Londiani and Chesyliot

Londiani and Chesyliot

 

This morning we were up early to get to Londiani from Kericho before they started church.  We need not have rushed, as usual, everything was running a bit late.  We walked around Londiani Orphanage to see what was new here.  The clinic looks really good. Eunice is a great nurse and has won the trust of the community.  The clinic brings in enough money to pay Eunice’s salary and return some profit to the orphanage.

 

They have recently added a new feature here that I had never seen before in person.  It’s called a biogas digester, and it’s pretty cool.  The concept is simple, animal dung is decomposed in a large pvc bag and it produces methane gas which is captured and piped into the kitchen to power a burner.  The company that is selling them in this area selected the orphanage to get one for free, in order to be a demonstrator for the community.  I cant wait to see how well it works at our place.

 

Church went smoothly, a typical Kenyan service, though a bit rushed for our sake.  We had to see Chesyliot feeding station later in the day so David was doing all he could to make the service short.  I preached a sermon that was originally Tod Brown’s on forgiveness.  It’s really hard to gauge reactions from Kenyan churches, but I thought it went well.  Later, David told me that they had been having some conflict in the church recently and some of the members had left.  Many of hem came back to hear the Mzungu preach this week and the sermon was just what was needed.  God goes before us.

 

We shared a meal in David’s house and then went over to Chesyliot feeding station.  There they were just finishing a four-couple wedding during the worship service.  I’d never seen that before, but is does seem like a cool way to make sure people come to your wedding and to save costs, so maybe I will recommend it to my kids when the time comes. ;)  Matt is a photographer at heart, so he couldn’t resist taking wedding pictures for the happy couples.  We will mail them some prints and then they can say that they had an American photographer for their wedding.

 

After we had spent some time there, we set out for Nakuru.  Tomorrow we will visit Kikitemo on our way back to Nairobi.

Kericho

At many of our locations in Kenya, we try to help the churches do income-generating projects that allow them to help even more orphans that we give them funds for.  At Kericho Feeding Station, we made a significant investment in 2.6 acres of tea land for them.  They use the profits to feed more kids and help widows in their community.  One of the unique side benefits of this tea land is membership in the Kenya Tea Producers Association.  KTPA is a co-op made up of small tea growers that owns several tea-processing plants throughout Kenya.  The nearest one to our farm is called Toror Tea Factory.  Because we are growers, we are allowed to schedule tours of the plant, and that’s what I had arranged for this morning.

We arrived about 11AM and were greeted by the Production Manager and the Tecla, the Production Supervisor.  Tecla gave us a very thorough tour of the entire plant, explaining the processes they use for each step.  Tecla has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi in Food Sciences and she really knows her stuff!  Matt and Mbuvi had never been to a tea plant before, so it was a real treat for them.  Susie and I had been here in 2012, but this tour was way better.  Afterwards we loaded up for a visit to our nearby feeding station.

I love Kericho Feeding Station.  I really try not to play favorites, but this place holds some really good memories for me.  I was with the group that made the first visit by mzungu here, when 500 people showed up crowded onto a half-acre.  The excitement of the kids and church members was so strong you could feel it in your soul.  In 2011, I brought my mother and daughter here, and they were so good with both of them.  The older ladies treated my mother like a long lost sister, and Morgan played with the kids endlessly.

This time was no different.  When we arrived the kids were so excited to see us, especially Susie!  They remembered her letting them touch her hair on previous visits, and that the first thing they did this time.  They were jumping and singing and dancing; it was a huge celebration.  I don’t care who you are, when kids are that excited just to see you, you feel special.

The kids were very taken with Matt as well.  They were laughing and jumping on him as well, even as he was filming them.  They wanted to touch his hair and arms, especially.  He ran with them and filmed them chasing him and laughing until I thought he would fall over.  I was really just an observer, this time; the kids are used to me I guess.

Our worker here, Fracis Chepkwony is doing a wonderful job.  The kids looked great and the buildings were clean and well maintained.  He is a WBS follow-up worker as well, and recently GCR bought him a motorbike to aid in his work.  Unfortunately, he fell and injured his knee.  He led me to believe it was a minor thing, and indeed the motorbike was undamaged, but his knee was pretty banged up.  He was on a crutch and cane and moving very slowly.  He’s getting care at the district hospital and I left him with some Advil, but please keep him in your prayers.

A light rain was falling, so our visit was short.  You don’t want to be caught on that road during a rain.  It’s very slippery and treacherous, but with Mbuvi driving, we were fine.  Tonight we are at the Tea Hotel one last time and then tomorrow we will be at Londiani for church.

Easy Day

Early this morning, Matt and I met some kids from the orphanage down at the road for a quick filming session.  I won't tell you what it was like, because I don't want to spoil the surprise for when the video plays at GCR soon. 

