Nakuru Hike

Went on my first hike here in Kenya on Saturday!  I was staying at Fiwagoh with the VO team that is here, and after Sabbath service Benson split all 210 kids into 3 groups.

The juniors

They were then given 3 separate routes to take.  The juniors were to go around the compound, down to the lake, over to see the monkeys, and back.  The middles were to go over the hill, down to the lake, and back.  Then the seniors were to go up the mountain, back down, and to the lake, and back.  I chose that one!

Part of the team + 70 or so teens

Heading Up

The view back behind us of the lake - note the rain clouds :)

It was amazing.  I think that is the largest group I have ever hiked with!  The view was indescribable and these pics for sure do not do any justice, but here is the view from the top.

And then, as soon as we were at the top and everyone took their pictures, those rain clouds let loose.  It began to deluge!!  We started RUNNING down the mountain and the whole way back, probably a good mile or two.  We were freezing, muddy, and soaked, all 210 kids and 25 team members, from every route.  It is a memory I doubt any of us will forget anytime soon!  Needless to say, the clothes lines were packed the next day :)

some of the team members in the middle of it

most of the team back at home base

Rag Dolls for Africa GO to Africa

The pictures aren't that great, but here are Nellie's kiddos getting their very own rag dolls!  The oldest got to choose first and everybody loved them.  Thanks mom and everyone who helped make them :)

Did you know

A few random tidbits I've noticed about this place:

*No one ever moves at a fast pace, EVER.  And so even when it starts to rain, yes we will continue to saunter along through town with absolutely no urgency to get out of it.

*Kenyans who are fluent in both Swahili and English will have a conversation where they interchange both languages like it were just one.

*It only costs somewhere around $300 to have a baby at the nice private hospital.

*This same nice private hospital will not let the father stay unless he pays for a bed.

*There are no addresses, only landmarks, even among the locals.


*Most conversations are conducted at just above a wisper (SO foreign to me!)

*It is 'cold' here.


*It is perfectly acceptable to breastfeed anywhere you like, including the middle of church.

That's all I have for now.  I'm sure there will be more later!

Pictures of the Week

Some things from the week:

Hospital room in Kenya - note no call button, recliner, basinet, food tray, tv, or medical equipment of any kind

I have already ridden all forms of transportation:



Bicycle

Boda Boda (motorcycle)

Tuk Tuk (3 wheeled motorcyle)

Matatu (14 passenger van that usually holds 18 or so)
Do not ride if you are claustrophobic or
 have any regard for personal space!

the kids sorting beans

going to church

A local boys high school comes to the home and plays with the kids once a term.  They also bring with them things like soap, tissue, sodas, and even cash to bless HOH with.  Here they are getting an encouraging word from Nellie before they leave.

With the new baby came a congratulatory cake from Nellie's cousin.  It was divided up and each child got a piece.  This is a rare treat for these kiddos.

Welcome Home Sean

Here is Mama and baby getting discharged yesterday. 

And proud grandmother keeping Sean dry.  Then 4 of us piled into the back seat of a COMPACT car (no car seat mind you) and headed home.

The children had not seen Nellie for almost a week due to her complications and delivery so they were SO excited to see her!

They are settled in now.  Though this new mama gets zero privacy between 36 other kids and the friends and family that continually cycle in.  But it doesn't seem to bother her one bit.  She is full of joy for this gift she has been given.

3 day old Sean in the outfit I brought for him







Blessings & Concerns

The morning here at Haven of Hope came with some great news!  Nellie gave birth in the wee hours of the morning to a healthy, beautiful baby boy named Sean.  Even though he came 6 weeks early, the doctors say his lungs are fully developed and he is just fine.  Momma is also doing great.  They plan on being discharged tomorrow and settling in back at home.

Also today, I went with the social worker here at HOH to take 2 kids to the hospital for HIV check ups.  Three children at Haven are HIV+.  One of them, Peninah, is responding well to the drugs and only has to have check ups every 3 months.  The two other girls, Beatrice and Lucy, 9 and 8 years respectively, are not responding so well and as a result have to go once a month.  The examination showed that they have lost weight from their last visit.  They are both about 5 kgs less than ideal weight.  This raises some major concerns.  We met with the nutritionist about how to better feed them and also picked up some more drugs.

Please lift up some prayers for both of these situations.


I could not upload the pictures to the blog so look for them on facebook :)