We were invited to the Rop family celebration of their sons marriage and the birthday of their grandson. on Saturday. It was a posh event with a marquee in the garden and it was due to start at 1pm. This was slightly delayed to 5.30pm as the daughter in law’s family had been held up on the way by car problems. The food was nice and then the program was discussed and suddenly I was opening the programme with a sermon (albeit a very short one!). The Rops are good friends of ours so I didn’t mind – although we could not stay for too long as we had another pastor for dinner at our hotel. So we had to leave and rush back for dinner at the hotel.
We had already been to the college and assisted with getting things ready for graduation and helping them practice their marching. I can’t march in time ( but neither can they) but I can shout – so I am now in charge of getting the parade started. Although when I shout ‘Parade attention’ – most jump three feet high rather then stand correctly. It actually sounds quite professional as we start and march from the college to the Graduation Ground.
Linda’s shop has been expanding (and was even referred to by the Principal during the Graduation) and they had an additional site to sell books and drinks during the Graduation – so now she has two shops – Marks and Spencers watch out.
Sunday was the Graduation, the music was meant to start at 9am – but the musicians didn’t turn up till 10.30 so slight problem. This year we didn’t wait for them – but started without. We started about 10.15 which was only about 15 mins behind on the program – and they finished at 1.30 which was 30 minutes over schedule which was good for Kenya. Linda was in professional mode with her camera (about 200 pictures) and was like a Sergeant Major with the students ‘Stand here’ , “smile”, “you next”. She has given Moses (one of the students) her old camera – so now she has a protégé. She was giving him instructions – and he was following her around. He actually took some good photos of the banquet. She has explained how he needs to do it as a business so he can pay for the films and maybe towards his fees. Fortunately I only have to give a few words during the speeches.
We had to leave the graduation at 1pm to go Nairobi for another meeting in relation to the International Conference I am involved in organising later in the year. So it was express to Nairobi which still takes 4 hours and we arrived just in time to book in, drop the bags in the room before Kibinge was here to meet us. We went to look at the conference venue and then had a three hour meeting to discuss it. We finally got back at 9.30 – slightly tired. I managed to book in for our flight on line so it seems to be running.
We have a day of leisure so I am sitting at the pool in my shorts (not a pretty sight!) on the computer catching up with emails and correspondence. Linda has gone out to the Giraffe centre and an Elephant sanctuary. She has phoned to say she is having a good time and saw 21 baby elephants – can’t see the difference between seeing 1, 5 and 21 – all look the same, have four legs and a huge trunk. She was allow to pat them – Ah.
Linda is back from her exploits, she has taken over a 100 pictures of elephants – and I was right they all look the same. She stopped for a cup of tea and ended up chatting to a Swedish bloke and his family, telling them the best places to go in town. She just can’t sit on her own and be quiet (like me) she has to engage with the community and talk. I look on the bright side at least it gives my ears a rest – it has been peaceful sitting here by the pool.
There are a selection of the photos at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.werrett/Graduation2010#