Back in Nairobi

A large part of our time back in Nairobi was spent scoring all the assessments, and compiling all in information. Then Jim took all that information and created a 150 page report on all the data we collected. The Lutheran Church of Kenya will use this information to build it's AIDS education program around, and also to receive funding for the program.

Maize

On our drive back to Nairobi, we stopped to pick up some Maize for our driver, Samuel. This is a picture of how they dry the corn before it's ground into Maize. Notice the tire tracks? It amazed me that it never seemed to matter who or what walked or drove on the corn that was drying.

Pokot

Our last venue was in Pokot. It was obvious while doing interviews that this area was more rural than the others, and the people had been given less education about HIV/AIDS than those in the other areas. They were so grateful for the opportunity to learn more. This woman with me is Mary. She was one of the people living with HIV whom we interviewed. I bought a purse and an bunch of necklaces from her that she had made. She posing for a picture with me wearing one of her necklaces. She told us that it's hard for her to sell the things she makes. No one wants to buy from her if they know she is HIV positive.

Lake Victoria

We were also able to stop quickly at Lake Victoria, long enough to take a couple pictures. This is actually the bay of the lake. It's the second largest freshwater lake in the world - second to Lake Superior.

Cooking

This is a solar crok-pot. Put the beans or rice and everything else in it in the morning, place it out in the sun, and it's ready by dinner.

TLCK Offices

We stopped at the head office of the Lutheran Church of Kenya on our way to Pokot, which would be where our last assessments would take place. Here is a picture of the offices, and David Chuchu with his wife, Mary. David was the organizer for our trip and what we would be doing. He took care of getting everyone to all of our venues.

Maternity ward

These are pictures of the maternity ward in Kisii. Since I was not able to help with assessments that day, I was able to talk the head of the ward into giving me a tour. There were no women there that day. She told me that they try and get the women to stay 24 hours, but many of them leave after they take a nap. They usually walk back to their homes.

Kisii venue

The day after we went to the Mara, we spent the morning driving through the park again, and stopped on the way out to eat our sack lunches. At lunch, we started dropping like flies. Apparently something we ate at the fancy restaurant eventually made all but one of us sick. I was the second to get get sick, and spent most of the day with my head out of the bus window, because we didn't have any buckets in the bus. Our next venue was in Kisii. Five of us ended up staying in the hotel for the morning, and joined the rest of the group in the afternoon. This was the larget turnout we had for any of our sessions. Since we were missing almost half of our group, the team members who were there trained English speaking Kenyans how to give the assessments. It went really well! By the time we got there in the afternoon, there were only 8 assessments left to do.

animal pictures

Here are some pictures from the drive-through safari we went on at the Masai Mara park. It was a lot of fun! Yes, we were that close to the animals. What a great experience!

Dancing

These are pictures of the Maasai men and women singing and dancing for us. It was really spectacular to see the men jump!

Fire

The Maasai men demonstrated for us how they make fire. They turn the stick in a curcular motion back and forth until ashes form. Then the put the ashes on hay and blow gently until fire is ignited. It takes a great deal of patience!

Maasai houses

Here is a picture of Massai homes, and the bedroom in one of the homes. The man who showed us the inside of his house was eager to show it off! He had me sit on his bed (pictured here) and bounce on it. It was actually quite comfortable.

Maasai village

After the rescue mission, we drove to the Masai Mara park reserve. Before entering the park, we were able to go into a Maasai village just outside of the park, and were given a tour of the village by one of the villagers. It was really an amazing experience! This is a picture of the entrance to the village. There is a gate that they pull over the entrance at night. We were told that the women do all the building, and entrances to everything are all short so that when the men enter, they have to stoop down and show respect. Smart women. :)

Trinity Safaris

I'd like to tell you about the bus company that drove us all over Kenya while we were there. Their name is Trinity Safaris, and I highly recommend them if you ever choose to Safari in Kenya. Our driver was Samuel. Moses, the COO of Trinity Safaris, was also along for the ride. Samuel and Moses were two of the most polite, fun, informative people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. They knew the roads inside and out, and were always very willing to answer all of our questions about everything. They know so much more about their country than I know about mine. God couldn't have blessed us with two more wonderful guides.

Trinity Safaris does a number of different safaris, including a mission safari. If you're looking for a mission trip, check out their web site. www.trinitysafaris.com

Thank you, Samuel and Moses, for making out trip so special. :)

Nyagesa worship service

This is a song that the director of the Nyagesa church choir wrote for the service Jim was able to be a part of. It's a bit of a long story why the rest of the team could not go, which disappointed me a great deal. - But we all must compromise when "living" with 10 other people. Here is the song, which has been translated from it's original Swahili version:

Chorus:
There is a call of the Trumpet
There is a call of the Trumpet
The call is saying Jesus is coming
The call is saying Jesus is coming
Coming through the sky
Coming through the sky
Truly Jesus is coming
Truly Jesus is coming
Coming through the sky
Coming through the sky

1. There are many diseases in the world
There are many diseases in the world
AIDS is everywhere
AIDS is everywhere
And now in Nyagesa
And now in Nyagesa

Chorus

2. For there is no treatment , let us run to Jesus
For there is no treatment, let us run to Jesus
Women and Men
Women and Men
Youth and children
Youths and children

Chorus

AIDS has touched the life of every person in Kenya. The stigma and shame that is attached to this disease, especially in Africa, is overwhelming. Please pray for our spiritual leaders in Kenya, that they may be able to spread the gospel of forgiveness to everyone.

Nyagesa Rescue Mission

The morning after our assessment in Kisii, we loaded up into the bus to drive to the Masai Mara park. Before going, we dropped off two of our members at a church. Jim was scheduled to preach that day, and Don stayed with him. The rest of the team went on to the park, and we would meet up at our next venue. The place Jim was preaching at was Nyagasa Rescue Center. It is a rescue center for children orphaned because of AIDS, women cast out of their tribes because of their HIV status, and young girls who run away from their tribes because they do not want to be circumcised. It was an amazing place.

The center does more than just take care of people, it teaches them a trade that they can use. This is a picture of a man who grew up at the center as an orphan. He demonstrated his trade for us, carving soap stone.