Tuesday, April 10, 2012

2-3 April, Mon-Tues, Kenya

Monday, April 02, 2012

Oh my…this was a full day! We were up, showered, had breakfast of sausage, toast and watermelon and off for the day by 9:30. Along the way we noticed many people in the small plots turning the soil and planting. They were using jembas (hoe-like tools for cultivating). When we arrived at our destination, Rebekah drove past the entry gate so had to turn around. She pulled into a school and somehow the drive gave way. Either the tile had broken or the rains had softened the soil. Whatever the reason, our front right tire was in a big hole. There was no way to drive out of this! After Beatrice notified our guests, several young men appeared and lifted the front end as Rebekah backed out. There was no damage to the underside! For that we were most grateful!

We were ushered in to meet the officers of the USFW and then to the church for the meeting to begin. The program said we were to start at 9:30 but it was nearly 11 and we were among the first arrivals. After a short time, the clerk decided to go ahead. There was singing, prayers and a message from the General Superintendent, then the pastor. The pastor spoke from Psalm 92:12-14. He talked about the fruits that flourish must be planted in the House of the Lord. He reminded us that Edith Ratcliff had started the dispensary that is connected with this church.

There were 30-40 in attendance and each one introduced him/herself. There was a speech from the Chwele Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk. He said that just as Paul brought blessing so did I bring “blessings wherever you step”.

The USFW Clerk said that she had envied the Catholics because they had the Pope who came to visit. But now Kenya has had the International President!!  She shared from Ps. 133 that what has caused the visit is the harmony. Joseph Makokha introduced himself and told that I had given him a copy of The Advocate and he has shown it to all his friends. (I wrote about him in an article last year.)
Joseph Makokha and me with the "chwe" shawl

There were more introductions (whenever Rebekah introduces herself, she says “I am the driver for the president!”), and then I spoke about USFWI and then John 15. The pastor had talked about the Fruit of the Spirit so I talked about being pruned so that we might bear more fruit.

Beatrice did the summary, another clerk spoke, the vote of thanks was given and then they asked me to come forward as they gave me a white shawl. They said the Bukusu word for white is “chwe” and since I am at Chwele Yearly Meeting, I am carrying them with me as I go. They said I would remember where it came from because of the “Chwe”.  After that the USFW pastor prayed anointing over me.

We went to lunch of matoke, rice, cabbage, chicken, beef, chapatti, and sodas at 2:30. One of the women asked if we had fresh bananas in my place. I said they are imported and told her how much bananas cost. She was shocked and told me she wished she could give me a stalk to take on the plane. She asked how I buy bananas and I said only a small bunch. She cannot imagine not buying by the stalk which would probably give you 10-15 bunches!

When we got in the car, children gathered around to say “Kwaheri” (goodbye). One child was an albino and her skin was red and angry. Her hair is light yellow and she shielded her eyes from the sun. The other children wanted her to see me. It was sad.

We stopped in Bungoma for Beatrice to buy a suitcase. There is a new supermarket called Yakomart. It will be competition for Nakomatt. It is a very similar type store.  As we drove to our next stop, I enjoyed the blooming bougainvillea in orange, hot pink and lavender and the lavender laden blooms of the jacarandas. Even in the dryness, these are in full bloom.

We visited the clinic that Edith Ratcliff had established. Note: Edith was a missionary in Kenya from 1946-2003-4-not sure about the year she died. The community nurse met us and showed us through the facility. It is very basic but provides a clinic for malaria and typhoid as well as well baby immunizations. They give mosquito nets to all mothers of babies under one year. I asked them if they know about Bio Sand Water filters and they do not so I suggested that Beatrice connect them with Eden Grace. They asked me about getting a doctor or another nurse and I suggested that they apply for a Peace Corps volunteer.  They serve about 600 patients per month.  I prayed for the clinic, the patients and the staff.

Rebekah drove us to the Quarterly Meeting at Mweli (I think that was the place). The women met us outside and placed garland around our necks (Beatrice and me). We led the processional inside as the women sang and followed. This was a large church building but no electricity. It was late afternoon and rather dark inside. There were many introductions. The women who make baskets and pots presented Beatrice and me with both. There were more introductions. Then I spoke about USFWI and shared I Corinthians 16:12-13. I concluded with John 17 and prayed for this church.

