Kitale- It’s my kind of town!
We arrived in Kitale early Thursday morning, Nov. 1st. We rode on the Coach bus, Alan sat at the aisle seat and I sat at the window seat. Let me tell you about the ride from Nairobi to Kitale. It was rough, I mean really rough! My legs were sore, my back was sore after the ride. I didn’t get any sleep at all. The ride started smoothly at first but after a couple of hours we were on bumpy roads, and this went on and on for a good part of the trip. The bumps are due to the fact that a lot of sections of the road are not paved. The people here will tell you that they ran out of money and so it’s been left that way. Alan went to sleep almost right away, and this was good because I knew he needed the rest as he had been so tired the last 2 days and needed to catch up on his sleep. How he was able to sleep through the ride is beyond me, but Alan will tell you that he can sleep under any circumstances. He was so sound asleep that he would fall leaning to my side, on my left shoulder and sometimes I was pressed close to the window, then when the bus went swaying to the other side, he swayed with it and I had to hang on to his arm for dear life because he would have fallen off his seat. In a way this was a good thing, because I had a purpose on the trip! Life is good when you have a purpose! So somehow the journey came to an end and we were dropped off at the petrol station at 6.00 a.m. I was so relieved the journey had ended. Now I also understand why people take a plane to Eldoret and drive to Kitale from there which is about an hour and a half drive.
My first impression of Kitale is that it is a much cleaner place than Donholm. And I don’t see any slum areas here. There are the same kind of little villages scattered at different intervals along the major road where people have set up their homes and businesses. These are houses with tin roofs, wooden and mud houses, some in a row, some scattered, mud houses and made-shift wooden stalls for selling stuff.
After two days at the “rhino gate house” I became aware that there are no mosquitoes and hardly any flies. We are here for a week now and this fact proof to be true. I like Kitale. The weather is very pleasant, I don’t recall being hot at all. It is actually cold in the morning and I need my sweater.
The town is quite nice, not too many people like in Nairobi or Donholm, there are some street boys but they leave you alone after you tell them to. There are enough restaurants around for you to have a good African meal. Yesterday we went to the Boulevard Restaurant and Alan ordered their daily special, even though he didn’t know what he was ordering, it was all in African terms. And he enjoyed it. I also tried a mouthful of "Kumbe Kumbe" (fried flying termites), it was not bad. For myself I ordered a fried tilapia. I enjoyed it as I was hungry having not eaten too much the last couple of days because of not feeling too well.
Kitale is a small town, from the “rhino gate house” to the city centre it is only 10 minutes away on a “boda -boda” (bicycle taxi that has a seat for you on the rear rack). The first time I got on a “boda boda” was quite frightening, the driver can be going pretty fast, and when they get to the unpaved road it can be quite bumpy too and at these places you hang on tightly to the little handle bars in front of you . Yesterday I rode on a “boda boda” again because it’s just too far to walk to the city centre, and this time it was not so bad a ride. Alan gave the “boda boda” driver a treat by being the driver and giving the driver a ride and then he got paid for the ride as well.
So in spite of the hardship getting here I think Kitale is my kind of town.
Esther
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
What a way to start a day
What a way to start the day
I unlocked the door and went outside at 5:00 Am. The sky was clear and the morning crisp and cool as I ate a bowl of cereal at the patio table. All 4 dogs were out and about.
I got a handful of dog food and continued my attempt to train them Chuck one of the puppies (8months old is Todd’s dog) Arnold the other one I have picked to work with.
Max is the original dog here and was the previous missionaries. Otto is different then all the rest. Max and Atto have some issues and seem to be jockeying for alpha dog position.
While I was trying to get them to sit for food an avocado fell from the tree and Atto went got it and started eating it. The others stayed with me. When we finished Max went to Otto’s avocado and that is when it happened. Otto snapped at Max and then Max attacked Otto. Max locked on and would not let go. Benson ( the night watchman) and I tried to separate them with no success. I hit them with a stick until it broke! Benson threw water on them 3 times to no avail It was not a good scene they where dead serious about this. I could see blood and knew this only got them going more. They were set on killing one another. I got a piece of hose and continued to try to separate them all the time aware I could get bit! Finally Atto escaped and went into his dog house. As Benson chained him I held off Max who was frantically pacing and trying to get at him. Finally we sent Max to his cage. O I forgot to mention we did this all in the dark, by flashlight the sun was just rising all of this took 15 minutes what a way to start the day!
