Mombasa April 29

Mombasa

April 29

Have you ever been to a place where the breeze blows softly across your face and the white sand between you toes is so soft you don’t even notice it?  Well I hadn’t either until I came to Mombasa. Talk about white sand beaches ... OH MY.  Yesterday after we got here I went out on the beach just to see what the sand felt like, and believe me it’s nothing like Santa Cruz, Ca or anything that I’ve ever experienced before. The sand is so soft and white it reminds me of white flour.  

Last night after dinner, the kids went off on their own and I hung out at the hotel pool bar for the evening entertainment.  There were traditional African dancers, and they were pretty good. I think they were part of the staff and they dance at night for extra cash. Don’t get me wrong, they were good and I enjoyed myself. While I was there I met a really nice couple from Wales. Anthony and Adele. Very nice people and we talked about their safari they went on a few days ago. Adele said is was great and they really enjoyed it. At this hotel there are a lot of Europeans, a lot from the U.K. and then some from Germany.  I asked if many American’s come here and I’m told no.  Then the receptionist asked me if I would tell my friends about Mombasa. I told her I would, but I also told her that most American’s don’t want to fly all the way over to Africa to go on a beach holiday. If American’s want a beach holiday they usually go to the Caribbean or Hawaii for fun in the sun. Personally I’ve never been to either, so right now at this very point in time I prefer Mombasa to the other choices. If I go there I might change my mind, who knows, but for now this is IT for me.

Tonight the kids hung out with me until about 10pm. Then I decided to talk a walk around the garden/pool area and look out unto the Indian Ocean for a bit. The kids took off, I have no idea where, and then after awhile I went up to my room. At least I didn’t wake up with a hangover ... ha ha

Lake Bogoria ll / Nairobi

Lake Bogoria ll / Nairobi

April 27

It’s hot here in Lake Bogoria. I had the fan on all night long, and supposedly we have air conditioning, but there are no vents for AIR....so I’m gonna guess the fan is the air conditioner. LOL It didn’t bother me not having it. I slept just fine with the fan on, it was almost like home but my fan at home is a lot louder than this one. ANYWAY, this morning I woke up at 5:30 but went back to sleep. My alarm went off at 7am and then I got up and I took a shower. NOW, this was the first HOT SHOWER I’ve had in 4 MONTHS.  YES first hot shower in 4 months.  It was GLORIOUS!! Need I say more?

Went down for breakfast and had Kenyan pancakes. LOVE THEM... Now I’m all packed up ready to hit the road or the lake whatever Kiptoo has arranged I’m ready to go. lol Just waiting on him to get back from the front desk here at Lake Bogoria Resort and Spa to see what is in store for me today.

OH and the kids I’m with, Simon & Brittany Yego, Chelse, and Kiptoo (aka David) are great kids. Well they aren’t kids but they are so much younger than me. 

The drive here was really nice, except I’m totally turned around and can’t figure out east from west, let alone north and south. YEP I’m an idiot here with direction. I wish I had a Mt Hood I could use as my point of reference. Anyway, I can only say that Kenya is really beautiful. As we were driving down here the difference in the landscape and terrain was so different from Kitale. Kitale is more of a farming area, where as Lake Bogoria and down to Nairobi is more of a arid desert type. We drove across the Great Rift Valley and then up the mountain to the plateau and then on into Nairobi.

Now tonight here in Nairobi we are at Bishop Yego’s home. It’s a really nice place, and it’s really big. Well it’s big compared to my house in Vancouver.  For dinner we had chicken and chips (french fries), pizza, and a avocado tomato salad. YUM-O. Needless to say I ate my fill.  Tomorrow we leave here at 9am and we are off to Mombasa. I’m excited about going to Mombasa. We will be in Mombasa for 3 nights and then we come back to Nairobi for one night. Then we are at Masai Mara for 2 nights.  This is so cool because I get to see all of Kenya while I’m here.  After I get back to Kitale, I’ll be going back to Lake Bogoria with the 5th grade and then Kisumu/Lake Victoria with the 6th grade. 

