Up Country

Sunday morning we shared in the great worship they always have at Kamulu church of Christ.  I love it so much there, because it reminds me a bit of home while still being very Kenyan.  They have a planned order of worship, and they start with that, but pretty after the sermon, the spirit takes over and the worship really begins.  spontaneous songs, prayers and scriptures abound; they are never concerned about time!  This Sunday was extra special for the KWO family because I was able to baptize Angton Alulu, our long time driver and his wife and four other MITS students!

Angton has been such a blessing to this ministry.  He has been driving for us for as long as I have been coming to Kenya.  He is in my very first pictures that I took in 2008 and is sven in the iconic photo of the orphans on the ridge-line at Londiani.  He has become so much more than a driver to us. He has a gentle spirit and truly loves the children.

After church and lunch, we set out up-country.  Up-country is the word we use to describe everywhere else in Kenya except Nairobi.  Its the vast, rural heart of Kenya where the majority of the population still lives in small framing plots or in small villages.  It's so much the opposite of what America has become, with our great cities and connecting highways.  The roads are typically few and bad, but there are people spread out absolutely everywhere.  If I ever move to Kenya, I will definitely live up-country!

Our plan was to stop at Kikitemo Feeding Station to visit the good people there and spend the night in Nakuru.  However, since we got a late start, we decided to postpone our visit until later in the trip and just go into Nakuru.  We arrived around dusk, so our timing was very good.

After a restful night at the Kunste, we hit the road for Kapsabet orphanage, arriving around noon.  We spent the  afternoon touring the place, letting Matt capture some video and shooting a few interviews with orphans living there.  One boy, Brian set the bar very high with his compelling story of his life before becoming an orphan and since he joined Kapsabet Orphanage.  You will love this one, I promise.

Around dark we joined the orphans for evening devotional and then shared supper with Bernard and his wife Florence at their home.  As I write this, Susie and Matt are down with the kids in the dining hall, taking questions and telling stories of America.  I'm sure they will have a lot to say when that is through!  Tomorrow we will visit Ngenymesut and Kipsnende, which are near here.  Be Blessed!