Atto has a good size injury under his left ear and a hole in his left cheek. Benson said he had been bitten by Max before.
What would Jesus do?
I did not see this in my missionary job description.
If you do not know this I love dogs and have lived without for 18 years.
So I called a veterinarian and have cleaned the wounds as she recommended with Lugols Iodine. Otto is doing OK. There needs to be a solution for these two can not be together. We have yet to let Max out of his Kennel.
alan in Africa
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
My new schedule
At 6:00 AM I go out side for the changing of the guards.
At 7:00 Am I pray with Ryan
The morning is reserved for work/going to town etc.
At 2:30 PM I have my siesta.
At 5:00 PM I start my afternoon shift.
Ar 6:00 PM I have dinner.
At 10:00 PM I go to sleep.
Between 12:30 and 2:30 I get up and do my emails, blogs and have a snack.
By 4:00 I go back to bed... Bye bye
alan
The Blessings you have given in October 2006
The Blessings that you have given in October 2006
( some of the stories from the note book of Esther)
Elizabeth
A few days after we arrived in Donholm, Elizabeth was not well. One morning she was not able to get up as she had stomach aches. Alan believed that she had never been properly treated as she had often been sick this way before. We took her to the private hospital for some tests and she needed some expensive strong medicine which we bought for her. She got better.
Hope Village Malawi, 2006
We went to Hope Village Malawi to see how the orphans are doing. Alan and I met some of these orphans in October, 2004. One girl in particular stands out. Her name is Alani In October 2004 she was made pregnant by her brother-in-law where she was supposed to be under the care of. She now lives in Hope Village, her daughter Tina was a year and a half old now. They looked well and happy. We saw many other children that we recognized from our previous trip. We met young teenager who had made a guitar for himself out of scraps and he was able to play a tune on it for us. Priscilla a young girl of 14 who aspires to be a doctor. Alan calls her doc. And many others. It was good to see these orphans.
We treated them to candies, chocolates and cakes. We also bought a week supply of groceries for Les and Jackie the Missionary directors/founders.
The girl across the street
She had a toothache and said she didn’t have any money to go to see the dentist.
We went to a place where we saw there was a clinic where they would pull out your tooth. Alan told her where to go and gave her the money to have her tooth pulled out. She was very thankful for this blessing.
Melody
The couple that lived across the street have a baby, named Melody who is always sick. Every time we see her she has some kind of rash in some parts of her body. Alan went to the chemist and bought them medicine and ointment for the baby. After a couple of weeks the baby looks well and healthy.
The Ruai kids
These 6 orphans were living in an apartment under a house mother. The house mother told us that the pastor has not been giving her enough money for food; we were not able to help her as we were told by the Pastor who was supposed to be looking after these children that we should stay away from them. We visited them just to say hello and to tell them that we are not in a position to help them. We brought them little gifts, cakes and candies.
Agnes and her son Ben
Agnes is an ex-prostitute who accepted Jesus. Alan evangelised her in March of 2006. We travelled to Mombassa where we met her in November, 2006. It was a great joy and witness to find her working as a hair dresser in a salon. When we saw her she had some health problems. We took her to the doctor and paid for her medical expenses. We bought her a mosquito net and a bible and we gave her a little bit of money. We bought Ben a couple of little toy cars.
Jumo
Jumo has been handicapped since he was a child from polio. He earns his living by shining shoes in downtown Nairobi near the bus station. He has a tricycle that needed repairs. Alan bought all the broken parts and repaired his bike. See story Jumo Won Nov ‘07
Carol, Jessica and Wilbroda
We gave Carol money to travel upcountry to see her sisters and bring them back.
We bought mattresses, a bunk-bed, household items, pillows, blankets, clothing and some toiletry items. We also brought food and groceries during the last week we were there.
These expenses were covered by the donations we received for orphans.