Beatrice gave the summary in Bukusu and since she had heard me speak several times in the last 3 days, she added what I had forgotten. There were more gifts….we were both presented with lesos. We left hurriedly to go see the farm project…it was down an incredibly terrible road very far interior. We saw that the women have planted sucumawiki (collard greens), cowpeas and maize. This plot is close to a water source so the women have carried water every day for this 2-3 acres of vegetables. It was beginning to get a bit cool so one woman pulled a leso out of her bag and wrapped me in it.  I was humbled that she was concerned.

Rebekah was busy being the photographer and the driver. She got us to the Girls’ High School near the church where the women had prepared our supper….of….rice,cabbage, chicken and chapatti. After we ate, the headmistress/principal asked if I would meet the girls at assembly and speak to them. They had gathered at the flagpole in formation. Beatrice spoke first, then Rebekah as she is a graduate of this school. Then I shared a couple of stories with them and prayed for them.

Our day was almost over. We piled into the car and drove home arriving shortly after seven! Geoffrey, son of Beatrice and William, was there to collect his car. Beatrice and I have another transport to get us to Kaimosi tomorrow. At about 8:30, Beatrice brought tea and biscuits. She and Rebekah brought out gifts! One was a dress from the Lugulu women…they didn’t have it ready this morning. Beatrice gave me a leso and Rebekah gave me a purse. Many photos were taken and then we all went to our rooms. We need to pack tomorrow and be ready to leave by 10. This was a long day of ministry.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

We traveled from Bungoma to Kaimosi. I thought it would be a bit over two hours but the driver insisted that we would arrive in one hour or less. He drove a bit fast and we arrived in just a little under two hours. I had to direct them to the Rural Service Guesthouse. We were warmly greeted by both Rural Service and some of the women from Kaimosi USFW. I met Brenda who is from Iowa and stayed after the Friends Bringing Hope workteam so she could attend the FWCC Conference later this month. I had been told that Tuesday would be my day off but Beatrice and the USFW ladies insisted that I accompany them to the FCK (Friends College Kaimosi) campus to bless the venue and for lunch. I got back in the vehicle. We drove down to the campus and were introduced to the Host Committee. We took sodas in the principal’s office and waited and waited. After an hour and a half, we were escorted to the dining room for lunch. Four of us were served. The college has a culinary diploma so students were serving. The table was formally set. The first course was yeast rolls and tomato bisque soup. I was excited about the meal to come…but it was matoke, rice, cabbage, chicken and beef with chapatti. Dessert was orange quarters. Oh well…..

Four more of the committee arrived while we were having our main course so they were served soup. As the original four received the fruit, the second group was getting the main course and the rest of the committee arrived. The servers set up another table and served them soup.  Makes one wonder if a) reservations had been made for 8 or 12, b) did the Kenyans have a schedule for lunchtime?

 Beatrice discreetly asked if I could be excused (as it is my “day off” from commitments) and one of the host committee called a car for me. I was taken to the GH and visited with Brenda and Jean Smith, a woman who is from Washington and runs a women’s self-help group focusing primarily on a sewing group.  After Jean left, Brenda offered me use of her computer. She has mobile internet. I was happy to catch up on Facebook and email. I even was able to instant message one friend!

When we arrived Brenda told me the bad news….no water. She has been calling today but so far no results. While I was online, a truck arrived with a tank of water so our storage/reserve tank was filled. There will be showers tonight! Margaret Amudavi, a teacher at FTC who was a student, 2001-2003, came by to see Brenda and was surprised to see me. We talked a while about the goings on at FTC and Darian. She was very comforting. (Friends Theological College and Rural Service Programme share the same gate and same driveway so she is just ‘next door’.)

Then the rains came but only for about 30 minutes. The long rains should be every afternoon for a couple of hours. But since it did rain, they must be coming!

Linet is serving as the housegirl for the GH during our stay. She has been here for Karen Bauer’s work team and stayed on with Brenda. I was at her home in 2002 so we have been reminiscing a bit. She was a good cook then and served a very nice supper….mashed potatoes, sucumawiki and minestrone. Dessert was fruit-diced mango, bananas and pineapple!

The electricity went on and off a dozen times in the early evening but seems to be stable now. Brenda, Jean and Linet are watching The Help on DVD. I left them to explain this to Linet!

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