Sunday, 1 April, Kenya

April 1, Sunday

This morning I am sitting on a front verandah with hens and chicks clucking close by. The rooster is making himself known from time to time. The air is comfortably cool from the night rain. I am still at Beatrice and William’s home. Here on the compound there are four grandchildren and a daughter and a daughter-in-law. Rebekah, the daughter who drove us, is only here for a 2 week leave. She works in Nairobi and is staying through Easter. The younger women are heating water for bathing and doing the cooking and cleaning. This has been the case in each of the homes I have visited. The home is now only occupied by either a widow or an older couple but family comes in to help with the visitors.  The smaller grandchildren entertained last night. They were watching a gospel video from Tanzania and imitating the dancers. It was obvious they have done this many times! They could duplicate the moves of the Masai dancers!

Today is my grandson Dylan’s 20^th birthday. He is still (I think) in North Dakota although he may have decided to come home by now. Ricque and Dalton are in Cancun for Dalton’s Spring Break.

Our breakfast was simple..mandazi, sausages, watermelon, tea and mango juice. We were off early to get to Lugulu Meeting. We followed several tractors with trailers loaded with sugar cane. In the market places and villages where the tractors had to slow down, naughty children would run along beside and steal stalks of sugar cane. The stalks are 4-5 feet long and the thieves would run alongside the trailer pulling the stalks from the bottom.  I talked to Beatrice about this later. She said the children may be hungry and may survive on sugar cane. Several children from this market have died in the last year attempting to get the canes off. Sometimes they are dragged or slip and fall under the trailer wheels. Since the rains are late this year, there may be even more children attempting this. Most people have not yet planted and it will be 2 months after the planting before vegetables and maize are ready to harvest.

We arrived at Lugulu at about 10 and were welcomed by the USFW ladies who took me into their office for a short time of fellowship. It has rained and the women were saying that visitors bring blessing and visitors who bring rain bring double blessing. I was glad to be the messenger as it has been so very dry this month.

We walked to the church and arrived as prayers were being offered. They respectfully waited outside as the different ones prayed….long prayers. It was about 15 minutes in the sun but none would consider walking in during the prayers.

The scriptures were read in Bukusu (mother tongue), then in Kiswahili and in English. The passage was from Jonah. That was followed by singing and testimonies. The introductions of Quarterly Meeting Clerks came next. A first year student from FTC (Friends Theological College where I taught 2001-2006) introduced himself as Lukas Juma and encouraged the people to send students to the college. Lukas said that the USFWI clerk (me) is the “mother” who unites the family and the peacemaker in the community. He offered much thanks to the USFWI for the John Sarrin Scholarship. More introductions were offered, now the pastors and evangelists from the various Monthly Meetings. It was now that the loudspeaker system arrived. The introductions continued as the young man set up the system…and yes, checked it out.

It was now time for me to give greetings, an introduction and share something. They gave me a translator and we started off. I gave greetings and began to tell a little about myself. Beatrice stopped us and said that because everyone has studied English and because I speak slowly and clearly, I would not need a translator. That was good because now it would not take twice as long! I told them about USFWI, about our projects, about our goals and our achievements and then shared from John 17 about unity and how Jesus prayed for the church. I told them it was also a model prayer and we should pray for one another in the Body of Christ just as Jesus had. It was at the end of this that the loudspeaker went out. I prayed for the church in a louder voice.

Beatrice did the summary and challenged the women to pay their membership. She reminded them of the projects that benefit Kenya so their money is indirectly benefiting their neighbors.

Now the preacher took the podium preaching on the Jonah passage. He spoke in Kiswahili and only preached about 30 minutes. That was followed by singing and prayers. Then the choir came and the offering (sadaka) was received.  Beatrice came forward again to give a certificate of appreciation to the presiding clerk who presented it to me. I read the certificate to the congregation and expressed thanks.

We were dismissed from the worship service at about 2:15….almost 4 hours. The USFW had prepared a lunch for me and some of the men. We met in the USFW room for rice, cabbage, chapati, chicken, mango, oranges, bananas.

After lunch Beatrice, Alice, Rebekah and I left to go to Alice’s home. There about 25 women met us in front of the house singing. They escorted me in and we had prayers, introductions and a snack of soda (again I had a Black Currant) and biscuits (cookies). Alice asked me to give a word of encouragement so I tried. There was dancing and gift giving. Rebekah asked for my camera. I told her later that she can add photographer and driver to her C.V. (resume).

From Alice’s we went to a church a few miles away. We were greeted in the yard with singing and about 30 women. This was Jane Muturo’s church and the women are all widows who are working together to survive. They meet monthly and each contributes a few shillings. Jane connected them with a woman who volunteers at Lugulu Hospital who gave them two sewing machines. They have hired a tailor and have a small business. They have educated some of the children/grandchildren as school fees are needed for secondary school and of course, university. These are the poorest of the poor but they are proud and hard working. They served a snack of soda and biscuits to us, the visitors. I told them we had just come from the table but they insisted that we have something. I asked if I could share a soda so I chose pineapple and shared it with Jane’s 4 year old daughter, Valentine! Jane asked me to share some encouragement and pray a blessing on them. I shared about the sower and the seed and prayed that as they are faithful with the seed, that God will return a yield for them as in the Bible…30, 60 or 100 fold! We left that place with the women escorting us to the road singing.

Valentine and Jane at left

Rebekah drove us back to the house, again picking her way around and between all the lorries (semi-trucks) that congregate near the border of Uganda awaiting either the scales or waiting for evening to continue the drive. It was very congested. Beatrice’s home is in Bungoma area, very close to the border.  It was 6:15 when we got back to the house. It had been a long day and I was exhausted-being a visitor is hard work! I went for a nap!

Beatrice came for me at 8:15 for supper…chapati, matoke, beef, chicken, cabbage and orange quarters. After supper we had a time of fellowship with everyone in the house. The daughter and daughter-in-law are teachers and will be going back to work tomorrow. After each one in the family expressed appreciation for the guest, I gave appreciation to each of them. It is a good tradition!