If you ever have a chance to come to Kenya, COME you will not regret it.

Lake Bogoria Kenya

Lake Bogoria Kenya

April 26

I awoke early today to get up to the road so David, Simon, Chelsie, and Brittany could pick me up. 

Finally on our way and the first part of the drive was horrid because the road is so bad, but one we arrived in Eldoret the road was just like at home for the most part.  We didn’t take the main highway to Lake Bogoria, we took the scenic route. The road was really whinedy but it was a fabulous view of the north part of the rift valley. The valley is so huge and yet it’s not. It’s hard to explain, but it didn’t take us that long to get across the valley.  To look at the valley it looks like it’s a million miles wide, but in reality it’s not.

Once we arrived at Lake Bogoria Resort and Spa we waiting until we were shown our rooms. OH nice rooms too! Here on the property there are monkey’s and I’ve seen an male ostrich on the far side of the front grounds. There are two pools, and one of them is fed from the hot springs that are very close to the resort. The hot springs are HOT! I mean super hot. The steam from the springs was hotter than a sauna and the water, I’m told, will burn you if you touch it. Supposedly you can cook an egg in the water, but I didn’t have an egg in which I could use to test that theory.

As I’m typing this I don’t have any internet connection so I can’t find out exactly where I am in Kenya. I know I’m very close to Lake Borgoria, but I’m not sure exactly where that is on the map.

Easter Sunday Celebration

Easter Sunday Celebration

April 24

Easter here in Kenya is nothing like it is at home. No where did I see an Easter Basket, chocolate bunnies, PEEPS, or anything that we American’s associate with Easter. What I did see was unlike anything I’ve witnessed in the U.S.  On Good Friday there was a procession of folks walking along the road and the lead guy was holding a huge cross. I’ve never seen that in the U.S., maybe some have but I have not. Good Friday service began at 9am at AIC Naisambu Church. The service lasted a good 2+ hours and it was focused on the death of Christ and what it means to us as Christians. Now the sermon was in Swahili so I didn’t understand much, but that’s what I got out of it. Bishop Silas Yego was preaching and I do believe he is one of the nicest members of the male sex I’ve ever encountered. 

Saturday was the Choir Extravaganza at AIC Naisambu Church. Now that basically was all about celebrating weekend with a number of choirs singing and dancing. Here in Kenya choirs don’t stand on risers and sing. OH NO.  Choirs here sing, dance, and tell a story all in the song they are singing. In this regard, I believe, we American’s are truly missing out. Some of these choirs are really very good. It was a fun thing to watch and witness. Now this lasted all day. It started at 10am and went until dark at about 6:30pm or so. AIC Naisambu was Rockin’ on Saturday!!

Now on Sunday at the Swahili service, it was a different story from what I am used to.  Aside from not eating any chocolate, the Service was different. The preacher was Rev John Mark Ndaluka from Tanzania. He referenced Isaiah 53:1-5 for his sermon. What was interesting was that he spoke about what the cross means to us as Christians, and do we really see and understand what it means. I know what he talked about because Pastor Kibet and I went over the English paragraph that Pastor John gave to us to put int he bulletin. In the English service, I read this paragraph and I expanded on the concept of what does the cross mean to us. Anyway, what was so different in the service was there wasn’t much mentioned about how Christ arose from the grave. The hymn wasn’t “He Arose” or anything about the resurrection of Christ. I actually missed singing songs with that theme. The preaching focused on the meaning of the death of Christ and the cross.

Now the service was combined with a Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of AIC Naisambu Choir. So instead of being 2 hours long, it was 5+ hours long. I was basically at church from 8:30am until 4:45pm. I told Pastor Kibet that I had enough church to last me for the next month. LOL 

Easter is celebrated here in Kenya, but it’s nothing like what we do in America. I enjoyed the day, but after 4 hours I was really tired. Will I be here again for Easter? HUM, probably not. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I really miss being with my family on days like this. I’m certainly glad I was able to experience Easter in another culture. Life as a Christian is different here in Kenya.

