Road Trip

The school kids left Wed. for there midterm break.  They return on Monday.  So that means a few days to do some other things.  Friday was road trip day.  We set off Friday morning at 7:00 am.  We stopped in Nakuru (about an hour and a half drive) for breakfast.  Then we made our way to our next stop which was a couple hours away.  As we got closer to are destination it got much warmer which was wonderful.  Also on the roadside they were selling watermelons and honey.  We new at some point we were going to need to pick up these items up to take home.  The watermelon was grown there so you new it was fresh as it goes with the honey.  Also on are way we saw turtles crossing the road.  I was kind of cool.  We got out and tried to get a closer look.  Then we continued on our way to Lake Baringo.  But before we got there they had a snake reserve we could see.  As most of you can guess this is not something that would interest me.  Jillian was all for it and we had also brought three of the kids from school with us that stay will Dorris when there are breaks and we thought it would be great for them.  I was the official picture taker so that was my reason to not go too close.  It took the kids a little but we got them to hold and touch them.  The pictures speak for themselves.

Then we headed to the lake.  On the way the guide that was with us was explaining that all the snakes we saw are in this area and that most people need to check there beds before sleeping.  Some are advised if they see a snake just to leave it and someone will come and get it in the morning.  I decided two things.  First there is no way I would sleep knowing there is a snake in my room and two that I could never minister in an area like that.  On the way to the lake we also came across some ostriches.  There are many in the area.  It was cool to see them so close.  They are huge.  Once we got to the lake we were told about the fishing and all the crocodiles that live in the water.  We were also told that kids swim in the water and have never been attached.  They said it is because they are so small and that they have so much fish to eat that they are not hungry for anything else. I decided even if that is true I don't think I would swim there.  Then we went to see some of the resorts there.  Once we were done there we were going to head to Lake Bogoria national park to see some hot springs.  When we got there we found out it cost too much money.  So we decided to find a place to eat and then start for home.  We stopped at a resort for lunch which was good.  Then we started home.  Of course we stopped for some watermelon which they gave us a sample of before we bought.  Best watermelon ever.  So we got some watermelon.  Then we got some honey which took more effort then the watermelon.  The area we were in was mainly a different tribe then the one in my area.  Around my area you barter for everything. It is just the way.  In the area we were in you barter for nothing.  There price is your price and they don't care if you don't buy.  So after stopping at a few places and realizing the price was not going to change we make our purchase.  The ride home was smooth.  It was good to see other area's of Kenya.

Chess

One of the games we have in the library is checkers or as it is called here draughts.  The high schoolers really like it.  We only had one board.  In the process of looking around Dorris the other missionary that has been here for a while wanted to teach the kids how to play chess.  So when we were in the city we found chess and checker boards.  Dorris also has some sets.  So we found a time on a Sunday afternoon to teach the Form 3 and 4's (Grade 11 and 12) to play chess.  I had never played in my life.  So my roommate Jillian new how to play so she gave me a quick leason.  We had 10 kids show up which was a perfect size.  We set the up in front of a board.  There was some teaching on line that we played while they learned.  Then let them try it out.  It was a good afternoon as you could see the ones that were really getting it.  Since then they have been asking when they can play again.  So I will set some time up in the library for just the older kids to continue to play chess.

Seeing God's Work

I had the opportunity to visit a few of the outreach organizations connected with PACE.  The first place we went to was a senior’s outreach in a town called Mina just a short drive from town.  Mina would considered a slum town.  There a pastor as started up a ministry to the elderly.  They meet together to worship and pray together as well as to share in some portage.  When we got there we took the opportunity to introduce ourselves and to give a brief word for them.  Dorris (the other missionary at PACE) went first and I followed.  It was good to spend some time with them.

The next stop was victory nursery school which is also located in Mina.  A pastor and his wife run this school for Baby class (age 3) Middle class (age 4) and Top class (age 5).  It was so great to be there.  It is very evident that these kids come from poorer families.  When we got there it was time for them to have their Ugi (portage) for the morning.  Most of these kids would have come with nothing in there stomach so at 11:00 would have been there first food and quite possibly there last for the day.  So we took time to help hand out the Ugi.  Most of these kids will have two to three cups.  I was glad to be there to help with this.