This home has no running water so I made my way to the choo (outside toilet) and then to bed!

28-30 March, Kenya

Wednesday, 28 March

Our day began with breakfast and another dose of flagyl. I am hoping this will solve the issue…. This home has piped water from the river that goes through a filtration plant. They tell me it is functioning most of the time but they also have a borehole (well) for backup.

Doreen Ayuda

The driver/Friend arrived. It was Doreen Ayuda. She was the Bible study leader at the Triennial in 2010 at Mombasa. I was happy to see her!

We left at 9:30 for the meeting in Milimani, an area in Lugari. It is only 38 kilometres(about 23 miles)  but it took over an hour. The roads are terrible! We were only on the tarmac for a few hundred yards, the remaining drive was on red soil, either potholed (deep and wide!) and rocky or soft soil as fine as sand and several inches deep. We were either dodging potholes or sinking in the soil.

Several women were awaiting us. The meeting began with devotions from I John 4:4-6. She said we should share what Christ has put in us.

Everyone at the meeting introduced themselves. Then the Project Committee gave introductions and a brief overview of the project. Then the men who had come in introduced themselves. Doreen introduced Lydia and Lydia introduced me. I gave greetings and told a bit about myself. Then we had singing. Sodas were served as we were going out into the hot sun for a walk down to the river. They asked if I could climb over stones and jump across the stream. I said I could climb but not jump!

We set off and it was quite a rugged rocky climb down to the river. Two of the women gave me a hand for balance and I made it with no slips or slides. They showed us a water project which is bringing water from the stream up through a hydraulic pump and piped up to the storage tank at the church. The women have raised funds for this project in order to have water for the livestock and hopefully to water the vegetables. The pipes are old, probably lead, and deteriorating. This farm was owned by a colonialist and taken back after Independence. All the buildings fell into disrepair and recently the church has taken them on. Everything needs renovation so the women are starting with water.  We climbed back up the hill and back to the church. They had hoped I would walk around the 300 acre farm to inspect the cattle and the forest and the fields. I declined. It is still very hot

.

Back inside we were given bottled water and the project committee gave a lengthy report. Then the pastor for USFW Lugari shared, and then the Presiding Clerk of Lugari shared. Then I was asked to tell them how to better earn money for the church. I explained that our cultures are very different and they are better at that than I am. I then shared from Ephesians 1 and went on to explain about USFW-I. They were encouraged to learn about the John Sarrin Scholarship. I did give them some information about Right Sharing of World Resources and the loans that are available from them. I gave them contact information.  There was a short question/answer period. Then there was more singing and presentation of gifts. I received two lesos and Mary, the song leader, danced to me and wrapped one around my waist and the other around my head singing, “we love Patricia, our mother, our teacher”. I danced as well and many photos were snapped.

The vote of thanks, a few more comments and lunch arrived at nearly 3 pm. It was rice, ugali, beef, chicken, cassava (a starchy root food and the source for tapioca) and fruit. It is so dry here that no vegetables are available. After some more visiting, we made our way to the vehicle. Joyce Wambia, the presiding clerk, told me her daughter is Grace Wambia who was the librarian at FTC when I was there. She called Grace and I was able to visit with her a bit.

The road home was just as rough and dusty and hot. We were ready for showers when we returned! After a rest, Lydia and I ate supper—fish, carrots, green grams, and chapatti. The men ate after we did and the other women ate in the kitchen. This is not an unusual arrangement.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Breakfast, The Daily Nation (newspaper), a walk to a kiosk down the lane and across the tarmac to register my SIM card on the phone, and then picked up by Gladys Kang’ahi for the next leg of the journey! We drove from Soy to Kitale. Along the way I was rather weepy. Today has been eight weeks and every lorry (large truck), I saw reminded me of that awful day….and I saw many. When we arrived in Kitale, we met Magie Makokha who directed us to her apt. I was so happy to see Magie!! I left my bags at her home and went with Gladys and a Friend to a local conservation park. It was unusual in that the man is ‘collecting’ deformed animals. He then opens the park to school groups and talks about genetics. He has plans for a hostel and a future conference center.

We were back to Magie’s for lunch but Gladys and the driver did not stay. Magie and I had a lovely time together. She even fixed green beans with the rice and beef and cabbage! We chatted, looked at pictures of her wedding, of Darian, of Berkeley, recounted lots of good times and shared sorrowful times  and then repacked my bags. I sorted things for her, for Dorothy Shiverenje, for USFW-K and things I won’t need for the duration of the trip. At this point all the gifts are packed and I am happy to not have to check an extra bag….but I have 9 days until I travel.

Margaret Makokha, Me and Gladys Kang'ahi

We continued to visit with the electricity coming and going at least four times. It is hot outside but her apt is almost chilly. It’s a new concrete building and few windows. We snacked all evening on popcorn, mangoes and biscuits so no supper!

Friday

Magie and I were up by 7, showered (nice hot shower from the tap, not a basin bath!), ate a small breakfast and called a taxi to take us to ICM (International Christian Ministries) where she is the Dean of Students and a Lecturer. On the phone the taxi had said 150/- (Kenya shillings) but when he arrived, he said 250/-….because I am a msungu (white). That was annoying but I didn’t want to walk so I paid the price of privilege.  We were at the college for about 90 minutes. It took some time to get connected and I was only able to read a bit of Facebook and post 3 of my blog entries. I forgot to look at email. The blogs took a lot of time to upload pictures. But I was happy to have that much done. There are still some to post but that will come as internet is available.

We went back to the apartment…same driver…same charge and waited for Gladys. She collected me and took me to lunch at a restaurant on the fourth floor…and we walked up the four flights of stairs---no elevators here! I had fish fillet, roasted potatoes, spinach and kuchambari! That is a salad/side dish made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro and a bit of hot sauce! I do enjoy kuchambari!

