The Guidebook says ‘don’t stand out in a crowd, be discreet and don’t draw attention to yourself. Very difficult to achieve when you are the only white person in town!
On Sunday I preached at the Central Police Chapel in Nairobi, on Jesus talking about setting the prisoners free. Always an interesting subject to preach to Police Officers about setting prisoners free, as we spend all our time at work locking them up! Nairobi is more expensive then Kericho – but I have been able to find real café lattes – so I am happy. I went to the Thorn Tree Café at the Stanley Hotel and enjoyed my latte and a piece of cake.
I am staying at the Hilton, as its in a central location, and I have hot water and air conditioning – a luxury. There is a nice Italian restaurant there – but I find the food a bit rich as I am used to a staple diet of rice!
On Monday, I left for Uganda, it was chaos at the airport, and took an hour to book in. The plane then left late but it was only a 50 minute flight. Kenya airways are fairly good (for an African Airline!!). It was a bit of a shock arriving at Entebbe, as they are redoing the terminal, and so the arrival side is several portacabins joined together. It was pretty quick, as I already had my visa. I then was picked up and taken to the Hotel – The Shangri-La, which is next to a Chinese restaurant (strange with a name like that) and behind the Kampala club. It has free internet access in the rooms and they also do your washing for free – so I have plenty for them!
I am now back in the Northern Hemisphere – and it is very warm and humid here. It is a small capital, built on seven hills, and my hotel is at the top of one of them. I went for a walk, got totally lost – mainly because the receptionist marked the hotel wrong on the map. It took 45 mins to walk into town – and 5 minutes to get back. It is much safer here, and people are more friendly, although you can’t go out at night. I found several coffee shops and tested their coffee.
Today, I have been to a Hand in Hand project at Katwe. A slum area, where they are building a new school, and Clinic for the local people. It used to be an area, where criminal lived – but the church has turned it around. I managed to bang my head on a nail in a bit of wood, as I was looking at the floor to check I didn’t tread on any nails! Nothing there to hurt – just a little bit of blood. I was introduced to a retired Policeman Patrick, and we had a chat about the different type of policing in our countries. I am going back tomorrow to meet the children, I was asked if I could sing- but I think the kids have enough problems – without subjecting them to my singing!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
From Sunny Kericho
I have finished at Sitotwet Bible College, and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and hopefully the students have as well! It was certainly different teaching by writing on a blackboard – and not using PowerPoint or Word. We did use the computer to listen to some sermons I had on CD, which seemed to go down well.
I had put a picture of the College on the computer I had built them, and some couldn’t understand how it had got there! They also had a look at my computer, and couldn’t quite understand how it works. However, I am going to do some computer classes in June, when I return.
On Thursday, we did a workshop, where they had to preach for 2 minutes on a nominated verse of scripture. It went well, some tried out the new ideas we had discussed, and everyone took part enthusiastically. They had also been set an assignment ‘in an electronic world is preaching still relevant?’ and I then marked it, most of them came out with some good arguments. Some of the English grammar was worse then mine – but they weren’t marked on that. We also analysed a sermon, they had listened to, and again they provided good feedback. I have introduced them to group work, as opposed to didactic teaching, and they seem to enjoy it.
It is still nice and warm here, although we have rain most afternoons. I have been helping the AIC Pastor to set up his email account and basic computer instruction. He is very friendly and likes me to go with him to place, although I did turn down his offer of going to a funeral with him today!
The Ronoh family came to the hotel for dinner last night, and we enjoyed good fellowship and discussed ideas for the future. The hotel menu had baked beans as an appetizer – which is certainly different, the chicken was nice.
I will be off to Nairobi tomorrow morning – and then to Uganda on Monday. So the next update should be early next week.
I had put a picture of the College on the computer I had built them, and some couldn’t understand how it had got there! They also had a look at my computer, and couldn’t quite understand how it works. However, I am going to do some computer classes in June, when I return.
