July 12th

Carroll text messaged earlier today that Phoebe is better. She was released with medication and will get a full evaluation.

New Addition Late Last Night:

Yesterday five of us went ot the MCC Boy’s trade school about two hours from Nairobi, past Ngong, in the Rift Valley. Although Carroll, Wayne and Patrick said the road was better this year, I found that almost impossible to believe. We bounced non-stop at least for one and a half hours and I mean really bounced. The red volcanic dust was visible in the car. Claude said he was getting his lungs vacuumed after he got home. We had a laughs about looking like bandits in the wild wild west. Ultimately we went where there were no roads. Wow! What an adventure! The school there is wonderful with one building complete where they boys stay but several others waiting to be completed because of lack of funds- very sad because the MCC girls want to learn a trade that will position them well for life. While there, a Massai walked up in his red garb with his long sticks. The Massai are very protected of their land, and when taking a picture of their cows, they often become alarmed. After talking with he and his wife, he wanted to take pictures with us. We stopped at a village and bought authentic wares from the women but that is another story. There is so much more to tell but little time!

Today Carroll and I worked on the mural. Patrick took us walking through the valley. I truly think the people try very hard there….but what can you do when you have nothing? Most try to sell things but who has money to buy? Many women get up before dark, walk many, many miles outside the city to get bananas or greens to sell. We saw two women with a very very heavy load of wood strapped to their backs. They were carrying this several hundred pound load many miles to sell. I have probably seen pictures but unless you see the actual toiling, I don’t think their work can be appreciated. Our walk through the valley gave us more insight into the lives of the now 800,000 who live in the two square mile area. We walked through mud, dirt, trash and garbage and saw tiny cardboard shacks where these families live. The faces of the adults held suspicion, many had resignation. Most were going about the drudgery of their lives. I need better words to describe what I saw today. The most amazing part-the children. I saw a 2-3 year old down the street come turning to us saying, “How are you, how are you, how are you?” Then more children joined him smiling and enjoying our presence and response to them. They are innocent enough to be happy.

From the Browns:
This has been a trying day. Frances lost her passport so Wayne spent all day trying to get a new one. The rest of us went to the valley to finish painting. About 11am, Patrick took us to visit the sewing school and to tour the valley. To see that much poverty is overwhelming. I met my friend Betty today to plan next years safari to Fig Tree Camp. Gilbert has arrived in Nairobi from West Kenya so we hope to see him tomorrow. We miss all of you and continue to seek your prayers. Kisses to all the grandchildren and hugs to all the family and friends!

From the Greenes:

Today Lydia and Mom went with Francis and Wayne to help with the passport. Dad and I went back to MCC and walked through the slum. There are not words, and the pictures don’t come close to walking through the valley. We can’t imagine….I still can’t grasp life in that poverty! The music teacher is learning the guitar so fast, and the children LOVE to learn the new songs and sing with the guitar. I LOVE IT…..I could sing with them and play with the kids all day long! Praise God for their joy…true and pure joy about the little things in life!