We drove to Mabanga where the FUM General Board meetings will be held. I was greeted by Colin Saxton, Cliff Loesch, John Muhanji, Eden Grace, Samson Ababu, Judith Ngoya and many more! As the meetings went on, I saw Wesley Sasita, David Zerembka, Jane Muturo  (former student of mine!), John Moru (Turkana), Isaiah Bikokwa (Samburu) and lots more.  Consulo from EAYM was there. Ann Riggs and Moses M ? and Daniel Esevwe came later. (I know these names may not mean much to you, my readers, but I also use this blog as a Journal of record so that info is for me!) We were directed to the dining hall for tea at about 4 pm. Because I have had more stomach issues, I thought I would just have black tea instead of milk tea. I asked for hot water and my, what a complicated thing that turned out to be. It took them 20 minutes to get hot water. There were 3 large pots of hot milk so you could add tea or chocolate or even soy but no hot water. There I found Judy Lumb….who I met in Belize. She authored the book about Sadie Vernon and is in Kenya writing a book about the Friends Peace Team. It was good to see her on this side of the world!

The meeting began with roll call; there were about 50 present. By 6:30 there were 65 and more came on Saturday.  There were less than a dozen women.

After Colin’s report, there was a clap of thunder and a short rain came. That was a sign of “approval” and “blessing”.

Supper was rice, ugali, beef, pineapple. I remembered this place from 2010 and only took beef and fruit…and the beef was not good. We continued the meeting until after 9:30, then picked roommates, signed the register, were given room keys, a bar of soap and a roll of toilet paper. Judy asked if we could share so we did. When we arrived at the room, there was no pillow on my bed. I used our towels…

Judy and I had a nice visit. I shared about Darian and Judy was very kind.  We turned out the lights and were asleep by 11…it had been a long hot day.

Saturday

When we got up, we found that there was NO water in this room. The toilet had flushed last night but today, nothing. I had a bottle of water so I could brush my teeth and I had some baby wipes so I had a ‘sort of’ bath. At breakfast, they only had Weetabix and milk tea so I passed on both. I wasn’t even going to ask for hot water.

Our meeting began at 8 with Jane Muturo leading devotions. She had been a student of mine in 2002 and is now the FUM representative to the World Council of Churches. She pastors near Lugulu. She told me that it has been arranged that I visit her meeting on Sunday. She hasn’t told the women that we know one another.

The morning passed slowly with many reports. After a time, we divided into small groups to discuss how to better fund the African ministries, FTC and churches and also how to encourage the youth to become active in the church. We broke for tea…where they also served samosas! I was ready for those after the meager supper and no breakfast.

Back to the meeting room for more reports. Many people who were slotted for 5 minutes took 15-20. By the time it was my turn, they had asked if we could cut it to 1 minute. I think I am the only one who complied.  We finished up the business and had lunch of ugali, chapati, beef, bananas and oranges with sodas. I took a chapatti and a banana.  (Here the word chapati is spelled with one t but the autospeller always changes it to 2….I have given up on correcting the correction.)

Actually, I think it's a different falls from Webuye but I
am not sure which one.....

I was handed over to Beatrice whose daughter collected us and we drove to Webuye Falls. It was on a very poor interior road. At one point I didn’t think Rebekah could get the car over the railroad tracks. Then she drove into a market area. I asked for water so they stopped to get it and then just minutes later, we were at a home for a meeting of women from 5 monthly meetings. These 13 women were standing outside singing a welcome. We went inside for prayers, devotions, encouragement, sodas and mandazi and ground nuts, gifts, more prayers, lots of photos, lots of shaking hands. The woman of the house said it is a Quaker house and we are all welcome to QUAKE! It was a humble home and the gift and the food were very much appreciated.

Rebekah began the drive to Bungoma where I will be staying. There was quite a rain shower; the defroster did not work on the car. It was nearly impossible to see, there were dozens of lorries, the edge of the road is sometimes a 12-18 inch dropoff….but she persevered and we drove out of the rain.

We were soon at Beatrice’s home. It began to rain here. William, Beatrice’s husband, said I had brought the blessing (rain).  I took a shower and washed my hair and rested a bit. We ate supper at 7 pm. Again, ugali, rice, beef, chicken, cabbage with bananas for dessert. If you have read most of my posts, you are seeing that the menu varies very little. When I return to the US, people often ask what I have missed in food. Frankly, I think you get used to the sameness and really don’t have many desires. And after weeks of the same, it is overwhelming to be confronted with so many choices in the US.

25-27 March, Kenya

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

25-27 March 2012

Awaking with the windows open was nice. Dorothy says there are no mosquitoes in this area so I slept with the cool night air! Her home is far from the main road and the noises you hear at night are just the insects and in the day, the birds and children…very nice.  Dorothy and Evan are both retired and live here with various grandchildren and grand-nieces and nephews. They are providing a home for them as well as the grandson of a friend. Others help with school fees but this is home for several young people.  Dorothy and Evan have seven children and many grandchildren.

We arrived at the Kakamega Children’s Centre shortly after 10 for worship with the children and with the USFW groups from Kakamega and from Cheybusi. There are two visitors from Maine, Sharon and Judith, who joined us for the first part of the morning. New England Yearly Meeting has been instrumental in fundraising for this centre since the inception some ten years ago.

Worship began with Ps. 133, and then I John 1:7 with a devotional about fellowship from a USFW officer. The children sang songs and recited poetry written by the chaplain/pastor, Nelson. One of the poems had these lines, “There is no application form to be an orphan. If there was, I do not imagine myself to fill it out.” (I had to think of our own little Berkeley who would be considered an orphan in this culture…if you have lost one parent, you are an orphan.)