Saturday before Easter Sunday

I must say today has been rather odd. First off I overslept, then Kibet showed up with problems with the bulletin for tomorrow church service. Murphy's Law was in full effect today. We finally got all of the problems sorted out on the bulletin, and finally printed one entire copy to be photocopied in town. Got into town, went to the photocopy place and they began coping the bulletin. Well guess what happens. Power goes out all over Kitale. UGGG Then the power comes back on only to go out again a while later. So we ended up coming home with only 3/4 of the bulletins. Got those folded and put together with the help of Julie and Ednah, Alice's daughters. and Owen, Alice's grandson.  YEAH... Now I can relax.

Earlier as we were waiting for the copies to finish, I was talking with Kennedy and his uncle.  Kennedy told his uncle that I am from America and apparently his uncle asked how old I was. So I told him, 52. Then the uncle told Kennedy that I looked 26!!! YES...I am a happy camper!

OH and today we had thunder and a little lighting. It rained as well, but I don't think it was a lot at all. Anyway, the thunder today was rumbling away and it just kept on going and going. That is what I think it so interesting here in Kenya. The thunder doesn't just boom and then you don't hear it again. Thunder here is like constant, rolling thunder. It will be loud and then not so loud. I love it. But then again I love the sound of thunder anyway.  As I was looking up at the clouds (thunder) there was a hole in the clouds and threw the hole I saw clear blue sky.  It was like a light at the end of the tunnel. Eventually the thunder will stop and Blue Skies will be once again bright and clear.  Just sayin'

Local Paper

April 18, 2011

The Standard is one of the local papers here in Kitale. I don't usually purchase any of them because they are usually sold by guys and they all hang out on a corner, so if you buy one they all bug you to buy another. ugg. Anyway, so today as I was waiting for everyone to get back to the car, I noticed that our very own Barrak Obama made page three with the entire page given to the claim that he was not born in the U.S. Now the article wasn't written by a Kenyan, it actually came from the Associated Press. I thought it was odd to have an American issue in the local Kenyan paper. I mean, why would Kenyan's be interested in our President? Is it because he's black? Is it because his father was a Kenyan citizen? I mean why are they interested? I find it interesting that one country in Africa is so concerned with out President. Is he or isn't he, kinda sounds like a hair coloring commercial, a "real" American? At this point in the Presidental term it's a little late to even worry about it now, but I believe the in the future anyone, I don't care who you are, anyone who wishes to run for an political office needs to prove they are eligable to run and possibly hold office.  USA is at a point now in it's history where we need to consider the requirement of proving ones nationality when running for a public office even if the office doesn't have any requirements for the candident's.

So Anyway this paper kinda cracks me up. It's a good paper, don't get me wrong, but it does make me crack up. Like with most papers the sports section is in the back, and there are commentaries by various writers, non of which I know.  Some of them are funny and some are very serious.  One of the commentaries that I like was one called, "life's a circus" by Ted Malanda. The by-lines reads Ted Malanda draws on the wisdom of his royal Wanga ancestors to try and understand a world gone mad."
He writes about Crimes against humanity didn't begin Yesterday.  Mr. Malanda writes about how crimes against humanity began with Adam and Eve. Cain slaughtered Able, and then David slew how many in order to gain his wife. So you see what Saddam, Quadaffi, Castro, and countless other's have committed crimes against humanity, so why is it such a shock to us that it continues to happen. The conclusion: Sin. Simple. It's not rocket science people!  Now can you imagine anything like this being written in an American newspaper now? I sure can't. Can you imagine the conflict it would cause? I can. Now why can this be written here in Kenya? I'm not sure, because I see a lot of Muslims walking on the street, so this leads me to believe that being politically correct isn't an issue here at all.  Could it be possible that Kenya has more religious freedom than the good ole U.S.A.? Well it's something to ponder, ain't it?

