SUNDAY--FEBRUARY 20, 2011

THE TEAM STAYED AT GRACEHOUSE RESORT, NAIROBI, KENYA

MY BED SURROUNDED BY MOSQUITO NETTING

THE KENYAN MEN WHO SERVED US BREAKFAST

JOHN SMITH EATING BREAKFAST AT GRACEHOUSE RESORT

LYNN SNITKER AND LEONA HARLIN EATING BREAKFAST AT GRACEHOUSE RESORT

SHEILA ENGLERT AND KASEY ENGLERT EATING BREAKFAST AT GRACEHOUSE RESORT

VICTORIA HENDERSON AND ALEXANDRA KEISTER EATING BREAKFAST AT GRACEHOUSE RESORT

MISSIONARY STACI KETER GIVING THE TEAM ORIENTATION

GOOD SHEPHERD AFRICA GOSPEL CHURCH, NAIROBI, KENYA

SANCTUARY OF GOOD SHEPHERD AFRICA GOSPEL CHURCH, NAIROBI, KENYA

I slept well last night.  After about five and one-half hours of sleep, I was awakened by men’s voices outside and the chirping/singing of some native birds.  The bird songs were beautiful!  So, I lay in my bed surrounded by mosquito netting listening and resting.  Breakfast was outside at the Grace House Resort where we stayed in Nairobi.  There were many Kenyans preparing and serving at the buffet.  There was much fresh fruit, juices, coffee, and pastries of different kinds.  Pancakes and omelets were made to order.  All table service was on glass dishes; there was no styrofoam or paper used.  Dishes were removed from the table as soon as the food was finished.

We worshiped at the Good Shepherd Africa Gospel Church pastored by Pastor Patrick Murunga.  The music was a mixture of English and Kiswahili. Some of the songs I had sung in the states.  But, some were completely new to me.  Pastor Patrick was known to some in our team who had been here before this trip.  The length of the worship was about one and half hours.  We ate lunch at Java House outside under umbrella tables.  The menu was similar to the menu at home.  I am surprised that so much of the communication is in English.  Kenyans speak a mixture of English and their native language when communicating with one another.  Most Kenyans readily understand English when spoken.

We experienced about a three hour trip to the Baby Centre near Nakuru.  We were transported via two seven passenger vans along with the luggage of the nine member team.  Adjusting to the movement of vehicles on the left-hand side is difficult and sometimes scary because of the unexpected movements.  Because of British influence, the driver sits in the right-hand front seat.  Movement of traffic through the many round-abouts is also scary.  Vehicles approach from the opposite side from expected.  Produce and other items needing to move from one location to another is done by lorry which is a very large truck.  The lorry reminds me of the large military transports that the US Army Reserve uses.  The lorry has twenty-two tires.  Some of the lorries are so heavy that the roadway is deeply rutted.  Few Kenyans have automobiles.  Most walk wherever they go to conserve money.  While traveling through a nature preserve we could see in the distance zebra, buffalo, gazelles, wild boar.  Cattle, sheep, and donkeys grazed along the highway.  We arrived at the Baby Center about eleven.  Along the way one of the vans quit running.  So, the other van towed it about half a mile to the Baby Center where we arrived about 11:00 pm Kenyan time.  Most of us readily went to bed.  But, few slept through the night.  The wear on the body is exhausting during about nineteen hours of flight plus walking and standing.  Adjustment to humidity, heat, and elevation changes has not been easy.