On the Job in Africa,
Changing peoples lives,
One person at a time
Esther in Africa
( some of the stories from the note book of Esther)
Elizabeth
A few days after we arrived in Donholm, Elizabeth was not well. One morning she was not able to get up as she had stomach aches. Alan believed that she had never been properly treated as she had often been sick this way before. We took her to the private hospital for some tests and she needed some expensive strong medicine which we bought for her. She got better.
Hope Village Malawi, 2006
We went to Hope Village Malawi to see how the orphans are doing. Alan and I met some of these orphans in October, 2004. One girl in particular stands out. Her name is Alani In October 2004 she was made pregnant by her brother-in-law where she was supposed to be under the care of. She now lives in Hope Village, her daughter Tina was a year and a half old now. They looked well and happy. We saw many other children that we recognized from our previous trip. We met young teenager who had made a guitar for himself out of scraps and he was able to play a tune on it for us. Priscilla a young girl of 14 who aspires to be a doctor. Alan calls her doc. And many others. It was good to see these orphans.
We treated them to candies, chocolates and cakes. We also bought a week supply of groceries for Les and Jackie the Missionary directors/founders.
The girl across the street
She had a toothache and said she didn’t have any money to go to see the dentist.
We went to a place where we saw there was a clinic where they would pull out your tooth. Alan told her where to go and gave her the money to have her tooth pulled out. She was very thankful for this blessing.
Melody
The couple that lived across the street have a baby, named Melody who is always sick. Every time we see her she has some kind of rash in some parts of her body. Alan went to the chemist and bought them medicine and ointment for the baby. After a couple of weeks the baby looks well and healthy.
The Ruai kids
These 6 orphans were living in an apartment under a house mother. The house mother told us that the pastor has not been giving her enough money for food; we were not able to help her as we were told by the Pastor who was supposed to be looking after these children that we should stay away from them. We visited them just to say hello and to tell them that we are not in a position to help them. We brought them little gifts, cakes and candies.
Agnes and her son Ben
Agnes is an ex-prostitute who accepted Jesus. Alan evangelised her in March of 2006. We travelled to Mombassa where we met her in November, 2006. It was a great joy and witness to find her working as a hair dresser in a salon. When we saw her she had some health problems. We took her to the doctor and paid for her medical expenses. We bought her a mosquito net and a bible and we gave her a little bit of money. We bought Ben a couple of little toy cars.
Jumo
Jumo has been handicapped since he was a child from polio. He earns his living by shining shoes in downtown Nairobi near the bus station. He has a tricycle that needed repairs. Alan bought all the broken parts and repaired his bike. See story Jumo Won Nov ‘07
Carol, Jessica and Wilbroda
We gave Carol money to travel upcountry to see her sisters and bring them back.
We bought mattresses, a bunk-bed, household items, pillows, blankets, clothing and some toiletry items. We also brought food and groceries during the last week we were there.
These expenses were covered by the donations we received for orphans.
On the Job in Africa,
Changing peoples lives,
One person at a time
Esther in Africa
Monday, November 5, 2007
Wilbroda
A visit to the hospital in Nairobi. (October 26th, 2007)
We met Lilian and alan and I went to Nairobi to visit Wilbroda at Kenyatta National Hospital. When we got off the bus and walked to the hospital entrance there were a lot of people all going the same direction. We got to the lift and people just jammed their way to the front, blocking the doors so that people couldn’t get out first and it just makes it harder for people to get in. We were packed into one elevator and fortunately we were only going to the 3rd floor.
We found Wilbroda in a crib-bed in Ward 2 where there are 10 beds in 2 rows. There were people who were visiting standing around the crib and I was wondering who all these people were. Lilian told me they are probably visiting the other girl, and then I saw the girl at the other end of the bed who is sharing this bed with Wilbroda. I couldn’t see her at first because of all the people blocking my view. I couldn’t imagine this, but this is how it is, the hospital is so crowded that this is what they do.
