Home Sweet Home

The Journey home begins! After the message last night, I did not sleep so well. I had made arrangements to get my small purse with the little bit of cash and the credit cards but until I have them in my hand, there is still concern. I certainly cannot leave the country without the cards because I will have to pay baggage charges on my return flight from Kisumu to Nairobi…I think.

After breakfast, Ederia, Jaman and I had a nice chat. They continued to tell me about their lives. Ederia had worked for the UN in Nairobi and even met Kofi Annan. Jaman had worked as a civil servant in several positions including seven years in Cairo, Egypt. They have a lovely home in Maragoli but the electricity went out last night and it still hasn’t come on. They have a lovely tiled bathroom but no running water so there are jerry cans of water for flushing and they still have to heat water for basin baths. Their furniture is “store bought” rather than the simple hand crafted things from the market. They have ornate furniture in the sitting room with much carving….perhaps Old English style? The dining room is more “modern” styling. In my small bedroom, there is a ‘fainting couch’. I could get used to one of those!!

They shared with me that they had lost a son fifteen years ago. He was only 29. It seems that most places I have been, they have understood my pain because of their own.

Kennedy Shiverenje took a matatu from Kaimosi to Majengo to bring the purse. He texted from Mbale to say it would be another 10 minutes. Ederia and I went out to get in the car which Jaman had put in the garage. The housegirl had put in a new seat cover and left the back door open. When Ederia backed out of the garage, the open door caught and was sprung. The housegirl tied it with twine but it didn’t hold so Ederia told a small boy to get in and hold the door closed as we went to Majengo. When we arrived, we were told by a newspaper seller that Kennedy had taken a picky-picky (motor bike ‘taxi’) to the house because the people at the junction had seen Jaman leave in the pickup truck and assumed we had no transport. SO…Kennedy was at the house and we were at the junction. I called him and he returned. Everything was intact. We had a short conversation and he returned to Cheptulu to visit someone from his church who is homebound.

We collected a mechanic who rode back to the house, holding the door. We got out and he took the vehicle to see if he could do some repairs to the door. We expect Jaman back in time to get me to the airport even if the car is not able to make it.

The hearing aid is not working today. One of my first errands back in Kokomo will be to get that taken care of …..or revert to “say again please”.

I arrived at the airport at 2 pm (7 am Greentown time) for my 4:05 flight only to find I have been bumped and am now on the 6:35 flight. At least I was able to charge my cell phone (so I can say a few more goodbyes while waiting at the airport in Nairobi) and could charge the computer but I probably won’t.  The Nairobi/Amsterdam flight leaves at 10:40 so time should not be a problem.

The longer I am here, the fewer pictures I take. I am ready to come home.  I am out of shillings. The hearing aid isn’t working. And I am tired. Since March 21 I have been a guest in seven homes, a conference center (Mabanga) and a Guesthouse (Rural Service). I have met with women from eleven Yearly Meetings. I have attended board meetings and a conference. I have preached and prayed my way around Western Province. I have visited old friends and made new ones. The next 36 hours will be very tiring as I travel to Kisumu, to Nairobi, to Amsterdam, to Detroit and to Indianapolis and then the final leg to Greentown. 

P.S.  All four flights were uneventful. All the baggage arrived with me. I did not have to pay any extra charges for luggage. Donna and Amber picked me up at the airport and we stopped to eat at MacDonald’s….the guy asked if we wanted to eat there and I said, “of course, we don’t want to miss the ambience!” We had a good time and I was home by 6 pm  (Greentown time, 2 am Wed, Kenya time) on Tuesday . It had been 36 hours since Ederia and Jaman left me at Kisumu airport.

As I mentioned on Facebook….my little house welcomed me with blooming purple tulips, purple iris, purple wisteria, lilacs, the redbud tree, the magnolia and some creeping phlox. Nice to see all my “purples” flowering!

It was also very nice to hear the immigration/passport control agent in Detroit say “Welcome Home”. There really is no place like home.

USFW-K Triennial, 4-8 April

Thur-Sun (4-8 April)

Thursday was the first full day of the conference. The speakers are talking about social issues but the keynote speaker has a Bible address. They talked about ageing and about family issues. The keynote speaker is Ugandan. She speaks very fast but there is a Kiswahili translator (Jane Muturo) which means the speech takes twice as long. We were seated in seven large tents with me and Mary Lord in the “main tent” just behind the speakers. That means that we are seen by everyone! The sun beat

 down and even in the tents, it became warm. There was a short break for tea in the morning and then lunch….cabbage, chicken, rice, orange quarters….and back to the tents. Moses Smith (former chairman of the Board of Governors for FTC) spoke, and then it was my turn. I had planned to do the presentation of the Last Supper that I did at Sycamore a few years ago. I could see that the wind was picking up and the clouds were darkening. We were already almost an hour behind schedule. I offered to eliminate my program but they said I should continue.  They said I would not need an interpreter. I set up the table while the women sang and danced. The wind was not allowing my cards to stand so Mary Lord suggested that women hold the cards as I read the script. We modified the plan and continued. I think it went well.  Several asked for copies of the script so I know this presentation will be given again and again.