The next stop was to Goshen Senior’s outreach.  This like Mina is an opportunity for seniors to come together and minister and pray together.  I have been to Goshen many times and never want to leave.  The singing and stories they share are so encouraging.  It was so good to be back.  Like with the other senior’s ministry we had an opportunity to share a short word.  It was a blessing to see some familiar faces.

Mouse

Well there is one thing that I have seen and experienced in my home in Ontario that I have never experienced in Kenya.  This however has now changed.  Sunday as we were sitting in our living room doing some work Jillian thought she saw something run across the hall.  She looked around but didn’t seem to find anything.  So I told myself that she was just seeing things.  I went to bed and forgot about it.  Then Monday my throat had been a little sore throughout the day and I was tired so I decided to head to bed around 9:00.  I had brought some throat lozenges along to I went into my bag to get them.  As I went looking something ran across my bag.  I jumped screamed and called for Jillian.  I said I have found whatever we saw Sunday night and that it was in my bag I moved to sitting on my bed while she looked through my bag.  I have two luggage bag that I have close and other things in.  They sit side by side.  I pulled the one bag towards my bed while Jillian looked through the other one.  She had it almost completely empty and had found nothing.  I then, from my position on my bed, reached over to my other bag and lifted a few things and there the little mouse ran behind my door.  I jumped again and told Jillian were to go.  She then saw it run out of my room and into my bathroom which is right beside my room.  Then we tried to figure out how we were going to catch it.  I still have not moved off my bed.  Then it ran out of the bathroom and Jillian didn’t see where it went.  She looked in a few other rooms but nothing.  Then she heard it in the kitchen.  There is a door in the kitchen to the outside.  While I am still in my room on my bed I suggested she open the door and see if it will run out.  After some coaxing it ran out.  I could not have been happier that it was gone.  Though it was quite small which brings up thoughts of baby’s and the fact that there are more I am sure.  I tried to relax myself enough to settle into bed.  I got the lozenge for the throat that I originally went for and got into bed.  I found peace quicker than I thought and had an amazing sleep.  So that was the first time I had seen a mouse here.  When I was here for the three months in 2012 we had a cat in the house who I believe took care of the mice.  As much as I don’t really like cats it is appealing now. 

Matatu Rids and more

Well Monday was a holiday here in Kenya.  So the kids did not have class.  A whole day without class. That never happens.  Even on Sat. they have class from 8 am – noon.  On Sundays they have class from 2 – 4 in the afternoons.  So it is nice to see the kids not have to be in class.  Though by the end of the day the kids are almost preferring to be back in class.  But since they were not in class this gave more time to have the library open.  I went over in the morning for a few hours.  Then while they had lunch we walked into town and had lunch for ourselves.  When we go back I was in the library again until about six.  It was good to hang with the kids most of the day.

So I have talked about the Matatu rides.  We had another interesting one on Wed.  We had gone into town but I needed to be home by 11:00 to be with the nursery class.  We had reached the Matatu station at 10:00 which should have given us lot of time to get back as the ride is only about 7 mins.  We also expect to have some time to wait as it fills up.  By 10:20 it was full.  Well it was Canada full.  There was four of us in the back.  Three in the middle and two in the front (not including the driver).  By 10:30 we asked how much longer before we leave.  We were told two minutes.  They were clearly trying to fill it so it was Kenyan full.  At 10:40 we said if they were not leaving we were getting out.  They said 10 more mins and wanted us to stay.  We made it clear that we were leaving made efforts to get out.  Then once they saw we were serious they decided to pull out.  In the end I was only about 10 mins late and around here that is nothing.  Hard concept still for me.  I want to be on time.  Here as long as you are within the hour you are good.

The library continues to go well.  It continues to amaze me how much the high school students enjoy the same games as the academy kids do.  I continue to have a good time with the young kids that come in after school.  Always lots of hugs and them wanting me to play with them.  It is also going much smoother with the younger classes during the week.  They are starting to understand how things are going to run.  Though on Friday I was asked to take pictures of all the staff at school.  The best time for this is over lunch.  So Jillian came to be with the class over lunch while I took the pictures.  When I got back the library there was a few that were not be there as it was not there turn.  They were helping to hand out paper towels that they use to dry their hands before coming in.  After that task was over they asked Jillian if they could come in.  Jillian asked if I would normally let them in and they told her yes.  The answer is really no.  Another way that kids are kids all over the world.