On Thursday, we did a workshop, where they had to preach for 2 minutes on a nominated verse of scripture. It went well, some tried out the new ideas we had discussed, and everyone took part enthusiastically. They had also been set an assignment ‘in an electronic world is preaching still relevant?’ and I then marked it, most of them came out with some good arguments. Some of the English grammar was worse then mine – but they weren’t marked on that. We also analysed a sermon, they had listened to, and again they provided good feedback. I have introduced them to group work, as opposed to didactic teaching, and they seem to enjoy it.
It is still nice and warm here, although we have rain most afternoons. I have been helping the AIC Pastor to set up his email account and basic computer instruction. He is very friendly and likes me to go with him to place, although I did turn down his offer of going to a funeral with him today!
The Ronoh family came to the hotel for dinner last night, and we enjoyed good fellowship and discussed ideas for the future. The hotel menu had baked beans as an appetizer – which is certainly different, the chicken was nice.
I will be off to Nairobi tomorrow morning – and then to Uganda on Monday. So the next update should be early next week.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Sitotwet Bible College
Lecturing at the Bible College is hard work! I have been doing it for three days now, and I was planning on 9am to 12pm, but when I arrived they had changed the times from 8am to 12.30, and want some extra presentations in the afternoons. It has been an interesting learning curve, as whilst the lectures are all in English, sometimes they do not understand the concept, so I have to break it into simple language. They have done well in the group work and come back with some good answers, although it would be better next time to give written instructions, not verbal. Over 40 people have attended. I have been talking about presentations and speaking. I set some homework yesterday, so I have to mark that tonight.
I must have been reasonable as they asked me to come back in June for two weeks, and teach a block on one of their core subjects. They learn different here, most of the teaching is front loaded, and they are unused to discussion groups. I am going to teach them the ‘Lowry loop’ method of preparing a sermon – which should be interesting, as it is an American concept, and will be difficult to get across.
I spoke about PowerPoint today, and some had never heard of it! However, we have provided them with another computer, that I built with some spare parts, and a donation from my Church. This means they will be able to try out new ideas. They also pleased with the books that I rescued from my shed, and the one my Grandmother bought for the college. They come from all over Kenya and the conditions here at the college are quite basic. I am glad I am staying at the Tea Hotel. If Linda was here, she wouldn’t eat or drink, in case she needed to go.
I have been keeping in touch with Linda. And she has been both sending me text messages and emails. She even updated me on the football results and Chelsea’s fine win in the FA Cup. She is still enjoying her work.
I went to a fellowship meeting on Tuesday, and end up preaching, as it was the Pastors turn, and at the last moment passed the baton over to me. They certainly enjoy their singing. We are still having rain and thunderstorms, but today is very bright and sunny. I was trying to explain to the class, it was snowing in England, but most of them haven’t seen snow and needed me to explain it. The electricity seems to go off most evenings for a while.
I am going back to Nairobi on Saturday and then onto Uganda next week.
I must have been reasonable as they asked me to come back in June for two weeks, and teach a block on one of their core subjects. They learn different here, most of the teaching is front loaded, and they are unused to discussion groups. I am going to teach them the ‘Lowry loop’ method of preparing a sermon – which should be interesting, as it is an American concept, and will be difficult to get across.
I spoke about PowerPoint today, and some had never heard of it! However, we have provided them with another computer, that I built with some spare parts, and a donation from my Church. This means they will be able to try out new ideas. They also pleased with the books that I rescued from my shed, and the one my Grandmother bought for the college. They come from all over Kenya and the conditions here at the college are quite basic. I am glad I am staying at the Tea Hotel. If Linda was here, she wouldn’t eat or drink, in case she needed to go.
I have been keeping in touch with Linda. And she has been both sending me text messages and emails. She even updated me on the football results and Chelsea’s fine win in the FA Cup. She is still enjoying her work.
I went to a fellowship meeting on Tuesday, and end up preaching, as it was the Pastors turn, and at the last moment passed the baton over to me. They certainly enjoy their singing. We are still having rain and thunderstorms, but today is very bright and sunny. I was trying to explain to the class, it was snowing in England, but most of them haven’t seen snow and needed me to explain it. The electricity seems to go off most evenings for a while.
