A Few Pictures

Erik returned from Kenya last Thursday night. A snowstorm in Dallas meant his flight was canceled, but I happened to check email that morning, see the update, and arrange an alternate flight for him before his incoming flight touched ground. He was able to get on a flight into Jackson instead, and it turned out to be one of only a handful of flights that actually took off that day - albeit after six hours on the runway waiting for de-icing! We were so thankful for God's provision. He landed here in JH at about 1 AM - having traveled for about 34 hours!

We will give many more details later -- and hope to make an album that others can access electronically. He has more than 600 photos, so we need to pare those down to the few best. He had a challenging and wonderful trip - and is very glad he went. He is covered in flea bites but seems to have managed to get away without any kind of gastroenteritis or other infection. Others on his team were less fortunate. The work went well, and he will continue to work here from home, compiling written recommendations for the villagers about how to work as a community to implement simple irrigation that will sustain them through the dry season. His observation of Western Kenya was that it is a land of great abundance in terms of rain and ability to produce... but also a land of extreme poverty and hunger. A land of hospitality and kindness, but in need of the Lord, as well. There are many missionaries and projects - but a dearth of discipleship that would allow the Kenyans to take over leadership roles and continue effective programs.

Enjoy the few photos!


Saturday church in the village of Nyangina

Giraffes at the Masai Mara


Early morning in the village


Water source: cattle wading, women washing clothes, others collecting water to drink and use - all in the same muddy spot

Outdoor kitchen - fire pit, dishwashing station, food preparation. All of their meals are essentially the same: a cornmeal mush called ugali, potato, steamed bananas, rice, possibly chicken cooked in salty broth, and fruit. Erik was wary of the fruit because a knife might be used to cut raw chicken, then laid on a cow pie, then picked up without washing to cut papaya or pineapple. He did eat the pineapple - hoping it was acidic enough that bacteria would not survive on the surface.