Monday Update - June 18

Well, it sounds like they are very busy and that it has been a complete emersion in the culture over the weekend. On a personal note, something Gabe didn't include in this email - his wallet was either lost or stolen over the weekend. It included his debit cards with which he can get cash out, several hundered dollars in cash, a backup credit card, and his drivers license. I have already cancelled the cards, and fortunately Jaime is there with them right now, so if I can transfer money to his account, they should be able to get it out with his card. I'm not sure what they will do for their travels home, but I'm sure they will figure something out. Gabe called me yesterday and we were able to talk for about a minute and a half and didn't get to say much of anything before his phone card ran out. He didn't call back because he couldn't get another card - all the shops were closed. And I didn't find out til his email this morning about the wallet thing. He is supposed to call today, and I hope he does. We are having fun and are doing fine here in Allen. Will head to Sulphur Springs today and spend most of the week there. Love, Jill

Monday Update - June 18

WOW. What a weekend. We had quite a trip out to Kaloleni and Maziachenda over the weekend. Trent and Vince got a HEAVY dose of Kenyan life and I'm proud they survived and did so with dignity! We left Friday morning on the public bus to Kaloleni. we had to wait at the stage for about an hour as they packed, and loaded, and packed and loaded the bus. Once it was more full than we imagined possible, we headed out - we being us three, Jeremiah Muramba and Duncan Ziro. The journey was two hours of tortuous bumping and grinding up and down the rutted road. We arrived hot and sweaty in Kaloleni and proceeded to walk about a mile to the MCRC youth center where we were warmly received by Fredrick Kaingu. After taking a tour of the facility, which is a simple stone structure with a metal roof, we walked back into town and had a lunch of beans and chapati. That cold Coke sure tasted good. We picked up a couple of things in town and then returned to the youth center. We discussed what MCRC is trying to accomplish in the area and made some plans to build benches to help them prepare for an August Youth Retreat. The guys returned to town to purchase the lumber while our team remained at mcrc. We played Frisbee with some boys there and set up the tent. That evening the guys slaughtered a duck for supper and we helped cook that. We sat around the campfire and had some good discussions as well. That weekend there was a Provincial Soccer Tournament at the high school which is adjacent to mcrc. They played loud music, watched movies and generally made a LOT of noise ALL NIGHT long. We didn't sleep much at all. The next morning we went into town to buy tools and pick up the lumber from being planed. We got back about lunch time with a few boards, the rest weren't ready of course, and were able to make 5 benches before time to go. We purchased supplies to build 15 and left money to hire a carpenter to finish the job. We left MCRC and returned to town to catch a matatu to Maziachenda. Luganje met us there to escort us as Duncan and Jeremiah needed to return to Kilifi. We waited for 3 hours for a car and finally managed to find one. It took an hour to get there and we arrived way after dark - about 8pm at Luganje's house. We set up the tent, visited and ate supper about 10. Sunday morning, Charo Gunga and his uncles came by to visit. It was good to see them and catch up. We went to church about 11am and it lasted the usual 2 or 3 hours. All the ladies really sent their greetings to Jill. Bendera, especially, wanted to make sure that I greeted you using her name. They enjoyed seeing pictures of Avery and hearing about her. After church, we packed up and started the long journey back. We reached Kilifi at 8pm, had supper at the hotel and crashed for the night. We were all more than exhausted. We are back in Kilifi this morning. Jaime met us for breakfast and we took the guys out to Kilifi Bay Resort for a day of resting at the beach. Jaime and I have a board meeting for MCRC today in Kilifi and didn't figure they wanted to sit through that. Tomorrow we got to Malindi and then back here on Wednesday. We'll update you again soon! thanks for the continued prayers - they mean a lot. grace and peace, Gabe