Dorothy gave the history of the centre…It began as a feeding program for orphan children in Kakamega in 1995. The plans began and the building was completed in 2002 with help from Friends from Maine. In 2005, the first children were admitted. This was done by Kakamega USFW. In 2012, this group divided into two, Kakamega and Cheybusi and both continue to support the centre. There is a staff of 5 employees to care for the children. There are 43 resident children; 58 more are now in boarding schools but still under the care of the centre for fees and return here on school breaks. There are 98 in home based programmes with guardians. The centre pays their school fees and provides them with Christmas money. They also give them a mattress and a blanket every year. (The mattresses here are little more than 3” foam pads. The children in the home programmes often share the blanket and mattress with others in the home; hence the need for annual replacement.) Seven of the former centre children have completed college. There are ten who have passed the exam and have been accepted into college so they are looking for fees.

Judith and Sharon expressed their love and gratitude for the work here. Sharon has been involved since 2002.

Wesley Sasita, General Secretary of Kakamega Yearly Meeting, welcomed us. I traveled with Sasita and Amber Reed last February when she was researching the implementation of the Peace Curriculum. It was good to see him. Prayers were offered for the children and they were released.

The worship continued with the USFW groups however Judith and Sharon did not stay. All the Monthly Meeting and Quarterly Meeting USFW clerks were introduced. Then Dorothy spoke….in Kiswahili. She assured me that it had been a message of encouragement! I shared the parable of the sower and compared the yield to the work of the women as they have built up the centre. I prayed for the two groups of women that they would continue to be strong and faithful. I assured them that they are a model to other USFW groups. They have taken a seed of compassion and love and harvested so many children…saved from a life in the streets and given an education. Sally translated for me. 

Benjamin and his wife are also guests of Dorothy (the speaker from the prayer meeting yesterday) and had joined us. Benjamin was invited to speak and preached on unity.

Now it was time for gifts! The women presented gifts to the visitors. The presenter danced toward me and I held out my hands but then she backed away. Dorothy said I must dance so I did and after a time, the gift was placed in my hands with much clapping and laughing from the women. The other guests, all Africans, did a much better job of receiving the gifts!

After the ‘vote of thanks’ and prayers, we were released and lunch was served at about 2 pm. There was rice, potatoes, cabbage, chicken and beef.  Dessert was bananas. They also had soda and I claimed the Black Currant Fanta right away!

A cozy room for four girls!

Raymond Ojiambo was at the centre. He is the driver and the computer person. He and I are friends on Facebook. He asked if I had access to the internet and I told him not yet so he took me to his office to post a short message. There was little time as the others were just chatting with folks and preparing to leave. I was happy for that offer! I did find out that Nelson had been a student at FTC when I taught there although not in my classes. I seem to be finding folks I know wherever I go…but that’s how it is in Kenya….and certainly in Western Province!

We came home; Dorothy served mango juice and I again took a nap. The heat as well as the long meetings is really draining me. When I woke, the electricity was off. Evan said it is not uncommon during the dry season as the water table goes very low and the generators are not able to function. We had supper by battery lights. It was chicken, rice, potatoes and greens with mango for dessert! We went to bed by 9 pm.

At breakfast Dorothy had asked us to try a new juice…new to her. It seems she has many guava trees in the yard but it is a sour fruit so she lets the neighbors gather them for the pigs. Her daughter bought some guava juice packaged by Del Monte of Kenya in Nairobi and brought it to her. It is very nice and Dorothy is now thinking perhaps the guavas are too good for the pigs. She is hoping to learn how to make the juice when the fruit comes in season.

Monday

Today I move from Dorothy’s near Kakamega to Gladys’ near Kitale. Basin showers and breakfast out of the way and the journey begins. Before we left, Dorothy presented me with a lovely shawl to wear as it may be cold in the north. It is possible it will be cooler due to altitude. There are not so many miles but the climate can be different.  However, I am not sure it will be cold….it is probably 85-88 in Vihiga (at Janet’s) and Kakamega (at Dorothy’s).

She had served “yams” again for breakfast. We had them yesterday and I thought they reminded me of another food. I asked today if they are like arrowroot…and it turns out that these yams ARE arrowroot. It is a purplish starchy vegetable, boiled and served warm or cold.

We stopped in Kakamega to shop for kikois. The USFWI is redecorating the room at FUM in Richmond and we want table covers and curtains made from kikois to give the International room a real international flair. Dorothy and I went into at least 6 shops and found only 3 suitable kikois. I think I will need 10-12. I will continue to shop for them in Kitale and maybe Bungoma and Kisumu if need be although time will be short by the time I get to Kisumu.

We dropped Benjamin and Ann at a matatu stage on the road to Gladys’ home. They did not have to wait and were quickly on their way. A couple more stops were made to purchase vegetables. The lateness of the rains has made vegetables scarce in the Kakamega area so Dorothy was buying where she found things.  We arrived at Gladys’ home at about 1 pm. She greeted us warmly and served fruit (plums, bananas and oranges) and juice while we waited for lunch to be prepared. Again, there were helpers in the kitchen.  The African culture welcomes guests and others are happy to assist. Our lunch soon appeared…samaki! (fish) along with rice, ugali, cabbage, and sucumawiki (collard greens).

Dorothy and Gladys visited while I took my “daily” nap. This one was only an hour but when I got up, Dorothy had already gone. Gladys and I had a nice visit and even walked outside for a while. We are hearing distant thunder and the breeze feels like rain but so far, nothing. Gladys was reminding me of the time she stayed in my home a few years ago. I took her to see our elementary school and to visit the rescue mission. She said in all her visits to the US, no one else had taken her to such places. I had forgotten about that but I do know that I had thought that most Kenyan Quaker visitors see only our malls and churches.

It is very quiet here this evening, again only the birds and chickens are about. Gladys’ helpers have gone home and she and her husband, Livingston, are in the kitchen just now preparing a light supper. I am charging my phone and computer in case the power goes out.

Gladys, Dorothy and Janet have similar sitting rooms. They are large rooms with 3 sofa sets…meaning 3 sofas and 6 chairs. There are also 3 large coffee/tea tables and several small tables/stools for individual use. Meals are often taken in the sitting room even if there is a dining area.  This is typical of many Kenyan homes.