 

Afterwards, we had breakfast, cooked for us by the VTC kitchen staff.  They have been showing off some of their newfound cooking skills since we have been here.  Last June, Barbie Wooten and Lisa Haney spent a lot of time with them expanding their horizons a bit.  This week so far we have had guacamole (good but VERY HOT), seasoned beef, scrambled eggs with peppers and onion, spaghetti tossed in oil and seasonings, beef stew, French fries, and the usual ugali, cabbage, kale, and chicken.  This morning it was Spanish omelets, doughnuts, and fruit.  It was wonderful! 

 

Afterwards, Matt continued his filming and the rest of us went around visiting the students in their classes one last time.  I don't know what plans God has in store for these kids, but I can tell you they will at least be prepared to earn a living.  The VTC is really living up to it's potential.

 

Around noon, we packed and loaded and said our goodbyes, as we hit the road for Kericho.  We stopped first at the Sondu feeding station to see the new dining hall under construction and greet the orphans there.  We shared a meal at Thomas' house and then set off for Kericho.  We arrived without incident and are now resting comfortably at the Tea Hotel. 

 

Tomorrow we will get to tour the Toror Tea Factory and then visit the Kerich Feeding Station. 

 

Be Blessed!

 

Muhoroni and VTC

After breakfast Wednesday, we loaded up for Muhoroni Orphanage, near Muhoroni Town, which is south of Kapasbet.  Mohoroni is in sugar cane country, and Muhoroni sugar is one of the largest sugar producers in Kenya.  Their factory is within sight of our orphanage.  Here the area is very poor, despite the cash crops.  Much of the land is owned by the sugar company and so those people who do live here can just barely grow enough maize to support themselves.  Our place, however, is a beacon of light in a dark world.

The place looked very good, though empty, as the kids were all in school.  The only ones there were two high-school students that Thomas Alwala had arranged to stay behind so that we could interview them for the video Matt is producing.  These two kids were really sharp, and their testimonies of God’s provision for them will astound you.  These interviews have really been uplifting for us to hear.  So many times we see the happy faces of the orphans at our places, and we forget the very hard lives that they have led.  The fortitude that they have and the gratitude are truly inspiring!

While Matt was setting up for one of the interviews, I took a moment to play fundi (repairman) and worked on a bent window frame with Brian, one of the students.  I could do this kind of thing forever, I love making broken things work again.  While we were discussing the broken window, Susie had a great idea that I think we can do without much trouble.  All of our places have maintenance needs, small things that happen to so many buildings inhabited by kids, that need to be done.  It’s enough to keep a full time fundi busy.  Susie suggested that we have a Training Center graduate become our traveling fundi to help out at these places.  Brilliant 

After lunch we packed up and started the journey down to the Vocational Training Center.  We decided to detour to Kisumu for a quick Nakumatt stop, but we still arrived well before dark.  They were ready for us at the VTC, and we shared a great meal before retiring.

Today we spent the day touring the place, and Dirubi orphanage and Matt continued his filming.  He was collecting footage of all the skills that are being taught, and we also did three more student interviews and one of Thomas.  Good stuff, I cant wait for you to see it.  This afternoon, Francis and Stephen played football (soccer) with the kids, even though a light rain was falling.  Nothing would stand in the way of a good football match!

At 6, we went over for evening devotional at the VTC.  I got to hand out the individualized books that Becca Yocham had made of the student’s personal stories.  She had them write don their stories while we were here in June and then printed up books with their stories and pictures, providing pages for them to continue to write the story of their lives.  They were very happy to have them and we got a great group picture.

Afterwards, we went over to Dirubi Orphanage and shared in their devotional time.  Matt got to experience the great Dirubi choir and was completely blown away.  They are so talented!  Then there was dinner, including some of the giant avocados and fantastic local pineapples.  So good.  As I write this, Susie is holding one of her question and answer sessions with the kids, while Stephen translates 

Tomorrow we will see Sondu feeding station, before driving up to Kerich for a night at the tea hotel.  Be Blessed!

Ngenymesut, Kipsenende, and Chepkiit Waterfalls

Last night after I posted the blog, I went down to the dining hall here at Kapsabet Orphanage where we are staying and listened to Susie fielding questions from the older orphans.  This is always an interesting time for me, since it gives me an insight to what the orphans are thinking.  The questions range from life in America, to our kids, our food, and even sex and birth control!  Susie has developed a real rapport with these kids and they will ask almost anything.  Very cool.

As I left the hall, I stopped into check on Matt Maxwell, who is staying in the manager’s house next to the dining hall.  Despite all the noise, he was crashed out on his bed, fully clothed.  I don’t blame him at all.  These kinds of trips can be very tiring.  Riding in a Land Cruiser over these roads is not a passive thing.  You are continually in motion and usually arrive tired.  Add to that all the new experiences and the constant work he is doing taking pictures and video, and it really takes a toll on you!  Sleep tight, brother!

This morning we shared a breakfast of bread and butter and chai, and then set out for Ngeymesut Orphanage, our second in this area.  Most of the kids were at school, having exams today, but there were a few nursery school kids to liven p the place.  Matt got started taking pics and vids, and Susie went to hang out with the widows.  I did my usual walk-around to see what was new and what needed attention.