I caught Wilbroda’s eyes, when she saw me she gave me a smile, and then she gave alan a smile as well. We waited around and Lilian interpreted for us. Lilian had visited her grandfather in the hospital on Wednesday so she dropped in to see Wilbroda. Then Wilbroda didn’t want to talk at all, but today, two days later, she answered questions and she told us she would like to eat oranges. We told her we would visit her again tomorrow and bring some oranges with us. We were about to leave and Wilbroda got up and she walked a little bit with us outside the ward. Then we took her back in and left.
The whole ward had such a heavy smell of illness, the place was crowded with lots of visitors. The children in the beds looked very sick. Outside in the corridor you would be met by sick children from the other wards. There are 3 wards in this section. The children are standing around along the length of the corridor grouped together talking. There is one child lying on the floor in the middle of the corridor. Some are coming to greet us with hands extended to shake ours. The floor everywhere is all dirty, and around the beds in the ward were crumbs, stains from food, and many places the floor felt sticky under your feet. Can you imagine it? I was wondering if they would clean the floor at the end of the day.
In order to avoid the crowd we took the stairs and walked down, this was done in a more orderly fashion, people were walking down on one side and up on the other and again. Walking down the stairs you just see a sea of heads everywhere.
We met Lilian and alan and I went to Nairobi to visit Wilbroda at Kenyatta National Hospital. When we got off the bus and walked to the hospital entrance there were a lot of people all going the same direction. We got to the lift and people just jammed their way to the front, blocking the doors so that people couldn’t get out first and it just makes it harder for people to get in. We were packed into one elevator and fortunately we were only going to the 3rd floor.
We found Wilbroda in a crib-bed in Ward 2 where there are 10 beds in 2 rows. There were people who were visiting standing around the crib and I was wondering who all these people were. Lilian told me they are probably visiting the other girl, and then I saw the girl at the other end of the bed who is sharing this bed with Wilbroda. I couldn’t see her at first because of all the people blocking my view. I couldn’t imagine this, but this is how it is, the hospital is so crowded that this is what they do.
I caught Wilbroda’s eyes, when she saw me she gave me a smile, and then she gave alan a smile as well. We waited around and Lilian interpreted for us. Lilian had visited her grandfather in the hospital on Wednesday so she dropped in to see Wilbroda. Then Wilbroda didn’t want to talk at all, but today, two days later, she answered questions and she told us she would like to eat oranges. We told her we would visit her again tomorrow and bring some oranges with us. We were about to leave and Wilbroda got up and she walked a little bit with us outside the ward. Then we took her back in and left.
The whole ward had such a heavy smell of illness, the place was crowded with lots of visitors. The children in the beds looked very sick. Outside in the corridor you would be met by sick children from the other wards. There are 3 wards in this section. The children are standing around along the length of the corridor grouped together talking. There is one child lying on the floor in the middle of the corridor. Some are coming to greet us with hands extended to shake ours. The floor everywhere is all dirty, and around the beds in the ward were crumbs, stains from food, and many places the floor felt sticky under your feet. Can you imagine it? I was wondering if they would clean the floor at the end of the day.
In order to avoid the crowd we took the stairs and walked down, this was done in a more orderly fashion, people were walking down on one side and up on the other and again. Walking down the stairs you just see a sea of heads everywhere.
Home Church Nov 4th
Home Church
When I asked Ryan about church on Sunday he said he is not into African church. He would attend Fireplace - a Sunday afternoon outreach church to the street kids. Most of the Mzungu (white) missionaries go there.
Esther, Rhonda and I made plans to go to church in town. When we got there at 10am, we found out it does not start till 10:45, so we opted to drive into town and see what else we could find. Just as we where turning around, the phone rang. It was Ryan and he invited me to a home church. So we returned home and waited for him to pick us up. He arrived with Pierce and little Root.
The ride was about twenty minutes and the last km or so into the village was rough. The Pastor's two room house had one room, full of sofas, set up for church. The floor is dirt. It was very hot inside so I sat by the door. Esther sat on the porch with three other ladies. There were sixteen people in attendance including three pastors and three nursing mothers. A growing congregation to say the least.
The teaching was on Psalm 1:1-3. You must step outside the box of sin in order to go to heaven. By Christ on the cross, you are redeemed. The sermon was by Pastor Andrew Namazaki - John 15: 1-8 focusing on “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
The Congregation is trusting God to provide the money for the Plot they need to buy to build their new building They have $2,500.00 of the $4,000.00 they need, and the plot picked out in the village. This is their big prayer request of the day.
