September 2007 Update
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Our last month in Kenya went by quickly. We finished up our projects, said our goodbyes, and felt both sad to be leaving and glad to be back home soon.
A young friend from Daystar spent a weekend with us – and she was feeling sad too, as it was the second anniversary of her father’s death.
For some sun and warmth, we went to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. In Dar, we had dinner with two friends – one of whom works for ILO and the other is with UNICEF. And on Zanzibar, we learned about all the spices that are grown there – cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardemon, pepper, curry, tumeric, vanilla, lemongrass and more. And we walked on fine, white sand on a couple of beaches, swan abit in the Indian Ocean, took an old wooden launch to Changu (White Snapper) Island where we saw giant land turtles - one of which is 138 years old and was a gift from the Seychelles almost a hundred years ago.
Our new friends, Frank & Anne Doll, stayed with us the nite before they returned to their home in Boston, after having lived and worked with the children in Tumaini for two weeks.
Then for a bit of adventure (which turned out to be more than we wanted), we went to Lake Turkana – to Loiyangalanie – where we stayed in Mosaretu Women’s Camp. It is run by 80 women from 4 tribes (Moro, Samburu, Rendille and Turkana). Have you all read or seen “The Constant Gardener”? James, our guide there, and one of the Mosaretu grandmamas are in the movie.
James wants to go to Thika Technical College to learn how to be a mechanic and then he wants to drive for a safari company. So if you, or someone you know, would like to help him, please let us know.
We spent a weekend with the children in Tumaini. Please pray that the 19 students in Form 4 (their last year in high school) who will write the national exams, starting on October 20, will do well on them since the grades they receive will determine whether or not they will go on to colleges or universities next year.
We spent a very short time with Melanie from Chicago – she’s with the Peace Corps. And then we visited the five young people from Riamukurwe (three are from Tumaini) who are attending Kenya Methodist University in Meru.
And we spent a morning with the daughter of one of Marilyn’s University of Alberta classmates. She arrived recently to work on a water project for the Oblate Mission Priests in Kionyo, which is close to Meru.
We spent a whole day learning about the wonderful work that Ripples International is doing in their USAID feeding program, and in their Hope and New Start Centers in Meru. If you, or someone you know, would like to adopt a Kenyan baby, please see www.ripplesintl.org
And we spent another whole day learning about the work that our University of Alberta Quaker Friend (Sabina) is doing to help Masai children and young girls in Bissel.
On our last Sunday in Nairobi, we saw President Kibaki (at the Basilica, once again) and this time, The First Lady was with him. And we had lunch at Java House with some Nairobi friends – and then we rode the City Hoppa, one last time – with approximately 55 non-wasungus, 2 live chickens, a wooden bed frame, a chair and a big bag of we don’t know what. Kwaheri Kenya.
Thank you God for stretching us this year – for taking us out of our comfort zone – for the new places we’ve seen - and for the new friends we have – and for granting us traveling mercies these past 4 months.
James and John Above Lake Turkana
Marilyn and John with Great Grandparents
John Giving Advice
Sabina with Masai Women & Children