Beautiful Kenya

There is a lot here in Kenya that I love, and yet there is a lot that really makes me madder than a cat on a hot tin roof!

As I walk or ride on a motorbike I can look across the horizon and see the green hills dotted with fields of red dirt. Then above that there is the blue sky that isn't marred by smog, and the clouds are big, billowly, puffy, and pristine white. The contrast and blending of the three are simply beautiful. I've never seen anything like it in my life. Then the people of Kenya are so very welcoming and kind to me. Yes I get some odd looks, but it's nothing of what I would get if I was walking in downtown Oakland California. During my time here I've had 3 proposals of marriage. Not that I want any especially from men with little or no teeth, but it's what I've received. (can you imagine the dental bill??? YIKES)I'm sure it's due because being a white I'm perceived to have money and lots of it. Only if it were true. LOL Here in Kenya the women of the church meet regularly for fellowship. I really like that about Kenya. Getting together with friends, and friends helping friends when they need it. It's really very refreshing to see and witness.

What I dislike so much in Kenya is the way everything is run.  If the police pull you over, you need to pay a bribe to get out of whatever wrong you committed. If you want a formal piece of paperwork, like a birth certificate, it's just about impossible to get it. Then the corruption in other areas of government is insane. The way to get a job here is to be in the same tribe as whatever tribe is in the ruling power. And that, my dear friends, is so bloody wrong it makes me want to puke.  How people treat their workers is downright mean and in some cases it's slavery. That too makes me so mad I could spit buggers all day long!! Here in Kenya it's as if it's OKAY to treat other people as sub-human and to feel self-righteous over them.  How wrong is that for cryin' out loud. How hard can it be to treat someone with respect and kindness? When they do something wrong, don't shout at them. Correct them with grace and love, show them how to properly do the task at hand and go on with life. How bloody hard can that be?  I could go on, but I won't because it's simply to beautiful of a day to sit here and blog. The sun is out, the grass is green, and the sky is blue with a few white puffy clouds in view.  So I am off.

There is a lot of beauty here in Kenya, but unfortunately there is also the other side that is pretty ugly.

New Friends, but they don't talk Part ll

New Friends, but they don’t talk Part ll

After the mother’s exchanged stuff it was time to head on outside. Now I don’t know if you can really get the gist of this scene. All the women gather around Caroline and they sing. Don’t ask me what song cause I have no idea. Anyway, as they sing they kinda dance, but dance and walk at the same time. Caroline goes into another little house and doesn’t appear for about 10 minutes. When she does she comes out in a different outfit and she has a beaded necklace and a headdress on. Both are stunningly beautiful. I’m told it’s a Masai thing, but from what I’m also told Caroline isn’t of the Masai tribe. So I’m not sure why she’s wearing it, all I know is that it’s beautiful. So again the women are singing and dancing and they are going to where Caroline will sit for the rest of the day. Now Caroline is carrying a cake, kinda like a wedding cake but it’s for the engagement. Once she reaches her destination, she sit’s down and the priest gets up and he begins to speak. 

Well, the priest spoke for a little over an hour! Man he was long winded, a really nice man but he spoke for way to long in my opinion. Then the Master of Ceremonies had a member of Caroline’s family speak for a while, and then someone from Isaac’s family spoke. While this is going on I’m taking pictures of everyone and anyone/thing/animal. Then when I wasn’t looking, Alice was in front of everyone speaking. Then the unthinkable happened. She called for me. “Cait, Cait...” “Come here Cait.”  Now I don’t want to go up cause I’m not sure what she’s about to do. Well, turns out she introduces me to everyone. I’m the only White person there, so I’m a novelty. Can you imagine that, me a novelty. LOL  So she introduces me to the crowd and tells them that I’m a friend of Isaac and he drives me around town in the car. And then I say, “he’s the best driver! and he always knows where to get whatever I need!!” So then I walk away towards some kids. 

