Well I am back at number 10 - the previous occupant has moved on. I haven’t been offered the role of a local chief yet, but there is still time. I have shaken lots of hands, smiled at a few babies and eaten local Kenyan food.
I landed on Friday, the flight was ok, and was picked up by the driver from the airport. He decided to go a different route, much better road he said, slightly quicker he said, famous last words. It was a mud track for most of the way, and it didn’t help when a bus and lorry got stuck, so we sat in a traffic jam for two hours. There are no other roads that you can use as a short cut – you just sit there. So a five hour road trip, lasted over seven hours! It was near the Masai Mari – but I didn’t see any animals.
The Hotel staff recognised me – “ Hello Mr Simon, how are you, you normal room”. Even the waiters and managers come and talk to me, to check I am ok. On Friday evening I went to Joseph’ house for supper, and just managed to stay awake. He brought me back to the hotel, so I could have an early night and some sleep – no chance – it was Kenya’s independence day, and the hotel had a live band and my room is over the room they used – it finally finished at 0200!!!
On Saturday, I went down to Mogonjet School, to see how the new building of the science block was proceeding. It was coming up slowly, and is typical Kenyan workmanship – but they will get there in the end. After this we went to his brothers house, they have a six month old baby, and it was a day to celebrate this. They had killed a goat for us to eat (I am not sure the goat was too happy about this) and so we stayed for lunch. I got to hold the baby – and no it didn’t cry, puke or the other end on me.
On Sunday I was preaching at a church in rural Kericho, and Joseph came with me. It was a big church, and well constructed with money given by the former President Moi. In fact it looked a bit out of place in the rural area. I preached on 2 Cor 3 v3, about Christians being a letter from Christ, in modern terms we are now emails, but I didn’t going down that road, as I would probably have lost them. After church we were invited to a local families house for dinner, and this was very nice. We had rice, with a small bit of meat, and some kidney beans. In the evening I was preaching at Kenya Highlands Bible College and spoke on Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. The incident, when they complain to God, about having only manna and no meat. I can understand their frustration – I only get black coffee or tea here – no café latte or Starbucks!
On Monday I was at the Bible College all day, lecturing on Leadership. I have thirty students in my class and it is hard work, speaking all day. I have set them some group work, which they are doing. I need to find time this week to write the exam. However, they are all keen, and keep asking questions, most of them are relevant, and we have a few laughs along the way.
I have been too busy to get to an internet café – which shows I must be busy, however I hope to post this in the next few days.