Friday was a very busy day. After chapel the team, sans Craig (who stayed behind to try and help organize pharmacy and medication overstock supplies), loaded up for an approximate 1 hr drive to the Methodist Bio Intensive Farm which is in Meru. It was good to see the farm had expanded with addition of fish hatcheries and addition of more livestock. The team toured the farm and were impressed with the staff's knowledge of the operation and plants which were growing. For those not familiar the farm is actually used for intensive training of Kenyans in hopes they can sustain their families with food either on a small plot of land if they are fortunate enough to possess or in a "container" type system. They also focus on vegetables which will provide maximum nutrition and grow rather quickly.
From the farm Jim, our missionary, took the team to a VERY rural location on roads we might consider non-travelable. The village is Nthamiri and Jim commented you could tell by the school uniforms, which are a must in Kenya, that the school does NOT turn down any applicant. While the colors do match the condition, style, and wear may not meet the standards of other schools. Jim's former team had provided funds to build a cook shed which is nearing completion and they have also provided concrete floors for the classroom. At various times students would be bothered by chiggers, termites, or other insects which during warm conditions may "swarm" from the prior dirt floor.
It was the last day of school for this school term, unbeknownst to all. The team was met by the school administration, 200 + students, and many parents from the community. Most secondary schools in Kenya are boarding schools which require funding that many remote villagers cannot afford, and this school currently serves only primary grades. During the tour the team observed ground which has been broken, in faith, for the construction of a secondary school classroom. This would allow these children to further their education in hopes of passing exams and finding opportunity for university or technical training. The students knowing Jim would be visiting that day, but not the team, had prepared some songs, dances, and poems. The team was convinced God had called them to this place and made a contribution to hopefully provide completion of the construction of this classroom. Since you know our arrival flights were complicated, we had funds from our first night stay in Nairobi and meals which were non-used and closely matched their needs.
Our evening ended with a "special" dinner at the hotel in our honor. We provided some gifts to hotel staff, and some locals we have come to know through our prior trips.
Saturday morning we loaded early for the 6 hour trip to Nairobi stopping for photo opportunity at the equator. Arriving just shortly before departure to Masai Mara the team prepared for the short trip via small aircraft. I stayed with our drivers to drop baggage and supplies for the Nairobi work project at the guest house where the team will stay on return from safari Monday evening, and to go on to the "big airport" which since the fire is a lesson in tolerating challenges.
As we pulled into Nairobi traffic with sun shining, a light rain began to fall. The driver told me that Kenyans believe if rain comes during or at the end of a ceremony or other project that God has blessed that event. I thought to myself that we have surely been blessed by God in the ability to raise funds and the generosity of Acton UMC, University UMC, Ronnie's church (sorry don't know the name), and the Granbury community. While we go to bless others and we do see God's work in that, we as usual were the ones who received the biggest blessing.
Please continue to pray for the team as they return to Nairobi on Monday and the work they will do. Also for travelling mercies as they return to the US.
We look forward to sharing the adventures of our trip and the challenges that the Kenyan people continue to face.
In His Name,
Craig
No comments:
Post a Comment