Now these kids see me, and only one ran away crying. LOL  So these kids crowd around me and they won’t leave me alone so I can continue to take pictures. Stuff is going on and I want to get it on film, but I can’t because of the kids. It’s kinda funny really, but weird as well. If I point the camera at them they run away, but as soon as I turn around they are all there once again. Now there’s about 15 kids I think. So as the gift giving is going on and the singing, welcoming Caroline into the community I get very little pictures of it. BUT I made some new friends. The only problem is they didn’t talk! Now I know they could talk, but they didn’t want to talk to me, and the didn’t want to leave me either. So I was with them for about 30 minutes making conversation that was totally one sided.  There was one girl who came up and asked if a boy could take a picture. So I motioned for the boy to come closer and I held the camera for him and had him press the button to take a picture of a girls head. Then I told him he would become a great photographer someday, and that he needed to remember the white lady at the engagement party started it all for him. 

Then as the party was really winding down, I walked over by Alice and asked if we were going pretty soon, and guess what followed me. YEP all of the kids.  Now I wonder why it’s always kids following me around and not 50+ year old men? I have to wonder.  

While I was waiting for Alice so we could leave, I spoke to the priest some. He asked me if I was married, and I told him no. Then he asked if I wanted to get married, and I told him I didn’t know if I did or didn’t. He then he asked why didn’t I want to get married. Well then I told him, well in order to get married, someone needs to be knocking on the door, and no one is knocking on my door at home. Therefore I don’t think I’ll ever marry again! It’s a good thing the kids didn’t understand this conversation. Unfortunately this one comes up often here in Kenya for me.

Finally we got in the car and proceeded out of the compound and onto the dirt road. It seemed like forever for us to get back to the main road, but then again it was dark outside. I looked for the moon and what I saw was so amazing. The moon looked so bright and it was a quarter moon (I think) and it looked just like the pictures you see. Truly amazing. That is one thing about the night sky in Kenya, it is filled with Stars!!

New Friends, but they don't talk

New Friends, but they don’t talk

April 9, 2011

What a crazy day. Saturday’s can be like that at times, but today was an exceptional crazy day. It started off by getting up early. Now I needed to print the bulletin for church, but by the time I got ready, ate breakfast, and everything else it was to late to run up to Kibet’s place to print. Then I came out of my room to find Pastor Evans and Gilbert in the sitting room.  I was a little shocked to say the least.  I wasn’t expecting them and then no one told me they were here. But then again I don’t usually get told if anyone is here.

Anyway, Pastor Evans came to ask me about the drums, but I haven’t seen any drums here.  AH that’s when I find out that yesterday Pastor Evan’s son came and dropped the drums off. BUT no one told me. Funny I thought. I know for a fact that I told Alice that I was getting drums from the Pokot Village, but I guess she seemed to forget about our conversation.  Well, the drums are so cool. They are made with goat skin and they still have the hair/fur on the skins. TOTALLY Awesome!!!

After Pastor Evans and Gilbert left, Isaac came with the car. Now I didn’t realize that we were going to an Engagement Party/Celebration. I just thought we were going to meet his Mom and brothers. Anyway, we drive down the road towards Eldoret. Now remember the road sucks big time, with all of the pot holes and crazy drivers. OK, so right after Mios Bridge we take a left onto a dirt/gravel road. Now this road is a decent road for dirt and gravel. We get to the end of the road and we turn right, go a little bit and then turn left again. At this point I have no idea where the heck I am. Then we drive for like forever and then Isaac says, “OK here we are.”  But I just want to know where the heck we are because I see nothing but fields and trees. OH Great I’m in the middle of nowhere Kenya and I have no idea how to get back home. Then he turns left onto another road, but I thought he said we were here!! Funny....So we drive down this road and then we turn into a farm, but it doesn’t really look like a farm to me.