Tuesday

Gladys and I were up and off to Kitale town by 9:30 but had to make a couple of stops. We arrived at Elgon Yearly Meeting North by 11 am and were joined by women from Tongaren YM USFW and Elgon East YM USFW.  We had tea (with bread and butter, ground nuts and boiled eggs) before the meeting began.

One woman shared a devotional from I John 3. The General Superintendent of Elgon North joined us for a little while and shared from John 6. He mentioned that there are now 17 Yearly Meetings in Kenya but we are still one in Christ. We sang a few hymns including “Baraka Nyingi” (Showers of Blessings)-very appropriate as the rains still are not here- and “Sitaacha Kumsifu”. I don’t remember the English words of the second one but it is a favorite hymn throughout the Friends’ church here. Each of the women introduced herself and gave her position in the respective USFW group. These were the officers of the three yearly meetings. Gladys then introduced me, spoke of the recent tragedy in our family and said that “Patricia is a woman of substance” and is here to visit with us even in her loss.

I gave greetings from FUM, USFWI, Indiana Yearly Meeting, Sycamore Monthly Meeting and my family. I shared from John 17, Jesus’ prayer for unity for all of us. I reminded them that if Jesus prayed for us, the church, then we must also pray for one another, the church! I then shared about the work of USFWI and we had a short Q/A period.

Then each presiding clerk gave a report of the work of their USFW. Elgon East reported that they have over 1200 members. Tongaren and Elgon North did not report numbers but I would imagine they are both over 1000. The vote of thanks was given and then we went outside to look at the project of Elgon North. They are building a guesthouse which will cost over 25 million shillings. They have raised 2.1 to date and are working on the foundation. The women of USFW have raised most of the funds but the men are supportive.

We returned to the church for lunch of matoke (boiled bananas-not the sweet ones but the plaintain type), rice, potatoes, cabbage and chicken. Dessert was an assortment of fruit…mango, apples, pawpaw, oranges, watermelon and passion fruit. The fruit was wonderful!

Gifts were received and we left the church. The driver took me to an ATM to get some shillings and then Gladys and I looked in several shops in Kitale for kikois for the USFWI Room project. We found some that were suitable and then went to another place and found some that were very good. Now I will have some extra but that is ok. 

We left Kitale and headed to Soy which is in Lugari area. The drive was difficult at times as the road has disappeared in many places. My stomach had begun cramping as we were shopping and it was even worse as we drove. I think it may be too much cabbage these last few days. We arrived at my next host home, a lovely place just off the main road. Lydia and her husband and a helper and a granddaughter greeted us. They served tea but I took only black tea. I had a rest and after a bit, felt somewhat better.

Lydia served me supper at 7—matoke, cabbage, chicken and banana. I passed on the matoke and ate lightly. She had also prepared a lettuce and tomato salad but I did not try that. She gave me some flagyl and again I took black tea. I am hoping that tomorrow will bring a settled stomach as we have much to do.  No one ate with me and I asked if they were joining me. Lydia said she was waiting for ugali and that they usually eat at 9 pm but had prepared mine early so I could rest. The electricity went out before I had finished supper so I was given a torch (flashlight) to get to my room.

Day of Prayer,

24 March 2012

Janet and I had breakfast and were off to Chambiti, a local school, which was close by. We arrived a bit after 9:30 as she had to check on some things at the bank in Majengo. There were four large tents set up and a place was saved for us in the shelter. Women were already in all the seats and sitting in the grass. There were at least 9 buses with many vans and cars on the grounds. Dorothy Selebwa began the program soon after we arrived. Opening prayers were offered by Marian Baker and Norah Musundi.

Dorothy explained the history of these great prayer gatherings. In 1973 East Africa Yearly Meeting began the separations. There was disunity and grumblings. This went on for some time and in 1991, seven women decided to meet for prayer…prayer for unity. They met in homes and the seven became nine, then ten, then thirteen and now thousands.  The assembly today was estimated to be about 3,500. There is no longer any venue large enough to hold the crowd so they have to have open air meetings. The school grounds are a good place and the school children carried out benches and chairs while the USFW arranged for the tents and the PA system. Most sat on the ground. There is no shade on the school ground as it is the soccer/football field. As the day went on, groups of women moved to the edge of the field where there are trees that offer shade.  Many were not able to come today because of funerals. I have heard about these meetings for years and had always wanted to be a part. Today that will be reality.

Only one small section of the women

Dorothy gave thanks for what God has done through the prayers for the Friends Church. The men have joined slowly but are seeing what prayer has accomplished.

The meeting began as ten women came forward to give testimonies. These were a powerful witness to the power of prayer and the providence of a loving God. One woman’s marriage was restored after an 8 year separation. Another had her house broken into and the thugs were there three hours but she and her family were unharmed. Another was cured of diabetes. Another had prayed for employment for her university educated son for eleven years and he got a job yesterday. Another ‘s son survived a terrible road accident where eight others perished. Another had been infertile for seven years but now has a child. The stories were varied but all gave the glory to God and the persistence in prayer.

Prayers were offered for the testimonies. Recognition of the presiding clerks of USFW of the 16 Yearly Meetings was next. The few Quaker Men attending were recognized.  The newest USFW Yearly Meeting of Chebuyusi was recognized.  The officers of USFW-K and the Prayer Group were introduced.

It was now becoming much hotter. The umbrellas were coming out to shade the women who were not under the tents.

Marian Baker was called forward to introduce me. Then I gave a word of encouragement to the assembly. Really, I am more encouraged by their faithfulness and relentless prayers. I told them that they serve as a model to Quakers everywhere and in fact, to Christians everywhere, that they are so dedicated as to travel great distances for a day of prayer.

Prayers were offered for potential leaders. Women who seek positions of leadership in the church and in their employment and in the government came forward and expressed their desires.