I am going back to Nairobi on Saturday and then onto Uganda next week.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Back at Number 10
After a word from the Rev Rono I have been moved to number 10. It’s a bigger room with more space, he normally books it for me. It has been a busy weekend, on Saturday I was sorting out computer bits, and some photocopying. We had lunch, and I had a nice piece of fish, but Linda wouldn’t have liked it as he still had its head on – and kept looking at me.
Over dinner, someone tried to report a 419 fraud to me, that appeared to have started in the UK. If he paid them several thousands of Kenyan shilling, they would deposit $8 million in his account and he could keep the interest. He believed in it, but after reading the letter, and noticing the yahoo email account, I was able to tell him it was a scam. However, he appears to have paid the money. Its normally Africans who try this scam out in the UK. At the internet café, I ‘goggled’ the name and had hundreds of hits, outlining the scam.
In the evening I went to Pastor Chumo house for supper. He has five children aged between 1 and 10, they were all very well behaved, one was called Timothy. They are their dinner properly, and then sat still, no messing around or fighting or jumping all over me! I did some writing with Timothy. They had not had electricity for two days, but did a very nice dinner of chapatti, stew, potato’s and rice.
Sunday has been a strange day, it was very warm this morning, and quite humid. This afternoon we had thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail stones and lightening. The electricity has been off most of the day, and this evening it stays on for an hour, before going off again – its like being back in Albania.
I have now made all the notes for the lecturing at the Bible College next week. It was hard work preaching twice, this morning and I did two different sermons. I had to get up early for the 8am service – and then it didn’t start till about 8.20, and I had to cut the sermon short to finish at 9.30 – for the next one to begin. I spoke on Jeremiah and it seemed to go down well. They were singing hymns from Golden Bells (for those old enough to remember it!!) – But they are better at singing praise chorus, as they couldn’t quite get the hymns in tune. There was no rhythm in the hymns they choose, which didn’t help their singing style
The second one is in Swahili and so I didn’t understand much of it. The singing was better and lots of people did a presentation, including the choir. I preached on Moses, and why me, surely someone can go. I was meant to preach for 50 minutes, but ran over by 10 – well it was 50 minutes African time! The sermon was translated into Swahili, which means it takes longer. They seemed to be challenged by it.
I went for dinner with Joseph and the Pastor, and had steak. They had a church council meeting, so I got the local paper and wandered back to the hotel. After reading the paper, I had an afternoon nap, until I was woken by the hail stones.
I had been watching the Sweeney, picking up a few interview techniques, although I fell asleep halfway through. According to the papers, it appears the Kenyan Government have a policy that the Police can shoot to kill in relation to armed robbery and firearm offences. Perhaps I can suggest that in the UK, it would improve the detection rate, and CPS wouldn’t need to keep dropping all the cases!!
Well its going to be a busy week, so not sure when I will update the blog again.
Over dinner, someone tried to report a 419 fraud to me, that appeared to have started in the UK. If he paid them several thousands of Kenyan shilling, they would deposit $8 million in his account and he could keep the interest. He believed in it, but after reading the letter, and noticing the yahoo email account, I was able to tell him it was a scam. However, he appears to have paid the money. Its normally Africans who try this scam out in the UK. At the internet café, I ‘goggled’ the name and had hundreds of hits, outlining the scam.
In the evening I went to Pastor Chumo house for supper. He has five children aged between 1 and 10, they were all very well behaved, one was called Timothy. They are their dinner properly, and then sat still, no messing around or fighting or jumping all over me! I did some writing with Timothy. They had not had electricity for two days, but did a very nice dinner of chapatti, stew, potato’s and rice.
Sunday has been a strange day, it was very warm this morning, and quite humid. This afternoon we had thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail stones and lightening. The electricity has been off most of the day, and this evening it stays on for an hour, before going off again – its like being back in Albania.