Isaac parks the car and we get out, but we don’t go anywhere. Apparently we need to be invited to enter the compound. Now there are a ton of us waiting. Behind our car, there was 2 Matatu’s and a pickup with people in them. So we are all waiting to go inside the compound. Once inside there are seats under makeshift tarps so we all don’t melt in the sun, so Alice and I find a couple of seats and plant our butts. Isaac calls me over to where he is sitting and asks me if I will take pictures of this day. Well good thing I had my camera, right? So I start shooting my camera. Then I’m told that the families are going into the house to negotiate the “Bride Price.”  BRIDE PRICE??? What they heck! I said to Isaac, “Dude you put the cart before the horse, what gives with this?” Isaac then told me that they are doing this because he wants to properly ask for Caroline’s hand and he and she never did this to begin with. Then he asks me to come into the house and take photos, so I go.  He he...

Both families are in the house seated on opposite sides of the room. Once everyone is in and seated, the negotiations begin. OK I don’t understand a word being said, but there is a guy and he’s leading the talks. (You’d think this was government for how its set up LOL) Then there is a guy who is writing everything down. Caroline’s parents are sitting and so are aunts, uncles, grandparents, and so one. Just know there was a whole lot of people in this tiny room. So the lead guys begins the negotiations and then Isaac’s uncle (Isaac’s father died some years back, so his brother gets to negotiate the deal) Now they talk back and forth, just the men talk. Isaac’s Mom and Caroline’s Mom stay quiet for the time being. So after a bit it’s agreed that the Bride Price is 3 cows, 1 bull, 1 she goat, and 1 sheep.  Now I didn’t see any livestock, but I did see money change hands from Isaac’s uncle to Caroline’s father. 

YEAH, it’s agreed upon and now the mothers get to speak. Don’t have any idea what the heck they said, but apparently it was funny cause everyone laughed. Then the mothers exchanged gifts (it was tea actually) and all was well. 

End of Part l, Part ll will resume tomorrow.

MONEY

April 7, 2011

Today I waited and waited for Mary Muttai to call me. I had to meet with her because she’s preaching on Sunday and I needed to get her outline or sermon notes. What I got instead was a short message. It’s actually pretty good. I’m looking forward to Sunday to hear what she has to say about God’s word. 

While I was walking down to the school a young man approached me and started talking. Now most of the time people ask me for money, but I’m still not sure what he was asking for.  I think he wants to go to college but he only got a C+ when he finished secondary school. Well, here in Kenya a C+ isn’t good enough to go to college, which I think is so unfair. I could debate assessment and the lack of quality assessment here in Kenya but that would be an entire book series. Personally I think it’s sad that kids don’t get a chance to continue with school if they get C’s.  But then again, there are a lot of things that I don’t think are fair here in Kenya.

Then I walked back home from Legacy and on the way, Sarah, Nelson’s wife called and said to come to tea at her house. Strange I thought. Then I remembered what Mama Steve said to me about this tea. She said something about Sarah has a brother and he’s getting married and she’s seeking funds for something for the wedding. Now, why is it people think I can spare any more money? Enough is enough already. Every month I give Alice ksh4000.00 plus I buy groceries every two weeks. This amounts to about ksh10,000.00.  Then there are my expenses while I’m here. I pay for my own internet connection and that’s ksh3900.00, phone ksh1000.00. Then I paid for Carlos’s school fees which was ksh26000.00, and Jesse Weyi school fees for the computer course and that was ksh6,000.00.  Then I bought a new mattress for the bed I sleep in and that was ksh7450.00 and the walker for Michelle ksh326.00. Then the dresses for Alice and Ednah which was about ksh10,000.00. Now that works out to be a little over 64,000. Kenyan Shillings. I know I don’t need to help with school fees and the like, but it’s the right thing to do. But asking for money so you can purchase a gift for your brother’s wedding is just a little much for me. 

