Kenya Sunday 6/6/10

Slept just a couple of hours and found that both of us were staring at the ceiling. We talked a little and tried to get back to sleep. Our bodies are still on California time. Eventually we got back to sleep but by 5:00 am we were both done and got up and started the day. At 8:00 we went down for breakfast (Kenyan tea, toast, jam and peanut butter plus a fried egg). We knew that the Sisters would come by and pick us up to go the church but that was not until 10 (they wanted us to be able to sleep in, oh well).

Sister Pauline collected us and we went to church just up the road. It was the third service of the day and there were about 500 in the building for that service. The service included: a wonderful choir, young girls in the procession in red and white dresses who danced up the aisle, drums, tambourine, and Hammond organ. Yvonne was in hog heaven. Sister Pauline helped us through the service. She had said earlier that this would not be the short mass because of the Corpus Christi. I did not really understand until we walked out the of building 2 hours later (but who cares).

We came back to Assisi house for our first lunch with more song of welcome and meeting more sisters. This was the first time we would be able to see the three story building where we were going to fix the plumbing.

Then off to Bomas of Kenya. This is a cultural center that performs traditional dances for many of the tribes in Kenys ( about 2 ½ hours of dancing) and then toured the demonstration villages for many of the tribes. Sister Pauline was able to point out the differences between many of the different tribes and was especially proud of the buildings representing her tribe (Calenjin (sp)).

We were then taken to the Bomas house in the middle of a down pour, to meet those sisters and have dinner with them. Then back to Savelberg Retreat Center and our room. We collapsed.

June 5, 2010 First day in Kenya

Well we made it. We are now in Kenya but without internet. It was such a blessing to see Sister Margaret as we came down the stairs in the airport. Even though we could see her we still had to get the bags and of course they were last off of the plane. Then we went through customs. (Just a wave through). At last we were able to greet Sister Margaret and Sister Claudia. They were waiting with flowers of welcome. Outside was John and a Toyota pickup. I am sure glad that John was there to drive, as they use the British system and everything is on the wrong side of the road for me. They also drive wherever there is space.

We were taken to St. Clare’s hostel, which is where we first understood the concept of a compound. We came in through a gate and there were a group of buildings that are dormitories for students who are going to school at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.  The Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph bought this land and is building a haven for young ladies who wish to become educated. They recently purchased land next door and are in construction to enlarge this project.

We were greeted as they sang a song of welcome to us and then hot tea was taken and then a feast. All in a tiny room. The students took us on a walk after dinner to see the university and then we were taken to Savelberg Retreat Center where we have a room (with a shower and a toilet, what a blessing). We are around the corner from Sister Margaret’s convent (Assissi House).

We crashed but were awake at 3 am. Our bodies are out of whack.

Dubai

As you can see from the pictures, we are in Dubai. The flight was long 15 ½ hours but the meals on Emirates Airline were very good. Yvonne’s neighbor, an Indian woman and her son who were from San Francisco, were on their way to India to volunteer in an orphanage. Many years ago she worked with Mother Teresa. My neighbor was on her way to Kenya and then to Mt. Kilimanjaro where she too was going to work in an orphanage for two months. Her brother had come on a medical mission and introduced her to the possibility.

We are in the hotel and going down for dinner and then back to get some sleep (we did not sleep much on the plane). Tomorrow’s trip is only 5 hours and that looks like a walk in the park compared to today. This is Friday night in Dubai and it is Friday morning in Salinas. Still do not know how that works.

Last night home

Well we finally have everything (I hope) in a piece of luggage and all of the luggage is under 1000 lbs (Yvonne has corrected me we only have 165 lbs and we are allowed 230 lbs so a little dance is in order). Tonight the kids are coming over for ice cream sundaes.  Dylan asked me where we were going and I said "Kenya".  She then asked if it was far  away.  I told her it was farther than Disneyland (they have just driven there) but that was not good enough.  How much further.  After some discussion about driving to San Francisco and flying to Dubai and then flying to Kenya she gave up and asked if Kenya was over there pointing north.  Oh well, defeated by a five year old.  We are getting the globe down for the party tonight but I do not have much hope.