I have now made all the notes for the lecturing at the Bible College next week. It was hard work preaching twice, this morning and I did two different sermons. I had to get up early for the 8am service – and then it didn’t start till about 8.20, and I had to cut the sermon short to finish at 9.30 – for the next one to begin. I spoke on Jeremiah and it seemed to go down well. They were singing hymns from Golden Bells (for those old enough to remember it!!) – But they are better at singing praise chorus, as they couldn’t quite get the hymns in tune. There was no rhythm in the hymns they choose, which didn’t help their singing style
The second one is in Swahili and so I didn’t understand much of it. The singing was better and lots of people did a presentation, including the choir. I preached on Moses, and why me, surely someone can go. I was meant to preach for 50 minutes, but ran over by 10 – well it was 50 minutes African time! The sermon was translated into Swahili, which means it takes longer. They seemed to be challenged by it.
I went for dinner with Joseph and the Pastor, and had steak. They had a church council meeting, so I got the local paper and wandered back to the hotel. After reading the paper, I had an afternoon nap, until I was woken by the hail stones.
I had been watching the Sweeney, picking up a few interview techniques, although I fell asleep halfway through. According to the papers, it appears the Kenyan Government have a policy that the Police can shoot to kill in relation to armed robbery and firearm offences. Perhaps I can suggest that in the UK, it would improve the detection rate, and CPS wouldn’t need to keep dropping all the cases!!
Well its going to be a busy week, so not sure when I will update the blog again.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Back to Kenya
Back in Kenya. Nothing has changed much, the roads are still bad, they drive like maniacs, overtaking on blind bends, the weather is warm and wildlife everywhere. I am in Kericho, and en route I saw some Baboons walking along the road, Zebras roaming freely, and flamingos on the lake. At least with Linda at home we didn’t have to stop every 5 minutes for an animal picture.
The weather is warm, no rain so far, but the rainy season starts soon. I walked back to the hotel from town today – and found out how unfit I am, it was hard work in the heat, and at a high altitude.
The flight was good on the way over, I had plenty of room, as premium economy wasn’t very full. I dozed most of the way, listening to Dolly Parton. I was picked up at the airport and came straight to Kericho, a five hour drive, it was exhausting, but I am glad to do it in one journey. I slept for most of the evening and night.
I went with Joseph to Mogonjet today. The window frames we helped to prepare, now all have windows in them, and it looks good. They have started building a science block, the foundations are laid. We met the new headmaster of the Secondary School, and he seems to have things organised. I gave them hundreds of pens, spoons and three jumpers Linda had knitted. They were very thankful. The jumpers will fit some of the smaller children.
I went for dinner with Joseph and I had samosa and chipati, very nice. I then found a new internet café and spend an hour there sorting out my email, before walking back to the Hotel.
I have been doing some preparatory reading for the lecture I am to give next week and making some notes. I had a nice steak for my tea, the only problem up here there is little variety – no warthog, kudu or camel to eat.
The weather is warm, no rain so far, but the rainy season starts soon. I walked back to the hotel from town today – and found out how unfit I am, it was hard work in the heat, and at a high altitude.
The flight was good on the way over, I had plenty of room, as premium economy wasn’t very full. I dozed most of the way, listening to Dolly Parton. I was picked up at the airport and came straight to Kericho, a five hour drive, it was exhausting, but I am glad to do it in one journey. I slept for most of the evening and night.
I went with Joseph to Mogonjet today. The window frames we helped to prepare, now all have windows in them, and it looks good. They have started building a science block, the foundations are laid. We met the new headmaster of the Secondary School, and he seems to have things organised. I gave them hundreds of pens, spoons and three jumpers Linda had knitted. They were very thankful. The jumpers will fit some of the smaller children.
I went for dinner with Joseph and I had samosa and chipati, very nice. I then found a new internet café and spend an hour there sorting out my email, before walking back to the Hotel.
I have been doing some preparatory reading for the lecture I am to give next week and making some notes. I had a nice steak for my tea, the only problem up here there is little variety – no warthog, kudu or camel to eat.
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