My first stop is always the nurse to check on the health of the kids.  Here, there were a few cases of typhoid, which usually means contaminated water.  A quick walk to one of the storage tanks used to store river water for washing showed me the problem.  One of the guards was working on the water tap, which was damaged and leaking.  The kids have probably been drinking from this even though there is clean, municipal water in another tank.  I lent a hand with the repairs, adding a roll of electrical tape to his efforts to make a temporary fix until the valve can be replaced.  That provided a “teachable moment” with the manager and guard about how to treat this water with bleach, just in case the kids drink from it.  I felt very useful in that moment!

Susie made chapati with the widows and got to share some good quality time with them, her favorite thing.  I found Matt, shooting video of the kids and the facility.  Stephen added his translation skills to our mix; we were like a well-oiled machine!

After tea, we drove over to Kipsenende Orphange, our newest in this area.  We shared a great time with them, brainstorming on how to improve one of the stoves in the kitchen before sharing lunch with them.  Then the rain came.  It was only a short shower, thankfully, since driving on these roads when they are slick can be very difficult.  We managed to get away unscathed and set out to visit the Chepkiit waterfalls.

This place is kind of hard to find.  It’s a tourism site, but badly signed and with a very bad road.  We made it just fine, and really enjoyed our visit.  Our guide walked us all around the falls, including a very challenging descent to the lower falls and tough climb back up to the top.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves on this one; descriptions would fall short.

Tonight we spend our last night at Kapsabet.  In the morning we will drive down to our orphanage at Muhoroni and then on to the training center.  Be blessed.

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!

Here We Go Again!

It’s time for another trip!  I have to start be saying how incredibly blessed I have been to be able to travel to Kenya so many times.  It’s far and away the best part of my job, and the hardest.  This time, my wife Susie is making the trip with me and we are joined by GCR’s resident filmmaker, Matt Maxwell.  Susie and Matt will be with me for the first two weeks, and then go back to America.  I will stay an additional two weeks, and hopefully bring back four of our Kenyans with me to the US for a short visit.

 Our flights from the US went smoothly.  Everything was on time and all of our bags made it with us.  We were a bit unsure what our arrival process would look like when we reached Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, because this past June they had a big fire at the International Arrivals building.  The entire structure was gutted and the airport was closed for a few days while they got some temporary measures back in place.  (Some of you will recall this caused the cancellation of our last medical mission trip and a delay in getting some of our travelers back home.)

I am happy to say that our arrival was very smooth.  They have set up a complete arrivals building in the recently completed parking garage, complete with computerized immigration equipment, motorized baggage claim and even the currency changers and coffee shop were set up and running.  It’s actually quite a bit cleaner than the old building and I’m sure that in the long run the Kenyans will be better off when they complete the new Unit 4 addition that was already underway and a new arrivals building is built.

Friday was our rest and recover day, which of course also means a trip into Nairobi.  First Susie, Mauryn, and I made a visit to the U.S. Embassy to drop of some paperwork for the visa application process for our Kenyans to return with me to the US.  They should have their final appointment next week, and then we will know if they are cleared to travel.   Francis and Matt, waited for us at Java House, which I’m sure was a great sacrifice for both of them J.

Later we went to Sarit Center, a shopping mall not far from the Westgate Mall where the terrorists attacked a couple of weeks ago.  We drove by Westgate on the way and got as close as we could.  I really wanted to go there, if nothing more than to show our solidarity with them as they go through some of what we went through on 9/11.  The other malls in Nairobi are not as busy as they should be, I’m sure because of the attack.  But we did our part to stimulate their economy!  I got my hair cut and my usual place, and then we moved over to Village Market for the Masaai Market and lunch at ArtCafe.  Security was high at both places, but we never felt threatened and the Kenyans were very happy to see us.

Today we scheduled another treat.  We drove up to Ruila, north of Nairobi for a tour of a coffee factory.  It was very cool!  Matt is a big coffee lover, as am I, and we saw how the beans are processed and graded.  We even got a lesson on tasting, (called cupping) from the chief quality control manager at Kofinaf Coffee.  They gave us some coffee to take and we had a great time.  So much more goes into preparing good coffee that I ever imagined. 

The tour reminded me of one of the great things about Kenyan culture, the high value they place on hospitality.  Mauryn wrote a letter asking to visit their place a few weeks back and they relied to her agreeing to a special tour.  They knew that we were not buyers or anyone important, but two of their managers were happy to take several hours from their day to show us around.  Kenyans display this kind of hospitality at every opportunity; we have seen it so many times.  It makes the attack at Westgate particularly galling because their welcoming nature was used against them.  I pray that they never lose that side of their culture, and that no one steals it from them again in the name of a false religion!

We are back at Kamulu again as we are dining with the Coustons tonight.  Tomorrow we will attend church here and our old friend and driver, Angton Alulu will be baptized along with his wife.  He drove for us today and is so excited about joining the family of God tomorrow.  It promises to be a great finish to a great start of a long trip.  I can’t wait.