For all of you who have asked and thank you for asking,  Yes we have all of our shots, our visa, our passport, the water filter, our airline tickets and hotel vouchers, our herbs and medicines, tools, vitamins, good walking shoes, clothes that have been sprayed with mosquito repellent, hats, gifts for our hosts, and books to read when we have nothing to do (ha ha).

As you can see from the prior posting we are going on a Kenyan road trip with Sister Margaret so we are not clear when we will have Internet access.  We will write each day and post when we can.   Don't worry about us if you do not hear from us for a few days, you will get pictures and narratives of our adventures.  Whenever we get to Dubai (Friday night there and Friday morning here, we think) we should be able to post.  While we are in Kenya we will be about 11 hours ahead of Salinas (I do not know about Monterey).

We will see you in a month.  Blessings to all of you and thank you for your support.

Communication from Kenya

To give you all a feel of our wonderful host I have included her most reticent e-mail.  Enjoy.

Once again I say, Welcome to Kenya. I am excited and looking forward to your arrival and stay with us.  You will not inconvenience any one.  You are coming home.  When we were planning for this trip I was not in any leadership position therefore I had planned that you stay with my brother and his family. Now that I am in the key decision position, you will stay with me. You will be in Nairobi for a few days to recover from the jet lag. 

At this time I will be attending the Superior Generals' workshop in Nairobi. But you will be in company of our sisters. Sister Rosa (remember sister Rosa during my graduation - she was more senior to us; she is the assistant superior general and she will be in Nairobi too waiting to receive you home). Sr. Rosa will be with you while I will be in the workshop.

 

 Then we will go to Asumbi where we have the generalate and our mother house.

 

We  go to my home. On the way home we will stop at our convents for you to share in the life of our sisters and communities. On each stop I will be working with our sisters since I have been out for one month in Germany and Holland. We will stay at my home and visit our communities around home. While at Mbaga, Stanley will have a visit with our project coordinator. he will begin to have a feel of our needs. 

 

On the 19th of June we will have a meeting with about 30 sisters. They are project committee members, finance committee members and farm committee members. You will have a whole morning with us. Whatever you do we will appreciate.  The afternoon I would like Stanley to listen to our discussion because that will help us out working together the rest of the time. There is just so much I would like Stanley to do with us (attached please find the first seminar by Fr. Ben Kiriswa from April 26th to April 30th 2010)

 

I plan that we go to Mount Kenya. I also plan that we see Safari and some cultural dances.

 

 We will see the project I so much want to work on "blood and bleeding."

You will also work with the sisters due for their final vows, the novices, and aspirants. 

 

I don't want you to be tired - you will need some holidays too.

 

You will visit our Bishop

 

You will visit my sister's home - you remember my late Vincent? His home - about 60 miles away. We will stop there on our way to visit some of our communities.  Remember part of home coming is rest and play.

 

I am on my way to Holland and as I write  I too I am missing home.

 

I will wait for you in Nairobi and meet you at the airport. YOUR HOME COMING IS A GIFT.Blessing and love.

 

 

Sister Margaret Aringo, fsj Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph

Assisi Convent

P. O. Box 21197

Nairobi

Kenya

 

As you can tell we are being well cared for.  All is now in the the hands of the Lord.  

Kenya, the next adventure

Yvonne and I are setting up this blog so you can follow along with our adventure.

As most of you know Stanley and I have been invited to travel to Kenya by Sister Margaret Aringo, a friend that I met at Church Divinity School of the Pacific. We will be getting to know Kenya and its people as well as helping Sister Margaret with St. Clare's, a project to train village elders (mostly women) in leadership and public health techniques. St. Clare's will also set up a scholarship program to send young people to nursing school. This ambitious project is a result of her PhD research and will necessarily be a long term project. We will be teaching and supporting her efforts in ways that we do not really know at this point. (It is understood that Stanley will be doing a little plumbing and household maintenance for her convent, Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, Assisi House. He is really along as labor and support personnel.)

We leave on June 3 and will fly to Dubai and spend the night. We think that we will get to see a little of the town but who knows. We will let you know when we know. Then off to Nairobi to arrive on Saturday. We will probably sleep for two days and then you will hear from us again.

Pray for us and Sister Margaret.