Samburu women and other dancing.

The 600 women broke into discussion groups and Dorothy Selebwa suggested that Mary and I might want to go to the GH. We agreed and were given a lift. It was nice to be in more comfortable surroundings by 6. The others came in shortly after and we had a nice supper together…chapatti, beef, chicken, and lentils. Marian had been given a jackfruit and a mango so she shared those. Jackfruit is rather nondescript.

Brenda went to Kisumu to get groceries today so I gave her money to buy me another suitcase. I need it to bring home all the gifts I have received.

Friday

I was up in the night with “running stomach” and it did not get better. I decided to stay at the GH until I felt better. The morning did not go well. I had taken probiotics (from Mary) and Imodium and cipro (from Brenda) but the stomach continued to roll. Shortly after noon, the rains came so I knew I would not attempt the mile or so down the hill to FCK so I took a nap. Linet came back from the conference at about 4 and made me a cup of soup. I hope that Saturday will be a better day!!

It was so hot in Kenya the first two weeks I was here….but now the rains have started so I am cold at night…sleeping with socks and under a wool blanket. It’s kind of nice to be cozy rather than miserably hot. And very interesting how the rains change the climate.

Saturday

When I got dressed, I didn’t see my hearing aid. It had fallen on the floor. When I picked it up, I saw that a rubber piece that fits in the ear was missing. I looked all around but it could not be found. I think that a small creature must have knocked it off and chewed away the rubber. It still works but it a bit irritating in the ear without the padding. Now I have to sleep in this room wondering what creature share it with me.

Mary, Brenda and I arrived late at the conference. Transport had not come but we were offered a ride by RSP folks. They were already an hour behind on the schedule! We sat through the Plenary Session. They skipped the tea break and the keynote speaker began about an hour behind schedule. She preached and then gave an altar call. Imagine 600 women coming forward, all praying aloud, dozens on their knees and the praying went on for twenty to thirty minutes. Quite an experience!

We went to lunch (rice, lentils, ugali, beans, mango) and then Brenda and I met Kennedy Shiverenje. We were going to his house for tea. He didn’t have a vehicle so we began the walk. About halfway to the junction, Calystus came by. Kennedy flagged him down and he took us all the way to Shiverenjes. Dorothy was there with grandbaby Beth. Later the girls, Jackie, Sandy and Faith came in. We had tea and mandazi and visited while it rained. After the rain, Kennedy walked us back to the Guesthouse.

Simon Bulimo came over and we had a nice visit. Supper, visiting, and to bed.

Sunday

A car collected us and we were at the conference by 9. There was singing and prayers and again, many, many introductions. Anyone of stature who had not already given greetings and introductions was invited to the platform as well as many who had. All the 17 Presiding Clerks of the various yearly meetings were also introduced.  An introduction here includes greetings and praises so that took a big part of the morning.

The outgoing officers were introduced and given time to give thanks.  I was to do the installation later and still had not received the names of the new officers. Gladys returned from a meeting and gave me a slip of paper telling me not to tell anyone. I wrote the names into my short speech and practiced pronunciation.

Then the nominating committee gave their report. It took about 20 minutes as she explained how each woman was chosen and about how they had talked with nearly 1000 women. I think that may have been an exaggeration but possibly not. She announced each of the incoming officers and when Dorothy Selebwa was announced to continue as Presiding Clerk, an enthusiastic cheer arose from the crowd. She is much loved and has done an exceptional job. Then the Keynote Speaker was called to pray for the new officers. She gave an impromptu speech that was several minutes long.

 I was scheduled for ten am but they didn’t get to that part until about 11:15. It seemed anti-climatic after the rousing applause and the sermonette but I did what I had prepared.  I asked Brenda to help me as I had made small corsages for each one from lace doilies. I also had a doily to present to represent their work. I talked about threads and how many different threads are used to make things…just as we are many different women. Strong, simple, complicated, colorful, etc.   Because I had stayed in Dorothy’s home for two days and knew her hope that they would find a new president, I also shared with the women that I was both full of joy and concern when I heard Dorothy’s name. I told them that there was joy because I know how much she is loved. Also when someone is doing a good job, everyone wants to keep them. But I also shared concern about the tremendous work load and responsibility. Frankly, I think the Presiding Clerk of USFW-Kenya has much more work than I do as President of USFW-International. I cited the story of Moses holding up the staff as Joshua fought the Amalekites….but I had the wrong characters (which I learned later). I said it was Joshua and Caleb who assisted Moses in holding up the staff.  But I asked the women present if they would assist Dorothy…that she would not stand alone and that they would be a support to her.  The installation was complete!