Prayers were offered for the young women captive in the slave/sex trafficking in Saudi Arabia. Many women from Kenya have been duped into bogus contracts and are held captive in Saudi Arabia.

Prayers were offered against sickness, poverty, marriage conflicts, and land issues particularly concerning the IDPs (Internally Displaced People….still in camps from the 2007 elections.) Prayers were offered for single parents and for those who are grieving the death of family members.

Between prayers, choruses were sung…one was “Je-ho-vah; Wewe ni Je-ho-vah”.

Baskets were passed for people to put in praises. One woman came forward to pray and thank God for the good things He has done. She prayed a very long prayer…in mother tongue and the assembly joined in whispers of “Yes, yes, yes”. The women often broken onto clapping for Jesus as the woman continued to pray.

The offering for USFW-K was received and prayed for. One woman thanked the pastors who had gathered the night before and prayed all night for the meeting.

Benjamin Simungu, E.A.North, was the pastor of the day. He preached on prayer listing obstacles to prayer and focusing on “Teach Us to Pray” and the prayer life of Jesus. Benjamin is a seasoned pastor and preached in Kiswahili and English. The sun was getting hotter and after a bit, he took off his suit coat. Later, a woman came forward with an umbrella to shield him from the sun.

About midway through the sermon, several men came into the assembly….coming to the area where Dorothy, the presiding clerk, was sitting. A murmur went through the crowd and my translator said they are men who are campaigning for election. It was apparent that the women were not pleased with their appearance. However, this is not unusual in Kenya. Funerals and church gatherings become political campaign stops.

Benjamin finished his sermon and a woman prayed for him and that his message would touch hearts.  Women fell to their knees and hundreds prayed aloud. It was a very humbling time.

Dorothy then called for prayers for church leaders, for the upcoming Triennial and FWCC World Gathering and for rain…so that crops can be planted.

She then allowed the Member of Parliament (MP) a few minutes to speak. She had told him privately that it would not be to campaign but to offer encouragement. Then Jacob Asige, former teacher at FTC and representative of the proposed Friends University, spoke about the new institution. Dorothy asked me to come and pray for the government and for education. I did and prayed specifically for integrity and honesty and that those elected would remember that they are to serve the people. I reminded God (and the politicians) that the world had seen what had happened in the last election and that we beg for an election that allows for peace to prevail. I also prayed for Friends University and that those educated would be able to have good jobs because of a good education and a good government.  The politicians left after the prayer.

Women leaving the Day of Prayer, heading for buses

The next prayers were for the Church….”let the church be the church”.  Prayers were offered for understanding between men, women and the youth.

The next prayer meeting will be held 16 June 2012 in Lugari. We were dismissed and it was nearly 2:30. All of this in the hot sun without breaks. What a powerful day it had been!!

I went to Janet’s driver’s car to await Dorothy. I am changing hosts today. I noticed a bookstall set up by Friends Theological College, the school where I taught 2001-2006. I went over to see if I knew anyone and did not. Students were manning the booth, not the secretary or chaplain or tutors that I know. I went back to the car to wait and then saw a couple more people at the booth.  Philip, the driver for FTC, had been my yardman in those years! I was glad to see him and then I saw Daniel Esevwe. He was in my first class as a diploma student. He finished that program and returned to FTC to complete a degree program. I was delighted to see Daniel! Another of my former students in the certificate program was there; he had come back also for the degree. It was great to see those I know. They all asked when I am coming to Kaimosi.

Wonderful fruit punch!! Lots of fruit!!

Dorothy, her daughter-in-law Mary, and I got in the vehicle with the driver to go to Dorothy’s home near Kakamega. They stopped at the Golf Hotel and I thought it was for lunch…it was after 3 pm. After I ordered, I was embarrassed to see that I was the only one who ordered food. We all had a nice fruit punch and I had Maryland Chicken. We got to Dorothy’s….and she lives far interior on less than adequate roads! She showed me to my room and suggested I take a rest. I was happy to do that…it was still very hot and it had been a tiring day. After a short nap, supper was served but I ate very lightly!

After supper, we had a time of worship and prayers. Benjamin, the pastor, and his wife are also guests. Dorothy and her husband Evan, together with Mary, made up our group. Others were in the kitchen preparing and cleaning up.  It was then off to sleep by 9 pm as we have a busy day tomorrow. 

Traveling on 21 March

Dublin-Amsterdam-Nairobi in one day

Wednesday evening, 21 March

It might be nearly midnight but then who knows for sure? I’ve changed time zones again so I’m just confused. The flight was uneventful from Amsterdam to Nairobi. I must have slept most of the 8 hours. I did eat lunch and then after I awoke, it was time for ice cream, then 30 minutes til landing.  The row next to me had three toddlers so there were lots of rounds of crying but I slept through most of it.

I exchanged dollars into shillings, bought a SIM card and 1000 shillings (about $13) worth of time for the cell phone I use in Kenya, paid my $50 visa fee and collected my one checked bag. Outside a taxi driver named Margaret was holding my name. We went to the car and on to the Presbyterian Guesthouse.  I checked in, made arrangements for Margaret to return in the morning and went to my room. I couldn’t get the wifi to work there so back to the lobby to send a couple of messages. I also sent text messages to Kenyan friends.

I have swollen feet and a headache but have taken some Aleve and pulled out the fitflops! I also nicked a bit of shortbread from the kitchen at Murlough so I have a tasty snack! I could be hungry since I’ve only had one meal in the last 26 hours and airline food at that….ice cream doesn’t count!

 It’s been hot in Kenya…awaiting the rains. Even late at night, it is still 73. If it’s this warm in Nairobi, I can only imagine Kisumu tomorrow. Fortunately, I’ll just be passing through as I go upcountry…higher altitudes and hopefully, not so hot.

The doors were open in the lobby and the sweet aroma of the blossoming trees wafted in…maybe jasmine or oleander.  I have stayed here before…in this very room! It was 2010 with Mary Glenn Hadley.

