Safari

So many things have happened over the past couple of weeks, it’s hard to know where to begin!

Maybe I can start with Mike’s arrival in Bungoma and give a quick rundown of the three weeks following.

Three weeks ago, I went to pick up Mike at the bus station in Bungoma, found the bus EARLY and he was standing outside waiting for his luggage.  It’s incredible that the bus arrived early, since that hardly ever seems to happen, and it was almost surreal to see him in the midst of Kenyans on a dusty road.  He was finally in my African home!  After greeting each other, watched intently by Kenyans all around, we walked to the matatu stage and travelled to Kabula.  Over the next couple of days, we went hiking in Sangalo, visited the school where I taught and Mike got to know the Lubanga family a little bit. 

On Wednesday, it came time for us to leave and I found it incredibly difficult to say goodbye to everyone!  It is such a wonderful thing to be so welcomed into a very different culture and become familiar and comfortable with a new way of living.  Leaving behind all the people who had graciously helped me was challenging!  But I’m thankful that we will be able to stay in contact and hope to return and visit them someday.

We arrived at Lake Naivasha on Wednesday afternoon and could finally set all our heavy luggage down in one spot :)  We spent the following three days staying at the lake and exploring the area.  On Thursday morning, Mike and I got up early and rode the bikes we had rented the previous day to Hell’s Gate National Park, about 5 km from the camp where we were staying.  It was not at all crowded, so we had almost the whole park to ourselves!  We decided to take the 14 km Buffalo Circuit and then ride down to the gorge, which is one of the most visited places in the park.  What we didn’t know, however, was that the 14 km Buffalo Circuit went uphill to the highest point in the park, and then down the other side.  :P  But after many rests and much perseverance, we reached the lookout point at the top of the mountain and the view was breathtaking.  You could see mountains and valleys and cliffs all around, as well as the lake.  As we were taking a break after having some lunch, Mike asked me if I would marry him!  And I said YES!!!  He gave me the most beautiful ring, which I wasn’t expecting, since diamond rings are not common in Germany, and we rejoiced in the goodness of the Lord to us. 

After we rode down the mountain, en route to the gorge, we saw lots of zebra, giraffe, warthog, and gazelle.  We hiked down the gorge with a guide and were able to see lots of different-colored rock, as well as some hot springs.  The diversity in landscape and wildlife that God has created out of His infinite goodness, creativity, and beauty is incredible!

The next couple of days were spent recovering from the 35+ km biked on Thursday, as well as moving camps and enjoying peace and quiet from our camp above the lake.  We set up an outdoor kitchen and discovered all that we could make with fresh foods from the market, minimal utensils and a fire.  Chapati with guacamole, fantastic fruit salad, mandazi, and grilled chapati with ham, cheese, and tomatoes was the menu for the next several days.  :)

On Sunday afternoon, we met up with my cousin Vicki in Nairobi and left the following day with her for safari in Tsavo East National Park.  We saw lots of elephant herds in Tsavo, as well as giraffes and several lions!  One evening on the way back to the camp, we spotted a mother with four small cubs :)  It was great to be able to view animals from the porch of our tent and to have coffee delivered mornings before our game drives!  We headed by bus to Mombasa after Tsavo and spent a few days on the coast.  Visited Fort Jesus, the beautiful beaches in Watamu, and the curio shops in Malindi.  While in Watamu, Mike saw a camel walking along the beach with its owner and went to ask the man if we could ride the camel.  Later that afternoon we were able to do just that!  A little bumpy and slow, but fun! :D  

Also really enjoyed the spice market in Mombasa where you can buy curry, saffron, masala, vanilla, chili, and much more!  The colors and smells were wonderful!

Spice market Mombasa

Mike left from Malindi to fly back to Germany while Vicki and I flew farther up the coast to the old town of Lamu.  Lamu is a town with a high population of donkeys, since that is the primary mode of transport on the island.  There is even a donkey sanctuary for those who have been injured or orphaned.  The town itself is distinctly different from most in Kenya.  The influence of tourism is obvious, as well as the presence of Islam.  Still, the town is charming in its own way and the laidback attitude of people is evident in their continual  admonishments to tourists, “pole pole!” (slowly, slowly).  Vicki and I took a dhow ride one morning around the island to nearby Shela beach and back.

Lamu

The excursions, landscape, and people were all wonderful and it was a great way to be able to end the trip.  We had beautiful sundowns as well as horseback riding through the plains.  It was also a treat to meet co-owners and National Geographic photographers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

For the last few days of the trip, we flew to Chyulu Hills National Park and stayed in the gorgeous Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge.  

Vicki and I flew back to Nairobi last Thursday and visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust before flying home.

Mt. Kilimanjaro

I feel so blessed to have had so many wonderful experiences over the past three months and to learn much from them!  If you would like to hear more about some of the needs I encountered during my time in Bungoma or are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me.

