This morning started with an announcement that no one wanted to hear, the water tank is empty. Seems there was some problem with the pipe that was supposed to be keeping the tank full, so we had to make some adjustments. Kenyans rapidly brought water from across the compound to fill the tanks, the plumber was dispatched to buy parts, and the local water department guy, a church member, was asked to bring water in his pickup to get the tank up and running. It was a minor inconvenience, but it reminded me of how many different things it takes to keep Americans satisfied.
These team members have been real troopers, with very few complaints. They take the surprises in stride and keep on serving, but Kenyan orphans require a lot less to keep them going. Running water is not common in this part of Kenya, neither is power or indoor plumbing. Our place here has them all, even if we are lacking a power company connection. The new generator has been great at lighting and even making coffee, but it balked at the 5400 watt instant hot water heaters that are used here. As a result, showers are cold and quick.
Breakfast was bread and butter, with hot chocolate and bananas, and our team eagerly consumed it while preparing for our 9am clinic start. We had fewer kids to see today, and all the bugs had been worked out of the system. Kids from Lee McGraw started their walk early, and arrived just as we began clinic. Everything ran very smoothly. So much so, in fact that Todd, Susie, and I were able to take a few hours today to walk up to Lee McGraw Orphanage.
See pics on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kwominstries
The road was recently damaged by heavy rains, so a vehicle cannot pass. Three Kenyans accompanied us on the journey. Dan, the manager at Lee McGraw, Victor, a WBS name-getter, and Washington, a local church member. Along the 5km long, very hilly road, we took a side trip over to see the Sondu River up close. It is moving very fast and the sound was awesome. We were able to reach the orphanage in just over an hour and toured the place with our Kenyan friends and the widows. The place looks good, but as an experienced overseer I caught a few things for them to correct!
On the way back we found several Kiosks had popped up, no doubt alerted to the presence of mzungu by our earlier passing, and we wereable to buy fresh avocados, bananas, mandazi, and even a stick of sugar cane for Todd. We also were able to meet a former preacher from the area who had lost his sight. We met him a few years ago and it was good to see him again. He has a beautiful, sharp mind but his disability in a place with no "accessability" provisions makes it impossible for him to do the work of spreading the gospel the way he once did.
It was a very interesting, though tiring walk. I love getting out and moving at a slower pace around these places when I can, it helps to understand the context that they live in. When we retuned the team was at lunch and we shared our produce bounty with them and enjoy our meal as well.
The rest of the day went very well. With our Kenyan nurses fully trained, the team hit high gear. We were able to see 125 kids in about 10 hours. Good thing since tomorrow we will have over 140! As we finished up, the rains came. It rained for several hours and then off and on all night. Being from Midland, it's hard to pray for the rain to end, but since I have to drive the road I justwalked in the mud, I really want it to stop.
Thomas surprised the team tonight with several large jugs of hot water, heated in the kitchen. We were able to take warm sponge baths for the first time since we arrived. That was really awesome. Thomas is still adjusting to being a hotelier. I'm sure he thinks orphans are easier, too.
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