Thursday

Up at 5:15 by the cell phone alarm and the front desk call. As I was getting in the shower, I heard the Muslim call to prayers. Truly I am in another culture today! I hurried to the dining room for a quick cup of tea. They were beginning to lay out breakfast of scones, samosas, beans, boiled eggs, potatoes, pancakes and omelets but I was there before 6 and not all was ready. I did have a scone and a samosa with some Tangawizi (ginger) tea which was quite enough.

Peter arrived promptly at 6 to take me to the airport. He dropped me at domestic departures and I queued for Jetlink.  A kind of rude fellow was in front of me. He left his cart in the way at the security scan, and then muscled ahead in the line only to find he did not have tickets and would have to go on standby. He again left his cart in the way so I had to move this second one also. Then he stood in the way making calls to his friends.  Now of course, he did get a ticket and of course, he sat next to me as we awaited our boarding time. Seems he is from Houston and has helped set up MANY Bible colleges in Kenya and Uganda for “the nationals”. I wasn’t so impressed with him. He went on and on and finally asked if this is my first trip to Kenya. Tee hee! He did crank it down a bit after that. Our 45 minute flight was even ahead of schedule and I didn’t have to sit by the man from Houston.

Then I arrived at the Kisumu airport….my oh my! A totally new facility! It is very nice and spacious and clean. I was very impressed…I just hope the Chinese haven’t financed it. I did read in the newspaper as we drove to my hostess’ home about all the Chinese money that is paying for roads, wells, etc. in this country.

Janet Agoi , treasurer of USFW-K, and a driver met me and we were off to Vihiga district. We stopped a couple of times for small errands so the trip to Vihiga was longer than the flight from Nairobi. Janet has a lovely home off the road perhaps a mile. She and her husband worked for years in Nairobi but retired here. He died several years ago. She has electricity…when it’s on but no running water. (Janet’s daughter died in a road accident about a week after we lost Darian so we comforted one another.) After meeting the three young women (Ann, Pam and  Robai) who help her, I had a cup of tea and she showed me where I could rest. I had a very nice 3 hour nap. As I was awaking, I heard a very loud “snoring” noise. I was afraid it was me! Then I decided it was someone else but so loud. As I became more awake, I recognized it was the cow outside the window who was bawling. I’m so glad my snoring isn’t that loud!!

I had not been able to find some things this morning so I went through all my bags. On the third time, I found the last misplaced items. I think I know where everything is now! Lunch will be soon (maybe 2:30) and then we are expecting some USFW visitors in the late afternoon. It has been good to have a rest this day as the schedule is packed for the rest of the trip.

Lunch of beef with carrots, potatoes with carrots, cabbage, rice, sucumawiki (collard greens) was very nice! We topped it off with mango juice-my favorite!  The lunch was sort of Irish Stew but everything separate. :  )

Local USFW PC, me and hostess Janet Agoi

A group of women from theWadange Friends Church (Kadundu Quarterly Meeting, Vihiga Yearly Meeting) did arrive. First there were seven, then eight. They sang and chatted as we sat outside under the tree. The breeze was nice and refreshing.  I told them about Daisy in Greentown, the child adopted from Liberia, and her ululating; Janet translated and they were all happy with the story.  A young man came on a motorcycle to take our photos. We all lined up properly and the photos were snapped. Later another two women came in. I shared about the work of USFW-I and gave them copies of The Advocate. After a short visit, there were prayers and more singing as they departed.

Janet's home in Vihiga District

Ann prepared me a cup of coffee. I did some reading and felt very sleepy again so another nap was in order! The afternoon was very warm and the second three hour nap was good.  Supper was served…shredded carrots, carrots and potatoes, carrots and cabbage, green grams and chapatti! It was good! The house is still very warm. The windows had to be closed because the mosquitoes come out at dark so the heat from the afternoon is captured in the house. We watched some tv with a Spanish soap opera from South America dubbed in English, a soap opera in Kiswahili and a news magazine type show about torture in Kenyan prisons in the 1980s until present time.  At 10:30 I excused myself. I need to get on a regular schedule here so it is bedtime…even with the two long naps today. I think I will be ready for the visitations which begin tomorrow. (This may be TMI-too much information-but I have gone from sleeping in flannel pajamas and two pairs of socks and snuggled under a thick duvet to a simple t-shirt with no sheet but under a mosquito net in Kenya!!)

Cleft of the Rock, Ireland

Our sightseeing at the rope bridge, Carrick-a-Rede, was physically demanding for this out of shape senior citizen. Richie parked the mini-bus and sent us on to queue catching up to us in just a few minutes.  Everyone in our group of 12 with the exception of Bebe had decided to do the walk and cross the bridge. The walk was paved but in some places very steep and then in other places, it was simply uneven stone steps going up and up. There were over 90 of these! Yes, I counted.  

We made our way to the bridge and then waited our turn to cross. It is a rope bridge but has been built up and is rather safe but it crosses a deep ravine. At one time, fishermen tossed the rope bridge (without boards) across each day and crossed it with fishing gear and then the return trip included the catch. The other side of the small island connected by the bridge was a great place to fish for salmon. The site has long been a part of the National Trust (similar to a national park system) and now tourists cross when the weather isn’t too fierce.

Our half mile walk up to the bridge was both strenuous and blustery. The wind was strong and often I felt almost propelled along. I made it to the bridge, up and down the stone steps and across. Then it was even more rugged with huge stones to climb, not steps, and nothing to grasp on to. But Deirdre offered me her hand for balance and I was up….taking in the glorious view of the sea.

On the way back, I was offered the hand of a friendly Irishman for balance to get down those rugged stones. It is amazing to me that just a hand can do so much for balance.  And balance is such a seemingly small thing but it can keep us from falling into the abyss. Balance keeps us from injury and hurt. Balance gives us strength to take the next step. In our everyday lives, it is the small things that we offer one another that keep us balanced. Without the encouragement, kind words and compassion, we would all surely stumble and even fall. 