Thanks for following the blog and for thinking of and praying for me!

Kwaheri,

Heather

Mike and I in Hell's Gate NP

Engaged!

Feeding the elephants at the Wildlife Trust

Sunset in Chyulu Hills

Vicki with her elephant, Ishanga

Hell's Gate National Park

Fort Jesus

Nyumbani yangu

In case you were wondering what my hut looks like, here are a few photos taken recently.  There are basically three small rooms - 2 bedrooms and a main sitting/living area.  It has worked out really nicely, though, and I enjoy having my own place!

My bunk

View walking into the hut

Harusi

350 guests on a hot Kenyan day under a tin-roofed church, loud worship and lots of dancing.  The wedding I attended yesterday was so different than any I have ever experienced!  But there were so many wonderful things in it - I'll try to sum up just a few:
Two families, two communities are really being joined together in a Kenyan wedding.  The bride's family is "losing her" to be joined to the man and to establish a home with him.  Relatives and friends come from far and wide to celebrate this important step in the life of the couple.  Just through the joy and excitement of the families as they enter the church, you know they are so happy to see this marriage taking place and they are praising God for what He has done.  The flower girls, bridesmaids, and bride all dance down the aisle to the tune of "I am praising God" - how fitting to be singing a song of praise at this time to the One who orchestrates all to the good of those who love Him!
When the couple says their vows and exchanges rings, family and friends clap and cheer because they are excited about the commitment that is taking place and the new life that is beginning.

I truly was overwhelmed at the expression of joy and celebration evident in the ceremony yesterday.  It was a beautiful picture of Psalm 45,15:  "Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king."  Joy and gladness were very much present in God's house as all celebrated yesterday!

Isn't our God amazing in all He is and does?  Isaiah 63,7 says, "I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all that the Lord has done for us - yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses."  Every day we can stand up and sing a song of praise to Jesus because "His mercies are new every morning" and His faithfulness is surely great.

Have a blessed Sunday!
Heather

Worship team

2 of the 6 flower girls - dancing down the aisle :)

the beautiful bride!

Kisumu

The matatu is a crazy but also humorous Kenyan form of transport.  Imagine 15-20 people crammed into a 12 passenger van, along with luggage, kids, and the occasional chicken.  It can be loud, hot, and very squished!  Add to that three vehicle changes, resulting in a 2-hour trip being doubled, and you can see what our trip to Kisumu was like.

Despite all the hassle of getting there, we encountered many helpful and friendly people in town who helped us find where we were going.  I enjoyed having my first pizza in Kenya, as well as a cappucino :)  Thought since Kenya exports a lot of coffee it would be easy to find here, but that has not been my experience.

On Saturday morning we took a boat ride on Lake Victoria to view some hippos.  About 20 of them were in a herd and we got quite close to them!  We were also able to shop at the local Maasai market and find lots of beautiful, hand-crafted gifts.

Tonight more volunteers arrive on the farm, so things will continue to be busy.

Thanks for continuing to remember me in your prayers!

Heather

View of Kisumu

In a tuk tuk on the way to the lake

the Hippos!

Lake Victoria

our boat

Some of the wildlife on the lake

beautiful Kenyan sunset just a few minutes from the farm

:)  love this little girl!

„And a little child will lead them“ - Isaiah 11

It’s amazing how fearless and intuitive kids often are!  They will try something, when we are cautious, or remember something, when we’ve forgotten.  On Saturday afternoon, Anna, Katie, and I took a matatu to nearby Webuye Falls (aka Broderick Falls).  After an hour or so of being crammed into a severely overcrowded van (J), we arrived at the town of Webuye.  It took quite a bit of negotiation to get a good price for a piki piki, but it was worth it!  About 5 km. of stony, hilly road would have been more than we were up to walking at the time!  The falls themselves are beautiful and much more extensive than I had imagined.  After asking around, we found a path that would lead us around the side of a cliff and to the source of the falls.  As usual, there were plenty of kids around who were glad to show us the easiest way to get to our destination.  It’s wonderful to have such enthusiastic guides at your fingertips!  One of the girls also helped us cross the water, making sure we didn’t fall in :) .  We had a fabulous view and a relaxing couple of hours enjoying the water and the surroundings.

Tomorrow we start work on a small project – repairing the gate to Epico Jahn’s Primary School and painting it.  Let me rephrase that:  having the gate repaired in town and then painting it ourselves.  Glad to have something to work on now that school is out though! 

We plan on traveling to Kisumu on Friday for the weekend – hoping to see some hippos and buy some hand-crafted jewelry!

Kwaheri,
Heather

Webuye Falls

Made it all the way to the top!

Concentrating on not falling in ;)

Some difficult things to think about...