When I was asked to speak (Yes, Marcia I spoke… ) I told them how I had been called to be here today, and I chose to be here; that I am Jewish and Jesus lives in me. These are the days! Many are called but few are chosen. And they had been chosen if they were here today. I declined reading the word and prayed over the offering and closed with ...
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you his Shalom
alan in Africa
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The trip to Kitale
The trip to Kitale
So after 2 days delay in order to take care of things in Donholm we had a quiet day Wednesday, We went to town and bought a bus ticket and had lunch with Pastor Mark from Athi River. We were back in Donholm by 2 Pm. Lillian came to visit. Esther and Lillian went and said goodbye to Jessica and took her a birthday present. Jessica’s birthday is November 8th, 1993. I lay down and took a nap!!!
I was awoken at 6:00 PM by a call from Elizabeth to tell me she was now back from the hospital with Wilbroda, who was released the day before. Praise the Lord. Esther and Lillian soon arrived and we moved all our bags downstairs and sat down and had a drink waiting for the taxi. There here was no time to go back and visit Wilbroda much to our chagrin. The taxi arrived, we loaded everything and said good bye and off we went to Nairobi for the bus. We had left lots of time since there are often serious traffic jams. About half way to the bus station I realized I did not have my BACK PACK!!!!! It had my laptop in it, passports, wallet, ID, lots of cash (to name a few things) and this is why I hand carry it always. Somehow in the hustle and bustle I had left it at the table in the restaurant - a restaurant in Africa. WOW.
Panic set in. But just as quickly I realized that God had revealed this to me so He was watching over it. This is what I call faith. Still, it is hard to control the physiological and psychological reactions to such a situation. So I prayed and right away I calmed down. John the driver took quick action and headed back through the Industrial area to avoid the jam. I called Murage the manager of the restaurant and he confirmed he had it. Now I needed only that the contents to be intact and to beat the traffic jam in order to make the bus. God was in control and by this point we knew we had made it.
We arrived at 8:40 over ½ an hour early with all intact. Thank God.
The ride was rough but I managed to sleep a few hours and we arrived safe and sound in Kitale. It sure felt good to sleep in a bed and have no rush in the morning to deal with.
alan
So after 2 days delay in order to take care of things in Donholm we had a quiet day Wednesday, We went to town and bought a bus ticket and had lunch with Pastor Mark from Athi River. We were back in Donholm by 2 Pm. Lillian came to visit. Esther and Lillian went and said goodbye to Jessica and took her a birthday present. Jessica’s birthday is November 8th, 1993. I lay down and took a nap!!!
I was awoken at 6:00 PM by a call from Elizabeth to tell me she was now back from the hospital with Wilbroda, who was released the day before. Praise the Lord. Esther and Lillian soon arrived and we moved all our bags downstairs and sat down and had a drink waiting for the taxi. There here was no time to go back and visit Wilbroda much to our chagrin. The taxi arrived, we loaded everything and said good bye and off we went to Nairobi for the bus. We had left lots of time since there are often serious traffic jams. About half way to the bus station I realized I did not have my BACK PACK!!!!! It had my laptop in it, passports, wallet, ID, lots of cash (to name a few things) and this is why I hand carry it always. Somehow in the hustle and bustle I had left it at the table in the restaurant - a restaurant in Africa. WOW.
Panic set in. But just as quickly I realized that God had revealed this to me so He was watching over it. This is what I call faith. Still, it is hard to control the physiological and psychological reactions to such a situation. So I prayed and right away I calmed down. John the driver took quick action and headed back through the Industrial area to avoid the jam. I called Murage the manager of the restaurant and he confirmed he had it. Now I needed only that the contents to be intact and to beat the traffic jam in order to make the bus. God was in control and by this point we knew we had made it.
We arrived at 8:40 over ½ an hour early with all intact. Thank God.
The ride was rough but I managed to sleep a few hours and we arrived safe and sound in Kitale. It sure felt good to sleep in a bed and have no rush in the morning to deal with.
alan
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