I stopped to take some photos of birds…either gulls or pigeons…flying about near the craggy precipice.  There were many birds in the air but some had nestled into the crevices in the rocky wall. I was reminded of the line from a hymn, “in the cleft of the rock”.

God is at work in us and through us all the time. Sometimes life is blustery and propels us along even when we are not able to move. Often as we face precarious situations and are looking for balance, it is the hand of a friend that stabilizes us so that we can move forward. Those are the moments when we “encourage one another”. Sometimes we are flying about, looking for a safe haven from the winds and storm. But God is the master of the sea and the wind. God loves us and provides a “shelter in the time of storm” and “a cleft in the rock”. If He cares so much for the birds of the air, how can I wonder if He cares for me? 

Sunday, Monday

Pancakes for brekky and then off to church! CSI folks and Shilladays went to Newcastle Presbyterian, Bebe and I went to Newcastle Methodist. I was happy to see our Bible study ladies, Lottie, Mita, Louie and Sadie were there. They were almost as happy to see me! Church was over at 12:30 and back to Murlough.

Deirdre is off today so Jo came in to prepare lunch. Baked Chicken, Roast potatoes, Mashed potatoes, cabbage, carrots and parsnips and corn with a nice strawberry mousse dessert. Love those carrots and parsnips!

Tom, Vange and Mandy walked down to the sea and then Richie took them off for an afternoon of sightseeing nearby. I stayed in to just relax. Bebe went to the apt. to read. After an hour or so, the doorbell rang and it was Torie and Emma….a couple of teens from Crosspoint. They had gone to the beach to do their homework and it started raining so they ran up to Murlough to get in out of the wet. I fixed them tea and within a few minutes the rain stopped, the sun came back out and they walked home.

Richie came for us at 5:30 to go to Waringstown Presbyterian for evening services. Deirdre lives in Waringstown and had gone home yesterday for her day off. As we drove, it rained. Then the rainbow appeared….it was a glorious one and seemed to end just outside the mini-bus. Very nice!
We arrived at church just as it was about to begin (6:30). I slid into the pew Deirdre directed me to and introduced myself to the fellow already there. Turns out that Terrill has been to Kenya ten or more times to visit/work with a Presbyterian missionary who is serving the Masai near Narok. I told Terrill that I knew the area. He mentioned Maralal and I said “I have been there.” We had a nice conversation (after church) about the area as well as other Christian concerns.

The worship was rich. The church has a great worship team, 4 women lead the singing accompanied by a piano, keyboard, guitar, drums and a flute! I was duly impressed with the flute and talked with the flutist after service. The preaching was good and the church was nearly full.

Afterwards we drove to Banbridge and ordered pizza from the mini-bus but online. You get a discount if you order online so we were parked just outside as Richie sent the message! He chose well on the pizza! He drove to a nearby lough and we ate in the mini-bus while looking out at the water where the swans were swimming….but not seven swans a swimming!

Monday, March 19, 2012
Up early to pack lunches and begin our long fun day! Deirdre, Bebe, and I joined the CSI team of Tom, Vange and Mandy, Katrina (a Murlough House intern), her cousin Emily visiting from her job in Germany, and Anna and Tori, teens from Crosspoint, along with Richie, driver par excellence, for the day. Our first stop was Belfast for a couple hours of shopping and sightseeing.

After purchasing a sweatshirt for me and an Irish doll for Berkeley, I made my way to Victoria Square. It’s an upscale shopping mall with an observation deck at the top. I entered at street level and took the elevator to the top. I could see Samson and Delilah, the cranes used in building the Titanic, the whole of Belfast and the mountains surrounding the city. I decided to take the stairs down….all 90 of them, then 3 escalators to get to the ground floor. Since today is a bank holiday, there was a small craft show. I browsed that a bit and bought some fudge, then headed back toward town centre. I stopped for a latte, and then met up with Bebe. We stopped at the Tourist Centre and then made our way back to the mini-bus.

Next stop, lunch in a small village located on the sea. We enjoyed the fresh air as we ate our brown bag lunches outside. Richie told us we had 15 minutes and 25 minutes later we were again on our way.

Next stop…Carrick-a-Rede in County Antrim. This is a rope bridge. The bridge is high but the trek from the carpark to the bridge is more strenuous than the bridge itself! We climbed and climbed…seemed like cliffs to me for about one kilometer. Then there was the descent down many stone steps to the bridge. That went well…meaning I did not slip or fall…and I enjoyed the view from the tiny island. I returned by the same route and the same kilometer distance…and I started ahead of our groups because I knew I would be slow. As I went UP the stones steps, I counted—87, nearly 90. I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath! But it was worth it!

(Incidentally, I often count steps…I don’t know why, I just do. In Downpatrick there are two ways to get from the Cathedral to the Visitor Centre. One way is along a path that winds back and forth. The second way is the steps…90 of them…which I climbed on Saturday!)

Pat and
Deirdre on the way down from Rope Bridge

I wondered today if there is any significance to 90…but didn’t come up with anything. It did give me pause however!

Back in the mini-bus and onward to Giant’s Causeway. Most of us walked down from the carpark and took the bus back up. No steps here but still a 15 minute walk. We wandered around, took photos, saw the various formations and “areas” of volcanic results. The stones are the “amphitheater, the harp, and the organ.” This was fascinating in 2010 and still most impressive. There are only a few such formations in the world.

The castle at Dunluce was closed so that stop was very brief…just enough for a photo from the road. Some of us napped while Richie drove. There was also lots of music in the mini-bus. Richie played lots of Irish tunes (connecting his iPod to the radio speakers), then several others passed their iPods up so we had quite the assortment…all good!! I didn't bring my iPod this trip but I doubt if this group would have been impressed with my Beatles collection!  : )

We stopped at Murlough House to collect Andrea, the other intern, and went to the Galley in Annalong for fish and chips---a great end to a wonderful day!