David and Lynne: May 2008

Time to update everyone- we have spent close on three and a half weeks here already! Time is flying.

It is quite rural out here. The compound where we stay has electricity but nowhere around us has such a luxury. Hence fresh produce other than what is at the market is all you can get unless you take a 4 hr trip to Eldoret. That is, there and back but it is still a long journey. One I am reluctant to take. Fresh meat is mutton or beef but I make sure I buy it on the day it is butchered as without any refrigeration it could be scary. There are plenty of flies out here.

So far have had to do a lot of entertaining which is a challenge with very different produce but most people only realize once they are here for a little while how dynamic a meal is(even my cooking). Still I have got my kids eating lots of cabbage salad. They don't like the spinach and sukima (also a green leaf vegetable). Other than that bananas, sour oranges and papaw are the only fruit available right now. I must say I look forward to cherry season when we get back to Canada.

As for the area it is very hilly with lots of great hikes. Robyn is still a reluctant hiker.

Every hill and slope is hand ploughed and planted with corn(which is the staple diet out here). It is really beautiful and to top it the weather is hot during the day with often a thunderstorm in the evening. It comes down as a torrent but lasts only a short while. In fact the day we arrived it had rained quite heavily and the roads were very slippery. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I think we were very fortunate to arrive safely as the roads can be quite treacherous.

As for our house it is lovely. Very simple but has an amazing view looking over the valley and across onto the mountains. Dotted all over the place are houses (huts) with fields. Our kitchen is tiny and sparsely equipped but totally adequate for our stay. Only still have to work out the gas oven as one minute I burn something and then the next minute it takes forever to cook. It took me 7 hours to cook a local free range chicken and then it was still not done. It was certainly an interesting meal.

As for the kids they are doing well. Robyn is counting the days for her return to Canada. Still I think she is enjoying herself and is in constant demand to play with the compound kids. They have also acquired 3 chameleons which they feed grasshoppers to each day. Each has a name and is a prized item. Tim has them in his room and the one baby always crosses his room to settle on a bicycle. They have free range in his room something I would never allow in Canada. I always wonder if one morning he will wake up with one crawling over him but they seem to enjoy sleeping on the branches all curled up.

Most Kenyans are afraid of chameleons so when ever anyone finds one, Robyn or Tim are called to come and catch them. A huge excitement for our kids.

There are also visitors coming and going all the time here. Mainly doctors filling in for the long term doctors who are away on furlough. Right now 2 chaps from the States, age 21 are visiting with their grandpa (a surgeon 76yrs old). Take that. He is amazing but he is looking very frail as was sick for a few days. The boys are great fun as they play games with the kids and keep them amused.

As for Dave the hospital has been very short staffed and at times he has been the only doctor available. Medicine is very different out here and a lot of changes are needed. Unfortunately many habits take a long time to change and unfortunately this is difficult to do as one needs to build up confidence and an understanding of the culture, language etc. So far Dave just perseveres to do his best. Though it has been hard as patients have died that could have survived possibly if they were in North America.

As for me my days go by very fast.

I home school in the mornings which has its fun times as well as some challenges. I think I would prefer to have a set curriculum. Still I am grateful to have all I have. I took the kids to the local school where they sat in for the morning. Wow we are certainly very blessed with what we have. Going to the school is a real honor for the Kenyans and every one crowds around you. At one time I put out my hand to shake someone's hand and then had to shake everyone's hand (30 - 50 kids). The funny thing is that some of them look at their hand afterwards as though they may change colour. I tease some of them when they come back over and over again and hold on for longer as though I won't let them go.They usually break out into the most amazing smiles that could lift anyone's heart.

Tim and Robyn were both a hit in the class and were obviously the center of attraction. Both achieved well except Robyn had a Swahili lesson and did not know how to write it. The teacher teased her and said she would have to come back for a test. Manners are still a high priority in class and the children all stand and greet the teacher when they enter the class. Just how I grew up so I feel quite at home. Also they really make you feel very welcome By clapping a welcome. In class they also clap for each correct answer that is given. Tim took his African sticks to show every one which was a hit.

He was totally surrounded every time he went outside, so when he needed to move someone would yell "space" and a path was made for him. Honestly the people out here are extremely friendly and everyone you pass literally welcomes you. Some will come and take your hand and shake it, both young and old. Others who know any English will strike up a conversation with you and walk with you.

As for me I am also helping out with a Sunday school out in the field. This last Sunday we had 39 children. We sang songs and I read a story. Most of the children here are poor and may never go to school. In general though I find there are many churches and most people have heard about God. I have been so grateful to have my walkman with speakers as the children love to listen and learn songs. Even just playing music in the children's ward seems to bring in a little light or smile to patients. Some even join in and sing. We have also had the privilege of being invited to some of the local's houses. Some really poor while others are comfortable (that means they have a bed and chairs for seating). One usually gets offered chi tea which is very tasty but I am always afraid of getting ill. Our water is purified and filtered at the mission. In fact everything gets washed under the water before cooking.

Will end off and try to post lots of pictures, which will give you more an idea of where we are.

Here is Robyn's class