After the offering and a few more speeches, the Keynote Speaker delivered her message. She spent the first half hour summarizing her Thurs, Fri, Sat messages. She spent another half hour “correcting” my Moses story….it was Aaron and Hur who assisted Moses while Joshua led the battle.  Because she was being translated, her hour took almost two.  Her prayer at the end was not like Saturday but still nearly 20 minutes.

There were a few more details to finish up and then we broke for lunch. It was rice, beans and sucumawiki served outside. The Kenyans served up generous portions and Brenda and I were not able to eat even half. We didn’t want to throw it away but didn’t know how we could avoid it. Then I noticed a few children were eating. There were local village children. I saw one child putting food into a plastic bag. I pointed him out to Brenda so she took our plates and offered them. He gladly scraped our plates into his bag. That would be supper for some family. People were sitting all around and then it began to rain so we crowded in under the verandah of the dining hall. Then it began to pour and blow so we crowded into the dining hall. Of course there was no electricity so it was dark, damp and humid inside. John Muhanji had asked to speak to me so we found a quiet corner for that conversation. Colin and Janine Saxton came to chat for a bit.

My hostess for the night was there to collect me but we couldn’t do anything in the rain. After it subsided a bit, we waded through water to get in the vehicle and go to the guesthouse to get my baggage. Brenda rode with us. Minga, Marian and Jessica had already gone to their next location. Mary Lord had decided to remain in Kaimosi at the GH for a few days before her pre-FWCC conference trip. I gathered up my things, said goodbyes to Mary, Brenda and Linet and set off with Jaman and Ederia to Maragoli.

I took a short nap before supper. Then we ate and because of no electricity, went to bed early. I had a nice battery light so was reading when I received a phone call from Mary. I had dropped my small purse at the GH and it contains my driver’s license, credit cards and cash. Of course I have to get that before I leave and Kaimosi is about 30 minutes away. Because it was my fault (although I don’t remember having it out…it apparently fell out of my tote bag), I didn’t want to ask Jaman to make the drive back. I send a text message to Kennedy to ask if he could bring it on a matatu tomorrow. He readily agreed.

Wed, 4 April, Kenya

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Today was both good and not so good. It was good in that I had a day of rest and visiting. It was not so good in that I learned sad news about several of my friends. These are difficult times for so many people.

I have been awaking at 6:30 or 7:00 most mornings but today 8:11….it was good to be in Kaimosi, I guess! Dorothy Shiverenje came by on her way to go see her daughter. We were able to chat for a bit about Jackie and the baby, Beth. Dorothy has a heavy load these days. I had some things to give her including a cute sleeper for Beth!

Later Hezekiah Obwoge texted that he is coming to see me. He used to teach at FTC. He has completed his PhD and is now lecturing at two colleges. He hopes to get a full time position in the next year. He arrived at lunchtime so he and his driver joined us. We shared lots of memories.

Brenda and Linet walked down to Friends College Kenya (FCK) to register for the conference. I stayed at the house in case the other wasungu (white people) arrived. It was a restful afternoon. Dorothy and Gladys came up to visit the president and told me I did not need to come for the opening program tonight. They will send a car for us tomorrow.

Marian Baker arrived in the afternoon and then was out to check on delegates coming from Uganda. It was  nearly 6 before Jessica, Mary and Minga arrived in the rain. These three had arrived in Nairobi yesterday and took a bus to Kaimosi….many hours as they went through Eldoret. They were exhausted and hungry. Linet prepared supper and we all sat down in the candlelight as the electricity had gone out. We had rice, cabbage and chicken with banana bread for dessert. There was much conversation around the table as you can well imagine with seven women!

Just as we were going to bed, the electricity came back on. Hopefully the tank of water will be sufficient for all of us! Today a fellow working on a small building project kept coming to our tank for bucketsful of water. Linet told him not to take our water but he wouldn’t listen to her. I asked her if she has a padlock so she finally locked the tank. As she said, he can go to the river for construction water.

I realized late this evening that I didn’t take one photo today. I should have taken pictures of my friends! I was so glad to see them that I didn’t even think of it.

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!

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.