One Week Until Daystar

Greetings everyone from Kisumu!
I am doing well here and enjoying each day.

Some quick info: When I went to Lwanda three years ago I lived with Martin and Syprose Arogo and I was also good friends with Fred Odhiambo and his family. Since my arrival, I've mostly been staying with Fred and his sisters, Mary and Esther, at their home in Kisumu. Kisumu is a large city about an hour and a half drive away from Lwanda. Fred is a teacher here, Esther attends school, and Mary works. They travel home to Lwanda about every two weeks.

Martin and Syprose Arogo also live most of the time in Kisumu, where Martin works at ATP Technical Training College. They live on ATP's campus with two of their sons, one of who ( Elisha) is my age. Their other children are spread around at schools and working in other cities. With that background information, I can tell you what I have been up to the past week.

Early this week, I stayed with my parents (Martin and Syprose) at their home at ATP for three days. They were very happy to have their daughter back and I really enjoyed being with them. They are so sweet, loving, friendly, and laid-back. Syprose is always smiling and laughing and I enjoyed cooking with her and just sitting on the back stairs with her. Martin is a really loving father to his whole family... he even hugs me. I enjoyed spending time with Elisha. He taught me a lot of Swahili and even gave me a quiz, which I did well on, by the way. Jacob, their youngest son, is shy; but not too shy to stay out of the game of "pick-up-sticks" that we played together as a family. On Sunday, I met one of their daughters (Helen, age 18)have never met before. We went to visit her at her boarding school near Lwanda. Helen was super excited to meet me and we connected right from the beginning of the visit.

On Saturday I went with Fred to Lwanda. I can't even think of words to describe what it felt like to be back. It was refreshing and just the way I remembered it. I reconnected with friends and the Odhiambo family. I played soccer, visited Martin and Syprose and the compound where I lived, and visited the school. I was really shocked when I arrived at Lwanda Primary and Secondary school and found that the size had almost doubled!! There were about eight new classrooms added to the existing 8 or 9. I was really impressed with the new classrooms. They were so beautiful compared to the older rooms, which didn't even have windows or doors. (I will post pictures when I get to Daystar.) ATP was responsible for the metal windows and doors on the new rooms. I saw the 80 desks and chairs which were donated (financially) by members of Trinity Lutheran Church over a year and a half ago. They were very beautiful and well built- enough for two of the new classrooms. I greeted the teachers and students, and they send thanks to those who sponsored the purchase of the much needed textbooks, desks (lockers), and chairs.

So, I am back in Kisumu until I head to the much-awaited Daystar on Monday. Also, I have some very good, and some very bad news that I just read in my email. First, my friend Jen from Hope College is going to be visiting me for three weeks during our Christmas breaks!!! The unfortunate news from home is that my good friend, Burt, was in a very serious car accident this weekend. Prayers for him, as he remains in a drug-induced coma. There is news that he is doing better, but I wish I could be there for him.

Take care. Blessings.