I have learned so much over the past few days through seeing extreme poverty and grief. 

On Thursday, Anna and I went to the funeral of a student who lost his father, along with Mr. Wanyonyi, Mr. Ochieng, and three other students.  When we arrived at the family's farm, we proceeded inside the house to view the body.  Some other family members gathered inside as one of the teachers started singing a praise song (similar to “On Christ the solid rock I stand”).  Everyone joined in in harmony, and it was really moving to see so many people lifting their hearts to Jesus in trust and hope!  During the following prayer, a baby reached out to touch my shoulder and I was able to hold her hand.  Her face and eyes remain etched in my memory, and I wonder what her life will be like in 10, 20 years?

Afterwards, we went outside to a tent where about 50 people were gathered.  Both teachers gave a short message in a mixture of Swahili and Kibukusu and all those attending were very welcoming to us.   After returning to school, we prepared for the talent show that was happening in the evening.  It was really neat to see how many students showcased their talent and did a very good job.  Acts ranged from dance to song to drama.  Anna, Katie, and I sang “Stand by me” with the help of a few students singing back-up.  It was interesting to spend time with the students “outside” of school and have fun!  We also judged the acts and gave the top 5 performers prizes.

Today was the last day of the term, which meant:  Form 1 and 2 students went home for 3 weeks, no classes were held, and the faculty had a meeting to review the past term and plan for the upcoming term.  After the meeting, we headed to the home of a Form 3 student, Maurice.  He lives about an hour away from Kabula, so we took a matatu to a nearby town, and from there, a piki piki.  It was so humbling to see his village and the compound on which his family lives.  They have a one room hut which is used for eating, sleeping, and living space.  They hadn’t eaten for the past 3 days, yet still managed to prepare a large dinner for us of cassava ugali and fish.   The leftovers were then eaten by the family.  I felt awful eating their food when I knew I could easily go without and was assured of a meal this evening.  It was especially difficult to see the mother and daughter who are HIV-positive.  This family is in such great need, particularly since the father passed away.  The girls were thrilled to get a pink jump rope and small stuffed animal. ..probably the first real toys they have ever owned.  :(  I brought a package of sillybandz which I gave to all the kids we met.  They were a little shy at first, having never seen a mzungu before, but were happy to get something colorful to wear!

There’s probably a lot more I could write, but I’ll stop for tonight.  Whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, think about all the many things you have to be thankful for.  Even on what seems like the worst day, we have so much to thank God for and praise Him for all His goodness!

It’s a privilege to have shoes to wear.

It’s a privilege to have drivable roads.

It’s a privilege to be healthy.

It’s a privilege to have easy access to education.

It’s a privilege to have meals to eat every day.

It’s a privilege to have parents who love you and provide for you.

Now I’m left thinking about what Jesus would have me do and how I can share His love in a practical way…

Until next time,

Heather

The sweetest little girls!

The kids with all their sillybandz on

Myself, Katie, Maurice, and Anna

Rafting on the Nile

Rafting down the first waterfall

All geared up to go!

I'm sitting on the right-hand side, 2nd from the front :)

Just returned from a weekend in Jinja, Uganda and am so thankful for what a wonderful experience it was!

We left on Friday afternoon to take the bus from Bungoma to Jinja.  Should be a 2.5 hour trip, but with police checks, immigration at the Ugandan border, and other interruptions, it ended up taking just over 4 hours.  Someone from Nalubale Rafting picked us up at the bus depot, though, and took us to the Nile River Camp which is a collection of small cottages and dorms overlooking the Nile at Bujugali Falls.  The view is absolutely breathtaking!

Having access to running water (even hot!), restaurant on location, electricity, etc made our stay feel very luxurious!

On Saturday morning we joined with 4 other people (2 from Slovakia, 2 from Holland) to go rafting.  Our guide was super friendly and experienced and made me feel very safe :)  Some of the rapids were grade 5, but all was fun and no worries.  The very first part of the water we went down was a 16 foot waterfall!  (Photos coming soon!)  It was incredible!  Throughout the day there were several rapids, as well as still pools where we could jump out and swim.  Definitely was a beautiful day:  exciting and a lot of hard work rowing, but such a wonderful experience!

Oh, and I even got a good burger at dinner on Saturday night!

Uganda is noticeably different from Kenya - more tropical landscape with fruit trees, palms, as well as mountains and rivers.  The people we met were also very friendly and helpful.  Driving to the river we saw pineapples, mangoes, bananas, coffee, sweet potatoes, yucca fruit, and rice being grown, which was fascinating.

Now a little rest before our last week of teaching at the secondary school.  Form 1 and 2 students break for three weeks starting on Friday.

Tutaonana,
Heather

View from the camp, overlooking the Nile

Fenesi - I think this is called yucca in English?  Really want to try some!

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Ready to go on the river!