it.

Well, tomorrow we head back to Nairobi. Then Friday night we fly back to the United States. I miss everyone back home, but this has definitely been the adventure of a lifetime.

Tony

Three Days at Kirogine Methodist Church

Out in the countryside of Meru, there's not enough reliable signal to post, so now I'm posting for Friday, Saturday and today. Hopefully everyone is still reading the blog.

Friday we worked on digging out the foundation to add a modern kitchen to the church. Currently they cook outside on a fire for any meals at the church. We used a modified pitchfork to break up the dirt and then hauled it away in wheelbarrows.

The church chairman said we did two days worth of work in 5 hours. The young men that were doing the job seemed appreciative. Several of us commented on how quick it could have been done with some machinery, but everything was done by hand.

That night we went to homes of Kirogine members. Don and I went to Ashford and Rose's home. Ashford is retired, but now helps with community development for his village. Rose is a primary school teacher just down the road. Their youngest son still lives with them (Roy).

Rose fed us so much through our 2.5 days with her and her family. We had rice, stew, sweet potatoes, tea, and what seems like large hush puppies. But there was ALWAYS fruit! And they family grows all they need to eat. They have cabbage, corn, pumpkin, sugar cane, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, and arrow root. They also have 2 goats and 4 cows.

The next day we held a Vacation Bible School for the youth of the church. We had about 150 children show up for the school. Before we could do our part, the students did a full presentation for us. The Boys Brigade came out and did a marching routine for us. It was very impressive how much they knew of the military turns and marching. Then some of the children recited memory verses for us. Some were a little shy, but others stood right up and announced their verse.

After that, we had some singing of English Christian songs by groups, duos, and soloist. All were beautifully done. One young girl had an exceptional voice that was just so beautiful. But then music is a bigger part of their church life than we we have in the church I am from. After the singing, we had a full dance and singing routine from a girls group. There was a couple of boys in the group, but the leader told us that the dancing was mainly for the girls. It was a really awe inspiring performance.

After the girls were finished, we finally got the chance to do the Bible School. We split the kids into five groups and they rotated through the groups. The theme was how we are fishers of men for Jesus. There were two story times, a craft time, singing, and then Don and I were in charge of recreation (which basically was volleyball with a soccer ball). The kids were all so well behaved and seemed to enjoy the day. At the end we used a skein of yarn to tie the kids together in a random order to create a "net." We then told them how we were all tied together now and would be forever. Then we cut the yarn to create bracelets for each kid. The next day in church, most of the kids still had on their bracelets.

Sunday was church. . . .I really don't have the words to explain what it was like. We arrived at 9:30 and church was still going when we left at 2 pm. There was so much singing and praising God. They also run through the community announcements because this building is the community center. During the service a man was busy handing out mail to every as there is no post office for the village, so mail is delivered to the church.

I got to give the sermon. I was nervous as can be before I stood up to give it. A local teacher named Eric was an interpreter for me. So I was told I needed to take forty minutes. But with the translation, that meant only twenty for me. I don't think I did that long even. I had written down twice what I would say and then ended up not using any of it. I simply stood up there and spoke my heart. And now I don't remember a thing that I said, but Pastor Charles hugged me afterward and told me it was perfect.

We also gave a small gift to the church to help them with their projects. After the presentation, every person it seemed had to come shake our hands, then they sang and praised the Lord for the gift. The week before the church leaders had a meeting to see what they could do because money was getting tight. And then we answered their prayers. It was a sight like I have never seen. I truly can't explain how it felt to see the people of the church so appreciative.

And now we are back in Nairobi and off to a safari. More later.

Tony