It's Medicinal

It’s Medicinal

April 6

Ednah is Nick’s older sister. She is a single mom and here in Kenya that’s not necessarily a good thing. She’s smart, funny, and caring of others. BUT this girl cracks me up every night we eat dinner.  As with most people they believe their country is the best, and Ednah is no different. However with Ednah it’s not necessarily the government is so great but rather it’s the foods that Kenyan’s eat.  To her everything in Medicinal and everything has properties that will heal what ever ails you.  She even tried to tell me that Ugali or African Cake is medicinal.  Now I’m not stupid so I know there is nothing medicinal about ugali. All it is is a corn type meal that is cooked so long and then you form it to look like a cake. It’s a basic staple food here, but there is no way that it’s medicinal by any stretch of the word

Tonight we basically had leftovers, which included rice with potatoes and mashed potatoes, ugali, and some greens. Now I’m not terribly fond of greens, and these were OK, not my favorite but I ate them. With the first bite, Ednah says, “you know, these greens are medicinal.”  It doesn’t matter what is on the table, to Ednah everything is medicinal. 

But then again i was told that drinking very cold water will make you cough. And that you can get a cold from being cold, which is false. I had to explain to Alice and Ednah that colds are from a virus, and virus’s are in the air we breath. In order to catch a cold you need to breath in the cold virus, and if you’re susepital to getting a cold you will.  Ednah’s daughter, Michelle, caught a pnenomah when she was a month old. Apparently she got very sick, so Ednah quit her job to take care of her daughter. She moved in with her Mom and now Michelle is a healthy little 7 month old. For some reason Ednah believes that Michelle will get sick again if she gets a little bit cold. Now I know that won’t happen unless Michelle has been exposed to some sort of sickness. Hopefully my telling Ednah that has helped some. Michelle is an adorable little girl. She’s so funny and makes faces to make you laugh. 

I'm an Oreo

I’m an Oreo

April 2

Today was quite the day. Pastor Kibet and I finally got the bulletin printed after messing with the printer for over an hour, and then we went to town. Now we happened to get a ride on a motorbike. No not two motorbikes, only one. Yes, Pastor Kibet and myself plus the driver were on the bike.  AH yes you can do math and yes you are correct, 3 of us on one little motorbike. I was in the middle, therefore I was an OREO!!! It was the highlight of my day to be honest.  Halfway to town the bike stopped working and it needed fuel. Did we stop for fuel? NOOOO We got off and the driver laid the bike down and did something and then he started it again. It was like magic.  All of a sudden it stopped then it started again. Once in town we walked to the place where we were going to get the bulletin copied, but that shop was closed, so we just went to another one where it turned out to be cheaper to copy. YEAH US.... After that we walked on over to Iroko Twigs Hotel for a bite to eat, and then we got another ride on a motorbike, but this time I was with Mike and Pastor Kibet and Jesse went with another fella. 

Once I got home I got the bulletin folded for tomorrow’s service.  See, Lisa isn’t the only one who can do the bulletin. Only mine is in East Africa and is the only one in Kitale that I know of. LOL  (Lisa, I knew it was a lot of work, but I didn’t really realize until I started doing it myself. You, my friend, are amazing to do it every week.!!!!)

Now my biggest worry is getting this bulletin set up on another program so someone from the church can continue it after I leave. This is going to be difficult to get accomplished because I need a book that tells me how to use another program. I’m not as brilliant as Lisa. Not exactly sure how I’m going to do it, but I have a plan. Only plan A, no B is in the works yet. LOL

I was told the nicest thing today. Pastor Kibet told me that he wished I had another younger daughter, so he could marry her and he could be my son. NOW isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?  He’s such a sweet man, I wish I had another daughter so he could marry him. But alas I only am blessed with one lovely daughter and she is now 30 years young.